skynewspolitics--2020-05-01--Temperature checks and social distancing: Government considers options for easing lockdown

People could be asked to check their temperature at home before they travel on public transport , under plans being looked at by the government .
The prime minister is due to reveal details next week of how the COVID-19 lockdown will be eased , allowing more people to go to work and children to return to school .
Boris Johnson has been open about his keenness to boost the struggling economy but there are concerns that ending the lockdown too quickly could result in a second wave of infections and deaths .
One of the places of concern would @ @ @ @ @ @ @ buses were often crowded during peak times before the virus outbreak .
The Times reported that commuters could have to take their temperatures before travelling and anyone with a high temperature - a COVID-19 symptom - would need to stay home .
A senior government source confirmed the plans are being considered but said they are a `` long way '' from being policy .
Meanwhile , The Daily Telegraph reported that social distancing rules requiring people to stay two metres apart could be reviewed in the hope this would allow more businesses @ @ @ @ @ @ @ minister told the newspaper that the issue was a `` live discussion '' .
: : Listen to the Daily podcast on Apple Podcasts , Google Podcasts , Spotify , Spreaker It comes after a further 739 people were confirmed on Friday to have died , bringing the total number of deaths in hospitals , care homes and private homes to 27,510 .
Some 6,201 new cases of COVID-19 were confirmed , bringing the total number of infections to 177,454 .
The government said on Friday that it had passed its target of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ by the end of April .
But the numbers were boosted by around 27,000 tests sent to homes , which had not previously been counted in testing figures and are now counted as they are dispatched .
Health Secretary Matt Hancock has said that the next phase of dealing with the virus outbreak will be dominated by community testing and contact tracing .
He told reporters : `` In recent weeks we 've had to impinge on historic liberties to protect our NHS and our loved ones and yet our goal must be @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , yes , and we will not lift measures until it is safe to do so .
`` But also we care about the restoration of social freedom and economic freedom too - each citizen 's right to do as they please . ''
Some 18,000 contact tracers will be in place by mid-May to track those who have come into contact with an infected person , he added .
Meanwhile , the NHS has urged people to keep appointments for vaccinations such as the MMR jab .
There has been anecdotal evidence @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and doctors due to fear of being infected with the coronavirus .
But NHS England said these routine vaccinations are vital in preventing serious diseases that could add to the pressure already on the health service .
Public health minister Jo Churchill said : `` If you need to visit your GP , parents should be reassured that going to a medical appointment is classed as essential travel as long as no one in the household is displaying COVID-19 symptoms . ''
Dr Nikita Kanani , medical director for Primary Care NHS England @ @ @ @ @ @ @ were still being carried out and people should turn up for appointments if they have no symptoms .
She said : `` If you do n't have symptoms it 's best for you to get your vaccinations done .
If you are well enough , please come in . ''

People could be asked to check their temperature at home before they travel on public transport, under plans being looked at by the government.
The prime minister is due to reveal details next week of how the COVID-19 lockdown will be eased, allowing more people to go to work and children to return to school.
Boris Johnson has been open about his keenness to boost the struggling economy but there are concerns that ending the lockdown too quickly could result in a second wave of infections and deaths.
One of the places of concern would be public transport, where trains and buses were often crowded during peak times before the virus outbreak.
The Times reported that commuters could have to take their temperatures before travelling and anyone with a high temperature - a COVID-19 symptom - would need to stay home.
A senior government source confirmed the plans are being considered but said they are a "long way" from being policy.
Meanwhile, The Daily Telegraph reported that social distancing rules requiring people to stay two metres apart could be reviewed in the hope this would allow more businesses and schools to reopen.
An unidentified minister told the newspaper that the issue was a "live discussion".
:: Listen to the Daily podcast on Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, Spotify, Spreaker
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It comes after a further 739 people were confirmed on Friday to have died, bringing the total number of deaths in hospitals, care homes and private homes to 27,510.
Some 6,201 new cases of COVID-19 were confirmed, bringing the total number of infections to 177,454.
The government said on Friday that it had passed its target of carrying out 100,000 coronavirus tests per day by the end of April.
But the numbers were boosted by around 27,000 tests sent to homes, which had not previously been counted in testing figures and are now counted as they are dispatched.
Health Secretary Matt Hancock has said that the next phase of dealing with the virus outbreak will be dominated by community testing and contact tracing.
He told reporters: "In recent weeks we've had to impinge on historic liberties to protect our NHS and our loved ones and yet our goal must be freedom.
"Freedom from the virus, yes, and we will not lift measures until it is safe to do so.
"But also we care about the restoration of social freedom and economic freedom too - each citizen's right to do as they please."
Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player 1:05 The UK's R is down... but what is it and how could it impact lockdown?
Some 18,000 contact tracers will be in place by mid-May to track those who have come into contact with an infected person, he added.
Meanwhile, the NHS has urged people to keep appointments for vaccinations such as the MMR jab.
There has been anecdotal evidence that people are staying away from hospitals and doctors due to fear of being infected with the coronavirus.
But NHS England said these routine vaccinations are vital in preventing serious diseases that could add to the pressure already on the health service.
Public health minister Jo Churchill said: "If you need to visit your GP, parents should be reassured that going to a medical appointment is classed as essential travel as long as no one in the household is displaying COVID-19 symptoms."
Dr Nikita Kanani, medical director for Primary Care NHS England, told Sky News that other vaccinations were still being carried out and people should turn up for appointments if they have no symptoms.
She said: "If you don't have symptoms it's best for you to get your vaccinations done. If you are well enough, please come in."


skynewspolitics--2020-05-02--Johnson says 'arrangements' were made in case he died from coronavirus

Boris Johnson says his health deteriorated so badly after contracting coronavirus that a strategy was drawn up in case he died .
In an interview with The Sun On Sunday , the prime minister revealed he was given `` litres and litres of oxygen '' after going into intensive care with COVID-19 on 7 April .
Mr Johnson said : `` It was a tough old moment , I wo n't deny it .
They had a strategy to deal with a 'death of Stalin'-type scenario .
`` I was not in particularly brilliant shape and I was aware there @ @ @ @ @ @ @ The doctors had all sorts of arrangements for what to do if things went badly wrong .
`` They gave me a face mask so I got litres and litres of oxygen and for a long time I had that and the little nose jobbie . ''
The interview comes after his partner Carrie Symonds shared a picture of their new son , who they have named Wilfred Lawrie Nicholas Johnson - with the name Nicholas chosen in a nod to the two doctors who saved the prime minister 's life .
Mr @ @ @ @ @ @ @ was `` in denial '' about how serious it was when he was diagnosed with COVID-19 at the end of March .
`` I said I really did n't want to go into hospital , '' he explained .
`` It did n't seem to me to be a good move but they were pretty adamant .
Looking back , they were right to force me to go . ''
Recalling what it was like when things got more serious after he was moved to intensive care , Mr Johnson said : `` @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Because the bloody indicators kept going in the wrong direction and I thought , 'There 's no medicine for this thing and there 's no cure . '
`` That was the stage when I was thinking , 'How am I going to get out of this ? '
'' Mr Johnson returned to work on Monday and was immediately faced with preparing for the coronavirus lockdown review due to be announced by Thursday 7 May .
He is expected to lay out the UK 's approach to tackling `` phase two '' @ @ @ @ @ @ @ infections has passed .
So far more than 28,000 people have died in all settings across the country .
In his first appearance at the daily Downing Street briefing since returning to Number 10 , Mr Johnson signalled the government was following Scotland 's lead and switching its advice on non-medical face covering .
He said they will be `` useful '' when enforced social distancing measures are eventually eased to `` give people confidence they can go back to work '' .
It came two days after Health Secretary Matt Hancock said @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to support people wearing face coverings in shops and on public transport .
Next week Kay Burley will be hosting a live Q & A with Health Secretary Matt Hancock .
You can put your questions to Mr Hancock about the coronavirus and its impact on your life live on Sky News .
Email us your questions - or you can record a video clip of your question on your phone - and send it to AskTheHealthSecretary @ sky.uk

Boris Johnson says his health deteriorated so badly after contracting coronavirus that a strategy was drawn up in case he died.
In an interview with The Sun On Sunday, the prime minister revealed he was given "litres and litres of oxygen" after going into intensive care with COVID-19 on 7 April.
Mr Johnson said: "It was a tough old moment, I won't deny it. They had a strategy to deal with a 'death of Stalin'-type scenario.
Image: The baby was named Wilfred Lawrie Nicholas Johnson
"I was not in particularly brilliant shape and I was aware there were contingency plans in place.
"The doctors had all sorts of arrangements for what to do if things went badly wrong.
"They gave me a face mask so I got litres and litres of oxygen and for a long time I had that and the little nose jobbie."
The interview comes after his partner Carrie Symonds shared a picture of their new son, who they have named Wilfred Lawrie Nicholas Johnson - with the name Nicholas chosen in a nod to the two doctors who saved the prime minister's life.
Mr Johnson also spoke openly about how he was "in denial" about how serious it was when he was diagnosed with COVID-19 at the end of March.
"I said I really didn't want to go into hospital," he explained.
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"It didn't seem to me to be a good move but they were pretty adamant. Looking back, they were right to force me to go."
Recalling what it was like when things got more serious after he was moved to intensive care, Mr Johnson said: "I was just incredibly frustrated.
"Because the bloody indicators kept going in the wrong direction and I thought, 'There's no medicine for this thing and there's no cure.'
"That was the stage when I was thinking, 'How am I going to get out of this?'"
Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player 8:40 PM says on his first day back UK 'beginning to turn the tide'
Mr Johnson returned to work on Monday and was immediately faced with preparing for the coronavirus lockdown review due to be announced by Thursday 7 May.
He is expected to lay out the UK's approach to tackling "phase two" of the virus now the peak of infections has passed.
So far more than 28,000 people have died in all settings across the country.
In his first appearance at the daily Downing Street briefing since returning to Number 10, Mr Johnson signalled the government was following Scotland's lead and switching its advice on non-medical face covering.
He said they will be "useful" when enforced social distancing measures are eventually eased to "give people confidence they can go back to work".
It came two days after Health Secretary Matt Hancock said there was only "weak science" to support people wearing face coverings in shops and on public transport.
Meanwhile, a poll suggests more than four in five Britons are against lockdown restrictions being eased for schools, pubs and restaurants this week.
Only 17% of those surveyed thought the time was right to consider reopening schools, with smaller proportions of people thinking conditions had been met to allow cinemas, sporting stadia and nightclubs to open their doors.
The Opinium poll for the Observer questioned 2,000 adults between Wednesday and Friday and showed 79% of people were continuing to follow lockdown restrictions into their sixth week.
Next week Kay Burley will be hosting a live Q&A with Health Secretary Matt Hancock. You can put your questions to Mr Hancock about the coronavirus and its impact on your life live on Sky News.
Email us your questions - or you can record a video clip of your question on your phone - and send it to AskTheHealthSecretary@sky.uk


skynewspolitics--2020-05-02--'You can and should leave': Domestic abuse victims to get 'priority' for housing

Domestic abuse victims in England will be given priority for housing following a rise in incidents during the coronavirus lockdown .
Communities Secretary Robert Jenrick announced a raft of measures to support `` the most vulnerable '' in society at the Downing Street COVID-19 briefing , as the UK death toll climbed to 28,132 .
He promised abuse victims would get `` priority need '' status for access to local housing and said £76m would be poured into increasing the number of refuges , counsellors and help charities offer helplines .
The number of domestic abuse killings has more than @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to the National Domestic Abuse Helpline have risen by 25 % .
Mr Jenrick said that the Domestic Abuse Bill going through parliament at the moment would create `` the first ever legal definition of domestic abuse '' .
`` As a father of three girls , I can not even imagine women and young children being put in this situation - but they are , '' he said on Saturday .
`` We must be alive to the reality of what is happening in all too many homes across the country ... @ @ @ @ @ @ @ do not have to stay at home , you can and should leave the home if you 're in danger . ''
Labour said the government had `` not been moving quickly enough '' on support for domestic abuse victims and added that it would `` call for more action '' .
But shadow home secretary Nick Thomas-Symonds welcomed the announcement , saying : `` We will look at this package closely to ensure it is sufficient to meet people 's needs and that the money gets where it is required quickly .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ sleepers known to councils have been offered safe accommodation in the past month , Mr Jenrick said .
He announced the government 's homelessness adviser , Dame Louise Casey , had been put in charge of a new taskforce designed to try and ensure those people helped so far do not return to the streets when the pandemic is over .
Mr Jenrick also urged those with lockdown fatigue to keep following the `` stay at home '' emergency rules .
He said Prime Minister Boris Johnson would outline the government 's plan @ @ @ @ @ @ @ tackling the coronavirus pandemic next week .
The lockdown is due to be reviewed by Thursday 7 May .
Next week Kay Burley will be hosting a live Q & A with Health Secretary Matt Hancock .
You can put your questions to Mr Hancock about the coronavirus and its impact on your life live on Sky News .
Email us your questions - or you can record a video clip of your question on your phone - and send it to AskTheHealthSecretary @ sky.uk

Domestic abuse victims in England will be given priority for housing following a rise in incidents during the coronavirus lockdown.
Communities Secretary Robert Jenrick announced a raft of measures to support "the most vulnerable" in society at the Downing Street COVID-19 briefing, as the UK death toll climbed to 28,132.
He promised abuse victims would get "priority need" status for access to local housing and said £76m would be poured into increasing the number of refuges, counsellors and help charities offer helplines.
The number of domestic abuse killings has more than doubled during the lockdown and phone calls to the National Domestic Abuse Helpline have risen by 25%.
Mr Jenrick said that the Domestic Abuse Bill going through parliament at the moment would create "the first ever legal definition of domestic abuse".
"As a father of three girls, I cannot even imagine women and young children being put in this situation - but they are," he said on Saturday.
"We must be alive to the reality of what is happening in all too many homes across the country...
"You are not alone, you do not have to stay at home, you can and should leave the home if you're in danger."
Labour said the government had "not been moving quickly enough" on support for domestic abuse victims and added that it would "call for more action".
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But shadow home secretary Nick Thomas-Symonds welcomed the announcement, saying: "We will look at this package closely to ensure it is sufficient to meet people's needs and that the money gets where it is required quickly."
Additionally, more than 5,400 rough sleepers known to councils have been offered safe accommodation in the past month, Mr Jenrick said.
He announced the government's homelessness adviser, Dame Louise Casey, had been put in charge of a new taskforce designed to try and ensure those people helped so far do not return to the streets when the pandemic is over.
Mr Jenrick also urged those with lockdown fatigue to keep following the "stay at home" emergency rules.
He said Prime Minister Boris Johnson would outline the government's plan for the "second phase" of tackling the coronavirus pandemic next week.
The lockdown is due to be reviewed by Thursday 7 May.
Next week Kay Burley will be hosting a live Q&A with Health Secretary Matt Hancock. You can put your questions to Mr Hancock about the coronavirus and its impact on your life live on Sky News.
Email us your questions - or you can record a video clip of your question on your phone - and send it to AskTheHealthSecretary@sky.uk


skynewspolitics--2020-05-03--Older people will 'rebel and risk prison' if forced to be locked down longer

Older people will `` rebel and risk prison '' if they are forced to remain in lockdown longer while restrictions are eased , a former Tory pensions minister has warned .
Conservative peer Baroness Altmann argued such a requirement would be `` age discrimination '' and could cost lives as well as threaten social unrest .
Her comments come amid growing concern the over-70s could be told to isolate for longer than the rest of the population when the rules to cope with COVID-19 start to be relaxed .
Meanwhile , Health Secretary Matt Hancock has underlined the NHS guidance @ @ @ @ @ @ @ as being at high risk from coronavirus .
This stresses the importance of following the advice about staying at home and only leaving if it is essential , such as getting food or medicine .
Speaking to Sky News ' Sophy Ridge On Sunday programme , the former pensions minister said : `` I certainly hope as we move out of the current emergency phase of lockdown there wo n't be some kind of blanket policy to forbid people of any particular age from leaving their own homes or from being part of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ criteria would be fundamentally wrong and actually would potentially cost the lives of many people , and risks social unrest . ''
`` There are many over-70s who ca n't bear the thought of having to stay in lockdown a moment longer and have accepted it because everyone else has got to do it .
`` But if they are fit and healthy and they need to get out for their own sanity and physical health , then the idea that the government will tell them you are under house arrest while everyone @ @ @ @ @ @ @ they would n't accept it .
`` Certainly lots of them have told me they would rebel and they would risk going to prison rather than being forced to isolate at home . ''
She added : `` Of course it 's age discrimination , there 's no other way to look at it .
`` A healthy 70-year-old is probably less risk to society than an unhealthy 40-year-old in terms of vulnerability to this illness .
`` The reality is more BAME people , sadly , are falling victim to this than @ @ @ @ @ @ @ not OK to discriminate on grounds of gender , or obesity or colour of skin , but everybody is saying let 's think about somehow discriminating on the basis of age .
`` As if older people are OK to discriminate against and it 's not correct . ''
Next week Kay Burley will be hosting a live Q & A with Health Secretary Matt Hancock .
You can put your questions to Mr Hancock about the coronavirus and its impact on your life live on Sky News .
Email us your questions @ @ @ @ @ @ @ clip of your question on your phone - and send it to AskTheHealthSecretary @ sky.uk

Older people will "rebel and risk prison" if they are forced to remain in lockdown longer while restrictions are eased, a former Tory pensions minister has warned.
Conservative peer Baroness Altmann argued such a requirement would be "age discrimination" and could cost lives as well as threaten social unrest.
Her comments come amid growing concern the over-70s could be told to isolate for longer than the rest of the population when the rules to cope with COVID-19 start to be relaxed.
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:: Listen to Sophy Ridge on Sunday on Apple podcasts, Google podcasts, Spotify, Spreaker
Meanwhile, Health Secretary Matt Hancock has underlined the NHS guidance to older people, who are classed as being at high risk from coronavirus.
This stresses the importance of following the advice about staying at home and only leaving if it is essential, such as getting food or medicine.
Speaking to Sky News' Sophy Ridge On Sunday programme, the former pensions minister said: "I certainly hope as we move out of the current emergency phase of lockdown there won't be some kind of blanket policy to forbid people of any particular age from leaving their own homes or from being part of the community.
"Using an age-based criteria would be fundamentally wrong and actually would potentially cost the lives of many people, and risks social unrest."
"There are many over-70s who can't bear the thought of having to stay in lockdown a moment longer and have accepted it because everyone else has got to do it.
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"But if they are fit and healthy and they need to get out for their own sanity and physical health, then the idea that the government will tell them you are under house arrest while everyone else is free... then I think they wouldn't accept it.
"Certainly lots of them have told me they would rebel and they would risk going to prison rather than being forced to isolate at home."
Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player 1:37 Contact-tracing app to be trialled this week
She added: "Of course it's age discrimination, there's no other way to look at it.
"A healthy 70-year-old is probably less risk to society than an unhealthy 40-year-old in terms of vulnerability to this illness.
"The reality is more BAME people, sadly, are falling victim to this than others.
"But somehow it's not OK to discriminate on grounds of gender, or obesity or colour of skin, but everybody is saying let's think about somehow discriminating on the basis of age.
"As if older people are OK to discriminate against and it's not correct."
Next week Kay Burley will be hosting a live Q&A with Health Secretary Matt Hancock. You can put your questions to Mr Hancock about the coronavirus and its impact on your life live on Sky News.
Email us your questions - or you can record a video clip of your question on your phone - and send it to AskTheHealthSecretary@sky.uk


skynewspolitics--2020-05-03--Isle of Wight residents to find out if they've interacted with a coronavirus sufferer

An NHS contact-tracing app aimed at limiting the future spread of coronavirus will be trialled on the Isle of Wight this week , a cabinet minister has told Sky News .
Transport Secretary Grant Shapps revealed the English Channel island will be the first place in the UK where the new , `` exciting '' NHS smartphone app will be used .
It has previously been suggested that areas that trial the contact-tracing app could also have coronavirus lockdown measures eased , in an experiment to see how the entire UK could exit stringent social distancing rules .
Speaking to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ programme , Mr Shapps explained how the NHS app would `` alert people if they 've been near somebody who is later diagnosed with having coronavirus '' .
He added this would be `` a fantastic way to ensure that we are really able to keep a lid on this going forward and we do n't get that second wave '' of COVID-19 infections .
As well as the NHS app , the government have promised to employ 18,000 contact-tracers by the middle of this month , as it pursues a `` test @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a view to lifting the UK 's lockdown .
`` Later in the month , that app will be rolled out and deployed - assuming the tests are successful , of course - to the population at large , '' Mr Shapps said , as he explained how a majority of the UK population would need to download the app for it to be effective .
`` The idea is we will encourage as many people to take this up as possible .
`` It 's going to be a huge national effort @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , 50 % to 60 % of people to be using this app . ''
Mr Shapps described downloading the app , when it is available across the country , as `` the best possible way to help the NHS '' .
Referencing the weekly Clap for Our Carers applause , he said : `` On a Thursday night , when people are going out and clapping in future , the ability to do something else of use , which will be to download that app , will be a great way to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ secretary said the app would be `` completely confidential '' and explained people would not be told the specific individual it was they had interacted with , who had been diagnosed with coronavirus .
He also suggested , in future , those coming to the UK would be required to download the app as part of stricter rules at airports .
Mr Shapps could not say how many of the promised 18,000 contact-tracers had already been recruited , but vowed that when the app is ready for UK-wide deployment , `` we will @ @ @ @ @ @ @ `` As you 've seen , people are more than willing to come forward and be incredibly public-spirited when it comes to defeating this as a nation , '' he added .
: : Listen to the Daily podcast on Apple Podcasts , Google Podcasts , Spotify , Spreaker Labour 's shadow home secretary Nick Thomas-Symonds told Sophy Ridge : `` It 's that testing and tracing now that 's going to be so important in terms of easing the measures of the lockdown in the weeks and months ahead . ''
He @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a strategy for how we can ensure there is a very large take-up of this app , I think it 's obvious that we should need to do that . ''
However , asked if Britons should be compelled to download the app in future , Mr Thomas-Symonds warned : `` Not everybody has a smartphone in the first place to which you could download the app .
`` What is the government 's strategy in relation to that ?
Secondly , there are also issues around privacy and security .
`` There @ @ @ @ @ @ @ their mobile devices are turned off for particular safety reasons and keeping themselves safe . ''

An NHS contact-tracing app aimed at limiting the future spread of coronavirus will be trialled on the Isle of Wight this week, a cabinet minister has told Sky News.
Transport Secretary Grant Shapps revealed the island in the English Channel will be the first place in the UK where the new, "exciting" NHS smartphone app will be used.
It has previously been suggested that areas that trial the contact-tracing app could also have coronavirus lockdown measures eased, in an experiment to see how the entire UK could exit stringent social distancing rules.
Image: Australia's version of a contact-tracing app is known as Covidsafe
Speaking to Sky News' Sophy Ridge On Sunday programme, Mr Shapps explained how the NHS app would "alert people if they've been near somebody who is later diagnosed with having coronavirus".
He added this would be "a fantastic way to ensure that we are really able to keep a lid on this going forward and we don't get that second wave" of COVID-19 infections.
As well as the NHS app, the government have promised to employ 18,000 contact-tracers by the middle of this month, as it pursues a "test, track and trace" strategy with a view to lifting the UK's lockdown.
"Later in the month, that app will be rolled out and deployed - assuming the tests are successful, of course - to the population at large," Mr Shapps said, as he explained how a majority of the UK population would need to download the app for it to be effective.
"The idea is we will encourage as many people to take this up as possible.
"It's going to be a huge national effort. We need for this to work, 50% to 60% of people to be using this app."
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:: Listen to Sophy Ridge on Sunday on Apple podcasts, Google podcasts, Spotify, Spreaker
Mr Shapps described downloading the app, when it is available across the country, as "the best possible way to help the NHS".
Referencing the weekly Clap for Our Carers applause, he said: "On a Thursday night, when people are going out and clapping in future, the ability to do something else of use, which will be to download that app, will be a great way to support the NHS."
The transport secretary said the app would be "completely confidential" and explained people would not be told the specific individual it was they had interacted with, who had been diagnosed with coronavirus.
He also suggested, in future, those coming to the UK would be required to download the app as part of stricter rules at airports.
Mr Shapps could not say how many of the promised 18,000 contact-tracers had already been recruited, but vowed that when the app is ready for UK-wide deployment, "we will have the people in place".
"As you've seen, people are more than willing to come forward and be incredibly public-spirited when it comes to defeating this as a nation," he added.
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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Labour's shadow home secretary Nick Thomas-Symonds told Sophy Ridge: "It's that testing and tracing now that's going to be so important in terms of easing the measures of the lockdown in the weeks and months ahead."
He added: "There has to be a strategy for how we can ensure there is a very large take-up of this app, I think it's obvious that we should need to do that."
However, asked if Britons should be compelled to download the app in future, Mr Thomas-Symonds warned: "Not everybody has a smartphone in the first place to which you could download the app.
"What is the government's strategy in relation to that? Secondly, there are also issues around privacy and security.
"There are people for whom location services on their mobile devices are turned off for particular safety reasons and keeping themselves safe."


skynewspolitics--2020-05-04--PM seeks world support in 'most urgent shared endeavour of our lifetimes'

The prime minister will join fellow world leaders in a virtual summit later aimed at galvanising global efforts to find a vaccine for COVID-19 .
Boris Johnson will urge the international community to `` pull together '' in what he describes as `` the most urgent shared endeavour of our lifetimes '' .
The online pledging conference , which will be attended by the leaders of Canada , France , Germany , Italy , Japan , Norway , Saudi Arabia , and representatives of the EU , aims to secure more than £6bn in funding to support the global response @ @ @ @ @ @ @ be used to support the development of treatments , tests and ultimately the mass production of a vaccine if one can be found .
Mr Johnson is expected to say : `` To win this battle , we must work together to build an impregnable shield around all our people and that can only be achieved by developing and mass producing a vaccine .
`` The more we pull together and share our expertise , the faster our scientists will succeed .
`` The race to discover the vaccine to defeat this virus @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the most urgent shared endeavour of our lifetimes .
`` It 's humanity against the virus - we are in this together and together we will prevail . ''
However , the absence of both China and the US from the virtual summit is likely to raise concerns that competition between states to secure a vaccine could hinder global efforts .
Writing in the Independent on Sunday , the leaders of France , Germany , Italy and Norway said the `` global challenge '' required `` bringing together the world 's best - @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the vaccines , treatments and therapies we need to make our world healthy again '' .
They also said there should be a focus on `` strengthening '' health systems `` with particular attention to Africa '' .
`` This is our generation 's duty and we know we can make this happen '' , they added .
The conference will also be supported by The Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation as well as the Wellcome Trust .
A total of 28,446 people have died in hospitals , care homes and the wider @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the UK as of 5pm on Saturday .
Mr Johnson is now not expected to set out a `` road map '' on how the UK will exit lockdown until Sunday - three days after the government must review the current restrictions .
Ministers have been under pressure to explain their exit strategy but have so far resisted the calls - warning that to do so risks undermining the message to stay at home to prevent the spread of the virus .
However , on Sunday Michael Gove said that some social distancing @ @ @ @ @ @ @ vaccine has been developed but that the government would seek to restore people 's lives to `` as close to normal as possible '' .
: : Listen to the Daily podcast on Apple Podcasts , Google Podcasts , Spotify , Spreaker It comes as Mr Johnson revealed he feared he would not live to see his baby son Wilfred , who was born while he was suffering from COVID-19 in intensive care last month .
`` I wo n't hide it from you , I was thinking about that , yes , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ I owe my life to our doctors and nurses and the healthcare workers , '' he added .
`` They pulled my chestnuts out of the fire , no question . ''
Meanwhile , a smartphone app to trace the spread of coronavirus will be trialled on the Isle of Wight this week before being rolled out more widely later this month .
Mr Shapps told Sky News the NHSX contact tracing app requires 50 % -60 % of people to use for it to be successful .
Kay Burley will be hosting @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Secretary Matt Hancock on Tuesday .
You can put your questions to Mr Hancock about the coronavirus and its impact on your life live on Sky News .
Email us your questions - or you can record a video clip of your question on your phone - and send it to AskTheHealthSecretary @ sky.uk

Boris Johnson is expected to outline full details of how the UK will exit lockdown on Sunday - three days after the government must review the current restrictions, Sky News has learned.
Businesses and trade unions spent the weekend in consultation with ministers, looking to establish a strategy for reopening selected areas of the economy.
Ministers have been under pressure to explain their exit strategy but have so far resisted the calls - warning that to do so risks undermining the message to stay at home to prevent the spread of the virus.
On Sunday, Cabinet Office minister Michael Gove said some social distancing measures would remain in place until a vaccine has been developed but added that the government would seek to restore people's lives to "as close to normal as possible".
The prime minister, meanwhile, has joined fellow world leaders in a virtual summit aimed at galvanising global efforts to find a vaccine for COVID-19.
Mr Johnson urged the international community to "pull together" in what he described as "the most urgent shared endeavour of our lifetimes".
The online pledging conference, which is being attended by the leaders of Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, Norway, Saudi Arabia, and representatives of the EU, aims to secure more than £6bn in funding to support the global response to the coronavirus pandemic.
This will be used to support the development of treatments, tests and ultimately the mass production of a vaccine if one can be found.
The UK has pledged to give £388m in aid funding for research into tests, treatments and vaccines - part of a £744m commitment to help end the pandemic and support the global economy.
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Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player 1:36 Why a COVID-19 vaccine may not be shared
"To win this battle, we must work together to build an impregnable shield around all our people and that can only be achieved by developing and mass producing a vaccine," Mr Johnson said.
"The more we pull together and share our expertise, the faster our scientists will succeed."
He added: "The race to discover the vaccine to defeat this virus is not a competition between countries but the most urgent shared endeavour of our lifetimes.
"It's humanity against the virus - we are in this together and together we will prevail."
Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player 0:39 COVID-19 vaccine 'may have to be given every two years'
However, the absence of both China and the US from the virtual summit will likely raise concerns that competition between states to secure a vaccine could hinder global efforts.
Writing in the Independent on Sunday, the leaders of France, Germany, Italy and Norway said the "global challenge" required "bringing together the world's best - and most prepared - minds to find the vaccines, treatments and therapies we need to make our world healthy again".
They also said there should be a focus on "strengthening" health systems "with particular attention to Africa".
"This is our generation's duty and we know we can make this happen", they added.
Defence Secretary Ben Wallace also revealed the government is trying to "source as many masks as possible" in case official advice changes to encourage the public to wear them.
People could wear the non-medical face coverings, or other types pf Personal Protective Equipment (PPE), to give them confidence to go back to work when restrictions are eased, he told Sky News' Kay Burley@Breakfast.
Mr Wallace also suggested where people cannot remain two metres apart that halving that distance would "still keep people away from being infected" but for a "much lesser time".
It comes as Mr Johnson has revealed that he feared he would not live to see his baby son Wilfred, who was born after the prime minister was discharged from hospital last month.
Image: The government is procuring masks in case official public guidance changes
"I won't hide it from you, I was thinking about that, yes," he told The Sun.
"I owe my life to our doctors and nurses and the healthcare workers," he added. "They pulled my chestnuts out of the fire, no question."
Meanwhile, a smartphone app to trace the spread of coronavirus will be trialled on the Isle of Wight this week before being rolled out more widely later this month.
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:: Listen to the Daily podcast on Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, Spotify, Spreaker
Mr Shapps told Sky News the NHSX contact tracing app requires 50-60% of people to use for it to be successful.
A total of 28,446 people have died in hospitals, care homes and the wider community after testing positive for coronavirus in the UK as of 5pm on Saturday.
This week Kay Burley will be hosting a live Q&A with Health Secretary Matt Hancock. You can put your questions to Mr Hancock about the coronavirus and its impact on your life live on Sky News.
Email us your questions - or you can record a video clip of your question on your phone - and send it to AskTheHealthSecretary@sky.uk


skynewspolitics--2020-05-03--'Great deal of logic' in letting younger pupils return first - Ofsted chief

There 's a `` great deal of logic '' in allowing younger children to return to school first as the UK 's lockdown is eased , Ofsted 's chief inspector has told Sky News .
Amanda Spielman told Sky News ' Sophy Ridge on Sunday show the interests of children were `` best served '' by `` being back at school as soon as possible '' , after coronavirus restrictions start to be lifted .
Schools in the UK have been closed because of COVID-19 - except for the attendance of children of key workers - since 20 March , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ MPs the government is planning the `` phased '' reopening of English schools once the UK exits a full lockdown .
Although Ms Spielman said the return of schools should be weighed up against the possible impact on the NHS , she added : `` If you look at the interests of children , it 's very clear that their interests are best served - in the vast majority of cases - by being back at school as soon as possible . ''
She also suggested younger children should be the first to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ There 's a great deal of logic in targeting younger children , '' she said .
`` We know that making normality for children is really important and , the younger the child , the more they need that simple , structured routine where they understand what 's happening .
And it 's hard for them to go to school one day and then not for another two weeks .
`` So I entirely recognise and see the logic of this .
`` I also think there 's a logic from the point @ @ @ @ @ @ @ children are the ones who need the greatest care and oversight .
`` It 's hardest for parents to work and all the other things they need to do if they 're also looking after , perhaps , several younger children at the same time and trying to make sure they work through school work remotely . ''
Ms Spielman added there are `` encouraging signs '' that children are `` somewhat less susceptible '' to coronavirus and `` seem to be less likely to transmit '' the disease .
But , asked @ @ @ @ @ @ @ days or weeks on the initial lifting of lockdown measures , Ms Spielman said there `` does n't seem to be one obvious no-brainer answer '' to how schools might reopen .
She also admitted parents , teachers and other school staff would need `` reassurance '' about the reopening of schools .
: : Listen to the Daily podcast on Apple Podcasts , Google Podcasts , Spotify , Spreaker It comes after an Opinium poll for The Observer found only 17 % of people think the conditions have been met to consider @ @ @ @ @ @ @ say they have not been , and that they should stay closed .
Ms Spielman warned there was a `` largely invisible '' harm being done to children by being absent from schools , including the widening of attainment gaps between pupils .
`` We do n't need to measure precisely which children are being disadvantaged , it 's just very clear that a lot are , '' she said .
Ms Spielman also warned of a backlog of referrals to welfare services due to the weeks-long closure of schools .
`` Schools @ @ @ @ @ @ @ other services of various kinds , '' she said .
`` Obviously , because most children are n't in school , those referrals are n't happening - numbers are down dramatically .
`` So many children are not being referred to or not getting services they absolutely need . ''
Next week Kay Burley will be hosting a live Q & A with Health Secretary Matt Hancock .
You can put your questions to Mr Hancock about the coronavirus and its impact on your life live on Sky News .
Email us your @ @ @ @ @ @ @ video clip of your question on your phone - and send it to AskTheHealthSecretary @ sky.uk

There's a "great deal of logic" in allowing younger children to return to school first as the UK's lockdown is eased, Ofsted's chief inspector has told Sky News.
Amanda Spielman told Sky News' Sophy Ridge on Sunday show the interests of children were "best served" by "being back at school as soon as possible", after coronavirus restrictions start to be lifted.
Schools in the UK have been closed because of COVID-19 - except for the attendance of children of key workers - since 20 March, but Education Secretary Gavin Williamson has told MPs the government is planning the "phased" reopening of English schools once the UK exits a full lockdown.
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Although Ms Spielman said the return of schools should be weighed up against the possible impact on the NHS, she added: "If you look at the interests of children, it's very clear that their interests are best served - in the vast majority of cases - by being back at school as soon as possible."
She also suggested younger children should be the first to be sent back to classrooms.
"There's a great deal of logic in targeting younger children," she said.
"We know that making normality for children is really important and, the younger the child, the more they need that simple, structured routine where they understand what's happening. And it's hard for them to go to school one day and then not for another two weeks.
"So I entirely recognise and see the logic of this.
"I also think there's a logic from the point of view of parents; the youngest children are the ones who need the greatest care and oversight.
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"It's hardest for parents to work and all the other things they need to do if they're also looking after, perhaps, several younger children at the same time and trying to make sure they work through school work remotely."
Ms Spielman added there are "encouraging signs" that children are "somewhat less susceptible" to coronavirus and "seem to be less likely to transmit" the disease.
But, asked if children might attend school on alternate days or weeks on the initial lifting of lockdown measures, Ms Spielman said there "doesn't seem to be one obvious no-brainer answer" to how schools might reopen.
She also admitted parents, teachers and other school staff would need "reassurance" about the reopening of schools.
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 Daily podcast on Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, Spotify, Spreaker
It comes after an Opinium poll for The Observer found only 17% of people think the conditions have been met to consider reopening schools, against 67% who say they have not been, and that they should stay closed.
Ms Spielman warned there was a "largely invisible" harm being done to children by being absent from schools, including the widening of attainment gaps between pupils.
"We don't need to measure precisely which children are being disadvantaged, it's just very clear that a lot are," she said.
Ms Spielman also warned of a backlog of referrals to welfare services due to the weeks-long closure of schools.
"Schools make most referrals to local authorities and other services of various kinds," she said.
"Obviously, because most children aren't in school, those referrals aren't happening - numbers are down dramatically.
"So many children are not being referred to or not getting services they absolutely need."
Next week Kay Burley will be hosting a live Q&A with Health Secretary Matt Hancock. You can put your questions to Mr Hancock about the coronavirus and its impact on your life live on Sky News.
Email us your questions - or you can record a video clip of your question on your phone - and send it to AskTheHealthSecretary@sky.uk


skynewspolitics--2020-05-04--Minister resigns after trying to 'intimidate' person in money row

A trade minister has resigned after he tried to `` intimidate '' a member of the public over a financial dispute with his father .
Conor Burns was found by parliament 's sleaze watchdog to have `` put personal interest before the public interest by suggesting that he would take advantage of his public office '' .
He allegedly wrote to an unnamed person connected with the company and threatened to raise his father 's case about repayment of a loan in the House of Commons , warning them they could avoid the `` potentially unpleasant experience '' .
Taxpayer-funded @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the letter sent in February 2019 , which added : `` My role in the public eye could well attract interest especially if I were to use parliamentary privilege to raise the case . ''
A months-long investigation by parliament 's standards commissioner concluded the Bournemouth West MP made `` veiled threats '' about the `` purely private family '' matter to `` further his family 's interests '' .
They also found he `` misleadingly '' defended his actions by implying they had been supported by parliamentary authorities .
Mr Burns , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ he was foreign secretary , was told to apologise and faces suspension from the House of Commons for seven days - a move that still needs approval by MPs .
After the revelation , Mr Burns said he was resigning `` with deep regret '' and would continue giving the prime minister his `` wholehearted support from the backbenches '' .
In his response to the standards commissioner 's report , he added : `` I absolutely should not have written to the complainant in the terms I did or used House [ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ . ''
Downing Street acknowledged his departure , confirming a replacement will be announced `` in due course '' .
Another trade minister , Greg Hands , has also been ordered to apologise to MPs for misusing parliamentary stationery to send a letter to thousands of constituents .
The standards committee admitted the breach was `` not at the serious end of the spectrum '' but criticised the Chelsea and Fulham MP for apparently first accepting to apologise and repay the £4,865 costs in October last year before changing his mind .
`` @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that Mr Hands may well have been motivated by a desire to avoid the embarrassment of having to make a public apology for breaking parliamentary rules during a general election campaign , '' MPs from the cross-party committee said in a statement .

A trade minister has resigned after he tried to "intimidate" a member of the public over a financial dispute with his father.
Conor Burns was found by parliament's sleaze watchdog to have "put personal interest before the public interest by suggesting that he would take advantage of his public office".
He allegedly wrote to an unnamed person connected with the company and threatened to raise his father's case about repayment of a loan in the House of Commons, warning them they could avoid the "potentially unpleasant experience".
Image: Mr Burns was an international trade minister
Taxpayer-funded parliamentary stationery was apparently used to write the letter sent in February 2019, which added: "My role in the public eye could well attract interest especially if I were to use parliamentary privilege to raise the case."
A months-long investigation by parliament's standards commissioner concluded the Bournemouth West MP made "veiled threats" about the "purely private family" matter to "further his family's interests".
They also found he "misleadingly" defended his actions by implying they had been supported by parliamentary authorities.
Mr Burns, a former assistant to Boris Johnson while he was foreign secretary, was told to apologise and faces suspension from the House of Commons for seven days - a move that still needs approval by MPs.
After the revelation, Mr Burns said he was resigning "with deep regret" and would continue giving the prime minister his "wholehearted support from the backbenches".
In his response to the standards commissioner's report, he added: "I absolutely should not have written to the complainant in the terms I did or used House [of Commons] stationery to do so."
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:: Listen to Sophy Ridge on Sunday on Apple podcasts, Google podcasts, Spotify, Spreaker
Downing Street acknowledged his departure, confirming a replacement will be announced "in due course".
In his resignation letter to the PM, Mr Burns said he accepted "unreservedly and without rancour" the standards committee's findings.
He said he was "honoured" to have supported Mr Johnson during his campaign for the Tory leadership last year.
"I have never wavered in my judgement that you were the right person to lead our country at this time of challenge and opportunity," Mr Burns wrote.
The PM said in his reply that he was grateful for his "support and unstinting loyalty", including during his time as Mr Johnson's parliamentary private secretary when he was foreign secretary under Theresa May.
"You have been a great champion for our party and throughout your career and I know that you will continue to add much from the backbenches," Mr Johnson said.
Image: Greg Hands has refused to repay the money, the committee said
Another trade minister, Greg Hands, has also been ordered to apologise to MPs for misusing parliamentary stationery to send a letter to thousands of constituents.
The standards committee admitted the breach was "not at the serious end of the spectrum" but criticised the Chelsea and Fulham MP for apparently first accepting to apologise and repay the £4,865 costs in October last year before changing his mind.
"It is hard to avoid the conclusion that Mr Hands may well have been motivated by a desire to avoid the embarrassment of having to make a public apology for breaking parliamentary rules during a general election campaign," MPs from the cross-party committee said in a statement.


skynewspolitics--2020-05-04--Boris Johnson set to reveal lockdown exit plan on Sunday

Boris Johnson is expected to outline full details of how the UK will exit lockdown on Sunday - three days after the government must review the current restrictions , Sky News has learned .
Businesses and trade unions spent the weekend in consultation with ministers , looking to establish a strategy for reopening selected areas of the economy .
Ministers have been under pressure to explain their exit strategy but have so far resisted the calls - warning that to do so risks undermining the message to stay at home to prevent the spread of the virus .
On Sunday @ @ @ @ @ @ @ some social distancing measures would remain in place until a vaccine has been developed but added that the government would seek to restore people 's lives to `` as close to normal as possible '' .
Later today , the prime minister will join fellow world leaders in a virtual summit aimed at galvanising global efforts to find a vaccine for COVID-19 .
Boris Johnson will urge the international community to `` pull together '' in what he describes as `` the most urgent shared endeavour of our lifetimes '' .
The online @ @ @ @ @ @ @ by the leaders of Canada , France , Germany , Italy , Japan , Norway , Saudi Arabia , and representatives of the EU , aims to secure more than £6bn in funding to support the global response to the coronavirus pandemic .
This will be used to support the development of treatments , tests and ultimately the mass production of a vaccine if one can be found .
The UK has pledged to give £388m in aid funding for research into tests , treatments and vaccines - part of a £744m commitment @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the global economy .
Mr Johnson is expected to say : `` To win this battle , we must work together to build an impregnable shield around all our people and that can only be achieved by developing and mass producing a vaccine .
`` The more we pull together and share our expertise , the faster our scientists will succeed .
`` The race to discover the vaccine to defeat this virus is not a competition between countries but the most urgent shared endeavour of our lifetimes .
`` It 's humanity @ @ @ @ @ @ @ this together and together we will prevail . ''
However , the absence of both China and the US from the virtual summit is likely to raise concerns that competition between states to secure a vaccine could hinder global efforts .
Writing in the Independent on Sunday , the leaders of France , Germany , Italy and Norway said the `` global challenge '' required `` bringing together the world 's best - and most prepared - minds to find the vaccines , treatments and therapies we need to make our world healthy @ @ @ @ @ @ @ should be a focus on `` strengthening '' health systems `` with particular attention to Africa '' .
`` This is our generation 's duty and we know we can make this happen '' , they added .
Defence Secretary Ben Wallace also revealed the government is trying to `` source as many masks as possible '' in case official advice changes to encourage the public to wear them .
People could wear the non-medical face coverings , or other types pf Personal Protective Equipment ( PPE ) , to give them confidence @ @ @ @ @ @ @ are eased , he told Sky News ' Kay Burley @ Breakfast .
Mr Wallace also suggested where people can not remain two metres apart that halving that distance would `` still keep people away from being infected '' but for a `` much lesser time '' .
: : Listen to the Daily podcast on Apple Podcasts , Google Podcasts , Spotify , Spreaker It comes as Mr Johnson has revealed that he feared he would not live to see his baby son Wilfred , who was born after the prime minister @ @ @ @ @ @ @ `` I wo n't hide it from you , I was thinking about that , yes , '' he told The Sun .
`` I owe my life to our doctors and nurses and the healthcare workers , '' he added .
`` They pulled my chestnuts out of the fire , no question . ''
Meanwhile , a smartphone app to trace the spread of coronavirus will be trialled on the Isle of Wight this week before being rolled out more widely later this month .
Mr Shapps told Sky News the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of people to use for it to be successful .
A total of 28,446 people have died in hospitals , care homes and the wider community after testing positive for coronavirus in the UK as of 5pm on Saturday .
This week Kay Burley will be hosting a live Q & A with Health Secretary Matt Hancock .
You can put your questions to Mr Hancock about the coronavirus and its impact on your life live on Sky News .
Email us your questions - or you can record a video clip of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ send it to AskTheHealthSecretary @ sky.uk


skynewspolitics--2020-05-04--Health sec doesn't think future vaccine will need to be made compulsory

The health secretary has said he does not think a future COVID-19 vaccine would need to be made compulsory .
At Downing Street 's daily coronavirus news briefing , Matt Hancock said : `` I think the extent of the public 's reaction following the lockdown shows we will be able to achieve very , very high levels of vaccination without taking that step . ''
A number of versions of a potential COVID-19 vaccine are being researched worldwide , with more than 600 people taking part in an Oxford University trial .
And at a video conference summit hosted @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of world leaders , organisations and banks joined to together to pledged 7.4bn euros to hunt for a vaccine .
The US and Russia were among those who did not take part .
Mr Hancock said : `` We are proceeding on the basis that just such a huge proportion of the population are going to take this up because of the obvious benefits to individuals and their families and their communities and indeed the whole nation , that there will be enormous demand for it as and when the science is safe @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ministers were not ruling anything out , but were proceeding on the basis there would be enormous uptake due to the `` obvious benefits '' of a vaccine .
Speaking at the same briefing , England 's deputy chief medical officer said a vaccine would likely be available to adults before children .
Mr Hancock , meanwhile , also warned there was no guarantee a vaccine would be found .
`` We ca n't assume there will be a vaccine , '' he said .
`` There is no coronavirus vaccine yet for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is uncertain science . ''
Mr Hancock was asked about the prospect of compulsory vaccinations , having previously said - before the coronavirus outbreak - there was a `` very strong '' case for making it compulsory for children to be vaccinated .
Asked at Monday 's news conference what his message would be to people who are against vaccinations , the health secretary replied : `` I think there has been no greater demonstration in modern history that vaccines save lives than the need for a vaccine to save lives and to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ outbreak of COVID-19 .
`` We will only license a vaccine when it is both effective and safe . ''
Professor Jonathan Van-Tam said children appear to be less affected by the coronavirus .
: : Listen to the Daily podcast on Apple Podcasts , Google Podcasts , Spotify , Spreaker Prof Van-Tam said : `` We are following the developments in vaccine research across the world , including in the UK .
`` We remain very hopeful that there will be a breakthrough at some point in the future .
`` I @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is that it is more likely than not that the first vaccines will be licensed in adults in the first instance .
`` So far the epidemiological evidence is not showing us that there is a massive burden of disease or burden of mortality in children , it is actually completely at the other end of the scale , it is in the elderly . ''
Mr Hancock used Monday 's briefing to launch a trial of the NHS contact tracing app which the government hopes will allow it to keep the future @ @ @ @ @ @ @ app will be tested on the Isle of Wight first and could be rolled out across the UK in the weeks to come if the trial proves successful .
On Wednesday , Kay Burley will be hosting a live Q & A with Health Secretary Matt Hancock .
You can put your questions to Mr Hancock about the coronavirus and its impact on your life live on Sky News .
Email us your questions - or you can record a video clip of your question on your phone - and send it to @ @ @

The health secretary has said he does not think a future COVID-19 vaccine would need to be made compulsory.
At Downing Street's daily coronavirus news briefing, Matt Hancock said: "I think the extent of the public's reaction following the lockdown shows we will be able to achieve very, very high levels of vaccination without taking that step."
A number of versions of a potential COVID-19 vaccine are being researched worldwide, with more than 600 people taking part in an Oxford University trial.
And at a video conference summit hosted by the European Union, a group of world leaders, organisations and banks joined to together to pledged 7.4bn euros to hunt for a vaccine. The US and Russia were among those who did not take part.
Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player 4:04 What's the timescale for a COVID-19 vaccine?
Mr Hancock said: "We are proceeding on the basis that just such a huge proportion of the population are going to take this up because of the obvious benefits to individuals and their families and their communities and indeed the whole nation, that there will be enormous demand for it as and when the science is safe to proceed."
He added that ministers were not ruling anything out, but were proceeding on the basis there would be enormous uptake due to the "obvious benefits" of a vaccine.
Speaking at the same briefing, England's deputy chief medical officer said a vaccine would likely be available to adults before children.
Mr Hancock, meanwhile, also warned there was no guarantee a vaccine would be found.
"We can't assume there will be a vaccine," he said. "There is no coronavirus vaccine yet for any of the existing coronaviruses and this is uncertain science."
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Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player 2:43 The search for a COVID-19 vaccine
Mr Hancock was asked about the prospect of compulsory vaccinations, having previously said - before the coronavirus outbreak - there was a "very strong" case for making it compulsory for children to be vaccinated.
Asked at Monday's news conference what his message would be to people who are against vaccinations, the health secretary replied: "I think there has been no greater demonstration in modern history that vaccines save lives than the need for a vaccine to save lives and to get the world going again following the outbreak of COVID-19.
"We will only license a vaccine when it is both effective and safe."
Professor Jonathan Van-Tam said children appear to be less affected by the coronavirus.
:: Listen to the Daily podcast on Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, Spotify, Spreaker
Prof Van-Tam said: "We are following the developments in vaccine research across the world, including in the UK.
"We remain very hopeful that there will be a breakthrough at some point in the future.
"I think what I can say to you is that it is more likely than not that the first vaccines will be licensed in adults in the first instance.
"So far the epidemiological evidence is not showing us that there is a massive burden of disease or burden of mortality in children, it is actually completely at the other end of the scale, it is in the elderly."
Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player 1:23 Health secretary outlines how new app will work
Mr Hancock used Monday's briefing to launch a trial of the NHS contact tracing app which the government hopes will allow it to keep the future spread of COVID-19 under control.
The app will be tested on the Isle of Wight first and could be rolled out across the UK in the weeks to come if the trial proves successful.
On Wednesday, Kay Burley will be hosting a live Q&A with Health Secretary Matt Hancock. You can put your questions to Mr Hancock about the coronavirus and its impact on your life live on Sky News.
Email us your questions - or you can record a video clip of your question on your phone - and send it to AskTheHealthSecretary@sky.uk


skynewspolitics--2020-05-04--The lockdown can't last forever, but 'caution' will be the watchword

Coronavirus : The lockdown ca n't last forever , but 'caution ' will be the watchword Coronavirus : The lockdown ca n't last forever , but 'caution ' will be the watchword The lockdown was introduced at the end of March to slow the spread of COVID-19 We are in the seventh week of lockdown and the government is now beginning to draw a roadmap of how we might navigate our way through this crisis now we have passed the peak of the epidemic .
On Monday , officials at the business department held talks with employers , trade unions @ @ @ @ @ @ @ pull together a plan to get the country back to work .
Sky News has seen all seven of the guidance documents drawn up by ministers - taking in workplaces from hotels and restaurant staff to factory , shop and office workers - that forms the basis of getting people back to work in the coming weeks .
Employers will be expected to help staff and customers maintain the 2m ( 6.5ft ) distance , and most employees will work from home .
In factories and warehouses , equipment should be cleaned frequently @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Shops will have to limit the number of customers through their doors .
Hotels will have to keep bars and restaurants closed .
An obvious omission in each document is instructions on the use of face masks and personal protective equipment .
On that , it 's `` guidance to follow '' .
This is all too vague for the unions , who want far more detailed guidelines and have stressed to ministers and officials they can not sign up to these plans unless they issue binding requirements around worker safety rather than @ @ @ @ @ @ @ figure told me : `` We need to make sure workers feel safe and we want proper guidance on masks and personal protective equipment .
We want clear instructions to employers .
`` The government are looking at it from a political point of view of soundbites and moving to a new phase .
We are looking at it from a safety and practical point of view . ''
The conversations are beginning behind closed doors , but in the coming days it will become a national conversation between the government and the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and , critically , convince people to return to work and send their children back to school .
`` It 's going to take a bit of time , '' one union figure told me .
`` We 've got to take people on a journey to get them back to work .
They are anxious and they have watched as tens of thousands of people have died .
So the concern is real . ''
You can see how the government is preparing the ground to move the public on .
One @ @ @ @ @ @ @ app - being trialled this week on the Isle of Wight - to make it easier to track the virus and prevent it spreading through the population by alerting users when they have come into contact with someone who has had coronavirus symptoms .
Another will be the use of masks , with the prime minister last week saying that he believed face coverings `` will be useful '' in terms of slowing the spread and giving people `` confidence '' to return to the workplace .
Then there is the science and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of the disease .
Mr Johnson announced on his return to Downing Street last Monday that his priority was to keep the reproduction rate of the disease - the R0 - below one to stop the spread .
This metric will form the backbone of the government 's strategy in convincing the public that the risk of being outside their home is diminishing .
Lifting the lockdown will not be a linear path .
: : Listen to the Daily podcast on Apple Podcasts , Google Podcasts , Spotify , Spreaker The UK @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to easing us back into a `` new normal '' of living with the disease as we await a vaccine or effective treatments , but ministers will have to bend our freedoms and restrictions to the shape of the disease .
Local areas could be put back into lockdown if spikes in the disease pop up .
It is all designed to show the public the government has a handle on the epidemic .
The lockdown can not last like this forever .
Our children need to return to school , our businesses @ @ @ @ @ @ @ needs to get back to work .
But the watchword will be caution .
Our streets , our trains , our tubes are not going to be as they once were for some time yet .

Behind closed doors, the conversations have begun. In the days to come it will become a national conversation.
Coronavirus: The lockdown can't last forever, but 'caution' will be the watchword
The lockdown was introduced at the end of March to slow the spread of COVID-19
We are in the seventh week of lockdown and the government is now beginning to draw a roadmap of how we might navigate our way through this crisis now we have passed the peak of the epidemic.
On Monday, officials at the business department held talks with employers, trade unions and industry bodies as they try to pull together a plan to get the country back to work.
Sky News has seen all seven of the guidance documents drawn up by ministers - taking in workplaces from hotels and restaurant staff to factory, shop and office workers - that forms the basis of getting people back to work in the coming weeks.
Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player 2:23 How will the UK get back to work?
Employers will be expected to help staff and customers maintain the 2m (6.5ft) distance, and most employees will work from home. In factories and warehouses, equipment should be cleaned frequently and employers should consider staggering shifts.
Shops will have to limit the number of customers through their doors. Hotels will have to keep bars and restaurants closed.
An obvious omission in each document is instructions on the use of face masks and personal protective equipment. On that, it's "guidance to follow".
This is all too vague for the unions, who want far more detailed guidelines and have stressed to ministers and officials they cannot sign up to these plans unless they issue binding requirements around worker safety rather than just advice.
As one senior union figure told me: "We need to make sure workers feel safe and we want proper guidance on masks and personal protective equipment. We want clear instructions to employers.
"The government are looking at it from a political point of view of soundbites and moving to a new phase. We are looking at it from a safety and practical point of view."
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Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player 2:43 Isle of Wight residents to trial new app
The conversations are beginning behind closed doors, but in the coming days it will become a national conversation between the government and the public about how to lift the lockdown and, critically, convince people to return to work and send their children back to school.
"It's going to take a bit of time," one union figure told me.
"We've got to take people on a journey to get them back to work. They are anxious and they have watched as tens of thousands of people have died. So the concern is real."
You can see how the government is preparing the ground to move the public on.
One key tool will be a new contact-tracing app - being trialled this week on the Isle of Wight - to make it easier to track the virus and prevent it spreading through the population by alerting users when they have come into contact with someone who has had coronavirus symptoms.
Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player 1:06 'It's humanity against the virus'
Another will be the use of masks, with the prime minister last week saying that he believed face coverings "will be useful" in terms of slowing the spread and giving people "confidence" to return to the workplace.
Then there is the science and the laser focus on the reproduction rate of the disease.
Mr Johnson announced on his return to Downing Street last Monday that his priority was to keep the reproduction rate of the disease - the R0 - below one to stop the spread.
This metric will form the backbone of the government's strategy in convincing the public that the risk of being outside their home is diminishing.
Lifting the lockdown will not be a linear path.
:: Listen to the Daily podcast on Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, Spotify, Spreaker
The UK government wants to take a national approach to easing us back into a "new normal" of living with the disease as we await a vaccine or effective treatments, but ministers will have to bend our freedoms and restrictions to the shape of the disease.
Local areas could be put back into lockdown if spikes in the disease pop up. It is all designed to show the public the government has a handle on the epidemic.
The lockdown cannot last like this forever.
Our children need to return to school, our businesses need to start operating again. Britain needs to get back to work.
But the watchword will be caution. Our streets, our trains, our tubes are not going to be as they once were for some time yet.


skynewspolitics--2020-05-04--Starmer urges PM to form 'national consensus' on easing lockdown

Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer has urged the prime minister to form a `` national consensus '' on the next phase of the UK 's response to the coronavirus .
Sir Keir has set out seven principles he wants Boris Johnson to consider as the PM works on plans to ease the lockdown .
The restrictions were introduced at the end of March to slow the spread of COVID-19 , the disease caused by the coronavirus .
The government is required by law to review the lockdown by Thursday , with Mr Johnson set to detail a `` roadmap '' @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Sunday .
Ahead of that , Labour has set out some key issues and concerns it wants the government to address in the next phase of its response to the outbreak .
The party is calling for a `` national safety standard '' for businesses and schools , an `` ambitious target '' for contact tracing and the introduction of bespoke support for individuals and industries facing huge challenges , like the hospitality sector .
Labour is also urging ministers to devise a national plan to make sure supply chains for protective equipment @ @ @ @ @ @ @ `` structured approach to easing and tightening restrictions '' .
Speaking ahead of further talks with the PM this week , the Labour leader backed an extension of the measures to halt the spread of the virus and promised to work `` constructively '' with Downing Street .
But Sir Keir reprised his criticism of the government 's handling of the outbreak , saying ministers had been too slow on increasing testing , providing protective equipment and introducing the lockdown .
`` Mistakes were made at the beginning of this crisis , '' @ @ @ @ @ @ @ We need to learn from those mistakes . ''
He continued : `` We want to support the government to get this right and that is why we need a national consensus on what happens next , '' he said .
`` Our priority is protecting the public 's health and saving lives .
: : Listen to the Daily podcast on Apple Podcasts , Google Podcasts , Spotify , Spreaker '' That is why we supported the lockdown and again support the restrictions staying in place at this time .
`` However @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the public about the challenges ahead .
`` We are in this for the long haul .
It is imperative that the government is properly planning for what happens next and properly supporting our NHS and social care services . ''
The Labour leader acknowledged there will be concerns among members of the public after more than six weeks of being told to stay at home .
`` People rightly need confidence it 's safe before they go back out to work , travel or use public services , '' he added .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ a live Q & A with Health Secretary Matt Hancock .
You can put your questions to Mr Hancock about the coronavirus and its impact on your life live on Sky News .
Email us your questions - or you can record a video clip of your question on your phone - and send it to AskTheHealthSecretary @ sky.uk

Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer has urged the prime minister to form a "national consensus" on the next phase of the UK's response to the coronavirus.
Sir Keir has set out seven principles he wants Boris Johnson to consider as the PM works on plans to ease the lockdown.
The restrictions were introduced at the end of March to slow the spread of COVID-19, the disease caused by the coronavirus.
Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player 2:52 Government plans roadmap out of lockdown
The government is required by law to review the lockdown by Thursday, with Mr Johnson set to detail a "roadmap" for the UK's next steps on Sunday.
Ahead of that, Labour has set out some key issues and concerns it wants the government to address in the next phase of its response to the outbreak.
The party is calling for a "national safety standard" for businesses and schools, an "ambitious target" for contact tracing and the introduction of bespoke support for individuals and industries facing huge challenges, like the hospitality sector.
Labour is also urging ministers to devise a national plan to make sure supply chains for protective equipment are guaranteed, as well as a "structured approach to easing and tightening restrictions".
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Speaking ahead of further talks with the PM this week, the Labour leader backed an extension of the measures to halt the spread of the virus and promised to work "constructively" with Downing Street.
But Sir Keir reprised his criticism of the government's handling of the outbreak, saying ministers had been too slow on increasing testing, providing protective equipment and introducing the lockdown.
Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player 2:24 Pensioners express frustration over lockdown
"Mistakes were made at the beginning of this crisis," Sir Keir said, adding: "We need to learn from those mistakes."
He continued: "We want to support the government to get this right and that is why we need a national consensus on what happens next," he said.
"Our priority is protecting the public's health and saving lives.
:: Listen to the Daily podcast on Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, Spotify, Spreaker
"That is why we supported the lockdown and again support the restrictions staying in place at this time.
"However, we need to be honest with the public about the challenges ahead.
Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player 2:41 Businesses fear lockdown lifting
"We are in this for the long haul. It is imperative that the government is properly planning for what happens next and properly supporting our NHS and social care services."
The Labour leader acknowledged there will be concerns among members of the public after more than six weeks of being told to stay at home.
"People rightly need confidence it's safe before they go back out to work, travel or use public services," he added.
This week Kay Burley will be hosting a live Q&A with Health Secretary Matt Hancock. You can put your questions to Mr Hancock about the coronavirus and its impact on your life live on Sky News.
Email us your questions - or you can record a video clip of your question on your phone - and send it to AskTheHealthSecretary@sky.uk


skynewspolitics--2020-05-04--Labour general secretary resigns after antisemitism report leak

Jennie Formby has resigned as Labour 's general secretary - the boss of party headquarters .
She said she applied for the role two years ago `` to support Jeremy Corbyn '' but with new leader Sir Keir Starmer in place `` it is the right time to step down '' .
`` I would like to thank Jeremy , our members and my staff colleagues who have given me so much support during what has been a very challenging period , in particular when I was suffering from ill health , '' the former trade unionist said in a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Angela the very best of luck in taking the party forward and leading Labour to victory at the next general election . ''
Sir Keir thanked Ms Formby `` for her service and for the personal and professional efforts she has made in advancing the cause she has fought all her life for '' .
He praised her `` commitment and energy '' during a `` period of political upheaval '' .
Labour 's ruling body - the national executive committee - will meet soon to decide a timetable for appointing a replacement @ @ @ @ @ @ @ further potential weakening of the party 's left wing and its hold over Labour power structures .
It comes after a bombshell report into officials ' handling of antisemitism complaints was leaked .
This is now subject to an internal investigation .
: : Listen to Sophy Ridge on Sunday on Apple podcasts , Google podcasts , Spotify , Spreaker Ms Formby has also quit ahead of the conclusion of a probe by the Equalities and Human Rights Commission into the same issue .
Party staffers signalled her departure was not surprising , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ expected '' and another saying she `` knew she was done for '' .
A third said it was an `` inevitable and crucial step in sorting the basket case of a party out '' while a fourth noted several of the frontrunners to take over `` have been damaged in recent weeks '' .

Jennie Formby has resigned as Labour's general secretary - the boss of party headquarters.
She said she applied for the role two years ago "to support Jeremy Corbyn" but with new leader Sir Keir Starmer in place "it is the right time to step down".
"I would like to thank Jeremy, our members and my staff colleagues who have given me so much support during what has been a very challenging period, in particular when I was suffering from ill health," the former trade unionist said in a statement.
Image: The general secretary is the boss of party headquarters
"I wish Keir and Angela the very best of luck in taking the party forward and leading Labour to victory at the next general election."
Sir Keir thanked Ms Formby "for her service and for the personal and professional efforts she has made in advancing the cause she has fought all her life for".
He praised her "commitment and energy" during a "period of political upheaval".
Labour's ruling body - the national executive committee - will meet soon to decide a timetable for appointing a replacement.
Image: An internal review has been set up into the antisemitism report leak
Ms Formby's departure signals a further potential weakening of the party's left wing and its hold over Labour power structures.
It comes after a bombshell report into officials' handling of antisemitism complaints was leaked. This is now subject to an internal investigation.
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:: Listen to Sophy Ridge on Sunday on Apple podcasts, Google podcasts, Spotify, Spreaker
Ms Formby has also quit ahead of the conclusion of a probe by the Equalities and Human Rights Commission into the same issue.
Party staffers signalled her departure was not surprising, one telling Sky News it was "expected" and another saying she "knew she was done for".
A third said it was an "inevitable and crucial step in sorting the basket case of a party out" while a fourth noted several of the frontrunners to take over "have been damaged in recent weeks".


skynewspolitics--2020-05-04--Govt reveals how many Britons are furloughed - and how much it costs

More than one in five British workers have now been furloughed , meaning the government is paying the wages of 6.3 million people .
Under the Job Retention Scheme , 80 % of an employee 's wages are paid by the state - up to a maximum of £2,500 a month .
Downing Street says the initiative has cost £8bn so far , with 800,000 employers affected by the coronavirus pandemic making a claim through HM Revenue and Customs .
The chancellor , Rishi Sunak , acknowledged that such a level of expenditure was not `` sustainable '' in the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that ministers were looking at ways to wind down the scheme in a `` measured way '' but added that there would be no `` cliff-edge '' to the scheme .
The scheme is designed to save companies from having to lay off their staff permanently even as business grinds to a halt because of COVID-19 .
It opened for claims on 20 April .
The prime minister 's official spokesman said : `` Since the launch , 800,000 employers have used the Job Retention Scheme to furlough 6.3 million jobs .
`` @ @ @ @ @ @ @ £8bn . ''
The job retention scheme was originally set to cover the wages of temporarily laid-off staff until the end of May , but was later extended by a month .
Last week , the Office for Budget Responsibility ( OBR ) estimated that the scheme would cost the Treasury a total £39bn .
Mr Sunak told ITV : `` To anyone anxious about this , I want to reassure that there will be no cliff-edge to the furlough scheme .
`` I 'm working as we speak to figure out the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ scheme and ease people back into work in a measured way .
`` As some scenarios have suggested , we are potentially spending as much on the furlough scheme as we do on the NHS for example .
`` Clearly that is not a sustainable situation which is why , as soon as the time is right , we want to get people back to work and the economy fired up again . ''
The furlough scheme has been taken up by big companies including British Airways , which announced that it would @ @ @ @ @ @ @ more than 30,000 employees .
The figures came as pensions minister Therese Coffey said the government received 1.8 million claims for welfare payments between March 16 and the end of April via its 'Universal Credit ' benefits system .
The benefits are paid to people in work as well as those who have lost their jobs .
Ms Coffey said the volume of claims had been six times higher than normal in that period .
Torsten Bell , chief executive of think-tank the Resolution Foundation , said the latest furloughing figures showed `` @ @ @ @ @ @ @ economic shutdown that Britain is living through '' .
`` If this kind of volume of workers stay on the scheme for several months the cost will run into the tens of billions of pounds , '' Mr Bell said .
`` And that is a cost very much worth paying . ''
The latest figures on the furlough scheme come as the government begins the rollout of its Bounce Back scheme to support small businesses .
The programme of 100 % state-backed loans for smaller firms is designed to be less complicated @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the pandemic .
Mr Sunak has said the government will do `` whatever it takes '' to help afflicted households and companies through the crisis , pledging more than £300bn in loan guarantees to stricken businesses .
But there has been criticism that its main coronavirus business interruption loans scheme ( CBILS ) has been too slow to get money out to the companies that need it .
Banks , which are handling the applications , say they have been hampered by the fact that CBILS loans are only 80 % backed by @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Germany and Switzerland , which enjoy a 100 % state guarantee .

More than one in five British workers have now been furloughed, meaning the government is paying the wages of 6.3 million people.
Under the Job Retention Scheme, 80% of an employee's wages are paid by the state - up to a maximum of £2,500 a month.
Downing Street says the initiative has cost £8bn so far, with 800,000 employers affected by the coronavirus pandemic making a claim through HM Revenue and Customs.
The chancellor, Rishi Sunak, acknowledged that such a level of expenditure was not "sustainable" in the longer term.
He told ITV News that ministers were looking at ways to wind down the scheme in a "measured way" but added that there would be no "cliff-edge" to the scheme.
Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player 2:16 Loans scheme: govt 'has not acted decisively'
The scheme is designed to save companies from having to lay off their staff permanently even as business grinds to a halt because of COVID-19.
It opened for claims on 20 April.
The prime minister's official spokesman said: "Since the launch, 800,000 employers have used the Job Retention Scheme to furlough 6.3 million jobs.
"That's to a total value of £8bn."
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The job retention scheme was originally set to cover the wages of temporarily laid-off staff until the end of May, but was later extended by a month.
Last week, the Office for Budget Responsibility (OBR) estimated that the scheme would cost the Treasury a total £39bn.
Mr Sunak told ITV: "To anyone anxious about this, I want to reassure that there will be no cliff-edge to the furlough scheme.
"I'm working as we speak to figure out the most effective way to wind down the scheme and ease people back into work in a measured way.
"As some scenarios have suggested, we are potentially spending as much on the furlough scheme as we do on the NHS for example.
"Clearly that is not a sustainable situation which is why, as soon as the time is right, we want to get people back to work and the economy fired up again."
Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player 6:09 The process of getting back to work
The furlough scheme has been taken up by big companies including British Airways, which announced that it would use it to subsidise the income of more than 30,000 employees.
The figures came as pensions minister Therese Coffey said the government received 1.8 million claims for welfare payments between March 16 and the end of April via its 'Universal Credit' benefits system.
The benefits are paid to people in work as well as those who have lost their jobs.
Ms Coffey said the volume of claims had been six times higher than normal in that period.
Torsten Bell, chief executive of think-tank the Resolution Foundation, said the latest furloughing figures showed "in stark terms the scale of the economic shutdown that Britain is living through".
"If this kind of volume of workers stay on the scheme for several months the cost will run into the tens of billions of pounds," Mr Bell said. "And that is a cost very much worth paying."
The latest figures on the furlough scheme come as the government begins the rollout of its Bounce Back scheme to support small businesses.
The programme of 100% state-backed loans for smaller firms is designed to be less complicated than other support initiatives set up during the pandemic.
Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player 0:44 'We are not there yet', chancellor says
Mr Sunak has said the government will do "whatever it takes" to help afflicted households and companies through the crisis, pledging more than £300bn in loan guarantees to stricken businesses.
But there has been criticism that its main coronavirus business interruption loans scheme (CBILS) has been too slow to get money out to the companies that need it.
Banks, which are handling the applications, say they have been hampered by the fact that CBILS loans are only 80% backed by the taxpayer - unlike similar schemes in Germany and Switzerland, which enjoy a 100% state guarantee.