skynewspolitics--2020-10-27--Holiday clubs idea offers PM way out of free school meals row

The government will `` learn from '' a summer holiday clubs programme as it seeks to steer a way through the free school meals row , a minister has told Sky News .
A fresh campaign spearheaded by England footballer Marcus Rashford has heaped pressure on the government over the provision of school holiday meals for the children of struggling families .
Prime Minister Boris Johnson has pledged government action to ensure `` no children '' go hungry this winter , but is still refusing to resurrect a food voucher scheme that ministers were forced to implement in the summer @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 's half-term holiday has instead seen local councils and organisations - as well as pubs , restaurants and cafes - offer free meals to struggling families .
Business minister Nadhim Zahawi pointed to a separate £9m holiday activities and food programme , that was piloted across 17 local councils over the summer , as a possible future way of addressing concerns over how to feed children during school holidays .
He told Sky News ' Kay Burley : `` These are incredibly important pilots , and we will look at how we can @ @ @ @ @ @ @ build on this .
`` The best way to do it - as the prime minister quite rightly outlined - is through local government , 17 local authorities participated in that pilot , and of course through the actual welfare system , the Universal Credit system , delivering that additional help for those families . ''
The Daily Telegraph reported on Tuesday that the government was looking at proposals for holiday clubs to be extended so children can be given at least one free meal per day outside term time .
The holiday @ @ @ @ @ @ @ work of government food tsar Henry Dimbleby , co-founder of the Leon restaurant group , who revealed he had been lobbying ministers to act .
Mr Dimbleby , the independent head of the national food strategy , told BBC Radio 4 's Today programme he had n't been `` backward in coming forward with ideas '' for the Treasury , Department for Education and Number 10 over `` how they could rapidly implement this by Christmas '' .
But he added : `` The dark centre of government is invisible to me and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 're working on as we speak . ''
Mr Dimbleby said that `` in-kind support '' through holiday clubs , providing food and education , had been shown to have a better impact than putting the same `` small amount of money '' into Universal Credit .
He was also critical about the government 's current efforts to assist struggling families during the ongoing coronavirus crisis .
`` This problem is real , it should go without saying it 's serious , it 's immediate and it 's going to get worse as @ @ @ @ @ @ @ n't doing enough , '' Mr Dimbleby added .
`` One in seven families already are reporting to not be able to afford enough food . ''
: : Subscribe to Sophy Ridge on Sunday on Apple podcasts , Google podcasts , Spotify , Spreaker Meanwhile , there are reports of a Whitehall blame game between the Treasury and Department for Education over the free schools meal row .
It follows allegations that Chancellor Rishi Sunak blocked proposals to fund free meals , although Treasury sources said no such proposal was made by @ @ @ @ @ @ @ dismissed the reports of a rift , telling Sky News : `` There is absolutely lockstep between the chancellor and the education secretary and the prime minister and this government to make sure we target funding to those families that need it . ''

The government will "learn from" a summer holiday clubs programme as it seeks to steer a way through the free school meals row, a minister has told Sky News.
A fresh campaign spearheaded by England footballer Marcus Rashford has heaped pressure on the government over the provision of school holiday meals for the children of struggling families.
Prime Minister Boris Johnson has pledged government action to ensure "no children" go hungry this winter, but is still refusing to resurrect a food voucher scheme that ministers were forced to implement in the summer under huge public pressure.
Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player 1:09 PM defends govt position on free school meals
This week's half-term holiday has instead seen local councils and organisations - as well as pubs, restaurants and cafes - offer free meals to struggling families.
Business minister Nadhim Zahawi pointed to a separate £9m holiday activities and food programme, that was piloted across 17 local councils over the summer, as a possible future way of addressing concerns over how to feed children during school holidays.
He told Sky News' Kay Burley: "These are incredibly important pilots, and we will look at how we can learn from those and how we can build on this.
"The best way to do it - as the prime minister quite rightly outlined - is through local government, 17 local authorities participated in that pilot, and of course through the actual welfare system, the Universal Credit system, delivering that additional help for those families."
The Daily Telegraph reported on Tuesday that the government was looking at proposals for holiday clubs to be extended so children can be given at least one free meal per day outside term time.
The holiday clubs idea is said to be the work of government food tsar Henry Dimbleby, co-founder of the Leon restaurant group, who revealed he had been lobbying ministers to act.
Advertisement
Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player 0:36 Headteacher at Rashford's former school 'proud'
Mr Dimbleby, the independent head of the national food strategy, told BBC Radio 4's Today programme he hadn't been "backward in coming forward with ideas" for the Treasury, Department for Education and Number 10 over "how they could rapidly implement this by Christmas".
But he added: "The dark centre of government is invisible to me and I have no idea exactly what they're working on as we speak."
Mr Dimbleby said that "in-kind support" through holiday clubs, providing food and education, had been shown to have a better impact than putting the same "small amount of money" into Universal Credit.
He was also critical about the government's current efforts to assist struggling families during the ongoing coronavirus crisis.
"This problem is real, it should go without saying it's serious, it's immediate and it's going to get worse as employment gets worse and the government isn't doing enough," Mr Dimbleby added.
"One in seven families already are reporting to not be able to afford enough food."
Subscribe to the Daily podcast on Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, Spotify, Spreaker
Meanwhile, there are reports of a Whitehall blame game between the Treasury and Department for Education over the free schools meal row.
It follows allegations that Chancellor Rishi Sunak blocked proposals to fund free meals, although Treasury sources said no such proposal was made by Education Secretary Gavin Williamson.
Mr Zahawi dismissed the reports of a rift, telling Sky News: "There is absolutely lockstep between the chancellor and the education secretary and the prime minister and this government to make sure we target funding to those families that need it."


skynewspolitics--2020-10-27--Police investigate Starmer collision that saw cyclist taken to hospital

Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer has attended a police station after being involved in a road traffic collision that saw an injured cyclist taken to hospital .
Metropolitan Police officers are now investigating the collision , which occurred in Kentish Town , north London , on Sunday afternoon .
Sir Keir was reportedly driving an SUV when it was in a collision with a cyclist outside a pub , The Sun reported .
IT developer Nicolas Janes told the newspaper : `` I was walking and there was a bang .
A loud bang .
`` I did n't witness @ @ @ @ @ @ @ . ''
Sir Keir , MP for Holborn and St Pancras in north London , was said to have swapped details with the other individual involved in the collision and stayed at the scene until an ambulance arrived .
He reported the incident to a police station later that day .
`` Keir was involved in a minor road traffic accident on Sunday , '' a spokesperson for the Labour leader said .
`` He spoke to a British Transport Police officer who attended the scene and swapped details with the officer and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ stayed at the scene until the ambulance arrived .
Later that afternoon , he reported the incident to a Police Station in accordance with the law .
`` Since the incident , Keir has also been in touch with the other individual involved . ''
The Metropolitan Police said the driver of the car in the incident was not arrested .
`` Police were alerted by London Ambulance Service at around 12.20 on Sunday 25 October to a report of a road traffic collision between a cyclist and car in Grafton Road , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a statement .
`` The driver of the car had stopped at the scene and exchanged details with the cyclist but had left before officers arrived .
`` The male cyclist received a minor injury to his arm and was taken to hospital by London Ambulance Service as a precaution .
`` Officers later attempted to contact the driver of the car and left a message advising him to report the matter to police .
`` The driver of the car subsequently attended a north London police station .
He was not arrested @ @ @ @ @ @ @ investigation into the collision is ongoing by officers from the Roads and Transport Policing Command . ''
A London Ambulance Service spokeswoman said : `` We were called at 12.08pm to reports of a road traffic collision involving a car and a cyclist on Grafton Road , NW5 .
`` We sent an ambulance crew to the scene .
A person was treated at the scene and taken to a hospital . ''

Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer has attended a police station after being involved in a road traffic collision that saw an injured cyclist taken to hospital.
Metropolitan Police officers are now investigating the collision, which occurred in Kentish Town, north London, on Sunday afternoon.
Sir Keir was reportedly driving an SUV when it was in a collision with a cyclist outside a pub, The Sun reported.
IT developer Nicolas Janes told the newspaper: "I was walking and there was a bang. A loud bang.
"I didn't witness it directly but could hear the impact."
Sir Keir, MP for Holborn and St Pancras in north London, was said to have swapped details with the other individual involved in the collision and stayed at the scene until an ambulance arrived.
He reported the incident to a police station later that day.
"Keir was involved in a minor road traffic accident on Sunday," a spokesperson for the Labour leader said.
"He spoke to a British Transport Police officer who attended the scene and swapped details with the officer and the other individual involved.
Advertisement
"Keir stayed at the scene until the ambulance arrived. Later that afternoon, he reported the incident to a Police Station in accordance with the law.
"Since the incident, Keir has also been in touch with the other individual involved."
The Metropolitan Police said the driver of the car in the incident was not arrested.
"Police were alerted by London Ambulance Service at around 12.20 on Sunday 25 October to a report of a road traffic collision between a cyclist and car in Grafton Road, NW5," the force said in a statement.
"The driver of the car had stopped at the scene and exchanged details with the cyclist but had left before officers arrived.
"The male cyclist received a minor injury to his arm and was taken to hospital by London Ambulance Service as a precaution.
"Officers later attempted to contact the driver of the car and left a message advising him to report the matter to police.
"The driver of the car subsequently attended a north London police station. He was not arrested or interviewed under caution.
"An investigation into the collision is ongoing by officers from the Roads and Transport Policing Command."
A London Ambulance Service spokeswoman said: "We were called at 12.08pm to reports of a road traffic collision involving a car and a cyclist on Grafton Road, NW5.
"We sent an ambulance crew to the scene. A person was treated at the scene and taken to a hospital."


skynewspolitics--2020-10-27--Tory MP and husband of Test and Trace boss blames 'chaotic parents' in free school meals row

The Tory MP husband of embattled coronavirus Test and Trace boss Dido Harding has been condemned by Labour after criticising `` chaotic parents '' in the row over Marcus Rashford 's free school meals campaign .
Former minister John Penrose , a millionaire publisher , made the comment in a letter to a constituent who asked him why he voted in the Commons against a Labour motion to extend free school meals to holiday periods .
In his reply , Mr Penrose suggested the Manchester United and England footballer and his backers in the Labour Party were proposing `` sticking @ @ @ @ @ @ @ '' , the Daily Mirror reported .
And the MP wrote : `` Practical measures which make a genuine difference to the causes of poverty include things like the Pupil Premium , which gives schools extra funding for disadvantaged pupils ; breakfast clubs , which help children with chaotic parents who send them to school without breakfast so they ca n't concentrate properly . ''
His remarks were condemned by Labour 's shadow education secretary , Kate Green , who said : `` It is completely unacceptable for a Conservative MP to blame @ @ @ @ @ @ @ own government 's chronic incompetence .
`` Children are at risk of going hungry because of a decade of stagnant wages and cuts to social security .
`` Not only have the Conservatives voted against helping these children , they are now blaming their parents .
It is not too late to do the right thing and extend free school meals over Christmas . ''
Shadow health minister Justin Madders said of Mr Penrose : `` He ought to look at the management of Test and Trace if he wants to know what @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , 56 , was contacted by Sky News but did not respond .
But he told the Daily Mirror : `` I 'm afraid this says more about the small anti-Tory prejudices of a couple of local Labour activists than about what 's really in my letter , which is clearly about how breakfast clubs can be a valuable way of dealing with one of the causes of poverty , not about everybody else who uses breakfast clubs too . ''
MP for the seaside resort constituency of Weston-Super-Mare since 2005 , Mr @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and Theresa May .
He was minister for tourism and then constitutional reform under Mr Cameron and then a Northern Ireland minister under Mrs May .
He voted Remain and backed Jeremy Hunt for Tory leader last year .
His wife , Tory peer Baroness Harding , is the beleaguered boss of Test and Trace , who was urged to quit last weekend by the senior Tory MP and leading Boris Johnson ally Sir Bernard Jenkin , who chairs the powerful Liaison Committee of MPs .
Denouncing a `` vacuum of leadership '' @ @ @ @ @ @ @ wrote in The Sunday Telegraph : `` Dido Harding , head of NHS Test and Trace , apparently says that she is struggling with what she inherited when arriving in the role , but during the summer , initial urgency subsided .
`` Perhaps some of those exhausted leaders on the government frontline , like Dido Harding , could be given a well-earned break too ; they could use their hard-won experience to help this group reflect on the lessons learned so far . ''
Sir Bernard 's call came after the faltering @ @ @ @ @ @ @ by Mr Johnson and the chief scientific adviser for England , Sir Patrick Vallance , during a Downing Street news conference last week .
The prime minister said : `` I share people 's frustrations and I understand totally why we do need to see faster turnaround times and we need to improve it . ''
At the same news conference , Sir Patrick said : `` It 's very clear there 's room for improvement on all of that and therefore that would be diminishing the effectiveness of this . ''

The Tory MP husband of embattled coronavirus Test and Trace boss Dido Harding has been condemned by Labour after criticising "chaotic parents" in the row over Marcus Rashford's free school meals campaign.
Former minister John Penrose, a millionaire publisher, made the comment in a letter to a constituent who asked him why he voted in the Commons against a Labour motion to extend free school meals to holiday periods.
In his reply, Mr Penrose suggested the Manchester United and England footballer and his backers in the Labour Party were proposing "sticking plaster solutions" which "increase dependency", the Daily Mirror reported.
Image: Baroness Dido Harding has been criticised after the Test and Trace system missed targets
And the MP wrote: "Practical measures which make a genuine difference to the causes of poverty include things like the Pupil Premium, which gives schools extra funding for disadvantaged pupils; breakfast clubs, which help children with chaotic parents who send them to school without breakfast so they can't concentrate properly."
His remarks were condemned by Labour's shadow education secretary, Kate Green, who said: "It is completely unacceptable for a Conservative MP to blame parents for the challenges created by his own government's chronic incompetence.
"Children are at risk of going hungry because of a decade of stagnant wages and cuts to social security.
"Not only have the Conservatives voted against helping these children, they are now blaming their parents. It is not too late to do the right thing and extend free school meals over Christmas."
Shadow health minister Justin Madders said of Mr Penrose: "He ought to look at the management of Test and Trace if he wants to know what chaotic really is."
Mr Penrose, 56, was contacted by Sky News but did not respond.
Advertisement
Image: Rashford has been leading a push to get free meals extended to all school holidays
But he told the Daily Mirror: "I'm afraid this says more about the small anti-Tory prejudices of a couple of local Labour activists than about what's really in my letter, which is clearly about how breakfast clubs can be a valuable way of dealing with one of the causes of poverty, not about everybody else who uses breakfast clubs too."
MP for the seaside resort constituency of Weston-Super-Mare since 2005, Mr Penrose held ministerial posts under David Cameron and Theresa May.
He was minister for tourism and then constitutional reform under Mr Cameron and then a Northern Ireland minister under Mrs May. He voted Remain and backed Jeremy Hunt for Tory leader last year.
His wife, Tory peer Baroness Harding, is the beleaguered boss of Test and Trace, who was urged to quit last weekend by the senior Tory MP and leading Boris Johnson ally Sir Bernard Jenkin, who chairs the powerful Liaison Committee of MPs.
Denouncing a "vacuum of leadership" in Test and Trace, Sir Bernard wrote in The Sunday Telegraph: "Dido Harding, head of NHS Test and Trace, apparently says that she is struggling with what she inherited when arriving in the role, but during the summer, initial urgency subsided.
Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player 1:40 Senior Tory calls on Test and Trace head to go
"Perhaps some of those exhausted leaders on the government frontline, like Dido Harding, could be given a well-earned break too; they could use their hard-won experience to help this group reflect on the lessons learned so far."
Sir Bernard's call came after the faltering Test and Trace system was publicly criticised by Mr Johnson and the chief scientific adviser for England, Sir Patrick Vallance, during a Downing Street news conference last week.
The prime minister said: "I share people's frustrations and I understand totally why we do need to see faster turnaround times and we need to improve it."
At the same news conference, Sir Patrick said: "It's very clear there's room for improvement on all of that and therefore that would be diminishing the effectiveness of this."


skynewspolitics--2020-10-27--New rules on 'essential' items in Welsh shops - but are they more confusing?

Fresh guidance has been released about what `` essential items '' people can buy from supermarkets in Wales during lockdown .
It comes after days of anger over which items count .
But the Welsh government 's latest update was in danger of sparking more confusion by saying that a `` sensible system should be introduced '' to let customers buy `` non-essential items by exception '' .
The new list was published on Tuesday evening , following talks with retailers about the policy in force during the 17-day `` firebreak '' to stem coronavirus cases .
From now on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ can be sold : • Products ancillary to the sale of food and drink , primarily disposable items used for the preparation and storage of food ( such as kitchen foil , food bags and cling film ) but also basic products necessary to prepare and eat food and drink • Products for washing clothes and for cleaning and maintaining the home , including batteries , light bulbs and fuel • Products for the maintenance of bicycles and cars The new list had to be issued after a woman said on Monday she @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in a Tesco .
The supermarket later apologised .
And another person was seen pulling off plastic sheeting covering some shelves , used to stop customers buying products .
A man was later charged by police .
The Welsh government said they were hopeful the new list `` provides a workable solution for retailers and customers '' .
However they potentially seeded more confusion by suggesting people can still buy non-essential items `` by exception under the regulations '' .
Asked to clarify who would decide on any exception and how , the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ introduce a practical system and facilitate it .
`` We 'll continue to have discussions with supermarkets over the coming days as to how this will be implemented in stores across Wales , '' a spokesperson added .
Under the original advice , stores had been given some licence to decide which items count as essential .
The rules put out last week said : `` In any cases where there may be doubt as to whether a product can be sold ( for example as to whether a product for the home @ @ @ @ @ @ @ be expected to use their best endeavours to consider what should be available . ''

Fresh guidance has been released about what "essential items" people can buy from supermarkets in Wales during lockdown.
It comes after days of anger over which items count.
But the Welsh government's latest update was in danger of sparking more confusion by saying that a "sensible system should be introduced" to let customers buy "non-essential items by exception".
Image: Wales has gone into lockdown for 17 days
The new list was published on Tuesday evening, following talks with retailers about the policy in force during the 17-day "firebreak" to stem coronavirus cases.
From now on, ministers say the following essential products can be sold:
Food and drink
Products ancillary to the sale of food and drink, primarily disposable items used for the preparation and storage of food (such as kitchen foil, food bags and cling film) but also basic products necessary to prepare and eat food and drink
Products for washing clothes and for cleaning and maintaining the home, including batteries, light bulbs and fuel
Toiletries and cosmetic products, including toilet rolls and sanitary products
Pharmaceutical products
Baby products including equipment, clothes and nappies
Newspapers and magazines
Stationery and greetings cards
Pet food and other pet supplies
Products for the maintenance of bicycles and cars
The new list had to be issued after a woman said on Monday she could not get hold of sanitary products in a Tesco. The supermarket later apologised.
And another person was seen pulling off plastic sheeting covering some shelves, used to stop customers buying products. A man was later charged by police.
The Welsh government said they were hopeful the new list "provides a workable solution for retailers and customers".
Image: Stores were told they could not sell some products. Pic: Richard Collins
However they potentially seeded more confusion by suggesting people can still buy non-essential items "by exception under the regulations".
Advertisement
Asked to clarify who would decide on any exception and how, the government said it was for supermarkets to introduce a practical system and facilitate it.
"We'll continue to have discussions with supermarkets over the coming days as to how this will be implemented in stores across Wales," a spokesperson added.
Image: The rules have been brought into curb the spread of COVID-19
Under the original advice, stores had been given some licence to decide which items count as essential.
The rules put out last week said: "In any cases where there may be doubt as to whether a product can be sold (for example as to whether a product for the home is truly a necessity) shops will be expected to use their best endeavours to consider what should be available."


skynewspolitics--2020-10-27--Tesco among supermarkets accused of failing to enforce face covering rules by mayor

Tesco has been accused of failing to enforce coronavirus rules and not having a `` responsible attitude '' to safety measures .
Andy Burnham , mayor of Greater Manchester , said the supermarket was one of several chains not policing the requirement for customers to wear face coverings , which have been mandatory in shops since 24 July .
He highlighted it as an example of companies `` not properly '' following the rules , in a push for councils to get tougher powers to close firms which are not COVID-secure .
Such action would help avoid other regions going @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and being put into Tier 3 coronavirus restrictions , the Labour politician added .
Revealing what local leaders pushed the government for in talks last week before they collapsed , Mr Burnham said a `` crude formula '' was used by ministers to decide how much money the area should receive .
`` We also argued for a more targeted approach to venues , '' he told peers on the House of Lords economic affairs select committee on Tuesday .
`` We asked for summary closure powers of all business premises that were @ @ @ @ @ @ @ `` I 'm not just talking about pubs and restaurants , there are large supermarkets in Greater Manchester who in my view have not properly implemented the requirements around face coverings , and I 'll name one chain : Tesco .
`` I do n't believe they have taken a responsible attitude to this issue - they 've said it 's not for them to enforce .
Well I think it is for those organisations to enforce . ''
He continued : `` So we have asked for targeted summary closure powers to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ we do not believe are adhering properly to the protocols .
`` We think that would be a better approach than blanket restrictions that may or may not have the impact the government wants on the virus .
`` We 've been under those restrictions for three months , so together with Leicester we probably have more experience of local restrictions than anyone .
`` And our view is they may have dampened the number of cases but they have n't actually succeeded in turning the situation around . ''
A Tesco spokesperson @ @ @ @ @ @ @ wear face coverings when they shop in our stores , and everyone has their part to play in this , unless they are exempt in line with government guidance .
`` We have clear signage explaining this , and we have packs of face coverings available for purchase near the front of our stores for any customers who have forgotten them . ''
They added that the government has `` made clear that it is for the police , rather than individual retailers '' to enforce the law .
`` Our colleagues do @ @ @ @ @ @ @ them to do this would put them at increased risk of verbal and physical abuse . ''
It is the second time this week the supermarket has come under fire , after it was accused of stopping selling some items wrongly under the Welsh government 's bid to ensure `` essential items '' could only be sold during the 17-day lockdown .
Steve Rotheram , mayor of the Liverpool City Region , was also deeply critical of how the area going into Tier 3 was handled .
He told the Lords committee that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ from negotiations '' but local leaders were told what was happening `` no ifs , no buts '' .
Ministers `` did n't provide us with any economic impact assessments '' of the move and were at times `` just making things up as they went along '' , he claimed .
It comes as 367 more people died with COVID-19 in the UK - the highest daily figure since 27 May , when 422 fatalities were reported as the country gradually came out of the first peak .

Tesco has been accused of failing to enforce coronavirus rules and not having a "responsible attitude" to safety measures.
Andy Burnham, mayor of Greater Manchester, said the supermarket was one of several chains not policing the requirement for customers to wear face coverings, which have been mandatory in shops since 24 July.
He highlighted it as an example of companies "not properly" following the rules, in a push for councils to get tougher powers to close firms which are not COVID-secure.
Image: Andy Mr Burnham said a 'crude formula' was used to decide how much money Greater Manchester should receive
Such action would help avoid other regions going through the same fate as Greater Manchester and being put into Tier 3 coronavirus restrictions, the Labour politician added.
Revealing what local leaders pushed the government for in talks last week before they collapsed, Mr Burnham said a "crude formula" was used by ministers to decide how much money the area should receive.
"We also argued for a more targeted approach to venues," he told peers on the House of Lords economic affairs select committee on Tuesday.
"We asked for summary closure powers of all business premises that were not deemed to be COVID safe.
"I'm not just talking about pubs and restaurants, there are large supermarkets in Greater Manchester who in my view have not properly implemented the requirements around face coverings, and I'll name one chain: Tesco.
"I don't believe they have taken a responsible attitude to this issue - they've said it's not for them to enforce. Well I think it is for those organisations to enforce."
Advertisement
He continued: "So we have asked for targeted summary closure powers to be able to temporarily close venues which we do not believe are adhering properly to the protocols.
"We think that would be a better approach than blanket restrictions that may or may not have the impact the government wants on the virus.
"We've been under those restrictions for three months, so together with Leicester we probably have more experience of local restrictions than anyone.
"And our view is they may have dampened the number of cases but they haven't actually succeeded in turning the situation around."
A Tesco spokesperson told Sky News: "Customers must wear face coverings when they shop in our stores, and everyone has their part to play in this, unless they are exempt in line with government guidance.
Image: A COVID warning sign in Liverpool, which has been placed under the highest Tier 3 restrictions
"We have clear signage explaining this, and we have packs of face coverings available for purchase near the front of our stores for any customers who have forgotten them."
They added that the government has "made clear that it is for the police, rather than individual retailers" to enforce the law.
"Our colleagues do not have enforcement powers, and asking them to do this would put them at increased risk of verbal and physical abuse."
It is the second time this week the supermarket has come under fire, after it was accused of stopping selling some items wrongly under the Welsh government's bid to ensure "essential items" could only be sold during the 17-day lockdown.
Image: Tesco has also been accused of wrongly refusing to sell certain items in Wales under the country's lockdown
Steve Rotheram, mayor of the Liverpool City Region, was also deeply critical of how the area going into Tier 3 was handled.
He told the Lords committee that the talks with government were "far from negotiations" but local leaders were told what was happening "no ifs, no buts".
Ministers "didn't provide us with any economic impact assessments" of the move and were at times "just making things up as they went along", he claimed.
It comes as 367 more people died with COVID-19 in the UK - the highest daily figure since 27 May, when 422 fatalities were reported as the country gradually came out of the first peak.


skynewspolitics--2020-10-27--'I can smell and taste the panic': Peer who used free school meals recalls holiday fear

A peer has described how he can still `` taste and smell the panic '' he had as a boy relying on free school meals when the holidays approached , telling Sky News the government needs to U-turn .
Leslie Griffiths , now a Labour lord , said he and his brother used to scavenge on rubbish heaps for coal to heat the one room where they lived with their mother in the late 1940s in Burry Port , south Wales .
`` It was very , very rough , '' he recalled , describing how his mother - who @ @ @ @ @ @ @ `` broke her body '' and left them relying on benefits - used to worry about the school holidays when her two children 's free meals stopped .
`` More than once I saw her put food on the table and she was pretending to have some and she did n't , '' Lord Leslie told Sky News .
It was a `` threadbare existence '' , he added , after speaking up in a House of Lords debate earlier on Tuesday on free school meals .
The issue has blown up again @ @ @ @ @ @ @ but Boris Johnson has resisted a campaign by footballer Marcus Rashford to extend free school meals throughout the holidays during the coronavirus pandemic .
The government U-turned to do so over the summer but is refusing a similar move for the rest of the winter .
Ministers argue support can be better targetted and several Conservative backbenchers have warned against creating greater dependency on the voucher system .
But Lord Griffiths praised Rashford as `` the best aspect of celebrity '' .
He described how his family were looked after for odd nights @ @ @ @ @ @ @ room in his grandparents ' house in a brick yard .
`` I do n't take any pleasure in telling this story to bring tears to people 's eyes or to evoke admiration .
We were blissfully happy , '' he told Sky News .
`` My mother was a very remarkable , resilient woman .
But it was very , very tough .
`` I ca n't remember not having free school meals . ''
When he was 11 , Lord Griffiths got a place at a grammar school , while his @ @ @ @ @ @ @ That was the age when he became aware of how different his own position was to others around him .
`` I was surrounded by bourgeois people now , I 'd never met anyone like this before , '' he said .
`` But I became self-conscious .
Here was I wearing this posh uniform and being given this blue card and being told to stand in a line , quite distinct from the others . ''
Lord Griffiths said the only reason he spoke out was to `` draw attention to the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ understand what people like us went through , what it feels like and what it means in terms of people 's capacity to manage at all '' .
And pouring praise on Rashford , he added : `` It 's so rare for those lads who get so much money and so much stardom to break out of the images we create for them just to be ordinary guys .
`` He 's been so beautifully understated , he has n't flaunted himself .
It is the best aspect of celebrity ... '' @ @ @ @ @ @ @ it has n't gone to his head , he has n't grandstanded , he 's just stayed true to himself .
`` I very much wanted it to be my five minutes worth in support of what is a very worthwhile campaign . ''
And Lord Griffiths said while some councils and samaritans had stepped in to pledge to feed hungry kids over the holidays , not all children would be lucky enough to benefit .
`` That 's the problem - some will get the benefit and others wo n't , that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , '' he added .
Responding to his speech in the Lords earlier , minister Baroness Berridge said that `` many Noble Lords of all parties and none can recall circumstances in which their own needs - whether that be housing or food - were not met through the circumstances of their family '' .
She added : `` It is not a postcode lottery .
`` 1.4 million children in England are entitled to free school meals , saving their families over £400 a year , and in addition to that , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the government has in nearly 2,500 schools been funding new breakfast clubs to provide children with healthy food . ''
Earlier this week , Prime Minister Boris Johnson said he had n't spoken to Rashford since June , but praised his `` terrific '' anti-food poverty campaign .
He vowed to `` do everything in our power to make sure that no kid , no child goes hungry this winter during the holidays '' .

A peer has described how he can still "taste and smell the panic" he had as a boy relying on free school meals when the holidays approached, telling Sky News the government needs to U-turn.
Leslie Griffiths, now a Labour lord, said he and his brother used to scavenge on rubbish heaps for coal to heat the one room where they lived with their mother in the late 1940s in Burry Port, south Wales.
"It was very, very rough," he recalled, describing how his mother - who worked in a tin plate factory which "broke her body" and left them relying on benefits - used to worry about the school holidays when her two children's free meals stopped.
Image: Children do not get free school meals over the holidays
"More than once I saw her put food on the table and she was pretending to have some and she didn't," Lord Leslie told Sky News.
It was a "threadbare existence", he added, after speaking up in a House of Lords debate earlier on Tuesday on free school meals.
The issue has blown up again as children spend half-term at home, but Boris Johnson has resisted a campaign by footballer Marcus Rashford to extend free school meals throughout the holidays during the coronavirus pandemic.
The government U-turned to do so over the summer but is refusing a similar move for the rest of the winter.
Image: Boris Johnson has so far refused to make another U-turn
Ministers argue support can be better targetted and several Conservative backbenchers have warned against creating greater dependency on the voucher system.
But Lord Griffiths praised Rashford as "the best aspect of celebrity".
Advertisement
He described how his family were looked after for odd nights by friends and then given the spare room in his grandparents' house in a brick yard.
"I don't take any pleasure in telling this story to bring tears to people's eyes or to evoke admiration. We were blissfully happy," he told Sky News.
"My mother was a very remarkable, resilient woman. But it was very, very tough.
"I can't remember not having free school meals."
Image: Lord Griffiths grew up in Burry Port, south Wales. Pic: Google
When he was 11, Lord Griffiths got a place at a grammar school, while his brother went to the secondary modern.
That was the age when he became aware of how different his own position was to others around him.
"I was surrounded by bourgeois people now, I'd never met anyone like this before," he said.
"But I became self-conscious. Here was I wearing this posh uniform and being given this blue card and being told to stand in a line, quite distinct from the others."
Lord Griffiths said the only reason he spoke out was to "draw attention to the fact that an old Etonian doesn't understand what people like us went through, what it feels like and what it means in terms of people's capacity to manage at all".
And pouring praise on Rashford, he added: "It's so rare for those lads who get so much money and so much stardom to break out of the images we create for them just to be ordinary guys.
Image: Marcus Rashford was praised for being the 'best aspect of celebrity'
"He's been so beautifully understated, he hasn't flaunted himself. It is the best aspect of celebrity...
"Since he's had the attention, it hasn't gone to his head, he hasn't grandstanded, he's just stayed true to himself.
"I very much wanted it to be my five minutes worth in support of what is a very worthwhile campaign."
And Lord Griffiths said while some councils and samaritans had stepped in to pledge to feed hungry kids over the holidays, not all children would be lucky enough to benefit.
"That's the problem - some will get the benefit and others won't, that's what makes it a postcode lottery," he added.
Image: Some charities and companies have stepped in to provide lunches
Responding to his speech in the Lords earlier, minister Baroness Berridge said that "many Noble Lords of all parties and none can recall circumstances in which their own needs - whether that be housing or food - were not met through the circumstances of their family".
She added: "It is not a postcode lottery.
"1.4 million children in England are entitled to free school meals, saving their families over £400 a year, and in addition to that, particularly through the soft drinks levy, the government has in nearly 2,500 schools been funding new breakfast clubs to provide children with healthy food."
Earlier this week, Prime Minister Boris Johnson said he hadn't spoken to Rashford since June, but praised his "terrific" anti-food poverty campaign.
He vowed to "do everything in our power to make sure that no kid, no child goes hungry this winter during the holidays".


skynewspolitics--2020-10-27--Rumbles of discontent from Tory MPs could turn into a revolt

Bolton is a Tory success story .
Six years ago it was Labour controlled , but now two of the three MPs are Conservative and the council is too .
Yet months of coronavirus restrictions have taken their toll and both the town 's Tory MPs today put their names to a letter asking Prime Minister Boris Johnson to publish an exit strategy out of Tier 3 restrictions and deliver investment promised at the general election .
Privately some Conservative MPs admit `` the damage is real '' , the government 's tiered system of COVID-19 restrictions has been `` @ @ @ @ @ @ @ slur against the North '' .
One MP told me he believes he is witnessing `` disintegration in confidence in the government '' .
The Tory leader of Bolton Council , David Greenhalgh , is one of very few in his party to express such concerns publicly .
Today he said that if the `` levelling up '' funding promised to the region at the last election does not appear , it `` would be tragic and a betrayal of the North '' .
He also spoke of public `` resentment '' and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ build support in areas like Bolton is 'under threat ' .
One key emotion seems to have provoked today 's letter from more than 50 northern Tory MPs to Boris Johnson : Nervousness .
Last year 's general election success across former `` red wall '' seats was a massive generational win .
But Conservatives worry all that hard work could be lost if - due to the hundreds of billions already spent on the pandemic - northern constituencies do n't get the significant investment they were promised .
The MPs insist today @ @ @ @ @ @ @ But if the prime minister does n't deliver , it could turn into one .

Bolton is a Tory success story. Six years ago it was Labour controlled, but now two of the three MPs are Conservative and the council is too.
Yet months of coronavirus restrictions have taken their toll and both the town's Tory MPs today put their names to a letter asking Prime Minister Boris Johnson to publish an exit strategy out of Tier 3 restrictions and deliver investment promised at the general election.
Privately some Conservative MPs admit "the damage is real", the government's tiered system of COVID-19 restrictions has been "mishandled" and taken as a "slur against the North".
Image: Bolton's Tory council leader has warned against a 'betrayal of the North'
One MP told me he believes he is witnessing "disintegration in confidence in the government".
The Tory leader of Bolton Council, David Greenhalgh, is one of very few in his party to express such concerns publicly.
Today he said that if the "levelling up" funding promised to the region at the last election does not appear, it "would be tragic and a betrayal of the North".
He also spoke of public "resentment" and claimed the party's long-term project to build support in areas like Bolton is 'under threat'.
One key emotion seems to have provoked today's letter from more than 50 northern Tory MPs to Boris Johnson: Nervousness.
Last year's general election success across former "red wall" seats was a massive generational win.
Advertisement
But Conservatives worry all that hard work could be lost if - due to the hundreds of billions already spent on the pandemic - northern constituencies don't get the significant investment they were promised.
The MPs insist today's intervention is not a revolt. But if the prime minister doesn't deliver, it could turn into one.


skynewspolitics--2020-10-28--Government risks leaving it 'too late' for 'circuit break' lockdown to work, warns SAGE member

The government is in danger of leaving it `` too late '' for a short national lockdown to be effective in driving down the rate of coronavirus infections , a member of its scientific advisory group has warned .
Professor Andrew Hayward , from UCL 's institute of epidemiology and a member of the Scientific Advisory Group for Emergencies ( SAGE ) , told Sky News that `` more intensive action '' is needed across the whole country to halt the second wave of COVID-19 infections .
He said the government 's three-tiered approach for localised restrictions had `` put @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the transmission of the disease and the virus had `` slowed down '' in some areas under Tier 3 measures .
But he added this is `` not same as turning it around to make it decrease '' .
UK deaths hit their highest level for five months on Tuesday , when 367 new fatalities linked to coronavirus and nearly 23,000 more cases were recorded .
Prof Hayward suggested a three-week lockdown , a proposal which has become known as a `` circuit breaker '' , was needed before Christmas .
`` Last @ @ @ @ @ @ @ four months and one of the reasons for that was because we acted too late , '' he told Sky News ' All Out Politics .
`` And I think we 're in danger of walking into that situation again whereby we let cases increase to a level where a short lockdown is not going to be sufficiently effective . ''
He added : `` It 's more effective to act earlier , you save more lives the earlier you act - I think this needs to be way before Christmas and quite @ @ @ @ @ @ @ peak of a second wave of COVID-19 infections this winter might be `` less steep '' - but could `` last longer '' and so lead to more deaths .
The Daily Telegraph reported on Wednesday that Downing Street is working on the assumption that the second wave will be more deadly than the first , on the basis of SAGE projections .
Earlier , a cabinet minister told Sky News it is `` too early to say '' how people will be able to celebrate Christmas this year , with many people @ @ @ @ @ @ @ either indoors or outdoors .
Asked how people might be able to celebrate in less than two months ' time , Environment Secretary George Eustice told Sky News ' Kay Burley : `` The prime minister has been very clear , as we all are , that we want people to celebrate Christmas in a way that is as close to normal as possible .
`` But it is too early to be able to say exactly what the situation will be come Christmas , and exactly what different parts of the country @ @ @ @ @ @ @ do .
`` Obviously checking the spread of this virus is paramount , but alongside that we want people to live their lives as close to normal as possible , including at Christmas which is an incredibly important time for families . ''
The Sun reported on Wednesday that SAGE analysis suggested the highest level of restrictions , Tier 3 , may be needed across all of England by mid-December .
And SAGE member Professor Sir Mark Walport said it is `` not unrealistic '' to think that 25,000 people could be in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ November .
Mr Eustice said the `` right approach '' to responding to the increase in infections was the government 's three-tiered system for localised restrictions , which he said ministers are `` going to stick to '' despite pressure for a national `` circuit breaker '' lockdown .
However , he added that the government would `` keep all options open '' and ministers are `` concerned '' by the fresh spread of the virus .
`` We 've been monitoring the incidence of this disease and it 's why a number @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , why we 've been introducing new restrictions in some of those northern towns and cities where there 's been an early spike , '' he said .
`` We know that mortality very sadly tends to follow those spikes in incidence by a number of weeks - it 's maybe that we started to see that yesterday . ''
Mr Eustice said the incidence of the disease had begun to `` dip back down '' and there had been a `` dampening '' of the spread of the virus since the reintroduction @ @ @ @ @ @ @ he admitted ministers are facing a `` very difficult situation to control completely '' .
He defended the government 's loosening of national restrictions over the summer , suggesting it was an easier time to manage the disease .
`` We did n't see a spike in the summer when we eased those lockdown restrictions , partly because it was in the summer and you had long days and warmer weather not conducive to spread of the virus , '' the environment secretary said .
`` We started to see an uptick in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that very closely and started to reintroduce , therefore , restrictions later that month and we 've been refining those ever since with targeted steps .
`` This is a virus that spreads in winter months and it 's a difficult situation to manage but I think we 're taking the right approach . ''
Greater Manchester mayor Andy Burnham , whose region is in Tier 3 restrictions , warned that `` time is running out '' for a national `` circuit break '' lockdown .
He called on ministers not to `` @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and instead be `` open-minded about what is going to deliver the results , in terms of the drop in cases , and do least harm to the economy '' .
`` In the discussions that we had with the government , we heard the chief medical officer , the deputy chief medical officer , the chief scientific adviser all say that they do n't think the tier system and the small number of closures that have been brought about are going to actually deliver the results in terms of the drop in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ News .
`` So we were hearing from the experts that the government actually is heading out down the wrong path , and you could go from Tier 3 to Tier 4 to Tier 5 and it would seem that , they fear , that is n't going to be enough . ''

The government is in danger of leaving it "too late" for a short national lockdown to be effective in driving down the rate of coronavirus infections, a member of its scientific advisory group has warned.
Professor Andrew Hayward, from UCL's institute of epidemiology and a member of the Scientific Advisory Group for Emergencies (SAGE), told Sky News that "more intensive action" is needed across the whole country to halt the second wave of COVID-19 infections.
He said the government's three-tiered approach for localised restrictions had "put a bit of a break" on the transmission of the disease and the virus had "slowed down" in some areas under Tier 3 measures.
But he added this is "not same as turning it around to make it decrease".
Image: Large parts of the UK are under tougher COVID rules with less than two months until Christmas
UK deaths hit their highest level for five months on Tuesday, when 367 new fatalities linked to coronavirus and nearly 23,000 more cases were recorded.
Prof Hayward suggested a three-week lockdown, a proposal which has become known as a "circuit breaker", was needed before Christmas.
"Last time we had lockdown which went on four months and one of the reasons for that was because we acted too late," he told Sky News' All Out Politics.
"And I think we're in danger of walking into that situation again whereby we let cases increase to a level where a short lockdown is not going to be sufficiently effective."
He added: "It's more effective to act earlier, you save more lives the earlier you act - I think this needs to be way before Christmas and quite soon."
Advertisement
Prof Hayward warned the peak of a second wave of COVID-19 infections this winter might be "less steep" - but could "last longer" and so lead to more deaths.
The Daily Telegraph reported on Wednesday that Downing Street is working on the assumption that the second wave will be more deadly than the first, on the basis of SAGE projections.
Image: Measures under Tiers 1, 2 and 3 of England's lockdown system
Earlier, a cabinet minister told Sky News it is "too early to say" how people will be able to celebrate Christmas this year, with many people currently banned from socialising with other households either indoors or outdoors.
Asked how people might be able to celebrate in less than two months' time, Environment Secretary George Eustice told Sky News' Kay Burley: "The prime minister has been very clear, as we all are, that we want people to celebrate Christmas in a way that is as close to normal as possible.
"But it is too early to be able to say exactly what the situation will be come Christmas, and exactly what different parts of the country will or will not be able to do.
"Obviously checking the spread of this virus is paramount, but alongside that we want people to live their lives as close to normal as possible, including at Christmas which is an incredibly important time for families."
The Sun reported on Wednesday that SAGE analysis suggested the highest level of restrictions, Tier 3, may be needed across all of England by mid-December.
And SAGE member Professor Sir Mark Walport said it is "not unrealistic" to think that 25,000 people could be in hospital with coronavirus by the end of November.
Mr Eustice said the "right approach" to responding to the increase in infections was the government's three-tiered system for localised restrictions, which he said ministers are "going to stick to" despite pressure for a national "circuit breaker" lockdown.
However, he added that the government would "keep all options open" and ministers are "concerned" by the fresh spread of the virus.
"We've been monitoring the incidence of this disease and it's why a number of weeks ago we strengthened those restrictions, why we've been introducing new restrictions in some of those northern towns and cities where there's been an early spike," he said.
"We know that mortality very sadly tends to follow those spikes in incidence by a number of weeks - it's maybe that we started to see that yesterday."
Mr Eustice said the incidence of the disease had begun to "dip back down" and there had been a "dampening" of the spread of the virus since the reintroduction of restrictions since the summer, but he admitted ministers are facing a "very difficult situation to control completely".
He defended the government's loosening of national restrictions over the summer, suggesting it was an easier time to manage the disease.
"We didn't see a spike in the summer when we eased those lockdown restrictions, partly because it was in the summer and you had long days and warmer weather not conducive to spread of the virus," the environment secretary said.
"We started to see an uptick in the virus in September, we monitored that very closely and started to reintroduce, therefore, restrictions later that month and we've been refining those ever since with targeted steps.
"This is a virus that spreads in winter months and it's a difficult situation to manage but I think we're taking the right approach."
Greater Manchester mayor Andy Burnham, whose region is in Tier 3 restrictions, warned that "time is running out" for a national "circuit break" lockdown.
He called on ministers not to "dig in" over their tiered system and instead be "open-minded about what is going to deliver the results, in terms of the drop in cases, and do least harm to the economy".
"In the discussions that we had with the government, we heard the chief medical officer, the deputy chief medical officer, the chief scientific adviser all say that they don't think the tier system and the small number of closures that have been brought about are going to actually deliver the results in terms of the drop in cases," Mr Burnham told Sky News.
"So we were hearing from the experts that the government actually is heading out down the wrong path, and you could go from Tier 3 to Tier 4 to Tier 5 and it would seem that, they fear, that isn't going to be enough."


skynewspolitics--2020-10-28--PM under pressure to toughen rules after highest death toll since May

The prime minister is under mounting pressure to bring in tougher coronavirus rules after UK deaths hit their highest level for five months .
There were 367 deaths linked to the virus recorded on Tuesday , and nearly 23,000 more cases .
Downing Street has not rebuffed an internal projection from its SAGE experts that this winter could see more fatalities than the spring , with a spokesman calling latest figures `` concerning '' .
The prime minister is coming under `` intense '' lobbying from experts such as chief scientific adviser Sir Patrick Vallance to ramp up restrictions , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ says government advisers fear that daily deaths could remain in the hundreds for at least three months .
They have also warned that the whole of England will need to be under the toughest Tier 3 restrictions by mid-December , The Sun reports .
The current official count of COVID-related deaths in the UK is nearly 59,000 .
Dr Yvonne Doyle , medical director of Public Health England , warned on Tuesday that rising deaths were likely to `` continue for some time '' .
As the effort to suppress the rise in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is rumoured to be the next heading for Tier 3 coronavirus rules - meaning extra restrictions on household mixing and shutting pubs that do n't serve food .
Warrington entered the top tier on Tuesday , while the Nottingham area is set to join from Thursday .
Liverpool City Region , Greater Manchester , Lancashire and South Yorkshire are already in Tier 3 .
Staffordshire , meanwhile , is in line to be upgraded to Tier 2 - meaning no indoors household mixing - as soon as the weekend .
It means more @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the strictest lockdown by the end of the week , prompting calls for clarity on how the restrictions will be eased .
The concerns over a North-South divide has prompted Tory MPs in the new Northern Research Group to write to Boris Johnson urging a `` clear road map '' out of the lockdown .
Head of the group , Jake Berry , said `` the cost of Covid and the virus itself threatens to send the North into reverse '' .
It comes as the chair of the UK Vaccine Taskforce warned @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is likely to be imperfect '' and that they `` might not work for everyone '' .
Kate Bingham cautioned against over-optimism and said any vaccine might not work for everyone , or for very long .
In other significant coronavirus developments , France is said to be on the verge of another blanket national lockdown .
President Macron will address the nation later after the country 's death toll reached 523 - the highest since April - while cases topped 33,000 .

The prime minister is under mounting pressure to bring in tougher coronavirus rules after UK deaths hit their highest level for five months.
There were 367 deaths linked to the virus recorded on Tuesday, and nearly 23,000 more cases.
Downing Street has not rebuffed an internal projection from its SAGE experts that this winter could see more fatalities than the spring, with a spokesman calling latest figures "concerning".
The prime minister is coming under "intense" lobbying from experts such as chief scientific adviser Sir Patrick Vallance to ramp up restrictions, according to The Daily Telegraph.
It says government advisers fear that daily deaths could remain in the hundreds for at least three months.
They have also warned that the whole of England will need to be under the toughest Tier 3 restrictions by mid-December, The Sun reports.
The current official count of COVID-related deaths in the UK is nearly 59,000.
Dr Yvonne Doyle, medical director of Public Health England, warned on Tuesday that rising deaths were likely to "continue for some time".
As the effort to suppress the rise in cases and deaths continues, West Yorkshire is rumoured to be the next heading for Tier 3 coronavirus rules - meaning extra restrictions on household mixing and shutting pubs that don't serve food.
Advertisement
Warrington entered the top tier on Tuesday, while the Nottingham area is set to join from Thursday.
Liverpool City Region, Greater Manchester, Lancashire and South Yorkshire are already in Tier 3.
Staffordshire, meanwhile, is in line to be upgraded to Tier 2 - meaning no indoors household mixing - as soon as the weekend.
It means more than eight million people could be under the strictest lockdown by the end of the week, prompting calls for clarity on how the restrictions will be eased.
The concerns over a North-South divide has prompted Tory MPs in the new Northern Research Group to write to Boris Johnson urging a "clear road map" out of the lockdown.
Image: Nottingham is set to join large areas of the North in Tier 3
Head of the group, Jake Berry, said "the cost of Covid and the virus itself threatens to send the North into reverse".
It comes as the chair of the UK Vaccine Taskforce warned that the first generation of vaccines "is likely to be imperfect" and that they "might not work for everyone".
Kate Bingham cautioned against over-optimism and said any vaccine might not work for everyone, or for very long.
In other significant coronavirus developments, France is said to be on the verge of another blanket national lockdown.
President Macron will address the nation later after the country's death toll reached 523 - the highest since April - while cases topped 33,000.


skynewspolitics--2020-10-28--Chancellor to set out government spending plans in bid to tackle COVID crisis

Chancellor Rishi Sunak will set out the government 's one-year spending plans next month as he seeks to tackle the economic crisis caused by coronavirus .
The Treasury has announced a 2021-22 Spending Review will be published on 25 November , as the government prioritises its response to COVID-19 and strives to protect jobs .
The government had previously confirmed it was scrapping a proposed multi-year spending review after those plans were thrown off course by the coronavirus crisis .
Mr Sunak said : `` In the current environment it 's essential that we provide certainty .
`` So we @ @ @ @ @ @ @ all of the nations of the UK by setting budgets for next year , with a total focus on tackling COVID and delivering our 'Plan for Jobs ' .
`` Long-term investment in our country 's future is the right thing to do , especially in areas which are the cornerstone of our society like the NHS , schools and infrastructure .
`` We 'll make sure these areas crucial to our economic recovery have their budgets set for further years so they can plan and help us build back better . ''
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ that the chancellor could use next month 's spending review to announce extra money to help feed struggling families over Christmas .
Ministers are under pressure to respond to a high-profile campaign by England footballer Marcus Rashford to expand free school meals and to provide meals during all school holidays for those in need .
Number 10 pointed reporters to comments from Health Secretary Matt Hancock that `` the spending review sets out any future funding on behalf of the government '' .
Next month 's spending review will be accompanied by an @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Responsibility .
The spending review will set government departments ' resource and capital budgets for 2021-22 , and the devolved administrations ' block grants for the same period .
Funding for the NHS and schools will remain multi-year , along with priority infrastructure projects .

Chancellor Rishi Sunak will set out the government's one-year spending plans next month as he seeks to tackle the economic crisis caused by coronavirus.
The Treasury has announced a 2021-22 Spending Review will be published on 25 November, as the government prioritises its response to COVID-19 and strives to protect jobs.
The government had previously confirmed it was scrapping a proposed multi-year spending review after those plans were thrown off course by the coronavirus crisis.
Image: Number 10 has hinted the spending review could be used to respond to Marcus Rashford's campaign
Mr Sunak said: "In the current environment it's essential that we provide certainty.
"So we'll be doing that for departments and all of the nations of the UK by setting budgets for next year, with a total focus on tackling COVID and delivering our 'Plan for Jobs'.
"Long-term investment in our country's future is the right thing to do, especially in areas which are the cornerstone of our society like the NHS, schools and infrastructure.
"We'll make sure these areas crucial to our economic recovery have their budgets set for further years so they can plan and help us build back better."
Earlier this week, Downing Street hinted that the chancellor could use next month's spending review to announce extra money to help feed struggling families over Christmas.
Ministers are under pressure to respond to a high-profile campaign by England footballer Marcus Rashford to expand free school meals and to provide meals during all school holidays for those in need.
Advertisement
Twitter Twitter , 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 Twitter 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 Twitter cookies. To view this content you can use the button below to allow Twitter cookies for this session only. Enable Cookies Allow Cookies Once
Number 10 pointed reporters to comments from Health Secretary Matt Hancock that "the spending review sets out any future funding on behalf of the government".
Next month's spending review will be accompanied by an economic forecast by the Office for Budget Responsibility.
The spending review will set government departments' resource and capital budgets for 2021-22, and the devolved administrations' block grants for the same period.
Funding for the NHS and schools will remain multi-year, along with priority infrastructure projects.


skynewspolitics--2020-10-28--Trade department's Bake Off claim sparks saucy row over Japan trade deal

The Department for International Trade has been accused of `` exaggerations and mis-truths '' after being caught up in a row over the price of soy sauce , sparked by an episode of the Great British Bake Off .
During the latest episode of the TV cookery show , contestants competed in `` Japanese Week '' and were tasked with producing steamed buns , as well as the weekly `` technical '' and `` showstopper '' challenges .
As the programme aired on Channel 4 , the Department for International Trade used the opportunity to hail the UK 's newly-signed @ @ @ @ @ @ @ post by the department 's Twitter account claimed the Japan trade agreement signed by the international trade secretary Liz Truss last week would see soy sauce `` made cheaper '' in the UK .
However , trade experts were quick to point out there are already no tariffs on soy sauce entering the UK from Japan , suggesting that the product was unlikely to be cheaper under the new deal .
David Henig , UK director of the European Centre for International Political Economy , told the department it was `` not a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a government social media account to tell the truth '' .
Until the end of the Brexit transition period at the end of this year , the UK will continue to benefit from the EU 's trade deal with Japan , at which point the newly-signed UK-Japan agreement will apply .
However , the Department for International Trade doubled down on its claim , tweeting that under World Trade Organisation ( WTO ) terms - on which the UK would have traded with Japan from next year if a post-Brexit deal had not @ @ @ @ @ @ @ sauce is 6 % .
The department later added : `` To clarify : thanks to the UK-Japan trade deal , soya sauce will be cheaper than it otherwise would be under WTO terms , on which we would be trading with Japan from 1 Jan if we had not secured the UK-Japan trade deal . ''
In the continuing absence of a post-Brexit trade deal with the EU , Prime Minister Boris Johnson recently claimed the UK will `` prosper mightily '' if forced to trade on WTO terms with the bloc @ @ @ @ @ @ @ an `` Australia-style '' relationship .
Labour 's Emily Thornberry , the shadow international trade secretary , said that the Department for International Trade 's claims about soy sauce and the Japan deal were `` just an illustration '' of a `` much bigger problem '' .
She posted on Twitter : `` For four years , the DIT has been over-promising and under-delivering when it comes to our trade deals , then constantly trying to fill the gap with exaggerations and mis-truths . ''

The Department for International Trade has been accused of "exaggerations and mis-truths" after being caught up in a row over the price of soy sauce, sparked by an episode of the Great British Bake Off.
During the latest episode of the TV cookery show, contestants competed in "Japanese Week" and were tasked with producing steamed buns, as well as the weekly "technical" and "showstopper" challenges.
As the programme aired on Channel 4, the Department for International Trade used the opportunity to hail the UK's newly-signed post-Brexit trade deal with Japan.
Image: International Trade Secretary Liz Truss recently agreed the Japan trade deal. Pic: Andrew Parsons / 10 Downing Street
A post by the department's Twitter account claimed the Japan trade agreement signed by the international trade secretary Liz Truss last week would see soy sauce "made cheaper" in the UK.
However, trade experts were quick to point out there are already no tariffs on soy sauce entering the UK from Japan, suggesting that the product was unlikely to be cheaper under the new deal.
David Henig, UK director of the European Centre for International Political Economy, told the department it was "not a good look when you can't trust a government social media account to tell the truth".
Until the end of the Brexit transition period at the end of this year, the UK will continue to benefit from the EU's trade deal with Japan, at which point the newly-signed UK-Japan agreement will apply.
However, the Department for International Trade doubled down on its claim, tweeting that under World Trade Organisation (WTO) terms - on which the UK would have traded with Japan from next year if a post-Brexit deal had not been signed - the tariff on soy sauce is 6%.
The department later added: "To clarify: thanks to the UK-Japan trade deal, soya sauce will be cheaper than it otherwise would be under WTO terms, on which we would be trading with Japan from 1 Jan if we had not secured the UK-Japan trade deal."
Advertisement
Twitter Twitter , 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 Twitter 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 Twitter cookies. To view this content you can use the button below to allow Twitter cookies for this session only. Enable Cookies Allow Cookies Once
In the continuing absence of a post-Brexit trade deal with the EU, Prime Minister Boris Johnson recently claimed the UK will "prosper mightily" if forced to trade on WTO terms with the bloc, which he has often described as an "Australia-style" relationship.
Labour's Emily Thornberry, the shadow international trade secretary, said that the Department for International Trade's claims about soy sauce and the Japan deal were "just an illustration" of a "much bigger problem".
She posted on Twitter: "For four years, the DIT has been over-promising and under-delivering when it comes to our trade deals, then constantly trying to fill the gap with exaggerations and mis-truths."


skynewspolitics--2020-10-28--COVID-19 has proved people who went to Eton can't run the country, Danny Dyer says

The coronavirus pandemic has proved that `` people who went to Eton '' are unable to run the country , the actor Danny Dyer has said .
The EastEnders star said the `` little group '' who attended the Windsor boarding school have had their chance in power and it is time for `` working-class people '' to take over .
The 43-year-old said people who `` have lived a real life '' and are `` in touch with what 's going on '' should be given responsibility for how the UK is run .
Appearing on BBC Breakfast alongside @ @ @ @ @ @ @ how easy he was finding it to obey COVID-19 restrictions .
He said : `` It 's very confusing .
It 's almost perfect to break rules really because it is hard to understand what the rules are .
Just keep them simple and then people will abide by it .
`` We want to get out of this as quickly as possible but as confusing as it is , it just makes it so difficult .
`` My one rant would be that we must learn now that the people who went @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
`` They 've done it , they 've tried to do it and this little small group who all went to the same school in the same class , it does n't work .
`` So I feel we need some working-class people , people who have lived a real life , people that are in touch with what 's going on in reality , to maybe come to the front now and start to get involved in how this country is run . ''
Eton College counts Prime Minister Boris Johnson @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Jacob Rees-Mogg among its former students .
In 2019 , research found that nearly two-thirds of Mr Johnson 's cabinet were privately educated - twice as high as Theresa May 's 2016 cabinet .
Asked whether he would ever go into politics full-time , Dyer said : `` No , darling , I 'm too busy .
`` I have got a game show on at the moment , I 've got another podcast with my daughter , and of course I am in the greatest soap that has ever been , so @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
`` So let 's just watch the government unravel themselves , I think .
`` Let 's just try and stay safe and try and not catch this thing , and on the other side I 'm sure we are all going to be better , stronger , more considerate people for it . ''
The father-daughter duo appeared on the show to promote their unscripted Spotify Original podcast , Sorted With The Dyers .
Dyer previously shared his views on politics on the talk show Good Evening Britain in June 2018 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Mr Cameron a `` t*** '' for calling the EU referendum .

The coronavirus pandemic has proved that "people who went to Eton" are unable to run the country, the actor Danny Dyer has said.
The EastEnders star said the "little group" who attended the Windsor boarding school have had their chance in power and it is time for "working-class people" to take over.
The 43-year-old said people who "have lived a real life" and are "in touch with what's going on" should be given responsibility for how the UK is run.
Image: 'People who went to Eton can't run this country,' Danny Dyer says. File pic
Appearing on BBC Breakfast alongside his daughter Dani, Dyer was asked how easy he was finding it to obey COVID-19 restrictions.
He said: "It's very confusing. It's almost perfect to break rules really because it is hard to understand what the rules are. Just keep them simple and then people will abide by it.
"We want to get out of this as quickly as possible but as confusing as it is, it just makes it so difficult.
"My one rant would be that we must learn now that the people who went to Eton can't run this country.
"They've done it, they've tried to do it and this little small group who all went to the same school in the same class, it doesn't work.
"So I feel we need some working-class people, people who have lived a real life, people that are in touch with what's going on in reality, to maybe come to the front now and start to get involved in how this country is run."
Advertisement
Image: Several former prime ministers went to Eton
Eton College counts Prime Minister Boris Johnson, former PM David Cameron and MP Jacob Rees-Mogg among its former students.
In 2019, research found that nearly two-thirds of Mr Johnson's cabinet were privately educated - twice as high as Theresa May's 2016 cabinet.
Asked whether he would ever go into politics full-time, Dyer said: "No, darling, I'm too busy.
"I have got a game show on at the moment, I've got another podcast with my daughter, and of course I am in the greatest soap that has ever been, so I am all right for the minute.
"So let's just watch the government unravel themselves, I think.
"Let's just try and stay safe and try and not catch this thing, and on the other side I'm sure we are all going to be better, stronger, more considerate people for it."
The father-daughter duo appeared on the show to promote their unscripted Spotify Original podcast, Sorted With The Dyers.
Dyer previously shared his views on politics on the talk show Good Evening Britain in June 2018.
During that appearance, Dyer labelled Mr Cameron a "t***" for calling the EU referendum.


skynewspolitics--2020-10-28--Big family reunions at Christmas may be banned, minister warns

Big family reunions may be banned at Christmas in England as the coronavirus second wave could last until March , a senior minister has warned .
Justice Secretary Robert Buckland said people should prepare now for the `` realistic '' prospect that high numbers of COVID-19 cases and deaths continue , so a normal festive period `` wo n't be achievable '' .
His comments come as more areas prepare to go into Tier 3 - the highest band of restrictions in England - and follow another 24,701 infections and 310 fatalities across the UK .
Mr Buckland appeared to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ be in place over Christmas , explaining `` all of us have a growing realisation that this is with us throughout the winter season '' .
The second coronavirus spike `` will last for a considerable period of time ... right through to when the clocks go forward again at the end of March '' , he told ITV 's Peston show .
He continued : `` I think we 've all got to be realistic that if we are seeing these trends continue right through December , then Christmas in its perhaps @ @ @ @ @ @ @ any of us this year .
`` And perhaps coming to terms with that now is probably the right approach that we need to take .
`` It does n't mean we ca n't have Christmas .
`` But perhaps those extended gatherings which draw people from different parts of the country - I 've got family in Wales , for example - that may well not be possible , given the information that is emerging . ''
In Wales , the devolved government 's health minister made a similar prediction on Sky @ @ @ @ @ @ @ said there needed to be a `` national conversation about the rules we 're all going to need to follow '' to make sure everyone can have `` some company '' over the festive period .
He admitted it would be `` dislocating '' for some .
And Scotland 's national clinical director Professor Jason Leitch said people should brace for a `` digital Christmas '' .
Labour and the government 's scientific advisers known as SAGE pushed for a short lockdown to try and push the number of cases and deaths back @ @ @ @ @ @ @ by YouGov on 15 and 16 October found 67 % of people favoured the idea , compared to 26 % who did not and 8 % who did n't know .
Professor Andrew Hayward , from UCL 's institute of epidemiology and a SAGE member , told Sky News on Wednesday : `` It 's more effective to act earlier , you save more lives the earlier you act - I think this needs to be way before Christmas and quite soon . ''
But Prime Minister Boris Johnson has been resisting such @ @ @ @ @ @ @ more effective and fairer on those regions where the virus ' prevalence is lower .
`` We see this as a national crisis that we are going to turn around , '' he said at Prime Minister 's Questions earlier this month .
`` I rule out nothing , of course , in combating the virus .
`` But we are going to do it with the local and regional approach that can drive down and will drive down the virus . ''
In Wales , residents are currently in the middle of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in a bid to get the virus back under control .

Big family reunions may be banned at Christmas in England as the coronavirus second wave could last until March, a senior minister has warned.
Justice Secretary Robert Buckland said people should prepare now for the "realistic" prospect that high numbers of COVID-19 cases and deaths continue, so a normal festive period "won't be achievable".
His comments come as more areas prepare to go into Tier 3 - the highest band of restrictions in England - and follow another 24,701 infections and 310 fatalities across the UK.
Image: In Scotland, people have been told to prepare for a 'digital Christmas'
Mr Buckland appeared to lay the ground for what rules will be in place over Christmas, explaining "all of us have a growing realisation that this is with us throughout the winter season".
The second coronavirus spike "will last for a considerable period of time... right through to when the clocks go forward again at the end of March", he told ITV's Peston show.
He continued: "I think we've all got to be realistic that if we are seeing these trends continue right through December, then Christmas in its perhaps fullest sense won't be achievable for any of us this year.
"And perhaps coming to terms with that now is probably the right approach that we need to take.
Image: Robert Buckland said extended family gatherings 'may not be possible'
"It doesn't mean we can't have Christmas.
"But perhaps those extended gatherings which draw people from different parts of the country - I've got family in Wales, for example - that may well not be possible, given the information that is emerging."
Advertisement
Image: 'It doesn't mean we can't have Christmas,' the justice secretary said
In Wales, the devolved government's health minister made a similar prediction on Sky News earlier this week.
Vaughan Gething said there needed to be a "national conversation about the rules we're all going to need to follow" to make sure everyone can have "some company" over the festive period.
He admitted it would be "dislocating" for some.
And Scotland's national clinical director Professor Jason Leitch said people should brace for a "digital Christmas".
Image: Wales is in the middle of a 17-day 'fire break'
Labour and the government's scientific advisers known as SAGE pushed for a short lockdown to try and push the number of cases and deaths back down.
A Sky News poll conducted by YouGov on 15 and 16 October found 67% of people favoured the idea, compared to 26% who did not and 8% who didn't know.
Professor Andrew Hayward, from UCL's institute of epidemiology and a SAGE member, told Sky News on Wednesday: "It's more effective to act earlier, you save more lives the earlier you act - I think this needs to be way before Christmas and quite soon."
But Prime Minister Boris Johnson has been resisting such a move, saying local measures are more effective and fairer on those regions where the virus' prevalence is lower.
Image: Boris Johnson has resisted calls for a circuit breaker
"We see this as a national crisis that we are going to turn around," he said at Prime Minister's Questions earlier this month.
"I rule out nothing, of course, in combating the virus.
"But we are going to do it with the local and regional approach that can drive down and will drive down the virus."
In Wales, residents are currently in the middle of a 17-day "fire break" lockdown in a bid to get the virus back under control.


skynewspolitics--2020-10-28--Bristol enters 'Tier 1 plus' of coronavirus measures - but govt dismisses claim of new level

Bristol has entered `` Tier 1 plus '' of coronavirus lockdown measures , according to the city 's mayor .
Marvin Rees said Bristol would be taking a series of further actions amid `` rising '' rates of COVID-19 infections , although the government dismissed his introduction of a `` plus '' system to the three existing tiers of localised restrictions .
The city is currently in Tier 1 of the government 's three-tiered system , otherwise known as the `` medium '' alert level .
Announcing the city 's extra measures on Wednesday , Mr Rees said in a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ we are taking targeted actions including the introduction of eight COVID marshals , deeper analytic work to identify rising tides of cases and taking on further powers of our local test and trace service to prevent further spread of the virus and protect our communities .
`` These actions are being called Tier 1 plus .
`` Any further actions will be based on what we 're seeing locally , and through discussion with our local partners across the city and central government . ''
Mr Rees said the city 's leaders had @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Health and Social Care and local NHS officials over the last few weeks .
The mayor 's apparent announcement of a further level to the government 's three-tier system prompted some immediate confusion from Bristol 's residents on social media .
The Department of Health and Social Care stressed there were still only three tiers in the government 's system , even though councils have the ability to bring in additional measures .
A Department of Health and Social Care spokesperson said : `` There are three Local Covid Alert Levels which are @ @ @ @ @ @ @ considering the introduction of a 'plus ' system .
`` Bristol is currently at medium and local leaders have the authority to bring in some additional measures for their area and we welcome local efforts to break chains of transmission . ''
When he announced the new three tier system earlier this month , Prime Minister Boris Johnson said he was `` simplifying '' local lockdown restrictions .
Darren Jones , the Bristol North West MP , posted on Twitter : `` Bristol will stay in tier one but with enhanced enforcement , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of test and trace ( good ! )
.
`` Please continue to follow the rule of six , maintain distance and wash hands . ''
Earlier on Wednesday , it emerged that the whole of Nottinghamshire will be entering Tier 3 measures on Friday , the highest COVID restrictions , rather than just some parts of the county as had initially been planned .

Bristol has entered "Tier 1 plus" of coronavirus lockdown measures, according to the city's mayor.
Marvin Rees said Bristol would be taking a series of further actions amid "rising" rates of COVID-19 infections, although the government dismissed his introduction of a "plus" system to the three existing tiers of localised restrictions.
The city is currently in Tier 1 of the government's three-tiered system, otherwise known as the "medium" alert level.
Image: Measures under Tiers 1, 2 and 3 of England's lockdown system
Announcing the city's extra measures on Wednesday, Mr Rees said in a statement: "Within this tier, we are taking targeted actions including the introduction of eight COVID marshals, deeper analytic work to identify rising tides of cases and taking on further powers of our local test and trace service to prevent further spread of the virus and protect our communities.
"These actions are being called Tier 1 plus.
"Any further actions will be based on what we're seeing locally, and through discussion with our local partners across the city and central government."
Mr Rees said the city's leaders had been in discussion with the Department for Health and Social Care and local NHS officials over the last few weeks.
The mayor's apparent announcement of a further level to the government's three-tier system prompted some immediate confusion from Bristol's residents on social media.
The Department of Health and Social Care stressed there were still only three tiers in the government's system, even though councils have the ability to bring in additional measures.
Advertisement
A Department of Health and Social Care spokesperson said: "There are three Local Covid Alert Levels which are enshrined in law and we are not considering the introduction of a 'plus' system.
"Bristol is currently at medium and local leaders have the authority to bring in some additional measures for their area and we welcome local efforts to break chains of transmission."
When he announced the new three tier system earlier this month, Prime Minister Boris Johnson said he was "simplifying" local lockdown restrictions.
Darren Jones, the Bristol North West MP, posted on Twitter: "Bristol will stay in tier one but with enhanced enforcement, more Covid marshals and more local control of test and trace (good!).
"Please continue to follow the rule of six, maintain distance and wash hands."
Earlier on Wednesday, it emerged that the whole of Nottinghamshire will be entering Tier 3 measures on Friday, the highest COVID restrictions, rather than just some parts of the county as had initially been planned.


skynewspolitics--2020-10-28--One million people sign Rashford's petition to extend free school meals

More than a million people have now signed Marcus Rashford 's petition calling for the government to extend free school meals .
The number of signatories reached 1,001,500 at 5pm on Wednesday - two weeks since it was set up by the footballer as part of his campaign to end child food poverty .
So far , Boris Johnson has resisted making a similar U-turn to the one earlier this year , when he extended free school meals through the summer holidays due to the coronavirus pandemic .
Labour tried to force the prime minister to do so through the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ but were defeated in a Commons vote last week .
Mr Johnson then came under pressure from some of his own MPs to change his mind , with a junior member of the government quitting over the issue .
In his petition , Rashford says ministers should `` support vulnerable children '' by implementing three recommendations from the National Food Strategy .
• Expand free school meals to all under 16s where a parent or guardian is in receipt of Universal Credit or an equivalent benefit • Provide meals and activities during all @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Start vouchers to at least £4.25 per week , and expand the scheme .
It is only the fifth time an online parliament petition has reached over 1 million signatures .
After the milestone was reached , a Labour frontbencher signalled they would try again to force the government to change tack if Mr Johnson fails to .
`` If the government does n't U-turn on their refusal to feed hungry kids during school holidays Labour will force another vote on this in the House of Commons , '' shadow environment secretary Luke @ @ @ @ @ @ @ `` Let 's take a second to remember that a lot of families in need will not have access to the internet .
They ca n't sign petitions or scroll down my Twitter .
`` Their voices can not be heard so we have to use ours to communicate on all of this amazing local help .
Thank you all . ''
In his last interview on the subject , Mr Johnson admitted he has n't spoken to Rashford since June , but did praise the Manchester United and England star 's `` @ @ @ @ @ @ @ understand the issue of holiday hunger ; it is there , we have to deal with it - the debate is how do you deal with it , '' he said on Monday .
`` We 're very proud of the support that we 've given , I 've said repeatedly throughout this crisis that the government will support families and businesses , jobs and livelihoods across the country .
`` We 're going to continue to do that .
We do n't want to see children going hungry this winter , this @ @ @ @ @ @ @ result of any inattention by this government .
You 're not going to see that . ''

More than a million people have now signed Marcus Rashford's petition calling for the government to extend free school meals.
The number of signatories reached 1,001,500 at 5pm on Wednesday - two weeks since it was set up by the footballer as part of his campaign to end child food poverty.
So far, Boris Johnson has resisted making a similar U-turn to the one earlier this year, when he extended free school meals through the summer holidays due to the coronavirus pandemic.
Image: Labour wants free school meals to be extended through the Christmas holidays
Labour tried to force the prime minister to do so through the Christmas and February half-term breaks too, but were defeated in a Commons vote last week.
Mr Johnson then came under pressure from some of his own MPs to change his mind, with a junior member of the government quitting over the issue.
In his petition, Rashford says ministers should "support vulnerable children" by implementing three recommendations from the National Food Strategy.
Image: The government could face another vote on extending the support
They are:
Expand free school meals to all under 16s where a parent or guardian is in receipt of Universal Credit or an equivalent benefit
Provide meals and activities during all holidays
Increase the value of Healthy Start vouchers to at least £4.25 per week, and expand the scheme.
It is only the fifth time an online parliament petition has reached over 1 million signatures.
Image: A map shows where the most people (in red) have signed the petition
After the milestone was reached, a Labour frontbencher signalled they would try again to force the government to change tack if Mr Johnson fails to.
Advertisement
"If the government doesn't U-turn on their refusal to feed hungry kids during school holidays Labour will force another vote on this in the House of Commons," shadow environment secretary Luke Pollard said.
Rashford tweeted earlier: "Let's take a second to remember that a lot of families in need will not have access to the internet. They can't sign petitions or scroll down my Twitter.
"Their voices cannot be heard so we have to use ours to communicate on all of this amazing local help. Thank you all."
In his last interview on the subject, Mr Johnson admitted he hasn't spoken to Rashford since June, but did praise the Manchester United and England star's "terrific" campaign.
Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player 1:09 PM defends his position on free school meals
"I totally understand the issue of holiday hunger; it is there, we have to deal with it - the debate is how do you deal with it," he said on Monday.
"We're very proud of the support that we've given, I've said repeatedly throughout this crisis that the government will support families and businesses, jobs and livelihoods across the country.
"We're going to continue to do that. We don't want to see children going hungry this winter, this Christmas.
"Certainly not as a result of any inattention by this government. You're not going to see that."


skynewspolitics--2020-10-28--Scots warned after car shares are linked to 1,000 new COVID-19 infections in the space of a week

Scots are being warned to avoid car sharing after it was linked to 1,000 new coronavirus cases over a seven-day period .
Nicola Sturgeon said people from different households should only share a private vehicle if it is `` essential '' .
At her daily news conference in Edinburgh , Scotland 's first minister added : `` According to our most recent figures , more than 1,000 people who tested positive for COVID in the previous week reported sharing a car .
`` Now that does n't mean that 's where they all got the virus , we 've gone @ @ @ @ @ @ @ this information to Test and Protect , but it is possible that some of these people got the virus from somebody they were sharing a car with . ''
It comes after the NHS trust in the Western Isles said it had `` become aware '' car shares were a transmission factor .
The advice against car sharing has applied throughout the pandemic , which gives specific guidance on how people can protect themselves from catching COVID-19 .
• Keep to small groups of people , up to six at any one time @ @ @ @ @ @ @ entering and exiting the vehicle • Sit as far apart as possible in the vehicle • Wear a face covering , unless they are exempt • Clean their hands before and after the journey • Clean the door handles and other areas that people touch • Try and share with the same people each time , if multiple journeys are needed

Scots are being warned to avoid car sharing after it was linked to 1,000 new coronavirus cases over a seven-day period.
Nicola Sturgeon said people from different households should only share a private vehicle if it is "essential".
At her daily news conference in Edinburgh, Scotland's first minister added: "According to our most recent figures, more than 1,000 people who tested positive for COVID in the previous week reported sharing a car.
Image: People were urged to clean surfaces people normally touch
"Now that doesn't mean that's where they all got the virus, we've gone through this before.
"People give this information to Test and Protect, but it is possible that some of these people got the virus from somebody they were sharing a car with."
It comes after the NHS trust in the Western Isles said it had "become aware" car shares were a transmission factor.
The advice against car sharing has applied throughout the pandemic, which gives specific guidance on how people can protect themselves from catching COVID-19.
Image: Nicola Sturgeon should people should only car share if it was 'essential'
People should:
Advertisement