skynewspolitics--2020-07-06--Subtle dig at Dominic Cummings as Starmer poses with 'eye test' beer

Dominic Cummings was subject to a subtle jibe by Sir Keir Starmer when the Labour leader visited a brewery after pubs in England reopened over the weekend .
The prime minister 's chief adviser had his claim he drove from Durham to a beauty spot 30 minutes away to test his eyesight during the coronavirus lockdown spoofed by a can of BrewDog beer .
Sir Keir posed with the drink - titled `` Barnard Castle eye test '' - on a visit to meet staff going back to work as lockdown measures are eased .
He called for the furlough @ @ @ @ @ @ @ extended for those in sectors like tourism and hospitality , some of whom face a much longer wait before they can resume their jobs .
Currently , businesses can access government grants to cover 80 % of a staff member 's monthly salary - up to a maximum of £2,500 .
But the wage subsidies provided by the government will fall to 60 % from August , with firms required to top up the remaining 20 % .
Sir Keir welcomed the news of more than £1bn for the arts and culture sector @ @ @ @ @ @ @ also look set to be unable to reopen fully for months .
Downing Street has called it the `` biggest ever investment in UK culture '' .
Responding to the funding pledge , Sir Keir said it was welcome but `` a bit late '' - given reports some theatres have already gone under .
He also urged Boris Johnson to `` rethink '' giving the green light to Chinese tech giant Huawei to play a limited role in the UK 's 5G network - defying security concerns , particularly from the US @ @ @ @ @ @ @ on Sunday that reports the government will U-turn and end the use of Huawei technology in Britain 's network by as early as the end of the year were `` broadly accurate '' .

Dominic Cummings was subject to a subtle jibe by Sir Keir Starmer when the Labour leader visited a brewery after pubs in England reopened over the weekend.
The prime minister's chief adviser had his claim he drove from Durham to a beauty spot 30 minutes away to test his eyesight during the coronavirus lockdown spoofed by a can of BrewDog beer.
Sir Keir posed with the drink - titled "Barnard Castle eye test" - on a visit to meet staff going back to work as lockdown measures are eased.
Image: Mr Cummings said he drove to Barnard Castle to test his eyesight
He called for the furlough scheme supporting 7.5 million workers to be extended for those in sectors like tourism and hospitality, some of whom face a much longer wait before they can resume their jobs.
Currently, businesses can access government grants to cover 80% of a staff member's monthly salary - up to a maximum of £2,500.
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But the wage subsidies provided by the government will fall to 60% from August, with firms required to top up the remaining 20%.
Sir Keir welcomed the news of more than £1bn for the arts and culture sector, given theatres and other performance venues also look set to be unable to reopen fully for months.
Downing Street has called it the "biggest ever investment in UK culture".
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Image: Sir Keir Starmer pulled pints on his visit to the brewery
Responding to the funding pledge, Sir Keir said it was welcome but "a bit late" - given reports some theatres have already gone under.
He also urged Boris Johnson to "rethink" giving the green light to Chinese tech giant Huawei to play a limited role in the UK's 5G network - defying security concerns, particularly from the US.
A security source told Sky News on Sunday that reports the government will U-turn and end the use of Huawei technology in Britain's network by as early as the end of the year were "broadly accurate".


skynewspolitics--2020-07-06--PM urged to apologise for claim care homes 'didn't follow procedures'

Boris Johnson has been urged to apologise after he angered care home bosses by claiming `` too many '' in the sector `` did n't really follow the procedures '' during the coronavirus crisis .
During a visit to Goole , Yorkshire , on Monday , the prime minister was asked about comments from NHS England boss Sir Simon Stevens - who wants to see plans to adequately fund the adult social care sector within a year .
Mr Johnson replied : `` One of the things the crisis has shown is we need to think about how we organise @ @ @ @ @ @ @ we make sure we look after people better who are in social care .
`` We discovered too many care homes did n't really follow the procedures in the way that they could have but we 're learning lessons the whole time .
`` Most important is to fund them properly ... but we will also be looking at ways to make sure the care sector long term is properly organised and supported . ''
The prime minister 's remarks prompted anger from care bosses , with Mr Johnson told to avoid a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of COVID-19 in care homes .
Nadra Ahmed , the chair of the National Care Association , told Sky News : `` I 'm absolutely stunned the prime minister thought it was appropriate for him to make that comment and I think he should retract that comment and apologise .
`` This sector has looked after some of the most vulnerable people through this pandemic .
`` And they 've done it not having been shielded as a sector , but being left to deal with it in their own way whilst all @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
`` Even the funds that were released have not reached the frontline because of the way they put it out . ''
Vic Rayner , executive director of the National Care Forum , which represents 120 of the UK 's social care charities , welcomed the prime minister 's recognition of the need for proper funding .
But she added : `` Mr Johnson 's comments in relation to care homes ' following of procedures are neither accurate nor welcome .
`` Government guidance has come to the sector in stops and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 100 pieces of additional guidance in the same number of days , much of which was not accompanied by an understanding of the operational implications of operating care services .
`` Care providers have moved to adopt these new procedures consistently , at pace and with integrity . ''
She added that the prime minister must start `` turning the dial up on reform and down on blame '' .
Mike Padgham , chair of the Independent Care Group , said : `` We should not be getting into the blame game and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ nursing homes at this time .
`` It is worth remembering that in February , the government agency Public Health England told homes it was 'very unlikely that people receiving care in a care home will become infected ' and that homes did n't need to do anything differently .
`` It was many weeks later , after most homes had already put themselves into lockdown , that the advice changed . ''
Mr Padgham , whose organisation represents independent care providers in York and North Yorkshire , added : `` For far @ @ @ @ @ @ @ were operating in the dark over what they ought to do and with one arm behind their backs in terms of the support they were given . ''
Sam Monaghan , chief executive of charitable care provider MHA , said it was `` unclear what the evidence is '' for Mr Johnson 's claim .
`` What is clear is that a public inquiry needs to be expedited and the prime minister 's comments imply that he feels the same , '' he added .
Liz Kendall , Labour 's shadow social care @ @ @ @ @ @ @ been 30,000 excess deaths in care homes and at least 20,000 of these caused by COVID-19 .
`` 25,000 elderly people were discharged from hospitals to care homes without any tests whatsoever and frontline care workers were left without vital PPE .
`` Staff who have gone the extra mile to care for elderly people , and experienced things the rest of us can only imagine , will be appalled to hear the prime minister 's comments .
`` Boris Johnson should be taking responsibility for his actions and fixing the crisis in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for this government 's mistakes . ''
Acting Liberal Democrat leader Sir Ed Davey accused the prime minister of `` trying to shift the blame to those who risked their lives caring for our loved ones , ignoring the facts that they had to accept patients from hospital without tests and were n't allowed proper PPE for weeks '' .
: : Listen to the Daily podcast on Apple Podcasts , Google Podcasts , Spotify , Spreaker A Number 10 spokesperson said : `` Throughout this crisis care homes have done a brilliant @ @ @ @ @ @ @ The prime minister was pointing out that nobody knew what the correct procedures were because the extent of asymptomatic transmission was not known at the time . ''
In their 2019 general election manifesto , the Conservatives pledged to find a cross-party solution to reduce pressures on the care sector and provide long-term funding .
They promised to begin those talks within 100 days of the December election , with Health Secretary Matt Hancock having written to all MPs in early March to hear their views .

Boris Johnson has been urged to apologise after he angered care home bosses by claiming "too many" in the sector "didn't really follow the procedures" during the coronavirus crisis.
During a visit to Goole, Yorkshire, on Monday, the prime minister was asked about comments from NHS England boss Sir Simon Stevens - who wants to see plans to adequately fund the adult social care sector within a year.
Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player 0:40 'Too many care homes didn't follow procedures'
Mr Johnson replied: "One of the things the crisis has shown is we need to think about how we organise our social care package better and how we make sure we look after people better who are in social care.
"We discovered too many care homes didn't really follow the procedures in the way that they could have but we're learning lessons the whole time.
"Most important is to fund them properly... but we will also be looking at ways to make sure the care sector long term is properly organised and supported."
The prime minister's remarks prompted anger from care bosses, with Mr Johnson told to avoid a "blame game" over the impact of COVID-19 in care homes.
Nadra Ahmed, the chair of the National Care Association, told Sky News: "I'm absolutely stunned the prime minister thought it was appropriate for him to make that comment and I think he should retract that comment and apologise.
"This sector has looked after some of the most vulnerable people through this pandemic.
"And they've done it not having been shielded as a sector, but being left to deal with it in their own way whilst all the attention was put on the NHS.
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"Even the funds that were released have not reached the frontline because of the way they put it out."
She added: "When you think they stood clapping and talked about social care in the way that they did, they have used those same hands that they were using to clap to slap across the face of social care."
Vic Rayner, executive director of the National Care Forum, which represents 120 of the UK's social care charities, welcomed the prime minister's recognition of the need for proper funding.
But she added: "Mr Johnson's comments in relation to care homes' following of procedures are neither accurate nor welcome.
"Government guidance has come to the sector in stops and starts - with organisations grappling with over 100 pieces of additional guidance in the same number of days, much of which was not accompanied by an understanding of the operational implications of operating care services.
"Care providers have moved to adopt these new procedures consistently, at pace and with integrity."
She added that the prime minister must start "turning the dial up on reform and down on blame".
Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player 23:08 Coronavirus: Deciding Who Dies
Mike Padgham, chair of the Independent Care Group, said: "We should not be getting into the blame game and it is wrong to criticise care and nursing homes at this time.
"It is worth remembering that in February, the government agency Public Health England told homes it was 'very unlikely that people receiving care in a care home will become infected' and that homes didn't need to do anything differently.
"It was many weeks later, after most homes had already put themselves into lockdown, that the advice changed."
Mr Padgham, whose organisation represents independent care providers in York and North Yorkshire, added: "For far too much of this pandemic, providers were operating in the dark over what they ought to do and with one arm behind their backs in terms of the support they were given."
Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player 0:31 Govt 'was far to slow to act' over care homes
Sam Monaghan, chief executive of charitable care provider MHA, said it was "unclear what the evidence is" for Mr Johnson's claim.
"What is clear is that a public inquiry needs to be expedited and the prime minister's comments imply that he feels the same," he added.
Liz Kendall, Labour's shadow social care minister, said: "There have been 30,000 excess deaths in care homes and at least 20,000 of these caused by COVID-19.
"25,000 elderly people were discharged from hospitals to care homes without any tests whatsoever and frontline care workers were left without vital PPE.
"Staff who have gone the extra mile to care for elderly people, and experienced things the rest of us can only imagine, will be appalled to hear the prime minister's comments.
"Boris Johnson should be taking responsibility for his actions and fixing the crisis in social care, not blaming care homes for this government's mistakes."
Acting Liberal Democrat leader Sir Ed Davey accused the prime minister of "trying to shift the blame to those who risked their lives caring for our loved ones, ignoring the facts that they had to accept patients from hospital without tests and weren't allowed proper PPE for weeks".
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A Number 10 spokesperson said: "Throughout this crisis care homes have done a brilliant job under very difficult circumstances.
"The prime minister was pointing out that nobody knew what the correct procedures were because the extent of asymptomatic transmission was not known at the time."
In their 2019 general election manifesto, the Conservatives pledged to find a cross-party solution to reduce pressures on the care sector and provide long-term funding.
They promised to begin those talks within 100 days of the December election, with Health Secretary Matt Hancock having written to all MPs in early March to hear their views.
Analysis: Prime minister has deeply offended those who work in social care
By Tom Rayner, political correspondent
Care home residents make up more than 40% of all coronavirus deaths in England and Wales.
To suggest their deaths may have occurred, in part, because care homes did not follow procedures is a very serious charge.
That it remains unclear whether it was a slip of the tongue or an intentional barb makes it all the more problematic for Mr Johnson.
A statement released by Number 10 did attempt to reframe the comments.
It said the care sector had done a "brilliant job" and suggested the problem was that the extent of asymptomatic transmission was not properly understood by anyone.
But it seems the damage may be done.
The care sector says battling coronavirus was about much more than following procedures.
They say they were crying out for PPE and for access to testing when elderly patients were still being discharged from hospital without it.
The irony is the main thrust of the prime minister's comments was an effort to highlight his commitment to reform and improve the social care sector.
Instead he has ended up deeply offending those who work in it.


skynewspolitics--2020-07-06--'Blood on their hands': Khashoggi's suspected killers on new UK sanctions list

Forty-seven people - including those suspected to have been involved in the deaths of a Saudi journalist and a Russian lawyer - have been included on a new UK sanctions list .
Under a new UK-only regime , those individuals are the first to have been designated for sanctions such as travel bans and asset freezes .
• 20 Saudi nationals involved in the death of journalist Jamal Khashoggi ; • 25 Russian nationals involved in the mistreatment and death of lawyer Sergei Magnitsky , who uncovered widespread corruption ; • two high-ranking Myanmar generals involved in violence against Rohingya @ @ @ @ @ @ @ involved in forced labour , torture and murder in North Korea 's gulags have also been listed .
Further sanctions are expected to be announced in the coming months .
Announcing the new post-Brexit sanctions regime to MPs , Foreign Secretary Dominic Raab told the House of Commons : `` Today this government and this House sends a very clear message on behalf of the British people .
`` Those with blood on their hands , the thugs of despots , the henchman of dictators will not be free to waltz into this @ @ @ @ @ @ @ King 's Road , to do their Christmas shopping in Knightsbridge or frankly to siphon dirty money through British banks or other financial institutions . ''
He said the measures , which will come into force immediately , were `` just the latest next step forward in the long struggle against impunity for the worst human rights violations '' .
Mr Raab also warned that organised criminals will `` not be able to launder your blood money in this country '' .
It is the first time that the UK has sanctioned people @ @ @ @ @ @ @ abuses under a UK-only regime .
The new autonomous regime will allow the UK to work independently with allies such as the US , Canada , Australia and the EU .
`` As we forge a dynamic new vision for a truly Global Britain , this government is absolutely committed to the UK being an even stronger force for good in the world , '' Mr Raab said .
Mr Khashoggi , a critic of the Saudi regime , was murdered inside the Saudi consulate in Istanbul in October 2018 .
His death @ @ @ @ @ @ @ crown prince Mohammed bin Salman , who was accused of ordering the killing .
However , he denied this and blamed the journalist 's death on a rogue operation by a team of agents .
Mr Magnitsky uncovered large-scale tax fraud in Russia and died in prison after giving evidence against corrupt officials .
He lends his name to the US `` Magnitsky Act '' , which imposes sanctions on human rights abusers .
Mr Raab paid tribute to Mr Magnitsky and told MPs that the lawyer 's wife , Natalia , and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Commons proceedings from the Foreign Office .
The foreign secretary was due to meet Mr Magnitsky 's family , as well as his colleague Bill Browder , later on Monday .
A special Foreign Office unit will consider the use of future sanctions , which Mr Raab told MPs was work that had already begun .
: : Listen to Sophy Ridge on Sunday on Apple podcasts , Google podcasts , Spotify , Spreaker Senior Conservative MPs pressed for action on China under the new regime , with Tom Tugendhat - chair of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Mr Raab there had been a `` remarkable silence on human rights violations in China '' .
`` There is no , as yet , announcement on any sanctions of those who are either exploiting or abusing the Uighur minorities in Xinjiang or repressing democracy activists in Hong Kong , '' he said .
Former Tory leader Sir Iain Duncan Smith called for Hong Kong chief executive Carrie Lam to be placed on the sanctions list .
Labour 's shadow foreign secretary Lisa Nandy said the UK has been a `` haven '' @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and murder to further their own ends .
`` Today I hope sends a strong message that the UK is not their home and that their dirty money is not welcome here , '' she told MPs .
Kate Allen , director of Amnesty International UK , said : `` We strongly support efforts to bring more human rights abusers to justice , but there 's a risk with a unilateral approach that sanctions could be selectively imposed by the UK for what are essentially political reasons .
`` It is far preferable @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , working through the UN or the EU for example . ''
Analysis : If the new sanctions list is to be credible , expect Chinese officials to be added Two countries catch my eye , the first Saudi Arabia .
Recent British governments have been doggedly defensive of their controversial relationship with Riyadh .
We have repeatedly been told that Saudi Arabia is a vital ally against terrorism and Britain has supported the Saudi air campaign in Yemen .
But the new sanctions are targeted at the deputy head of Saudi intelligence @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Mohammed Bin Salman - figures right at the heart of the regime .
The foreign secretary refused to denounce the Saudi regime in my interview with him on Monday , but it 's hard to see how this does n't signal a diplomatic hardening of the relationship .
I doubt Saudi Arabia will simply shrug it off .
The second country that pops out is one not on the list : China .
Given the ongoing dispute over a new national security law for Hong Kong , this feels like a glaring omission @ @ @ @ @ @ @ persecution of the Uighur community : forced labour , separation of families and mass internments - the word genocide is being used quite regularly now .
So if Britain 's new sanctions policy is to be credible and consistent , expect the government to add Chinese officials to its sanctions list soon .

Forty-seven people - including those suspected to have been involved in the deaths of a Saudi journalist and a Russian lawyer - have been included on a new UK sanctions list.
Under a new UK-only regime, those individuals are the first to have been designated for sanctions such as travel bans and asset freezes.
Image: The suspected killers of Jamal Khashoggi are included on a new UK sanctions list
They include:
20 Saudi nationals involved in the death of journalist Jamal Khashoggi ;
; 25 Russian nationals involved in the mistreatment and death of lawyer Sergei Magnitsky, who uncovered widespread corruption;
two high-ranking Myanmar generals involved in violence against Rohingya people and other ethnic minorities
Two organisations involved in forced labour, torture and murder in North Korea's gulags have also been listed.
Further sanctions are expected to be announced in the coming months.
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Announcing the new post-Brexit sanctions regime to MPs, Foreign Secretary Dominic Raab told the House of Commons: "Today this government and this House sends a very clear message on behalf of the British people.
"Those with blood on their hands, the thugs of despots, the henchman of dictators will not be free to waltz into this country to buy up property on the King's Road, to do their Christmas shopping in Knightsbridge or frankly to siphon dirty money through British banks or other financial institutions."
He said the measures, which will come into force immediately, were "just the latest next step forward in the long struggle against impunity for the worst human rights violations".
Mr Raab also warned that organised criminals will "not be able to launder your blood money in this country".
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Image: The tomb of Sergei Magnitsky in Moscow
It is the first time that the UK has sanctioned people or entities for human rights violations and abuses under a UK-only regime.
The new autonomous regime will allow the UK to work independently with allies such as the US, Canada, Australia and the EU.
"As we forge a dynamic new vision for a truly Global Britain, this government is absolutely committed to the UK being an even stronger force for good in the world," Mr Raab said.
Mr Khashoggi, a critic of the Saudi regime, was murdered inside the Saudi consulate in Istanbul in October 2018.
His death brought international condemnation for Saudi Arabia's crown prince Mohammed bin Salman, who was accused of ordering the killing.
However, he denied this and blamed the journalist's death on a rogue operation by a team of agents.
Mr Magnitsky uncovered large-scale tax fraud in Russia and died in prison after giving evidence against corrupt officials.
He lends his name to the US "Magnitsky Act", which imposes sanctions on human rights abusers.
Mr Raab paid tribute to Mr Magnitsky and told MPs that the lawyer's wife, Natalia, and son, Nikita, were watching the Commons proceedings from the Foreign Office.
The foreign secretary was due to meet Mr Magnitsky's family, as well as his colleague Bill Browder, later on Monday.
A special Foreign Office unit will consider the use of future sanctions, which Mr Raab told MPs was work that had already begun.
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Senior Conservative MPs pressed for action on China under the new regime, with Tom Tugendhat - chair of the Commons Foreign Affairs Committee - telling Mr Raab there had been a "remarkable silence on human rights violations in China".
"There is no, as yet, announcement on any sanctions of those who are either exploiting or abusing the Uighur minorities in Xinjiang or repressing democracy activists in Hong Kong," he said.
Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player 0:28 Foreign sec will not be drawn on Saudi and Khashoggi
Former Tory leader Sir Iain Duncan Smith called for Hong Kong chief executive Carrie Lam to be placed on the sanctions list.
Labour's shadow foreign secretary Lisa Nandy said the UK has been a "haven" to those who use corruption, torture and murder to further their own ends.
"Today I hope sends a strong message that the UK is not their home and that their dirty money is not welcome here," she told MPs.
Kate Allen, director of Amnesty International UK, said: "We strongly support efforts to bring more human rights abusers to justice, but there's a risk with a unilateral approach that sanctions could be selectively imposed by the UK for what are essentially political reasons.
"It is far preferable to have a joined-up, multilateral approach, working through the UN or the EU for example."
Analysis: If the new sanctions list is to be credible, expect Chinese officials to be added
By Alistair Bunkall, defence and security correspondent
Two countries catch my eye, the first Saudi Arabia.
Recent British governments have been doggedly defensive of their controversial relationship with Riyadh.
We have repeatedly been told that Saudi Arabia is a vital ally against terrorism and Britain has supported the Saudi air campaign in Yemen.
But the new sanctions are targeted at the deputy head of Saudi intelligence and senior advisers to the Crown Prince Mohammed Bin Salman - figures right at the heart of the regime.
The foreign secretary refused to denounce the Saudi regime in my interview with him on Monday, but it's hard to see how this doesn't signal a diplomatic hardening of the relationship.
I doubt Saudi Arabia will simply shrug it off.
The second country that pops out is one not on the list: China.
Given the ongoing dispute over a new national security law for Hong Kong, this feels like a glaring omission.
And then there's China's persecution of the Uighur community: forced labour, separation of families and mass internments - the word genocide is being used quite regularly now.
So if Britain's new sanctions policy is to be credible and consistent, expect the government to add Chinese officials to its sanctions list soon.


skynewspolitics--2020-07-06--After a pub trip and a trim, PM urges Britons not to 'stuff this up'

Boris Johnson has urged Britons not to `` stuff this up '' after he joined many in taking advantage of pubs reopening in England .
The prime minister said while there were `` some people who have been getting it wrong '' - with drinkers seen packed together in central London on Saturday night - most people `` did the right thing '' .
He urged the public to `` enjoy ourselves safely '' as coronavirus lockdown measures are eased , and revealed he has had a haircut .
His political opponent , Labour 's Sir Keir Starmer also got @ @ @ @ @ @ @ pictured pulling pints and posing with a beer that 's name poked fun at Dominic Cummings on Monday .
Asked during a visit to a rail construction site in Yorkshire if drinking and social distancing can mix , Mr Johnson said : `` I think they can mix if people are sensible .
`` Actually my evidence I 've seen is yes - there have been some places where people have been imprudent and you can see there 's been some people who have been getting it wrong .
`` But actually overwhelmingly @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of this country did the right thing .
`` If we can keep it up , if we can keep going in the way we are , maintain discipline , enjoy ourselves but enjoy ourselves safely , then we will continue to drive down this virus and we will be able to get back to life as close to normal as possible as fast as possible .
`` But we can not be complacent , we really ca n't afford to stuff this up , to blow it now . ''
Number 10 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ quieter than expected '' after pubs and restaurants were allowed to open on Saturday .
They also confirmed he got a trim over the weekend and went for a drink near his Chequers country retreat .
: : Listen to Sophy Ridge on Sunday on Apple podcasts , Google podcasts , Spotify , Spreaker In Scotland , First Minister Nicola Sturgeon has urged people to strictly follow distancing rules as beer gardens open from this week .
`` If you go to a bar or a restaurant outside right now , if it @ @ @ @ @ @ @ was before this pandemic , then something is wrong , '' she said .

Boris Johnson has urged Britons not to "stuff this up" after he joined many in taking advantage of pubs reopening in England.
The prime minister said while there were "some people who have been getting it wrong" - with drinkers seen packed together in central London on Saturday night - most people "did the right thing".
He urged the public to "enjoy ourselves safely" as coronavirus lockdown measures are eased, and revealed he has had a haircut.
Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player 3:27 ‘Drunk people can’t socially distance’
His political opponent, Labour's Sir Keir Starmer also got a trim over the weekend and was pictured pulling pints and posing with a beer that's name poked fun at Dominic Cummings on Monday.
Asked during a visit to a rail construction site in Yorkshire if drinking and social distancing can mix, Mr Johnson said: "I think they can mix if people are sensible.
"Actually my evidence I've seen is yes - there have been some places where people have been imprudent and you can see there's been some people who have been getting it wrong.
"But actually overwhelmingly over the weekend I think the people of this country did the right thing.
"If we can keep it up, if we can keep going in the way we are, maintain discipline, enjoy ourselves but enjoy ourselves safely, then we will continue to drive down this virus and we will be able to get back to life as close to normal as possible as fast as possible.
"But we cannot be complacent, we really can't afford to stuff this up, to blow it now."
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Image: Pubs let punters in for the first time in months last weekend
Number 10 said earlier police forces reported being "quieter than expected" after pubs and restaurants were allowed to open on Saturday.
They also confirmed he got a trim over the weekend and went for a drink near his Chequers country retreat.
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In Scotland, First Minister Nicola Sturgeon has urged people to strictly follow distancing rules as beer gardens open from this week.
"If you go to a bar or a restaurant outside right now, if it feels totally normal, exactly like it was before this pandemic, then something is wrong," she said.


skynewspolitics--2020-07-06--Chancellor sets aside £3bn for green jobs recovery

Chancellor Rishi Sunak is setting aside £3bn to create green jobs as part of the economic recovery from the coronavirus crisis .
The money includes £1bn towards the decarbonisation of public buildings like schools and hospitals - many of which are squandering heat and contributing towards climate change .
In an economic announcement on Wednesday , Mr Sunak is also expected to unveil a £50m pilot project to retrofit social housing through measures like heat pumps .
But campaigners said that alone wo n't be enough if Britain is to reach its goal of being carbon neutral by 2050 .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ are among the worst in Europe - yet existing buildings have been highlighted as creating the biggest energy emissions headache .
Sky News spoke to a science teacher at a school in Manchester who revealed students concerned about climate change have taken it into their own hands to make their school more energy efficient .
Parrs Wood School in Manchester was originally built in 1965 .
Chris Baker said , over the course of eight years , students have overseen a number of significant improvement projects and have secured more than £600,000 in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ when solar panels were fitted on the roof , it was the biggest collection of solar panels to be installed at a school in the UK .
There have been lots of other projects , including adapting lighting .
Overall the school has reduced its electricity bill by a third .
: : Listen to the Daily podcast on Apple Podcasts , Google Podcasts , Spotify , Spreaker Mr Baker said : `` You 've got a lot of students doing climate change protests and here you 've got an opportunity for students @ @ @ @ @ @ @ not just raise awareness .
`` The students are amazing .
We 've done it over eight years as an educational project .
We 're now trying to teach other schools how to do it . ''
It is these kinds of improvements which the government will need to support if leaky public buildings are n't going to hinder Britain 's net zero goal .
Luke Murphy , of the Institute for Public Policy Research , said : `` We know that buildings make up a significant contribution to our carbon emissions and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a public buildings decarbonisation programme - but also the money they 've announced for social housing - is really welcome .
`` The key will be if this is a down payment on a wider long-term programme over the next 10 years or whether this is a one-off stimulus .
`` If it 's the latter then that 's not enough . ''

Homeowners will get vouchers of up to £5,000 to make energy-saving improvements to their properties.
Chancellor Rishi Sunak is due to announce the pledge in a major speech tomorrow on the government's plan to steer the country through its coronavirus recovery.
It will cost £2bn and comes in addition to a further £1bn to be spent on the decarbonisation of public buildings such as schools and hospitals - many of which are squandering heat and contributing towards climate change.
Image: Chancellor Rishi Sunak is setting aside £3bn to create green jobs
In his economic update to parliament on Wednesday, Mr Sunak is also expected to unveil a £50m pilot project to retrofit social housing through measures such as heat pumps.
But campaigners said that alone won't be enough if Britain is to reach its goal of being carbon neutral by 2050.
The voucher scheme will see the government cover the costs of at least two-thirds of the price of home improvements to save energy.
Online applications will go live in September - with the voucher issued once an accredited supplier has provided a quote and the work is approved.
Britain's building controls for energy consumption are among the worst in Europe - yet existing buildings have been highlighted as creating the biggest energy emissions headache.
Sky News spoke to a science teacher at a school in Manchester who revealed students concerned about climate change have taken it into their own hands to make their school more energy efficient.
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Parrs Wood School in Manchester was originally built in 1965.
Chris Baker said that, over the course of eight years, students have overseen a number of significant improvement projects and have secured more than £600,000 in retrofitting grants.
Three years ago, when solar panels were fitted on the roof, it was the biggest collection of solar panels to be installed at a school in the UK.
There have been lots of other projects, including adapting lighting.
Overall the school has reduced its electricity bill by a third.
Podcast Podcast , which may be using cookies and other technologies. To show you this content, we need your permission to use cookies. You can use the buttons below to amend your preferences to enable Podcast cookies or to allow those cookies just once. You can change your settings at any time via the This content is provided by, which may be using cookies and other technologies. To show you this content, we need your permission to use cookies. You can use the buttons below to amend your preferences to enablecookies or to allow those cookies just once. You can change your settings at any time via the Privacy Options Unfortunately we have been unable to verify if you have consented to Podcast cookies. To view this content you can use the button below to allow Podcast cookies for this session only. Enable Cookies Allow Cookies Once
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Mr Baker said: "You've got a lot of students doing climate change protests and here you've got an opportunity for students to get involved in the process and not just raise awareness.
"The students are amazing. We've done it over eight years as an educational project. We're now trying to teach other schools how to do it."
It is these kinds of improvements which the government will need to support if leaky public buildings aren't going to hinder Britain's net zero goal.
Luke Murphy, of the Institute for Public Policy Research, said: "We know that buildings make up a significant contribution to our carbon emissions and therefore the investment announced in terms of a public buildings decarbonisation programme - but also the money they've announced for social housing - is really welcome.
"The key will be if this is a downpayment on a wider long-term programme over the next 10 years or whether this is a one-off stimulus.
"If it's the latter then that's not enough."


skynewspolitics--2020-07-07--Cost of coronavirus job subsidy schemes tops £35bn

The cost of taxpayer subsidies for jobs has climbed above £35bn while the value of business loans underwritten by the government has reached £45bn , the latest figures on the impact of COVID-19 show .
They come as Chancellor Rishi Sunak prepares to deliver an economic update while under pressure to give more help to a struggling economy that has seen thousands of jobs axed in recent weeks .
Meanwhile , data from the Office for National Statistics ( ONS ) released at the same time illustrates how the lockdown - and working from home - has been taking its @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Britain 's coronavirus job retention scheme - which has been paying out 80 % of the wages of furloughed workers - has so far cost £27.4bn , according to Treasury data up to 5 July .
That is up on £25.5bn the week before .
The scheme - which is now closed to new applicants and gradually being tapered off before closing at the end of October - has now supported 9.4 million people working for 1.1 million employers .
Britain 's Office for Budget Responsibility ( OBR ) has estimated that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ government £75bn , though some of the money will come back in income tax .
Data on the bounce-back loan scheme for small businesses hit by the pandemic , which are 100 % backed by the Treasury , showed they reached £30.9bn .
Just over a million such loans have been issued .
Two other schemes for medium-sized and larger businesses , which are 80 % Treasury backed , account for £11.5bn and £2.6bn , the updated figures show .
Elsewhere , Office for National Statistics ( ONS ) data covering the first @ @ @ @ @ @ @ % fall in productivity - as measured by output per hour - compared with a year earlier .
: : Listen to the Daily podcast on Apple Podcasts , Google Podcasts , Spotify , Spreaker The period included a few days at the beginning of the coronavirus lockdown on 23 March , resulting in a fall in Gross Value Added - a measure of output - which was larger than the fall in hours worked .
A separate measure of output per worker showed a bigger decline - of 3.1 % .
That @ @ @ @ @ @ @ not fall , thanks to the furlough scheme .
The ONS said : `` The coronavirus pandemic has forced employers and employees to adjust to new working schedules and arrangements , such as working from home , which may have either positive or negative impacts on the productivity of different parts of the economy . ''

The cost of taxpayer subsidies for jobs has climbed above £35bn while the value of business loans underwritten by the government has reached £45bn, the latest figures on the impact of COVID-19 show.
They come as Chancellor Rishi Sunak prepares to deliver an economic update while under pressure to give more help to a struggling economy that has seen thousands of jobs axed in recent weeks.
Meanwhile, data from the Office for National Statistics (ONS) released at the same time illustrates how the lockdown - and working from home - has been taking its toll on productivity across the UK workforce.
Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player 2:18 £3bn green fund part of coronavirus recovery
Britain's coronavirus job retention scheme - which has been paying out 80% of the wages of furloughed workers - has so far cost £27.4bn, according to Treasury data up to 5 July.
That is up on £25.5bn the week before.
The scheme - which is now closed to new applicants and gradually being tapered off before closing at the end of October - has now supported 9.4 million people working for 1.1 million employers.
A separate scheme supporting 2.7 million self-employed workers has now cost a total £7.7bn.
Britain's Office for Budget Responsibility (OBR) has estimated that together the schemes will eventually cost the government £75bn, though some of the money will come back in income tax.
Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player 2:32 What can we expect from the 'mini-budget'?
Data on the bounce-back loan scheme for small businesses hit by the pandemic, which are 100% backed by the Treasury, showed they reached £30.9bn.
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Just over a million such loans have been issued.
Two other schemes for medium-sized and larger businesses, which are 80% Treasury backed, account for £11.5bn and £2.6bn, the updated figures show.
They were released as a study by the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development warned the UK's unemployment rate could hit a record high of 11.7% by the end of the year - despite the government aid.
Its forecast model suggested the impact worldwide could take jobless rates to levels more comparable to the 1930s.
Elsewhere, Office for National Statistics (ONS) data covering the first quarter of the year showed a 0.6% fall in UK productivity - as measured by output per hour - compared with a year earlier.
:: Listen to the Daily podcast on Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, Spotify, Spreaker
The period included a few days at the beginning of the coronavirus lockdown on 23 March, resulting in a fall in Gross Value Added - a measure of output - which was larger than the fall in hours worked.
A separate measure of output per worker showed a bigger decline - of 3.1%.
That was because the number of workers did not fall, thanks to the furlough scheme.
The ONS said: "The coronavirus pandemic has forced employers and employees to adjust to new working schedules and arrangements, such as working from home, which may have either positive or negative impacts on the productivity of different parts of the economy."


skynewspolitics--2020-07-07--Ex-Labour MP ordered to repay £3,835 after breaking expenses rules

An ex-Labour MP has been ordered to repay nearly £4,000 for using taxpayer-funded stationery for political `` campaign activity '' .
Laura Pidcock , who was tipped as a potential successor to Jeremy Corbyn until she lost her seat in December , was found by parliament 's sleaze watchdog to have broken the rules .
A Conservative MP , George Freeman , was also censured for offering personal tours of parliament as a raffle prize and told to repay over £750 for sending out a letter to constituents in the run up to the last election .
The recommendations were @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for standards .
Ms Pidcock apologised for the letter sent on 4 September 2019 , which cost £3,835 in stationery and postage .
Her `` original intention was to raise awareness around changes to rules for over-75s TV licences '' - but `` alterations '' made by her to a template drafted by parliamentary workers made it `` party political in tone and content '' .
The commissioner , Kathryn Stone , said : `` As a political campaigner , I completely understand the desire of the MP for North West Durham to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and work to oppose the measure .
`` However , this campaign activity is not something that should be funded by the taxpayer . ''
Ms Stone added it `` brings parliament into disrepute , given the public concern at MPs and their expenses '' and would also `` confer an undue advantage on a political organisation '' .
A statement from Ms Pidcock released through the commissioner said she made an `` honest mistake '' .
`` I only ever wanted to be as open and as accessible as possible to the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Mr Freeman fell afoul of the rules for a letter sent to constituents on 28 October that cost the taxpayer £759 - the day before that winter 's general election was confirmed .
Ms Stone said the `` timing , tone , and content of the letter '' made it unacceptable .
The commissioner added she discovered Mr Freeman had been offering tours of parliament as a raffle prize and that this was also wrong .
He later said he was `` mortified '' at the decision but that he now realises @ @ @ @ @ @ @ properly checked '' the rules in a `` hurry '' to clear all correspondence .
Mr Freeman added the team were `` genuinely not aware that the rules on tours apply ... to tours with , and conducted by , me personally in order to help a constituency charity '' .

An ex-Labour MP has been ordered to repay nearly £4,000 for using taxpayer-funded stationery for political "campaign activity".
Laura Pidcock, who was tipped as a potential successor to Jeremy Corbyn until she lost her seat in December, was found by parliament's sleaze watchdog to have broken the rules.
A Conservative MP, George Freeman, was also censured for offering personal tours of parliament as a raffle prize and told to repay over £750 for sending out a letter to constituents in the run up to the last election.
Image: Laura Pidcock said she made an 'honest mistake'
The recommendations were made following investigations by the parliamentary commissioner for standards.
Ms Pidcock apologised for the letter sent on 4 September 2019, which cost £3,835 in stationery and postage.
Her "original intention was to raise awareness around changes to rules for over-75s TV licences" - but "alterations" made by her to a template drafted by parliamentary workers made it "party political in tone and content".
The commissioner, Kathryn Stone, said: "As a political campaigner, I completely understand the desire of the MP for North West Durham to campaign on this issue, inform residents and work to oppose the measure.
Podcast Podcast , which may be using cookies and other technologies. To show you this content, we need your permission to use cookies. You can use the buttons below to amend your preferences to enable Podcast cookies or to allow those cookies just once. You can change your settings at any time via the This content is provided by, which may be using cookies and other technologies. To show you this content, we need your permission to use cookies. You can use the buttons below to amend your preferences to enablecookies or to allow those cookies just once. You can change your settings at any time via the Privacy Options Unfortunately we have been unable to verify if you have consented to Podcast cookies. To view this content you can use the button below to allow Podcast cookies for this session only. Enable Cookies Allow Cookies Once
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"However, this campaign activity is not something that should be funded by the taxpayer."
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Ms Stone added it "brings parliament into disrepute, given the public concern at MPs and their expenses" and would also "confer an undue advantage on a political organisation".
A statement from Ms Pidcock released through the commissioner said she made an "honest mistake".
"I only ever wanted to be as open and as accessible as possible to the people I represented," she added.
Mr Freeman fell afoul of the rules for a letter sent to constituents on 28 October that cost the taxpayer £759 - the day before that winter's general election was confirmed.
Image: George Freeman said he was 'mortified' at the decision
Ms Stone said the "timing, tone, and content of the letter" made it unacceptable.
The commissioner added she discovered Mr Freeman had been offering tours of parliament as a raffle prize and that this was also wrong.
He later said he was "mortified" at the decision but that he now realises he and his staff "had not properly checked" the rules in a "hurry" to clear all correspondence.
Mr Freeman added the team were "genuinely not aware that the rules on tours apply... to tours with, and conducted by, me personally in order to help a constituency charity".


skynewspolitics--2020-07-06--Coronavirus: 40 charities call for new law to end 'patchy' homeless help

Forty charities are urging Boris Johnson to end the `` patchy '' help for homeless people during the coronavirus pandemic by passing an emergency law .
Crisis , St Mungo 's and the Big Issue Foundation are among the groups who have drawn up a bill they say would truly deliver on the government 's `` everyone in '' campaign to accommodate all rough sleepers in England .
Sky News can reveal they have criticised the `` piecemeal , disjointed approach '' taken by councils across the country and are worried about communal shelters remaining closed as winter and the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ cases loom .
An influential Tory MP who pioneered the 2017 Homelessness Reduction Act from the backbenches is backing the call for a statutory duty to be put on local authorities to help any homeless person who needs it .
Bob Blackman is supporting the case of rough sleepers like Paul Jenkins , who - despite being given temporary accommodation in a hotel in Oxford - said the uncertainty about how long support may continue is causing him `` uncertainty , anxiety and sleepless nights '' .
Sky News revealed at the end @ @ @ @ @ @ @ instruction to councils to house all rough sleepers - partially to protect them given they are significantly more likely to have underlying health conditions and ensure the `` stay at home '' order could be enforced .
Several tranches of funding have been offered to local authorities to foot the bills , but as lockdown restrictions are eased , charities are worried some people will just be left to return to the streets .
The group of national and community organisations , which also include the Refugee Council and Law Centres Network , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to take immediate effect for a year : • Make it a legal obligation for councils to provide everyone with nowhere safe to stay access to emergency accommodation backed by funding • Suspend the `` no recourse to public funds '' restrictions so those locked out of applying for state aid can access benefits • Stop residents being able to be evicted if they can not pay rent due to the pandemic • Suspend the benefit cap to prevent people becoming homeless if they can not return to work The charities welcomed the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ but added that while the latest £105m will `` certainly help '' , `` money alone wo n't provide a guarantee of safe and secure accommodation for everyone who needs it '' .
Mr Jenkins has been given state support as a result of the `` everyone in '' campaign - but despite moving to the UK from Zimbabwe in 2001 and working `` as many hours as I could '' and paying taxes ever since , is worried he may end up homeless again when the support dries up .
He has @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , so when his long hours working as a mechanical engineer at Great Western Railway led to a breakdown in the relationship with his wife and two children , he was forced out of the family home .
Having to sleep in his car for months while suffering with sleep apnoea - meaning his breathing stopped and started , so he relied on a machine and access to electricity - his mental health deteriorated too .
`` I just felt this is the end for me - the only thing left for me @ @ @ @ @ @ @ News .
He admitted : `` This thing of the homeless having to be homed so as to take them off the streets and provide a place for them so they could isolate could n't have come at a better time and it 's done me a world of good . ''
Mr Jenkins told Sky News he was `` glad to hear the government has released some funds to that end '' .
But he added : `` There ’ s still a question mark of how long and when ?
`` @ @ @ @ @ @ @ not know our tomorrows from today and it ’ s a very worrying state of affairs and it does cause a lot of uncertainty , anxiety and sleepless nights .
`` For myself , now is not a time for modesty ... now ’ s the time for action .
`` And people like us must speak out against the injustices and hopefully the government can see our plight and try and look into the laws governing help and assistance .
It ’ s not fair that so many people are being left @ @ @ @ @ @ @ them .
 '' It 's not like I want to be like this for the rest of my life , I just want to be well and get back to work - that 's all I want to do : Be a contributory member of society . ''
One politician supporting him is Mr Blackman , who said the `` everyone in '' project has been a `` marvelous achievement '' but is fighting to make supporting the whole homeless population `` a permanent position '' .
He told Sky News a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ want to make sure rough sleepers are n't left behind before parliament breaks up for summer on 22 July .
`` We need legislation urgently before we reach that recess because otherwise people potentially could be turned out onto the streets again while parliament is not sitting , '' he said .
`` That 's completely unacceptable and something we need to overcome . ''
: : Listen to the Daily podcast on Apple Podcasts , Google Podcasts , Spotify , Spreaker Given how swiftly the government got its planning bill through the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ absolutely no reason why this legislation could not be dealt with - all stages in one day , because I 'm sure we 'd get cross-party support '' .
If it is not , `` we 'll get a patchwork quilt , literally a postcode lottery of what action 's taken by different local authorities '' , he warned .
Jon Sparkes , chief executive of Crisis , also told Sky News : `` Every day people are hit by the economic impact of coronavirus , and therefore every day we do n't @ @ @ @ @ @ @ potential for more people to become homeless or end up rough sleeping ... “ It 's a very , very crowded political agenda - this government has many , many things on its plate as a consequence of coronavirus .
`` But I think most people would agree that stopping people ending up in the very dangerous situation of rough sleeping is a very important thing to tackle.
” A spokesperson for the Ministry of Housing , Communities and Local Government said they were on track to help end rough sleeping permanently .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ rough sleeping taskforce has one overriding objective - to ensure as many people as possible who have been brought in off the streets in this pandemic do not return to sleeping rough .
`` That 's why we 've ensured councils across England can support vulnerable rough sleepers from EEA [ European Economic Area ] countries .
`` Councils are also able to provide emergency accommodation for foreign nationals where they are in the UK lawfully .
`` The £105m , announced last week will mean councils are able to continue to provide @ @ @ @ @ @ @ help break the cycle of homelessness , and continue our work to end rough sleeping for good . ''
They also pointed to further support - including for people with no recourse to public funds , including mortgage holidays , the furlough scheme and free accommodation for failed asylum seekers who can not return home .

Forty charities are urging Boris Johnson to end the "patchy" help for homeless people during the coronavirus pandemic by passing an emergency law.
Crisis, St Mungo's and the Big Issue Foundation are among the groups who have drawn up a bill they say would truly deliver on the government's "everyone in" campaign to accommodate all rough sleepers in England.
Sky News can reveal they have criticised the "piecemeal, disjointed approach" taken by councils across the country and are worried about communal shelters remaining closed as winter and the threat of a second spike in COVID-19 cases loom.
Image: Shelters have had to be closed during the pandemic lockdown
An influential Tory MP who pioneered the 2017 Homelessness Reduction Act from the backbenches is backing the call for a statutory duty to be put on local authorities to help any homeless person who needs it.
Bob Blackman is supporting the case of rough sleepers like Paul Jenkins, who - despite being given temporary accommodation in a hotel in Oxford - said the uncertainty about how long support may continue is causing him "uncertainty, anxiety and sleepless nights".
Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player 2:34 Lockdown Road: Anxiety as restrictions ease
Sky News revealed at the end of March the government issued an unprecedented instruction to councils to house all rough sleepers - partially to protect them given they are significantly more likely to have underlying health conditions and ensure the "stay at home" order could be enforced.
Several tranches of funding have been offered to local authorities to foot the bills, but as lockdown restrictions are eased, charities are worried some people will just be left to return to the streets.
The group of national and community organisations, which also include the Refugee Council and Law Centres Network, want Mr Johnson to introduce four changes to take immediate effect for a year:
Make it a legal obligation for councils to provide everyone with nowhere safe to stay access to emergency accommodation backed by funding
Suspend the "no recourse to public funds" restrictions so those locked out of applying for state aid can access benefits
Stop residents being able to be evicted if they cannot pay rent due to the pandemic
Suspend the benefit cap to prevent people becoming homeless if they cannot return to work
Image: Councils were told to house all rough sleepers in March
The charities welcomed the "unprecedented" measures so far - but added that while the latest £105m will "certainly help", "money alone won't provide a guarantee of safe and secure accommodation for everyone who needs it".
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Mr Jenkins has been given state support as a result of the "everyone in" campaign - but despite moving to the UK from Zimbabwe in 2001 and working "as many hours as I could" and paying taxes ever since, is worried he may end up homeless again when the support dries up.
Image: Paul Jenkins said working 'as many hours as I could' led to family strains
He has "no recourse to public funds", so when his long hours working as a mechanical engineer at Great Western Railway led to a breakdown in the relationship with his wife and two children, he was forced out of the family home.
Having to sleep in his car for months while suffering with sleep apnoea - meaning his breathing stopped and started, so he relied on a machine and access to electricity - his mental health deteriorated too.
"I just felt this is the end for me - the only thing left for me is die," he told Sky News.
He admitted: "This thing of the homeless having to be homed so as to take them off the streets and provide a place for them so they could isolate couldn't have come at a better time and it's done me a world of good."
Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player 1:41 What it's like to be homeless in a lockdown
Mr Jenkins told Sky News he was "glad to hear the government has released some funds to that end".
But he added: "There’s still a question mark of how long and when?
"As homeless people, we just do not know our tomorrows from today and it’s a very worrying state of affairs and it does cause a lot of uncertainty, anxiety and sleepless nights.
"For myself, now is not a time for modesty... now’s the time for action.
"And people like us must speak out against the injustices and hopefully the government can see our plight and try and look into the laws governing help and assistance. It’s not fair that so many people are being left out and nobody seems to care about them.
"It's not like I want to be like this for the rest of my life, I just want to be well and get back to work - that's all I want to do: Be a contributory member of society."
One politician supporting him is Mr Blackman, who said the "everyone in" project has been a "marvelous achievement" but is fighting to make supporting the whole homeless population "a permanent position".
Image: There are calls for emergency legislation to be brought in before parliament goes into recess
He told Sky News a "large number of Conservative MPs" want to make sure rough sleepers aren't left behind before parliament breaks up for summer on 22 July.
"We need legislation urgently before we reach that recess because otherwise people potentially could be turned out onto the streets again while parliament is not sitting," he said.
"That's completely unacceptable and something we need to overcome."
Podcast Podcast , which may be using cookies and other technologies. To show you this content, we need your permission to use cookies. You can use the buttons below to amend your preferences to enable Podcast cookies or to allow those cookies just once. You can change your settings at any time via the This content is provided by, which may be using cookies and other technologies. To show you this content, we need your permission to use cookies. You can use the buttons below to amend your preferences to enablecookies or to allow those cookies just once. You can change your settings at any time via the Privacy Options Unfortunately we have been unable to verify if you have consented to Podcast cookies. To view this content you can use the button below to allow Podcast cookies for this session only. Enable Cookies Allow Cookies Once
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Given how swiftly the government got its planning bill through the Commons, he added there's "absolutely no reason why this legislation could not be dealt with - all stages in one day, because I'm sure we'd get cross-party support".
If it is not, "we'll get a patchwork quilt, literally a postcode lottery of what action's taken by different local authorities", he warned.
Image: Bob Blackman pioneered the 2017 Homelessness Reduction Act
Jon Sparkes, chief executive of Crisis, also told Sky News: "Every day people are hit by the economic impact of coronavirus, and therefore every day we don't have this emergency legislation there's the potential for more people to become homeless or end up rough sleeping...
“It's a very, very crowded political agenda - this government has many, many things on its plate as a consequence of coronavirus.
"But I think most people would agree that stopping people ending up in the very dangerous situation of rough sleeping is a very important thing to tackle.”
Image: Jon Sparkes admitted there is a 'very, very crowded political agenda'
A spokesperson for the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government said they were on track to help end rough sleeping permanently.
They told Sky News: "Our rough sleeping taskforce has one overriding objective - to ensure as many people as possible who have been brought in off the streets in this pandemic do not return to sleeping rough.
"That's why we've ensured councils across England can support vulnerable rough sleepers from EEA [European Economic Area] countries.
"Councils are also able to provide emergency accommodation for foreign nationals where they are in the UK lawfully.
"The £105m, announced last week will mean councils are able to continue to provide safe accommodation to vulnerable rough sleepers, help break the cycle of homelessness, and continue our work to end rough sleeping for good."
They also pointed to further support - including for people with no recourse to public funds, including mortgage holidays, the furlough scheme and free accommodation for failed asylum seekers who cannot return home.


skynewspolitics--2020-07-07--Former Labour MP admits making indecent photo of child

Former Labour MP Eric Joyce has pleaded guilty to making an indecent photograph of a child .
The 59-year-old former shadow minister , who was MP in Falkirk between 2000 and 2015 , has been ordered to sign the Sex Offenders Register .
Joyce , of Worlingworth , Suffolk , admitted making an indecent photograph of a child between 7 August 2013 and 6 November 2018 at a pre-trial hearing at Ipswich Crown Court .
Judge Emma Peters said the single 51-second video , found on a device , `` depicts a number of children '' .
`` Some are @ @ @ @ @ @ @ be 12 months old , '' she said .
A category A offence - the highest possible for indecent images of children - is defined as `` images involving penetrative sexual activity or possession of images involving sexual activity with an animal or sadism '' .
The judge said Joyce said he accessed the video `` via an email which he says was a spam email '' .
`` At the time he was drinking heavily and he has now undergone work with the Lucy Faithfull Foundation and a psychotherapist , '' she @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Labour MP for 12 years and an independent for his final three , was granted bail and the judge instructed that a report be prepared before he is sentenced on 7 August .
The judge warned Joyce the offence crosses the custody threshold .
`` It 's going to be a question of whether it 's immediate or suspended , '' she said .
`` You will be required to sign paperwork today acknowledging that you are immediately on the sex offenders register , '' she said .
She said the court `` @ @ @ @ @ @ @ they `` fuel the abuse of children '' .
Joyce stepped down as an MP before the 2015 general election and had spent 21 years in the Army , rising to the rank of major , before going into politics .
A statement on his website last month said he would `` make a full statement '' when `` all legal processes are at a close '' .

Former Labour MP Eric Joyce has pleaded guilty to making an indecent photograph of a child.
The 59-year-old former shadow minister, who was MP in Falkirk between 2000 and 2015, has been ordered to sign the Sex Offenders Register.
Joyce, of Worlingworth, Suffolk, admitted making an indecent photograph of a child between 7 August 2013 and 6 November 2018 at a pre-trial hearing at Ipswich Crown Court.
Judge Emma Peters said the single 51-second video, found on a device, "depicts a number of children".
"Some are quite young, one is said to be 12 months old," she said.
"Clearly a category A movie."
A category A offence - the highest possible for indecent images of children - is defined as "images involving penetrative sexual activity or possession of images involving sexual activity with an animal or sadism".
The judge said Joyce said he accessed the video "via an email which he says was a spam email".
"At the time he was drinking heavily and he has now undergone work with the Lucy Faithfull Foundation and a psychotherapist," she added.
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Joyce, who was a Labour MP for 12 years and an independent for his final three, was granted bail and the judge instructed that a report be prepared before he is sentenced on 7 August.
The judge warned Joyce the offence crosses the custody threshold.
"It's going to be a question of whether it's immediate or suspended," she said.
"You will be required to sign paperwork today acknowledging that you are immediately on the sex offenders register," she said.
She said the court "takes such incidents very seriously" as they "fuel the abuse of children".
Joyce stepped down as an MP before the 2015 general election and had spent 21 years in the Army, rising to the rank of major, before going into politics.
A statement on his website last month said he would "make a full statement" when "all legal processes are at a close".


skynewspolitics--2020-07-07--Tory election mastermind Sir Lynton Crosby attacks 'mob mentality' in media

Conservative election strategist Sir Lynton Crosby has blamed the media for stoking up a `` mob mentality '' around issues such as Black Lives Matter , the # MeToo movement and even the Arab Spring .
In a rare podcast interview with Sky News , Sir Lynton - who masterminded many of the Conservative election victories in recent decades - warned the coverage of these matters `` alienates many , many voters '' .
He also dismissed the fall in Tory opinion polls following the Dominic Cummings lockdown affair , saying it was another symptom of the same issue .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ public opinion polls - they 're just pop quizzes , '' he said .
`` They do n't truly reflect underlying sentiment .
You tend to get a period when there 's a mob mentality in the media .
`` One minute it might be what Dominic Cummings has done .
`` The next , understandably something like Black Lives Matter , then before that we had the Arab Spring - where apparently the whole Middle East was going to change in four months ... and things have gone pretty much back to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ # MeToo movement and all of these things .
`` I just think there 's a tendency to grab issues and elevate the intensity of debate around them in a way that actually alienates many , many voters . ''
But Sir Lynton , who was talking to former chancellor Sajid Javid and Sky 's economics editor Ed Conway in The World Tomorrow podcast , added that the Black Lives Matter movement could end up deciding the US election .
: : Listen to the The World Tomorrow on Apple podcasts , Spotify @ @ @ @ @ @ @ things that I think President Trump was counting on was suppressed black and minority , Hispanic and so forth , turnout , '' he said .
`` The question now is , what does this focus on issues of race in America mean for the turnout of those groups at the next election ? ''
Sir Lynton said he expects the turnout to be higher than predicted , with many BAME people supporting Mr Trump 's rival Joe Biden .
He believes the vote will be `` incredibly close '' , and added @ @ @ @ @ @ @ either way to be honest . ''
Turning his attention to the coronavirus pandemic , Sir Lynton said one consequence of COVID-19 was that businesses and households would be more keenly focused on existential questions than other issues which have until now dominated debate , such as the environment or equality .
`` They 're important issues , '' he said .
`` But now for some businesses they 're important , but they 're not immediate . ''
Sir Lynton said companies are currently focusing on `` sheer survival '' , while @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a job and looking after their family .
As a result , he said , there may be a `` stalling '' on some other issues .
`` David Cameron used to say you ca n't have a strong health system or a good education system if you do n't have a strong economy , '' he said .
`` Well , you ca n't have a company that focuses on the broader social issues ... if it 's not making a profit . ''
Sir Lynton said COVID-19 had changed the complexion @ @ @ @ @ @ @ permanently - with people becoming far more focused on localism than globalism .
`` Economic sovereignty is about the over-reliance on any one country or one company or one source of supply , the over-reliance on a particular country or region as a market , the resilience in our supply chains , the questioning of just-in-time manufacturing .
`` I think going forward , you 'll see a focus on economic sovereignty , ensuring supply chains , resilience , a focus on energy security , medical supplies , technology and financial security .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ be a change . ''
Asked what that meant for future election campaigns , Sir Lynton said : `` Fundamentally , people want elections to be about the future .
`` The future is uncertain at present .
So those who can help people think about the future and those who can demonstrate that they 've got a clear plan for the future will get a better response from the voters . ''

Conservative election strategist Sir Lynton Crosby has blamed the media for stoking up a "mob mentality" around issues such as Black Lives Matter, the #MeToo movement and even the Arab Spring.
In a rare podcast interview with Sky News, Sir Lynton - who masterminded many of the Conservative election victories in recent decades - warned the coverage of these matters "alienates many, many voters".
He also dismissed the fall in Tory opinion polls following the Dominic Cummings lockdown affair, saying it was another symptom of the same issue.
Image: Sajid Javid and Ed Conway speak to Sir Lynton Crosby
"I despair about the focus on public opinion polls - they're just pop quizzes," he said.
"They don't truly reflect underlying sentiment. You tend to get a period when there's a mob mentality in the media.
"One minute it might be what Dominic Cummings has done.
"The next, understandably something like Black Lives Matter, then before that we had the Arab Spring - where apparently the whole Middle East was going to change in four months... and things have gone pretty much back to the way they were - and the #MeToo movement and all of these things.
"I just think there's a tendency to grab issues and elevate the intensity of debate around them in a way that actually alienates many, many voters."
But Sir Lynton, who was talking to former chancellor Sajid Javid and Sky's economics editor Ed Conway in The World Tomorrow podcast, added that the Black Lives Matter movement could end up deciding the US election.
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:: Listen to the The World Tomorrow on Apple podcasts, Spotify, and Spreaker
"One of the things that I think President Trump was counting on was suppressed black and minority, Hispanic and so forth, turnout," he said.
"The question now is, what does this focus on issues of race in America mean for the turnout of those groups at the next election?"
Sir Lynton said he expects the turnout to be higher than predicted, with many BAME people supporting Mr Trump's rival Joe Biden.
He believes the vote will be "incredibly close", and added: "I wouldn't call it either way to be honest."
Image: The World Tomorrow podcast
Turning his attention to the coronavirus pandemic, Sir Lynton said one consequence of COVID-19 was that businesses and households would be more keenly focused on existential questions than other issues which have until now dominated debate, such as the environment or equality.
"They're important issues," he said. "But now for some businesses they're important, but they're not immediate."
Sir Lynton said companies are currently focusing on "sheer survival", while many people have had to prioritise having a job and looking after their family.
As a result, he said, there may be a "stalling" on some other issues.
"David Cameron used to say you can't have a strong health system or a good education system if you don't have a strong economy," he said.
"Well, you can't have a company that focuses on the broader social issues... if it's not making a profit."
Sir Lynton said COVID-19 had changed the complexion of public opinion and politics - perhaps permanently - with people becoming far more focused on localism than globalism.
Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player 1:36 Why a COVID-19 vaccine may not be shared
"Economic sovereignty is about the over-reliance on any one country or one company or one source of supply, the over-reliance on a particular country or region as a market, the resilience in our supply chains, the questioning of just-in-time manufacturing.
"I think going forward, you'll see a focus on economic sovereignty, ensuring supply chains, resilience, a focus on energy security, medical supplies, technology and financial security. I think across the world there will be a change."
Asked what that meant for future election campaigns, Sir Lynton said: "Fundamentally, people want elections to be about the future.
"The future is uncertain at present. So those who can help people think about the future and those who can demonstrate that they've got a clear plan for the future will get a better response from the voters."


skynewspolitics--2020-07-07--BoE postpones governor talk with Tory backbenchers

The governor of the Bank of England has postponed a rare meeting with a Tory backbench committee which would have taken place just after the chancellor 's economic update .
Andrew Bailey had been due to meet the 1922 Committee on Wednesday following Rishi Sunak 's update to parliament on measures to address the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic .
But the arrangement had raised eyebrows among some , including Andrew Sentance , a former member of the bank 's rate-setting Monetary Policy Committee .
The talk would have come shortly after Mr Sunak 's economic update , which is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ plans to combat an expected surge in unemployment .
Bank of England officials regularly update parliament in public hearings of the Treasury Select Committee , but meetings with backbench MPs are less common .
Eddie George , who led the bank from 1993 to 2003 , was the last to have spoken to the 1922 Committee .
The BoE had said that Mr Bailey would meet the MPs to explain its analysis on the impact of the pandemic and listen to their views , but pushed back the timing in a statement issued @ @ @ @ @ @ @ `` Due to the chancellor 's economic update on Wednesday , the meeting between Andrew Bailey and the 1922 Committee - arranged prior to the scheduling of the chancellor 's statement - will now take place at a later date .
`` The meeting is part of the governor 's ongoing programme of engagement with parliamentarians from across the House of Commons . ''
Mr Sentance , who served on the Bank 's monetary policy committee from 2006 to 2011 , said : `` Very surprised this meeting… was organised in the first @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to talk to MPs , all parties should be invited and the meeting should be on the record , not behind closed doors . ''
The government has set out plans for billions of pounds of new spending in recent days .
On the day of the chancellor 's last fiscal statement in March , the Bank of England announced a surprise cut in interest rates , and has since committed to £300bn of asset purchases , which have helped keep down borrowing costs for the government .

The governor of the Bank of England has postponed a rare meeting with a Tory backbench committee which would have taken place just after the chancellor's economic update.
Andrew Bailey had been due to meet the 1922 Committee on Wednesday following Rishi Sunak's update to parliament on measures to address the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic.
But the arrangement had raised eyebrows among some, including Andrew Sentance, a former member of the bank's rate-setting Monetary Policy Committee.
Image: Andrew Sentance said he was very surprised the meeting was organised in the first place
The talk would have come shortly after Mr Sunak's economic update, which is expected to see him unveil the latest plans to combat an expected surge in unemployment.
Bank of England officials regularly update parliament in public hearings of the Treasury Select Committee, but meetings with backbench MPs are less common.
Eddie George, who led the bank from 1993 to 2003, was the last to have spoken to the 1922 Committee.
The BoE had said that Mr Bailey would meet the MPs to explain its analysis on the impact of the pandemic and listen to their views, but pushed back the timing in a statement issued late on Monday.
It said: "Due to the chancellor's economic update on Wednesday, the meeting between Andrew Bailey and the 1922 Committee - arranged prior to the scheduling of the chancellor's statement - will now take place at a later date.
"The meeting is part of the governor's ongoing programme of engagement with parliamentarians from across the House of Commons."
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Mr Sentance, who served on the Bank's monetary policy committee from 2006 to 2011, said: "Very surprised this meeting… was organised in the first place.
"If Andrew Bailey is to talk to MPs, all parties should be invited and the meeting should be on the record, not behind closed doors."
The government has set out plans for billions of pounds of new spending in recent days.
On the day of the chancellor's last fiscal statement in March, the Bank of England announced a surprise cut in interest rates, and has since committed to £300bn of asset purchases, which have helped keep down borrowing costs for the government.


skynewspolitics--2020-07-06--Homeowners to get £5,000 vouchers to help them save energy

Homeowners will get vouchers of up to £5,000 to make energy-saving improvements to their properties .
Chancellor Rishi Sunak is due to announce the pledge in a major speech tomorrow on the government 's plan to steer the country through its coronavirus recovery .
It will cost £2bn and comes in addition to a further £1bn to be spent on the decarbonisation of public buildings such as schools and hospitals - many of which are squandering heat and contributing towards climate change .
In his economic update to parliament on Wednesday , Mr Sunak is also expected to unveil a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ through measures such as heat pumps .
But campaigners said that alone wo n't be enough if Britain is to reach its goal of being carbon neutral by 2050 .
The voucher scheme will see the government cover the costs of at least two-thirds of the price of home improvements to save energy .
Online applications will go live in September - with the voucher issued once an accredited supplier has provided a quote and the work is approved .
Britain 's building controls for energy consumption are among the worst in Europe @ @ @ @ @ @ @ as creating the biggest energy emissions headache .
Sky News spoke to a science teacher at a school in Manchester who revealed students concerned about climate change have taken it into their own hands to make their school more energy efficient .
Parrs Wood School in Manchester was originally built in 1965 .
Chris Baker said that , over the course of eight years , students have overseen a number of significant improvement projects and have secured more than £600,000 in retrofitting grants .
Three years ago , when solar panels were fitted @ @ @ @ @ @ @ biggest collection of solar panels to be installed at a school in the UK .
There have been lots of other projects , including adapting lighting .
Overall the school has reduced its electricity bill by a third .
: : Listen to the Daily podcast on Apple Podcasts , Google Podcasts , Spotify , Spreaker Mr Baker said : `` You 've got a lot of students doing climate change protests and here you 've got an opportunity for students to get involved in the process and not just raise awareness .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ 've done it over eight years as an educational project .
We 're now trying to teach other schools how to do it . ''
It is these kinds of improvements which the government will need to support if leaky public buildings are n't going to hinder Britain 's net zero goal .
Luke Murphy , of the Institute for Public Policy Research , said : `` We know that buildings make up a significant contribution to our carbon emissions and therefore the investment announced in terms of a public buildings decarbonisation programme @ @ @ @ @ @ @ announced for social housing - is really welcome .
`` The key will be if this is a downpayment on a wider long-term programme over the next 10 years or whether this is a one-off stimulus .
`` If it 's the latter then that 's not enough . ''


skynewspolitics--2020-07-07--Chancellor to unveil £2bn work placements scheme

Chancellor Rishi Sunak will spend £2bn funding hundreds of thousands of `` work placements '' to keep young people off the dole in his emergency economic update to MPs on Wednesday .
Mr Sunak will put job creation and training schemes at the heart of the latest stage of the coronavirus recovery plan as the government begins to withdraw the furlough scheme in the next three months which paid people to stay at home without working .
Some in government fear unemployment could top three million in coming months .
The government will want to boost the economy , with @ @ @ @ @ @ @ by announcing a cut to stamp duty within hours .
Under the new work placement initiative , employers will be paid by the Treasury to employ people aged 16-24 , for 25 hours of work a week for up to six months under the chancellor 's new `` Kickstart Scheme '' .
The chancellor will pay employers the entire cost of the minimum wage for those they give temporary jobs to under the scheme , which is open to people on Universal Credit being helped by a `` work coach '' .
The @ @ @ @ @ @ @ cost them around £6,000-£7,000 to pay this salary , which is currently £4.55 for those under 18 , £6.45 for those aged 18-20 and £8.20 for those aged 21-24 .
Overall , this fund is estimated at approximately £2bn although Whitehall sources stress there is huge uncertainty over the figure .
Sky News understands this is unlikely to be the biggest single item to be announced in Wednesday 's summer update .
The Treasury will argue it is taking this action because young people are more likely to be furloughed .
A quarter @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 25 are claiming unemployment benefits since March and young people are leaving education into an extremely difficult jobs market .
Mr Sunak said : `` Young people bear the brunt of most economic crises , but they are at particular risk this time because they work in the sectors disproportionately hit by the pandemic .
`` We also know that youth unemployment has a long-term impact on jobs and wages and we do n't want to see that happen to this generation .
`` So we 've got a bold plan to protect @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Plan for Jobs . ''
Listen to the Daily podcast on Apple Podcasts , Google Podcasts , Spotify , Spreaker Mr Sunak will also confirm a number of schemes announced by the Treasury this week .
• £2bn of grants for green home improvements which the Treasury says will provide jobs for builders and tradespeople • £1.57bn investment in the cultural and arts sectors , handing out a mixture of loans and grants to an industry unlikely to reopen properly until next year .
• £111m investment to triple the scale of traineeships @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the National Careers Service to provide tailored jobs advice to a quarter of a million more young people • £17m of funding to almost triple the number of sector-based work academy placements in 2020-21 The Treasury has been considering further schemes to kick start the economy , including targeted VAT cuts for stricken industries and a voucher scheme to encourage high street spending .
However one Whitehall source played down the chance of a voucher spending scheme being announced by Mr Sunak today , amid signs of growing Tory criticism about such an @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Dodds said the government is `` yet to rise to the scale of the unemployment crisis '' .
She called for an end to the `` one-size-fits-all '' approach to ending the job retention and self-employment schemes .

Chancellor Rishi Sunak will spend £2bn funding hundreds of thousands of "work placements" to keep young people off the dole in his emergency economic update to MPs on Wednesday.
Mr Sunak will put job creation and training schemes at the heart of the latest stage of the coronavirus recovery plan as the government begins to withdraw the furlough scheme in the next three months which paid people to stay at home without working.
Some in government fear unemployment could top three million in coming months.
Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player 3:13 What can Rishi Sunak do to spark spending?
The government will want to boost the economy, with signs they could boost the housing sector by announcing a cut to stamp duty within hours.
Under the new work placement initiative, employers will be paid by the Treasury to employ people aged 16-24, for 25 hours of work a week for up to six months under the chancellor's new "Kickstart Scheme".
The chancellor will pay employers the entire cost of the minimum wage for those they give temporary jobs to under the scheme, which is open to people on Universal Credit being helped by a "work coach".
The Treasury expects each young person employed to cost them around £6,000-£7,000 to pay this salary, which is currently £4.55 for those under 18, £6.45 for those aged 18-20 and £8.20 for those aged 21-24.
Overall, this fund is estimated at approximately £2bn although Whitehall sources stress there is huge uncertainty over the figure.
Sky News understands this is unlikely to be the biggest single item to be announced in Wednesday's summer update.
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The Treasury will argue it is taking this action because young people are more likely to be furloughed.
A quarter of a million more people aged under 25 are claiming unemployment benefits since March and young people are leaving education into an extremely difficult jobs market.
Mr Sunak said: "Young people bear the brunt of most economic crises, but they are at particular risk this time because they work in the sectors disproportionately hit by the pandemic.
"We also know that youth unemployment has a long-term impact on jobs and wages and we don't want to see that happen to this generation.
"So we've got a bold plan to protect, support and create jobs - a Plan for Jobs."
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Listen to the Daily podcast on Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, Spotify, Spreaker
Mr Sunak will also confirm a number of schemes announced by the Treasury this week.
These include:
£2bn of grants for green home improvements which the Treasury says will provide jobs for builders and tradespeople
£1.57bn investment in the cultural and arts sectors, handing out a mixture of loans and grants to an industry unlikely to reopen properly until next year.
£111m investment to triple the scale of traineeships in 2020-21, an extra £32m for the National Careers Service to provide tailored jobs advice to a quarter of a million more young people
£17m of funding to almost triple the number of sector-based work academy placements in 2020-21
The Treasury has been considering further schemes to kick start the economy, including targeted VAT cuts for stricken industries and a voucher scheme to encourage high street spending.
However one Whitehall source played down the chance of a voucher spending scheme being announced by Mr Sunak today, amid signs of growing Tory criticism about such an idea.
Labour's shadow chancellor Anneliese Dodds said the government is "yet to rise to the scale of the unemployment crisis".
She called for an end to the "one-size-fits-all" approach to ending the job retention and self-employment schemes.