skynewspolitics--2020-05-19--Brexit deal possible but EU has to drop 'ideological approach' - Gove

A deal on the UK 's future relationship with the EU is possible if Brussels drops its `` ideological approach '' , Michael Gove has said .
Updating MPs on the state of play in the Brexit negotiations , the Cabinet Office minister said there remained areas where the two sides had `` significant differences '' .
This includes fisheries , governance arrangements and the so-called level playing field .
`` The EU , essentially , wants us to obey the rules of their club , even though we 're no longer members , '' Mr Gove told the Commons @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to our fishing grounds as they currently enjoy while restricting our access to their markets .
`` It remains difficult to reach a mutually beneficial agreement while the EU maintains such an ideological approach .
`` But we believe an agreement is possible if flexibility is shown . ''
Britain left the EU at the end of January after 47 years of membership and is currently in an 11-month transition period which ends in December .
This time frame is being used to negotiate a free-trade agreement and sort out the terms of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ between the UK and the EU .
Prime Minister Boris Johnson has insisted he will not extend the Brexit transition period beyond the end of this year , despite warnings that disruption caused by the coronavirus pandemic has made striking a deal impossible .
The third round of talks on the future relationship between the two sides ended last week , with the next round due to begin next month .
Mr Gove , a campaigner for Brexit during the 2016 referendum campaign , said the government had made public the UK 's @ @ @ @ @ @ @ facilitate discussions in the fourth round and beyond , the government has today published the full draft legal text that we 've already shared with the Commission and which together with the EU 's draft agreement have formed the basis of all discussions , '' he said .
`` The UK texts are fully in line with the government 's document entitled The Approach to the Future Negotiations which was published on 27 February . ''
Mr Gove added : `` The government remains committed to a deal with a free-trade agreement at @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the fourth round of negotiations beginning on 1 June , but success depends on the EU recognising that the UK is a sovereign . ''
International Trade Secretary Liz Truss , meanwhile , has published the tariff schedule the UK will operate at the end of the transition period for those countries with whom the UK does not have a trade deal .
: : Listen to the Daily podcast on Apple Podcasts , Google Podcasts , Spotify , Spreaker Labour 's shadow Cabinet Office minister , Rachel Reeves , urged the government @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to get a deal that is good for jobs , workers ' rights and also for scientific cooperation '' .
Turning to the potential effect on Northern Ireland , she told MPs : `` Peace in Northern Ireland was hard-won , we must not jeopardise it .
`` In January , the prime minister guaranteed unfettered access for goods moving between Britain and Northern Ireland .
`` Last week it was revealed that the government would implement checks on some products crossing the Irish Sea and that there would be new infrastructure at @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Ireland .
`` So can [ Mr Gove ] confirm whether these additional checks are being planned for when the road map for implementing the protocol will be published ? ''
Mr Gove said ministers would be publishing a framework document setting out its plans to ensure unfettered access for goods from Northern Ireland into the UK `` shortly '' .

A deal on the UK's future relationship with the EU is possible if Brussels drops its "ideological approach", Michael Gove has said.
Updating MPs on the state of play in the Brexit negotiations, the Cabinet Office minister said there remained areas where the two sides had "significant differences".
This includes fisheries, governance arrangements and the so-called level playing field.
Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player 2:46 February: UK prepared to ditch EU trade talks in June
"The EU, essentially, wants us to obey the rules of their club, even though we're no longer members," Mr Gove told the Commons.
"They want the same access to our fishing grounds as they currently enjoy while restricting our access to their markets.
"It remains difficult to reach a mutually beneficial agreement while the EU maintains such an ideological approach.
"But we believe an agreement is possible if flexibility is shown."
Britain left the EU at the end of January after 47 years of membership and is currently in an 11-month transition period which ends in December.
This time frame is being used to negotiate a free-trade agreement and sort out the terms of the future relationship that will govern ties between the UK and the EU.
Advertisement
Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player 3:43 Now the UK is out of the EU, what next?
Prime Minister Boris Johnson has insisted he will not extend the Brexit transition period beyond the end of this year, despite warnings that disruption caused by the coronavirus pandemic has made striking a deal impossible.
The third round of talks on the future relationship between the two sides ended last week, with the next round due to begin next month.
Mr Gove, a campaigner for Brexit during the 2016 referendum campaign, said the government had made public the UK's draft legal texts.
"To help facilitate discussions in the fourth round and beyond, the government has today published the full draft legal text that we've already shared with the Commission and which together with the EU's draft agreement have formed the basis of all discussions," he said.
"The UK texts are fully in line with the government's document entitled The Approach to the Future Negotiations which was published on 27 February."
Mr Gove added: "The government remains committed to a deal with a free-trade agreement at its core and we look forward to the fourth round of negotiations beginning on 1 June, but success depends on the EU recognising that the UK is a sovereign."
International Trade Secretary Liz Truss, meanwhile, has published the tariff schedule the UK will operate at the end of the transition period for those countries with whom the UK does not have a trade deal.
Podcast Podcast , which may be using cookies and other technologies. To show you this content, we need your permission to use cookies. You can use the buttons below to amend your preferences to enable Podcast cookies or to allow those cookies just once. You can change your settings at any time via the This content is provided by, which may be using cookies and other technologies. To show you this content, we need your permission to use cookies. You can use the buttons below to amend your preferences to enablecookies or to allow those cookies just once. You can change your settings at any time via the Privacy Options Unfortunately we have been unable to verify if you have consented to Podcast cookies. To view this content you can use the button below to allow Podcast cookies for this session only. Enable Cookies Allow Cookies Once
:: Listen to the Daily podcast on Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, Spotify, Spreaker
Labour's shadow Cabinet Office minister, Rachel Reeves, urged the government to "act in the national interest to get a deal that is good for jobs, workers' rights and also for scientific cooperation".
Turning to the potential effect on Northern Ireland, she told MPs: "Peace in Northern Ireland was hard-won, we must not jeopardise it.
"In January, the prime minister guaranteed unfettered access for goods moving between Britain and Northern Ireland.
"Last week it was revealed that the government would implement checks on some products crossing the Irish Sea and that there would be new infrastructure at ports coming from mainland Britain to Northern Ireland.
"So can [Mr Gove] confirm whether these additional checks are being planned for when the road map for implementing the protocol will be published?"
Mr Gove said ministers would be publishing a framework document setting out its plans to ensure unfettered access for goods from Northern Ireland into the UK "shortly".


skynewspolitics--2020-05-19--'No evidence' coronavirus came from Wuhan laboratory

There is `` no evidence '' supporting conspiracy theories that the coronavirus originated in a laboratory in Wuhan , an expert has told parliament .
Claims that COVID-19 was created in a lab were amplified by Donald Trump earlier this month , although the president refused to offer any evidence or give specific details .
The coronavirus outbreak first emerged in the Chinese city of Wuhan last year and international blame around the pandemic has incited conspiracy theories about its origin .
Rumours linking the virus to the Wuhan Institute of Virology - based on geographic proximity , and without @ @ @ @ @ @ @ circulated .
But speaking to the House of Lords science and technology committee on Tuesday , Professor David Robertson dismissed the conspiracy theory as `` unlikely '' .
Following the president 's comments , the US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo claimed there was a `` significant amount of evidence '' supporting the theory but , just two days later , admitted : `` We do n't have certainty . ''
: : Listen to the Daily podcast on Apple Podcasts , Google Podcasts , Spotify , Spreaker Scientists have discovered that the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ found in bats , one of the many animals sold at a Wuhan seafood market where it is suspected the virus jumped to humans .
British authorities believe it is highly likely the global pandemic is unconnected to the laboratory in Wuhan and was passed from animals to humans naturally .
`` You have a virus that you think comes from an exotic species and then you have a wildlife market - that seems the most parsimonious explanation , '' Professor Robertson said .
He was asked whether a sample of the virus @ @ @ @ @ @ @ - and thought to be about 40 to 50 years old - could have been behind the initial outbreak .
Professor Robertson , who is the head of viral genomics and bioinformatics at the University of Glasgow , firmly responded : `` No , absolutely not .
`` That 's partly what has driven some of these conspiracy theories , is what is the chance they would have this virus in the labs that is close ?
And actually , even though it is close in sequence , it is not close in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ no evidence for this .
We can all enjoy a conspiracy theory but you need to have evidence , '' he added .
Scientists have analysed the entirety of the novel coronavirus ' genomic sequence to assess claims that it may have been made in a laboratory or been otherwise engineered .
The value of the genomic sequence could prove vital for those developing a vaccine , but it also contains key details revealing how the virus evolved .
Researchers at the Scripps Research Institute in the US , UK and Australia discovered @ @ @ @ @ @ @ because it developed a near-perfect mechanism to bind to human cells .
This mechanism is so sophisticated in its adaptions that the researchers say that it must have evolved and not been genetically engineered in their paper , titled `` COVID-19 coronavirus epidemic has a natural origin '' , published in the journal Nature Medicine .
Dr Josie Golding , the epidemics lead at the Wellcome Trust in the UK , described the paper as `` crucially important to bring an evidence-based view to the rumours that have been circulating about the origins @ @ @ @ @ @ @ `` They conclude that the virus is the product of natural evolution , ending any speculation about deliberate genetic engineering , '' Dr Golding added .

There is "no evidence" supporting conspiracy theories that the coronavirus originated in a laboratory in Wuhan, an expert has told parliament.
Claims that COVID-19 was created in a lab were amplified by Donald Trump earlier this month, although the president refused to offer any evidence or give specific details.
The coronavirus outbreak first emerged in the Chinese city of Wuhan last year and international blame around the pandemic has incited conspiracy theories about its origin.
Rumours linking the virus to the Wuhan Institute of Virology - based on geographic proximity, and without any endorsement from qualified epidemiologists - have circulated.
But speaking to the House of Lords science and technology committee on Tuesday, Professor David Robertson dismissed the conspiracy theory as "unlikely".
Following the president's comments, the US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo claimed there was a "significant amount of evidence" supporting the theory but, just two days later, admitted: "We don't have certainty."
:: Listen to the Daily podcast on Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, Spotify, Spreaker
Scientists have discovered that the coronavirus was 96% identical to coronavirus found in bats, one of the many animals sold at a Wuhan seafood market where it is suspected the virus jumped to humans.
British authorities believe it is highly likely the global pandemic is unconnected to the laboratory in Wuhan and was passed from animals to humans naturally.
Advertisement
"You have a virus that you think comes from an exotic species and then you have a wildlife market - that seems the most parsimonious explanation," Professor Robertson said.
Image: The outbreak is believed to have begun in the Wuhan seafood market
He was asked whether a sample of the virus found at the Wuhan Institute of Virology - and thought to be about 40 to 50 years old - could have been behind the initial outbreak.
Professor Robertson, who is the head of viral genomics and bioinformatics at the University of Glasgow, firmly responded: "No, absolutely not.
"That's partly what has driven some of these conspiracy theories, is what is the chance they would have this virus in the labs that is close? And actually, even though it is close in sequence, it is not close in time."
"There is really no evidence for this. We can all enjoy a conspiracy theory but you need to have evidence," he added.
Scientists have analysed the entirety of the novel coronavirus' genomic sequence to assess claims that it may have been made in a laboratory or been otherwise engineered.
The value of the genomic sequence could prove vital for those developing a vaccine, but it also contains key details revealing how the virus evolved.
Researchers at the Scripps Research Institute in the US, UK and Australia discovered that the virus has proved so infectious because it developed a near-perfect mechanism to bind to human cells.
Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player 1:08 Wuhan resident demonstrates COVID app
This mechanism is so sophisticated in its adaptions that the researchers say that it must have evolved and not been genetically engineered in their paper, titled "COVID-19 coronavirus epidemic has a natural origin", published in the journal Nature Medicine.
Dr Josie Golding, the epidemics lead at the Wellcome Trust in the UK, described the paper as "crucially important to bring an evidence-based view to the rumours that have been circulating about the origins of the virus causing COVID-19".
"They conclude that the virus is the product of natural evolution, ending any speculation about deliberate genetic engineering," Dr Golding added.


skynewspolitics--2020-05-20--'World beating' track and trace system ready for schools to reopen, PM promises

A `` world-beating '' track and trace system to stop a second coronavirus peak and help ease lockdown has been promised by the end of May by Boris Johnson .
The prime minister said he had `` great confidence '' the system abandoned in March given the ballooning number of cases will be up and running in time for English schools to reopen on 1 June .
He was under pressure to make the announcement after the government 's deputy chief scientific adviser said yesterday a highly effective version of the programme needed to be off the ground for any @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer urged him at the last Prime Minister 's Questions for two weeks to commit to a date .
Mr Johnson announced 24,000 workers have been recruited to staff the track and trace programme , which will see them deployed to find all those who have come into contact with COVID-19 symptoms and tell them to self-isolate .
`` We have growing confidence that we will have a test , track and test operation that will be world-beating and yes it will be in place by June 1 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ will be 25,000 trackers , they will be able to cope with 10,000 new cases a day . ''

A "world-beating" track and trace system to stop a second coronavirus peak and help ease the lockdown has been promised by the end of May by Boris Johnson.
The prime minister said he had "great confidence" that the system, which was abandoned in March as the number of COVID-19 cases soared, will be up and running in time for schools in England to reopen on 1 June.
He was under pressure to make the announcement after the government's deputy chief scientific adviser, Professor Dame Angela McLean, said on Tuesday a highly effective version of the programme needs to be off the ground for any changes to social distancing to be safe.
Image: Mr Johnson said 24,000 people have been hired so far
Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer urged him at Prime Minister's Questions to commit to a date, as more than 35,000 people have now died in the UK.
Mr Johnson announced 24,000 people have been recruited to staff the track and trace programme. They will be tasked with finding all those who have come into contact with people with COVID-19 symptoms and tell them to self-isolate.
"We have growing confidence that we will have a test, track and test operation that will be world-beating and yes it will be in place by June 1," he said.
"There will be 25,000 trackers, they will be able to cope with 10,000 new cases a day."
Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player 2:22 Johnson and Starmer in heated PMQs exchange
The capacity to trace the contacts of 10,000 people exceeds current levels of confirmed COVID-19 cases.
In a creeping return to the combative nature of PMQs, Sir Keir said the UK has been through a "critical period" of nearly 10 weeks with no "effective tracing" of people spreading the virus.
Advertisement
He said the government's action had left "a huge hole in our defences".
Mr Johnson did not hold back in his criticism of the Labour leader, accusing Sir Keir of being "in ignorance of the facts" on care homes and offering "feigned ignorance" on the lack of tracing since mid-March.
Tempers ran high elsewhere in parliament, as the health secretary Matt Hancock was sternly reprimanded for interrupting Sir Keir.
Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player 0:21 Speaker threatens to eject Hancock from Commons
The House of Commons Speaker Sir Lindsay Hoyle told him: "Do you want to leave the chamber? We're on maximum numbers. If you want to give way to someone else I'm more than happy."
:: Listen to the Daily podcast on Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, Spotify, Spreaker
Schools in England have been put on notice to reopen from 1 June as part of measures to restart education and help workers who have had to take time off for childcare responsibilities, in a bid to kickstart the economy.
But several councils have said they could open schools much later, believing it is not safe to do so yet.
As part of the track and trace operation, a mobile phone app currently being trialled on the Isle of Wight will be rolled out across the UK for people to report their own symptoms.


skynewspolitics--2020-05-20--Focus was on NHS over care homes early in outbreak - minister

The government prioritised the NHS over social care early on in the coronavirus outbreak , a minister has told Sky News .
Justice Secretary Robert Buckland said : `` We needed to make a choice about testing , we did decide to focus upon the NHS . ''
Pressed further on whether it was government policy to focus on the health service first and foremost , he told Sky News ' Kay Burley @ Breakfast : `` That 's right .
I think that was absolutely essential .
`` Now is not the time to blame people .
I think @ @ @ @ @ @ @ We have got to work together , not just with the care home sector but with our scientists , all the people who advise government , and together come to sensible solutions . ''
Mr Buckland said there have been `` huge issues '' in adult social care , adding : `` We 've seen a huge tragedy in our care homes which is a great regret . ''
Admitting there was `` more to do '' , he added : `` There have been lots of examples of care homes that have @ @ @ @ @ @ @ [ there have been ] far too many cases of infection and then death .
`` I think every country in the world will look back and say there are things we could have done differently . ''
Analysis - Time for honesty about early coronavirus response may well have come by Kate McCann , political correspondent After thousands of deaths across the country and many of those in care homes , ministers are facing growing calls to admit where things went wrong .
While very few are calling for an inquiry right @ @ @ @ @ @ @ know why testing was restricted to hospitals only and why patients were transferred back into care homes without being checked for coronavirus first .
Judging by Robert Buckland 's tone this morning in an interview with Kay Burley , the time for honesty about those decisions may well have come .
The public wants the government to succeed and they are , at least for the most part , willing to accept that mistakes have been made in coping with a disease very few understood .
But they want to see humility and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in Mr Buckland , they got a taste of that .
Labour 's shadow social care minister Liz Kendall said : `` This is the clearest admission yet that ministers did not give care homes the protection they needed at the start of this pandemic .
`` Social care and the NHS are both equally important in the fight against this virus and are inextricably linked .
One can not be prioritised above the other .
`` Ministers must give social care the resources , support and attention it needs to stop the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Sky News analysis of Office for National Statistics figures shows that 39,404 people died in care homes in England and Wales between 13 March and 8 May .
This means there have been more than 20,000 excess deaths in care homes compared with the five-year average .
: : Listen to the Daily podcast on Apple Podcasts , Google Podcasts , Spotify , Spreaker Another minister said on Tuesday that some hospital patients with COVID-19 may have been transferred into care homes , seeding it into communities .
Environment Secretary George Eustice said @ @ @ @ @ @ @ '' where those without symptoms were moved untested into care homes .
Addressing a committee of MPs that same day , care home bosses accused the government of prioritising the NHS and not care homes and failing to make good on promises of support .
Professor Martin Green , chief executive of Care England , which represents care homes , said that from the start of the pandemic care homes were a second thought despite housing the `` most vulnerable people '' .
Speaking in the Commons on Tuesday , Health Secretary Matt @ @ @ @ @ @ @ hospital back to care homes at a time when community transmission of the virus was low .
He said the care homes guidance that was in place until 13 March `` was in place whilst community transmission was low and said it would be updated as soon as transmission went broader and that 's exactly what we did '' .

The government prioritised the NHS over social care early on in the coronavirus outbreak, a minister has told Sky News.
Justice Secretary Robert Buckland said: "We needed to make a choice about testing, we did decide to focus upon the NHS."
Pressed further on whether it was government policy to focus on the health service first and foremost, he told Sky News' Kay Burley@Breakfast: "That's right. I think that was absolutely essential.
Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player 2:45 Who is to blame for the deaths in care homes?
"Now is not the time to blame people. I think that would be wholly counterproductive.
"We have got to work together, not just with the care home sector but with our scientists, all the people who advise government, and together come to sensible solutions."
Mr Buckland said there have been "huge issues" in adult social care, adding: "We've seen a huge tragedy in our care homes which is a great regret."
Admitting there was "more to do", he added: "There have been lots of examples of care homes that have mercifully stayed infection free, but sadly [there have been] far too many cases of infection and then death.
"I think every country in the world will look back and say there are things we could have done differently."
Analysis - Time for honesty about early coronavirus response may well have come
by Kate McCann, political correspondent
Advertisement
After thousands of deaths across the country and many of those in care homes, ministers are facing growing calls to admit where things went wrong.
While very few are calling for an inquiry right now, lots of people want to know why testing was restricted to hospitals only and why patients were transferred back into care homes without being checked for coronavirus first.
Judging by Robert Buckland's tone this morning in an interview with Kay Burley, the time for honesty about those decisions may well have come.
The public wants the government to succeed and they are, at least for the most part, willing to accept that mistakes have been made in coping with a disease very few understood.
But they want to see humility and honesty from ministers too. Today, in Mr Buckland, they got a taste of that.
Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player 3:54 Hancock on care homes: 'We will not rest'
Labour's shadow social care minister Liz Kendall said: "This is the clearest admission yet that ministers did not give care homes the protection they needed at the start of this pandemic.
"Social care and the NHS are both equally important in the fight against this virus and are inextricably linked. One cannot be prioritised above the other.
"Ministers must give social care the resources, support and attention it needs to stop the spread of this awful virus."
Sky News analysis of Office for National Statistics figures shows that 39,404 people died in care homes in England and Wales between 13 March and 8 May.
This means there have been more than 20,000 excess deaths in care homes compared with the five-year average.
Podcast Podcast , which may be using cookies and other technologies. To show you this content, we need your permission to use cookies. You can use the buttons below to amend your preferences to enable Podcast cookies or to allow those cookies just once. You can change your settings at any time via the This content is provided by, which may be using cookies and other technologies. To show you this content, we need your permission to use cookies. You can use the buttons below to amend your preferences to enablecookies or to allow those cookies just once. You can change your settings at any time via the Privacy Options Unfortunately we have been unable to verify if you have consented to Podcast cookies. To view this content you can use the button below to allow Podcast cookies for this session only. Enable Cookies Allow Cookies Once
:: Listen to the Daily podcast on Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, Spotify, Spreaker
Another minister said on Tuesday that some hospital patients with COVID-19 may have been transferred into care homes, seeding it into communities.
Environment Secretary George Eustice said there could have been "some instances" where those without symptoms were moved untested into care homes.
Addressing a committee of MPs that same day, care home bosses accused the government of prioritising the NHS and not care homes and failing to make good on promises of support.
Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player 6:20 Hunt: Social care should be an equal to NHS
Professor Martin Green, chief executive of Care England, which represents care homes, said that from the start of the pandemic care homes were a second thought despite housing the "most vulnerable people".
Speaking in the Commons on Tuesday, Health Secretary Matt Hancock again insisted patients were discharged from hospital back to care homes at a time when community transmission of the virus was low.
He said the care homes guidance that was in place until 13 March "was in place whilst community transmission was low and said it would be updated as soon as transmission went broader and that's exactly what we did".


skynewspolitics--2020-05-20--Govt advisers: Don't open schools until 'track and trace' is a success

Boris Johnson should resist calls to ease the lockdown including reopening schools until a new system to trace the spread of coronavirus is a proven success , according to two members of the government 's scientific advisory council .
The prime minister must decide in the next 10 days whether to reopen schools and allow those in non-essential jobs to return to work at the start of June , something he set as an ambition in an address to the nation 10 days ago .
However Sky News understands that the government has been warned by its scientific advisers not @ @ @ @ @ @ @ '' system is up and running and , importantly , is a proven success .
Downing Street has not said when contract tracing will start , and it has not given many details of how it will operate .
One Whitehall official said that `` lots of work '' is going on to have it ready as soon as possible , and they hoped to have a start date `` in a few days '' .
A smartphone app , which will eventually form part of the contact tracing process , is unlikely @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Justice Secretary Robert Buckland told Sky News the government hopes track and trace systems will be up and running by the `` end of the month '' and that he would be `` frustrated and disappointed '' if they were not operational by mid-June at the latest .
Asked about the date for reopening schools he said : `` We always said 1 June was conditional , not just on the R rate , but also on the need to make places of work safe .
`` We 've got to accept the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ decisions have to be made collectively .
`` There will be other institutions who believe it is safe to open up , but I utterly respect those who want to exercise greater caution . ''
The British Medical Association ( BMA ) on Wednesday changed its advice on schools , saying they could reopen on 1 June `` if safe to do so '' , but added that it would involve an `` accepted level of risk '' , as avoiding all threat of the virus would not be possible .
The doctors @ @ @ @ @ @ @ should not consider reopening schools in England until the case numbers are `` much lower '' .
Professor John Edmunds is dean of the faculty of epidemiology and population health at the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine , and a world authority on mathematical modelling of the spread of infectious diseases .
He said that a `` well functioning track and trace system '' was needed before lifting lockdown further , telling Sky News : `` Without that , we would return to a situation where the epidemic is increasing .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ very hard thing to achieve a well functioning '' system , requiring a `` huge amount of manpower '' and technology .
: : Listen to the Daily podcast on Apple Podcasts , Google Podcasts , Spotify , Spreaker Professor Edmunds added that evaluating the system was just as important - something there is little time to do .
`` Then you need to know whether this is actually working or not .
How many cases are being identified who are already in quarantine - what fraction of cases popping up already in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ measure of how well contact tracing is occurring , '' he added .
Pushed on whether the system was needed before schools should start to reopen , he said that `` I think it would be greatly preferable '' .
The SAGE member , who said he was speaking in a personal capacity , added : `` The general approach is we need to relax these restrictions very gradually .
Very incrementally .
And then evaluate how well we 're doing every step of the way , each time we make a step @ @ @ @ @ @ @ doing before we move to the next step .
`` There are certain things I think we need - it would be greatly preferable to have them in place before we start relaxing - the track and trace being one of those . ''
Another member of SAGE , who did not want to be identified , said that before lockdown is significantly eased , they thought that the government would do three things , firstly improve further the quality of the data around the R rate , secondly to reinforce the existing @ @ @ @ @ @ @ capable '' contact tracing system .
They said the contact tracing system was `` a bit of a problem '' , and this was `` pretty close to what SAGE is saying '' .
The challenge is to ensure a speedy system to find people diagnosed with coronavirus , identify who they have come into contact with , and get them tested - ideally within 24 hours .
`` It 's about speed of tracing and speed of testing that 's really important , '' they said .
The system must be able @ @ @ @ @ @ @ as many as three quarters of contacts to be a success .
Other countries like Singapore have access to real time credit card data and facial recognition CCTV to help tracers identify contacts of those infected .
Such options are not available in western countries , which is why France and Germany are also struggling with track and trace schemes , the SAGE member said .

Boris Johnson should resist calls to ease the lockdown including reopening schools until a new system to trace the spread of coronavirus is a proven success, according to two members of the government's scientific advisory council.
The prime minister must decide in the next 10 days whether to reopen schools and allow those in non-essential jobs to return to work at the start of June, something he set as an ambition in an address to the nation 10 days ago.
However Sky News understands that the government has been warned by its scientific advisers not to proceed until the "contact tracing" system is up and running and, importantly, is a proven success.
Image: The usually crowded Piccadilly Circus has been almost empty under lockdown
Speaking at Prime Minister's Questions on Wednesday, Boris Johnson said a "world beating" track and trace system to stop a second coronavirus peak and help ease the lockdown would be ready by 1 June.
Downing Street has said the testing and tracking system will be rolled out before the contact tracing app, with the PM's spokesman telling journalists that the app "is only one part of the system" and that there is a "tried and tested" system for tracing and testing people.
The app would be "rolled out in the coming weeks", he said.
One Whitehall official said that "lots of work" is going on to have the system ready as soon as possible, and they hoped to have a start date "in a few days".
Justice Secretary Robert Buckland told Sky News the government hopes track and trace systems will be up and running by the "end of the month" and that he would be "frustrated and disappointed" if they were not operational by mid-June at the latest.
Asked about the date for reopening schools he said: "We always said 1 June was conditional, not just on the R rate, but also on the need to make places of work safe.
Advertisement
"We've got to accept the fact that some councils are employers and decisions have to be made collectively.
"There will be other institutions who believe it is safe to open up, but I utterly respect those who want to exercise greater caution."
The British Medical Association (BMA) on Wednesday changed its advice on schools, saying they could reopen on 1 June "if safe to do so", but added that it would involve an "accepted level of risk", as avoiding all threat of the virus would not be possible.
The doctors' union had previously said the government should not consider reopening schools in England until the case numbers are "much lower".
:: Listen to the Daily podcast on Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, Spotify, Spreaker
Professor John Edmunds is dean of the faculty of epidemiology and population health at the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, and a world authority on mathematical modelling of the spread of infectious diseases.
He said that a "well functioning track and trace system" was needed before lifting lockdown further, telling Sky News: "Without that, we would return to a situation where the epidemic is increasing."
He said it was "a very hard thing to achieve a well functioning" system, requiring a "huge amount of manpower" and technology.
Professor Edmunds added that evaluating the system was just as important - something there is little time to do.
"Then you need to know whether this is actually working or not. How many cases are being identified who are already in quarantine - what fraction of cases popping up already in quarantine - that would be a good measure of how well contact tracing is occurring," he added.
Pushed on whether the system was needed before schools should start to reopen, he said that "I think it would be greatly preferable".
The SAGE member, who said he was speaking in a personal capacity, added: "The general approach is we need to relax these restrictions very gradually. Very incrementally. And then evaluate how well we're doing every step of the way, each time we make a step we need to evaluate how we're doing before we move to the next step.
"There are certain things I think we need - it would be greatly preferable to have them in place before we start relaxing - the track and trace being one of those."
Another member of SAGE, who did not want to be identified, said that before lockdown is significantly eased, they thought that the government would do three things, firstly improve further the quality of the data around the R rate, secondly to reinforce the existing social distancing advice and thirdly a "capable" contact tracing system.
They said the contact tracing system was "a bit of a problem", and this was "pretty close to what SAGE is saying".
The challenge is to ensure a speedy system to find people diagnosed with coronavirus, identify who they have come into contact with, and get them tested - ideally within 24 hours.
"It's about speed of tracing and speed of testing that's really important," they said. The system must be able to trace more than half, perhaps as many as three quarters of contacts to be a success.
Other countries like Singapore have access to real time credit card data and facial recognition CCTV to help tracers identify contacts of those infected.
Such options are not available in western countries, which is why France and Germany are also struggling with track and trace schemes, the SAGE member said.


skynewspolitics--2020-05-20--Terror suspects could see movements restricted indefinitely

The movement of terror suspects could be restricted indefinitely under new legislation being introduced later .
The Counter-Terrorism and Sentencing Bill has been described by ministers as the largest overhaul of terrorist sentencing and monitoring for decades .
In the wake of the London Bridge and Streatham terror attacks , the government wants to take further action to disrupt terrorist activity and keep terrorists behind bars for longer .
Home Secretary Priti Patel said those two `` shocking '' attacks had revealed `` serious flaws in the way terrorist offenders are dealt with '' .
`` We promised to act @ @ @ @ @ @ @ promise , '' she said .
Labour 's shadow justice secretary David Lammy said the string of `` horrific '' attacks in recent years demonstrated that terrorism legislation needed to be updated .
He said : `` We will work constructively with the government on measures that reduce the chances of those who commit terrorist offences from re-offending .
`` Those who seek to terrorise our communities with savage acts of violence must be stopped . ''
Campaigners have expressed concerns , however , warning the bill is an attempt to bring back @ @ @ @ @ @ @ name '' .
These were introduced back in 2005 and had to be signed off by the home secretary .
Control orders put a suspect under close supervision , with restrictions enforced on who they could meet and where they could go .
They were likened to being under house arrest and were repealed in 2011 .
Control orders were replaced by Terrorism Prevention and Investigation Measures ( TPIMs ) .
The Conservative-Liberal Democrat coalition said it was a less intrusive system which addressed civil liberties concerns through time limits and a higher @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to be enacted .
A TPIM notice can include an enforced curfew , tagging , living away from an address or area and restrictions on overseas travel .
They are considered to be the strictest monitoring tool security services can use against people they think are involved in terrorism or present a threat , but who can not be prosecuted or deported .
Under the legislation being tabled by the government , courts could be allowed to renew TPIMs indefinitely , subject to review , rather than lasting a maximum of two years @ @ @ @ @ @ @ standard of proof for imposing a TPIM .
The home secretary would need `` reasonable grounds '' for suspecting someone is , or has been , involved in terrorist activity , rather than basing the decision on the `` balance of probabilities '' which is currently the case .
: : Listen to the Daily podcast on Apple Podcasts , Google Podcasts , Spotify , Spreaker Officials say they are not expecting a surge in numbers if the legislation is passed .
They insist that TPIMs would still be subject to intense scrutiny @ @ @ @ @ @ @ around five are in force .
Rosalind Comyn , policy and campaigns officer for human rights group Liberty , said the new legislation `` threatens all of our civil liberties '' .
`` This legislation not only authorises people being locked up indefinitely , it also poses a threat to fundamental pillars of our justice system , '' she said .
`` By reintroducing , in all but name , the widely condemned control orders , a fundamental principle of justice - the presumption of innocence - hangs in the balance .
`` @ @ @ @ @ @ @ during a pandemic , when parliament is not operating at full capacity or able to deliver normal levels of scrutiny , should be a cause of concern for all who care about the future of our democracy and justice . ''
Also included in the bill is a provision to bring in a 14-year jail term for the most dangerous offenders , who will also have to spend 25 years on licence after being released .
Terrorists given extended determinate sentences will be denied early release and will have to serve their whole @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to anyone convicted of a terror offence where the maximum penalty is two years or more in jail .
Another measure is the possibility of terrorists being made to take a lie detector test to prove they have reformed and are not planning another attack .
This has been criticised by opponents , who point out that the accuracy levels of such tests have been put as low as 60 % .

The movement of terror suspects could be restricted indefinitely under new legislation being introduced later.
The Counter-Terrorism and Sentencing Bill has been described by ministers as the largest overhaul of terrorist sentencing and monitoring for decades.
In the wake of the London Bridge and Streatham terror attacks, the government wants to take further action to disrupt terrorist activity and keep terrorists behind bars for longer.
Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player 3:18 Tracking terror suspects explained
Home Secretary Priti Patel said those two "shocking" attacks had revealed "serious flaws in the way terrorist offenders are dealt with".
"We promised to act and today we are delivering on that promise," she said.
Labour's shadow justice secretary David Lammy said the string of "horrific" attacks in recent years demonstrated that terrorism legislation needed to be updated.
He said: "We will work constructively with the government on measures that reduce the chances of those who commit terrorist offences from re-offending.
"Those who seek to terrorise our communities with savage acts of violence must be stopped."
Campaigners have expressed concerns, however, warning the bill is an attempt to bring back controversial control orders "in all but name".
Advertisement
Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player 2:38 Mother of Streatham terrorist 'had a feeling it was him' after hearing of attack
These were introduced back in 2005 and had to be signed off by the home secretary.
Control orders put a suspect under close supervision, with restrictions enforced on who they could meet and where they could go.
They were likened to being under house arrest and were repealed in 2011.
Control orders were replaced by Terrorism Prevention and Investigation Measures (TPIMs).
The Conservative-Liberal Democrat coalition said it was a less intrusive system which addressed civil liberties concerns through time limits and a higher test needing to be met for one to be enacted.
Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player 3:15 Why was the London Bridge attacker released from prison?
A TPIM notice can include an enforced curfew, tagging, living away from an address or area and restrictions on overseas travel.
They are considered to be the strictest monitoring tool security services can use against people they think are involved in terrorism or present a threat, but who cannot be prosecuted or deported.
Under the legislation being tabled by the government, courts could be allowed to renew TPIMs indefinitely, subject to review, rather than lasting a maximum of two years.
Ministers also want to lower the standard of proof for imposing a TPIM.
The home secretary would need "reasonable grounds" for suspecting someone is, or has been, involved in terrorist activity, rather than basing the decision on the "balance of probabilities" which is currently the case.
Podcast Podcast , which may be using cookies and other technologies. To show you this content, we need your permission to use cookies. You can use the buttons below to amend your preferences to enable Podcast cookies or to allow those cookies just once. You can change your settings at any time via the This content is provided by, which may be using cookies and other technologies. To show you this content, we need your permission to use cookies. You can use the buttons below to amend your preferences to enablecookies or to allow those cookies just once. You can change your settings at any time via the Privacy Options Unfortunately we have been unable to verify if you have consented to Podcast cookies. To view this content you can use the button below to allow Podcast cookies for this session only. Enable Cookies Allow Cookies Once
:: Listen to the Daily podcast on Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, Spotify, Spreaker
Officials say they are not expecting a surge in numbers if the legislation is passed.
They insist that TPIMs would still be subject to intense scrutiny.
According to the latest figures, around five are in force.
Rosalind Comyn, policy and campaigns officer for human rights group Liberty, said the new legislation "threatens all of our civil liberties".
"This legislation not only authorises people being locked up indefinitely, it also poses a threat to fundamental pillars of our justice system," she said.
Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player 1:40 Terrorists should not get early release - Johnson
"By reintroducing, in all but name, the widely condemned control orders, a fundamental principle of justice - the presumption of innocence - hangs in the balance.
"The fact this bill is being issued during a pandemic, when parliament is not operating at full capacity or able to deliver normal levels of scrutiny, should be a cause of concern for all who care about the future of our democracy and justice."
Also included in the bill is a provision to bring in a 14-year jail term for the most dangerous offenders, who will also have to spend 25 years on licence after being released.
Terrorists given extended determinate sentences will be denied early release and will have to serve their whole term in prison.
This will apply to anyone convicted of a terror offence where the maximum penalty is two years or more in jail.
Another measure is the possibility of terrorists being made to take a lie detector test to prove they have reformed and are not planning another attack.
This has been criticised by opponents, who point out that the accuracy levels of such tests have been put as low as 60%.


skynewspolitics--2020-05-19--Scrap 'unfair and unjust' charges for foreign NHS workers,  govt urged

Healthcare workers from overseas should be exempt from a `` devastating '' surcharge they must pay to access NHS services , the Royal College of Nursing ( RCN ) has warned .
All adult migrants who come to the UK from countries outside of the European Economic Area currently have to pay £400 a year - irrespective of whether they use the health service or not .
The immigration health surcharge is going to be increased to £624 a year in October , with parents also expected to pay £470 a year for each dependent child .
The union said @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the Home Office has denied that a review of the surcharge was ever considered , given how Home Secretary Priti Patel had said a review was taking place three weeks ago .
In a letter to Ms Patel , RCN chief executive Dame Donna Kinnair said the charge must be waived `` as a matter of urgency '' - describing it as an `` unfair and unjust additional financial burden '' on the 77,065 non-EEA nurses who work in health and care nationwide .
`` Not only do healthcare professionals make a significant @ @ @ @ @ @ @ by virtue of their work , but they also already pay taxes and national insurance that pay toward our services , '' Dame Donna wrote .
`` The proposed increases will serve to exacerbate hardships and will act as a significant barrier to individuals considering working in the UK at precisely the time that they are needed most . ''
Dame Donna said it was `` extremely disappointed '' by the plans to increase the surcharge by 56 % , and claimed the RCN was yet to see evidence that supports the revised @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Daily podcast on Apple Podcasts , Google Podcasts , Spotify , Spreaker She also warned the coronavirus pandemic has reaffirmed the importance of internationally educated staff , and said `` patient care would be at risk '' without them .
`` This fee undermines the incredible and life-saving work health and care staff provide to us all , '' Dame Donna added .
The Royal College of Nursing , which has been calling for the policy to be changed for two years , says it has `` already received devastating accounts from members @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , and the impact that it is having on their families ' lives '' .

Healthcare workers from overseas should be exempt from a "devastating" surcharge they must pay to access NHS services, the Royal College of Nursing (RCN) has warned.
All adult migrants who come to the UK from countries outside of the European Economic Area currently have to pay £400 a year - irrespective of whether they use the health service or not.
The immigration health surcharge is going to be increased to £624 a year in October, with parents also expected to pay £470 a year for each dependent child.
Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player 2:19 Fears for mental health of NHS staff
The union said it was "alarming" to hear the Home Office has denied that a review of the surcharge was ever considered, given how Home Secretary Priti Patel had said a review was taking place three weeks ago.
In a letter to Ms Patel, RCN chief executive Dame Donna Kinnair said the charge must be waived "as a matter of urgency" - describing it as an "unfair and unjust additional financial burden" on the 77,065 non-EEA nurses who work in health and care nationwide.
"Not only do healthcare professionals make a significant contribution towards our health and care system by virtue of their work, but they also already pay taxes and national insurance that pay toward our services," Dame Donna wrote.
"The proposed increases will serve to exacerbate hardships and will act as a significant barrier to individuals considering working in the UK at precisely the time that they are needed most."
Dame Donna said it was "extremely disappointed" by the plans to increase the surcharge by 56%, and claimed the RCN was yet to see evidence that supports the revised figures.
Podcast Podcast , which may be using cookies and other technologies. To show you this content, we need your permission to use cookies. You can use the buttons below to amend your preferences to enable Podcast cookies or to allow those cookies just once. You can change your settings at any time via the This content is provided by, which may be using cookies and other technologies. To show you this content, we need your permission to use cookies. You can use the buttons below to amend your preferences to enablecookies or to allow those cookies just once. You can change your settings at any time via the Privacy Options Unfortunately we have been unable to verify if you have consented to Podcast cookies. To view this content you can use the button below to allow Podcast cookies for this session only. Enable Cookies Allow Cookies Once
:: Listen to the Daily podcast on Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, Spotify, Spreaker
Advertisement
She also warned the coronavirus pandemic has reaffirmed the importance of internationally educated staff, and said "patient care would be at risk" without them.
"This fee undermines the incredible and life-saving work health and care staff provide to us all," Dame Donna added.
The Royal College of Nursing, which has been calling for the policy to be changed for two years, says it has "already received devastating accounts from members who are struggling to pay the charge, and the impact that it is having on their families' lives".


skynewspolitics--2020-05-20--New checks possible on imports to Northern Ireland, govt admits

The government has admitted for the first time there could be new checks on goods sent to Northern Ireland from the rest of the UK .
The announcement comes after Boris Johnson told Sky News in December `` there wo n't be checks '' created as a result of his tweaked Brexit deal .
Under the move revealed today , customs facilities in Northern Ireland will be `` expanded '' under the fall-back option if no trade deal is struck with the EU by the end of the year .
These would be used to process new electronic import declaration @ @ @ @ @ @ @ exempt from tariffs because the goods are staying in Northern Ireland or should pay them as the objects are heading on into the EU .
But the government is insisting no separate customs infrastructure will be built .
Its document explaining how the measures will work said : `` What the protocol does not do is create - nor does it include any provision for creating - any kind of international border in the Irish Sea between Great Britain and Northern Ireland . ''
Cabinet Office minister Michael Gove said given most of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Britain , he is `` safeguarding the free flow of goods within the UK 's internal market '' .
: : Listen to the Daily podcast on Apple Podcasts , Google Podcasts , Spotify , Spreaker He added `` it makes sense to protect supply chains and the disease-free status '' on the island of Ireland by keeping checks on agriculture , food and live animal movements arriving there .
`` That will mean some expansion of existing infrastructure to provide for some additional new processes , '' he confirmed .
Labour said @ @ @ @ @ @ @ made by the prime minister '' .
Shadow cabinet office minister Rachel Reeves told the Commons the government is `` not willing to admit the full extent '' of checks and tariffs traders face if their cargo is deemed to be `` at risk '' of being transported on from Northern Ireland to be sold in the Republic of Ireland .
`` We have seven months to get this right and we must , '' she added .
It comes after talks with the EU turned sour , when Downing Street 's chief @ @ @ @ @ @ @ offering a `` low-quality '' trade deal .
Some fear fear the escalation in tensions in a letter could be paving the way to a no-deal end to the transition period at the end of 2020 .

The government has admitted for the first time there could be new checks on goods sent to Northern Ireland from the rest of the UK.
The announcement comes after Boris Johnson told Sky News in December "there won't be checks" created as a result of his tweaked Brexit deal.
Under the move revealed today, customs facilities in Northern Ireland will be "expanded" under the fall-back option if no trade deal is struck with the EU by the end of the year.
Image: Any extension to the transition period must be agreed by the end of June
These would be used to process new electronic import declaration requirements, to check whether businesses are exempt from tariffs because the goods are staying in Northern Ireland or should pay them as the objects are heading on into the EU.
But the government is insisting no separate customs infrastructure will be built.
Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player 1:28 December: Documents 'are wrong on NI checks' - PM
Its document explaining how the measures will work said: "What the protocol does not do is create - nor does it include any provision for creating - any kind of international border in the Irish Sea between Great Britain and Northern Ireland."
Cabinet Office minister Michael Gove said given most of Northern Ireland's trade is with Great Britain, he is "safeguarding the free flow of goods within the UK's internal market".
Podcast Podcast , which may be using cookies and other technologies. To show you this content, we need your permission to use cookies. You can use the buttons below to amend your preferences to enable Podcast cookies or to allow those cookies just once. You can change your settings at any time via the This content is provided by, which may be using cookies and other technologies. To show you this content, we need your permission to use cookies. You can use the buttons below to amend your preferences to enablecookies or to allow those cookies just once. You can change your settings at any time via the Privacy Options Unfortunately we have been unable to verify if you have consented to Podcast cookies. To view this content you can use the button below to allow Podcast cookies for this session only. Enable Cookies Allow Cookies Once
:: Listen to the Daily podcast on Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, Spotify, Spreaker
He added "it makes sense to protect supply chains and the disease-free status" on the island of Ireland by keeping checks on agriculture, food and live animal movements arriving there.
Advertisement
"That will mean some expansion of existing infrastructure to provide for some additional new processes," he confirmed.
Image: The move is to prevent a hard border reforming on the island of Ireland
Labour said the news "exposed the broken promises made by the prime minister".
Shadow cabinet office minister Rachel Reeves told the Commons the government is "not willing to admit the full extent" of checks and tariffs traders face if their cargo is deemed to be "at risk" of being transported on from Northern Ireland to be sold in the Republic of Ireland.
"We have seven months to get this right and we must," she added.
It comes after talks with the EU turned sour, when Downing Street's chief negotiator David Frost accused Brussels of only offering a "low-quality" trade deal.
Some fear fear the escalation in tensions in a letter could be paving the way to a no-deal end to the transition period at the end of 2020.


skynewspolitics--2020-05-20--The PM said there would be 'no checks' but there will be

In Northern Ireland they would call him a `` bin-hoker '' – a derogatory term for someone retrieving an item from the refuse .
The prime minister has had to do that to publish his paper on implementing the Northern Ireland part of the Brexit withdrawal agreement .
During a visit to Northern Ireland last November , a businessman asked Boris Johnson if he could tell his staff they `` will not be filling in any customs declarations for goods leaving Northern Ireland to go to Great Britain ? ''
`` You can , '' replied Mr Johnson adding : @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that , tell them to ring up the prime minister and I will direct them to throw that form in the bin . ''
Speaking on Sky News ' Sophy Ridge on Sunday programme a month later , Mr Johnson repeated : `` There 's no question of there being checks on goods going from Northern Ireland to Great Britain or Great Britain to Northern Ireland . ''
In the Commons , Sir Jeffrey Donaldson MP asked him if his commitment to `` unfettered access '' applied to goods moving from Great Britain @ @ @ @ @ @ @ replied : `` Emphatically Mr Speaker , it does . ''
But the government 's command paper on how it plans to implement the Northern Ireland protocol paints a rather different picture of what has been agreed .
There wo n't be checks on goods moving between Northern Ireland and Great Britain , but there will be `` some new administrative processes '' on products coming in the opposite direction .
There wo n't be tariffs on products entering Northern Ireland , but tariffs `` should be charged if goods are destined for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ marker more broadly , or if there is a genuine and substantial risk of them ending up there '' .
They wo n't build new checkpoints at airports and seaports but `` expanded infrastructure will be needed at some of these sites for the purpose of agri-food checks and assurance '' .
In other words , the prime minister is honouring the agreement he reached with his Irish counterpart Leo Varadkar last October , despite his claims to the contrary .
: : Listen to the Daily podcast on Apple Podcasts , Google @ @ @ @ @ @ @ inevitable that Mr Johnson would avoid a hard border on the island of Ireland by creating a `` light-touch border '' in the Irish Sea instead .
The government says the paper it has published respects Northern Ireland 's place in the UK 's customs territory while protecting the EU 's single market .
But it 's clear the prime minister has been rummaging in the bin for some paperwork which those Northern Ireland businesses will have to complete after all .

In Northern Ireland they would call him a "bin-hoker" – a derogatory term for someone retrieving an item from the refuse.
The prime minister has had to do that to publish his paper on implementing the Northern Ireland part of the Brexit withdrawal agreement.
During a visit to Northern Ireland last November, a businessman asked Boris Johnson if he could tell his staff they "will not be filling in any customs declarations for goods leaving Northern Ireland to go to Great Britain?"
"You can," replied Mr Johnson adding: "If somebody asks you to do that, tell them to ring up the prime minister and I will direct them to throw that form in the bin."
Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player 1:28 December: Documents 'are wrong on NI checks' - PM
Speaking on Sky News' Sophy Ridge on Sunday programme a month later, Mr Johnson repeated: "There's no question of there being checks on goods going from Northern Ireland to Great Britain or Great Britain to Northern Ireland."
The Democratic Unionist Party (DUP) seemed unconvinced.
In the Commons, Sir Jeffrey Donaldson MP asked him if his commitment to "unfettered access" applied to goods moving from Great Britain to Northern Ireland.
The prime minister replied: "Emphatically Mr Speaker, it does."
But the government's command paper on how it plans to implement the Northern Ireland protocol paints a rather different picture of what has been agreed.
Advertisement
Image: The government says no separate customs infrastructure will be built
There won't be checks on goods moving between Northern Ireland and Great Britain, but there will be "some new administrative processes" on products coming in the opposite direction.
There won't be tariffs on products entering Northern Ireland, but tariffs "should be charged if goods are destined for sale in Ireland or the EU single marker more broadly, or if there is a genuine and substantial risk of them ending up there".
They won't build new checkpoints at airports and seaports but "expanded infrastructure will be needed at some of these sites for the purpose of agri-food checks and assurance".
In other words, the prime minister is honouring the agreement he reached with his Irish counterpart Leo Varadkar last October, despite his claims to the contrary.
Podcast Podcast , which may be using cookies and other technologies. To show you this content, we need your permission to use cookies. You can use the buttons below to amend your preferences to enable Podcast cookies or to allow those cookies just once. You can change your settings at any time via the This content is provided by, which may be using cookies and other technologies. To show you this content, we need your permission to use cookies. You can use the buttons below to amend your preferences to enablecookies or to allow those cookies just once. You can change your settings at any time via the Privacy Options Unfortunately we have been unable to verify if you have consented to Podcast cookies. To view this content you can use the button below to allow Podcast cookies for this session only. Enable Cookies Allow Cookies Once
:: Listen to the Daily podcast on Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, Spotify, Spreaker
It seemed inevitable that Mr Johnson would avoid a hard border on the island of Ireland by creating a "light-touch border" in the Irish Sea instead.
The government says the paper it has published respects Northern Ireland's place in the UK's customs territory while protecting the EU's single market.
But it's clear the prime minister has been rummaging in the bin for some paperwork which those Northern Ireland businesses will have to complete after all.


skynewspolitics--2020-05-20--Bereavement scheme extended to cover NHS support staff

Families and dependants of migrant NHS support staff who die after contracting coronavirus will be granted indefinite leave to remain in the UK , the government has said .
The announcement comes after the Home Office faced criticism over some workers initially being left out of the scheme , which only applied to certain occupations including nurses , biochemists and radiographers .
The extension of the bereavement scheme to include cleaners , porters , social care staff and care home workers will be effective immediately and retrospectively , the Home Office confirmed .
Hassan Akkad , who is working as @ @ @ @ @ @ @ posted a video on Twitter in which he expressed his anger at not having been initially included in the scheme .
In a message to Prime Minister Boris Johnson , he said : `` I felt betrayed , stabbed in the back , I felt shocked to find out that your government decided to exclude myself and my colleagues who work as cleaners and porters and social care workers , who are all on the minimum wage .
`` You 've decided to exclude us from the bereavement scheme .
So if I @ @ @ @ @ @ @ n't allowed an indefinite leave to remain .
`` This is your way of saying thank you to us . ''
Home Secretary Priti Patel said after the scheme was extended : `` Every death in this crisis is a tragedy , and sadly some NHS support staff and social care workers have made the ultimate sacrifice in the pursuit of saving the lives of others .
`` When I announced the introduction of the bereavement scheme in April , I said we would continue to work across government to look at ways @ @ @ @ @ @ @ are extending the scheme to NHS support staff and social care workers .
`` We want to ensure families have the support they need and so this will be effective immediately and retrospectively . ''
NHS England 's national medical director Stephen Powis told the daily Downing Street press conference shortly before the announcement that there are a `` huge number of people working behind the scenes '' in hospitals .
He continued : `` All I can say is , as a doctor who has worked on the front line for many @ @ @ @ @ @ @ entire multidisciplinary teams - so everybody from porter to manager to administrator to nurse who absolutely work together as a team in managing this sort of crisis but also in the day-to-day care that the NHS provides .
`` It 's often the doctors and nurses who are at the front and get the praise but believe me there are a huge number of people working behind the scenes . ''
The news comes as Yvette Cooper , chairwoman of the Commons home affairs committee , raised concerns about care workers and low-paid @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Home Office 's free visa extension scheme .
Ms Cooper said : `` It is really disappointing to get confirmation from the home secretary that care workers and low-paid NHS staff are not included in the free visa extension scheme even though we had asked the government to rethink .
`` This means care workers applying to renew their visas along with the NHS surcharge could end up paying thousands and thousands of pounds .
`` Asking them to do this as they stand on the UK front line against coronavirus , caring @ @ @ @ @ @ @ their own health at risk feels deeply unfair . ''
: : Listen to the Daily podcast on Apple Podcasts , Google Podcasts , Spotify , Spreaker Last month , the government said it was expanding a scheme to help NHS workers so that migrant midwives , social workers , pharmacists and other frontline health staff will be granted free visa extensions for a year .
All visas for the health workers in question which are due to expire before 1 October will be automatically renewed for a year .
The Home Office @ @ @ @ @ @ @ working both in the NHS and independent sector and include their family members '' .
Those who qualify will also be exempt from the immigration health surcharge during the extension .
But the measures are unlikely to extend to carers working in small private care homes because the Home Office said such staff were more likely to be working in the country on a long-term visa , which allows them to work , rather than having a time-limited shorter-term sponsored work visa .

Families and dependants of migrant NHS support staff who die after contracting coronavirus will be granted indefinite leave to remain in the UK, the government has said.
The announcement comes after the Home Office faced criticism over some workers initially being left out of the scheme, which only applied to certain occupations including nurses, biochemists and radiographers.
The extension of the bereavement scheme to include cleaners, porters, social care staff and care home workers will be effective immediately and retrospectively, the Home Office confirmed.
Hassan Akkad, who is working as a hospital cleaner during the crisis, posted a video on Twitter in which he expressed his anger at not having been initially included in the scheme.
Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player 1:50 NHS cleaner's emotional plea to PM
In a message to Prime Minister Boris Johnson, he said: "I felt betrayed, stabbed in the back, I felt shocked to find out that your government decided to exclude myself and my colleagues who work as cleaners and porters and social care workers, who are all on the minimum wage.
"You've decided to exclude us from the bereavement scheme. So if I die fighting coronavirus, my partner isn't allowed an indefinite leave to remain.
"This is your way of saying thank you to us."
Home Secretary Priti Patel said after the scheme was extended: "Every death in this crisis is a tragedy, and sadly some NHS support staff and social care workers have made the ultimate sacrifice in the pursuit of saving the lives of others.
"When I announced the introduction of the bereavement scheme in April, I said we would continue to work across government to look at ways to offer further support. Today we are extending the scheme to NHS support staff and social care workers.
Advertisement
"We want to ensure families have the support they need and so this will be effective immediately and retrospectively."
NHS England's national medical director Stephen Powis told the daily Downing Street press conference shortly before the announcement that there are a "huge number of people working behind the scenes" in hospitals.
He continued: "All I can say is, as a doctor who has worked on the front line for many years, how much I value the entire multidisciplinary teams - so everybody from porter to manager to administrator to nurse who absolutely work together as a team in managing this sort of crisis but also in the day-to-day care that the NHS provides.
"It's often the doctors and nurses who are at the front and get the praise but believe me there are a huge number of people working behind the scenes."
The news comes as Yvette Cooper, chairwoman of the Commons home affairs committee, raised concerns about care workers and low-paid NHS staff not being included in the Home Office's free visa extension scheme.
Ms Cooper said: "It is really disappointing to get confirmation from the home secretary that care workers and low-paid NHS staff are not included in the free visa extension scheme even though we had asked the government to rethink.
"This means care workers applying to renew their visas along with the NHS surcharge could end up paying thousands and thousands of pounds.
"Asking them to do this as they stand on the UK front line against coronavirus, caring for and supporting people, and putting their own health at risk feels deeply unfair."
:: Listen to the Daily podcast on Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, Spotify, Spreaker
Last month, the government said it was expanding a scheme to help NHS workers so that migrant midwives, social workers, pharmacists and other frontline health staff will be granted free visa extensions for a year.
All visas for the health workers in question which are due to expire before 1 October will be automatically renewed for a year.
The Home Office said it "will apply to those working both in the NHS and independent sector and include their family members".
Those who qualify will also be exempt from the immigration health surcharge during the extension.
But the measures are unlikely to extend to carers working in small private care homes because the Home Office said such staff were more likely to be working in the country on a long-term visa, which allows them to work, rather than having a time-limited shorter-term sponsored work visa.


skynewspolitics--2020-05-20--NHS boss defends medics after PM's suggestion over virus spread to care homes

The medical director of NHS England has defended his staff after Boris Johnson suggested health workers would be to blame for seeding coronavirus into the community .
The prime minister was defending government advice to care homes that told them a negative COVID-19 test was not required for hospital patients being discharged until 15 April .
`` No-one was discharged into a care home this year without the express authorisation of a clinician , '' he told Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer in parliament on Wednesday .
Mr Johnson added they `` have the interests of those patients at heart @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to draw attention to what has happened in our care homes '' .
However , professor Stephen Powis , later stood by his colleagues and said he was `` absolutely sure '' they would have followed official guidance .
`` I was a front line doctor for many , many years , '' he said at the daily Downing Street briefing .
`` I wouldn ’ t discharge a patient from a hospital into whatever setting - home or care home - unless I was absolutely confident their medical treatment was complete and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ '' I 'm absolutely sure my medical colleagues would not be discharging patients under any circumstances unless they were sure their medical treatment in hospital was complete , they were fit for discharge and it was safe to discharge them . ''
A Labour source said : `` The government claimed it had thrown a protective ring around our care homes , yet a procession of experts have contradicted them . ''
The government has come under fire for issuing advice until 12 March that said it was `` very unlikely '' care @ @ @ @ @ @ @ all residents and staff not being eligible for a test until mid-April .
In recent days , three cabinet ministers have spoken candidly about the actions taken early on the crisis after the death toll in the UK rose to at least 40,000 .
Justice secretary Robert Buckland told Sky News on Wednesday `` we needed to make a choice about testing , we did decide to focus upon the NHS '' and that there was `` great regret '' about the `` huge issues '' in social care .
Environment secretary George @ @ @ @ @ @ @ briefing on Tuesday that `` there will have been some instances where people may have been discharged '' from hospitals to care homes with the virus who had no symptoms and were not tested .
And work and pensions secretary Therese Coffey told Sky News on Tuesday : `` If the science was wrong , the advice at the time was wrong , I 'm not surprised if people then think we made a wrong decision . ''
But at the latest briefing led by culture secretary Oliver Dowden , he insisted `` @ @ @ @ @ @ @ have glossed over '' concerns about care homes .
He confirmed everyone in the UK over the age of five is now eligible for a test , as the number of daily tests hit the highest record yet - 177,000 - in preparation for the track and trace programme to be rolled out nationwide by 1 June .
Mr Dowden added there is now a dedicated hotline for care homes to request personal protective equipment .
And while he admitted the number of deaths are `` still too high '' , they are @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .

The medical director of NHS England has defended his staff after Boris Johnson suggested health workers would be to blame for seeding coronavirus into the community.
The prime minister was defending government advice to care homes that told them a negative COVID-19 test was not required for hospital patients being discharged until 15 April.
"No-one was discharged into a care home this year without the express authorisation of a clinician," he told Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer in parliament on Wednesday.
Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player 2:22 Johnson and Starmer in heated PMQs exchange
Mr Johnson added they "have the interests of those patients at heart" but that it was "right to draw attention to what has happened in our care homes".
However, professor Stephen Powis, later stood by his colleagues and said he was "absolutely sure" they would have followed official guidance.
Image: Hospital patients discharged before 15 April did not need a negative test
"I was a front line doctor for many, many years," he said at the daily Downing Street briefing.
"I wouldn’t discharge a patient from a hospital into whatever setting - home or care home - unless I was absolutely confident their medical treatment was complete and they no longer required hospital treatment...
"I'm absolutely sure my medical colleagues would not be discharging patients under any circumstances unless they were sure their medical treatment in hospital was complete, they were fit for discharge and it was safe to discharge them."
A Labour source said: "The government claimed it had thrown a protective ring around our care homes, yet a procession of experts have contradicted them."
Advertisement
Image: Prof Powis said NHS staff would only discharge someone if 'it was safe'
The government has come under fire for issuing advice until 12 March that said it was "very unlikely" care homes would experience a coronavirus outbreak and all residents and staff not being eligible for a test until mid-April.
In recent days, three cabinet ministers have spoken candidly about the actions taken early on the crisis after the death toll in the UK rose to at least 40,000.
Justice secretary Robert Buckland told Sky News on Wednesday "we needed to make a choice about testing, we did decide to focus upon the NHS" and that there was "great regret" about the "huge issues" in social care.
Environment secretary George Eustice also said at the Downing Street briefing on Tuesday that "there will have been some instances where people may have been discharged" from hospitals to care homes with the virus who had no symptoms and were not tested.
And work and pensions secretary Therese Coffey told Sky News on Tuesday: "If the science was wrong, the advice at the time was wrong, I'm not surprised if people then think we made a wrong decision."
But at the latest briefing led by culture secretary Oliver Dowden, he insisted "it is categorically not the case we have glossed over" concerns about care homes.
He confirmed everyone in the UK over the age of five is now eligible for a test, as the number of daily tests hit the highest record yet - 177,000 - in preparation for the track and trace programme to be rolled out nationwide by 1 June.
Mr Dowden added there is now a dedicated hotline for care homes to request personal protective equipment.
And while he admitted the number of deaths are "still too high", they are "moving in the right direction".


skynewspolitics--2020-05-20--PM rejects calls to exempt foreign health workers from NHS surcharge

The prime minister has rejected calls to scrap the health surcharge for overseas NHS and social care workers .
Workers coming to the UK from outside the European Economic Area have to pay a fee to use the health service .
All adult migrants from outside of the EEA have to pay £400 a year - irrespective of whether they use the health service or not .
The immigration health surcharge ( IHS ) is going to be increased to £624 a year in October , with parents also expected to pay £470 a year for each dependent child .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ and unjust '' by opponents , with renewed focus being placed on it during the coronavirus outbreak given the numbers of overseas staff who work in the NHS and social care .
Dame Donna Kinnair , chief executive and general secretary of the Royal College of Nursing , said the union has received `` devastating accounts from members who are struggling to pay the charge , and the impact that it is having on their families ' lives '' .
She said there are a total of 77,065 non-EEA nurses who work in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ : `` The current pandemic has served to reaffirm the importance of our internationally educated staff .
`` Without them here , patient care would be at risk .
`` This charge undermines the dedicated care overseas health and care staff provide to us all . ''
Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer raised the issue at Prime Minister 's Questions , saying : `` Every Thursday we go out and clap for our carers .
Many of them are risking their lives for the sake of all of us .
`` Does the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ care workers coming from abroad and working on our frontline should have to pay a surcharge of hundreds - sometimes thousands of pounds - to use the NHS themselves ? ''
Boris Johnson replied : `` I 've thought a great deal about this and I do accept and understand the difficulties faced by our amazing NHS staff and , like him , I 've been a personal beneficiary of carers who have come from abroad and , frankly , saved my life . ''
He added : `` On the other hand @ @ @ @ @ @ @ this is a great national service , it 's a national institution , it needs funding and those contributions actually help us to raise about £900m , and it 's very difficult in the current circumstances to find alternative sources .
`` So with great respect to the point [ Sir Keir Starmer ] makes , I do think that is the right way forward . ''
: : Listen to the Daily podcast on Apple Podcasts , Google Podcasts , Spotify , Spreaker Sir Keir said he was disappointed with the PM @ @ @ @ @ @ @ how raw '' the issue is .
Referencing the proposed increase in the surcharge to £624 , he said : `` For a care worker on the national living wage that will require working for 70 hours to pay off the fee .
The Labour leader said his party would table an amendment to the Immigration Bill , seeking to exempt NHS and care workers from the charge .
Ministers said last month that they were expanding a scheme to help NHS workers , giving migrant midwives , social workers , pharmacists and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for a year .
All of their visas due to expire before 1 October will be automatically renewed for another year .
The Home Office said it `` will apply to those working both in the NHS and independent sector and include their family members '' .
Workers who qualify will also be exempt from the IHS during the extension .
The policy is unlikely to extend to carers working in small private care homes , however .
According to the Home Office , this is because such staff were more likely to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to work , rather than having a time-limited shorter-term sponsored work visa .

The prime minister has rejected calls to scrap the health surcharge for overseas NHS and social care workers.
Workers coming to the UK from outside the European Economic Area have to pay a fee to use the health service.
All adult migrants from outside of the EEA have to pay £400 a year - irrespective of whether they use the health service or not.
Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player 0:39 'We did decide to focus on the NHS'
The immigration health surcharge (IHS) is going to be increased to £624 a year in October, with parents also expected to pay £470 a year for each dependent child.
The policy has been labelled "unfair and unjust" by opponents, with renewed focus being placed on it during the coronavirus outbreak given the numbers of overseas staff who work in the NHS and social care.
Dame Donna Kinnair, chief executive and general secretary of the Royal College of Nursing, said the union has received "devastating accounts from members who are struggling to pay the charge, and the impact that it is having on their families' lives".
She said there are a total of 77,065 non-EEA nurses who work in health and care nationwide.
She added: "The current pandemic has served to reaffirm the importance of our internationally educated staff.
"Without them here, patient care would be at risk.
Advertisement
"This charge undermines the dedicated care overseas health and care staff provide to us all."
Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player 2:27 Government advisers: 'Don't open schools'
Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer raised the issue at Prime Minister's Questions, saying: "Every Thursday we go out and clap for our carers. Many of them are risking their lives for the sake of all of us.
"Does the prime minister think it's right that care workers coming from abroad and working on our frontline should have to pay a surcharge of hundreds - sometimes thousands of pounds - to use the NHS themselves?"
Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player 0:21 Speaker threatens to eject Hancock from Commons
Boris Johnson replied: "I've thought a great deal about this and I do accept and understand the difficulties faced by our amazing NHS staff and, like him, I've been a personal beneficiary of carers who have come from abroad and, frankly, saved my life."
He added: "On the other hand we must look at the realities - this is a great national service, it's a national institution, it needs funding and those contributions actually help us to raise about £900m, and it's very difficult in the current circumstances to find alternative sources.
"So with great respect to the point [Sir Keir Starmer] makes, I do think that is the right way forward."
:: Listen to the Daily podcast on Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, Spotify, Spreaker
Sir Keir said he was disappointed with the PM's response, as he knows "how raw" the issue is.
Referencing the proposed increase in the surcharge to £624, he said: "For a care worker on the national living wage that will require working for 70 hours to pay off the fee.
The Labour leader said his party would table an amendment to the Immigration Bill, seeking to exempt NHS and care workers from the charge.
Ministers said last month that they were expanding a scheme to help NHS workers, giving migrant midwives, social workers, pharmacists and other frontline health staff free visa extensions for a year.
Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player 2:24 PM urged to build up contact tracing
All of their visas due to expire before 1 October will be automatically renewed for another year.
The Home Office said it "will apply to those working both in the NHS and independent sector and include their family members".
Workers who qualify will also be exempt from the IHS during the extension.
The policy is unlikely to extend to carers working in small private care homes, however.
According to the Home Office, this is because such staff were more likely to already possess a long-term visa allowing them to work, rather than having a time-limited shorter-term sponsored work visa.


skynewspolitics--2020-05-20--£150m to be released from dormant accounts to help charities

The government is to release £150m from dormant bank accounts to help charities , social enterprises and vulnerable people during the coronavirus lockdown .
The money will come from a scheme launched in 2011 in which 30 firms , including all major high street banks , voluntarily transferred funds from accounts that have been inactive for 15 years into a government pot to be used for good causes .
Speaking at Wednesday 's coronavirus briefing , Culture Secretary Oliver Dowden said : `` We 're releasing £150m from dormant accounts to help social enterprises get affordable credit to people who @ @ @ @ @ @ @ tackling youth unemployment .
`` Charities both large and small have been at the forefront of this national effort to defeat the coronavirus .
`` All of this amounts to a multi-billion pound boost for Britain 's charities . ''
A total of £79m has already been unlocked from dormant accounts , while the government said another release of £71m is being accelerated .
The money comes on top of £750m in direct cash grants already announced by the government for charities inundated with requests due to people being directly affected by coronavirus @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Mr Dowden revealed the public has raised £800m for charities helping with the crisis , including nearly £33m by Captain Tom Moore who it was announced on Wednesday will receive a knighthood .
During the Downing Street briefing , Mr Dowden said the number of people with COVID-19 in UK hospitals has fallen below 10,000 for the first time since March .
He added : `` This is not the time to be complacent , we must remain vigilant . ''
: : Listen to the Daily podcast on Apple Podcasts , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ culture secretary also announced 177,216 COVID-19 tests were carried out in the 24 hours to 9am on Wednesday - the largest number ever , bringing the government closer to Boris Johnson 's promised 200,000 daily tests by the end of May .
He said out of the overall 2,962,227 tests carried out , 248,293 people have been confirmed as having the virus .
Mr Dowden also said there had been a further 363 coronavirus-related deaths in hospitals , care homes and the community , taking the UK total to 35,704 .
As the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ it is extending its bereavement scheme to the families and dependants of NHS support staff and social care workers who die as a result of contracting COVID-19 .
Relatives will be offered an indefinite leave to remain , free of charge - just as families of NHS and independent health workers were offered in April .
`` This will be effective immediately and retrospectively , '' Home Secretary Priti Patel said .
The move comes after criticism that care workers , cleaners and porters had been left out of the scheme .
As @ @ @ @ @ @ @ lockdown , Mr Dowden announced he will be chairing a cultural renewal taskforce which will include former footballer Alex Scott , former BBC and ITV chairman Lord Grade , English National Ballet artistic director Tamara Rojo and tech entrepreneur Baroness Lane-Fox .
They will meet weekly to discuss how to get sports and the arts up and running again , albeit in a different format initially .

The government is to release £150m from dormant bank accounts to help charities, social enterprises and vulnerable people during the coronavirus lockdown.
The money will come from a scheme launched in 2011 in which 30 firms, including all major high street banks, voluntarily transferred funds from accounts that have been inactive for 15 years into a government pot to be used for good causes.
Speaking at Wednesday's coronavirus briefing, Culture Secretary Oliver Dowden said: "We're releasing £150m from dormant accounts to help social enterprises get affordable credit to people who are financially vulnerable and to support charities tackling youth unemployment.
"Charities both large and small have been at the forefront of this national effort to defeat the coronavirus.
"All of this amounts to a multi-billion pound boost for Britain's charities."
A total of £79m has already been unlocked from dormant accounts, while the government said another release of £71m is being accelerated.
The money comes on top of £750m in direct cash grants already announced by the government for charities inundated with requests due to people being directly affected by coronavirus, including hospices and domestic abuse charities.
Mr Dowden revealed the public has raised £800m for charities helping with the crisis, including nearly £33m by Captain Tom Moore who it was announced on Wednesday will receive a knighthood.
During the Downing Street briefing, Mr Dowden said the number of people with COVID-19 in UK hospitals has fallen below 10,000 for the first time since March.
Advertisement
He added: "This is not the time to be complacent, we must remain vigilant."
:: Listen to the Daily podcast on Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, Spotify, Spreaker
The culture secretary also announced 177,216 COVID-19 tests were carried out in the 24 hours to 9am on Wednesday - the largest number ever, bringing the government closer to Boris Johnson's promised 200,000 daily tests by the end of May.
He said out of the overall 2,962,227 tests carried out, 248,293 people have been confirmed as having the virus.
Mr Dowden also said there had been a further 363 coronavirus-related deaths in hospitals, care homes and the community, taking the UK total to 35,704.
As the briefing ended, the Home Office announced it is extending its bereavement scheme to the families and dependants of NHS support staff and social care workers who die as a result of contracting COVID-19.
Relatives will be offered an indefinite leave to remain, free of charge - just as families of NHS and independent health workers were offered in April.
"This will be effective immediately and retrospectively," Home Secretary Priti Patel said.
The move comes after criticism that care workers, cleaners and porters had been left out of the scheme.
As part of the path to ease the lockdown, Mr Dowden announced he will be chairing a cultural renewal taskforce which will include former footballer Alex Scott, former BBC and ITV chairman Lord Grade, English National Ballet artistic director Tamara Rojo and tech entrepreneur Baroness Lane-Fox.
They will meet weekly to discuss how to get sports and the arts up and running again, albeit in a different format initially.