thehuffingtonpostuk--2020-05-22--'A Lot Of People Are Struggling With Their Pain': Olly Alexander On Managing Mental Health And Stayi

'A Lot Of People Are Struggling With Their Pain': Olly Alexander On Managing Mental Health And Staying Creative In Lockdown

Olly Alexander is pop music’s posterboy for social change: as likely to share a message about mental health or LGBT+ history as he is about new music, he is both frank and intensely passionate about people.
Celebrated for his live performances, which combine a high camp aesthetic with queer political activism, the singer uses his influence to support and highlight underrepresented groups as well as talking openly about his own mental health demons.
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Now 29, the Years & Years singer is living out his lockdown in east London, and was making headway with the third Years & Years album when coronavirus thwarted his plans.
In the weird months that have followed, Olly has been coming to terms with the temporary world of the ‘new normal,’ and working out what that means, much like the rest of us.
It’s fair to say life under lockdown hasn’t been as uplifting as the summer-ready anthems Olly has moulded with Years & Years.
Years & Years star Olly Alexander discusses his coping strategies under lockdown, and how the coronavirus has affected his work HuffPost UK
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“We’re all experiencing this pandemic in different ways,” he tells HuffPost UK. “A lot of people are struggling with their pain - I would never judge somebody.
“The other day I got really sad reading all these negative comments about people tearing each other down on their appearance or body, you see it all the time. I don’t know, it just built up for me and I just cried, it’s so sad.
“Shaming somebody almost never does the thing that the shamer wants it to do,” says Olly. “It doesn’t work - it’s a very negative thing to do to somebody and it just encourages poor mental health and often repeat behaviour.”
But for every challenge, there’s been huge new positives - daily runs near his Hackney flat have been joyous; a necessary breather from the weight of lockdown and his social media feed.
“Just being able to appreciate the things like being outside, breathing nice air, seeing a friend. That is, you know, really beautiful,” he says.
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Olly Alexander performing at Glastonbury 2019 Ian Gavan via Getty Images
The singer has also made time for other simple pleasures under lockdown: he has made the effort to get to know his immediate community better, including his neighbours, whom he is immensely thankful for.
“I live underneath some extremely nice lesbians,” he says excitedly of his new lockdown discovery. “Which makes me feel so safe because I know in a crisis I can just go upstairs.”
“I’m part of some mutual aid groups locally and it made me realise I never really engaged with my local community in the way I have been,” he reflects. “In terms of just literally the streets around my apartment and the people that live in my building. That’s been amazing.”
When he’s not busy with his neighbours, most days Olly has been working from home on new music. He’s thankful to be able to work in his own space, and the creative process has taught the singer a lot about the very nature of his creativity.
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“I’ve been thinking a lot about how when I make music, I go to these imaginary places in my head... I’m so lucky I can do that"” - Olly Alexander
“I’ve been thinking a lot about how when I make music, and when I’m going to these imaginary places in my head, that’s really a beautiful thing that humans do and I’m so lucky I can do that,” he says.
“I just need my brain [laughs]. I don’t need anything else.
“But it’s obviously not that simple. Sorry I can’t remember what your question was - now I’m talking about my brain…”
He finds music-making therapeutic “even if I never produce anything good”, like he hadn’t written the number 1 hit King and barrels of other Years & Years chart successes.
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Olly also writes a diary, an activity which has increased since lockdown.
“It’s my therapists’ top tip - I’ve seen my therapist for six or seven years and we’ve been Skyping,” he continues.
“He’s always, like, ’writing stuff down is so helpful for you to help understand your feelings,’ for me anyway, so I’ve been doing a lot of that.”
Reading, as well as writing, has kept the musician on an even keel, and lockdown has provided plenty of opportunity to revisit classics by some of his favourite writers, mainly queer writers like Derek Jarman, Alexander Chee and Maggie Nielson.
He has found queer texts empowering, some of which he will recite virtually from lockdown this bank holiday weekend as a part of the Google Nest Sessions, streaming for free online. “I’m going to talk about literature that has really influenced me,” he says, “we talk about some queer authors, how that affects my mood.”
Olly performing at Manchester Pride 2019 Shirlaine Forrest via Getty Images
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As lockdown stretches onwards there’s likely to be more opportunities for introspection. More time to question the forces that drive him to create powerful crossover pop-dance music, to make stands against a broad spectrum of social injustices from queer rights to sex worker rights and to channel his responses openly to fans online.
“Everything feels a little bit called into question right now,” he reflects. “Me putting out music - what does that really mean and is there any point?” He laughs at the suggestion, garnishing his existentialism with a trademark guffaw.
“And I think asking those questions is pretty normal, but I’ve come out the other side and I really love my job,” he says assuredly.
It’s clear how much comfort he finds in work, even with the overwhelming personal challenges of lockdown.
“I really want to put out something that’s fun and beautiful into the world for people to just escape to,” he surmises.
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thehuffingtonpostuk--2020-05-22--9 Funny Tweets That'll Kick Off Your Bank Holiday With A Giggle

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We’re here to guide you through the coronavirus lockdown. Sign up to the Life newsletter for daily tips, advice, how-tos and escapism.
Praise be, a bank holiday is upon us and the weather is looking decent across most of the UK. That’s worth celebrating.
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Whether you’ve got three sweet days off to relax, or you’re working, it’s time to take a break with our weekly roundup of funny and feel-good tweets. Enjoy!
1 . Who run the world? Geese
Break the rules at your peril.
Great to see geese uphold the rule of law. pic.twitter.com/AErYoCW0tG — Paul Blanchard (@paulwrblanchard) May 16, 2020
2. An ode to British food – with a twist
Actress and voice artist Meggie Foster has been delivering political comedy during lockdown. This might be our favourite video yet.
Treats with Truss pic.twitter.com/7af1EmI0C1 — Meggie Foster (@meggiefoster) May 17, 2020
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3. The confused postman
Note to self: check the road is clear before donning a mask of the Queen and attempting a TikTok dance.
That’s the last time I help my mum do a Tiktok pic.twitter.com/TmpEnrmPW7 — whitey (@nathwhiteee) May 15, 2020
4. Dogs reunited
These two pups came from the same litter and recognised each other instantly on their individual walks. No, you’re crying.
pls look at what my dad sent me this morning I cannot even😭❣🐶 pic.twitter.com/QTy5J8uEwZ — 𝐋𝐈𝐁𝐁𝐘 🦋 (@libpincher) May 19, 2020
5. Us, every time a period is late
“But now that I’m here, when’s the last time you yelled at your mum?” Genius.
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6. A unique pronunciation of Worcestershire
Prepare to replay it 10 times in confused amazement.
I’ve never heard Worcestershire be pronounced like this before but I quite like it pic.twitter.com/1ECXxt8zsn — • jemma • (@Jem_Loader) May 17, 2020
7. A dishwasher disaster
Foam party at Abby’s house?
good morning to everyone except my boyfriend, who didn’t consult me before he used washing up liquid in lieu of dishwasher tablets last night pic.twitter.com/7LqvOTEhYa — Abby Tomlinson (@twcuddleston) May 19, 2020
8. My plans vs. 2020
The meme of the week. If we don’t laugh, we’ll cry.
P.s. we miss Marianne and Connell in our lives.
9. The most joyful dog
Just a puppy, enjoying a puddle and living his best life. Happy weekend.


thehuffingtonpostuk--2020-05-22--Can We Go Swimming Now – And If So, How And Where?

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We’re here to guide you through the coronavirus lockdown. Sign up to the Life newsletter for daily tips, advice, how-tos and escapism.
The sky is blue, the sun is shining and keen swimmers will be clamouring to get back in their local pool. Unfortunately, the reality is that indoor and outdoor swimming pools will stay closed for some time yet. It’s likely they won’t be reopening until some time in July.
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But that doesn’t mean swimming is completely off the cards. There is no specific mention of swimming in the government’s strategy for coming out of lockdown in England, but it does state that people can drive to outdoor open spaces, irrespective of distance, as long as they respect social distancing guidance while they are there.
This doesn’t mean you can drive to Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland for a swim. But it does mean you can enjoy open water swimming in England by visiting your local beach or swimming in a lake or river.
Safety is still paramount. Swim England advises that only competent and experienced open water swimmers should use this form of exercise during lockdown – and reminds people to stick to social distancing guidelines while doing so.
Jane Nickerson, Swim England’s chief executive, said “it’s imperative” that even the most seasoned swimmers read the advice it has issued and follow it carefully, especially as most locations won’t have lifeguards at the moment.
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There are concerns that people who are new to open water swimming will try to do it during lockdown. The message is clear on this one: don’t. Robert Gofton, chief executive of the Royal Life Saving Society UK, said: “We are extremely concerned that people will now rush to get into open water without proceeding with caution and understanding the potential life-threatening implications.”
Even those who are open water swimming veterans are advised not to go alone in case they do get into trouble. Under the new rules you can exercise with multiple members of your household or one member from another household.
Eka Sarishvili / EyeEm via Getty Images
If you are going swimming with someone else, let those in your household know where you are, what you are doing and your expected time of return. And if you turn up to swim and the location is busy, you should turn around and go home.
Just because we’re allowed to drive to a beach doesn’t mean it’s the best thing to do, according to Professor Andy Hunter, who works with the World Health Organisation on guidance around sanitation and disease.
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“If you have children – who will still insist on running up to and playing with other children who are not part of your household, and may be from another part of the country as far as you know – that is a problem,” Prof Hunter told HuffPost UK.
And if you’re travelling a long way to get to a beach, bear in mind it may be the main open space that locals have to get fresh air and exercise themselves.
How To Prepare For An Open Swim
There won’t be any changing facilities open at the moment so you need to turn up in your swim kit – and be prepared to dry off somewhere in public, and get changed into warm clothes afterwards
Don’t forget your swimming costume or wetsuit, towel, swim hat, goggles, and swim boots, gloves and ear plugs (if you’re planning on spending a long time in the water). You’ll also want to cover up any cuts or scratches with a waterproof plaster as the last thing you want is an infection from dirty water.
Check out this Wild Swim map for crowd-sourced swimming spots or a list of accredited water venues here (some may not yet be open).
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Some wild swimming spots in England include:
Grantchester Meadows, Cambridgeshire
Goldiggins quarry, Cornwall
River Thames, Pangbourne, Berkshire
Rydal Water, the Lake District
Ullswater, the Lake District
River Waveney, Bungay, Suffolk
Lacy’s Caves, Cumbria
River Stour, Fordwich, Kent.


thehuffingtonpostuk--2020-05-22--The 10 Airbnbs We'd Want To Stay In If We Could Right Now

Airbnb 180° View, Private Pool Villa, Singaraja, Bali, Indonesia
You’re reading our series Summer’s Not Cancelled, where we celebrate summer in this new normal. From rediscovering nature and cherishing time with friends and family, to virtual festivals and unforgettable staycations – summer’s still here, it’s just different.
Dreaming of a post-lockdown getaway? Us too.
While our summer travel plans may have been thrown out the window thanks to coronavirus, we can still get a head start on planning future trips when it’s safe to jet off again. Or, just daydream about our next escape while waiting for the pandemic to pass.
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Airbnb has shared its top 10 most wish-listed homes on the site in the last few months. So, to help you make your first getaway one you’ll remember forever, discover these dreamy listings for when normality resumes.
Airbnb 180° View, Private Pool Villa, Singaraja, Bali, Indonesia
Take a dip in an infinity pool against the backdrop of the stunning Singaraja sunset. This villa can accommodate up to eight guests comfortably – we’re already planning who we’d invite along.
2. Private Beach Property, Governador Celso Ramos, Santa Catarina, Brazil
Airbnb / Willian Silveira Private Beach Property, Governador Celso Ramos, Santa Catarina, Brazil
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Sea views? Check. Airy modern rooms built with wood and glass? Check. Direct access to a private beach? Now, we’re talking.
3. Hector Cave House, Santorini, Greece
Airbnb Hector Cave House, Santorini, Greece
What was once used as a wine cellar is now a glorious Grecian hideout. The all-white home comes with a plunge pool and a private veranda for those clear blue sea views and sights of the famous caldera cliff.
4. Eco Bamboo Home, Selat, Bali, Indonesia
Airbnb Eco Bamboo Home, Selat, Bali, Indonesia
This remote two-person hut is nothing short of an adventure. It’s tucked away high in the mountains, where you can kick back, relax in the hammock and take it all in.
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5. Underground Hygge, Orondo, Washington, US
Airbnb Underground Hygge, Orondo , Washington, United States
Enjoy life’s simple pleasures at this romantic hobbit home. With six acres of land at play and a lush mountainside view of the Columbia River Gorge, this one’s a wholesome winner.
6. Balian Treehouse, Selemadeg Barat, Bali, Indonesia
Airbnb Balian Treehouse, Selemadeg Barat, Bali, Indonesia
Bring out the big kid in you and sleep in the treehouse of your childhood dreams. It’s an up-top utopia with panoramic views, a private pool and a three-minute stroll to the local beach.
7. Private Pool House, Mount Washington, Los Angeles, California, US
Airbnb / Andrew Bramasco Private Pool House, Mount Washington, Los Angeles, California, US
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You’ll be California dreamin’ of this listing for sure. Soak up the sun and live the celebrity high life in this beautiful, spacious home.
8. Moderne Apartment, Akureyri, Northeast, Iceland
Airbnb Moderne Apartment, Akureyri, Northeast, Iceland
Seek out this oh-so-chic modern two-bedroom northern Iceland apartment. During the winter you can gaze upon the northern lights and bask in the midnight sun in the summer months, before climbing into bed.
9. Unique Architecture Cave House, Oia, South Aegean, Greece
Airbnb Unique Architecture Cave House, Oia, South Aegean, Greece
Another Greek retreat sitting on the edge of the caldera stretch. This bakery-turned-picturesque cave house has all the amenities for a relaxing time away including a cave whirlpool and views of clear blue seas and sky.
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10. Privatised Rental Riad, Marrakesh, Marrakech-Tensift-El Haouz, Morocco
Airbnb Privatized Rental Riad, Marrakesh, Marrakech-Tensift-El Haouz, Morocco


thehuffingtonpostuk--2020-05-22--Lockdown Has Forced Me To Confront The Link Between Sex And My Self-Worth

Adam Paluch / EyeEm via Getty Images Rear View Of Woman Relaxing On Bed At Home
You’re reading Sex Diaries, a HuffPost UK Personal series about how we are (or aren’t) having sex. To share your story, get in touch on ukpersonal@huffpost.com.
Covid-19 has brought with it a whole load of limitations. Life in lockdown has reminded me about some luxuries I didn’t think I’d miss: coffee shop chai lattes, monthly manicures, coughing in public. It’s made me think too about the things I take for granted too, like spending time with my family and friends, reading in the park, and beer from the tap.
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I’ve also been hankering for intimacy – probably because I haven’t had sex since social isolation began. While I’ve gone a lot longer without it, it’s taken not being able to have it to remind me why it’s something I’m missing.
I have a complicated relationship with sex; my romantic relationships even more so. My self-esteem has always been like a piece of ripe fruit dangling in front of me – a little too high to reach – and my sense of self has always been mixed up in how others view my worth. I’ve never had a great love. Wondering if the woman or man I’m ‘meant’ to be with is my latest fling has created a desperate urge to hold on to that person, by any means necessary.
And so, that’s resulted in sex being a tool I try and use to secure the pieces of any relationship I was in. It led to me to believe sex was the secret superpower that would dazzle someone into thinking I was the one for them. But unlike the women in the movies, nobody has explored my brokenness.
“Instead of being able to douse my self-loathing and lust for love in ‘a night of fun’ with an old flame, I’ve had to put my dating life on hold”
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Being diagnosed with borderline personality disorder helped explain my feelings of emptiness and fear of abandonment – surprisingly, it lightened the emotional baggage I lugged around. I wouldn’t say I understand myself any more than I did before, but at least I can attribute some of my erratic emotions and thoughts to something tangible.
It has also explained, though did not eradicate, my impulsivity. The urge to have sex on a first date (or worse, text an ex) hasn’t subsided. In fact, I’ve even reckoned the compulsion to the symptoms of my disorder: Maybe this person won’t see me as an easy lay; perhaps this time giving my body over won’t be in vain.
Then came the global quarantine, and the plot thickened. The mandatory lockdown has become my proverbial block. Instead of being able to douse my self-loathing and lust for love in ‘a night of fun’ with an old flame, I’ve had to put my dating life on hold too.
Friends have said this is the ideal time to go online looking for a romantic connection. After all, with all this time on their hands, potential and prospective partners are able to commit to a more ‘traditional’ way of courting. Rather than suggesting a meeting at the pub after a brief back and forth via an app, we’re now able to really get to know each other. Any single person looking for long-lasting love would jump at the chance. Right?
“I haven’t had an epiphany and come out the other side. I’m still figuring out what I’m going to do with this truth.”
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Not me. Other than the gruelling sign-up process, with hours of scrutinising every selfie I’ve ever taken, I have no desire to put myself out there. I don’t imagine my wit and wordplay will charm someone into believing I’m their soulmate. I don’t hold that belief within myself. Knowing that we can’t meet in a bar somewhere and that a socially-distanced date would be sketchy, I’m not convinced I have enough to offer.
I’ve been forced to analyse my relationship with sex and how, for me, it has become synonymous with my self-worth. That’s brought along with it a grief I don’t want to process. Recognising my patterns and shining a light on their futility means I have to make a change. And I don’t know if I’m ready for it.
It saddens me that I can pick up my friends when they feel they fall short, but I can’t fathom a time that I will ever feel worthy. Sure, I can acknowledge it’s unhealthy; doing what I’ve always done will get me what I’ve always got. But, for me, believing that I deserve better seems impossible.
This story doesn’t have a happy ending – because there is no ending yet. I haven’t had an epiphany and come out the other side with great romance and unshakable self-love. I’m still figuring out what I’m going to do with this truth.
What I have realised though, is that while sex might release a ‘feel-good hormone’, giving myself to someone to get something more isn’t working. And it’s not making me truly happy.
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Milla Alexander is a freelance writer. Find more of her work at millaalexander.co.uk


thehuffingtonpostuk--2020-05-22--Section 28 Messed Up My Generation. I Worry We’re Repeating The Same Mistakes Now

HuffPost UK Jack Latham
The oily tendrils of government infiltrate all our lives. Usually, they are invisible and odourless, but nonetheless impact our existence every single day. But for LGBTQ people in their thirties or forties, we know exactly which piece of legislation thwarted our adolescence. It was Section 28.
Introduced 32 years ago this week, in the dying days of Margaret Thatcher’s reign, Section 28 set out the following rules: “local authorities shall not intentionally promote homosexuality or publish material with the intention of promoting homosexuality” or “promote the teaching in any maintained school of the acceptability of homosexuality as a pretended family relationship.” It came about following a moral outcry over a children’s book, Jenny Lives with Eric and Martin, which depicted a same sex couple raising a child and, of course, during the height of the AIDS pandemic. This led the British Social Attitudes Survey to suggest that 75% of the population felt homosexuality was “always or mostly wrong”. Seizing on this mood, this fear around AIDS, Thatcher’s government introduced the bill thirty-two years ago in 1988. It was the year I started primary school.
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It shouldn’t come as a surprise to learn that those ‘social attitudes’ were moulded and manipulated by the press. The Daily Mail was responsible for the outcry over Jenny while The Mail on Sunday referred to AIDS as ‘the gay plague’. The Sun helpfully added ‘AIDS Is Wrath of God, Says Vicar’. When the press does less to inform, and more to scare, we’re in trouble.
“Our omission from public life, that sense that we were abnormal somehow, left us with deep, deep shame.”
And so I went through school with precisely no support. I’d been asking my mum when I was going to turn into a girl since I was four years-old, but she – a factory worker in Bradford – had no more knowledge about transgender kids than I did at that age. The people who could have helped: my teachers; the school librarian; the support staff, effectively had their hands tied. When I was fourteen, I received sex education that taught me how to put a condom on a deodorant can to prevent pregnancy. And that was it. At no point was HIV or AIDS discussed, at no point did a teacher (many of whom were known to be gay or lesbian) say “and, of course, some of you might be gay or bi.” In fact, I remember my A-Level biology teacher once saying “it’s the bisexuals you have to be careful of”.
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The damage caused by that lack of education is self-evident in statistics around LGBTQ people and mental health. We are, statistically, much more likely than straight or cis people to suffer from depression and anxiety, or to attempt suicide or self-harm. We are more prone to addiction and risky sexual behaviours. We were so ignored, so neglected, during our formative years, I don’t think this is surprising. Our omission from public life, that sense that we were abnormal somehow, left us with deep, deep shame.
Things improved. By the time I became a teacher in 2004, Section 28 had been mercifully repealed in England and Scotland. The video we used in PSHE depicted a lesbian couple, and I was allowed to take questions about LGBTQ lives. By 2007 there were two transgender pupils at my school and we went out of our way to support them. My novels, which have always featured LGBTQ characters, are widely available in high school libraries. In less than twenty years since its repeal, we’ve come a long way. Rarely now do I visit schools where there isn’t a Pride committee of some sort.
“The notion now that gay men or women posed a threat to children or society looks woefully bigoted – and we must act to stop the same prejudices being applied to trans people”
Yet I fear a Section 28 sequel of sorts is on the horizon. If Section 28 zeroed in on homosexuality, the new moral panic is over transgender people. A couple of weeks ago, my new novel – Wonderland – was reviewed in the Guardian and Mumsnet forums went into meltdown over my transgender version of Alice. Thirty years on and another book, albeit one for young adults, not kids, is causing a moral outcry. Once more the newspapers are scaremongering: The Times said in 2017, ‘Children Sacrificed to Trans Lobby’ or Metro’s 2018 ‘Transgender Jail Sex Fiend’ headline.
The most concerning sign yet is new women and equalities minister, Liz Truss, stating her commitment to protecting ‘single-sex spaces’ during a (much delayed) reform of the Gender Recognition Act 2004 (which only allows trans people to legally change their gender and apply for a new birth certificate). As the Equality Act 2010 already protects transgender people’s rights to use single-sex spaces, it’s a worrying move, and one that suggests she is reacting to tabloid headlines, not the needs of LGBTQ people in the UK.
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History has not looked kindly on Section 28. It will be remembered for what it was: prejudiced pearl-clutching, and something which marred a generation of LGBTQ kids. The notion now that gay men or women posed a threat to children or society looks woefully bigoted – and we must act to stop the same prejudices being applied to trans people.
Juno Dawson is an author, screenwriter and columnist. Her latest novel, Wonderland, is published by Quercus on 28 May.


thehuffingtonpostuk--2020-05-22--Key Workers Are Fighting 'Draconian' Home Office Immigration Rule Keeping Their Families Apart

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“We are key workers, but not key enough to have our families together,” said Erika Cardoso, who has worked as a carer in the UK for more than 15 years.
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“Since I have been in this country, I have been looking after other people – other people’s families. But the only time I need the government to have a bit of compassion for my family, they can’t help me.”
Like thousands of other people in the UK with partners from outside of the EU, Erika has been forced apart from her Brazilian husband Augusto by the government’s minimum income requirement for visas.
Under the rule – which was introduced in 2012 – British citizens and other settled residents must earn at least £18,600-a-year before their partner from outside the EU can live with them in the UK.
The threshold has been slammed as “devastating” by charities such as the Joint Council for the Welfare of Immigrants (JCWI), which estimates that more than 40% of the population in the UK would not meet this criteria.
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Research suggests that among this group are many of the key workers who have risked their lives to support the UK during the coronavirus pandemic.
The JCWI estimates that more than 100,000 NHS staff in England do not earn enough to meet this threshold, along with a quarter of the teaching workforce and half of full-time care workers.
Erika is one such key worker who – despite putting her own life on the line to care for people during the Covid-19 outbreak – is desperately struggling to earn what the government demands to reunite her family in the UK.
Like many others in her position, she is campaigning for MPs to abolish the minimum income requirement as the Immigration Bill – which will set out a new post-Brexit immigration system for the UK – passes through parliament.
Like her partner Augusto, Erika is from Brazil – but she has two young sons with her first husband, who is British.
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“I would happily go back to Brazil, where I’m from, but I have two other children to think about,” she said. “Their dad is here and he would never let them leave.”
Before the pandemic hit, she worked 60 hours a week as a carer for people with learning disabilities in the hopes of bringing Augusto to the UK – and allowing him to watch their 15-month-old daughter Liz grow up.
Erika and her 15-month-old daughter Liz don't know when they will be able to see Augusto again Supplied
But it’s becoming “quite impossible”, Erika said. On Tuesday, she was forced to quit her job – a role that she loves – because her hours had been cut to 27 a week during lockdown in a bid to prevent cross-contamination between the people she cares for.
With her pay at around £9 an hour, the drop in hours would make it impossible for her to earn the £18,600 needed to get her husband a visa. Next month, she will start a new job as a healthcare assistant in a hospital.
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“I’m going to have to start working at the hospital during the coronavirus outbreak, putting my life and my children’s lives at risk, just so I can try and get my husband over here,” she said.
Erika and Liz last saw Augusto in February – but coronavirus and the subsequent travel restrictions mean they have no idea when they might be together again.
“It might be next year, it might be the following year,” Erika said. Without the minimum income requirement, they could have been together during the lockdown.
“I wish people could come to my flat and see our life day-to-day,” she said. “They would see the WhatsApp calls with Dad crying on the other side of the world and Liz crying over here.
“She just looks at me – I don’t think she understands. Every time the phone rings she goes: ‘Dada, dada’ because she knows it’s him.
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“It’s cruel to her. To me, not so much – I’m an adult, I can take it. But it’s cruel to her.”
Meanwhile, the minimum income rule is also standing in the way of Erika’s dreams of becoming a nurse.
“I’m supposed to start a college course in September so I can go to uni and start my nursing training next year,” she said.
“But how am I supposed to start? How am I going to study and work to make that £18,600 a year? It’s impossible.
“So what do I do? Do I just give up my dream and not become a nurse? Or do I go back to Brazil and leave my two boys here? Or do I give up and leave my daughter without a dad?”
Rebecca Eribal with her husband Chuck and their son Alex Supplied.
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Like Erika, key worker Rebecca Eribal insists that the minimum income requirement must be done away with.
“It should be about the lives behind the numbers,” she said. “Not the numbers behind the lives.”
Rebecca, a teaching assistant for children with special educational needs, is desperate to bring her husband Chuck – who is from the Philippines – to the UK as soon as possible.
The pair, who met in China, married in 2015 and have a five-year-old son named Alex.
While the family originally lived together in China, Rebecca returned to the UK with Alex after he was diagnosed with autism.
“There was no support in China,” she said. “We wanted to be back in the UK where he could be treated equally and get more opportunities so that when he’s older he will be able to get on with life, even if I’m not around.
“And I love England – it’s my home, it’s my country. That’s what I find most challenging about this. It’s as though I’m not allowed here. This is where I have grown up, it’s my home. Why shouldn’t I be able to share that with my husband?”
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As the family receives Disability Living Allowance, they are able to apply for an exemption to the minimum income requirement. However, if they are turned down, it could be the end of the road for their dreams of being together.
As Alex’s sole care-giver, it would be “impossible” for Rebecca – who already works 32 hours a week – to increase her hours and up her earnings.
But having Chuck in the UK would mean “everything”.
“It would mean we would actually be able to have a life we can live, rather than just getting by,” she said.
“It would be nice to just be able to feel normal. I see people on the news complaining about being in lockdown with their partners and families. I think: ‘I would love that.’
“I would love it if Chuck was here – to me, being stuck in the house with Chuck seems like heaven. I could think of nothing better at this point.”
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Rebecca's husband Chuck and their son Alex Supplied
Rebecca also worries about Alex growing up with his father on the other side of the world.
“The effect of this rule on children is never mentioned,” she said. “I went to pick him up from school once and he was shocked to see another kid’s dad coming to pick them up from school.
“He’s never had that and it was such a surprise to him. It’s things like that that break your heart – things you never would have thought of before.”
Meanwhile, teachers at Alex’s school have set up a globe in his classroom with a mark on it where Chuck lives so he can see where his father is.
But despite the impact that the government’s rules are having on Rebecca’s family, the same people expect her to return to work next month when schools reopen.
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“It’s hurtful,” she said. “I’m being asked to go back to work now and put my life and my son’s life at risk, when nobody gives a crap about us, basically.
“But I will go back to work because it’s my job and I have to earn money.”
Mary Atkinson, a campaign officer at JCWI, said it was “heartbreaking” that Erika and Rebecca – “who care for other people’s families on a daily basis” – are separated from their own families because of how much they earn.
“Sadly, they’re among tens of thousands of people separated from loved ones because of this unfair Home Office policy,” she said. “Through this crisis, we’ve all seen the irreplaceable value of family.
“As the Immigration Bill goes through parliament, MPs will have a chance to scrap this policy and bring families like these together. They must take it.”
Stuart McDonald, a Scottish National Party MP, said the minimum income requirement made the UK’s family visa rules “possibly the most draconian in the world”.
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“Almost half of people in the UK wouldn’t qualify to be joined by an overseas partner or child due to these rules, because they don’t earn enough,” he said.
“As a result, thousands of families have been split apart. These really are ‘anti-family’ migration rules and I have no doubt most people think them totally unjust.”
Many of the people impacted by these rules are frontline workers “at the heart of fighting coronavirus”, McDonald added.
“It is appalling that the government is prepared to say – thanks for coming to work for us; but no thanks to bringing your family in to join you.
“We desperately needed to scrap these awful elitist unfair rules anyway – now it is more urgent than ever.”
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A spokesperson for the Home Office said: “The minimum income requirement prevents burdens being placed on the taxpayer, but we are keeping immigration requirements under review and will make adjustments if necessary.”


thehuffingtonpostuk--2020-05-22--Youth Unemployment Is A Ticking Time Bomb

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If this was a normal year, school, college and university students across the country would be in the middle of their exams. By the end of June, their exams would be done and those who didn’t have a job lined up already would be looking for one. Some of the better off ones might take a holiday over the summer, but, by September, around 800,000 young people would have joined the workforce.
But lockdown is creating an unprecedented crisis in the jobs’ market. The latest figures put unemployment levels at 2.1 million. In addition, we now have 7.5 million workers who have been furloughed, with many likely to end up being made redundant just as this year’s school, college and university leavers hit the labour market. For young people, this is terrible news. It means that they will be competing for jobs with a growing number of more experienced workers.
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Just as the supply of labour is swelling, we are also seeing demand dropping off. The number of both existing and new jobs has been falling rapidly, with data from the Resolution Foundation suggesting that job vacancies have fallen by 50%. Specific data looking at the situation for young people is just as worrying with research from the Institute of Student Employers suggesting that employers are going to recruit 23% less young people than they were planning to at the start of the year.
Given this perfect storm in the youth labour market, we will see youth unemployment levels, which were around 12% before the crisis, starting to climb very rapidly.
In this Wednesday, May 20, 2020 photo, Spain Park High School graduates attend their graduation ceremony while maintaining social distancing guidelines at the Hoover Met, in Hoover, Ala. Everyone attending the ceremony also had to wear a mask as a precaution against the spread of the coronavirus. (Joe Songer/The Birmingham News via AP) ASSOCIATED PRESS
Covid-19 has impacted on everyone’s life, but, as Emily Maitlis recently pointed out, that does not mean that it will affect everyone in the same way. There is already evidence showing that young people are amongst the hardest hit. As a new cohort leave education over the summer they are likely to experience some of the worst economic impacts of any part of the population.
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Being able to find work is an essential part of young people’s transition to adulthood. Without it, it is difficult to build an independent life, leave home, get married and do all of the other things that young people want to do. We are running the risk of a whole generation “failing to launch”
The consequences of failing to get a job when you leave education are not just short term. If young people don’t make a smooth transition to work, they can get trapped in joblessness and low-paid work. This time next year they will also be competing with a new generation of students, making the labour market even more competitive for them. In the long run, leaving education in the middle of a recession and failing to find good quality work quickly can have a ‘scarring’ effect that can influence your lifetime earnings and career prospects.
The gloomy picture that I’ve painted is not inevitable. Despite the difficult conditions there will still be jobs. Students should remain resilient, avoid the tendency to blame themselves for things that are not their fault and think about how they can make the most of the time that they have.
But, it is important to be clear that the youth labour market crisis can’t be solved by students trying harder or developing their employability skills. This is a structural problem and it needs a structural solution.
Government is inevitably focused on the health crisis. But we are already in the middle of an unfolding employment crisis. There is a need to establish an employment taskforce that has the authority to address the massive rise in unemployment and a key part of this needs to be an immediate focus on young people.
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Actions that government could take to support young people and avert the collapse of the youth labour market might include:
increasing access to career guidance and employment support;
providing bursaries to encourage more people to continue to develop their skills in education, whilst ensuring that there is a strong dialogue between education and employers so that work-relevant skills are developed;
offering incentives to employers to take on more school, college and university leavers;
creating public sector internships to allow the government to access the talents of young people, whilst offering good quality employment opportunities; and
ensuring that young people are not locked out of the benefit system.
If the government is willing to take this kind of action, a crisis can be averted, or at least ameliorated. If, this opportunity is missed, we run the risk of abandoning a generation of talented young people.


thehuffingtonpostuk--2020-05-22--Why We're Obsessed With Watching Kids Do The Chocolate Challenge

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What really happens if you place an irresistible treat in front of your child, leave the room, and tell them they have to wait until you return before they can eat it?
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Parents have been finding out by taking part in the ‘temptation challenge’ on social media – filming their kids trying to resist chocolate. While it might look like a gentle form of torture, it’s actually a fascinating social experiment.
Some kids munch the chocolate down straight away, while others sit and wait patiently for their parents to return – but it’s not easy. They squirm, wriggle and put their head in their hands, all the while gazing wistfully at the treat in front of them.
Celebs have got in on the trend, too: Joe Wicks shared an adorable video of his 21-month daughter, Indie, successfully avoiding the chocolate. Sam Faiers’ kids had a hard time, while Rochelle Humes’ three-year-old daughter Valentina proved she had iron will.
So why, as parents, are we so obsessed with watching these videos?
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Firstly, watching a child make the decision whether or not to eat chocolate independently is as adorable as it is fascinating to watch. And once our own kids have done it, it’s only natural we want to see whether other kids can resist.
According to child psychologist Amanda Gummer, of Dr Gummer’s Good Play Guide, parents enjoy watching their kids take part in challenges like this because they want to understand them “as much as possible”.
“There’s a hunger for parents to understand their kids more,” she tells HuffPost UK. “So, doing these kind of experiments is interesting to them – they can prove their theories about their kids and understand some of the issues that often present themselves in families, such as why kids don’t want to wait until after lunch to eat sweets.
“We all want to be the best parents we can, so if we can understand them more it will help us be more successful.”
“We want to be the best parents we can, so if we can understand them more it will help us be more successful.” - Child psychologist, Amanda Gummer
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A famous ‘marshmallow experiment’ conducted at Stanford University in 1972 showed that children who managed to delay gratification may go on to be more successful in later life – but Dr Gummer says parents shouldn’t worry if their kids can’t do it.
Firstly, because these types of experiments are particularly tough for kids under the age of five, as children that age don’t have a real sense of time.
“Saying, ‘You can have it later’, doesn’t really mean anything to them,” Gummer explains. “It’s evolutionary – why would they risk leaving it and losing it? Children are very immediate; it’s all about the here and now. They don’t have enough life experience to know that they could wait.”
Beautiful twins take on the Temptation Challenge 😍 pic.twitter.com/DjPnmIL08Q — Buitengebieden (@BuitengebiedenB) May 19, 2020
Also, adds Gummer, being able to resist temptation can be affected by a number of different things, including personality and moral development.
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“Children learn through avoiding punishment and getting reward,” she says. “If a child has an obedient personality, or has been taught strongly to be obedient by the parents, the need to obey the rules may outweigh instinct. Self discipline and weighing up the costs and benefits is all a natural part of development.


thehuffingtonpostuk--2020-05-21--Is Nicola Sturgeon’s Response To The Pandemic As Good As Everyone Says?

Is Nicola Sturgeon’s Response To The Pandemic As Good As Everyone Says?
Labour’s shadow Scottish secretary Ian Murray joins Arj Singh, Paul Waugh and Rachel Wearmouth to talk about how Scotland is faring during the pandemic, as well as where Keir Starmer’s focus in the week it was revealed this year’s Labour conference has been cancelled.


thehuffingtonpostuk--2020-05-22--Dominic Cummings 'Broke Lockdown Rules By Travelling To Parents' House In Durham'

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Boris Johnson’s senior aide Dominic Cummings is under pressure to resign after reports emerged claiming he broke the government’s lockdown rules.
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The Mirror and the Guardian reported that he was spotted at his parents’ home in Durham when he was recovering from Covid-19, after travelling 250 miles from his London home.
The reports suggested Cummings was spotted by neighbours in the garden as he danced to pop group Abba.
Eyebrows were raised after the BBC’s Laura Kuenssberg tweeted that a source close to Cummings confirmed he and his wife went to his parents’ home to self-isolate - but that they did not break government guidance because he and his wife stayed in a separate building.
His apparent move north came at the same time as the UK government was instructing people to remain home, with fines in place for those contravening the rules.
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There has been no official comment from No. 10. Close friends of Cummings told the PA newswire: “He isn’t remotely bothered by this story, it’s more fake news from the Guardian. There is zero chance of him resigning.”
The advice, which became law on March 26, stated: “You should not be visiting family members who do not live in your home. The only exception is if they need help, such as having shopping or medication dropped off.” https://t.co/0Szk0JHIUo — Pippa Crerar (@PippaCrerar) May 22, 2020
The 48-year-old is alleged to have been present at his family home when police from Durham Constabulary turned up on March 31, following a call from someone reporting they had seen Cummings in the area.
Downing Street had previously confirmed Cummings had started displaying coronavirus symptoms “over the weekend” of March 28 and 29.
The same day as police spoke with members of Cummings’ family, his boss Johnson would be admitted to hospital with coronavirus, where he would later require treatment in intensive care.
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Sir Ed Davey, acting leader of the Liberal Democrats, has called for Cummings to quit over the allegations.
“If Dominic Cummings has broken the lockdown guidelines he will have to resign, it is as simple as that,” the former energy secretary tweeted.
SNP Westminster leader Ian Blackford MP said the aide’s position was “completely untenable”.
“He must resign or be sacked,” he added.
The Labour Party has demanded a “very swift explanation” from Downing Street.
A Labour spokesman said: “If accurate, the prime minister’s chief adviser appears to have breached the lockdown rules. The government’s guidance was very clear: stay at home and no non-essential travel.
“The British people do not expect there to be one rule for them and another rule for Dominic Cummings. Number 10 needs to provide a very swift explanation for his actions.”
Durham police confirmed officers had spoken to the owners of an address in the city after reports a person had travelled there from London.
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A spokesman for Durham Constabulary said: “On Tuesday March 31, our officers were made aware of reports that an individual had travelled from London to Durham and was present at an address in the city.
“Officers made contact with the owners of that address who confirmed that the individual in question was present and was self-isolating in part of the house.


thehuffingtonpostuk--2020-05-22--Can Priti Patel’s Quarantine Plan Survive Another Tory Rebellion?

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Border skirmishes
Out of the 69 Downing Street press conferences that have taken place in the Covid-19 pandemic, Priti Patel has led just three. Admittedly, that’s three more than the zero that Therese Coffey, the work and pensions secretary (who might have things to say about Universal Credit and unemployment), has taken part in, but it’s still not a lot.
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No.10 prefers ministers who can arrive at the briefings armed with An Announcement, rather than to simply answer questions. Today, the home secretary did indeed have a big policy to reveal, but whether it will do Downing Street any favours remains to be seen.
Yes, the 14-day quarantine was Patel’s moment in the spotlight. Boris Johnson wants to make a big noise out of this plan to keep international travellers out of the UK, though many critics (within and without the Tory party) think the loudest noise is of a bloody great stable door being clanged shut after the Covid horse first bolted into the country in March.
Several cabinet ministers are deeply uneasy about the quarantine plan, not least as it sends out a signal to the world that Brexit Britain really isn’t “open for business” (just ask the chorus of business groups complaining tonight). But they’ve been told this is a priority for both the PM and the Home Office. Why? Because of the signalling it sends to voters about having ‘strong borders’ about not ‘reimporting’ the virus from overseas.
Patel claimed “we are following the science”, but as ever that science seems to be selectively chosen. Deputy chief medical officer Jonathan Van Tam let slip just over a week ago the real flaw in the proposal. It’s worth reading his quote in full: “When quarantine makes most sense scientifically is when the incidence [of the disease] in the receiving country is low. And it makes most sense in terms of travellers coming from areas where the incidence is high.”
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Given that the UK’s ‘incidence’ is among the highest in the world, and given that many countries have a low infection rate, it seems logical to conclude that there will be lots of exemptions to this new crackdown on people coming from other countries. Greece, But, logic is not what this is about. It’s about the perception of strengthening those borders. Brexit is after all about controlling ‘our money, our borders, our laws’.
Patel at one point actually said “we are not closing our borders”, but of course in reality no one is going to come to the UK to spend a fortnight in a Travel Tavern on the outskirts of Heathrow or Dover. She even said “this is absolutely not about booking summer holidays”, even though today’s announcement at a stroke puts off anyone from planning a foreign break. As one former minister put it to me today: “Do you think a factory worker will have the time or money to afford two weeks holed up after they come back from their well-earned week on a Greek beach?”
Patel did however give a clue to the cabinet splits over her policy. Asked about Grant Shapps’ proposal of ‘air bridges’ to low-risk countries, she said: “We should be absolutely open to all ideas, this is not for today, but it doesn’t mean we should rule it out in the future.” The policy would also be reviewed after three weeks.
If the government is trying to have its cake and eat it (symbolism of raising the drawbridge, but reality of not hurting the aviation industry, business or tourism), it wouldn’t be the first time. Especially if enough ‘ease-the-lockdown-for-the-economy’ Tory backbenchers pull off another Whatsapp-fuelled rebellion.
After yesterday’s U-turn on the NHS surcharge, further zig-zagging on policy wouldn’t be a surprise either. Patel flagged the possibility of helping health and social care staff with visa fees, and even dangled the prospect of easier citizenship for what she called our “NHS heroes”.
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It’s worth recording here that Patel’s preview hints at U-turns don’t always materialise. The whole surcharge inequity was first raised at her last No.10 briefing on April 25, when she said she would ‘review’ it as well as visa issues. Three weeks later the Home Office tweeted there was no such formal review, then Boris Johnson ruled it out at PMQs and...well the rest is history.
Given how much this government wants to get across its ‘tough’ message on immigration, just why is it finally relenting on issues like migrants who work in the NHS and social care?
Well, never forget that the power of the NHS is what drives many of the former Vote Leave team who now work in No.10. That famous red bus wrapped itself in the NHS logo (it’s not too daft to say it was ‘the NHS wot won Brexit’). And when Johnson needed a brilliantly simple message to support his lockdown, it was ‘Protect The NHS’ that did the trick. If care workers are now allowed similar status, don’t be surprised to see them eventually exempted from the points-based immigration system too.
The real moral problem with this approach (and it’s one Labour will have to confront too) is that it sorts migrants into ‘worthy’ and ‘unworthy’ categories, just like the ‘deserving’ and ‘undeserving’ poor. If an NHS surcharge is unfair on a migrant cleaner working in healthcare, why is it fair for a migrant cleaner working in a school or an office? Both already contribute to the NHS through their taxes.
Patel today said repeatedly that the UK’s immigration system was far too complex and she’s right. If she somehow manages to improve it for all migrants and not just ‘NHS heroes’, she would be the first Tory home secretary in decades to look progressive on the issue. Coming weeks and months will tell us if that’s a U-turn too far for her or her party.
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Chief Scientific Adviser Sir Patrick Vallance, home secretary Priti Patel and director general of the border force Paul Lincoln during a media briefing in Downing Street. PA
Quote Of The Day
“[SPI-M] cannot say with consensus, which combination of useful policy changes will result in R remaining below 1.”
A subgroup of the government’s scientific advisors fail to agree on the risks of school reopening
Friday Cheat Sheet
Chief scientific adviser Sir Patrick Vallance revealed that the UK’s ‘R’ number for Covid-19 was between 0.7 and 1, unchanged from last week. There’s a two-week lag in the figures, but it cuts it fine in meeting a key precondition of the June 1 easing of the lockdown.
The government’s scientific advisers finally published their modelling on the reopening of schools. Trade unions said it confirmed the lack of clarity. Vallance said reopening would not be ‘high risk’.
New arrivals to the UK will face a 14-day quarantine from 8 June.
The Guardian and Mirror revealed that the PM’s senior advisor Dominic Cummings was spoken to by police after he travelled 264 miles from his London home to Durham while he had coronavirus symptoms.
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Downing Street refused to rule out London emerging from the lockdown sooner than other parts of the country.
Boris Johnson has agreed to appear before the Liaison Committee of senior MPs next Wednesday at 4pm. Chairman Sir Bernard Jenkin praised the ‘speedy’ response to his invite, telling me: “Having me as a trusted bridge between the government and the Liaison Committee should be of benefit to scrutiny and accountability.”
What I’m Reading
The New Power Of The Three Medical Chiefs In US, UK And Ireland - The Atlantic
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thehuffingtonpostuk--2020-05-22--Priti Patel's Explanation Of Why The UK Is Waiting Two Weeks To Begin Quarantine Was Bizarre

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Home secretary Priti Patel gave a rambling and inaccurate explanation when asked why quarantines for overseas visitors will not start until June 8, given that the move is being touted as a lifesaver.
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Patel announced on Friday that mandatory self-isolation is being introduced from that date to prevent a second peak of coronavirus being introduced by travellers from abroad.
At the daily Downing Street press conference, the secretary of state was asked by Liz Bates from Channel 4 News why the move was not going ahead immediately.
Patel replied: “As I outlined in the statement quite clearly, we said very clearly now that as the number of infections within the UK dropped, we have to now manage the risk of external transmission, so more people are now travelling.
“Obviously, because other countries are bringing in their own measures in terms of opening up their own countries and society, and so this is now about managing the risk of transmissions being reintroduced from elsewhere. So that is really vital.
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“And that is why we are bringing the measures in now. We want to reduce the risk of imported cases being introduced to the UK and to prevent and stop a second wave of this dreadful virus.”
According to Priti Patel: June = now 🤷🏻♀ https://t.co/Yr6YjfCLAy — Liz Bates (@wizbates) May 22, 2020
The answer to that question, and other free-wheeling responses which include repeated used of the phrase “the fact of the matter is”, left many people baffled.
Priti Patel is answering a question and what is coming out of her mouth is just noise. I honestly, absolutely, sincerely 100 per cent do believe that Congolese IT technician Guy Goma would do a better job at this than she does. — Tom Peck (@tompeck) May 22, 2020
No one in the history of ever has ever said more words with less meaning than Priti Patel — Liam Thorp (@LiamThorpECHO) May 22, 2020
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I don’t think Priti Patel has properly answered any of the questions put to her at this press conference, but I can’t really be sure, as for about 50% of the time I’ve genuinely not been able to follow what she’s been saying. Something of a coronavirus word salad going on. — Peter Walker (@peterwalker99) May 22, 2020
Priti Patel’s reply to the question — what happened to exempting travellers from France from the quarantine? — was a blizzard of words in search of coherent sentences. — Andrew Neil (@afneil) May 22, 2020


thehuffingtonpostuk--2020-05-22--A Minute Of Kindness: Cranes Connect People In Belgium

A Minute Of Kindness: Cranes Connect People In Belgium
Tristan Van den Bosch was driving to work, looking at a man shouting three floors up to his mother at a nearby building. He had the idea of using cranes to lift people, so they can see relatives on the upper floors without entering the building. Van den Bosch has been driving his cranes to homes in several towns across Belgium ever since, hoisting whole families to their relatives' windows.


thehuffingtonpostuk--2020-05-22--Priti Patel Hints At British Citizenship For Migrant Health Workers

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Migrant health workers on the coronavirus front line could be made eligible for British citizenship, Priti Patel has hinted.
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The home secretary said she would keep “all immigration measures under review” when she was pressed on the status of all overseas health workers.
Ministers may also consider offering all migrant health and care staff a one-year extension to their visa – something only offered to doctors and nurses so far.
Praising “NHS heroes” who were “working day and night to save lives”, Patel said at Friday’s Downing Street briefing she would reconsider policy on British citizenship.
“Our immigration system is incredibly complex and I think this crisis has demonstrated that, and shown the extent of that complexity too,” she said.
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“You’ve mentioned citizenship and changes that we could bring in – that would need legislation going forward.
“But, as I’ve said, we keep everything under review.”
Any changes to how the UK grants British citizenship would require legislation, she said, before again stressing everything was “under review”.
Patel has been under pressure to extend more immigration rights to health and care workers, such as porters, cleaners and those working in care homes.
Pressed on why only doctors and nurses had been granted visa extensions, Patel added: “The work we are seeing across the NHS is just absolutely incredible and I have also just made the point as well that this is difficult.”
Adding there were “complexities around immigration”, she said she was “looking at various scheme” and would keep “everything under review”.
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“I’m working across government with my colleagues in the Department of Health [and Social Care] to look at what we can do in this particular space,” she said.
It comes after the government was forced into two U-turns this week on immigration policy for health workers.
Home Secretary Priti Patel leaves from 10 Downing Street in central London. TOLGA AKMEN via Getty Images
On Wednesday, Patel extended the NHS bereavement scheme and offered all overseas health and social care staff indefinite leave to remain should they be killed by the virus. Had she not, families who lost a loved one to the disease may have faced deportation.
Ministers also waived the health immigration surcharge for overseas health workers, which would have seen them pay £628 to use the NHS.
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The press conference took place after it was revealed there was no change to the UK’s R number – which represents the reproduction rate of the virus – as the UK heads into the bank holiday weekend.
The national R stands between 0.7 and 1.0, with science and health experts warning that any value above 1 could spark a second spike.
Health chiefs also confirmed on Friday that the number of people who have died in the UK after testing positive for coronavirus had risen to 36,393 – an increase of 351 over 24 hours.


thehuffingtonpostuk--2020-05-22--Led By Donkeys Revives UK's Global Death Comparison Slide – On Giant Billboard

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A graph comparing the UK’s damning coronavirus death toll to the total in other countries has been mounted on a giant billboard – after the government tried to quietly drop it from government press briefings.
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The stunt was the brainchild of Led By Donkeys, a group of activists famed for putting politicians’ tweets on display using huge public signs.
Before they were ditched earlier this month, the grim slides underlined that the UK had the largest number of deaths in Europe. Government advisers usually discussed the graphic at the daily televised press conference.
Led By Donkeys said on Twitter on Friday: “The government has stopped releasing its global death comparison slide (wonder why?) so we’ve published it for them – on an 18sq/m billboard on Westminster Bridge Road. Unlike Boris Johnson, we’ll be updating it over the coming weeks.”
The Government has stopped releasing its Global Death Comparison slide (wonder why?) so we’ve published it for them – on an 18sq/m billboard on Westminster Bridge Rd. Unlike @BorisJohnson, we’ll be updating it over the coming weeks pic.twitter.com/RyFsuFYEAu — Led By Donkeys (@ByDonkeys) May 22, 2020
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The graphs were dropped, a government spokesperson told HuffPost UK, because Number 10 wanted to vary the “content and format” of data and that it was “difficult to compare statistics across countries”.
At the time, 32,692 people in the UK had lost their lives to the disease, after deaths in hospitals, care homes and the community were included.
For Italy, Spain, France and Germany, the national figure stood at 30,911, 26,920, 26,643 and 7,667 respectively. America, meanwhile, had recorded a total of 81,779 deaths.
The number of people who have now died in the UK after testing positive for Covid-19 now stands at 36,393.
Earlier this month, Led By Donkeys compared Boris Johnson’s response to the coronavirus to Neville Chamberlain’s “peace for our time” moment in a giant projection beamed on to the White Cliffs of Dover.
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thehuffingtonpostuk--2020-05-22--Threat Of Unlimited Fines For Visitors To UK Who Breach Quarantine From June 8

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Two-week quarantines will be imposed on new arrivals to the UK from June 8, with potentially unlimited fines for anyone who breaches the measure to prevent new waves of coronavirus from overseas.
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Home secretary Priti Patel announced on Friday that mandatory self-isolation would not apply to people coming from Ireland, medics tackling Covid-19 and seasonal agricultural workers.
Passengers will have to fill in a form providing their contact and travel information so they can be traced if infections arise, and they could be contacted regularly during the 14 days and face random checks from public health authorities to ensure their compliance.
Breaches would be punishable with a £1,000 fixed penalty notice in England, or prosecution with an unlimited fine, while devolved nations can set out their own enforcement approaches.
Border Force will be able to refuse entry to foreign citizens who are not UK residents during border checks while removal from the country could be used as a last resort, the Home Office said.
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Anyone arriving by air, sea or rail will be advised to use personal transport to head to their accommodation and once there not leave for 14 days.
They will not be allowed to accept visitors, unless they are providing essential support, and should not go out to buy food or other essentials “where they can rely on others”, the department said.
The Home Office said if accommodation does not meet necessary requirements – with hotels, or with friends and family listed as options – they will have to self-isolate in hotel accommodation arranged by the government.
Officials said that those the new entrant is staying with would not need to quarantine, but they should avoid contact with each other where possible.
Patel said: “As the world begins to emerge from what we hope is the worst of the coronavirus pandemic, we must look to the future and protect the British public by reducing the risk of cases crossing our border.
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“We are introducing these new measures now to keep the transmission rate down and prevent a devastating second wave.
“I fully expect the majority of people will do the right thing and abide by these measures. But we will take enforcement action against the minority of people who endanger the safety of others.”
A full list of exemptions from the measure will be published online, but it will include:
– Road haulage and freight workers
– Medical professionals travelling to help the coronavirus effort
– Anyone moving from within the common travel area covering Ireland, the Channel Island and the Isle of Man
– Seasonal agricultural workers who will self-isolate on the property they are working.
Ministers were continuing to consider forging so-called air bridges with other nations that have low transmission rates in order to allow some international travel.


thehuffingtonpostuk--2020-05-22--Watch Live: Priti Patel Gives Daily Coronavirus Briefing

Watch Live: Priti Patel Gives Daily Coronavirus Briefing
The Home Secretary hosts the UK government's daily coronavirus briefing amid hints that London could emerge from the lockdown before other parts of the country.


thehuffingtonpostuk--2020-05-22--S Club 7's Reach Turns 20: Here Are 20 Things You Didn't Know About The Pop Classic

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Whether you had your CD single on repeat or it’s the stuff of your cheesy pop nightmares, there was no escaping S Club 7′s Reach when it dominated the airwaves upon its release in the year 2000.
Reach went on to become one of the band’s best known – and, indeed, divisive – singles, and now, in 2020, it’s celebrating its 20th birthday.
To mark the occasion, we’re strolling down memory lane with 20 facts you might not have known about this school disco staple...
1. The song was written by Cathy Dennis
In addition to her own pop career, Cathy’s chart-topping co-writes for other artists include Kylie Minogue’s Can’t Get You Out Of My Head, Britney Spears’ Toxic and I Kissed A Girl by Katy Perry.
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She also worked on S Club 7 cuts Two In A Million and Natural.
2. Despite its huge popularity, Reach never actually made it to the top of the UK singles chart
The song was kept off the number one by Sonique’s Feels So Good which, to be fair, is also still a tune 20 years later.
Cathy Dennis would eventually get S Club 7 to the top of the charts with the ballads Have I Ever and Never Had A Dream Come True.
S Club 7 pictured in 2000, the year they released their hit Reach Tim Roney via Getty Images
3. The B-sides (remember those?) to Reach were extremely 2000
As well as a remix of S Club Party by Paul and Bradley (sorry boys, but it’s a no from us) there was also a remix of Reach by Eiffel 65. Yes, of Blue (Da Ba Dee) fame.
4. The song became synonymous with its hyper-colourful music video
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The premise of the video saw the pop band – riding some sort of float that escaped from a local pride parade – crashing a humdrum small town in the UK, and brightening things up with their infectious song... and weird sweets they were dishing out, which we probably shouldn’t dwell too much on, to be honest.
Reach was directed by Carter Smith, who – according to IMVDB – has just one other credit to his name, working with Keith Urban a full 16 years after S Club 7.
5. But while the video was all about fun, it seemingly wasn’t quite as enjoyable to make as it looked
Who knew hanging around in the heat in the middle of nowhere would be such a chore, eh?
6. Reach served as the opening theme tune for the second sitcom centred around the band, LA7
BBC
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A sequel to Miami 7, the show followed a fictional version of the band as they tried to make it big in Los Angeles.
For some reason, it also featured Linda Blair (yes, of The Exorcist fame) playing their ruthless landlord, Joni.
7. That same year, the band also appeared in the spin-off S Club 7: Artistic Differences...
...which featured – as you can see above – a very unlikely cameo from a certain This Morning presenter, playing a girlfriend of Paul’s who was apparently some class of glamour model (???).
8. Years later, the band would record a special united verison of Reach with their mini-me versions, S Club 8
These included future The Saturdays singers, Frankie Bridge (then Sandford) and Rochelle Humes (then Wiseman).
The girl band’s future back-up dancer and choreographer Aaron Renfree was also a member of S Club Juniors, who would go on to become known as S Club 8.
9. It was also covered by Same Difference on The X Factor
Back in those pre-Alexandra Burke days when Simon Cowell was far more willing to play up to the cheesier side of TV talent shows.
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10. The song was also performed as part of the band’s reunion medley during their *ahem* divisive appearance on Children In Need
Yikes.
Reach would also receive pride of place on the sold-out arena tour that came after this performance.
11. But if you missed that tour, there’s every chance you might be able to hear some incarnation of the group perform it (when such things are safe, of course)
Reach is a staple of S Club 3′s performances, so keep an ear to the ground.
The mini-band’s line-up has been known to change from time to time, with Tina, Jo, Paul and Bradley all appearing in different versions of the band in the last few years.
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12. Although not a straight up cover, Jon did throw it back to his S Club days with one of his solo recordings
Now known for his musical theatre roles, Jon was the perfect person to record a cover of I Want To Reach The Stars (geddit?) for a tribute album featuring songs by composer Alexander S. Bermange.
13. Can we talk about the time that it was mentioned in UK parliament?
For reasons we’re still not sure of, Conservative MP Thérèse Coffey littered a speech with S Club 7 references during an appearance in parliament in 2019.
As well as nods to Have You Ever, Never Had A Dream Come True and Bring It All Back, Thérèse was heard describing fireworks over Big Ben as “that special evening when we were going to reach for the stars, but fortunately did not bring the House down”.
14. Reach was immortalised forever on the 100th NOW! CD compilation
The centennial version of the CD series featured a range of hits from over the years, in addition to modern tunes.
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Featured alongside Reach were the aforementioned I Kissed A Girl and Can’t Get You Out Of My Head, Take That’s Rule The World, Shakira’s Hips Don’t Lie and the Spice Girls’ debut single, Wannabe.
15. To mark Reach’s 20th anniversary, these fans put together a lockdown version of the song
Proving that even 20 years later, there’s still no party quite like an S Club Party.
16. And in more recent times, the song lifted spirits around the nation as part of Dance On Your Doorstep
On Sunday 5 April, people around Briton attempted to improve morale around the UK by stepping outside their homes and having a boogie to Reach, to prove you can still have a good time while adhering to social distancing guidelines.
Admittedly, it didn’t catch on in quite the same way as Clap For Carers has, but we’re sure it cheered a few people up, at least.
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17. Jo has included the song in her own impromptu sets from her own home in lockdown too
In another bid to boost people’s spirits, Jo O’Meara has been performing live from her living room on a karaoke machine. Here’s her take on Reach just shy of 20 years after its original release.
She later made an appearance on This Morning to talk about her lockdown sets, and performed her own take on Over The Rainbow.
18. No, despite what you might have heard, the lyric is not “reach up for the stars”
In 2018, Chris Stark made a horrifying discovery when he played Reach during a silent disco...
Was DJn a silent disco at Chichester Uni the other night.
They add an “up” to S Club 7 ‘Reach’...
Not right is it...? 🤔 pic.twitter.com/ReAxF37P7i — Chris Stark (@Chris_Stark) October 1, 2018
19. Years after Reach, Cathy Dennis would cross paths with a member of S Club once again
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Decidedly different in tone to Reach, Cathy was a co-writer on Rachel Stevens’ solo debut, Sweet Dreams My LA Ex.
It’s been well-documented that Sweet Dreams My LA Ex was originally written for Britney Spears, and was intended as an answer song to Justin Timberlake’s Cry Me A River. Britney would later record her own version of an “answer song” in the form of the ballad Everytime.
20. Graham Norton revealed in 2019 that he was a secret fan of the song, though not as it was originally intended


thehuffingtonpostuk--2020-05-22--Maybe People From Yorkshire Should Be Quarantined, MPs Suggest

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People from Yorkshire pose a bigger coronavirus risk to Londoners than most foreign visitors, a former Conservative cabinet minister has said.
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Under plans due to be unveiled by home secretary Priti Patel on Friday, international travellers could face spot checks and £1,000 fines if they fail to self-isolate for 14 days after arriving in the UK.
But David Davis, a former Brexit secretary, said it made more sense to quarantine people from the north of England, where the spread of the infection is believed to be higher than in the capital, than from countries with low instances of the disease.
“We are going to say to Greeks coming here: ‘You are going to [spend] 14 days in quarantine,’ whereas if I come down from Doncaster I go through King’s Cross without a stop,” the MP for Haltemprice and Howden in Yorkshire told BBC Radio 4 this afternoon.
“Where is the science in saying [that] to someone from Athens, which has a very low rate, or any part of Greece, versus someone from Manchester, Birmingham, Leeds or wherever?”
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He added: “Let’s imagine a constituent of mine went off on holiday in Greece now [...] and I spent two weeks in Yorkshire, which of us is the more risky when we come to London?”
Greece has had 166 deaths related to coronavirus and just 2,850 confirmed cases.
The number of people who have now died in the UK after testing positive for the virus has risen to 36,393 – an increase of 351 over 24 hours.
Ben Bradshaw, the Labour MP for Exeter, said there was a “stronger case” for isolating arrivals in London from Yorkshire than some other countries.
Not often I agree with @DavidDavisMP, but he’s right to say there’s a stronger case for quarantining arrivals at Kings Cross from Yorkshire than on arrivals from low infection countries like Greece, Malta & Portugal #WATO Priti’s barmy quarantine plan. — Ben Bradshaw (@BenPBradshaw) May 22, 2020
It came as Downing Street did not rule out allowing London to emerge from the coronavirus lockdown before other parts of the country.
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The capital is thought to have a lower reproduction rate – or “R rate” – of the virus than some other regions.
A study published by the University of Cambridge last week showed the R number in London could be as low as 0.4 while in the North East and Yorkshire it was 0.8.
The latest latest estimates, published by the government today, suggest the UK-wide R rate has remained at 0.7 to 1.0 for a second week.
Boris Johnson has said driving the R down is key to any further easing of the lockdown measures.
The prime minister’s official spokesperson said today: “As we are able to gather more data and have better surveillance of a rate of infection in different parts of the country then we will be able to lift measures quicker in some parts of the country than in others.
“And equally we will be able to put the brakes on in some parts of the country while not having to do so in other parts.”
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Matt Hancock, the health secretary, revealed yesterday that a government antibody surveillance study found 17% of people in the capital may have recovered from the virus.


thehuffingtonpostuk--2020-05-22--Rough Sleepers Could Return To Streets As Councils Warn Of Funding Shortfall

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Rough sleepers taken off the streets as coronavirus hit the UK face being made homeless again because councils have not been given sufficient funding from the government to support them.
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When the outbreak hit Britain in March, ministers asked local authorities in England to house all rough sleepers and those in hostels and night shelters, with hundreds of people being put up in hotels in a bid to isolate them from infection.
But in evidence to a parliamentary inquiry, councils have warned the initial £3.2m provided by central government fell well short of the actual cost they incurred.
They added the £3.2bn the Ministry of Housing (MHCLG) has handed to all councils to pay for the entire impact of Covid-19, including homelessness, is not enough and could lead to “a surge in people ending up on the streets”.
The money available for homelessness falls in particular for councils with responsibility for care homes.
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One authority told HuffPost UK the country is “sleepwalking into a much deeper homelessness crisis”, but the MHCLG argues councils have been “backed by an unprecedented package of support”.
““If government funding does not continue, there will be a surge in people ending up on the streets.” - Camden Council
On March 27, ministers said all rough sleepers in England should be taken off the streets within days under a policy dubbed “everyone in”.
Now written evidence to the local government select committee of MPs reveals some have been battling with a shortage of social housing, high rents in the private sector and a reluctance of hotels to accept homeless people.
The chronic shortage of housing has been exacerbated by prison releases and people fleeing domestic violence during the outbreak.
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Other pressures include little-mentioned costs such as laundry, restrictions on access to state benefits for some homeless people and some authorities having to take in rough sleepers from outside their jurisdiction.
The Conservative-led Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea in west London received £14,250 of funding from the £3.2m but has had to find almost £750,000 for specific Covid-19 rough sleeping and homelessness services. “The funding, thus far, is insufficient,” it said.
Enfield Council in north London said it received £266,000 from the MHCLG to support rough sleepers. But it estimates the true cost is closer to £1.1m for the six months it needs to secure rehousing. It said: “Without sufficient support ... they will go back to rough sleeping even if accommodated and will become desensitised to the risk of Covid-19.”
Hackney Council in east London also highlighted the “lack of appropriate suitable accommodation and necessary support” and said the issue was “not simply a question of providing a roof”.
It said: “This requires sufficient resources; a ready supply of self-contained stock, workers able to provide support and guidance, and clinical support for those with health needs. All of which are in short supply following many years in cuts to housing benefits and public services. The absence of adequate infrastructure has been exposed by this crisis.”
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Hackney said it was also dealing with an “alarming” rise of around 10 new rough sleepers a week which is “stretching local resources to breaking point”. To deal with rough sleeping, the MHCLG has committed £10,500 in total to Hackney, but the authority is spending more than £7,200 per day.
Councils have been praised for their efforts to house 5,000 people living on the streets under the "everyone in" policy. PA
Southwark Council in south London said it received £33,000, adding: “Please note the gross cost to the council during April alone to implement the MHCLG target to eliminate rough sleeping has cost £153,159.”
Brighton and Hove Council said the £66,000 it was given was “inadequate”, and estimates the bill is £184,615 a week. Coventry Council said it was allocated £17,250 which is “not sufficient” since the cost is expected to be more than £500,000 in the first quarter of this year.
Southampton City Council pointed to the short notice which “made it difficult for this to be successfully accomplished”. It added some authorities placed rough sleepers in the Southampton area from as far as 60 miles away.
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In the evidence, the councils argued the £3.2bn has been undermined by a loss of income from business rates, council tax, parking charges and commercial and residential rental income.
Hackney said its £17.8m share of the £3.2bn – and other hardship cash – will only cover half of the estimated financial impact of the crisis.
“Unfortunately this will be the case for many other councils with social care responsibility,” it said.
Camden warned it has insufficient capacity to accommodate everyone who was found emergency housing and called for a “clear decision on future government funding”, adding: “If government funding does not continue, there will be a surge in people ending up on the streets.”
Basildon Council in Essex also warned there is a “significant risk that if funding and accommodation are withdrawn, there will be an increase in homelessness and a second surge in rough sleeping”.
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Liverpool Council said the rough sleeping funding would would only pay for a “very small percentage” of the efforts in the city and the neighbouring Wirral, with more than £1.2m already spent in the wider city region.
A submission from the Greater Manchester Combined Authority, which has housed more than 1,000 people, warned: “People have been provided with alternative self-contained accommodation and essential services to help them during the coronavirus crisis. However, due to the funding pressures this policy places on local authorities, it is not a long term solution to protect people from infection and transmission.”
Councillor Kim Taylor-Smith, Kensington and Chelsea Council deputy leader and lead member for housing, told HuffPost UK: “We have offered accommodation to all identified rough sleepers in our borough and the £14,250 we have had in government funding has helped.
“However the cost of providing hotel accommodation alone during the pandemic could reach £727,000, before contemplating how the council supports people after the pandemic into continued, settled accommodation.
“This was already a fraught time for councils as we were facing £40m of cuts over a three-year period. Due to an increase in demand for services and a loss of income, the council faces a gap of just over £30m after the money already received from government, with more pressures expected in the medium term as the full economic effect of the pandemic becomes known.”
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Councillor Kieron Williams, Southwark’s housing chief, said half of the rough sleepers it has housed have no recourse to public funds, so they cannot be offered council homes or claim benefits.
She told HuffPost UK: “That means the housing, support and food we do provide is entirely at cost to the council. After a decade of cuts to council funding we are edging closer to that becoming an impossible bill for us.
“While the pandemic continues, more and more people are claiming Universal Credit and the UK is sleepwalking into a much deeper poverty and homelessness crisis which must be addressed with urgency.”
Hackney Council has written to Dame Louise Casey, who is leading the government’s homelessness task force, urging her not to waste a “once in a generation chance” to fix the homelessness crisis.
Deputy mayor councillor Rebecca Rennison said: “It’s absolutely vital that the government listens to local authorities and other organisations working on the frontline to support some of our most vulnerable residents, and does not waste this once in a generation chance to make meaningful changes.”
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An MHCLG spokesperson said: “Councils should be proud of their efforts to get rough sleepers off the street, backed by an unprecedented package of support for local government.
“We provided councils with £3.2m at the start of the pandemic so they could take immediate action and help rough sleepers off the street. We’ve since provided £3.2 billion to councils for pressures they are facing, including supporting rough sleepers.


thehuffingtonpostuk--2020-05-22--No Drop In Coronavirus 'R Rate' As UK Approaches Bank Holiday Weekend

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Latest estimates suggest the UK-wide reproduction rate of coronavirus – the so-called “R rate” – has remained at 0.7 to 1.0 for a second week.
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Boris Johnson has said driving the R down is key to any further easing of the lockdown measures.
There is a time lag in the calculations, with the government scientists’ latest R value relating to what was happening two to three weeks ago.
If R is greater than 1 the epidemic is generally seen to be growing; if R is less than 1 the epidemic is shrinking.
R measures the number of people, on average, that each sick person will infect.
An R number of 1 means that on average every person who is infected will infect 1 other person, meaning the total number of new infections is stable.
If R is 2, on average, each infected person infects two more people.
If R is 0.5 then on average for every two infected people, there will be only one new infection.
At the start of March the World Health Organisation (WHO) estimated the R in the UK was between 2 and 2.5.
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There are also thought to be significant regional variations in the spread of the virus.
A model from Public Health England and the University of Cambridge’s MRC Biostatistics Unit last week suggested the R rate in London was just 0.4 while in the North East and Yorkshire it was 0.8.
Yesterday Matt Hancock, the health secretary, announced a government study suggested around one in six people in London and one in 20 elsewhere in England have already had the virus.
And No.10 today did not rule out allowing the capital to emerge from the coronavirus lockdown before other parts of the country.
It came after a leading mathematical modeller claimed putting the UK into lockdown just one week earlier would have had a “dramatic” impact on the number of deaths caused by the pandemic.
Writing for HuffPost UK, Kit Yates, co-director of Bath University’s centre for mathematical biology, said that speedier intervention could have saved thousands of lives, while making it easier to reopen the economy and protect the NHS at the same time.
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thehuffingtonpostuk--2020-05-22--Lockdown Could End In London Before Rest Of UK, No.10 Hints

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London could emerge from the coronavirus lockdown before other parts of the country.
In a briefing with reporters on Friday, Downing Street did not rule out measures being eased in the capital before anywhere else.
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It comes as the R rate – the reproduction rate of the disease – is thought to be falling at a faster rate in London and Boris Johnson aims to start rebuilding the economy.
The prime minister’s official spokesperson said: “As we are able to gather more data and have better surveillance of a rate of infection in different parts of the country then we will be able to lift measures quicker in some parts of the country than in others.
“And equally we will be able to put the brakes on in some parts of the country while not having to do so in other parts.”
Any R number above 1.0 may lead to a second peak of the disease, as cases could grow exponentially from that point, scientists and health experts caution.
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A study published by the University of Cambridge, and backed by Public Health England, showed the R number in London could be as low as 0.4.
A commuter wearing a protective face mask walks along the platform at Clapham Common underground station, London, as train services increase this week as part of the easing of coronavirus lockdown restrictions. ASSOCIATED PRESS
London was the first part of the UK to see a sharp rises in cases, with deaths and figures for positive tests peaking earlier in the crisis.
When the prime minister announced plans to begin easing restrictions, the R rate nationally was between 0.5 and 0.9.
The value crept up to between 0.7 and 1.0 last week but ministers admit the figure was calculated using some data which may now be out of date.
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A new official estimate is due to be unveiled by home secretary Priti Patel at the Downing Street briefing on Friday.
Health secretary Matt Hancock revealed on Thursday that a government antibody surveillance study found 17% of people in the capital may have recovered from the virus.
The figure for other parts of the country was 5%.
He said: “This has told us that around 17% of people in London and around 5% or higher in the rest of the country have tested positive for coronavirus antibodies.”
He also confirmed that the government has signed contracts with two private companies to supply 10 million antibody tests.


thehuffingtonpostuk--2020-05-22--This Is What Scientists Told Government About Reopening Schools

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Scientists advising ministers on the spread of coronavirus told the government the “balance of evidence” suggested the susceptibility of children to the disease “may be lower” than for adults – but said it remained “inconclusive”.
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Amid a bitter row over whether it is safe for schools to reopen on June 1, the Scientific Advisory Group for Emergencies (Sage) on Friday published the advice it had provided.
Sage said an understanding of the infectivity of children would have a “central influence” on what impact opening schools had on the overall spread of the virus in the community.
“Evidence remains inconclusive on both the susceptibility and infectivity of children, but the balance of evidence suggests that both may be lower than in adults,” Sage said.
In a paper produced on April 16, the scientists warned there were still “gaps in understanding” and that the role of children in transmission of Covid-19 was “unclear”.
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They advised keeping classrooms closed would have a negative impact on the “more vulnerable children” in society for whom school “provides the most stable and secure part of their lives”.
Teachers do not appear to be at a greater risk of catching Covid-19 than other professions – but there is still some risk if schools reopen, the scientific advisers said.
The Sage papers also suggest that younger teachers’ attendance in schools could be prioritised in order to decrease the likelihood of infection for school staff in more vulnerable groups.
Boris Johnson has said he wants reception, Year 1 and Year 6 to return to school in England from next month as part of his strategy for easing lockdown restrictions.
But number of councils in England, including Conservative-run Solihull and Essex, have advised schools against reopening.
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Teaching unions, including the National Education Union (NEU), have also raised concerns about whether it is safe for staff and pupils to return yet.
A rival group of scientists, led by former chief government scientific adviser Sir David King, on Friday published its own report which concluded it was too early to reopen schools on June 1.
The Independent Sage committee said the risk to children would be halved if the restart date was delayed by two weeks.
The Scottish government aims to have all children back in schools on a part-time basis on August 11.
All children are intended to restart classes on a phased basis, involving a mixture of physical attendance and remote learning, in September if enough progress is made in curbing coronavirus.


thehuffingtonpostuk--2020-05-22--UK Records 351 More Coronavirus Deaths In 24 Hours, Bringing Total To 36,393

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The number of people who have died in the UK after testing positive for coronavirus has risen to 36,393 – an increase of 351 over 24 hours.
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Since the end of April, the government’s daily announcement has included people in care homes and the community, rather than just in hospital, who have died.
But only those who had tested positive for Covid-19 are included, meaning anyone who died with a suspected case won’t be recorded.
The figures cover the period up to 5pm on Thursday.
It comes after the number of people who have died in hospitals across the UK, as well as care homes in Wales, after contracting the virus rose by at least 152 in 24 hours.
That increase consisted of 121 in England, 24 in Scotland and seven in Wales. Here’s how to make sense of all the different daily updates.
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Meanwhile, as of 9am on Friday, 2,144,626 people have been tested for coronavirus, with 254,195 coming back positive. Some 140,497 tests were carried out in the last 24 hours, with 3,287 people confirmed to have the virus.
This is a breaking news story and will be updated. Follow HuffPost UK on Twitter here, and on Facebook here.