thehuffingtonpostuk--2020-08-13--5 Ways To Reduce Your Plastic Waste, Even During The Pandemic

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As the world continues battling the coronavirus crisis that has drastically altered everyone’s daily lives, concerns for the environment have taken a backseat.
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With the ramping up of hygiene regimes, mandatory face mask and face-covering rules, our hand wash and disposable gloves habit, and the banning of reusable cups, the pandemic has renewed our addiction to plastic and it’s caused a huge surge in littering in streets, parks and beaches across the UK and beyond.
Globally, it’s estimated that we’re using 129 billion face masks and 65 billion plastic gloves every month. According to a UCL study, if every person in the UK used a single-use plastic face mask every day for a year, it would create an additional 66,000 tonnes of contaminated waste and 57,000 tonnes of plastic packaging.
Being eco-friendly might be the last thing on your mind during a global pandemic, but there are swaps and small changes we can all make in an attempt to look after the planet while preventing the spread of the virus.
1. Choose soap over hand wash and hand sanitiser
Brothers91 via Getty Images
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Ditch single-use plastics where possible, this includes soap dispenser bottles and hand sanitiser bottles. Ultimately, Nina Schrank, plastics campaigner for Greenpeace believes that it’s better to wash your hands regularly with soap rather than anti-bacterial gel: “If you can buy naked bars of soap that comes in minimal wrapping rather than plastic packaged multipacks, the advice is to wash your hands with soap and it doesn’t specify that it has to be liquid hand wash out of a pump-action plastic bottle or gel.”
It’s understandable that there will be a trade-off between people wanting to protect their health and protecting the environment, but where alternatives don’t exist, some plastic items may still fee necessary. “Only use the alcohol gels when you don’t have any other option,” Schrank adds. “Buy a big tub of sanitiser where you can decant into smaller ones and reuse the bottle again.”
2. Use a reusable mask over a disposable mask
Jason Alexander Jason Alexander, founder of social enterprise Rubbish Walks in Ipswich .
Reusable face masks and coverings are much better for the environment than single-use disposable face masks. Fabric cloth masks and coverings can be machine-washed, but for single-use options, every time you throw one away you’re generating more rubbish for landfill. Jason Alexander, founder of social enterprise Rubbish Walks based in Ipswich, on some days he’d pick up to 50 masks and 30 pairs of gloves in a single clean up session and explains:
“Since the pandemic, we’ve taken one step forward, three steps back in reducing our single-use plastics use and it’s getting worse as far as I can see.”
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Currently, there aren’t any recycling possibilities for single-use masks, but another rising concern is the potential source of contamination and infection when personal protective equipment hasn’t been disposed of correctly.
“As well as the environmental cost of throwing away face masks, people should be considering getting rid of them safely,” Alexander explains. “What does face masks, gloves, cigarette butts, crisp packets, plastic bottles, and fast food wrappers all have in common? They’ve all been handled, they’ve all been near or in somebody’s mouth. We need to protect others from potential biological hazards and infected litter.”
Next time, rather than buying. Go that one step further on your carbon footprint and try making your own mask. If you’re DIY-ing it you can reuse old materials that work well such as tea towels, cotton-blend fabrics, denim, and antimicrobial pillowcases.
3. Don’t wear disposable gloves and limit the use of wipes
Viorel Kurnosov via Getty Images
You might have seen people wearing disposable gloves in public, but are they really necessary?
According to the European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control, they advise “there is insufficient evidence to recommend the regular use of gloves as a preventive measure in the context of Covid-19.”
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Professor Sally Bloomfield, honorary professor at the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine previously told HuffPost UK: “What good are gloves going to do? Whilst you’re walking around the supermarket, you could easily touch your nose, mouth, and eyes with gloved hands.”
Gloves generate extra environmental waste and regular hand washing is the way to go. This also applies to wet wipes, too. “Wet wipes are not recyclable,” a Marine Conservation Society spokesperson explains, “We find many of these on our beaches, mainly from sewers as they are flushed down the toilet instead of being disposed of properly in the bin. Over our Great British Beach Clean last year, we found an average of 19 wet wipes for every 100m of beach.”
4. Avoid disposable coffee cups at all costs
monkeybusinessimages via Getty Images Staff Serving Customer In Busy Coffee Shop
In the early stages of the pandemic, coffee chains such as Starbucks, Costa Coffee, and Pret announced they were no longer accepting reusable coffee cups or offering refillable water over fears of contamination.
More than two and a half billion coffee cups are used in the UK every year and despite a statement co-ordinated by Greenpeace and signed by virologists, epidemiologists, biologists, academics, chemists and doctors that suggested thoroughly-washed reusable cups, bottles and jars can be safely used without spreading the virus, most of the big chains kept their new policy.
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“Sadly, these changes still hold firm on companies’ refusal to accept reusable coffee cups or acceptable reusable water bottles,” says Schrank from Greenpeace. “This is another element of plastic waste that can be easily avoided.”
Make your coffee at home, visit a chain that’s back to accepting your re-usable mug or maybe just consider giving that coffee a miss today.
5. Reconsider how you shop and order food
monkeybusinessimages via Getty Images
For many, buying groceries online and getting them delivered has been a lifesaver, but for some such as supermarkets, restaurants, and takeaways this may have spurred on bad habits such as delivering in plastic bags and unnecessary plastic food packaging.
“Many of the hospitality industry are struggling to survive and they had to adapt their business models over the past few months,” explains Alexander. “The way people shop has changed drastically over the past few months, too. I’d encourage people to try to shop as plastic-free as possible by bringing their own bags and use refillable containers. Try to think locally, like corner shops, greengrocer and butchers.”
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Besides smarter shopping choices, why not support local suppliers and producers too? Shop seasonally and prevent surplus food waste with vegetable boxes, or buy direct from farmers, grocers, butchers and cheesemongers.


thehuffingtonpostuk--2020-08-13--9 Photos Showing What 'Covid Fingers And Toes' Can Look Like

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For months, red and purple bumps have been showing up on the fingers and toes of Covid-19 patients – dubbed ‘Covid fingers and toes’.
Before the coronavirus outbreak, people would get these bumps, also known as chilblains, if they were exposed to very cold temperatures. But when coronavirus cases began to rise, more people with symptoms of Covid-19 were reporting it as an issue – and in warmer weather as well, which rang alarm bells.
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A team of researchers from the Covid Symptom Study surveyed 12,000 people who had skin rashes (including Covid fingers and toes) as well as suspected or confirmed Covid-19. They asked for images from respondents, especially people of colour, who are currently under-represented in dermatology resources. We asked researchers from the study to share photos of the signs of ‘Covid fingers and toes’ that have showed up in coronavirus patients.
COVID Symptom Study Covid fingers
What do ‘Covid fingers and toes’ look like?
Covid fingers and toes are considered the rash most specific to Covid-19. It’s more common in children and young people with the disease, and it also tends to present later on in someone’s illness – but not always. The red and purple bumps that appear on the fingers and toes may be sore, but not usually itchy. When the rash recovers, the top layers of the skin may peel.
COVID Symptom Study Covid fingers
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COVID Symptom Study Covid fingers
How do we know it’s linked to Covid-19?
Many viral infections are known to produce skin changes. We also know Covid‐19 can affect different organ systems in the body, so it makes sense that this might also include the skin.
A study published in the British Journal of Dermatology found the SARS-CoV-2 virus that causes Covid-19 was present in skin biopsies in children with symptoms of Covid toes, despite them having negative Covid test results. Analyses detected the virus in the skin’s endothelial cells (which line the blood vessels), as well as in the sweat glands.
“Our findings support a causal relation of SARS-CoV-2 with Covid toes,” said lead author Isabel Colmenero, a doctor at Hospital Infantil Universitario Niño Jesús, in Spain. “Endothelial damage induced by the virus could be the key mechanism causing these lesions.”
Another study found no evidence of SARS‐CoV‐2 infection in the large majority of patients with chilblain symptoms during lockdown in France. However, researchers concluded the results of the survey don’t rule out that the virus could be directly responsible for some cases of chilblains.
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It’s also important to note that if these symptoms are appearing towards the end of the illness, a Covid-19 test wouldn’t necessarily pick up the virus as they only work within the first few days of experiencing symptoms.
COVID Symptom Study Covid fingers
COVID Symptom Study Covid fingers
Covid toes in long-haulers
Some people with long-term Covid-19 symptoms (also known as long-haulers) have also experienced prolonged symptoms on their skin.
The International League of Dermatological Societies and the American Academy of Dermatology looked at data from 990 cases from 39 countries. They discovered that Covid toes in particular would often last for 15 days, but sometimes as long as 130-150 days.
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The identification of this unique subset of Covid toes patients with symptoms lasting a long time may have implications for understanding the prolonged inflammatory response in some patients after infection, researchers said.
Dr Esther Freeman, principal investigator of the International Covid-19 Dermatology Registry and director of Global Health Dermatology at Massachusetts General Hospital, said: “Our registry identified a previously unreported subset of patients with longstanding skin symptoms from Covid-19.
“We highlight patients with pernio/chilblains, also known as Covid toes, who have had symptoms for as long as 150 days. This data adds to our knowledge about how Covid-19 can affect multiple different organ systems, even after patients have recovered from their acute infection. The skin can provide a visual window into inflammation that may be going on elsewhere in the body.”
COVID Symptom Study Covid toes
COVID Symptom Study Covid toes
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COVID Symptom Study Covid toes
COVID Symptom Study Covid toes
Researchers from the Covid Symptom Study believe rashes, like Covid fingers and toes, should be considered a “key diagnostic sign” of the virus, after finding 8% of people who test positive have some form of rash.
The British Association of Dermatologists (BAD) is currently collating information about skin changes associated with Covid-19, both in adults and children. The association’s Nina Goad tells HuffPost UK: “In the early days of the Covid-19 pandemic, the various skin symptoms of the disease were poorly understood, and not common knowledge. However, a series of important studies have shed light on several common skin manifestations of the disease.
″‘Covid toes’ are one of the skin signs seen during the Covid-19 pandemic. Skin symptoms may play a crucial role in detecting infection in people who are otherwise asymptomatic. However, it should be noted that rashes are very common and, in most cases, will not be linked to Covid-19.”
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Covid Symptom Study author Dr Veronique Bataille, consultant dermatologist at St Thomas’ Hospital and King’s College London (KCL), urged people who notice a new rash to “take it seriously” by self-isolating and getting tested as soon as possible.


thehuffingtonpostuk--2020-08-13--How To Prepare For The Uncertainty Of A Recession

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The news that the UK is entering the deepest recession on record is enough to fill even the hardiest among us with dread.
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Those impacted by the recession of 2008 may already be replaying the struggle over in their minds, with a sense of growing fear over what could happen in the months, and years, to come. It’s a time to be kind to ourselves and to remember: we’re all in this together.
It’s understandable to feel anxious – a recession impacts the economy and people’s lives, as Yuko Nippoda, psychotherapist and spokesperson for the UK Council for Psychotherapy (UKCP), explains. “Some people might lose their jobs, a recession can make it difficult to find a job, pay rises might stop or inequality can occur,” she says. “Lots of negative things happen.”
“For some people it’s a matter of life and death. It is obviously natural to feel anxious for their future, and some people even feel in despair.”
While there’s no quick-fix for dealing with the uncertainty surrounding economic challenges, there are coping mechanisms and strategies that can relieve some of the burden.
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z_wei via Getty Images
I’m feeling anxious, what can I do?
Nippoda says it’s important to follow trustworthy sources of information. “There is too much information circulating, some of which is inaccurate,” she says. “When we feel anxious, we tend to look for reassurance and go for any information that we want to hear. However, we need to be careful about random information as our life might be catastrophic if we follow fake news.”
Psychotherapist Rakhi Chand, a member of the British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy (BACP), agrees: “Not over-doing exposure to the news could be helpful.” Limit news notifications to your phone and try not to spend hours scrolling social media if you’re feeling overwhelmed by it all.
It might be useful to take five minutes and write down what kind of information you need and want to know – then investigate some trustworthy articles from financial specialists, suggests Nippoda. “Then, we will be able to find out more details of the trend, and deal with the situation more effectively,” she explains.
Other coping strategies Chand recommends include: regularly exercising, getting a good night’s sleep each night, eating healthily, and being aware of what you need for self-care. All of these can help build resilience.
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“Being able to say no to things that aren’t what we actually want is also vital in maintaining resilience,” says Chand. This is important – if you’re increasingly worried about money and feel unable to say no to social events or things that will cost you more than you can afford, it will only add to your worries.
A person’s financial situation understandably has a huge impact on their mental health – this is especially the case for people with existing mental health problems. A Money and Mental Health survey of nearly 5,500 people with experience of mental health problems revealed 86% said their financial situation had made their mental health worse.
People hit badly by the previous recession may feel an even greater sense of despair over what happens next – especially as the last time will have been traumatic for some. If this is the case, reflect on how you survived previously, says Nippoda, remembering you have a reserve of strength to call on.
“It is important to remember the positive things you did and use the resources for your future experiences,” she says. “This can lead to you having hope.”
Chand agrees, adding: “Do what you can to prepare, but try consciously to let go of what is out of your control,” she says. “It’s a bloody hard thing to do, but try. Stay in the present as much as you can – think about managing the short-term rather than thinking too much into the future, if possible.”
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Activities like reading, seeing friends, going for walks, listening to music or taking a bath can help you to stay in the present.
I’m seriously concerned about how I’ll cope
A report on the 2008-2013 recession by the University of Bristol suggested economic recessions can lead to increased levels of mental illness, suicide and suicidal behaviour. Often, key stressors include job loss, financial difficulties, debt, loss of home and relationship stresses.
There’s a big difference between feeling a bit anxious about what the future holds, and feeling suicidal or like there’s no way forward. If you’re in a bad place, it’s imperative to seek help – whether that’s speaking to someone you trust about how you’re feeling, calling your local NHS urgent mental health helpline, or, if you don’t feel like you can keep yourself safe, going to A&E where a team of trained mental health specialists can offer further support.
Charities such as Samaritans, Papyrus and the Shout Crisis text line can also lend an ear if you don’t feel like you have anyone close to you to speak to. In some parts of the UK, crisis houses are available for people to stay in for a number of days during a mental health crisis – you can find one here.
Speaking to others about how you’re feeling, or what you’re experiencing if you have lost your job or are worried about money, can be a relief – especially if you feel like there is no clear solution on hand.
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Helpful places to get advice during a recession include: the Citizens Advice Bureau (CAB), the Money Advice Service (try its money navigator tool), local Job Centres, debt advice agencies (find a free debt advisor here), and mental health charities like Mind, Rethink Mental Illness, and Young Minds – some of which can offer discounted therapy sessions. You can also get a limited number of therapy sessions for free on the NHS or pay to go private. Some charities, like Turn2Us, offer money grants for people struggling financially.


thehuffingtonpostuk--2020-08-13--A Shortage Of Black Sperm Donors Is Putting Black Women At Risk

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This story is part of Black Ballad’s takeover of HuffPost UK, a week-long series by Black women on parenting, family, and our post-Covid future.
When I tell people I found the sperm donor for my child on social media, they visibly cringe. It’s only when I take the time to explain the shortage of Black donors in sperm banks that their judgement starts to wane. I went through the process three years ago, but it’s sad to see that since then, little has changed.
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I approached finding a donor much like online dating. To optimise my chances, I selected a bank that boasted being Britain’s “largest provider of donor sperm”. I made a list of traits I’d like the donor to have – and a few dealbreakers. I wanted a donor who was Black like me, because I’d be raising the child alone and didn’t think I’d be able to provide the right support for the child’s other culture.
The sperm bank’s website invited me to filter my search according to race, hair colour, eye colour, and height. When I selected Black for race and pressed enter, I was told that “unfortunately”, my search didn’t come up with any options. Hoping this was an issue with that particular bank, I tried two other British sperm banks – but the result was equally disappointing.
One bank came back to me with two potential donors. I rang a few days later to ask for more information, but one of them was no longer available as he’d met the 10-family limit each donor is allowed to create. The other had requested his sperm only be given to heterosexual couples so, as a single woman looking for a donor, I wasn’t eligible.
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FatCamera via Getty Images
I had no choice but to widen my search to Europe. Many American banks aren’t compliant with the British Human Fertilisation and Embryology Authority (HFEA) regulations and can’t be used by our clinics, but I was surprised by the many options for Black donors available at Danish sperm banks.
Their detailed profiles included psychological assessments, voice notes from the donor and childhood photos. I selected a donor and immediately began the process. But, I soon realised it was significantly more expensive to buy sperm from Denmark (£2,000 - £2,800 as opposed to £850 - £1,150).
After my two rounds of IVF, I couldn’t afford to continue the process. This is how I ended up looking for a donor elsewhere.
Private donation isn’t recommended by the HFEA, but I had no other options. I visited donor introduction sites and found the same lack of choice – or that donors were looking to co-parent. When I put my dilemma to other single mothers I followed on social media, they suggested looking for a sperm donor group on Facebook.
There, I found a niche group for Black donors where women openly discussed their experiences – calling out deceitful donors, for example. After months of lurking, I saw a profile of a donor I liked and was able to chat to a mother who’d used him to conceive her daughter before starting the process with him.
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LWA/Dann Tardif via Getty Images
I was lucky – this private process is still high risk. These donors don’t always have the full medical work-up of a clinical donor. Tests for sexually transmitted diseases can be arranged, but genetic screening and psychological evaluations are difficult to organise.
Certain sexually transmitted infections, such as HIV, may not be detected initially if tested at the wrong time – with a sperm bank, the sample would be frozen and only released when a second test confirmed no infection. Those using informal donors are often using fresh sperm and don’t have this luxury.
“The limited choice of properly processed sperm donors has led many women to look to high-risk sources.”
When choosing these risky options, women and their future children are also opened up to uncertain future relationships and potential legal battles. Not all men offering to donate are sincere and several women who have written about this on online forums have found themselves in uncomfortable situations when they meet their donor to collect the sample. The shame and secrecy associated with the use of unregulated websites adds to the blanket of silence.
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The population of the UK is 13 times bigger than Denmark (67 million versus five million) and the proportion of immigrants is similar (8% and 10% respectively), but there has been little research done to understand why there are so few Black donors in the UK, compared to Denmark, and what can be done to motivate men to donate their sperm.
This lack of research continues to expose women, particularly Black women and their children, to unnecessary risks. Nor can we continue to rely on Denmark for Black donors when it’s unclear how Brexit will affect customs and trade.
A homegrown solution is required now, more than ever.
This article was commissioned for HuffPost UK by Black Ballad, the lifestyle platform that tells stories of human experience through the eyes of Black British women and elevates their voices. If you would like to read more, become a Black Ballad member to get unlimited access to content, events and discounts, and to connect to its community of like-minded women.


thehuffingtonpostuk--2020-08-13--Working Mums Should Be Smashing Plates, Not Keeping Them Spinning

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This story is part of Black Ballad’s takeover of HuffPost UK, a week-long series by Black women on parenting, family, and our post-Covid future.
It’s a cliché, I know, but when I think of work-life balance, I think of a performer spinning plates. The performer manages to get the plates on their sticks spinning in unison, then never takes their eyes off them – constantly evaluating which one might fall, which one is doing OK. They never look away from the plates, they never relax, never rest. Their eyes and body constantly move from one potential smash to the next.
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It’s me. I’m the performer. And the plates are my responsibilities.
Before the pandemic, I was on maternity leave. My eldest had afternoons in preschool and I was at home with a five-month-old in a breastfeeding bubble of coffee and catch-ups with other mums or nursery-rhyme-singing baby clubs. I’d be returning to work earlier than planned, but with reduced hours for the next six months and from the privileged position of working from home. Life was rhythmical and reasonably predictable. Just how I liked it.
Then along came ’Rona, forcing its way into our lives and forcing the doors of our home shut. Initially, things were good. Like most well-meaning parents, I created a colour-coded timetable that included arts and crafts, baking and PE with Joe. I revelled in how much time we were getting to spend as a family, how my husband and I no longer had to pretend we enjoyed going out, and how we were creating beautiful memories.
And then my persistent friend, anxiety, came to join the party.
Piotr_roae via Getty Images
At first, it made itself known quietly, whispering concerns about screen-time or how bored the three-year-old was starting to look. Then the voice became louder and more consistent: “Will a three-year-old with already delayed speech development learn to speak functionally if he doesn’t see other people?” Then it became an unavoidable roar: “What if you or your husband get the virus?”, “Who will look after the children?”, “What if you both die?”
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The panic attacks started in earnest, and I did what I normally do in a bid to keep the anxiety at bay – I set up my plates and started spinning
From the time I woke up until the time I went to bed, I kept busy. Life became an endless commitment to the things I needed to do. I unconsciously maintained the structures of patriarchy, shouldering the emotional labour and needs of my entire household. I needed to allow my husband to work uninterrupted, to stimulate the development of a baby, to offer play and educational opportunities for a pre-schooler. I needed to keep the house clean and make home-cooked meals three times a day.
Work felt like a saviour at times, a place I could feel successful and more than a food provider and boo-boo kisser, yet it was still another plate.
“As the woman, I must protect, feed and care for my family while my husband works – and keep up with my career, right?”
I worked on my phone while breastfeeding, when the boys had gone to sleep, on weekends. One of my managers even told me off for working more than the hours I had agreed to.
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But it was my responsibility, right? As the woman, I must protect, feed and care for my family while my husband works – and keep up with my career, right? That’s how patriarchy works.
So, the anxiety would not go away. It couldn’t. Because no human, woman or otherwise, could keep their eyes on all these plates.
The origins of the custom of Greeks smashing plates are vague and varied. Is it the ancient practice of displaying one’s wealth, a ritual of mourning, or just a stereotypical image perpetuated by lazy foreigners? I like to think it was started by a woman who became fed up. Maybe a woman who’d experienced a mental shift after a massive event or trauma like a global pandemic. A woman who decided that it was no longer her responsibility to keep the plates of patriarchy spinning; instead, she’d smash them and dance in the shards.
As lockdown eases, this is the image I am taking with me. My husband is reducing his work hours, allowing me not only more space to work during the day, but also to take more time for me. More time to smash the plates.
This article was commissioned for HuffPost UK by Black Ballad, the lifestyle platform that tells stories of human experience through the eyes of Black British women and elevates their voices. If you would like to read more, become a Black Ballad member to get unlimited access to content, events and discounts, and to connect to its community of like-minded women.
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thehuffingtonpostuk--2020-08-13--While You ‘Eat Out To Help Out’, This Is The Reality For Waiting Staff

Diners sit at table near a sign promoting the British Government's "Eat out to Help out" COVID-19 scheme to get consumers spending again, outside a restaurant in Manchester, northwest England on August 3, 2020, - Britain's "Eat out to Help out" scheme began Monday, introduced last month by Chancellor Rishi Sunak to help boost the economy claw its way from a historic decline sparked by the coronavirus crisis. (Photo by Oli SCARFF / AFP) (Photo by OLI SCARFF/AFP via Getty Images) OLI SCARFF via Getty Images
It seems like life really is back to normal here in South London. The pubs are full and the traffic is back to pre-lockdown levels – the two miles on the bus to work is back to its usual 40 minutes.
The local Italian restaurant I’m working at this summer has made many changes over the course of this pandemic. Our new deli counter, selling produce direct from supplier to customer, allowed the business to stay open while the kitchen was closed. There is also a lot less Italian being spoken – my colleague and I, both hired after lockdown, are the first non-Italians to work in the restaurant. Brexit had already made hiring immigrants complicated, but the pandemic caused many more to return to their families in Italy.
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The restaurant has had no lack of customers since reopening last month. Many regulars have begun showing their faces, and our tables are fully booked over a week in advance. In this respect, we have been supported by our community – and it is this swift offloading of cash into our till that the government has hailed a success.
More worrying to me, however, is the number of things that have stayed the same.
While diners may be desperate to throw their money at bruschetta and parma ham, they are apparently reluctant to invest in face masks or any other protective wear. In the last month, I can think of only one person who has worn a mask when walking through the restaurant to the bathroom.
“It feels like customers are far more concerned with rebuilding their social lives than with observing safe social distancing.”
It feels like customers are far more concerned with rebuilding their social lives than with observing safe social distancing, but we staff members can do little to encourage different behaviour; we need their custom, and we need to get paid. Furthermore, our restaurant is in a narrow, old building where 1.5metre spacing is just not possible. It is telling, though, that nobody has complained.
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On Saturdays and Sundays, the road outside is closed to traffic, which allows us to set up tables outside. The first weekend we tried this, the street attracted festival-like crowds. By early evening, drinkers who could not get into the bars were sprawled out on the pavements, all worries of coronavirus swirling, with their vomit, into the drains.
Rowdy crowds have been partially controlled by increasing amounts of new fencing. Chain restaurants near us have created elaborate one-way systems and stitched their borders into the street with branded barriers. In the weekly council reports, we have received low marks for not following their ‘excellent’ example; instead, our outdoor set-up has been judged ‘disorganised’. My manager, reading the report, sighed that we do not have the money to buy ropes and posts, let alone fencing. We will just have to live with the inspectors’ disapproval.
August saw the introduction of another scheme designed to help restaurants: Eat Out To Help Out. But, like many small restaurants, we are closed on Mondays, and so we cannot make the most of this scheme. For us, the benefit of the scheme was not worth the cost of staffing an extra day.
It was also hoped that the scheme, in operation from Monday to Wednesday, would incentivise customers to eat out on days they normally wouldn’t, thus aiding with social distancing. This has not happened. In the first week of the scheme, Thursday to Sunday were still busiest by far, while Tuesday and Wednesday remained relatively quiet.
“Restaurants can alter table arrangements and wipe down menus every ten minutes, but ultimately, it is individuals’ behaviour that needs to change.”
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Because chain and independent businesses alike can benefit from the scheme, the relative inequality in our industry remains the same. Local restaurants like mine have been affected disproportionately by the pandemic – it is more difficult for small businesses to switch supply chains when the established ones are disrupted, and the processes involved in applying for funds and grants have proved prohibitively bureaucratic.
But the Eat Out To Help Out scheme will do nothing to offer us the disproportionate help we need to stay on our feet. In the event of a second lockdown, my manager tells me we wouldn’t survive into 2021 – a reality that hardly seems believable when I look out over a restaurant full, every weekend, to capacity.
Small restaurants would rather Rishi Sunak had offered a rent abatement for restaurants, instead of a discount for customers. But that, perhaps, would not have made him so popular with the public.
Restaurant work is deemed ‘non-essential’, and we staff, sweltering under facemasks while customers breathe freely, aren’t receiving any kind of hero treatment. And yet, the hordes of customers jostling for a table, the phone ringing constantly for bookings, and the willingness to discard social distancing for a plate of homemade ravioli says otherwise.
The truth is that restaurants can alter table arrangements and wipe down menus every ten minutes, but ultimately, it is individuals’ behaviour that needs to change.
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So, life is back to normal – for customers at least. The uncomfortable future of plastic pods and having your food delivered on a robotic trolley has not yet arrived, and all that you have to do to prove yourself a patriot during this difficult time is eat, eat and drink.
Faye Saulsbury is a student and freelance writer


thehuffingtonpostuk--2020-08-13--Trump Appears To Admit Blocking Postal Service Funding To Undermine Mail-In Voting

“They don’t have the money to do the universal mail-in voting. So therefore, they can’t do it, I guess, right?” Trump said. “Are they going to do it, even if they don’t have the money?”
He also claimed the election would “be the great rigged election in history” and “one of the greatest frauds in history.”


thehuffingtonpostuk--2020-08-13--Holidaymakers Returning From France Will Have To Quarantine For 14 Days, Government Announces

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Holidaymakers returning to the UK from France will have to quarantine for 14 days following a surge in coronavirus cases, the government has announced.
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The Netherlands, Monaco, Malta, Turks & Caicos and Aruba have also been added to the quarantine list from 4am on Saturday.
The decision by the government comes a month after ministers announced that travellers arriving in the UK from Spain would have to quarantine for two weeks.
Luxembourg, Andorra, The Bahamas and Belgium were also added to the UK’s 14-day quarantine list last week.
The decision to add France will cause dismay for thousands of British holidaymakers currently in the country.
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It was made in response to the spread of the virus, with the latest 14-day cumulative figures showing 32.1 Covid-19 cases per 100,000 people in France, compared with 18.5 in the UK.
The move will come as a bitter blow to the hard-pressed French tourism industry which relies heavily on visitors from the UK.
Meanwhile France’s secretary of state for European affairs said the UK decision would lead to “reciprocal measures” across the Channel.
Clement Beaune tweeted: “A British decision which we regret and which will lead to reciprocal measures, all in hoping for a return for normal as soon as possible.”
The Foreign Office updated its advice to warn against all but essential travel to the country because of the coronavirus risk.
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Before the announcement was made, Boris Johnson said ministers would be “absolutely ruthless” in deciding on whether to impose the self-isolation requirement.
The PM said: “We have got to be absolutely ruthless about this, even with our closest and dearest friends and partners.
“I think everybody understands that.”
Johnson said the government could not allow the UK’s population to be “reinfected or the disease to come back in”.
“That is why the quarantine measures are very important and we have to apply them in a very strict way,” he said during a visit to Belfast.
With Spain already on the quarantine list, it now means that holidaymakers returning to the UK from the two most popular overseas destinations must now isolate for 14 days.


thehuffingtonpostuk--2020-08-13--What Removing 5,000 Deaths From England's Coronavirus Death Toll Means

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A review of how Covid-19 deaths are calculated in England has reduced the UK death toll by more than 5,000.
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Public Health England (PHE) had been recording coronavirus deaths where a positive test had occurred at any point, meaning a patient could never be classed as having recovered.
The government will now move to publishing deaths as related to Covid-19 only when the loss of life was within 28 days of diagnosis.
Why was publication of the daily death figure paused?
Health secretary Matt Hancock ordered an urgent review into how PHE calculated Covid-19 death figures after researchers criticised “statistical flaws” in the way England’s deaths were reported.
Professors Yoon Loke and Carl Heneghan raised concerns that anyone who had ever tested positive for Covid-19 and then died was included in England’s death figures – even if they have died from something else.
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They said that no patient was allowed to recover from the virus because “anyone who has tested Covid positive but subsequently died at a later date of any cause will be included” in the data.
Loke told HuffPost UK at the time: “The problem is that when we look at the hospitals’ data we see that actually fewer and fewer people are dying in hospital due to coronavirus, and yet several days a week we see in the press that hundreds of people are still reported as having died outside of hospital.
“A lot of members of the public are quite terrified by this and wondering: ‘Who are these people, and why are they dying?’
“When we looked at the data we realised that the NHS had actually been very successful and discharged about 80,000 patients back to their home but despite these patients having recovered PHE are still monitoring these people and if they die of an unrelated condition PHE will still put them in the daily figures.”
England, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland all report their deaths separately, but the three devolved nations avoided PHE’s situation by implementing a 28-day cut off.
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Data from Public Health Wales, Health Protection Scotland and the Northern Ireland Public Health Agency has been included in the daily Department of Health and Social Care (DHSC) total for the UK.
How are the deaths being calculated now?
From now on, authorities will include the number of deaths that have occurred within 28 days of a positive lab-confirmed Covid-19 test result each day.
DHSC says that the approach will be used in all four UK nations.
Does it mean that the UK has far fewer deaths Covid-19 deaths than we thought?
The DHSC figure is not the only measure we have to understand the enormous impact of Covid-19 on the number of deaths.
The Office of National Statistics counts “excess deaths” in England and Wales – that is, the number of people who have died this over and above the average for the last five years.
Its figures have been higher than the overall number of coronavirus deaths recorded by the Department of Health and Social Care (DHSC), which incorporates the PHE statistics that we now know to be affected by this statistical anomaly. This suggests undercounting in other areas.
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What are the updated figures?
It means that more than 5,300 deaths were counted as due to Covid-19 when it should not have been recorded as a factor.
As of August 12, the new working total for the UK is 41,329, down from 46,628, the figure published by PHE a day earlier. That is despite 77 more deaths – using the new methodology – recorded over the last 24 hours.


thehuffingtonpostuk--2020-08-13--Black Ballad Takeover: The Health Inequalities For Black British People

Black Ballad Takeover: The Health Inequalities For Black British People
This week, Black Ballad is guest-editing HuffPost UK with a series by Black women on parenting, family, and our post-Covid future. In this special episode of Commons People, Arj Singh speaks with HuffPost UK's Nadine White, Black Ballad’s head of editorial, Jendella Benson and co-founder of the Five Times More campaign, Tinuke Awe to talk about the takeover and what Black Ballad's landmark motherhood survey shows about health inequality in Britain.


thehuffingtonpostuk--2020-08-13--Tributes Paid To 'Amazing' And 'Loving' Men Killed In Aberdeenshire Train Crash

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Tributes have been paid to the train driver, conductor and passenger killed in the Aberdeenshire train crash on Wednesday morning.
The family of driver Brett McCullough said he was “the most decent and loving human being we have ever known”.
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A union official said conductor Donald Dinnie was “an amazing person” while the family of Christopher Stuchbury from Aberdeen also paid tribute to the 62-year-old who volunteered at a palliative care unit.
The three men were killed after the 6.38am Aberdeen to Glasgow Queen Street ScotRail service left the tracks south of Stonehaven on Wednesday.
Donald Dinnie and Christopher Stuchbury. Police Scotland
McCullough leaves behind wife Stephanie and three children.
His family said in a statement: “Words cannot describe the utterly devastating effect of Brett’s death on his family and friends.
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“We have lost a wonderful husband, father and son in the most awful of circumstances. Brett was the most decent and loving human being we have ever known and his passing leaves a huge void in all our lives.
“We would like to thank the emergency services for their heroic efforts in helping everyone affected by this tragedy and for all the messages of support and condolence we have received.”
McCullough, who worked in ScotRail’s Aberdeen depot and lived near the crash site, was a former gas engineer who had been a train driver for seven years.
Originally from Bromley, Kent, he moved to Aberdeenshire to marry his wife.
STONEHAVEN INCIDENT - UPDATE
The three people who died at the derailment incident have been formally identified and can be named as Brett McCullough (45) - Driver; Donald Dinnie (58) - Conductor; Christopher Stuchbury (62) - Passenger. More at: https://t.co/vrZwnjGW9M pic.twitter.com/wWoPzWd2Hc — Police Scotland (@policescotland) August 13, 2020
Kevin Lindsay, Aslef’s organiser in Scotland said McCullough was servicing the gas boiler of an Aberdeen train driver when they started chatting about the job and he decided to join the railways.
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He said: “He was a dedicated train driver, who loved his job, and was very popular at the depot with his colleagues.
“He was also a devoted family man who loved his wife and children – two girls and a boy. Brett thought the world of his family, and we all thought the world of him.”
Emergency services inspect the scene following a train derailment near Stonehaven, Scotland ASSOCIATED PRESS
The family of Dinnie also said: “As a family we are devastated by the sudden and tragic loss of Donald, a loving and proud dad, son, partner, brother, uncle and friend.
“No words could ever describe how much he will be missed by us all and there will always be a missing piece in our hearts.
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“It is so heart warming to see how many people have fond memories of Donald and I am sure they have plenty of happy and funny stories to tell.
“He was a kind, caring and genuine person who was never found without a smile on his face. We know he will be deeply missed by all.
“Together we thank each and every one of you for your kind words and condolences but we kindly ask at this time that we have the chance to grieve privately as a family.”
Ben Birchall - PA Images via Getty Images
Lindsay said the thoughts of his colleagues are with the families of McCullough and Dinnie, as did RMT senior assistant general secretary Mick Lynch.
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Lynch said: “On behalf of the union I want to send condolences, support and solidarity to Donald Dinnie’s family, friends and colleagues.
“It is absolutely clear that he was much loved and highly respected by all who knew him and his death is a tragedy that has shocked our entire industry.
“Donald’s branch, Aberdeen 1, have told me that he was an amazing person. He lit up every room he walked into with his cheery banter and stories.
“Many knew Donald for most of his railway career as a driver and a guard. He was very much a family man and a valued, active and proud member of the RMT.”
The family of Stuchbury said he enjoyed volunteering in his spare time at Roxburghe House, a specialist palliative care unit run by NHS Grampian
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Ben Birchall - PA Images via Getty Images
Their statement said: “Chris was a much adored husband, son, dad, stepdad, granddad, brother and uncle and was a treasured and loved friend to many, including the Targe Towing Team where he was an integral and valued member of staff.
“He also volunteered at Roxburghe House in Aberdeen during his spare time which he thoroughly enjoyed doing.


thehuffingtonpostuk--2020-08-13--How Entire Classes Of A-Level Pupils Had Their Results Downgraded

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One hundred thousand pupils across England awoke on Thursday to find their A-level results had been downgraded from the marks their teachers awarded them, with entire classes at some schools being marked down by at least one grade.
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Following the cancellation of exams due to the coronavirus pandemic, this year’s A-level results were determined based on an algorithm that relies on grades submitted by teachers based on what they believed each student would have received if they had sat the exams – as well as the school’s past exam performance.
While the proportion of A-level entries that were awarded an A grade or higher has risen to all-time high, the downgrading of results has sparked anger, shock and dejection among pupils in the UK who have already suffered under extenuating circumstances with schools closed since March.
Nearly four in every 10 (39.1%) grades awarded on Thursday were lower than teachers’ predictions: 35.6% were adjusted down by one grade, while 3.3% were brought down by two and 0.2% by three grades.
In total, an estimated 280,000 A-level entries were affected by the process.
HuffPost UK has been made aware of at least one school in Yorkshire where an entire class of 21 pupils all saw their results lowered. Staff there were not allowed to speak to us.
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But students from elsewhere in the country have opened up about their disappointment and feelings of betrayal.
Leah, from Hertfordshire, said every member of the philosophy A-level class at her secondary school sixth form had been downgraded by two grades.
“I’ve spoken to all my classmates,” she told HuffPost UK. “People who were predicted A*s got Bs. Everyone’s really upset.”
Today’s results came as a complete shock to her – she went from a predicted C to a U grade. “I’ve never got that grade before – I don’t even know where it came from.”
While her first choice university, Dundee, “is being nice” and said it will consider her predicted grades of BCC instead of her given grades of UDC, she admitted she felt “so stressed”.
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“I’ve been crying almost non-stop since 8am,” she said.
Oli, who was in Leah’s philosophy class, was predicted an A* and instead received a B. “I was very confident that I was going to nail it,” he told HuffPost UK. “The fact that this grade has nothing to do with my actual skills like an exam makes me really angry.”
He said he “didn’t deserve” to be marked based on “something so completely impersonal” as an algorithm.
“I appreciate that finding a way to appropriately mark everyone this year was near impossible, but the way they’ve done it is just awful,” he continued.
“All of my class should lose out because their standardisation has decided that people from our school perform poorer at this subject, or because of our area, or an unrelated GCSE grade – and so our achievements don’t get recognised.
“We’ve had no say, no control and simply had this grade dictated to us, which isn’t reflective of us or what we deserve.
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“It was less bad for me since I’m not applying to university this year, but several of my classmates lost their uni places because we all lost a grade or two.”
Hamish, 18, said his entire German A-level class will be appealing their results after each of them received a grade lower than the one their teacher had submitted for them. His college in Horsham, West Sussex, had previously attained 100% A* and A results in the subject.
He described it as “one of the most demoralising experiences in my life thus far”.
“My teacher has closely monitored our progress over the two-year course,” he told HuffPost UK. “She predicted us all what she was confident that we would achieve in the final exam.”
He said his whole class felt “hard done by”. “We were all confident we’d get the grades we deserved and were confident in our teacher’s expertise. It’s incredibly frustrating.
“Our teacher was upset for us as we are a close-knit class. I can imagine that she’s very angry considering her entire class has moved down a grade which seems to me to be an insult to her judgement.
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“Some friends of mine have had their place at university rejected – from one bad grade from the government.”
Hamish plans to write an open letter to education secretary Gavin Williamson asking for a review of the “clearly flawed” exam results. “I’m feeling betrayed by our government,” he said.
“I feel as though the advice of my teachers has been completely ignored and the consequences of that for myself and many other students are unbelievable. I feel as if the state has deemed 40% of us unworthy of success in order to meet a completely fictitious status quo.”
By downgrading a teacher’s predictions for their own students, the government was effectively “punishing” them for “completely valid” grades.
On Tuesday the government announced some pupils in England would be allowed to use results in mock A-level exams as the basis for an appeal against the grades they were given, so long as the mocks were held under exam conditions and could be “validated” by the schools.
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But Jasmin, from Cumbria, said she believed basing results on what was achieved in a mock exam was not fair. “Our last official mock was in November and I struggled. I don’t think using mocks results from that time was a good representation of my work.”
She said only one student out of her whole sociology class had received their predicted grade. Her teacher has also asked everyone to appeal their results.
“I spoke to my teacher and she said that the majority of the class has been massively downgraded,” she told HuffPost UK. “My friend got A*s and an A in all of his mocks, but got given a B.”
Jasmin herself was predicted a B which was downgraded to a C, and believes her entire class was “bumped down” because of the “biased” standardisation modelling.
″[The algorithm] is based on the past three years, but we only had one year of students to go off of.
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“As a result of the previous year not doing well, we’ve also not done as well as we could have. It’s angered a lot of my peers.”
Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer said “something has obviously gone horribly wrong” and that thousands of pupils have had their future prospects “dashed”.


thehuffingtonpostuk--2020-08-13--Robbie Williams Reveals The Staggering Number Of Toilets He Has In His Home And We Have So Many Ques

Robbie Williams Reveals The Staggering Number Of Toilets He Has In His Home And We Have So Many Questions

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Most of us Brits think having a downstairs loo is a luxury. Hell, even having a loo separate to the bathroom is pretty decent.
But Robbie Williams has gone one better. Actually scratch that. He’s gone twenty seven better.
Because why have one or two loos when you can have erm, 27?
That’s precisely the number of toilets the singer has in his Beverly Hills mansion.
And. We. Have. So. Many. Questions.
Robbie Williams PA
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Like how did he manage to source bog roll for all of those loos when panic buying set in at the start of the pandemic?
Does he use a different one every day?
And who the hell cleans them?
The former Take That star made the pants jaw-dropping revelation when he joined Scott Mills on Radio 1 during the presenter’s legends DJ slot.
“I am in Los Angeles in the hills of Beverlyshire 90210. I just wanted to experience it and now I’ve experienced it, I’m going back to Stoke,” he said.
Asked how many toilets the house had, he said: “Twenty-seven. Yeah, 27 actual toilets.
He then added: “One day I’m going to have a poo party where people come round and we just flush them all, like synchronise it and see what happens.”
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We dread to think.
The 46-year-old, who lives in the sprawling property with his wife Ayda Field and their four children, also updated fans on his songwriting efforts during lockdown.
“I have written 25 new songs in the last three weeks,” he said.
“I have been doing art and I have got a garage full of massive paintings that I’ll be doing (an) exhibition (for).
“I’m organising a few TV shows that I’m gonna be doing. I’m very, very busy.”
Asked which shows, he joked: “I can’t say, but I have been asked to be a contestant on Naked Attraction. I’ve asked my wife and she says, ‘Yeah, it’s fine’.”


thehuffingtonpostuk--2020-08-13--Tory Ministers Ranked By How Crap Their Week Has Been

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In a year comprised almost entirely of crap weeks, a number of Tories have spent the last few days proving that no matter where you think the bar is, it can always be moved slightly lower.
Against a backdrop of the ongoing coronavirus pandemic that has killed over 40,000 Brits and a recession the likes of which has never been seen before, ministers still managed to generate a series of “how is this actually happening?” headlines.
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To commemorate this frankly astounding achievement, HuffPost UK has gathered them all in one place and ranked them for your amusement.
Let’s start with the least bad of the bunch...
6. Grant Shapps
Not usually one to shy away from an opportunity to upstage himself, Grant Shapps has actually had a relatively gaffe-free week.
While at first this may seem commendable, it needs to the pointed out that this is largely because he’s been self-isolating and out of public circulation after ruining his own holiday in Spain last month.
5. Liz Truss
Sneaking into the top five after a mixed week is trade secretary Liz Truss who came a bit of a cropper in talks with Japan over a delicious and crumbly stumbling block made of Stilton.
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If you want to know the details you can read them here but to be completely honest with you, we’ve only included reference to it so we can bring you this incredible clip of Truss’s dairy-based rant from 2014.
Totally worth it.
4. Rishi Sunak
It’s no surprise to see the chancellor in the list. It’s a tough job at any time but when the economy you’re in charge of drops off a cliff to an extent never seen before, it’s quite the challenge.
Credit where credit is due, Sunak took a sombre tone when the news was announced on Wednesday, opting to say the figures “confirm that hard times are here”.
Speaking to @faisalislam this morning, the Chancellor @RishiSunak responded to the latest GDP statistics. pic.twitter.com/cYO8VijD47 — HM Treasury (@hmtreasury) August 12, 2020
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Thing is, the rest of the country already had an inkling that times were a bit tougher than your average year, what with all the deaths, unemployed people and the fact karaoke is now one of the most dangerous pastimes imaginable.
3. Nick Gibb
It’s a new entry at number three.
“There is no confusion,” schools minister for England Nick Gibb said on Wednesday in response to massive and widespread confusion over an 11th-hour change to the way A-level and GCSE results will be assessed.
He said that only a “small number” of students would be affected by the change and insisted that ministers have nothing to apologise for in acting so late in the day.
Doubling down, he said the the government will “apologise to nobody” for the move and then presumably stood back and watched as his sentiments disintegrated on Thursday when 40% of students received downgraded exam results.
So my brilliant kid, who spent 5 years in and out of hospital and is disabled, had her teachers’ grades marked down and has lost her place at university. She got straight As at GCSE, mostly teaching herself in hospital. She called the uni. They said they’re full. I give up. — Amanda Lees (@amandalees) August 13, 2020
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I have a suicidal daughter who hadn’t stopped crying since 8am. She has missed out on her firm offer due to 2 grades being downgraded. Her Centre assessment grades were A* A* A. In stead she got A A* B. I have just been touch with our local MP to make a complaint. — Naz Malik (@NYMalik) August 13, 2020
Something has obviously gone horribly wrong with this year’s exam results.
Nearly 40% of young people have had their grades marked down and that's thousands of young people whose opportunities could have been dashed. [Thread] — Keir Starmer (@Keir_Starmer) August 13, 2020
2. Gavin Williamson
Nothing much to say here other than Gavin is the education secretary and is therefore responsible for the above.
But even that wasn’t enough to seal the top spot this week.
1. Priti Patel
You guessed it. It’s no surprise to see the home secretary top the chart.
Priti Patel’s media strategy remains baffling but appears to be based on a tactic of long periods of silence followed by a vocal and laser focus on an issue that is nowhere near the most pressing one a home secretary is regularly faced with.
This week, perhaps after perusing Nigel Farage’s Twitter account, Patel decided on the tiny number of migrants making their way across the English Channel.
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Such is the threat posed by those risking their lives in a dinghy at the hands of unscrupulous criminals, she this week decided the Royal Navy – whose previous conquests include Nazi Germany and the combined Spanish and French fleets – would be required to fend them off.
Not content with this dubious allocation of resources, Patel then picked a fight with an ice cream brand.
OOOF! Home Office source: “Priti is working day&night to bring an end to these small boat crossings, which are facilitated by international criminal gangs&are of serious concern. If that means upsetting the social media team for a brand of overpriced junk food then so be it.” https://t.co/QIrfXOjZ5w — Chris Mason (@ChrisMasonBBC) August 11, 2020
AND THEN – and this is why Patel is the week’s clear winner – Patel decided a priority for the Home Office should be whether or not poppers are illegal.
Patel, who unsuccessfully tried to block equal marriage in 2013, generously noted: “Alkyl nitrites, known as poppers, have been widely used recreationally since the 1970s and are used for their muscle-relaxing effects, especially by homosexual men as an aid to sex.”
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*phone buzz*
Priti: Oh shit, Ben and Jerry's are having a go at me...
...
... I better make poppers legal for the gays. — Shaun #BLM (@shaunhampson) August 12, 2020


thehuffingtonpostuk--2020-08-13--The Government Is Demonising Migrants To Distract You From Its Failings

A group of people thought to be migrants are brought into Dover, Kent, by Border Force officers Steve Parsons - PA Images via Getty Images
It’s no coincidence that in the week the UK dipped into the worst recession the country has ever seen, the government chose to redirect public attention to a small number of people crossing the British channel.
Public mood suggests that the country wants answers to difficult questions, to understand the high death toll from coronavirus and the depth of the economic fallout.
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So, it’s no real surprise that the government is looking to find someone to blame.
This is not a new tactic from the government. In a disturbingly regular cycle, when the news cycle is quiet, and the summer months are warm, the government turns its eye to the Channel.
Successive Home Secretaries have chosen this strategy, vilifying people who want nothing more than to live otherwise ordinary lives in safety, but whose only path is the dangerous journey across the Channel.
When the public hears the stories of people granted refuge in the UK, they are sympathetic, understanding that fleeing war, persecution and hardship is a matter of life and death, and that being with the people you love is of utmost importance.
Many of us have felt a fraction of this during the pandemic and can wholly relate – how many of us have desperately wished we could be with the people we love during lockdown? But what the government does not tell us is that the only difference between refugees in the UK and those in Calais, is 15 miles.
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“The reality is these perilous journeys are a problem of the government’s making, one that has gotten progressively worse decade after decade.”
Where we can agree with the government is that these journeys need to end – no one wants these journeys to occur, least of all those forced to risk their lives on overcrowded dinghies and those providing services, support and legal advice. But the reality is that these perilous journeys are a problem of the government’s making, one that has gotten progressively worse decade after decade, and could be resolved with simple action.
The government’s current proposals to “secure” the borders will do nothing to end dangerous crossings or curtail trafficking. We’ve heard all of this before – that it’s France’s responsibility, that the route should be made “unviable” and that that the Navy should “push people back” in breach of international refugee and maritime law.
When the government abruptly closed camps in Calais in 2016, organisations on the ground warned that these strategies would push people away from oversight, and directly into the hands of traffickers. Similarly, a report from the Foreign Affairs Select Committee in 2019 highlighted that “policy that focuses exclusively on closing borders will drive migrants to take more dangerous routes, and push them into the hands of criminal groups” – Priti Patel sat on this very committee.
The region of Calais acts as a black hole, where a small but steady population of homeless and destitute people are trapped, vulnerable to people traffickers and smugglers, exposed to violence from the French authorities, denied support service and legal advice.
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Many have family or loved ones in the UK and are desperate to reach them but in most cases, it is physically impossible to apply for asylum unless you are on British soil.
The only existing routes to apply from outside the UK include the Global Resettlement Scheme, which is limited to Syrian refugees and has currently been suspended – no one has been resettled since March, and the Family Reunion Reunification route, which is extremely limited in its definition of “family”. Earlier this year, the government closed the Dubs route so that even unaccompanied children in the EU cannot reach the UK safely.
The only way to ensure that these journeys are ended is to introduce accessible and legal ways for people to apply for asylum or entry from abroad, so that they can travel here safely and don’t have to rely on people traffickers.
This could include expanding or recommitting to existing routes, introducing a claims processing centre in France or establishing Humanitarian Visas. Safe and legal routes would be a far more simple and pragmatic solution than building higher walls, putting a blindfold over our eyes and our hands over our hearts.
In the coming months, we can expect to see the government increase their dangerous rhetoric about those crossing, as a means to scapegoat migrants for their catastrophic failings.
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It will be migrants who are to blame for the lack of jobs, a drop in house prices, the decimation of the high street and long queues at the Jobcentre – when this couldn’t be further from the truth.
At this precise moment, it is vital that we call for safe and legal routes of entry to the UK, ensuring that no one dies trying to reach what should be home. But it is equally important that we stand fast against dangerous rhetoric – the same rhetoric that placed responsibility for the last financial crisis on to migrants. A compassionate and practical approach must be championed by everyone who wants to end dangerous crossings once and for all.


thehuffingtonpostuk--2020-08-13--CeeLo Apologises To Cardi B, Megan Thee Stallion, And Nicki Minaj For Remarks

CeeLo Green has apologised to Cardi B, Megan Thee Stallion, and Nicki Minaj after making contentious remarks about his fellow artists in a recent interview.
The 45-year-old shared a statement on Instagram to address the “misunderstanding with a quote taken from an interview” he gave recently.
“I’m an advocate of artistic freedom and expression as well as a fan of Nicki, Cardi, and Meagan [SIC],” he wrote, going on to say he would “never disrespect them by any means”.
“I wholeheartedly apologise to each of them for the inconvenience they have been caused due to a snippet of my interview being used as a headline, and in turn creating controversy and disconnect between me and these ladies as well as their fans.”


thehuffingtonpostuk--2020-08-13--Joss Stone Sharing Happiness Tips From Her Holiday Home In The Bahamas Went As Well As You'd Expect

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What we probably don’t need, though, is for those tips to be delivered by someone especially wealthy, speaking from their holiday home in the Bahamas.
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Unfortunately, that’s what happened during Thursday’s edition of Good Morning Britain, where singer-songwriter Joss Stone was a guest.
Speaking via video-link, the Super Duper Love singer spoke about her new podcast A Cuppa Happy, declaring: “I’ve noticed that we have a lot of opportunity to be happy and we don’t always take it.”
Joss Stone on Good Morning Britain ITV
She went on to say that she felt having “choice” was the key to being happy, noting: “Every person I’ve spoken to, so far [on the podcast] has flagged that we have choice. And I don’t think everybody truly feels that way. I think some people genuinely feel that they don’t have it. And that is a total myth.”
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Joss continued: “If we can accept that we do have choice in mostly every direction unless we’re enslaved... or in prison... mentally we have little choices that we make as we walk along in this life.
“And that is for every single person. That’s comforting. It’s a nice thought and very freeing.”
Now, obviously Joss Stone’s intent was that we should all try and find some happiness in our lives at a difficult time, and that’s certainly not something we feel should be knocked.
But the delivery of that message was not exactly well-received by many GMB viewers who were watching along on social media, with Joss’ name creeping up the list of Twitter’s trending topics shortly afterwards...
Joss Stone chilling in the Bahamas in.her other home, saying life is great and be happy #gmb pic.twitter.com/VllKxI6dhQ — Nate Ben Comedian (@NathanielBen82) August 13, 2020
Multimillionaire Joss Stone sat in her home in the Bahamas talking about the secret to happiness and telling us how lucky the UK is that Boris is single handedly saving the arts. Jesus christ. Have a word @GMB — Conor (@ConorMcGrace) August 13, 2020
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Finding this Joss Stone piece (from the Bahamas!) incredibly patronising. Interview someone unemployed living on a council estate somewhere shitty and ask *them* how they can be happy. #GMB — Woof Zip Criminal (@fritzromanov) August 13, 2020
Anyone watching Joss Stone on #GMB ? She seems so out of touch. — Nic (@Midnite_nic) August 13, 2020
Joss stone fully deluded about Britain from her massive house in the Bahamas #GMB — Kaz Lloyd (@KazLloyd1) August 13, 2020
Joss stone in the Bahamas telling us all be happy... love, most of us got bills to pay and no way of paying them..so sorry were not sitting in the Bahamas pretending life is wonderful...we've got real problems #gmb pic.twitter.com/ePb5aiLO4j — Jasmine (@JasmineToretto7) August 13, 2020
Millionaire Joss Stone, sitting in a beautiful house, in the Bahamas preaching happiness. A tad irritating #gmb — attention thief 😷 (@NoWarning_Sign) August 13, 2020
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@GMB joss stone it's ok to say everyone has choice when you're in a good financial situation! There are thousands of people who would choose to live in a nice area, buy food and choose not to go to food banks! Choice is a privelage not everyone can afford! — marie wise (@mer1976) August 13, 2020
Given that most people are facing untold hardship right now I can't actually believe that Good Morning Britain have invited Joss Stone (net worth 8 million) onto their programme to talk from the Bahamas about how we all have a choice to be happy. — Jessica Heath (@_JessicaHeath) August 13, 2020
To be fair to Joss Stone I did have a choice and I chose to turn her off. She’s right, I’m much happier pic.twitter.com/qBAgT7Qrfi — Laura McColl (@laura_mccoll) August 13, 2020
Joss is yet to comment on the controversy, but did write on Instagram on Thursday morning: “@GMB Lovely to chat. Missing England now. Be home soon, can’t wait.”


thehuffingtonpostuk--2020-08-13--Tories Delete Tweet Criticising Scottish Exam Chaos After English Exam Chaos

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The Tories have insisted they deleted a tweet criticising Nicola Sturgeon over the Scottish exams results fiasco because of a spelling mistake - not because they were trying to dodge criticism for their own results debacle.
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The Scottish Conservatives had claimed the SNP leader had “presided over one of the biggest scandals in the history of devolution” in the days before her administration performed a U-turn over results decided by a “biased” computer algorithm that disproportionately hit poorer young people.
Accusing the first minister of having “shattered the life chances of thousands”, the post shared by scores of senior MPs but had disappeared.
Tweet from the Scottish Conservatives Tweet from the Scottish Conservatives
But after dozens of people pointed out the post had been deleted, it was shared again, with the incorrect spelling 'effected' replaced with 'affected'.
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It comes as an A-level crisis hits England, with thousands of young people whose results have been downgraded from their teachers’ assessments preparing to lodge appeals with Ofqual.
The regulator insists that there is no evidence of bias in the way grades have been decided during the Covid-19 crisis, when students have been unable to take exams or attend school or college amid lockdown.
But an analysis of results by Ofqual itself suggests a higher proportion of poorer pupils – 10.4% – were knocked below a C grade than richer pupils – on 8.3% – after teacher assessed grades were moderated.
Education secretary Gavin Williamson moved to broker a compromise on Wednesday night by telling students they could appeal based on a mock exam result if it was higher.
But it is as yet unclear how many would benefit and Boris Johnson’s government is under pressure to backtrack.
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HuffPost UK has contacted the Scottish Conservatives for comment on the deleted tweet.
Their new leader Douglas Ross, meanwhile, has suggested he would be prepared to challenge Johnson if the results disadvantaged some young people.
Some say the exam results in England cause me difficulties.
My job as leader of @scottories is to get the best for young people & everyone in Scotland. It’s not my job to support the UK government on everything. I’ll challenge them when I believe they're wrong. https://t.co/jbQkKY9S3E — Douglas Ross MP (@Douglas4Moray) August 13, 2020


thehuffingtonpostuk--2020-08-14--Students March On Whitehall Demanding Gavin Williamson Be Sacked Over A-Level Fiasco

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Students are marching on Whitehall chanting “sack Gavin Williamson” and “teachers not Tories” in response to the shambolic handling of A-level results day.
Around 100 demonstrators had gathered outside Downing Street on Friday lunchtime, heading towards the Department for Education building.
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Student Harry Mayes, from Stoke Newington in north London, missed out on a place at both his firm and insurance university places after receiving A, B and C in his A-levels.
The 18-year-old, who had been hoping to study neuroscience at the University of Bristol and had grades of A*, A and B submitted by his teachers, called the system a “complete injustice”.
“I’m a free school meals student and it seems like people like me have been lowered the most,” he told the PA news agency.
People take part in a protest in Westminster in London over the government's handling of A-level results. PA Media
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Nearly 40% of UK grades were lowered by a “biased” algorithm, prompting fury from students across the country.
One hundred thousand pupils across England awoke on Thursday to find their A-level results had been downgraded from the marks their teachers awarded them.
Entire classes at some schools were marked down by at least one grade.
Nearly four in every 10 (39.1%) grades awarded on Thursday were lower than teachers’ predictions: 35.6% were adjusted down by one grade, while 3.3% were brought down by two and 0.2% by three grades.
In total, an estimated 280,000 A-level entries were affected by the process.
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Social media was awash with individual stories of students finding themselves in dire circumstances.
So my brilliant kid, who spent 5 years in and out of hospital and is disabled, had her teachers’ grades marked down and has lost her place at university. She got straight As at GCSE, mostly teaching herself in hospital. She called the uni. They said they’re full. I give up. — Amanda Lees (@amandalees) August 13, 2020
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I have a suicidal daughter who hadn’t stopped crying since 8am. She has missed out on her firm offer due to 2 grades being downgraded. Her Centre assessment grades were A* A* A. In stead she got A A* B. I have just been touch with our local MP to make a complaint. — Naz Malik (@NYMalik) August 13, 2020
Islington and Newham sixth form college NEU groups, Islington and Lambeth NEU, who backed today’s protest, said: “Tens of thousands of young people are seeing their futures threatened by an ignorant Conservative government intent on grading them using a statistical model designed to fail them unfairly and reinforce the existing and growing inequalities of Tory Britain.
“We want [Boris Johnson’s] algorithm-calculated grades scrapped, all students to be awarded at least their teacher-assessed grades and Gavin Williamson sacked.”
Deputy Labour Party leader Angela Rayner this morning said the government has made an “absolute mess” of school exams grading.
She told BBC Breakfast: “We believe the only option that the government have got now is to go back to the teacher-awarded grades because they’ve made such a fiasco.
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“I mean, if you look at what’s happened over the last 24 hours, a lot of children who have worked incredibly hard have been devastated by a system that’s been completely flawed and has taken into account the school’s previous history rather than what that child’s been able to achieve this year.


thehuffingtonpostuk--2020-08-14--The Conservatives' Silence On An MP Accused Of Rape Is Cacophonous

Exteriors of the Houses of Parliament in London, UK Brian Bumby via Getty Images
It’s now been over a week since news broke of a Conservative MP accused of rape by a former parliamentary aide.
To date, the party have refused to suspend him, despite repeated calls from women’s groups, campaigners and fellow MPs. Chief Whip Mark Spencer said that the rape allegations against the MP were being taken seriously.
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Not seriously enough to warrant a suspension so that others could be safeguarded, it would appear.
On Thursday, Prime Minister Boris Johnson defended his party’s decision not to suspend the MP as he was waiting for “police to decide whether they wanted to make charges”.
In any other profession, anyone accused of serious sexual offences would face immediate suspension followed by an investigation.
“The only message we are receiving is that the rights of the accused are above the rights of the alleged victim.”
Johnson’s continued refusal to suspend will not inspire confidence among either campaigners or survivors of sexual violence.
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The latest England and Wales rape statistics make for alarming reading. In the year 2019-2020, police recorded 55,130 rapes, but of this figure, only 2,102 resulted in prosecutions, with 1,439 convicted.
If we compare the latest numbers against figures for the same period three years previously, the overall figure has increased by a third, yet convictions have halved.
This is not the first time the government has fallen short in its commitment to keeping women safe and holding perpetrators of sexual violence and abuse in positions of power to account for their misbehaviour.
In 2018, I wrote about Theresa May restoring the whip to two MPs suspended following accusations of sexual impropriety so that she could win a no-confidence vote triggered against her by her own party.
Of those two MPs, Charlie Elphicke has since been convicted of three counts of sexual assault against two women in 2007 and 2016.
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Former MP Andrew Griffith, found to have sent some 2,000 texts to two young female constituents while a sitting MP, insisting they call him “Daddy” and demanding explicit photos of them, was allowed back in to help prop up May’s tenuous grip on power.
As a campaigner and activist, I have always been very vocal in my desire to see more women, especially from a BAME background, enter politics and make positive changes from the top down.
Sadly, the more we are faced with stories such as this latest one, where MPs accused of serious sexual crimes are able to use their power to hide behind, the more difficult it is to promote Parliament as a safe and secure place to work in.
That a culture of misogyny and impunity is allowed to thrive – with the “old boys network” acting to protect one another – will push more women out of politics and deter others from seeking a career in politics and public life.
The latest accusation of sexual assault has been raised as a concern in a joint statement released by the Centenary Action Group, a UK based cross party coalition working to improve women’s representation in politics, The Fawcett Society, a charity campaigning for gender equality, and the Trades Union Congress.
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In addition to calling for the immediate suspension of the rape-accused MP, the statement is also calling for the appointment of an Independent Sexual Violence Advisor appointed by both the House of Commons and the Conservative Party to support the alleged victim. Our full demands can be found here.
As a former employee of the House of Commons, I have a unique insight into how complicated and difficult it is to report your abuser, especially if they are a sitting MP.
You are ostracised and often targeted by members of your political party, so-called friends will try to dissuade you from coming forward and scare you with stories of media witch-hunts, your mental and emotional health will take a real battering and, often, the end result will hardly justify the brutal fight for justice.
Only two years ago, a House of Commons report found that nearly a fifth of Westminster staff had experienced some form of sexual harassment in a single year. Our Parliamentarians preside over the law on criminal assaults and workplace safety for all of us when their own Houses are not in order.
Each time a victim comes forward to make a complaint, they are not only taking on their abuser, but also the very institutions that give the abusers their platform and power. These institutions should not be further used to give protection to the abusers.
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“Until we change the culture of protecting those who choose to abuse their positions of power, we will never be able to truly hold them to account.”
Until both the Palace of Westminster and the Conservative Party take strong decisive action and suspend the aforementioned MP, at least until the police have concluded their own investigation, the only message we are receiving is that the rights of the accused are above the rights of the alleged victim.
Some may argue that we have come a long way in the past five years in protecting women working in Parliament, with a new independent body set up to handle complaints of bullying and harassment by MPs in 2019, while Dame Laura Cox’s 2018 report helped shed a spotlight on some of the experiences that women like me went through.
But it seems that these changes, although steps in the right direction, are not nearly enough when a person accused of rape can still continue to work and enter and leave a work environment that employs some 650 members of staff.
Until we change the culture of protecting those who choose to abuse their positions of authority and power after they are accused, we will never be able to truly hold them to account. And yes, this does mean starting with our government.
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thehuffingtonpostuk--2020-08-14--Hereditary Tory Peer Suggests 'Grit And Perseverance' More Important Than A-Levels

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A hereditary peer who has led the government’s coronavirus testing efforts has been forced to apologise after insisting “grit and perseverance” are more important than A-level grades.
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Lord Bethell of Romford, who inherited his House of Lords seat as Baron Bethell from his father, said he “fluffed” his A-levels but alleged that it “taught me how to hustle”.
Following a backlash, Bethell – who attended the private Harrow boarding school and Edinburgh University despite “fluffing” his grades – said he was sorry for being “insensitive”.
The Tory peer made his initial comments as A-level results day descended into chaos with 100,000 pupils receiving grades lower than their teachers’ own assessments.
Overall, 39.1% of teachers’ estimates for pupils in England were adjusted down by one grade or more, according to data from the Office of Qualifications and Examinations Regulation (Ofqual).
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But Bethell suggested pupils affected should not despair.
I fluffed my A-levels. Taught me how to hustle. First to get a place in Univeristy. And haven’t stopped ever since. Grades are great, but grit and perseverance win every time. 🚀 — Lord Bethell (@JimBethell) August 13, 2020
He said: “I fluffed my A-levels. Taught me how to hustle. First to get a place in Univeristy [sic]. And haven’t stopped ever since. Grades are great, but grit and perseverance win every time.”
It triggered a furious backlash.
It just goes to show that if you work hard, never give up and are a hereditary lord you too can make it into the House of Lords. — James Felton (@JimMFelton) August 14, 2020
Grit, perseverance and who your dad was you mean. — David Banks (@DBanksy) August 13, 2020
Goodnight twitter. God bless. This site is free. pic.twitter.com/L1lU10XmeJ — Dr Benjamin Janaway (@drjanaway) August 13, 2020
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🎧 🎵 Inna crib of a peer he was born and raised
🎤the mean streets of Harrow where he spent his days
💿despite his A’levels being somewhat flawed 🎶
✌🏾 he done hustled ev’ry day til he became a Lord
☮ PEACE pic.twitter.com/6oLHoHFhno — Homely one Kenobi 🟥 (@Homely_1_Kenobi) August 13, 2020
You're a hereditary peer. You went to Harrow. Failing your exams was at worst a minor inconvenience for you. For people without the support network of a wealthy aristocratic family life is lot harder than you could possibly imagine. — Alex (@skyblue1967) August 13, 2020
Some 22 hours later, Bethell eventually apologised.
Congratulations to everyone who took A-levels and my profound apologies to anyone who felt my earlier sentiments were insensitive. I know this year is different to any other and I wish good luck to everyone in what the chose to do next. — Lord Bethell (@JimBethell) August 14, 2020
“Congratulations to everyone who took A-levels and my profound apologies to anyone who felt my earlier sentiments were insensitive.
“I know this year is different to any other and I wish good luck to everyone in what the chose [sic] to do next.”
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Lord Bethell parliament.uk
The health minister has been helping lead the government’s Covid-19 testing efforts.
In June he was forced to admit long delays in the coronavirus tracing app, which was finally relaunched this week.


thehuffingtonpostuk--2020-08-14--Is It Even Worth Booking A Holiday Abroad Right Now?

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The list of countries Brits can travel to without need to quarantine on their return changes weekly, as destinations are added and removed from the government-approved travel corridors list based on their level of coronavirus cases.
You can check the current destinations with (and without) a travel corridor here. “All but essential” travel is restricted to those removed from the list and any Brits currently holidaying there must quarantine for 14 days on their return.
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If you were planning to book a holiday abroad in the near future, these changes might leave you wondering if it’s worth it. We’ve weighed up some of the pros and cons, so you can make the right choice for you.
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You could get a cheap holiday
The biggest perk of booking at the moment has to be the cost of travel. The turbulent situation means you may be able to snap up a bargain if you decide to risk it, says Emma Coulthurst, travel commentator from holiday price comparison site TravelSupermarket.
“We expect to see a further shift in destination demand,” she tells HuffPost UK. “The pay off of lowering consumer demand is great value holiday prices.”
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Package holiday prices to Turkey and Greece fell by 28% when there was consumer uncertainty about Spain, Coulthurst says. Meanwhile package holidays to parts of Italy are down by as much as 50%. Turkey is also popular due to the plummeting lira and how far your money stretches, she adds.
Assume you’ll need to quarantine upon your return
Bear in mind the travel corridors list is regularly changing – often at short notice – so even if you choose a destination currently exempt from restrictions, that might change while you’re abroad. Even if you simply transit through a country that’s not exempt, you’ll still be required to self-isolate for 14 days.
You’ll need to specify the location you’ll be self-isolating in on a ‘public health passenger locator form’ before travelling. The rules dictate that you travel to that location (usually your home address) directly from your UK arrival. You’ll have to organise food and other deliveries to your accommodation.
A key consideration before booking a holiday is how easy it’ll be to quarantine upon your return. If you’re still working from home, for example, it might not pose much of an issue. If not, Coulthurst recommends chatting the decision through with your boss, first.
A government spokesperson confirmed to HuffPost UK that you’ll still need to quarantine for a full 14 days after travel, even if you take a coronavirus test that comes back negative. This is because the virus may be in your system, but not detectable yet.
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It’s not just UK quarantines you need to consider
If there are suspected cases of coronavirus where you are, you may need to remain in your hotel room or accommodation for 14 days or move to quarantine facilities.
Beware this is a possibility if you’re prone to cabin fever and can’t stand the thought of being so close, yet so far, from the beach. Doubly important to consider if you’re a parent: will you be able to cope with little ones in one room for 14 days?
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You could be left out of pocket
Following travel corridor announcements, “thousands of holidaymakers are likely to be left significantly out of pocket because their airline will refuse to refund them,” according to Rory Boland, travel editor at consumer watchdog Which?.
“Unlike tour operators, airlines now routinely ignore Foreign and Commonwealth Office travel warnings and refuse refunds because, they argue, the flight is still operating,” he explains. “The government wants us to act responsibly and not travel to countries with an FCO warning, but it needs to make it clear to airlines that they, too, need to act responsibly and not ignore government travel advice in an effort to pocket customer cash.”
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Some airlines and train companies are allowing passengers to change their departure date for free. However, in many cases the no-fee policy can only be used up to a certain date before departure, explains Coulthurst.
Many providers require you to pay change fees closer to the date of departure. Eurostar requires changes without fees up to a fortnight before, as do easyJet. “It’s one week before with Ryanair,” adds Coulthurst. “Passengers may be under the false belief that no change fees apply at any time up to the departure date.”
Flights are relatively cheap at the moment, so Coulthurst says some passengers may have bagged a £50 return flight, only to now be facing a £90 charge to change the date.
“It makes it pointless to change and so people are likely to have to give up and lose money,” she says. “Some airlines are proactively communicating their no fee change flexible policy, but not being as proactive about communicating the parameters of it, which gives people false hope that they can change it.”
If you do decide to book...
Coulthurst recommends following these steps to limit the risks of travel chaos:


thehuffingtonpostuk--2020-08-14--Selling Sunset & The Weakest Link Turns 20 | Good Vibes Only

Selling Sunset & The Weakest Link Turns 20 | Good Vibes Only
This week in entertainment, Selling Sunset series three returns to Netflix, we have a quiz on The Weakest Link to celebrate 20 years of Anne Robinson’s icy put-downs. Plus, we give our recommendations for what to stream this week, with HBO’s We Are Who We Are and Howard on Disney+.


thehuffingtonpostuk--2020-08-14--England's Coronavirus Infection Rate Has 'Levelled Off', Official Figures Suggest

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The rate of coronavirus infections in England has now “levelled off”, official figures published on Friday suggested.
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The Office for National Statistics (ONS) said it estimated there were around 3,800 cases per day between August 3 and August 9. This is compared to 3,700 new cases per day in the previous week.
It comes as the government announced theatres, casinos and bowling alleys will be allowed to reopen in England from this weekend as Boris Johnson resumed easing of lockdown restrictions.
From Saturday, socially distanced audiences will be allowed back into indoor venues, while wedding receptions of up to 30 people will also be permitted.
Katherine Kent, the co-head of the ONS Covid-19 infection survey, said today: “This week’s estimate suggests that the increase in infections in England seen in July has now levelled off.”
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The ONS also revealed analysis of antibody data for England, published for the first time this week, showed a higher percentage of people in London have ever tested positive for antibodies to the virus than in Yorkshire and the Humber, the East Midlands, the south-east and the south-west.
There was not yet enough evidence to show differences between other regions of England.
Large crowds gathered at Southend beach last week, the period covered by today's data, as temperatures soared due to a huge heatwave hitting the UK EMPICS Entertainment
The data published today showed an estimated 28,300 people in private households in England had Covid-19 between August 3 and 9.
This was the equivalent of about 0.05% of the population, or one in 1,900 individuals.
The figures do not include people staying in hospitals, care homes or other institutional settings.
It comes after the government announced that people arriving in the UK from France after 4am on Saturday will be required to spend 14 days in self-isolation due to rising numbers of coronavirus cases there.
The quarantine conditions will also apply to travellers returning from the Netherlands, Monaco, Malta, Turks and Caicos, and Aruba.
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The Joint Biosecurity Centre and Public Health England detected a significant change in Covid-19 risk in all six destinations.
Grant Shapps, the transport secretary, said an estimated 160,000 holidaymakers are expected to try to return to the UK from France on Friday.
Department for Transport officials said data from France shows that over the past week there has been a 66% increase in newly reported Covid-19 cases and a 52% increase in the weekly incidence rate per 100,000 population, indicating a sharp rise in infections.


thehuffingtonpostuk--2020-08-14--Russell Howard Leaves Stage Five Minutes Into Comedy Gig After Catching Audience Member Filming: ‘Yo

Russell Howard Leaves Stage Five Minutes Into Comedy Gig After Catching Audience Member Filming: ‘You’ve Ruined It’

Russell Howard failed to see the funny side when he spotted a member of the audience filming a recent comedy gig.
The comedian stormed off stage just five minutes into the live performance in Bristol on Wednesday – but only after confronting the woman in the front row.
During the set, Russell was trying out new material at the outdoor terrace of the Bambalan bar in the city when he stopped and told her “that’s literally the worst thing you can do”.
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Russell Howard Empics Entertainment
According to BristolLive, he then told the woman to “live in the moment” and asked her if she would like it if someone started filming her at her place of work.
The stand-up star told the audience of 45 people that comedians are a “dying breed” because they are fearful of people filming unseen content and uploading it to YouTube, which could ruin their act.
He then informed the audience that he would be reverting to “safe material” at the gig, before telling the woman who had been filming that she’d “ruined it now”.
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“I was really looking forward to this gig,” Russ told the crowd before apologising, picking up his backpack from behind the stage area and heading for the exit.
The woman in question then insisted she was only doing what others had been before being told “you were filming the whole fucking thing” by another audience member.
Seriously... fuck phones at live events. It's the same with people watching football through their phone's camera. More interested in letting the followers know than actually enjoying themselves. https://t.co/vTlD5DKf7y — Sam Frost (@frosty920) August 13, 2020
After the event, event organiser and compère Mark Olver said he should have been clearer about the rules around filming.
“It’s important that when acts are trying out new material people should understand they don’t want video of it out there,” he said. “Sets at this kind of event are a work in progress. Most people understand this but I should have been clearer at the start of the gig in explaining it to people.
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“I totally get why Russell cut his set a bit short. He’s gutted and didn’t want to disappoint anyone but comedy is something you have to write in front of people and having a recording of that process out there in the world makes being creative really difficult.”
A spokesperson for the comic told BristolLive: “Any comedian whose set is being recorded at a new material night would find it distracting.