skynewspolitics--2020-06-28--UK's top civil servant and PM's security adviser to stand down

The UK 's top civil servant and national security adviser to Boris Johnson is stepping down , the government has announced .
Sir Mark Sedwill is leaving both posts in September - a dramatic move that confirms the prime minister is planning a major Whitehall shake-up .
The news means he will have served a relatively short term of less than two years .
David Frost - the UK 's Brexit sherpa - will become the new national security adviser , combining it with his current job until negotiations with the EU on a trade deal are complete .
Sky @ @ @ @ @ @ @ said the appointment of Mr Frost `` changes that job of national security adviser from a Whitehall civil service neutral one to a political one '' .
He added : `` The question is the extent to which the Whitehall shake-up that will be rolled out over the next few days is actually about giving political figures in Number 10 more power and stopping things like the civil service and other checks and balances in the system from gumming up what they want to do , even when they might have to do @ @ @ @ @ @ @ '' Sir Mark was simultaneously in charge of 400,000 civil servants as cabinet secretary and the most senior official advising on security , defence , foreign policy and intelligence matters .
In an exchange of letters , Mr Johnson hailed his `` outstanding service '' and `` calm and shrewd advice '' , adding Sir Mark had `` done much to keep this country safe '' .
`` After serving for decades with great distinction - and unflappable good humour - I believe you have earned the gratitude of the nation , '' @ @ @ @ @ @ @ responded that he had stepped in when his predecessor as cabinet secretary fell ill and was asked to stay on during the `` acute phase '' of coronavirus .
`` As you are setting out this week , the government 's focus is now shifting to domestic and global recovery and renewal , '' he continued .
`` I wish you well and , of course , remain at your disposal in the years ahead .
It has been a privilege to serve . ''
Lord Robert Kerslake , a former head of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that the tone of the letters exchanged was contradictory to `` days of hostile briefing '' , which he said had been `` frankly unacceptable '' .
`` It follows an unfortunate pattern which has developed with this government - we saw it with Sir Philip Rutnam and more recently with Sir Simon McDonald . ''
He added : `` I think this sort of approach to making changes is not good . ''
Sir Mark has been given a life peerage to sit in the House of Lords , as is customary @ @ @ @ @ @ @ began to grow on Friday , when the Financial Times reported ministers were briefing he was expected to be gone by the end of 2020 .
The Sunday Telegraph then claimed he could be ousted within a day .
Home Secretary Priti Patel did not dampen the rumours , failing to deny Sir Mark was facing the axe by 10 Downing Street .
Speaking to Sky News ' Sophy Ridge on Sunday , she said : `` Reform of the civil service is a matter that gets discussed in government and obviously a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the prime minister… '' Any reforming government will be based around the type of delivery that our prime minister wants to drive for our great country and obviously have the right kind of support around him to deliver that . ''
Part of a speech by Cabinet Office minister Michael Gove released over the weekend also contained a curiously-timed warning .
`` If this government is to reform so much , it must also reform itself , '' he said .
`` The structures , ambitions and priorities of the government machine need @ @ @ @ @ @ @ be implemented and endure . ''
Helen Hayes , shadow minister for the Cabinet Office , said : `` We pay tribute to the work Mark Sedwill has done .
He has been a dedicated public servant and has run the civil service in difficult times .
`` On the day it was revealed millions of jobs across the country could be under threat in the coming months , it is very concerning that Boris Johnson and Dominic Cummings are preoccupied with reshuffling Whitehall . ''
Dave Penman , head of the civil @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Mark was `` one of the outstanding public servants of his generation '' but attacked his treatment by Downing Street .
`` Number 10 - or those around it - has sought to undermine Sir Mark and the leadership of the civil service , with a series of anonymous briefings against him over many months , '' he said .
`` Not only is it a self-defeating and corrosive tactic , it 's also a cowardly one , safe in the knowledge that those who are briefed against are unable to publicly respond @ @ @ @ @ @ @ national security adviser Mr Frost as an `` experienced diplomat , policy thinker , and proven negotiator , with a strong belief in building Britain 's place in the world '' .
Notably Downing Street said it was a political appointment and he will not be a civil servant .
The cabinet secretary is a role that dates back just over 100 years , and the few occupants who have held the title are said to be `` at power 's elbow '' .
But they are usually only obscurely known amongst the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ figure and politically neutral .
: : Listen to Sophy Ridge on Sunday on Apple podcasts , Google podcasts , Spotify , Spreaker Sky News defence correspondent Alistair Bunkall said : `` Frost has not previous national security experience - Sedwill was ambassador to Afghanistan , a diplomat in Pakistan , Cairo and Iraq , UN weapons inspector and permanent secretary at the Home Office .
`` Frost was ambassador to Denmark and chief negotiator of Task Force Europe .
`` Frost 's statement places importance of a security deal with the EU @ @ @ @ @ @ @ mention of Islamic State , China , Russia , the far right , dissident Republicanism .
`` Frost will at some point have to co-ordinate a COVID-delayed Integrated Security , Defence and Foreign Policy Review , not only has he said in his statement that he will 'remain chief negotiator for the EU talks and these will remain my top single priority ' , but these security reviews are notoriously testy and usually descend into tribal agendas .
`` Hard for someone to oversee who , to the best of my knowledge , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and military . ''
Sir Mark has directly served two prime ministers - Theresa May and then Boris Johnson - during a time when the civil service has faced upheaval over Brexit and coronavirus , with workers seconded between departments .
It has also faced criticism , and challenges - such as recently when the official civil service Twitter account posted minutes after the PM ’ s political aide Dominic Cummings ' news conference : `` Arrogant and offensive .
Can you imagine having to work with these truth twisters ? ''
Whitehall @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the autumn , following the news that the international development department is being abolished and merged with the Foreign Office .
The latter 's permanent secretary was due to stay on to manage the transition - but was let go early by Mr Johnson .

The UK's top civil servant and national security adviser to Boris Johnson is stepping down, the government has announced.
Sir Mark Sedwill is leaving both posts in September - a dramatic move that confirms the prime minister is planning a major Whitehall shake-up.
The news means he will have served a relatively short term of less than two years.
Image: Whitehall is facing a significant shake-up
David Frost - the UK's Brexit sherpa - will become the new national security adviser, combining it with his current job until negotiations with the EU on a trade deal are complete.
He will meet Michael Barnier on Monday morning for the first round of face-to-face Brexit talks in Brussels since the COVID-19 pandemic began.
Mr Frost said he was looking forward to the talks in the wake of the outbreak, adding: "These meetings will be smaller and focused on seeing whether we can begin to make genuine and rapid progress towards an agreement."
The UK has a deadline of 1 July if it wants to extend the transition period beyond the end of next year.
Sky News's deputy political editor Sam Coates said the appointment of Mr Frost "changes that job of national security adviser from a Whitehall civil service neutral one to a political one".
He added: "The question is the extent to which the Whitehall shake-up that will be rolled out over the next few days is actually about giving political figures in Number 10 more power and stopping things like the civil service and other checks and balances in the system from gumming up what they want to do, even when they might have to do and say difficult things to ministers."
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Sir Mark was simultaneously in charge of 400,000 civil servants as cabinet secretary and the most senior official advising on security, defence, foreign policy and intelligence matters.
In an exchange of letters, Mr Johnson hailed his "outstanding service" and "calm and shrewd advice", adding Sir Mark had "done much to keep this country safe".
"After serving for decades with great distinction - and unflappable good humour - I believe you have earned the gratitude of the nation," the prime minister wrote.
Image: Sir Mark said he stayed on through the 'acute phase' of coronavirus
Sir Mark responded that he had stepped in when his predecessor as cabinet secretary fell ill and was asked to stay on during the "acute phase" of coronavirus.
"As you are setting out this week, the government's focus is now shifting to domestic and global recovery and renewal," he continued.
"I wish you well and, of course, remain at your disposal in the years ahead. It has been a privilege to serve."
Lord Robert Kerslake, a former head of the civil service, told Sky News that the tone of the letters exchanged was contradictory to "days of hostile briefing", which he said had been "frankly unacceptable".
"It follows an unfortunate pattern which has developed with this government - we saw it with Sir Philip Rutnam and more recently with Sir Simon McDonald."
He added: "I think this sort of approach to making changes is not good."
Sir Mark has been given a life peerage to sit in the House of Lords, as is customary.
Speculation his job was under threat began to grow on Friday, when the Financial Times reported ministers were briefing he was expected to be gone by the end of 2020.
The Sunday Telegraph then claimed he could be ousted within a day.
Image: David Frost (left) with the EU's chief Brexit negotiator Michel Barnier
Home Secretary Priti Patel did not dampen the rumours, failing to deny Sir Mark was facing the axe by 10 Downing Street.
Speaking to Sky News' Sophy Ridge on Sunday, she said: "Reform of the civil service is a matter that gets discussed in government and obviously a big role like that is subject to the prime minister…
"Any reforming government will be based around the type of delivery that our prime minister wants to drive for our great country and obviously have the right kind of support around him to deliver that."
Part of a speech by Cabinet Office minister Michael Gove released over the weekend also contained a curiously-timed warning.
"If this government is to reform so much, it must also reform itself," he said.
"The structures, ambitions and priorities of the government machine need to change if real reform is to be implemented and endure."
Image: Priti Patel did not deny the move was on the cards
Helen Hayes, shadow minister for the Cabinet Office, said: "We pay tribute to the work Mark Sedwill has done. He has been a dedicated public servant and has run the civil service in difficult times.
"On the day it was revealed millions of jobs across the country could be under threat in the coming months, it is very concerning that Boris Johnson and Dominic Cummings are preoccupied with reshuffling Whitehall."
Dave Penman, head of the civil servants' FDA union, said Sir Mark was "one of the outstanding public servants of his generation" but attacked his treatment by Downing Street.
"Number 10 - or those around it - has sought to undermine Sir Mark and the leadership of the civil service, with a series of anonymous briefings against him over many months," he said.
"Not only is it a self-defeating and corrosive tactic, it's also a cowardly one, safe in the knowledge that those who are briefed against are unable to publicly respond."
Mr Johnson hailed his new national security adviser Mr Frost as an "experienced diplomat, policy thinker, and proven negotiator, with a strong belief in building Britain's place in the world".
Notably Downing Street said it was a political appointment and he will not be a civil servant.
The cabinet secretary is a role that dates back just over 100 years, and the few occupants who have held the title are said to be "at power's elbow".
But they are usually only obscurely known amongst the general public because they are a backroom figure and politically neutral.
:: Listen to Sophy Ridge on Sunday on Apple podcasts, Google podcasts, Spotify, Spreaker
Sky News defence correspondent Alistair Bunkall said: "Frost has no previous national security experience - Sedwill was ambassador to Afghanistan, a diplomat in Pakistan, Cairo and Iraq, UN weapons inspector and permanent secretary at the Home Office.
"Frost was ambassador to Denmark and chief negotiator of Task Force Europe.
"Frost's statement places importance of a security deal with the EU. This is important, but no mention of Islamic State, China, Russia, the far right, dissident Republicanism.
"Frost will at some point have to co-ordinate a COVID-delayed Integrated Security, Defence and Foreign Policy Review, not only has he said in his statement that he will 'remain chief negotiator for the EU talks and these will remain my top single priority', but these security reviews are notoriously testy and usually descend into tribal agendas.
"Hard for someone to oversee who, to the best of my knowledge, has little previous relationship with the agencies and military."
Image: Sir Mark served under both Theresa May and Boris Johnson
Sir Mark has directly served two prime ministers - Theresa May and then Boris Johnson - during a time when the civil service has faced upheaval over Brexit and coronavirus, with workers seconded between departments.
It has also faced criticism, and challenges - such as recently when the official civil service Twitter account posted minutes after the PM’s political aide Dominic Cummings' news conference: "Arrogant and offensive. Can you imagine having to work with these truth twisters?"
Whitehall is already braced for a shake-up in the autumn, following the news that the international development department is being abolished and merged with the Foreign Office.
The latter's permanent secretary was due to stay on to manage the transition - but was let go early by Mr Johnson.


skynewspolitics--2020-06-28--Labour frontbencher apologises for JK Rowling abuse comments

A Labour frontbencher has apologised after accusing JK Rowling of `` using her own sexual assault as justification '' to raise concerns over rights for transgender people .
Lloyd Russell-Moyle , a shadow environment minister , has said sorry for attacking the Harry Potter author after she revealed she is a domestic abuse and sexual assault survivor .
Rowling has long been a target of criticism by trans activists who have taken offence at some of her social media posts .
She responded to recent criticism in a 3,600 word blog post , detailing five reasons she felt the need @ @ @ @ @ @ @ her interest in `` both education and safeguarding '' and `` freedom of speech '' .
Explaining her final reason , she wrote : `` I 've been in the public eye now for over 20 years and have never talked publicly about being a domestic abuse and sexual assault survivor .
`` This is n't because I 'm ashamed those things happened to me , but because they 're traumatic to revisit and remember .
`` I 'm mentioning these things now not in an attempt to garner sympathy , but out @ @ @ @ @ @ @ women who have histories like mine , who 've been slurred as bigots for having concerns around single-sex spaces . ''
Mr Russell-Moyle picked up on this in his own article on trans rights in the Tribune magazine last week .
He wrote : `` We saw people like JK Rowling using her own sexual assault as justification for discriminating against a group of people who were not responsible for it .
`` Trans people are no more likely to be rapists ; in fact , they are more likely to be victims @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in the face if criticism by women 's campaigners following its publication , Mr Russell-Moyle was forced to U-turn .
`` I want to apologise unreservedly about the comments in the article that I wrote last week in Tribune regarding trans rights in which I mention JK Rowling , '' he tweeted on Sunday morning - the day after London Pride was meant to go ahead .
`` JK Rowling 's first disclosures of domestic abuse and sexual assault in her recent article on trans issues were heartfelt and must have been hard @ @ @ @ @ @ @ disagree with some of her analysis on trans rights , it was wrong of me to suggest that she used her own dreadful experience in anything other than good faith .
`` I have asked Tribune to remove the line in question . ''
The comment still featured in the original article as of midday on Sunday .
: : Listen to Sophy Ridge on Sunday on Apple podcasts , Google podcasts , Spotify , Spreaker Rowling 's views on the trans issue has led to public criticism by Harry Potter actor Daniel @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Emma Watson , who played Hermione Granger in the Harry Potter film series , has also spoken out in support of transgender people , following Rowling 's comments .

A Labour frontbencher has apologised after accusing JK Rowling of "using her own sexual assault as justification" to raise concerns over rights for transgender people.
Lloyd Russell-Moyle, a shadow environment minister, has said sorry for attacking the Harry Potter author after she revealed she is a domestic abuse and sexual assault survivor.
Image: The Labour MP has said he wants to 'apologise unreservedly' for his remarks
Rowling has long been a target of criticism by trans activists who have taken offence at some of her social media posts.
She responded to recent criticism in a 3,600 word blog post, detailing five reasons she felt the need to talk about trans issues, including her interest in "both education and safeguarding" and "freedom of speech".
Explaining her final reason, she wrote: "I've been in the public eye now for over 20 years and have never talked publicly about being a domestic abuse and sexual assault survivor.
"This isn't because I'm ashamed those things happened to me, but because they're traumatic to revisit and remember.
"I'm mentioning these things now not in an attempt to garner sympathy, but out of solidarity with the huge numbers of women who have histories like mine, who've been slurred as bigots for having concerns around single-sex spaces."
Image: Ms Rowling's view on transgender issues have stoked controversy
Mr Russell-Moyle picked up on this in his own article on trans rights in the Tribune magazine last week.
He wrote: "We saw people like JK Rowling using her own sexual assault as justification for discriminating against a group of people who were not responsible for it.
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"Trans people are no more likely to be rapists; in fact, they are more likely to be victims of sexual assault themselves."
Image: Harry Potter actor Daniel Radcliffe is among those to criticise Rowling
But in the face of criticism by women's campaigners following its publication, Mr Russell-Moyle was forced to U-turn.
"I want to apologise unreservedly about the comments in the article that I wrote last week in Tribune regarding trans rights in which I mention JK Rowling," he tweeted on Sunday morning - the day after London Pride was meant to go ahead.
"JK Rowling's first disclosures of domestic abuse and sexual assault in her recent article on trans issues were heartfelt and must have been hard to say.
"Whilst I may disagree with some of her analysis on trans rights, it was wrong of me to suggest that she used her own dreadful experience in anything other than good faith.
"I have asked Tribune to remove the line in question."
The comment still featured in the original article as of midday on Sunday.
:: Listen to Sophy Ridge on Sunday on Apple podcasts, Google podcasts, Spotify, Spreaker
Rowling's views on the trans issue has led to public criticism by Harry Potter actor Daniel Radcliffe and Fantastic Beasts star Eddie Redmayne.
Emma Watson, who played Hermione Granger in the Harry Potter film series, has also spoken out in support of transgender people, following Rowling's comments.


skynewspolitics--2020-06-29--PM: 'Mistake' to go back to austerity because of coronavirus pandemic

It would be a `` mistake '' to go back to austerity as a result of the coronavirus pandemic , the prime minister has said .
Boris Johnson told Times Radio there will be some `` bumpy times '' as the country recovers from the COVID-19 outbreak .
He said the coronavirus had been a `` disaster '' and an `` absolute nightmare for the country '' .
But the PM said the government would be `` doubling down '' on its levelling up agenda and investing in the economy .
It would be a `` mistake '' to go @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , saying he would be setting out a plan to `` bounce forward '' following the pandemic .
The government has already promised a decade-long schools rebuilding plan , with £1bn for 50 projects and another £560m for school repairs .
Mr Johnson said an economic effort like the one seen in the US under President Franklin D Roosevelt as it dealt with the Great Depression in the 1930s was needed for the UK .
`` This is the time to invest in infrastructure , this is the time to make those long-term @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , '' the PM said .
`` You have to be careful and the chancellor will be setting out our plans in the spending review in the autumn .
`` But in the end what you ca n't do at this moment is go back to what people called austerity , it was n't actually austerity but people called it austerity , and I think that would be a mistake .
`` I think this is the moment for a Rooseveltian approach to the UK . ''
Speaking during a visit to Ealing @ @ @ @ @ @ @ mark the schools announcement , Mr Johnson said he wanted to maintain an `` activist , interventionist approach '' .
He said this would `` get business to be confident , to start investing , to start taking people back on and start creating new jobs and driving new growth '' .
A total of 43,550 have died in the UK with COVID-19 , according to the Department of Health and Social Care .
Asked if he was still worried that total deaths and the infection rate remained too high , Mr Johnson @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
`` Local hospital admissions are coming down , so are the death numbers .
`` They are much , much lower than they were a few weeks ago and that is encouraging . ''
: : Listen to Sophy Ridge on Sunday on Apple podcasts , Google podcasts , Spotify , Spreaker Speaking as government officials recommended the current lockdown measures remain in force in the city of Leicester for an extra two weeks , the PM said the `` crucial thing '' going forward would be `` to crack down on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ now was not the right time to hold an inquiry into his government 's handling of the pandemic .
`` We owe it to all those who have died , all those who have suffered to look at exactly what went wrong and when , '' he said .
`` I totally understand that and we will .
`` I happen to think that the moment is not right now , in the middle of really getting things going , still dealing with the pandemic , when everybody is flat out .
`` @ @ @ @ @ @ @ right now for consecrating a huge amount of official time to all that , but we are learning lessons the whole time and we obviously will draw the right conclusions for the future . ''

It would be a "mistake" to go back to austerity as a result of the coronavirus pandemic, the prime minister has said.
Boris Johnson told Times Radio there will be some "bumpy times" as the country recovers from the COVID-19 outbreak.
He said the coronavirus had been a "disaster" and an "absolute nightmare for the country".
Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player 2:26 PM warns against taking lockdown 'liberties'
But the PM said the government would be "doubling down" on its levelling up agenda and investing in the economy.
It would be a "mistake" to go back to austerity, Mr Johnson added, saying he would be setting out a plan to "bounce forward" following the pandemic.
The government has already promised a decade-long schools rebuilding plan, with £1bn for 50 projects and another £560m for school repairs.
Mr Johnson said an economic effort like the one seen in the US under President Franklin D Roosevelt as it dealt with the Great Depression in the 1930s was needed for the UK.
"This is the time to invest in infrastructure, this is the time to make those long-term decisions for the good of the country," the PM said.
"You have to be careful and the chancellor will be setting out our plans in the spending review in the autumn.
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Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player 0:33 PM explains 'one metre plus' rule as he announces lockdown easing
"But in the end what you can't do at this moment is go back to what people called austerity, it wasn't actually austerity but people called it austerity, and I think that would be a mistake.
"I think this is the moment for a Rooseveltian approach to the UK."
Speaking during a visit to Ealing Fields High School in west London to mark the schools announcement, Mr Johnson said he wanted to maintain an "activist, interventionist approach".
He said this would "get business to be confident, to start investing, to start taking people back on and start creating new jobs and driving new growth".
A total of 43,550 people have died in the UK with COVID-19, according to the Department of Health and Social Care.
Asked if he was still worried that total deaths and the infection rate remained too high, Mr Johnson said : "Every day I worry.
"Local hospital admissions are coming down, so are the death numbers.
"They are much, much lower than they were a few weeks ago and that is encouraging."
:: Listen to Sophy Ridge on Sunday on Apple podcasts, Google podcasts, Spotify, Spreaker
Speaking as government officials recommended the current lockdown measures remain in force in the city of Leicester for an extra two weeks, the PM said the "crucial thing" going forward would be "to crack down on local flare-ups".
Mr Johnson insisted now was not the right time to hold an inquiry into his government's handling of the pandemic.
"We owe it to all those who have died, all those who have suffered to look at exactly what went wrong and when," he said.
"I totally understand that and we will.
"I happen to think that the moment is not right now, in the middle of really getting things going, still dealing with the pandemic, when everybody is flat out.
"I don't think the moment is right now for consecrating a huge amount of official time to all that, but we are learning lessons the whole time and we obviously will draw the right conclusions for the future."


skynewspolitics--2020-06-29--'It's compulsory': Parents face fines if they don't send children back to school in September

Parents have been warned they could be fined if they do not send their children back to school in September .
Education Secretary Gavin Williamson said the planned return of all pupils in England will be `` compulsory '' .
He added that parents could be fined unless there is a `` good reason '' for their child 's absence .
`` It is going to be compulsory for children to return back to school unless there 's a very good reason , or a local spike where there have had to be local lockdowns , '' Mr Williamson told @ @ @ @ @ @ @ get back into compulsory education as part of that , obviously fines sit alongside that .
`` Unless there is a good reason for the absence then we will be looking at the fact that we would be imposing fines on families if they are not sending their children back . ''
The education secretary said a detailed plan on how the government will bring all children back to the classroom for the autumn term will be set out by the end of this week .
Schools closed in March as the government @ @ @ @ @ @ @ spread of COVID-19 , with only vulnerable children and those whose parents are key workers able to attend .
A phased reopening of primary schools began at the start of this month , with pupils in reception , year one and year six returning to the classroom .
: : Listen to Sophy Ridge on Sunday on Apple podcasts , Google podcasts , Spotify , Spreaker Some secondary pupils in years 10 and 12 have also returned .
But ministers abandoned plans to get all primary pupils back before the end of the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ reopening , the government confirmed that parents who did not feel safe sending their children back would not face fines .
The latest figures show that around a third ( 34 % ) of year six pupils attended school on 18 June , up from 26 % the week before .
In year one , around a quarter ( 26 % ) were in the classroom , up from a fifth on 11 June .
Attendance in reception stood at 29 % , up from 22 % the previous week .
Boris Johnson @ @ @ @ @ @ @ are not back yet is a source of `` deep frustration '' for him .
Speaking to Times Radio , the prime minister said teaching unions and councils should be saying `` loud and clear '' that schools are safe .
Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer accused the government of being `` asleep at the wheel '' on reopening schools .
`` There has been a total lack of planning .
From the day the schools were shut down , it was obvious what needed to happen to get them back open again @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Sir Keir added : `` Had there been work on this from the day the schools closed down , I genuinely think we could have had all our children back in school by now .
`` But the government was asleep at the wheel , did n't get to this until too late in the day , and now we 're in the situation where children will be able to do other things this weekend , but not be in school on Monday . ''
Geoff Barton , general secretary of the Association @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ) , said ministers `` must show a greater understanding of the realities of the situation '' and allow a `` period of grace '' before fining parents .
`` There will be many frightened and anxious parents out there , and this is very much a case of building confidence that it is safe to return , rather than forcing the issue through the use of fines , '' he said .

Parents have been warned they could be fined if they do not send their children back to school in September.
Education Secretary Gavin Williamson said the planned return of all pupils in England will be "compulsory".
He added that parents could be fined unless there is a "good reason" for their child's absence.
Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player 9:53 'Every school will be open in September'
"It is going to be compulsory for children to return back to school unless there's a very good reason, or a local spike where there have had to be local lockdowns," Mr Williamson told LBC.
"We do have to get back into compulsory education as part of that, obviously fines sit alongside that.
"Unless there is a good reason for the absence then we will be looking at the fact that we would be imposing fines on families if they are not sending their children back."
The education secretary said a detailed plan on how the government will bring all children back to the classroom for the autumn term will be set out by the end of this week.
Schools closed in March as the government took action to try and halt the spread of COVID-19, with only vulnerable children and those whose parents are key workers able to attend.
A phased reopening of primary schools began at the start of this month, with pupils in reception, year one and year six returning to the classroom.
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:: Listen to Sophy Ridge on Sunday on Apple podcasts, Google podcasts, Spotify, Spreaker
Some secondary pupils in years 10 and 12 have also returned.
But ministers abandoned plans to get all primary pupils back before the end of the summer term.
Ahead of that phased reopening, the government confirmed that parents who did not feel safe sending their children back would not face fines.
The latest figures show that around a third (34%) of year six pupils attended school on 18 June, up from 26% the week before.
Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player 4:27 PM wants September full-time school return
In year one, around a quarter (26%) were in the classroom, up from a fifth on 11 June.
Attendance in reception stood at 29%, up from 22% the previous week.
Boris Johnson has said the fact that more pupils are not back yet is a source of "deep frustration" for him.
Speaking to Times Radio, the prime minister said teaching unions and councils should be saying "loud and clear" that schools are safe.
Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer accused the government of being "asleep at the wheel" on reopening schools.
Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player 0:32 Starmer on schools: 'Govt fell asleep at wheel'
"There has been a total lack of planning. From the day the schools were shut down, it was obvious what needed to happen to get them back open again," he told Sky News.
Sir Keir added: "Had there been work on this from the day the schools closed down, I genuinely think we could have had all our children back in school by now.
"But the government was asleep at the wheel, didn't get to this until too late in the day, and now we're in the situation where children will be able to do other things this weekend, but not be in school on Monday."
Geoff Barton, general secretary of the Association of School and College Leaders (ASCL), said ministers "must show a greater understanding of the realities of the situation" and allow a "period of grace" before fining parents.
"There will be many frightened and anxious parents out there, and this is very much a case of building confidence that it is safe to return, rather than forcing the issue through the use of fines," he said.


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

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

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


skynewspolitics--2020-07-01--PM rejects there was a 'lost week' while COVID-19 spread in Leicester

Boris Johnson has denied there was a `` lost week '' while coronavirus was spreading in Leicester as the government was accused of being `` slow to act '' over local spikes in COVID-19 infections .
Leicester has re-entered strict lockdown conditions - as the rest of England prepares to reopen pubs , bars and restaurants this weekend - with the closure of schools and non-essential shops in the Midlands city .
Public Health England figures show there were at least 45 coronavirus cases per 100,000 people in the week to 21 June in Leicester , with Barnsley , Bradford @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
The data covers all mass COVID-19 testing in England , including those carried out in NHS and Public Health England labs ( known as pillar 1 ) , plus all community testing , drive-throughs and tests sent to people 's homes ( pillar 2 ) .
At Wednesday 's session of Prime Minister 's Questions in the House of Commons , Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer claimed that local authorities in Leicester only had `` half of the data '' when monitoring COVID-19 cases .
He claimed that city officials were only @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 2 , which meant they `` thought there were 80 positive tests in the last fortnight when the real figure was 944 '' .
Sir Keir told MPs : `` The local authority was only given the real figure last Thursday .
`` So there was a lost week whilst the virus was spreading . ''
He urged the prime minister to give a `` cast-iron guarantee ... that no other local authority will ever be put in that position again '' .
After PMQs , Leicester mayor Sir Peter Soulsby posted on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ this data right from the start .
`` Council 's ( sic ) up and down the land are the ones at the front line , we need to know what is happening in our communities and the government needs to tell us . ''
In the Commons , Sir Keir asked why the government was `` so slow to act '' to implement a lockdown in Leicester .
`` At the daily press conference on 18 June , the health secretary said 'there 's an outbreak of COVID-19 right now in parts @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
`` Yet it was only on Monday evening this week that the government introduced restrictions .
`` That 's a delay of 11 days during which the virus was spreading in Leicester . ''
Mr Johnson replied that the `` government first took notice and acted '' on the spike in infections in Leicester on 8 June .
: : Listen to the Daily podcast on Apple Podcasts , Google Podcasts , Spotify , Spreaker '' We sent mobile testing units shortly thereafter , '' he said , with ministers also engaging @ @ @ @ @ @ @ The prime minister also denied local councils had not received full coronavirus data , telling Sir Keir he was `` mistaken '' .
`` Both pillar 1 and pillar 2 have been shared not just with Leicester but with all authorities across the country , '' Mr Johnson told MPs .
`` We did in Leicester exactly what we did in Kirklees , or in Bradford , or in Weston-super-Mare or other places where very effective whack-a-mole strategies have been put in place .
`` For reasons that I think the House will @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in Leicester in implementing the advice and in getting people to understand what was necessary to do .
`` But , let 's face it , we 've had to act , the government has acted .
`` He wants to know whether we 'll act in future to ensure that we protect the health of the entire country .
`` And I can tell him that we will . ''
However , health minister Nadine Dorries appeared to confirm that Leicester had not received full coronavirus data - including pillar 2 testing @ @ @ @ @ @ @ on Twitter : `` This data was made available to all authorities on the 22nd .
`` Most accessed it using an authentication code on the 24th , the rest ( Leicester ) on the 25th .
`` It is n't publicly available yet , but that will hopefully change soon . ''
Toby Perkins , a Labour shadow minister , claimed Mr Johnson 's assertion that getting people in Leicester to `` understand '' coronavirus advice was `` revealing '' .
He tweeted : `` With Dominic Cummings conduct still fresh in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ second wave is because people did n't understand what to do is revealing . ''
Asked if Leicestershire Police are considering road blocks to enforce the lockdown , chief constable Simon Cole said : `` We 're thinking about all of our options but we hope that common sense will prevail .
`` Most people have complied here through the previous iterations of the lockdown .
`` It 's a pretty simple equation really - we live in an area where there 's a very , very dangerous disease that makes people really @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , lead the nation in that illness .
`` What people are being asked to do is stay at home , what people are being asked to do is only travel if it 's absolutely essential . ''
Professor Nishan Canagarajah , the University of Leicester 's vice-chancellor , has urged prospective students not to defer their places following the lockdown in the city .
He said : `` I do n't think anybody should rush to make a decision .
`` I want to reassure students in the community that there is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ . ''

Boris Johnson has denied there was a "lost week" while coronavirus was spreading in Leicester as the government was accused of being "slow to act" over local spikes in COVID-19 infections.
Leicester has re-entered strict lockdown conditions - as the rest of England prepares to reopen pubs, bars and restaurants this weekend - with the closure of schools and non-essential shops in the Midlands city.
Public Health England figures show there were at least 45 coronavirus cases per 100,000 people in the week to 21 June in Leicester, with Barnsley, Bradford and Rochdale also among the worst-affected regions.
Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player 0:51 'We're the doers, they're the ditherers!'
The data covers all mass COVID-19 testing in England, including those carried out in NHS and Public Health England labs (known as pillar 1), plus all community testing, drive-throughs and tests sent to people's homes (pillar 2).
At Wednesday's session of Prime Minister's Questions in the House of Commons, Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer claimed that local authorities in Leicester only had "half of the data" when monitoring COVID-19 cases.
He claimed that city officials were only given pillar 1 data and not pillar 2, which meant they "thought there were 80 positive tests in the last fortnight when the real figure was 944".
Sir Keir told MPs: "The local authority was only given the real figure last Thursday.
"So there was a lost week whilst the virus was spreading."
He urged the prime minister to give a "cast-iron guarantee... that no other local authority will ever be put in that position again".
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After PMQs, Leicester mayor Sir Peter Soulsby posted on Twitter: "We should have had this data right from the start.
"Council's (sic) up and down the land are the ones at the front line, we need to know what is happening in our communities and the government needs to tell us."
In the Commons, Sir Keir asked why the government was "so slow to act" to implement a lockdown in Leicester.
"At the daily press conference on 18 June, the health secretary said 'there's an outbreak of COVID-19 right now in parts of Leicester'," he said.
"Yet it was only on Monday evening this week that the government introduced restrictions.
"That's a delay of 11 days during which the virus was spreading in Leicester."
Mr Johnson replied that the "government first took notice and acted" on the spike in infections in Leicester on 8 June.
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
"We sent mobile testing units shortly thereafter," he said, with ministers also engaging "actively" with local officials.
The prime minister also denied local councils had not received full coronavirus data, telling Sir Keir he was "mistaken".
"Both pillar 1 and pillar 2 have been shared not just with Leicester but with all authorities across the country," Mr Johnson told MPs.
"We did in Leicester exactly what we did in Kirklees, or in Bradford, or in Weston-super-Mare or other places where very effective whack-a-mole strategies have been put in place.
"For reasons that I think the House will probably understand, there were particular problems in Leicester in implementing the advice and in getting people to understand what was necessary to do.
"But, let's face it, we've had to act, the government has acted.
"He wants to know whether we'll act in future to ensure that we protect the health of the entire country.
"And I can tell him that we will."
However, health minister Nadine Dorries appeared to confirm that Leicester had not received full coronavirus data - including pillar 2 testing - until last Thursday.
She posted on Twitter: "This data was made available to all authorities on the 22nd.
"Most accessed it using an authentication code on the 24th, the rest (Leicester) on the 25th.
"It isn't publicly available yet, but that will hopefully change soon."
Downing Street defended the way coronavirus testing information had been shared with local authorities.
The Prime Minister's official spokesman said: "Since April detailed local data has been shared by PHE with local areas.
"And since 11 June an operational data dashboard was made available by NHS Digital which includes counts of local tests, total positives and test and trace data - it's to give local authorities a clear picture of the stats in their local area, it was provided to support directors of public health and councils.
"Last week we started securely sharing postcode-level testing data with all local authorities including Leicester and that data is available to them at any time."
Government sources claimed the reason for any delay was the slow response of Leicester authorities, rather than data not being made available by the Department of Health and Social Care.
Toby Perkins, a Labour shadow minister, claimed Mr Johnson's assertion that getting people in Leicester to "understand" coronavirus advice was "revealing".
He tweeted: "With Dominic Cummings conduct still fresh in the memory, PM suggesting the Leicester second wave is because people didn't understand what to do is revealing."


skynewspolitics--2020-07-01--Citizenship rights offered to all British nationals in Hong Kong

British citizenship is being offered to 2.9 million people living in Hong Kong in light of controversial security laws imposed by China .
Foreign Secretary Dominic Raab confirmed the move he touted several weeks ago , saying `` we will not duck our historic responsibilities '' .
He said the `` bespoke '' visa route would let British Nationals Overseas and their dependents come from Hong Kong to work or study in the UK for five years .
They will then be able to apply for settled status and if successful , one year later can apply for citizenship .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ Kong on Wednesday morning of people displaying pro-independence banners and flags , but whose activities were non-violent .
Police fired pepper spray hand guns and tear gas , with water cannon also used to disperse protesters .
Thousands of demonstrators gathered for an annual rally marking the anniversary of the former British colony 's handover to China in 1997 .
The new security law drawn up by Beijing makes secessionist , subversive , or terrorist activities illegal in Hong Kong - as well as foreign intervention in the city 's internal affairs .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ Kong are severe as it `` violates its autonomy and threatens the strangulation of its freedoms '' .
He accused China of a `` grave and deeply disturbing '' breach of the Sino-British Joint Declaration that aimed to smooth the transition when the territory was handed back in 1997 .
The Foreign Office has confirmed there will be no `` quota '' on the number of those who can apply to come to the UK .
But an immigration lawyer claimed the process `` lacks certainty '' and will be `` extremely costly @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Office could total £3,000 .
Kathryn Bradbury , partner and head of citizenship and immigration at Payne Hicks Beach solicitors ' firm , said : `` It would be much more equitable to simply confer full British citizenship to these persons given their BNO status . ''
Tom Cheshire , Sky News ' Asia correspondent , said : `` Beijing will protest furiously that this is foreign interference in a domestic affair , and perhaps go further - especially as a decision over the involvement of Huawei , the Chinese tech giant , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ `` If the experience of Canada is anything to go by , two of whose citizens have been arbitrarily detained for more than 500 days , it may not be a good time to be British in China .
`` It 's unlikely 3 million people will take up the UK offer .
`` But it may prompt other countries - Australia , Canada , the US and others , where people from Hong Kong have historically emigrated - to follow the UK 's lead .
And that will at least give the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ''

British citizenship is being offered to 2.9 million people living in Hong Kong in light of controversial security laws imposed by China.
Foreign Secretary Dominic Raab confirmed the move he touted several weeks ago, saying "we will not duck our historic responsibilities".
He said the "bespoke" visa route would let British Nationals Overseas - people who were Hong Kong citizens before 1997 - and their dependents come from Hong Kong to work or study in the UK for five years.
Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player 0:59 'New law will be welcomed widely in Hong Kong'
They will then be able to apply for settled status and - if successful - can apply for citizenship one year later.
But Victor Gao, who was former Chinese leader Deng Xiaoping's translator, said he "seriously doubts" the British government will follow through on its promise.
He told Sky News: "They didn't do it in 1997 and I don't think they'll do it now.
"If you compare Hong Kong to Britain, lots of people in HK love living there because it's a good place to do business, very low taxes, people won't choose to leave."
He said that anybody who cares for Hong Kong's future would support the new law and claimed lots of Hong Kongers do because they are fed up of the past 12 months of "violence, anarchy and an attack on the rule of law".
Mr Gao insisted the right to protest and demonstrate and the freedom of speech and assembly are "fully protected" under the new law, despite 370 people being arrested on Wednesday - including 10 for "breaching" the new law.
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Image: Riot police shot pepper-spray balls. Pic: Jerome Favre/EPA-EFE/Shutterstock
Mr Raab condemned the arrests in Hong Kong of people displaying pro-independence banners and flags, but whose activities were non-violent.
Police fired pepper spray hand guns and tear gas, with water cannon also used to disperse protesters.
Thousands of demonstrators gathered for an annual rally marking the anniversary of the former British colony's handover to China in 1997.
The new security law drawn up by Beijing makes secessionist, subversive, or terrorist activities illegal in Hong Kong - as well as foreign intervention in the city's internal affairs.
Mr Raab said the implications for Hong Kong are severe, as it "violates its autonomy and threatens the strangulation of its freedoms".
He accused China of a "grave and deeply disturbing" breach of the Sino-British Joint Declaration that set out Hong Kong's mostly autonomous rule for 50 years after the territory was handed back in 1997.
Image: Flags bearing pro-independence messages are now banned
Chris Patten, Hong Kong's last governor under British rule, said the new law was a "complete overturning of One Country, Two Systems" - the principle under which the declaration was formed.
He called the law "Orwellian", said it will damage Hong Kong's economy, and said that the UK and its allies need to stand up to China.
Lord Patten told Sky News: "We should work with them, make clear that when China behaves reasonably that's fine and we'll work with them, when they behave badly we'll call them out, there will be consequences.
"There has to be, otherwise the 21st century will become increasingly unstable, increasingly less prosperous and increasingly dangerous."
Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player 0:45 Water cannon deployed on streets of Hong Kong
The Foreign Office has confirmed there will be no "quota" on the number of those who can apply to come to the UK from Hong Kong.
Emily Lau, a former chair of Hong Kong's Democratic Party, said she thinks some people will be "very keen" to take Mr Raab up on his offer, but "certainly not millions" as she hopes other allies such as Australia, Canada, New Zealand and the US will also help out.
She told Sky News: "Certainly, I hope there will be an international lifeboat scheme to help the very frightened people of Hong Kong."
An immigration lawyer claimed the process for the UK "lacks certainty" and will be "extremely costly" given application fees to the Home Office could total £3,000.
Kathryn Bradbury, partner and head of citizenship and immigration at Payne Hicks Beach solicitors' firm, said: "It would be much more equitable to simply confer full British citizenship to these persons given their BNO status."


skynewspolitics--2020-07-01--Faulty masks sent to care homes and GPs recalled

Batches of surgical face masks delivered to care homes and GPs during the coronavirus pandemic have been recalled because they are faulty , Sky News has learnt .
The masks , which are out of date by as much as seven years but were deemed safe to use , have been withdrawn after faults were reported with the straps and nose protection which hold them in place .
In a recall notice issued by the Department of Health and Social Care on 26 June , care homes were told they must immediately stop using the Cardinal Healthcare IIR masks and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to staff '' if the masks degrade .
: : Listen to the Daily podcast on Apple Podcasts , Google Podcasts , Spotify , Spreaker More than 80 different batches of the mask have now been recalled .
They are understood to have been part of a stockpile built up in 2009 in case of a flu pandemic and their shelf life extended after testing by the manufacturer .
It has left some care home bosses and doctors concerned that staff and patients could have contracted the virus despite using the personal protective @ @ @ @ @ @ @ was first identified in May .
In the notice sent to staff this week the Department of Health and Social Care warned : `` Although these masks meet the breathability , filtration and splash resistance requirements of BS EN 14683 , in light of ongoing monitoring , further complaints reported and testing from the manufacturer on the masks , the MHRA [ Medicines and Healthcare Products Regulatory Agency ] recommends that all lots of this product are disposed of locally .
`` There is a risk to staff wearing the mask if the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ enters their airway or mouth .
There have also been complaints of the ties and/or stitching coming away from the mask . ''
It follows a warning issued in May after complaints were made about the masks because of faults preventing them from staying on correctly .
It also comes after the masks were found to have passed their expiry date - some by as much as seven years .
In the recall notice , the department states : `` You will see that boxes have been labelled with a new expiry date @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to shelf life extension testing by the manufacturer in 2013/2014 and passed a number of relevant tests to support a new expiry date .
`` When potential issues were identified in May , a sample size of seven lots was put through additional testing by the manufacturer in June 2020 .
Six lots did not pass a material inspection of the foam strip . ''
On 22 May , a full month before the masks were withdrawn from use , advice was issued about a small number of batches of the PPE which @ @ @ @ @ @ @ been identified by the stitching coming away from the ties .
The second fault has been identified on the foam nose strip which breaks down with the application of a small amount of pressure and friction causing particles to be dislodged . ''
Staff were told not to use the masks but they were not withdrawn in full .
Sky News also understands the same masks were issued to GP surgeries and have also now been withdrawn , leading to concerns that thousands of medical and care staff may have been affected .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ Dr Richard Vautrey , British Medical Association GP committee chair , said : `` Practices rightly queried it when they received out-of-date masks earlier this year , but were reassured they were safe .
`` Therefore , it is extremely concerning to hear that , after further testing , some have been found unfit for use .
Staff may have been using these masks for some time assuming they were safe and will be naturally very worried .
`` We now need urgent clarification over how many practices and other providers are affected @ @ @ @ @ @ @ replaced .
Everyone knows what a shambles the PPE situation has been and as the NHS begins to reintroduce more non-COVID services , demand for proper protection will continue .
`` Crucially , questions must be asked about how unsafe equipment was approved for use on the front line , and if anyone has come to harm as a result those responsible need to be held accountable . ''
The PPE was issued to care homes and others during the early stages of the crisis when supplies were short .
The masks were @ @ @ @ @ @ @ was forced to withdraw thousands of medical-grade gowns at the start of the year amid fears they had been contaminated .
: : Listen to the The World Tomorrow on Apple podcasts , Spotify , and Spreaker A Department of Health and Social Care spokesperson said : `` The safety of health , care and all frontline staff is our top priority .
`` We were made aware of a defect with some Cardinal Health Type IIR surgical masks .
Last week we issued advice to health and care providers to check if @ @ @ @ @ @ @ dispose of them .
`` The issue is now resolved . ''
Cardinal Health has been contacted for comment .

Batches of surgical face masks delivered to care homes and GPs during the coronavirus pandemic have been recalled because they are faulty, Sky News has learnt.
The masks, which are out of date by as much as seven years but were deemed safe to use, have been withdrawn after faults were reported with the straps and nose protection which hold them in place.
In a recall notice issued by the Department of Health and Social Care on 26 June, care homes were told they must immediately stop using the Cardinal Healthcare IIR masks and destroy them because of "a risk to staff" if the masks degrade.
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More than 80 different batches of the mask have now been recalled.
They are understood to have been part of a stockpile built up in 2009 in case of a flu pandemic and their shelf life extended after testing by the manufacturer.
It has left some care home bosses and doctors concerned that staff and patients could have contracted the virus despite using the personal protective equipment because of the fault, which was first identified in May.
In the notice sent to staff this week the Department of Health and Social Care warned: "Although these masks meet the breathability, filtration and splash resistance requirements of BS EN 14683, in light of ongoing monitoring, further complaints reported and testing from the manufacturer on the masks, the MHRA [Medicines and Healthcare Products Regulatory Agency] recommends that all lots of this product are disposed of locally.
"There is a risk to staff wearing the mask if the foam strip on the mask flakes and enters their airway or mouth. There have also been complaints of the ties and/or stitching coming away from the mask."
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It follows a warning issued in May after complaints were made about the masks because of faults preventing them from staying on correctly. It also comes after the masks were found to have passed their expiry date - some by as much as seven years.
In the recall notice, the department states: "You will see that boxes have been labelled with a new expiry date. This is because they were subject to shelf life extension testing by the manufacturer in 2013/2014 and passed a number of relevant tests to support a new expiry date.
"When potential issues were identified in May, a sample size of seven lots was put through additional testing by the manufacturer in June 2020. Six lots did not pass a material inspection of the foam strip."
On 22 May, a full month before the masks were withdrawn from use, advice was issued about a small number of batches of the PPE which stated: "The first fault has been identified by the stitching coming away from the ties. The second fault has been identified on the foam nose strip which breaks down with the application of a small amount of pressure and friction causing particles to be dislodged."
Staff were told not to use the masks but they were not withdrawn in full.
Sky News also understands the same masks were issued to GP surgeries and have also now been withdrawn, leading to concerns that thousands of medical and care staff may have been affected.
Speaking about the impact on GPs, Dr Richard Vautrey, British Medical Association GP committee chair, said: "Practices rightly queried it when they received out-of-date masks earlier this year, but were reassured they were safe.
"Therefore, it is extremely concerning to hear that, after further testing, some have been found unfit for use. Staff may have been using these masks for some time assuming they were safe and will be naturally very worried.
"We now need urgent clarification over how many practices and other providers are affected, and how faulty masks will be replaced. Everyone knows what a shambles the PPE situation has been and as the NHS begins to reintroduce more non-COVID services, demand for proper protection will continue.
"Crucially, questions must be asked about how unsafe equipment was approved for use on the front line, and if anyone has come to harm as a result those responsible need to be held accountable."
The PPE was issued to care homes and others during the early stages of the crisis when supplies were short. The masks were manufactured by Cardinal Health.
The company was forced to withdraw thousands of medical-grade gowns at the start of the year amid fears they had been contaminated.
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A Department of Health and Social Care spokesperson said: "The safety of health, care and all frontline staff is our top priority.
"We were made aware of a defect with some Cardinal Health Type IIR surgical masks. Last week we issued advice to health and care providers to check if their stock included these masks and to dispose of them.
"The issue is now resolved."
A spokesperson for Cardinal Health said: "Cardinal Health has not distributed IIR Level 3 respiratory masks in Europe since 2010.
"At that time, the business divested to Medline Industries. At this point, Medline took all responsibility for the safety and efficacy of the masks.
"Medline Industries communicated to Cardinal Health that, in 2013, they undertook a shelf life extension project on these types of masks at the request of the UK Department of Health.
"Cardinal Health was not involved in any way in these decisions on the expired products with the UK Department of Health."


skynewspolitics--2020-06-30--Struggling councils face £10bn black hole, Starmer warns

Councils face a `` perfect storm '' as a result of the coronavirus crisis and government inaction which could decimate local services , Labour is warning .
Leader Sir Keir Starmer says local authorities will have a £10bn `` black hole '' in their finances unless ministers step in to plug the shortfall .
Many councils have struggled with the pressure on budgets caused by lockdown measures cutting off their income sources while demand for support for the elderly , disabled , homeless , and other vulnerable groups is high , and must be paid for while keeping normal services @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
The communities secretary promised at the outset that he would `` do whatever is necessary to support councils in their response to coronavirus '' .
Around £1.6bn was initially pledged to help them stay afloat and councils have been allowed to postpone business rates payments to central government .
But councillor Richard Watts , chair of the Local Government Association 's ( LGA ) resources board , warned just over a week ago that `` further funding and financial flexibilities are now needed to help councils '' .
He estimated the shortfall @ @ @ @ @ @ @ this year .
That money is `` vital if councils are to avoid taking measures , such as in-year cuts to local services , to cope with funding shortfalls and meet the legal duty to balance their budgets '' , he added .
Sir Keir will try to win over the LGA with a virtual speech to their annual conference on Wednesday with a promise to `` build a new relationship between national and local government '' .
He is also expected to reaffirm his commitment to replacing the House of Lords with @ @ @ @ @ @ @ nations and regions '' of the UK .
: : Listen to the The World Tomorrow on Apple podcasts , Spotify , and Spreaker '' We would give local government a much bigger say over investment and services , not through plans devised by someone in an office on Whitehall , but ones created and rooted in communities , so that they truly serve the people , '' he will pledge .
`` We would put local government , its power and its innovation , straight at the heart of Westminster by replacing @ @ @ @ @ @ @ second chamber representing the nations and regions of the UK . ''
The government has tried to support struggling councils by promising £105m to help homeless people given temporary accommodation during the pandemic and stop them returning to the streets .
And a comprehensive plan to address the overarching financial challenges councils face this financial year has been promised as the number of overall number of COVID-19 cases and deaths continues to fall in the UK .
Charities including Citizens Advice cautioned last week that more than £500m of council tax has gone @ @ @ @ @ @

Councils face a "perfect storm" as a result of the coronavirus crisis and government inaction which could decimate local services, Labour is warning.
Leader Sir Keir Starmer says local authorities will have a £10bn "black hole" in their finances unless ministers step in to plug the shortfall.
Many councils have struggled with the pressure on budgets caused by lockdown measures cutting off their income sources while demand for support for the elderly, disabled, homeless, and other vulnerable groups is high, and must be paid for while keeping normal services - such as bin collections - running.
Image: Charities said more than £500m of council tax has gone unpaid during lockdown
The communities secretary promised at the outset that he would "do whatever is necessary to support councils in their response to coronavirus".
Around £1.6bn was initially pledged to help them stay afloat and councils have been allowed to postpone business rates payments to central government.
But councillor Richard Watts, chair of the Local Government Association's (LGA) resources board, warned just over a week ago that "further funding and financial flexibilities are now needed to help councils".
He estimated the shortfall could reach at least a further £6bn this year.
That money is "vital if councils are to avoid taking measures, such as in-year cuts to local services, to cope with funding shortfalls and meet the legal duty to balance their budgets", he added.
Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player 3:04 How well has the government handled COVID-19?
Sir Keir will try to win over the LGA with a virtual speech to their annual conference on Wednesday with a promise to "build a new relationship between national and local government".
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He is also expected to reaffirm his commitment to replacing the House of Lords with an elected second chamber representing "the nations and regions" of the UK.
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:: Listen to the The World Tomorrow on Apple podcasts, Spotify, and Spreaker
"We would give local government a much bigger say over investment and services, not through plans devised by someone in an office on Whitehall, but ones created and rooted in communities, so that they truly serve the people," he will pledge.
"We would put local government, its power and its innovation, straight at the heart of Westminster by replacing the House of Lords with a democratic second chamber representing the nations and regions of the UK."
Image: Sir Keir wants to replace the House of Lords with an elected second chamber
The government has tried to support struggling councils by promising £105m to help homeless people given temporary accommodation during the pandemic and stop them returning to the streets.
And a comprehensive plan to address the overarching financial challenges councils face this financial year has been promised as the number of overall number of COVID-19 cases and deaths continues to fall in the UK.
Charities including Citizens Advice cautioned last week that more than £500m of council tax has gone unpaid during the coronavirus outbreak.


skynewspolitics--2020-06-30--PM refuses to rule out tax rises to pay for coronavirus recovery plan

The prime minister has not ruled out raising taxes to pay for his multibillion-pound coronavirus recovery plan .
Boris Johnson has promised to `` build , build , build '' to help the UK through the effects of the COVID-19 outbreak , including £5bn to accelerate projects across the country as part of an `` infrastructure revolution '' .
This will include spending on schools , roads , railways and hospitals in a bid to create jobs and kickstart economic growth amid the coronavirus pandemic .
Asked by Sky 's political editor Beth Rigby whether taxes will have to be @ @ @ @ @ @ @ PM did not rule out the prospect .
`` I remain absolutely determined to ensure that the tax burden , insofar as we possibly can , is reasonable and that we continue to be a dynamic , competitive , open market economy , '' he said .
`` I think that 's what people will want to see . ''
The party 's manifesto for the 2019 general election promised : `` We will not raise the rate of income tax , VAT or National Insurance . ''
In his speech , the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ bit premature to make a speech now about Britain after COVID '' , given a local lockdown has been imposed in Leicester following a spike in cases .
But Mr Johnson said `` we can not continue to be prisoners '' of the outbreak and the country `` needs to be ready for what may be coming '' .
Having already said it would be a `` mistake '' to go back to austerity because of the pandemic , the PM indicated he would borrow to fund the UK 's recovery .
`` @ @ @ @ @ @ @ crisis with what people called austerity , we are not going to try to cheese-pare our way out of trouble , because the world has moved on since 2008 , '' he said .
Mr Johnson said he wanted to emulate former US president Franklin D Roosevelt , who led his nation out of the Great Depression in the 1930s with an ambitious programme of government action .
: : Listen to the Daily podcast on Apple Podcasts , Google Podcasts , Spotify , Spreaker '' It sounds like a 'new deal ' @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that if so , then that is how it is meant to sound and to be , '' the PM said .
`` That is what the times demand , a government that is powerful and determined and that puts its arms around people at a time of crisis , that tackles homelessness , the inequalities that drive people to food banks .
`` It is time now not just for a new deal , but a fair deal for the British people . ''
The PM said the government not only wants @ @ @ @ @ @ @ pandemic to `` tackle this country 's great unresolved challenges of the last three decades '' .
He continued : `` To build the homes , to fix the NHS , to solve social care , to tackle the skills crisis , to mend the indefensible gap in opportunity and productivity and connectivity between the regions of the UK to unite and level up .
`` To that end we will build , build , build .
Build back better , build back greener , build back faster , and to do that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ . ''
• £1.5bn being allocated for hospital maintenance this year • More than £1bn for a 10-year schools rebuilding programme • £900m for `` shovel-ready '' local growth projects in England for 2020/21 Mr Johnson also promised the `` most radical reforms '' of planning since the Second World War to help more people to get onto the housing ladder .
A study of all future road , rail , air and cross-sea links between the four nations of the UK will also be undertaken .
Opponents have accused the PM of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ promises from the Conservative election manifesto .
Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer said : `` The prime minister promised a 'new deal ' .
But there 's not much that 's new and it 's not much of a deal .
`` We 're facing an economic crisis , the biggest we 've seen in a generation , and the recovery needs to match that .
`` What 's been announced amounts to less than £100 per person .
It 's the re-announcement of many manifesto pledges and commitments . ''
Sir Ed @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Democrats , said `` all we saw was a lot of Boris bluster '' and the PM 's promise of a green recovery was `` meaningless '' .
The PM said the plan was a `` speeded up , intensified and increased '' version of manifesto pledges .
Ministers are also facing scrutiny over an apparent cut in the affordable homes programme .
A total of £12.2bn of funding over five years had been promised at the budget in March , but is now being stretched over eight years .
The Ministry of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the cash included `` additional funding to support long-term partnerships with the sector over eight years '' .

The prime minister has not ruled out raising taxes to pay for his multibillion-pound coronavirus recovery plan.
Boris Johnson has promised to "build, build, build" to help the UK through the effects of the COVID-19 outbreak, including £5bn to accelerate projects across the country as part of an "infrastructure revolution".
This will include spending on schools, roads, railways and hospitals in a bid to create jobs and kickstart economic growth amid the coronavirus pandemic.
Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player 2:45 How does PM's £5bn pledge compare to spending?
Asked by Sky's political editor Beth Rigby whether taxes will have to be increased to pay for it, the PM did not rule out the prospect.
"I remain absolutely determined to ensure that the tax burden, insofar as we possibly can, is reasonable and that we continue to be a dynamic, competitive, open market economy," he said.
"I think that's what people will want to see."
Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player 11:00 PM: Government has 'mission to unite and to level up'
The party's manifesto for the 2019 general election promised: "We will not raise the rate of income tax, VAT or National Insurance."
In his speech, the PM acknowledged "it may seem a bit premature to make a speech now about Britain after COVID", given a local lockdown has been imposed in Leicester following a spike in cases.
But Mr Johnson said "we cannot continue to be prisoners" of the outbreak and the country "needs to be ready for what may be coming".
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Having already said it would be a "mistake" to go back to austerity because of the pandemic, the PM indicated he would borrow to fund the UK's recovery.
"We will not be responding to this crisis with what people called austerity, we are not going to try to cheese-pare our way out of trouble, because the world has moved on since 2008," he said.
Mr Johnson said he wanted to emulate former US president Franklin D Roosevelt, who led his nation out of the Great Depression in the 1930s with an ambitious programme of government action.
:: Listen to the Daily podcast on Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, Spotify, Spreaker
"It sounds like a 'new deal' - and all I can say is that if so, then that is how it is meant to sound and to be," the PM said.
"That is what the times demand, a government that is powerful and determined and that puts its arms around people at a time of crisis, that tackles homelessness, the inequalities that drive people to food banks.
"It is time now not just for a new deal, but a fair deal for the British people."
The PM said the government not only wants to defeat COVID-19, but use the pandemic to "tackle this country's great unresolved challenges of the last three decades".
He continued: "To build the homes, to fix the NHS, to solve social care, to tackle the skills crisis, to mend the indefensible gap in opportunity and productivity and connectivity between the regions of the UK to unite and level up.
"To that end we will build, build, build. Build back better, build back greener, build back faster, and to do that at the pace that this moment requires."
Announcements from the PM included:
£1.5bn being allocated for hospital maintenance this year
being allocated for hospital maintenance this year More than £1bn for a 10-year schools rebuilding programme
for a 10-year schools rebuilding programme £100m for road projects
for road projects £900m for "shovel-ready" local growth projects in England for 2020/21
Mr Johnson also promised the "most radical reforms" of planning since the Second World War to help more people to get onto the housing ladder.
A study of all future road, rail, air and cross-sea links between the four nations of the UK will also be undertaken.
Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player 0:58 'We're not going to cheesepare our way out'
Opponents have accused the PM of failing to offer new ideas and rehashing promises from the Conservative election manifesto.
Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer said: "The prime minister promised a 'new deal'. But there's not much that's new and it's not much of a deal.
"We're facing an economic crisis, the biggest we've seen in a generation, and the recovery needs to match that.
"What's been announced amounts to less than £100 per person. It's the re-announcement of many manifesto pledges and commitments."
Sir Ed Davey, acting leader of the Liberal Democrats, said "all we saw was a lot of Boris bluster" and the PM's promise of a green recovery was "meaningless".
The PM said the plan was a "speeded up, intensified and increased" version of manifesto pledges.
Ministers are also facing scrutiny over an apparent cut in the affordable homes programme.
A total of £12.2bn of funding over five years had been promised at the budget in March, but is now being stretched over eight years.
The Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government said the cash included "additional funding to support long-term partnerships with the sector over eight years".


skynewspolitics--2020-06-30--Virus recovery plan won't solve looming mass unemployment

It was a speech billed as the blueprint of a `` new deal '' for a nation reeling from the coronavirus pandemic and the economic pain it has left in its wake .
The prime minister drew his inspiration from none other than Franklin D Roosevelt , the Democrat president who rebuilt the US after the Great Depression through vast state intervention worth hundreds of billions of pounds that provided millions of Americans with jobs .
`` If it sounds like a new deal that is what it 's meant to sound like and what it is meant to be @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Dudley 's technical college .
In one way the allusion to FDR is justified .
As my colleague Ed Conway points out , the UK government is set to borrow more this year than President Roosevelt did in any year in the 1930s as the government pours hundreds of millions into the furlough scheme , welfare support , business grants and the NHS .
But for what comes next , this was a speech rich on rhetoric while the actual detail was thin gruel .
There was no new money for this 'new @ @ @ @ @ @ @ down his 2019 manifesto and promised instead to accelerate infrastructure schemes worth £5bn .
The biggest new announcement was a pledge to deliver the `` most radical reforms of our planning system '' since the Second World War as part of his promise to `` build build build '' our way out of this economic crisis .
His third pledge was to guarantee young people an apprenticeship or work placement .
It felt , in the words of one senior business figure who watched the speech , `` quite ad hoc and underwhelming @ @ @ @ @ @ @ concern about the lack of road map and the forward plan , '' they said .
As Mr Johnson himself acknowledged in this speech , people are worried about their jobs and their businesses .
`` We 're waiting between the flash of lightning and the thunderclap with our hearts in our mouths for the full economic reverberations to appear , '' he said .
So as the prime minister talks about a long-term plan to `` build , build , build '' , millions of people are struggling to look beyond the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ about their livelihoods .
Nearly nine million workers - over a quarter of the working population - have been furloughed .
Three million of them work in the hospitality sector .
For these people the focus is on jobs , jobs , jobs .
Mr Johnson refused to commit to extending the furlough scheme beyond October - Labour had suggested targeted extension for particularly hard-hit sectors such as hospitality , the arts and travel .
And he could not give any indication on how many jobs he believed his pre-coronavirus infrastructure plan would @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to be drawn on whether his plans would , like Roosevelt 's , also require new taxes on the wealthier in society .
Elected on a manifesto that promised not to raise the rates of income tax , VAT or national insurance , he refused to repeat that pledge on Tuesday , saying only he was `` absolutely determined to ensure that the tax burden , insofar as we possibly can , is reasonable . ''
Sir Keir Starmer , the Labour leader , said the scale of the response by the prime @ @ @ @ @ @ @ we are in .
`` The prime minister promised a new deal , but there 's not much that 's new and it 's not much of a deal , '' he said .
`` We 're facing an economic crisis , the biggest we 've seen in a generation , and the recovery needs to match that .
`` What has been announced amounts to less than £100 per person and it 's the announcement of many manifesto pledges and commitments , so it 's not enough . ''
In the coming @ @ @ @ @ @ @ could lose their jobs .
Bringing forward infrastructure projects and investment is of course welcome , but the direct effect on jobs is , by the prime minister 's own admission , uncertain and likely to be relatively small .
It gives Sir Keir Starmer some space to outflank a prime minister who has so firmly placed his tanks along Labour 's old red wall .
The prime minister hopes his long-term economic rebuild will put him in pole position when the next general election comes around .
But the imminent thunderclap of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ not be resolved by repairing schools and building new hospitals .
The country needs a new deal to be delivered now .

It was a speech billed as the blueprint of a "new deal" for a nation reeling from the coronavirus pandemic and the economic pain it has left in its wake.
The prime minister drew his inspiration from none other than Franklin D Roosevelt, the Democrat president who rebuilt the US after the Great Depression through vast state intervention worth hundreds of billions of pounds that provided millions of Americans with jobs.
"If it sounds like a new deal that is what it's meant to sound like and what it is meant to be," he told his audience at Dudley's technical college.
In one way the allusion to FDR is justified. As my colleague Ed Conway points out, the UK government is set to borrow more this year than President Roosevelt did in any year in the 1930s as the government pours hundreds of millions into the furlough scheme, welfare support, business grants and the NHS.
But for what comes next, this was a speech rich on rhetoric while the actual detail was thin gruel.
Image: Boris Johnson tried to channel FDR's 'new deal'
There was no new money for this 'new deal' as the prime minister dusted down his 2019 manifesto and promised instead to accelerate infrastructure schemes worth £5bn.
The biggest new announcement was a pledge to deliver the "most radical reforms of our planning system" since the Second World War as part of his promise to "build build build" our way out of this economic crisis. His third pledge was to guarantee young people an apprenticeship or work placement.
It felt, in the words of one senior business figure who watched the speech, "quite ad hoc and underwhelming".
"There is huge business concern about the lack of road map and the forward plan," they said.
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As Mr Johnson himself acknowledged in this speech, people are worried about their jobs and their businesses.
Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player 1:22 'The worst is yet to come': WHO on pandemic
"We're waiting between the flash of lightning and the thunderclap with our hearts in our mouths for the full economic reverberations to appear," he said.
So as the prime minister talks about a long-term plan to "build, build, build", millions of people are struggling to look beyond the coming weeks and months as they worry about their livelihoods.
Nearly nine million workers - over a quarter of the working population - have been furloughed. Three million of them work in the hospitality sector. For these people the focus is on jobs, jobs, jobs.
Mr Johnson refused to commit to extending the furlough scheme beyond October - Labour had suggested targeted extension for particularly hard-hit sectors such as hospitality, the arts and travel.
And he could not give any indication on how many jobs he believed his pre-coronavirus infrastructure plan would create.
The prime minister refused too to be drawn on whether his plans would, like Roosevelt's, also require new taxes on the wealthier in society.
Image: The emphasis in the speech was on building
Elected on a manifesto that promised not to raise the rates of income tax, VAT or national insurance, he refused to repeat that pledge on Tuesday, saying only he was "absolutely determined to ensure that the tax burden, insofar as we possibly can, is reasonable."
Sir Keir Starmer, the Labour leader, said the scale of the response by the prime minister does not nearly match the predicament we are in.
"The prime minister promised a new deal, but there's not much that's new and it's not much of a deal," he said.
"We're facing an economic crisis, the biggest we've seen in a generation, and the recovery needs to match that.
"What has been announced amounts to less than £100 per person and it's the announcement of many manifesto pledges and commitments, so it's not enough."
In the coming weeks and months, millions of people could lose their jobs.
Bringing forward infrastructure projects and investment is of course welcome, but the direct effect on jobs is, by the prime minister's own admission, uncertain and likely to be relatively small.
It gives Sir Keir Starmer some space to outflank a prime minister who has so firmly placed his tanks along Labour's old red wall.
The prime minister hopes his long-term economic rebuild will put him in pole position when the next general election comes around.
But the imminent thunderclap of mass unemployment in the coming weeks will not be resolved by repairing schools and building new hospitals.
The country needs a new deal to be delivered now.