skynewspolitics--2020-11-10--Rapid COVID tests offered to all local councils after Liverpool trial

Rapid turnaround coronavirus tests have been offered to every local authority in England , as the government aims to expand mass testing across the country .
Liverpool has been the first part of the country to trial mass testing for all - including those who do not have COVID-19 symptoms .
Lateral flow tests , which use similar technology to a pregnancy test and have a turnaround time of under an hour , have been available since Friday for people who live and work in the city .
And Health Secretary Matt Hancock revealed he is now aiming to roll-out @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of the UK .
`` I can confirm that we are rolling out the sort of mass testing that we are seeing in Liverpool - and indeed we earlier piloted in Stoke-on-Trent - across 66 different local authorities , '' he told Sky News .
`` Last night I wrote to the directors of public health of all local authorities in England , saying that we could make available these brilliant new lateral flow tests that give you the result in 15 minutes .
`` Sixty-six expressed an interest in the first instance @ @ @ @ @ @ @ load more .
`` If you 're a director of public health and you have n't signed up for this yet , please do let us know and we 'll get you on board .
`` And , of course , across the devolved nations . ''
It has been reported that discussions have already been held over Nottinghamshire to become the next region to deploy mass testing .
At a Downing Street news conference on Monday , Prime Minister Boris Johnson announced the government was sending out hundreds of thousands of rapid @ @ @ @ @ @ @ England , Scotland , Wales and Northern Ireland .
The Department of Health and Social Care said an initial batch of 600,000 rapid coronavirus tests would be sent out to local public health leaders in England this week .
Each would receive 10,000 tests as part of a new pilot to enable them to start testing priority groups , which would then be followed up with weekly allocations equivalent to 10 % of local populations .
It will be up to local directors of public health to determine how to allocate the new @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of their communities .
Mr Johnson also revealed the government was working with universities to establish similar mass testing capacity for students .
The prime minister urged people in Liverpool to `` get yourself along to a testing centre '' , adding : `` The more people get tested the better we can protect that great city , and drive the disease down in Liverpool - so do it for your friends , for your relatives , for your community . ''

Rapid turnaround coronavirus tests have been offered to every local authority in England, as the government aims to expand mass testing across the country.
Liverpool has been the first part of the country to trial mass testing for all - including those who do not have COVID-19 symptoms.
Lateral flow tests, which use similar technology to a pregnancy test and have a turnaround time of under an hour, have been available since Friday for people who live and work in the city.
And Health Secretary Matt Hancock revealed he is now aiming to roll-out similar schemes across England and the rest of the UK.
"I can confirm that we are rolling out the sort of mass testing that we are seeing in Liverpool - and indeed we earlier piloted in Stoke-on-Trent - across 66 different local authorities," he told Sky News.
"Last night I wrote to the directors of public health of all local authorities in England, saying that we could make available these brilliant new lateral flow tests that give you the result in 15 minutes.
"Sixty-six expressed an interest in the first instance, I'm now expecting a whole load more.
"If you're a director of public health and you haven't signed up for this yet, please do let us know and we'll get you on board.
"And, of course, across the devolved nations."
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It has been reported that discussions have already been held over Nottinghamshire to become the next region to deploy mass testing.
At a Downing Street news conference on Monday, Prime Minister Boris Johnson announced the government was sending out hundreds of thousands of rapid lateral flow tests to local authorities across England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland.
Image: Lateral flow tests can give results in less than an hour
The Department of Health and Social Care said an initial batch of 600,000 rapid coronavirus tests would be sent out to local public health leaders in England this week.
Each would receive 10,000 tests as part of a new pilot to enable them to start testing priority groups, which would then be followed up with weekly allocations equivalent to 10% of local populations.
It will be up to local directors of public health to determine how to allocate the new tests, based on the specific needs of their communities.
Mr Johnson also revealed the government was working with universities to establish similar mass testing capacity for students.
The prime minister urged people in Liverpool to "get yourself along to a testing centre", adding: "The more people get tested the better we can protect that great city, and drive the disease down in Liverpool - so do it for your friends, for your relatives, for your community."


skynewspolitics--2020-11-10--PM's congratulatory tweet to Biden revealed to show 'Trump' underneath

Boris Johnson has risked being left red-faced after his message of congratulations to US president-elect Joe Biden was found to have retained traces of Donald Trump 's name .
On Saturday , the prime minister offered his congratulations to Mr Biden and his vice-presidential running mate Kamala Harris after they were declared the winners of the US election .
In a graphic attached to his Twitter post , Mr Johnson said in a statement : `` Congratulations to Joe Biden on his election as President of the United States and to Kamala Harris on her historic achievement .
`` The @ @ @ @ @ @ @ I look forward to working closely together on our shared priorities , from climate change to trade and security . ''
However , it has since been spotted that altering the brightness and contrast of the graphic reveals the outline of what appears to be a previous statement .
Above the word `` Biden '' the word `` Trump '' can be seen , while the outlines of other words can also be found .
A government spokesperson said : `` As you 'd expect , two statements were prepared in advance for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ `` A technical error meant that parts of the alternative message were embedded in the background of the graphic . ''
The SNP 's Westminster leader Ian Blackford posted on Twitter : `` Incompetence has become the watchword for this Tory government .
`` This just serves as yet another reminder of @ BorisJohnson 's close relationship with Trump , which has done so much damage . ''
Mr Trump has still yet to concede defeat in the US presidential election and has repeatedly claimed to have `` won '' the election .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ fraud in the election process .

Boris Johnson has risked being left red-faced after his message of congratulations to US president-elect Joe Biden was found to have retained traces of Donald Trump's name.
On Saturday, the prime minister offered his congratulations to Mr Biden and his vice-presidential running mate Kamala Harris after they were declared the winners of the US election.
In a graphic attached to his Twitter post, Mr Johnson said in a statement: "Congratulations to Joe Biden on his election as President of the United States and to Kamala Harris on her historic achievement.
Image: Boris Johnson's message of congratulations to Joe Biden
Image: The hidden words include a reference to 'Trump'
Image: Zooming in and altering the brightness and contrast of the image reveals the outlines of previous words
"The US is our most important ally and I look forward to working closely together on our shared priorities, from climate change to trade and security."
However, it has since been spotted that altering the brightness and contrast of the graphic reveals the outline of what appears to be a previous statement.
Above the word "Biden" the word "Trump" can be seen, while the outlines of other words can also be found.
A government spokesperson said: "As you'd expect, two statements were prepared in advance for the outcome of this closely-contested election.
"A technical error meant that parts of the alternative message were embedded in the background of the graphic."
The SNP's Westminster leader Ian Blackford posted on Twitter: "Incompetence has become the watchword for this Tory government.
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Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player 1:20 PM's enthusiasm for working with Biden
"This just serves as yet another reminder of @BorisJohnson's close relationship with Trump, which has done so much damage."
Meanwhile, a message was posted on Irish PM Micheal Martin's Twitter account saying he had spoken to Mr Biden, but was quickly deleted.
Mr Martin said he had "just finished a very positive call" with the president-elect.
However, the message was posted in error as the phone call was still in the process of being arranged.
The pair spoke later on Tuesday afternoon.
Mr Trump has still yet to concede defeat in the US presidential election and has repeatedly claimed to have "won" the election.
He has also made unsubstantiated claims of fraud in the election process.


skynewspolitics--2020-11-10--Ministers to unveil law to block foreign takeovers of UK assets

Foreign bidders for British companies in nearly 20 industries deemed to be of national importance will be guaranteed a government response to their proposals within 30 days as ministers try to show that the UK remains open for business despite gaining new powers to block such deals .
Sky News has learnt that the National Security and Investment Bill will be published on Wednesday , incorporating a list of 17 sectors that will be subject to a new mandatory notification for certain transactions .
The industries subject to prospective new restrictions will include communications , civil nuclear , defence , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and autonomous robots , according to people close to the process .
The business secretary , Alok Sharma , and Downing Street have been drawing up the proposals for several months as they seek to address the awkward conundrum of ensuring that Britain remains an attractive destination for inward investment while also tightening scrutiny of overseas acquisitions of sensitive UK-based assets .
A consultation process will get underway shortly , with the restrictions coming into effect as soon as the Bill is published in order to prevent a wave of deals being rushed @ @ @ @ @ @ @ process , according to one executive who has been briefed on the plans .
Insiders said there would be a dedicated unit set up to scrutinise potential acquisitions of companies , assets and intellectual property in the relevant sectors .
Sources said the regime would be aligned with those of other countries which form the `` Five Eyes '' security partnership , including the US and Australia .
One added that the new system would be `` more business-friendly '' because it would give greater certainty over acquisition timetables for foreign bidders , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ new legislation will not specify individual countries which are of particular concern , although much of the opposition to foreign ownership of strategic British assets has stemmed from the roles of Chinese companies in the UK 's 5G communications network and new nuclear power stations .
Nadhim Zahawi , the business minister , told Bloomberg News in an interview last week that suggestions of retrospective powers that would reverse foreign takeovers were not being taken forward .
`` Any retrospection on deals would send the wrong message , '' he said .
`` @ @ @ @ @ @ @ we send a message to the world that we are open for business . ''
On Monday , Downing Street confirmed a Sky News report that it was establishing a new Office for Investment that will act as a 'one-stop shop ' for key foreign investors in major UK infrastructure projects .
A spokesman for the Department for Business , Energy and Industrial Strategy declined to comment .

Foreign bidders for British companies in nearly 20 industries deemed to be of national importance will be guaranteed a government response to their proposals within 30 days as ministers try to show that the UK remains open for business despite gaining new powers to block such deals.
Sky News has learnt that the National Security and Investment Bill will be published on Wednesday, incorporating a list of 17 sectors that will be subject to a new mandatory notification for certain transactions.
The industries subject to prospective new restrictions will include communications, civil nuclear, defence, energy, artificial intelligence, quantum computing and autonomous robots, according to people close to the process.
Image: Business secretary Alok Sharma and Downing Street have been drawing up the proposals
The business secretary, Alok Sharma, and Downing Street have been drawing up the proposals for several months as they seek to address the awkward conundrum of ensuring that Britain remains an attractive destination for inward investment while also tightening scrutiny of overseas acquisitions of sensitive UK-based assets.
A consultation process will get underway shortly, with the restrictions coming into effect as soon as the Bill is published in order to prevent a wave of deals being rushed through while it goes through the legislative process, according to one executive who has been briefed on the plans.
Insiders said there would be a dedicated unit set up to scrutinise potential acquisitions of companies, assets and intellectual property in the relevant sectors.
Sources said the regime would be aligned with those of other countries which form the "Five Eyes" security partnership, including the US and Australia.
One added that the new system would be "more business-friendly" because it would give greater certainty over acquisition timetables for foreign bidders, replacing the current open-ended system.
The new legislation will not specify individual countries which are of particular concern, although much of the opposition to foreign ownership of strategic British assets has stemmed from the roles of Chinese companies in the UK's 5G communications network and new nuclear power stations.
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Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player 2:43 China and UK relationship 'seriously damaged'
Nadhim Zahawi, the business minister, told Bloomberg News in an interview last week that suggestions of retrospective powers that would reverse foreign takeovers were not being taken forward.
"Any retrospection on deals would send the wrong message," he said.
"Our priority is to make sure that we send a message to the world that we are open for business."
On Monday, Downing Street confirmed a Sky News report that it was establishing a new Office for Investment that will act as a 'one-stop shop' for key foreign investors in major UK infrastructure projects.
A spokesman for the Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy declined to comment.


skynewspolitics--2020-11-10--Johnson congratulates Biden and talks Brexit in first phone call with president-elect

Boris Johnson says he has spoken to president-elect Joe Biden and congratulated him on his election victory .
The prime minister said in a tweet : `` I look forward to strengthening the partnership between our countries and to working with him on our shared priorities - from tackling climate change , to promoting democracy and building back better from the pandemic . ''
The phone call , among the president elect 's first with world leaders , took place at around 4pm and lasted approximately 25 minutes .
In the wake of Mr Biden 's triumph over Donald Trump @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ministers and Downing Street , that the relationship between Mr Johnson and Mr Biden will not be as close as the one the PM enjoyed with Mr Trump .
The current president has been a vocal supporter of both Mr Johnson and Brexit , while Mr Biden has been far more lukewarm .
The president-elect has been critical of the UK 's plans to override parts of the Brexit divorce agreement in relation to Northern Ireland if no trade deal is reached with the EU .
Mr Biden , who has Irish heritage @ @ @ @ @ @ @ US election about the Good Friday Agreement becoming a `` casualty '' of Brexit .
During the call , the PM and president-elect talked about the importance of implementing Brexit in such a way that upholds the Good Friday Agreement , with Mr Johnson assuring Mr Biden that would be the case .
The Internal Market Bill - the government 's Brexit legislation that ministers have admitted will allow them to break international law - was not raised specifically .
Downing Street said in a statement that Mr Johnson had `` warmly congratulated @ @ @ @ @ @ @ `` also conveyed his congratulations to vice president-elect Kamala Harris on her historic achievement '' .
Ms Harris is the first female vice president , as well as the first woman of African-American and South Asian-American descent to get the job .
A Number 10 spokesperson added : `` They discussed the close and longstanding relationship between our countries and committed to building on this partnership in the years ahead , in areas such as trade and security - including through NATO .
`` The prime minister and president-elect also looked forward to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , from tackling climate change , to promoting democracy , and building back better from the coronavirus pandemic .
`` The prime minister invited the president-elect to attend the COP26 climate change summit that the UK is hosting in Glasgow next year .
`` They also looked forward to seeing each other in person , including when the UK hosts the G7 Summit in 2021 . ''
In a statement , a spokesperson for the president-elect said Mr Biden `` offered his thanks to Prime Minister Johnson for his congratulations and expressed his @ @ @ @ @ @ @ re-double cooperation on issues of mutual concern '' .
They added that the president-elect `` especially looks forward to working closely together on global challenges '' , and that Mr Biden `` reaffirmed his support for the Good Friday Agreement in Northern Ireland '' .
Speaking later at a news conference , the president-elect said his message to world leaders was that `` America is back in the game '' .
Mr Biden said the response from his calls so far has been `` fulsome and energetic '' .
Former PM David Cameron @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the pair will `` get on very well '' .
He said : `` I think when it comes down to it , if you think of the big agendas - how do we fight terrorism , how do we combat climate change , how do we prevent future health pandemics , how do we tackle global poverty - there 's a huge amount of common ground between Boris Johnson and Joe Biden .
`` So I would look through all the issues about who gets the first phone call and all the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ comes to the substance I think it will be a very strong partnership . ''
Irish PM Micheal Martin has also spoken to the president-elect .
In a message on his Twitter account , Mr Martin said he had a `` warm and engaging call with Mr Biden , who `` underlined his commitment to the Good Friday Agreement '' .
The Irish government said in a statement : `` The president-elect reaffirmed his full support for the Good Friday Agreement and they discussed the importance of a Brexit outcome that respects the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ border on the island of Ireland . ''
Mr Martin had earlier posted on Twitter about having a `` very positive call '' with the president-elect , despite the conversation having not yet taken place .
The calls come after it was revealed that Mr Johnson 's initial message of congratulations to the president-elect retained traces of Mr Trump 's name .
On Saturday , the PM offered his congratulations to Mr Biden and Ms Harris in a message on his Twitter account .
However , it has since been spotted that altering @ @ @ @ @ @ @ attached to the tweet reveals the outline of what appears to be a previous statement .
Above the word `` Biden '' the word `` Trump '' can be seen , while the outlines of other words can also be found .
A government spokesperson said : `` As you 'd expect , two statements were prepared in advance for the outcome of this closely-contested election .
: : Subscribe to Sophy Ridge on Sunday on Apple podcasts , Google podcasts , Spotify , Spreaker '' A technical error meant that parts of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ background of the graphic . ''
Mr Trump has still yet to concede defeat in the US presidential election and has repeatedly claimed to have `` won '' the election .
He has also made unsubstantiated claims of fraud in the election process .

Boris Johnson says he has spoken to president-elect Joe Biden and congratulated him on his election victory.
The prime minister said in a tweet: "I look forward to strengthening the partnership between our countries and to working with him on our shared priorities - from tackling climate change, to promoting democracy and building back better from the pandemic."
The phone call, among the president elect's first with world leaders, took place at around 4pm and lasted approximately 25 minutes.
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In the wake of Mr Biden's triumph over Donald Trump there have been suggestions, dismissed by ministers and Downing Street, that the relationship between Mr Johnson and Mr Biden will not be as close as the one the PM enjoyed with Mr Trump.
The current president has been a vocal supporter of both Mr Johnson and Brexit, while Mr Biden has been far more lukewarm.
The president-elect has been critical of the UK's plans to override parts of the Brexit divorce agreement in relation to Northern Ireland if no trade deal is reached with the EU.
Mr Biden, who has Irish heritage, warned in the run-up to the US election about the Good Friday Agreement becoming a "casualty" of Brexit.
During the call, the PM and president-elect talked about the importance of implementing Brexit in such a way that upholds the Good Friday Agreement, with Mr Johnson assuring Mr Biden that would be the case.
The Internal Market Bill - the government's Brexit legislation that ministers have admitted will allow them to break international law - was not raised specifically.
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Downing Street said in a statement that Mr Johnson had "warmly congratulated" Mr Biden on his victory and "also conveyed his congratulations to vice president-elect Kamala Harris on her historic achievement".
Ms Harris is the first female vice president, as well as the first woman of African-American and South Asian-American descent to get the job.
A Number 10 spokesperson added: "They discussed the close and longstanding relationship between our countries and committed to building on this partnership in the years ahead, in areas such as trade and security - including through NATO.
"The prime minister and president-elect also looked forward to working closely together on their shared priorities, from tackling climate change, to promoting democracy, and building back better from the coronavirus pandemic.
"The prime minister invited the president-elect to attend the COP26 climate change summit that the UK is hosting in Glasgow next year.
Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player 2:26 Will Biden's presidency affect Brexit talks?
"They also looked forward to seeing each other in person, including when the UK hosts the G7 Summit in 2021."
In a statement, a spokesperson for the president-elect said Mr Biden "offered his thanks to Prime Minister Johnson for his congratulations and expressed his desire to strengthen the special relationship and re-double cooperation on issues of mutual concern".
They added that the president-elect "especially looks forward to working closely together on global challenges", and that Mr Biden "reaffirmed his support for the Good Friday Agreement in Northern Ireland".
Speaking later at a news conference, the president-elect said his message to world leaders was that "America is back in the game".
Mr Biden said the response from his calls so far has been "fulsome and energetic".
Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player 1:20 PM's enthusiasm for working with Biden
Former PM David Cameron has told Sky News that he thinks the pair will "get on very well".
He said: "I think when it comes down to it, if you think of the big agendas - how do we fight terrorism, how do we combat climate change, how do we prevent future health pandemics, how do we tackle global poverty - there's a huge amount of common ground between Boris Johnson and Joe Biden.
"So I would look through all the issues about who gets the first phone call and all the rest of it.
"When it comes to the substance I think it will be a very strong partnership."
Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player 1:15 Ex-PM Cameron: UK-Biden partnership will be very strong
Irish PM Micheal Martin has also spoken to the president-elect.
In a message on his Twitter account, Mr Martin said he had a "warm and engaging call with Mr Biden, who "underlined his commitment to the Good Friday Agreement".
The Irish government said in a statement: "The president-elect reaffirmed his full support for the Good Friday Agreement and they discussed the importance of a Brexit outcome that respects the GFA and ensures no return of a border on the island of Ireland."
Mr Martin had earlier posted on Twitter about having a "very positive call" with the president-elect, despite the conversation having not yet taken place.
The message was quickly deleted.
The calls come after it was revealed that Mr Johnson's initial message of congratulations to the president-elect retained traces of Mr Trump's name.
Image: Boris Johnson's message of congratulations to Joe Biden
Image: The hidden words include a reference to 'Trump'
Image: Zooming in and altering the brightness and contrast of the image reveals the outlines of previous words
On Saturday, the PM offered his congratulations to Mr Biden and Ms Harris in a message on his Twitter account.
However, it has since been spotted that altering the brightness and contrast of the graphic attached to the tweet reveals the outline of what appears to be a previous statement.
Above the word "Biden" the word "Trump" can be seen, while the outlines of other words can also be found.
A government spokesperson said: "As you'd expect, two statements were prepared in advance for the outcome of this closely-contested election.
:: Subscribe to Sophy Ridge on Sunday on Apple podcasts, Google podcasts, Spotify, Spreaker
"A technical error meant that parts of the alternative message were embedded in the background of the graphic."
Mr Trump has still yet to concede defeat in the US presidential election and has repeatedly claimed to have "won" the election.
He has also made unsubstantiated claims of fraud in the election process.


skynewspolitics--2020-11-10--Will Joe Biden put a squeeze on Boris Johnson's Brexit plans?

Insiders privately admit the relationship could initially be bumpy , but think a Biden win is better than a Trump second term .
Biden is anti-Brexit and has taken a dim view of the UK 's attempts to override parts of the Withdrawal Agreement Boris Johnson and Joe Biden are not , on the face of it , easy bedfellows .
While Donald Trump was a Brexit-backing , Boris Johnson back-slapping president , the man about to take over has made it very clear he 's not a fan of either the current occupant of Number 10 or the policy @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
A self-proclaimed Irish American , president-elect Biden is anti-Brexit and has taken a dim view of the UK government 's attempts to override parts of the Withdrawal Agreement relating to Northern Ireland .
It makes for a very different backdrop to UK-EU trade talks which both sides insist need to conclude - trade deal or no trade deal - in the coming days .
But will it change the manner with which negotiations play out in the closing stages ?
The EU side believes it will .
One diplomatic source told me @ @ @ @ @ @ @ put a squeeze '' on the UK , as the prospect of a UK-US trade deal disappears even further from view while normal service resumes between Washington and Brussels .
As for the UK side , sources in Number 10 and the Foreign Office have been at pains in recent days to insist that the incumbent in the White House is not a consideration in the negotiations .
As one insider put it to me this week : `` To those in the EU who think the Biden result changes Number 10 's @ @ @ @ @ @ @ be giving it a second thought .
We 're very clear we have got to secure a deal that we can live with at home and aboard . ''
Or to put it in the words of another senior figure familiar with the negotiating team : `` For David Frost [ lead negotiator ] , Oliver Lewis [ policy adviser ] and Dominic Cummings [ chief adviser ] leaving the EU is a lot about taking back sovereignty .
It 's not about being told by the US what they want us to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ it will change the approach . ''
And so far it absolutely has n't .
Take the legislation that overrides part of the Brexit deal on Northern Ireland , the UK government is pressing ahead with that legislation in the face of opposition from Dublin , Brussels , the House of Lords and now Washington .
The president-elect has made no secret of his opposition to the bill , while Democrats have been putting pressure on the British government to drop contentious clauses in the bill citing concerns that it could undermine the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ UK government vociferously rejects ) .
The Democrats have been clear that there will be no US-UK trade deal if Mr Johnson pushed ahead with the plan .
But the UK government is so far resisting .
It intends to reinsert the clauses voted down by the House of Lords back into the bill and may even keep these clauses in the Internal Market Bill in the event of a Brexit deal with the EU as an `` absolute fallback '' - despite the Biden team , European Parliament and Dublin all having @ @ @ @ @ @ @ there are other personal political hurdles to jump in the coming weeks and months between these two men .
The pair have yet to meet , but first impressions have not been positive .
Mr Biden labelled Mr Johnson `` a physical and emotional clone of Donald Trump '' after the 2019 general election .
There have also been reports that the Biden camp has not forgotten Mr Johnson 's suggestion in 2016 that President Obama may have `` an ancestral dislike of the British empire '' due to his `` part-Kenyan heritage @ @ @ @ @ @ @ tweeted congratulations to Mr Biden over the weekend , former press spokesman for President Obama Tommy Vieto said : `` This shapeshifting creep weighs in .
We will never forget your racist comments about Obama and slavish devotion to Trump . ''
While government insiders privately admit the politics of this relationship could be bumpy at the outset , when it comes to policy , a Biden White House is a better outcome for the UK than another four years of Trump .
`` The vast majority of [ us in government ] @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , '' is how one of Mr Johnson 's team described it .
: : Subscribe to Sophy Ridge on Sunday on Apple podcasts , Google podcasts , Spotify , Spreaker On security and intelligence , climate change , and the support for multi-lateral institutions such as the World Health Organisation and NATO , the Biden administration is more closely aligned with the Johnson one .
And it is the common ground that the prime minister 's team was anxious to highlight after the two men - who have never met - had @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
In the readout of the call , Downing Street highlighted `` shared priorities , from tackling climate change , to promoting democracy , and building back better from the coronavirus pandemic '' .
The PM invited the president-elect to attend the COP26 climate change summit that the UK is hosting in Glasgow next year .
There was no mention of Brexit on the No 10 read-out - although No 10 confirmed after the call that the two men talked about the `` importance of implementing Brexit in such a way that upholds @ @ @ @ @ @ @ PM Micheal Martin meanwhile was more explicit , tweeting out that the president-elect had `` underlined his commitment to the Good Friday Agreement '' in their telephone conversation .
So too was president-elect Biden , who also used his read-out of his phone call to Mr Johnson to `` reaffirm his support for the Good Friday Agreement '' .
What does it all add up to ?
A number of senior government sources have told me that the UK government 's Brexit strategy stays the same , but some senior politicians also believe @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in these final days of negotiations against the backdrop of a more stable world order .
One tells me they think the Biden win makes an EU-UK deal `` more likely '' while another says they believe a deal is now `` more viable '' as both sides adjust to a more predictable US and the `` distraction '' of a Trump White House and US trade deal falls from view .
And there is a broader point in all of this too as Mr Johnson builds his vision of post-Brexit global Britain @ @ @ @ @ @ @ requires the help of our closest ally .
It is the UK 's self-interest to be on good terms with the new team in the White House .
The cleanest way through this is to get a deal with Europe , and the fact Michel Barnier is in London now and Mr Frost is due to go to Brussels towards the end of the week gives cause for cautious optimism that the two sides could reach a compromise .
Securing a deal would be a win-win for a prime minister who promised an @ @ @ @ @ @ @ dealing with a very different White House .
But it has to work for his domestic audience too - that requires some movement too from the EU with time fast running out .

Insiders privately admit the relationship could initially be bumpy, but think a Biden win is better than a Trump second term.
Biden is anti-Brexit and has taken a dim view of the UK's attempts to override parts of the Withdrawal Agreement
Boris Johnson and Joe Biden are not, on the face of it, easy bedfellows.
While Donald Trump was a Brexit-backing, Boris Johnson back-slapping president, the man about to take over has made it very clear he's not a fan of either the current occupant of Number 10 or the policy that propelled him to victory in 2020.
A self-proclaimed Irish American, president-elect Biden is anti-Brexit and has taken a dim view of the UK government's attempts to override parts of the Withdrawal Agreement relating to Northern Ireland.
Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player 1:20 PM's enthusiasm for working with Biden
It makes for a very different backdrop to UK-EU trade talks which both sides insist need to conclude - trade deal or no trade deal - in the coming days.
But will it change the manner with which negotiations play out in the closing stages?
The EU side believes it will. One diplomatic source told me last week a Biden win will "put a squeeze" on the UK, as the prospect of a UK-US trade deal disappears even further from view while normal service resumes between Washington and Brussels.
As for the UK side, sources in Number 10 and the Foreign Office have been at pains in recent days to insist that the incumbent in the White House is not a consideration in the negotiations.
As one insider put it to me this week: "To those in the EU who think the Biden result changes Number 10's point of view, they won't be giving it a second thought. We're very clear we have got to secure a deal that we can live with at home and aboard."
Or to put it in the words of another senior figure familiar with the negotiating team: "For David Frost [lead negotiator], Oliver Lewis [policy adviser] and Dominic Cummings [chief adviser] leaving the EU is a lot about taking back sovereignty. It's not about being told by the US what they want us to do, so I don't think it will change the approach."
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Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player 0:48 PM 'looks forward' to working with Joe Biden
And so far it absolutely hasn't.
Take the legislation that overrides part of the Brexit deal on Northern Ireland, the UK government is pressing ahead with that legislation in the face of opposition from Dublin, Brussels, the House of Lords and now Washington.
The president-elect has made no secret of his opposition to the bill, while Democrats have been putting pressure on the British government to drop contentious clauses in the bill citing concerns that it could undermine the Good Friday Agreement (a charge the UK government vociferously rejects).
The Democrats have been clear that there will be no US-UK trade deal if Mr Johnson pushed ahead with the plan.
But the UK government is so far resisting.
It intends to reinsert the clauses voted down by the House of Lords back into the bill and may even keep these clauses in the Internal Market Bill in the event of a Brexit deal with the EU as an "absolute fallback" - despite the Biden team, European Parliament and Dublin all having deep misgivings.
Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player 1:15 Ex-PM: UK-Biden partnership will be very strong
And beyond Brexit, there are other personal political hurdles to jump in the coming weeks and months between these two men.
The pair have yet to meet, but first impressions have not been positive.
Mr Biden labelled Mr Johnson "a physical and emotional clone of Donald Trump" after the 2019 general election.
There have also been reports that the Biden camp has not forgotten Mr Johnson's suggestion in 2016 that President Obama may have "an ancestral dislike of the British empire" due to his "part-Kenyan heritage".
Indeed, when Mr Johnson tweeted congratulations to Mr Biden over the weekend, former press spokesman for President Obama Tommy Vieto said: "This shapeshifting creep weighs in. We will never forget your racist comments about Obama and slavish devotion to Trump."
While government insiders privately admit the politics of this relationship could be bumpy at the outset, when it comes to policy, a Biden White House is a better outcome for the UK than another four years of Trump.
"The vast majority of [us in government] would have preferred the result we got," is how one of Mr Johnson's team described it.
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On security and intelligence, climate change, and the support for multi-lateral institutions such as the World Health Organisation and NATO, the Biden administration is more closely aligned with the Johnson one.
And it is the common ground that the prime minister's team was anxious to highlight after the two men - who have never met - had their first phone call on Tuesday evening.
In the readout of the call, Downing Street highlighted "shared priorities, from tackling climate change, to promoting democracy, and building back better from the coronavirus pandemic".
The PM invited the president-elect to attend the COP26 climate change summit that the UK is hosting in Glasgow next year.
There was no mention of Brexit on the No 10 read-out - although No 10 confirmed after the call that the two men talked about the "importance of implementing Brexit in such a way that upholds the Good Friday Agreement".
Irish PM Micheal Martin meanwhile was more explicit, tweeting out that the president-elect had "underlined his commitment to the Good Friday Agreement" in their telephone conversation.
So too was president-elect Biden, who also used his read-out of his phone call to Mr Johnson to "reaffirm his support for the Good Friday Agreement".
Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player 2:26 Will Biden's presidency affect Brexit talks?
What does it all add up to? A number of senior government sources have told me that the UK government's Brexit strategy stays the same, but some senior politicians also believe what could well change is the impetus in these final days of negotiations against the backdrop of a more stable world order.
One tells me they think the Biden win makes an EU-UK deal "more likely" while another says they believe a deal is now "more viable" as both sides adjust to a more predictable US and the "distraction" of a Trump White House and US trade deal falls from view.
And there is a broader point in all of this too as Mr Johnson builds his vision of post-Brexit global Britain.
Success in driving through climate change requires the help of our closest ally. It is the UK's self-interest to be on good terms with the new team in the White House.
The cleanest way through this is to get a deal with Europe, and the fact Michel Barnier is in London now and Mr Frost is due to go to Brussels towards the end of the week gives cause for cautious optimism that the two sides could reach a compromise.
Securing a deal would be a win-win for a prime minister who promised an "oven-ready" Brexit and is now dealing with a very different White House.
But it has to work for his domestic audience too - that requires some movement too from the EU with time fast running out.


skynewspolitics--2020-11-10--Commons to hold unprecedented Armistice Day service

In an unprecedented break with tradition , a special religious service to mark Armistice Day is to be held in the House of Commons chamber , the Speaker Sir Lindsay Hoyle has announced .
After this year 's Remembrance Sunday ceremonies were heavily restricted because of COVID-19 , Sir Lindsay will lead what is believed to be the first ever mini-service for Armistice Day in the chamber .
Announcing the service , he said it was more important than ever to commemorate the heroes of the First World War , especially as so many national events on Remembrance Sunday were @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Pausing for two minutes to remember the sacrifice made by so many brave men and women in faraway places 102 years ago is something we should not give up to this awful virus , '' said Sir Lindsay .
`` It is why I wanted this House and its members to have the opportunity to commemorate this moment in the Commons chamber . ''
The Speaker 's chaplain , Tricia Hillas , who normally leads prayers behind closed doors ahead of the start of proceedings in the Commons , will begin the seven-minute @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , beginning : `` God is our refuge and strength , a very present help in trouble . ''
Around 50 MPs - the limit under parliament 's current restrictions - are expected to take part from the green benches and in the galleries above and around the chamber .
Sir Lindsay will read from the 1914 poem For the Fallen , by Laurence Binyon , which includes the famous words : `` They shall grow not old , as we that are left grow old : Age shall not weary them , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the going down of the sun and in the morning , we will remember them . ''
Then at 11am , just as on Remembrance Sunday , despite the current renovation work , Big Ben will toll to mark the beginning of the two-minutes ' silence .
The service will end with a prayer and a blessing .
Sir Lindsay said the normal Speaker 's procession with prayers in the chamber will continue as usual at 11.30am before the start of business , which features the weekly Prime Minister 's Questions session at @ @

In an unprecedented break with tradition, a special religious service to mark Armistice Day is to be held in the House of Commons chamber, the Speaker Sir Lindsay Hoyle has announced.
After this year's Remembrance Sunday ceremonies were heavily restricted because of COVID-19, Sir Lindsay will lead what is believed to be the first ever mini-service for Armistice Day in the chamber.
Announcing the service, he said it was more important than ever to commemorate the heroes of the First World War, especially as so many national events on Remembrance Sunday were either scaled back or cancelled.
Image: Sir Lindsay said he wanted to mark the day as many national events had been scaled back or cancelled
"Pausing for two minutes to remember the sacrifice made by so many brave men and women in faraway places 102 years ago is something we should not give up to this awful virus," said Sir Lindsay.
"It is why I wanted this House and its members to have the opportunity to commemorate this moment in the Commons chamber."
The Speaker's chaplain, Tricia Hillas, who normally leads prayers behind closed doors ahead of the start of proceedings in the Commons, will begin the seven-minute service with a reading from Psalm 46.1, beginning: "God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble."
Around 50 MPs - the limit under parliament's current restrictions - are expected to take part from the green benches and in the galleries above and around the chamber.
Sir Lindsay will read from the 1914 poem For the Fallen, by Laurence Binyon, which includes the famous words: "They shall grow not old, as we that are left grow old: Age shall not weary them, nor the years condemn.
"At the going down of the sun and in the morning, we will remember them."
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Then at 11am, just as on Remembrance Sunday, despite the current renovation work, Big Ben will toll to mark the beginning of the two-minutes' silence. The service will end with a prayer and a blessing.
Sir Lindsay said the normal Speaker's procession with prayers in the chamber will continue as usual at 11.30am before the start of business, which features the weekly Prime Minister's Questions session at noon.


skynewspolitics--2020-11-10--PR firm hired at taxpayers' expense by vaccine tsar linked to Dominic Cummings

The PR firm hired at taxpayers ' expense by the head of the UK 's vaccine taskforce has been linked to the father-in-law of the prime minister 's chief adviser Dominic Cummings .
Kate Bingham has come under fire for spending £670,000 on a team of PR consultants during her work as the government 's vaccines tsar .
The investment fund manager , the wife of a Conservative minister , was reported by the Sunday Times to have used eight full-time consultants from Admiral PR & Marketing to oversee her media strategy since her appointment earlier this year .
Records @ @ @ @ @ @ @ secretary of Admiral PR & Marketing is Angus Collingwood Cameron .
Mr Collingwod Cameron is also listed by Companies House as a director of Chillingham Wild Cattle Association Limited , whose directors also include Sir Edward Humphry Wakefield .
Sir Humphry is the father of Mary Wakefield , who is married to Mr Cummings .
According to the Sunday Times report , Admiral consultants had helped prepare Ms Bingham for media appearances , draft statements and to oversee a vaccines podcast on Spotify .
Ms Bingham was said to have `` insisted '' @ @ @ @ @ @ @ they would duplicate the work of communications staff at the Department for Business , Energy and Industrial Strategy ( BEIS ) .
Lord Scriven , a Liberal Democrat peer , quizzed BEIS minister Lord Callanan about the link in the House of Lords on Tuesday .
`` Kate Bingham asked for Admiral Associates to be brought in , '' he said .
`` Angus Collingwood Cameron , a director of Admiral Associates , is also a director of Dominic Cummings ' in-laws country estate and runs a caviar company which he says he @ @ @ @ @ @ @ `` If this is n't gross indulgence to give a single source tender of £650,000 for PR work , which his own department has over 100 people working in communications , what specific tasks and messaging has been provided by Admiral Associates that his own team of communications professionals do n't have the skills or knowledge to deliver ? ''
Lord Callanan said the Lib Dem peer was making `` baseless accusations '' and said Mr Cummings had `` no role whatsoever in any of these procurement processes or any of these appointments @ @ @ @ @ @ @ specialist communications support was contracted by the vaccines taskforce .
`` The details of all arrangements and all firms and contract labour used by the taskforce will be published in due course with the usual transparency arrangements . ''
And a Number 10 spokesperson said : `` It is ridiculous to make such an imaginary and tenuous link .
Dominic Cummings has never heard of Georgina or Angus Cameron .
`` Specialist communications support was procured by the Vaccine Taskforce in line with proper practice . ''
Labour 's Rachel Reeves , shadow @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of the link between Admiral Associates and Mr Cummings `` raise yet more serious questions about how taxpayer money is being spent during the pandemic and how the government is being run '' .
`` The public deserve urgent answers as to how a small PR agency with close links to the PM 's closest adviser was simply gifted such a large contract - and what exactly was delivered for such a price tag , '' she added .
`` We know Dominic Cummings does n't think the rules apply to him , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ taxpayer money .
`` The prime minister must be transparent about the processes he has put in place to allow such potential breaches of public trust . ''
On Monday , the Chartered Institute of Public Relations said it understood `` widespread concerns surrounding the awarding of public sector contracts '' and called for `` increased transparency on ensuring value for public money '' .
It added in a statement : `` We urge the Department for Business , Energy and Industrial Strategy to be clear about how this public money is spent @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that exist between Admiral Associates and , through Kate Bingham , BEIS . ''
Ms Bingham is expected to leave her role at the end of the year , with government sources stressing she was always due to leave at this stage .
Boris Johnson , who stood by Mr Cummings after the row over his lockdown trips earlier this year , on Tuesday offered his `` huge thanks '' to Ms Bingham for securing 40 million doses of the Pfizer and BioNTech vaccine , which has been found to be 90 % @ @ @ @ @ @ @ head of the UK 's vaccines taskforce , Ms Bingham reports directly to Mr Johnson .
She is married to Tory MP Jesse Norman , a junior Treasury minister .
Mr Norman is two years older than Mr Johnson , with both having attended Eton College and then Oxford University .
Ms Bingham attended St Paul 's Girls School in London and Oxford University at the same time as Mr Johnson 's sister , Rachel Johnson .

The PR firm hired at taxpayers' expense by the head of the UK's vaccine taskforce has been linked to the father-in-law of the prime minister's chief adviser Dominic Cummings.
Kate Bingham has come under fire for spending £670,000 on a team of PR consultants during her work as the government's vaccines tsar.
The investment fund manager, the wife of a Conservative minister, was reported by the Sunday Times to have used eight full-time consultants from Admiral PR & Marketing to oversee her media strategy since her appointment earlier this year.
Image: Kate Bingham is the UK's vaccines tsar
Records from Companies House reveal that the company secretary of Admiral PR & Marketing is Angus Collingwood Cameron.
Mr Collingwod Cameron is also listed by Companies House as a director of Chillingham Wild Cattle Association Limited, whose directors also include Sir Edward Humphry Wakefield.
Sir Humphry is the father of Mary Wakefield, who is married to Mr Cummings.
According to the Sunday Times report, Admiral consultants had helped prepare Ms Bingham for media appearances, draft statements and to oversee a vaccines podcast on Spotify.
Ms Bingham was said to have "insisted" on hiring the consultants, despite concerns they would duplicate the work of communications staff at the Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy (BEIS).
Lord Scriven, a Liberal Democrat peer, quizzed BEIS minister Lord Callanan about the link in the House of Lords on Tuesday.
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Image: Sir Humphrey Wakefield at home in Chillingham Castle in 2004
"Kate Bingham asked for Admiral Associates to be brought in," he said.
"Angus Collingwood Cameron, a director of Admiral Associates, is also a director of Dominic Cummings' in-laws country estate and runs a caviar company which he says he is happy to advise on indulgence.
"If this isn't gross indulgence to give a single source tender of £650,000 for PR work, which his own department has over 100 people working in communications, what specific tasks and messaging has been provided by Admiral Associates that his own team of communications professionals don't have the skills or knowledge to deliver?"
Lord Callanan said the Lib Dem peer was making "baseless accusations" and said Mr Cummings had "no role whatsoever in any of these procurement processes or any of these appointments".
He added: "The specialist communications support was contracted by the vaccines taskforce.
"The details of all arrangements and all firms and contract labour used by the taskforce will be published in due course with the usual transparency arrangements."
Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player 0:35 Vaccine tsar's PR spend 'can't be justified'
And a Number 10 spokesperson said: "It is ridiculous to make such an imaginary and tenuous link. Dominic Cummings has never heard of Georgina or Angus Cameron.
"Specialist communications support was procured by the Vaccine Taskforce in line with proper practice."
Labour's Rachel Reeves, shadow Cabinet Office minister, said the emergence of the link between Admiral Associates and Mr Cummings "raise yet more serious questions about how taxpayer money is being spent during the pandemic and how the government is being run".
"The public deserve urgent answers as to how a small PR agency with close links to the PM's closest adviser was simply gifted such a large contract - and what exactly was delivered for such a price tag," she added.
"We know Dominic Cummings doesn't think the rules apply to him, but this is no way to treat taxpayer money.
"The prime minister must be transparent about the processes he has put in place to allow such potential breaches of public trust."
Image: Boris Johnson offered his 'huge thanks' to Ms Bingham
On Monday, the Chartered Institute of Public Relations said it understood "widespread concerns surrounding the awarding of public sector contracts" and called for "increased transparency on ensuring value for public money".
It added in a statement: "We urge the Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy to be clear about how this public money is spent and to be transparent about the agreements that exist between Admiral Associates and, through Kate Bingham, BEIS."
Ms Bingham is expected to leave her role at the end of the year, with government sources stressing she was always due to leave at this stage.
Boris Johnson, who stood by Mr Cummings after the row over his lockdown trips earlier this year, on Tuesday offered his "huge thanks" to Ms Bingham for securing 40 million doses of the Pfizer and BioNTech vaccine, which has been found to be 90% effective.
In her role as the head of the UK's vaccines taskforce, Ms Bingham reports directly to Mr Johnson.
She is married to Tory MP Jesse Norman, a junior Treasury minister.
Mr Norman is two years older than Mr Johnson, with both having attended Eton College and then Oxford University.
Ms Bingham attended St Paul's Girls School in London and Oxford University at the same time as Mr Johnson's sister, Rachel Johnson.


skynewspolitics--2020-11-10--Vaccine may mean 'normality' by Easter - if govt doesn't 'screw it up', scientific adviser says

A breakthrough in COVID-19 vaccinations means there is a `` 70-80 % '' chance the UK will be returning to normality by Easter - as long as authorities do not `` screw up '' distribution of the jab , a top a scientific adviser has said .
Sir John Bell , Regius Professor of medicine at University of Oxford , told MPs the announcement by Pfizer and BioNTech suggested there could be two or three coronavirus vaccines by the new year .
He said he was `` quite optimistic '' that most of the country 's vulnerable people could have @ @ @ @ @ @ @ resumption of normal life .
Live updates on coronavirus from the UK and around the world It came as the government said it has asked the NHS to prepare to begin rolling the vaccine out by in December .
During a Commons session on coronavirus on Tuesday , former health secretary Jeremy Hunt asked him : `` What are your percentage chances in this situation of getting to Easter and having vaccinated the vulnerable , the most vulnerable parts of our population , so that post-Easter we could think about resuming to normality @ @ @ @ @ @ @ I think we 've got a 70 , 80 per cent chance of doing that .
`` That 's provided they do n't screw up the distribution of the vaccine , that 's not my job .
But provided they do n't screw that up , it 'll all be fine . ''
US pharmaceutical giant Pfizer and its vaccine partner BioNTech released initial results that suggested their jab was 90 % effective at protecting people from COVID-19 .
Prof Bell described the announcement as a `` massive step forward '' , adding @ @ @ @ @ @ @ think , that many of the other vaccines that have the same immunogenicity are likely also to be efficacious .
`` So I would n't be surprised if we hit the new year with two or three vaccines , all of which could be distributed .
`` And that 's why I 'm quite optimistic of getting enough vaccinations done in the first quarter of next year that by spring things will start to look much more normal than they do now . ''
Health Secretary Matt Hancock described the vaccine announcement as @ @ @ @ @ @ @ England currently less than a week into a month-long lockdown , warned it was only `` one step of many we need to get out of this and to tackle this pandemic once and for all '' .
`` The critical thing is that we all keep our resolve on the measures that are in place now , '' he added .
However , Mr Hancock revealed he had asked the NHS , which will be supported by the Armed Forces , to `` be ready from the start of December '' for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ said : `` Of course there are many hurdles that still need to be gone over and we have n't seen the full safety data and obviously that is critical and we wo n't deploy a vaccine unless we can be confident in its clinical safety .
`` But we also do need to be ready should a vaccine be licensed and get through all those hurdles and ready to roll it out . ''
Mr Hancock said care home residents and staff , NHS and social care staff , and then elderly @ @ @ @ @ @ @ vaccination .
But the health secretary declined to add his voice to those who have said life could be back to normal by spring next year .
Boris Johnson on Tuesday offered his `` huge thanks '' to Kate Bingham , the head of the UK 's vaccine taskforce , for securing 40 million doses of the Pfizer and BioNTech vaccine .
Ms Bingham , the wife of a Conservative minister , has recently been under pressure after it emerged she has spent £670,000 of taxpayers ' cash on a team of PR @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Association has said coronavirus vaccines could be available from GPs and large drive-through sites 12 hours a day and seven days a week .
Family doctors are being given guidance on a new `` directed enhanced service '' that would go beyond their normal hours to deliver vaccines 8am to 8pm Monday to Sunday .
Patients are set to be given two vaccine doses - either 21 or 28 days apart .
The BMA said in its statement : `` Vaccine availability will be limited to begin with , meaning only small numbers @ @ @ @ @ @ @ with most vaccinations taking place in early 2021 .
But Dr Bharat Pankhania , senior clinical lecturer at the University of Exeter , cautioned against being too confident in the 90 % statistic .
He told Sky News : `` There are questions still to answer , figures to be distilled… I want to know are you really sure ?
`` Because I do n't think the 90 % figure tallies up very well .
It depends on the number people exposed to the virus after receiving [ the trial jab ] .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ to be ironed out before we can say we have a successful vaccine with us . ''
He said he was `` as optimistic '' about the Pfizer vaccine as `` the many others in development '' and that he expects there to be multiple successful vaccines in time .
Meanwhile , health experts said vaccines may be approved for use that are not as effective as the top performer in a bid to drive down the burden of coronavirus .
Government advisers said that even jabs with a lower efficacy in preventing @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in a public health emergency , Scientists have also expressed concerns about how GPs will store vaccines as they must be kept at -80C .
They say many surgeries do not have freezers cold enough for them .
But Mr Hancock said : `` Cold chain requirements are significant and do add to the logistical complications , but we have known about that cold chain requirement for many months now so it 's been part of our planning for some time .
`` And so we have a good degree of confidence that @ @ @ @ @ @ @

A breakthrough in COVID-19 vaccinations means there is a "70-80%" chance the UK will be returning to normality by Easter - as long as authorities do not "screw up" distribution of the jab, a top a scientific adviser has said.
Sir John Bell, Regius Professor of medicine at University of Oxford, told MPs the announcement by Pfizer and BioNTech suggested there could be two or three coronavirus vaccines by the new year.
He said he was "quite optimistic" that most of the country's vulnerable people could have jabs administered by spring - heralding a resumption of normal life.
Live updates on coronavirus from the UK and around the world
It came as the government said it has asked the NHS to prepare to begin rolling the vaccine out by in December.
During a Commons session on coronavirus on Tuesday, former health secretary Jeremy Hunt asked him: "What are your percentage chances in this situation of getting to Easter and having vaccinated the vulnerable, the most vulnerable parts of our population, so that post-Easter we could think about resuming to normality?"
Prof Bell replied: "I think we've got a 70, 80 per cent chance of doing that.
"That's provided they don't screw up the distribution of the vaccine, that's not my job. But provided they don't screw that up, it'll all be fine."
US pharmaceutical giant Pfizer and its vaccine partner BioNTech released initial results that suggested their jab was 90% effective at protecting people from COVID-19.
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Prof Bell described the announcement as a "massive step forward", adding: "It also signals, I think, that many of the other vaccines that have the same immunogenicity are likely also to be efficacious.
Image: A COVID-19 vaccine being developed by Pfizer and BioNTech has been found to be 90% effective
"So I wouldn't be surprised if we hit the new year with two or three vaccines, all of which could be distributed.
"And that's why I'm quite optimistic of getting enough vaccinations done in the first quarter of next year that by spring things will start to look much more normal than they do now."
Health Secretary Matt Hancock described the vaccine announcement as "promising news" but, with England currently less than a week into a month-long lockdown, warned it was only "one step of many we need to get out of this and to tackle this pandemic once and for all".
"The critical thing is that we all keep our resolve on the measures that are in place now," he added.
Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player 1:17 Prevention of virus development 'not sexy' enough
However, Mr Hancock revealed he had asked the NHS, which will be supported by the Armed Forces, to "be ready from the start of December" for the deployment of a vaccine.
He said: "Of course there are many hurdles that still need to be gone over and we haven't seen the full safety data and obviously that is critical and we won't deploy a vaccine unless we can be confident in its clinical safety.
"But we also do need to be ready should a vaccine be licensed and get through all those hurdles and ready to roll it out."
Mr Hancock said care home residents and staff, NHS and social care staff, and then elderly people would be first in line for vaccination.
But the health secretary declined to add his voice to those who have said life could be back to normal by spring next year.
Boris Johnson on Tuesday offered his "huge thanks" to Kate Bingham, the head of the UK's vaccine taskforce, for securing 40 million doses of the Pfizer and BioNTech vaccine.
Ms Bingham, the wife of a Conservative minister, has recently been under pressure after it emerged she has spent £670,000 of taxpayers' cash on a team of PR consultants.
Meanwhile, the British Medical Association has said coronavirus vaccines could be available from GPs and large drive-through sites 12 hours a day and seven days a week.
Family doctors are being given guidance on a new "directed enhanced service" that would go beyond their normal hours to deliver vaccines 8am to 8pm Monday to Sunday.
Patients are set to be given two vaccine doses - either 21 or 28 days apart.
The BMA said in its statement: "Vaccine availability will be limited to begin with, meaning only small numbers of vaccines may be given in December with most vaccinations taking place in early 2021.
But Dr Bharat Pankhania, senior clinical lecturer at the University of Exeter, cautioned against being too confident in the 90% statistic.
He told Sky News: "There are questions still to answer, figures to be distilled… I want to know are you really sure?
"Because I don't think the 90% figure tallies up very well. It depends on the number people exposed to the virus after receiving [the trial jab].
"These are the issues that need to be ironed out before we can say we have a successful vaccine with us."
He said he was "as optimistic" about the Pfizer vaccine as "the many others in development" and that he expects there to be multiple successful vaccines in time.
Meanwhile, health experts said vaccines may be approved for use that are not as effective as the top performer in a bid to drive down the burden of coronavirus.
Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player 1:13 PM's warning over potential vaccine
Government advisers said that even jabs with a lower efficacy in preventing COVID-19 could still have large population benefits in a public health emergency,
Scientists have also expressed concerns about how GPs will store vaccines as they must be kept at -80C.
They say many surgeries do not have freezers cold enough for them.
But Mr Hancock said: "Cold chain requirements are significant and do add to the logistical complications, but we have known about that cold chain requirement for many months now so it's been part of our planning for some time.
"And so we have a good degree of confidence that that will be in place."


skynewspolitics--2020-11-10--PM's Biden tweet revealed to show 'Trump' underneath as Irish PM deletes phone call message

Boris Johnson has risked being left red-faced after his message of congratulations to US president-elect Joe Biden was found to have retained traces of Donald Trump 's name .
On Saturday , the prime minister offered his congratulations to Mr Biden and his vice-presidential running mate Kamala Harris after they were declared the winners of the US election .
In a graphic attached to his Twitter post , Mr Johnson said in a statement : `` Congratulations to Joe Biden on his election as President of the United States and to Kamala Harris on her historic achievement .
`` The @ @ @ @ @ @ @ I look forward to working closely together on our shared priorities , from climate change to trade and security . ''
However , it has since been spotted that altering the brightness and contrast of the graphic reveals the outline of what appears to be a previous statement .
Above the word `` Biden '' the word `` Trump '' can be seen , while the outlines of other words can also be found .
A government spokesperson said : `` As you 'd expect , two statements were prepared in advance for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ `` A technical error meant that parts of the alternative message were embedded in the background of the graphic . ''
The SNP 's Westminster leader Ian Blackford posted on Twitter : `` Incompetence has become the watchword for this Tory government .
`` This just serves as yet another reminder of @ BorisJohnson 's close relationship with Trump , which has done so much damage . ''
Meanwhile , a message was posted on Irish PM Micheal Martin 's Twitter account saying he had spoken to Mr Biden , but was quickly @ @ @ @ @ @ @ `` just finished a very positive call '' with the president-elect .
However , the message was posted in error as the phone call was still in the process of being arranged .
The pair spoke later on Tuesday afternoon .
Mr Trump has still yet to concede defeat in the US presidential election and has repeatedly claimed to have `` won '' the election .
He has also made unsubstantiated claims of fraud in the election process .


skynewspolitics--2020-11-11--'I want my own mum to get one': Top govt scientist seeks to reassure public over vaccine

England 's deputy chief medical officer has said he will be encouraging his own mother to get a COVID-19 vaccine as he assured Britons that safety standards will not be compromised in the face of the public health emergency .
Professor Jonathan Van-Tam , speaking at a Downing Street news conference , outlined how the regular development and approval phase for a vaccine had been accelerated due to the coronavirus crisis .
This has included overlapping the three phases of clinical trials and pharmaceutical firms beginning manufacture before final approval had been granted - leaving them open to the risk @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
However , Prof Van-Tam stressed that `` standards are no lower just because this is a public health emergency '' .
Dr June Raine , the chief executive of the Medicines and Healthcare Products Regulatory Agency ( MHRA ) , also pledged that a COVID-19 vaccine would `` only be approved once it has met robust standards of effectiveness , safety and quality '' .
US pharmaceutical giant Pfizer and its vaccine partner BioNTech this week released initial results that suggested their jab was 90 % effective at protecting people from COVID-19 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ begun their work in assessing the Pfizer vaccine but had not yet received the full clinical trial data .
`` Clearly we are in a state of readiness to start our rigorous reviews of safety and effectiveness the minute that reaches us , '' she added .
Asked if he would be prepared to be among the first people to be vaccinated , Prof Van-Tam said : `` If I could , rightly and morally , be at the very front of the queue then I would do so .
`` Because I @ @ @ @ @ @ @ on safety and efficacy .
`` But that clearly is n't right - we have to target most highest risk individuals in society and that is how it should be .
`` If I could be at the front of the queue , then I would be .
`` But let me say to you this , I think the 'mum test ' is very important here .
`` My mum is 78 , she 'll be 79 shortly , and I 've already said to her 'mum , make sure when you @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ready to take this up , this is really important for you because of your age ' . ''
Care homes , NHS and social care staff , and then elderly people are set to be prioritised for vaccination .
And Prof Van-Tam said that people should not be able to skip the queue by paying privately for a vaccine .
`` One of the things I like about the NHS is that it 's there for everybody , irrespective of their level of wealth or who they are in society , '' @ @ @ @ @ @ @ really important principle to me , personally . ''
Prof Van-Tam added that deciding such an issue would be `` a ministerial decision '' but added : `` I am giving you my views as a clinician that I think these vaccines need to be prioritised to those who need them , not those who can afford to pay for them privately . ''
He admitted that the roll-out of a coronavirus vaccine would be a `` mammoth challenge '' for the NHS , but said he had been reassured about questions over @ @ @ @ @ @ @ supply of needles and syringes .
Prof Van-Tam also offered to deliver vaccines himself in his evenings and weekends .
But he was unable to say whether lives would be back to normal by Easter due to the development of a vaccine .
`` We do n't yet know if this vaccine is going to prevent transmission as well as preventing illness , and from that perspective it would be wrong of me to give you a sense that whoever told you that we 'd be completely back to normal for Easter is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ officer said .
Professor Wei Shen Lim , chair of the Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation , said the second phase of the vaccination programme could prioritise those who might suffer lasting effects of coronavirus , or who transmit the disease .
`` In phase two of the programme it 's likely that we 'll prioritise individuals who may suffer because of the need for hospitalisation because of COVID or perhaps because of long COVID , '' he said .
`` The reason it 's not been decided is because we need @ @ @ @ @ @ @ individuals who are transmitting COVID instead . ''

England's deputy chief medical officer has said he will be encouraging his own mother to get a COVID-19 vaccine as he assured Britons that safety standards will not be compromised in the face of the public health emergency.
Professor Jonathan Van-Tam, speaking at a Downing Street news conference, outlined how the regular development and approval phase for a vaccine had been accelerated due to the coronavirus crisis.
This has included overlapping the three phases of clinical trials and pharmaceutical firms beginning manufacture before final approval had been granted - leaving them open to the risk their work may have to be scrapped.
Image: The Pfizer vaccine has been revealed to be 90% effective
However, Prof Van-Tam stressed that "standards are no lower just because this is a public health emergency".
Boris Johnson has urged everybody to get a vaccine once one becomes available, saying: "The priority list will be decided by the Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation.
"They will look at the groups that really need it first and they will typically be the elderly, the vulnerable, people in care homes and so on. That is how we will do it.
"Certainly I would say to everybody anti-vaxx is total nonsense - you should definitely get a vaccine."
Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer said he would happily take it to boost public confidence, but stressed he did not want to skip the queue.
"I would be first in line if that's what people want but I don't want to go to the front of the queue. I will take my place like everybody else," he said.
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"But I would also do anything I can to encourage as many people as possible to have the vaccine because I think it is really important that everybody does have the vaccine."
Dr June Raine, the chief executive of the Medicines and Healthcare Products Regulatory Agency (MHRA), has also pledged that a COVID-19 vaccine would "only be approved once it has met robust standards of effectiveness, safety and quality".
US pharmaceutical giant Pfizer and its vaccine partner BioNTech this week released initial results that suggested their jab was 90% effective at protecting people from COVID-19.
Dr Raine said the MHRA had begun their work in assessing the Pfizer vaccine but had not yet received the full clinical trial data.
"Clearly we are in a state of readiness to start our rigorous reviews of safety and effectiveness the minute that reaches us," she added.
Asked if he would be prepared to be among the first people to be vaccinated, Prof Van-Tam said: "If I could, rightly and morally, be at the very front of the queue then I would do so.
"Because I absolutely trust the judgement of the MHRA on safety and efficacy.
"But that clearly isn't right - we have to target most highest risk individuals in society and that is how it should be.
"If I could be at the front of the queue, then I would be.
"But let me say to you this, I think the 'mum test' is very important here.
"My mum is 78, she'll be 79 shortly, and I've already said to her 'mum, make sure when you're called you're ready, be ready to take this up, this is really important for you because of your age'."
Care homes, NHS and social care staff, and then elderly people are set to be prioritised for vaccination.
And Prof Van-Tam said that people should not be able to skip the queue by paying privately for a vaccine.
"One of the things I like about the NHS is that it's there for everybody, irrespective of their level of wealth or who they are in society," he said.
"That's a really important principle to me, personally."
Prof Van-Tam added that deciding such an issue would be "a ministerial decision" but added: "I am giving you my views as a clinician that I think these vaccines need to be prioritised to those who need them, not those who can afford to pay for them privately."
He admitted that the roll-out of a coronavirus vaccine would be a "mammoth challenge" for the NHS, but said he had been reassured about questions over refrigeration capacity, transport systems and the supply of needles and syringes.
According to Conservative MP Julian Sturdy, Prof Van-Tam told MPs in a briefing that "low millions of people" could be vaccinated by Christmas if the vaccine is rolled out early.
In his on-camera briefing, he also offered to deliver vaccines himself in his evenings and weekends.
But Prof Van-Tam was unable to say whether lives would be back to normal by Easter due to the development of a vaccine.
"We don't yet know if this vaccine is going to prevent transmission as well as preventing illness, and from that perspective it would be wrong of me to give you a sense that whoever told you that we'd be completely back to normal for Easter is right," the deputy chief medical officer said.
Professor Wei Shen Lim, chair of the Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation, said the second phase of the vaccination programme could prioritise those who might suffer lasting effects of coronavirus, or who transmit the disease.
"In phase two of the programme it's likely that we'll prioritise individuals who may suffer because of the need for hospitalisation because of COVID or perhaps because of long COVID," he said.
"The reason it's not been decided is because we need to also balance the possible prioritisation of individuals who are transmitting COVID instead."
Downing Street has said there are "no plans" for a vaccine to be supplied outside of the NHS.
The NHS Nightingale hospitals, which were created during the first wave of the coronavirus pandemic earlier this year, are being considered as mass vaccination centres, Number 10 added.


skynewspolitics--2020-11-11--Brexit deal 'unlikely' this week and talks will drag on, says Irish foreign minister

A Brexit deal is `` unlikely this week '' and trade talks are `` likely to move into next week '' , according to Ireland 's foreign minister .
Simon Coveney said he was hopeful he would be `` proven wrong '' but played down the prospects of a breakthrough in the next few days .
He also warned of `` real problems '' if a deal was not struck by some time next week .
EU chief negotiator Michel Barnier is in London this week to continue negotiations on a future UK-EU relationship with his UK counterpart Lord Frost @ @ @ @ @ @ @ there were still three areas in which the two sides were yet to reach an agreement : Issues of governance ; the maintenance of shared standards ; and fishing .
With 50 days until the end of the Brexit transition period , on 31 December , Mr Coveney said the agreement of a trade deal would be `` very difficult '' but `` doable '' .
`` No deal is in nobody 's interests , '' he said at an online event organised by the European Movement Ireland .
It was reported on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 's video conference summit of EU leaders as the final deadline for a draft Brexit deal .

A Brexit deal is "unlikely this week" and trade talks are "likely to move into next week", according to Ireland's foreign minister.
Simon Coveney said he was hopeful he would be "proven wrong" but played down the prospects of a breakthrough in the next few days.
He also warned of "real problems" if a deal was not struck by some time next week.
EU chief negotiator Michel Barnier is in London this week to continue negotiations on a future UK-EU relationship with his UK counterpart Lord Frost.
Image: EU chief negotiator Michel Barnier is in London this week to continue talks
On Monday, Mr Barnier warned there were still three areas in which the two sides were yet to reach an agreement: Issues of governance; the maintenance of shared standards; and fishing.
With 50 days until the end of the Brexit transition period, on 31 December, Mr Coveney said the agreement of a trade deal would be "very difficult" but "doable".
"No deal is in nobody's interests," he said at an online event organised by the European Movement Ireland.
Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player 1:01 Brexit: UK open to '2-3 year' fishing deal
UK sources also downplayed the chances of a deal being reached this week.
It was reported on Wednesday that Brussels now sees next week's video conference summit of EU leaders as the final deadline for a draft Brexit deal.
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In Westminster, Boris Johnson's official spokesman said: "Time is in short supply and for our part we continue to work very hard to seek to bridge the gaps which remain between our two positions."


skynewspolitics--2020-11-10--PM to face pressure not to extend lockdown as rebel Tory MPs launch campaign group

Rebel Tory MPs opposed to England 's national lockdown have formed a powerful new campaign group to turn up the heat on Boris Johnson and his stance on COVID-19 .
Ominously for the prime minister , they are led by a former chief whip Mark Harper , and Brexiteer Steve Baker , mastermind of parliamentary guerrilla campaigns .
And in a move that will ring alarm bells in Downing Street , the group also includes Sir Graham Brady , chairman of the 1922 Committee of backbench Conservative MPs .
The new group , mostly made up of Tory MPs who @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to approve the current lockdown , is calling itself the COVID Recovery Group .
The MPs plan to challenge scientific advice provided by government medics and will campaign to defeat any attempt by Mr Johnson to extend the coronavirus lockdown when it ends on 2 December .
Mr Harper , who chairs the new group , said : `` Last week I voted against a Conservative government for only the second time in my fifteen years in Parliament , which was not easy for a former chief whip .
`` Lockdowns cost lives @ @ @ @ @ @ @ deteriorating mental health , and missed A & E appointments - not to mention the impact it has on young people 's education , job prospects and our soaring debts .
`` The cure we 're prescribing runs the risk of being worse than the disease .
`` The COVID Recovery Group will play its part in helping the government to deliver an enduring strategy for living with the virus , so that we break the transmission of the disease , command public support , end this devastating cycle of repeated restrictions and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ an effective and safe vaccine is successfully rolled out across the population . ''
Mr Baker , MP and deputy chairman of the group , added : `` This is about ensuring that our response to COVID is rational and balanced , taking account of the non-COVID health and economic consequences of restrictions and not being driven by panic .
`` We must find a more sustainable way of leading our lives until a vaccine is rolled out , rather than throwing our prosperity away by shutting down and destroying our economy , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ by lockdowns and restrictions .
`` The country is crying out for a radically different and enduring strategy for living with the virus and the COVID Recovery Group will assist the government in leading the UK out of the coronavirus crisis and into a positive future . ''
Other rebels on the new campaign 's steering group include Adam Afriyie , Chris Green , who quit as a junior ministerial aide over lockdown measures , Philip Hollobone , Sir Robert Syms and William Wragg .
As well as rebels , the steering group @ @ @ @ @ @ @ psychiatrist who is MP for former Chancellor Philip Hammond 's Surrey stockbroker belt seat of Runnymede and Weybridge , and ex-ministers Harriett Baldwin and Nus Ghani .
Launching the group , the MPs have published what they call Three Guiding Principles , in which they are calling on the government to : • Undertake and publish full cost-benefit analysis of restrictions on a regional basis • End the monopoly on advice of government scientists • Improve the measures we already have to tackle the virus , including significantly boosting the performance of NHS @ @ @ @ @ @ @ local public health teams to lead contact tracing and break the chain of transmission , and expanding the NHS ' surge capacity .
The MPs claim : `` Lockdowns and restrictions cost lives , push death and suffering into the future and cause immense economic , social and non-COVID health damage .
`` Even a Department of Health and Social Care report has shown that the first lockdown led to more cancer deaths , deteriorating mental health and many other social harms .
`` As well as prioritising the treatment of patients for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to the most lethal killers we face today - cancer , dementia , heart disease , and , for under 40s , suicide , to people 's mental health , and the health implications and consequent mortality of falling GDP .
: : Subscribe to Sophy Ridge on Sunday on Apple podcasts , Google podcasts , Spotify , Spreaker '' MPs must be in a position to assess the relative health implications on both sides of the argument of repeated restrictions with a view to removing them immediately if it can not be @ @ @ @ @ @ @ than they cost . ''
On scientific advice , the MPs claim : `` We must allow prevailing expert scientific opinion to be challenged by competitive , multi-disciplinary expert groups - with challenges from devil 's advocate 'red teams ' - and publish the models that inform policies so they can be reviewed by the public .
`` We have recently seen the modelling for coronavirus fatalities challenged and dismantled due to their use of outdated data .
And on test and trace , the MPs complain : `` The current test and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ % of the contacts of those who have tested positive and improvement is needed .
`` The Scientific Advisory Group for Emergencies says that for the system to be effective , it needs to reach 80 % .
`` During lockdown we must transform the effectiveness of NHS Test and Trace so that we have another tool to help prevent repeated cycles of damaging lockdowns and restrictions . ''

Rebel Tory MPs opposed to England's national lockdown have formed a powerful new campaign group to turn up the heat on Boris Johnson and his stance on COVID-19.
Ominously for the prime minister, they are led by a former chief whip Mark Harper, and Brexiteer Steve Baker, mastermind of parliamentary guerrilla campaigns.
And in a move that will ring alarm bells in Downing Street, the group also includes Sir Graham Brady, chairman of the 1922 Committee of backbench Conservative MPs.
Image: Former chief whip Mark Harper is a member of the group. Pic: UK Parliament
The new group, mostly made up of Tory MPs who rebelled in the Commons vote last week to approve the current lockdown, is calling itself the COVID Recovery Group.
The MPs plan to challenge scientific advice provided by government medics and will campaign to defeat any attempt by Mr Johnson to extend the coronavirus lockdown when it ends on 2 December.
Mr Harper, who chairs the new group, said: "Last week I voted against a Conservative government for only the second time in my fifteen years in Parliament, which was not easy for a former chief whip.
"Lockdowns cost lives, whether in undiagnosed cancer treatments, deteriorating mental health, and missed A&E appointments - not to mention the impact it has on young people's education, job prospects and our soaring debts.
"The cure we're prescribing runs the risk of being worse than the disease.
"The COVID Recovery Group will play its part in helping the government to deliver an enduring strategy for living with the virus, so that we break the transmission of the disease, command public support, end this devastating cycle of repeated restrictions and start living in a sustainable way until an effective and safe vaccine is successfully rolled out across the population."
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Mr Baker, MP and deputy chairman of the group, added: "This is about ensuring that our response to COVID is rational and balanced, taking account of the non-COVID health and economic consequences of restrictions and not being driven by panic.
Image: Sir Graham Brady is also part of the COVID Recovery Group
"We must find a more sustainable way of leading our lives until a vaccine is rolled out, rather than throwing our prosperity away by shutting down and destroying our economy, and overlooking the untold health consequences caused by lockdowns and restrictions.
"The country is crying out for a radically different and enduring strategy for living with the virus and the COVID Recovery Group will assist the government in leading the UK out of the coronavirus crisis and into a positive future."
Other rebels on the new campaign's steering group include Adam Afriyie, Chris Green, who quit as a junior ministerial aide over lockdown measures, Philip Hollobone, Sir Robert Syms and William Wragg.
As well as rebels, the steering group also includes Dr Ben Spencer, a psychiatrist who is MP for former Chancellor Philip Hammond's Surrey stockbroker belt seat of Runnymede and Weybridge, and ex-ministers Harriett Baldwin and Nus Ghani.
Launching the group, the MPs have published what they call Three Guiding Principles, in which they are calling on the government to:
Undertake and publish full cost-benefit analysis of restrictions on a regional basis
End the monopoly on advice of government scientists
Improve the measures we already have to tackle the virus, including significantly boosting the performance of NHS Test and Trace by shifting resources to local public health teams to lead contact tracing and break the chain of transmission, and expanding the NHS' surge capacity.
The MPs claim: "Lockdowns and restrictions cost lives, push death and suffering into the future and cause immense economic, social and non-COVID health damage.
"Even a Department of Health and Social Care report has shown that the first lockdown led to more cancer deaths, deteriorating mental health and many other social harms.
"As well as prioritising the treatment of patients for COVID-19, we must give equal regard to the most lethal killers we face today - cancer, dementia, heart disease, and, for under 40s, suicide, to people's mental health, and the health implications and consequent mortality of falling GDP.
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"MPs must be in a position to assess the relative health implications on both sides of the argument of repeated restrictions with a view to removing them immediately if it cannot be proved that they are saving more lives than they cost."
On scientific advice, the MPs claim: "We must allow prevailing expert scientific opinion to be challenged by competitive, multi-disciplinary expert groups - with challenges from devil's advocate 'red teams' - and publish the models that inform policies so they can be reviewed by the public.
"We have recently seen the modelling for coronavirus fatalities challenged and dismantled due to their use of outdated data.
And on test and trace, the MPs complain: "The current test and trace system has been reaching only 48% of the contacts of those who have tested positive and improvement is needed.
"The Scientific Advisory Group for Emergencies says that for the system to be effective, it needs to reach 80%.
"During lockdown we must transform the effectiveness of NHS Test and Trace so that we have another tool to help prevent repeated cycles of damaging lockdowns and restrictions."