thehuffingtonpostuk--2020-07-04--Cherry Groce: 'The System Is Still Broken', Says Son Of Police Shooting Victim 35 Years On

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“When the police burst into my house and shot my mum, she was on the floor and I heard her say: ‘I can’t breathe’ – just like George Floyd – ‘I can’t feel my legs, I think I’m gonna die’.”
Lee Lawrence was just 11 years old when he witnessed his 37-year-old mother Dorothy Groce, known as Cherry, get gunned down by a Metropolitan Police officer during a raid on their Brixton home in 1985.
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Lee had been sleeping peacefully in Cherry’s bed before the tragedy, which sparked the Brixton Uprising, or “riots”, of 1985. He quickly became “hysterical” after seeing his wounded mother – a pain he has had to live with ever since.
“That freaked me out – I was hysterical at the time,” Lee sighed. “Shouting, screaming after seeing the person who was my world, who brought me into this world, just being gunned down in front of me. It was horrible to witness, it was like a nightmare.”
After recovering in hospital for two years, Cherry returned to her life paralysed from the waist down and an utterly changed woman.
“The shooting cut her life short; I always describe it as a long slow death, she started dying the day she was shot,” 45-year-old Lee reflected.
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“My mum lived for 26 [more] years but that was 26 years of suffering. She lost the use of her legs, was paralysed from the waist down, in constant pain; she had bed sores and countless operations, was always getting infections, in and out of hospital. It was a lot.
Lee Lawrence Supplied
Cherry, a mother of six, died in 2011, at the age of 63, from kidney failure, which a pathologist directly linked to the gunshot injury.
In March 2014, the police eventually apologised for her wrongful shooting. In July of the same year, an inquest jury further concluded that eight separate police failures had contributed to Cherry’s death.
As Black Lives Matter protests sweep across the UK in the wake of George Floyd’s murder at the hands of US police, this has placed the lens firmly on worldwide incidents of police brutality.
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So, since Cherry’s shooting, how much has really changed? According to Lee, quite a bit and yet not enough.
For example, the Scarman Report which was commissioned to establish the cause of the Brixton Uprising – or ”`riots” – of 1981 identified “complex political, social and economic factors” that created a “disposition towards violent protest”. It also cited failures in police community liaison, confidence and trust in the police, police training, and in the representation of ethnic minorities in the police force – but it was ignored and the government neglected to act upon it.
A younger Cherry Groce Supplied
Lee continued: “Fast forward to 1985 with what happened to my mum and the riots, then many years later the McPherson report which found institutional racism in the Met Police. That was a big outcome, it made recommendations and yet again – nothing happened. It’s dead in the water.”
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“We’re not seeing the benefits of these reviews, how these recommendations have been rolled out; no tangible, measured outcomes. That says a lot.
“At the same time, I’m mindful about saying nothing’s changed whatsoever because if we do that, we take something away from ourselves. We fought for certain changes – whether those changes are enough to stop police brutality is another thing but we still have to take strength from some of the things we have managed to achieve.
“There have been changes along the way. They’re not perfect, the system is still broken but it is important that we take strength from some of those changes and enable it to give us momentum to keep moving forward.”
There are noteworthy differences in how the struggle for race equality is amplified too, according to the 45-year-old who founded The Cherry Groce Foundation in his mother’s honour.
“The difference is today we can capture what happens on video on our phones and that can be shared worldwide for people to see a first hand view of what’s happening in terms of police brutality,” he said.
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“If there was a camera that day when the police kicked off the door, burst into my mum’s room, shot her in front of me and my siblings, and that was able to go viral for people to see it happening in action, we probably would’ve had the same outrage around the world that we’re seeing now.”
A Handout photo from the family of Mark Duggan the man shot dead by police in Tottenham Hale yesterday. PA
Prior to smartphones with inbuilt recording devices, the experience of witnessing violence from state officials was isolated to “certain communities”, Lee added.
“Before, Black people were the only ones who understood that this happens; apart from us, no one else really paid attention to it and it seemed like we were crying wolf.
“Now we’ve got the attention of the whole world seeing it for what it is, where before the power – the police and the system – could actually use the media to tell a different story if they wanted to, to portray a different narrative.”
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With George Floyd’s case, Lee said: “There’s no way you can spin that – it is what it is”. The same can be said of similar instances of US shooting deaths such as Breonna Taylor, Rayshard Brooks and Botham Jean.
Over the years, there have been many cases of police and state violence in the UK too.
These include cases such as that of 40-year-old Joy Gardner who died in 1993 after police and an immigration official raided her London home to detain and remove her and her five-year-old son for immediate deportation back to Jamaica.
She was shackled with manacles and a leather belt, gagged and had 13 feet of surgical adhesive tape wrapped around her head and face. She died a few days later due to cerebral hypoxia.
Riot police look on as fire rages through a building in Tottenham, north London, as trouble flared after members of the community took to the streets last night to demand "justice", after Mark Duggan, 29, was shot dead by police on Thursday. PA
Mzee Mohammed-Daley, 18, died in Liverpool after being detained by eight shopping centre security staff and 18 police officers in July 2016. An inquest jury concluded that he died of cardiac respiratory arrest, ruling it death by “natural causes”.
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Mark Duggan’s fatal shooting at the hands of the police sparked the London Riots of 2011.
“Anyone who says that police brutality isn’t an issue in the UK needs to go and do their research,” Lee said. “There’s enough info out there to reflect the fact that this is a huge issue in the UK too. Somebody like me would take that as a bit of an insult as well because I have a lived experience where I’ve been on the receiving end of one of the most brutal cases of police brutality.”
As the global discourse around race equality continues amid Black Lives Matter protests, there are varying degrees of optimism depending on who you’re talking to. Lee has his own reservations.
“I hope that the Black Lives Matter protests lead to lasting change,” he said. “My own experiences really inform how I see things today so in terms of change and differences, we’ll have to wait and see. Until I start to see those changes and they’re in place, and they are benefitting us as a people, then as far as I’m concerned it’s all talk.
“However, I do commend the people for standing up, people who are protesting, making noise, trying to push policies in order to make things better for us because without that voice, you don’t really get the attention of anybody, without that collective voice, so I don’t think that’s wasted energy, I think it’s important.
“When you have that collective voice you see the power in terms of being able to put pressure on the system and force change.”
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Lee Lawrence, aged 7 Supplied
And the winds of change appear to be blustering as momentum around the Black Lives Matter movement ensues. As with any form of activism, campaigners are spurred on by the prospect of hope for justice; Cherry didn’t have that.
When Douglas Lovelock, the officer who shot her, was acquitted at the Old Bailey in 1987 for malicious wounding, Lee saw it on TV at home. He turned to Cherry and asked how she felt.
His mother replied: “Lee, the police are a force and we can’t beat the force.”
“There was an acceptance that this is how it was, how Black people are treated and, unfortunately, there’s not much we can do. I know that she had to do that in order to cope with the situation – but that’s something in my heart that I never accepted,” Lee said.
“So when the opportunity arose for me to stand up and fight for the acknowledgement of what happened to my mum, I did it with conviction because that’s something that never sat well with me. I have never accepted it.”
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Yet there has been a price to pay in more ways than one – intergenerational trauma, a family that has long been marred by this horror inflicted upon them by those who were supposed to serve and protect.
After the incident, pre-teen Lee was back to school within two weeks and the Groce family did not receive any counselling or institutional support.
“The impact of witnessing what happened was trauma. I was traumatised – and we didn’t get any therapy for that. That was the second week of me starting secondary school and I was back in class two weeks later and told to get on with it.
“No teacher, no adult, no social worker ever came to our rescue or asked a simple question of: ‘How do you feel’. We’ve lived with that trauma for our entire lives. It had a profound impact on our lives, it shaped us; my childhood was robbed.”
Mrs Cherry Groce, 38, who was seriously injured when she was accidentally shot by police while searching her home in Brixton, south London, last September. Mrs Groce suffered a spinal injury. PA
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On the night of the shooting, officers had been looking for Lee’s older brother Michael who didn’t live with them but had a few scrapes with the law.
After three days of hiding, Michael learnt via the television news about the shooting of his mother and the riots. He then turned himself in to the police the following day, accompanied by solicitor Paul Boateng.
“I can’t speak for my brother about how he feels,” said Lee. “I can only imagine through things I picked up that there was a lot of guilt. So that wasn’t good for him to feel that, for him to have to cary that burden when the people who were responsible were the police, regardless.
“My brother wasn’t in the house, he didn’t live with us, and I don’t care what he did or didn’t do: my mum shouldn’t have been shot as a result of that. I know my mum never held him accountable and we never blamed him but I know that, at the same time, it was very hard for him to see my mum in that position.”
On September 28, a memorial in honour of Cherry Groce will be erected in Brixton.
Designed by the world-renowned architect Sir David Adjaye, it will also be dedicated to a community that “was relentless in the pursuit of justice”.
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“We want the memorial to honour my mum and her legacy and what she stood for – but also to acknowledge the efforts and support of the community who came to our aid in that terrible injustice,” Lee explained


thehuffingtonpostuk--2020-07-04--The One Show's Alex Jones Has A Tearful Moment As She Gets A Surprise From Her Mum

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Alex Jones had an emotional moment during Friday’s edition of The One Show, after receiving a surprise video-call from her mum.
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The presenter is about to go off on a two-week break to spend time with her family in Wales, who she hasn’t seen since before lockdown restrictions were put in place in March.
During that time, Jones is the only One Show host who hasn’t missed a single episode of the show, and as she prepared to spend some much-deserved time off with her mum, she received a surprise live on air.
Alex was surprised by a message from her mum live on The One Show BBC
“Travel restrictions have been lifted in Wales very soon,” co-presenter Alex Scott began. “And we’ve had a message come in right now from Mary, who’s from somewhere near Swansea, who says she can’t wait to see her daughter, who she hasn’t seen in 16 weeks.
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“In fact, she can’t wait any longer, and here she is actually!”
“No! Oh mum!” Jones was heard declaring, as she was treated to the image of her mother’s smiling face on the screen behind her. “Oh it’s only going to be… how many days now? Five?”
“It’s been four very long months,” her mum responded, as they both became tearful.
Alex is about to spend her first time at home with her mum since lockdown began BBC
Scott then told her: “Obviously, Al, you’ve been keeping us all entertained during the whole of lockdown, working so hard to keep smiles on everyone’s faces. And you are going away for two weeks, which is fully deserved.”
“You know what, it’s been a real privilege to come to work every day with all of you lot,” Jones insisted. “And also, thanks for being the reason – as well as my family – for getting me through this really weird time, honestly, it’s been a real honour to be here doing this job.”
Time for one more great big thank you, this time to our very own @MissAlexJones who has been working on #TheOneShow with us everyday since lockdown.
How lovely was this surprise?! 👏👏👏 pic.twitter.com/unUxUZVnxI — BBC The One Show (@BBCTheOneShow) July 3, 2020
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While many live TV shows have been forced to make big changes to their set-up due to the coronavirus crisis, The One Show has continued to air every weeknight from its studio, albeit with social distancing restrictions in place.
Presenters are required to remain at least two metres away from one another, while the majority of interviews have been done via video-link.


thehuffingtonpostuk--2020-07-04--Maskless Trump Rails Against 'Left-Wing Mob' As Coronavirus Crisis Spirals

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Faced with a public health crisis spiralling further out of control as a result of his own governing failures, a maskless Donald Trump ranted against the “left-wing mob,” “far-left fascism” and “cancel culture” in a disjointed speech delivered at an Independence Day celebration held at the Mount Rushmore National Memorial on Friday night.
“Our nation is witnessing a merciless campaign to defame our history,” Trump told a cheering crowd, most of whom also appeared to not be wearing masks.
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“Angry mobs are trying to tear down statues of our founders... and unleash a wave of violent crime in our cities,” he added.
Trump was referring to protesters who, as part of a national uprising for racial justice, have defaced and removed Confederate monuments and symbols.
He vowed to crack down on “this attack on our liberty” by enforcing a federal law to “arrest the rioters,” reiterating his earlier promise to imprison anyone who vandalises such monuments for up to 10 years. Trump himself has been accused of destroying multiple national monuments including Utah’s Bears Ears, which is considered sacred by several Native American tribes.
In his speech, Trump also railed against so-called “cancel culture,” calling it the “very definition of totalitarianism.”
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“There is a new far-left fascism that demands absolute allegiance,” he said. “This left-wing cultural revolution is designed to overthrow the American revolution.”
Trump offers some remarkably overheated rhetoric: "There is a new far-left fascism that demands absolute allegiance ... this left-wing cultural revolution is designed to overthrow the American revolution" pic.twitter.com/pZC66T6Mzq — Aaron Rupar (@atrupar) July 4, 2020
A majority of US states are currently grappling with a rise in Covid-19 cases and, on Thursday, the country recorded a record-breaking single-day tally of new infections.
Yet, facial coverings ― which can help mitigate the spread of the disease ― were a rare sight at the event. None of Trump’s entourage, including Melania Trump and his son Eric Trump, were seen wearing a mask.
Earlier on Friday, Kimberly Guilfoyle, one of Trump’s top campaign officials and the girlfriend of his eldest son, Donald Trump Jr, reportedly tested positive for Covid-19. She had traveled to South Dakota with Trump Jr to attend the Mount Rushmore celebration.
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South Dakota governor Kristi Noem had previously said that social distancing wouldn’t be enforced at the event and that masks would not be required. Approximately 7,500 attendees were expected at the extravaganza.
Video shows Trump supporters packed tightly together at Mount Rushmore waiting for the president's remarks and fireworks display. pic.twitter.com/RWXf1iJ0iP — The Hill (@thehill) July 4, 2020
Earlier on Friday, dozens of protesters, most of them Native Americans, blocked a main road leading to Mount Rushmore. Around 15 were arrested after refusing to heed police warnings to disperse, the Associated Press reported.
Demonstrators, holding signs that read “This Is Stolen Land” and “Protect SoDak’s First People,” said they were insulted by Trump’s decision to hold the celebratory event at the massive sculpture, which was erected in the Black Hills on land taken by the US government from the Lakota people.
“The whole Black Hills is sacred. For them to come and carve the presidents, slave owners who have no meaning to us, it was an insult,” Ricky Gray Grass, a member of the Oglala Sioux tribe’s executive council, told The Washington Post.
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A large protest has gathered at the roadblock in front of the path up to Mount Rushmore. pic.twitter.com/xpUnbCmbKg — Erin Bormett (@EEBormett) July 3, 2020
Protesters had also taken issue with the massive fireworks display, which Trump had championed for, that concluded the Independence Day event.
Fireworks have been banned at Mount Rushmore since 2009 over concerns about wildfires and other environmental impacts. In an earlier tweet, Trump credited Noem and interior secretary David Bernhardt for making the pyrotechnics show possible.
I am pleased to inform you that THE BIG FIREWORKS, after many years of not having any, are coming back to beautiful Mount Rushmore in South Dakota. Great work @GovKristiNoem and @SecBernhardt! #MAGA — Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) May 8, 2019
The faces of four presidents — George Washington, Thomas Jefferson, Theodore Roosevelt and Abraham Lincoln — are carved into Mount Rushmore.
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Trump has joked that his visage should be added to the massive sculpture.
On Friday, one of his campaign staffers tweeted a doctored image of the monument which included Trump’s face with the caption, “Mt Rushmore, improved.”


thehuffingtonpostuk--2020-07-04--Don't Shame The Pub-Goers – If It's Not Safe, Blame The Government

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Where would we be without the pub? We’ve all spent the last three months getting a taste of the answer.
For hundreds of years, the public house has been the structural embodiment of community. It’s where people unwind, interact, celebrate, convene. First dates, reunions, break-ups, catch-ups and pep-talks are just the tip of the iceberg of what can be witnessed on any given day in a pub – be it one with dog-eared carpets, sticky tables and great ale, or stripped floorboards, edgy playlist and posh sausage rolls. So attached are we to our local hangouts that we feel like we can lay claim to them.
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So, when the pubs open their doors this weekend for the first time since 20 March, there’s no doubt that their bars, tables, cubby holes and gardens will quickly fill up with relieved punters.
Other would-be pub-goers, though, will be staying very much away.
“The government is effectively preemptively placing the blame of any future outbreaks of Covid-19 on our individual shoulders.”
Everyone is taking the reemergence of the pre-pandemic world at their own pace. While some have leapt at the chance of meeting up with friends in parks and having people over for barbecues as soon as the guidance permits, others are biding their time until they feel at ease with dipping their toe in activities that have been considered to potentially spread a deadly virus. Fair enough.
The thing is, it’s become more obvious over the fortnight since the government announced that the hospitality industry can reopen their businesses, that a small portion of the latter ilk seem to view their stance as morally superior. And, as D-day for bars, restaurants and cafés has approached, the noise of those people’s sermons has been cranked up by several notches.
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krisanapong detraphiphat via Getty Images
What began as a subtle infusion of social media with personal views and opinions about the pubs reopening has turned into utter saturation – desperate cries for people to behave responsibly and not run around causing complete havoc at pubs this weekend are permeating our feeds.
It was easy enough to scroll past at first, but now this wholly unsolicited advice, passed down to pub-goers from the loftiness of some seriously questionable high horses, is difficult to escape on our screens.
It’s not that I don’t understand the sentiment. A second wave is a clear possibility and regional lockdowns have already begun. The virus has not just dissolved into thin air and however much the government downplay the daily rates of infection and ever-growing numbers of those we’ve lost to it, it remains a risk to our collective health.
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Of course people should act respectfully and follow the new etiquette – for the sake of nervous and apprehensive staff as well as other customers. But preaching on social media, shouting into that digital void, isn’t going to change anyone’s behaviour this weekend. Sorry.
As much as social media can be powerful in catalysing action or spreading insight, it falls pretty flat when it comes to offering unwelcome and condescending “advice”. So, beseeching this weekend’s pub-goers to act as grown-up, cognisant human beings, however genuine and passionate the sentiment, is useless. Not to mention desperately annoying.
Instead, these lectures serve only to patronise and even demonise those who have been looking forward to enjoying a pint among some much-needed company. I’ve noticed that most of these two-line homilies concern pubs and, as far as I can see, no one is aiming their cautions at those with table bookings at high-end restaurants, where there’s just as much alcohol on offer and the same opportunity to breach the new guidelines.
Many people have been isolated for the last three months and are craving the human interaction that happens at their beloved pub. They shouldn’t be made to feel morally inferior and irresponsible.
If it’s not safe to return to pubs, the government should be the target of these verbal petitions, not the people who plan to simply make use of the new freedom they’ve been afforded. By tapering their support and encouraging the hospitality industry to resume service, they are effectively washing their hands of responsibility and preemptively placing the blame of any future outbreaks of Covid-19 on our individual shoulders. Those who are taking it upon themselves to preach to others are becoming a part of this worrying rhetoric and playing right into the hands of those who wish to pass on the liability.
I don’t have plans to visit a pub this weekend, but not because of the disrespectful behaviour everyone seems to be predicting, but because I’ve promised myself to take my personal emergence from lockdown easy, for the sake of my own peace of mind. This doesn’t mean that those planning to go out are less responsible than me; perhaps they just adapt more quickly or aren’t as heart-thuddingly anxious. Or at least weren’t until they saw their sermon-riddled, shame-promoting news feeds.
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thehuffingtonpostuk--2020-07-04--Eric Idle Condemns 'S*** Advice' Posted On Official Monty Python Twitter Page

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As of Saturday morning, the partial easing of most lockdown measures around England has begun, and the official Monty Python Twitter account marked the occasion with a throwback post.
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“It’s time to dust off your finest attire now that pubs & restaurants are open from tomorrow,” they wrote, alongside a photo of the comedians on the set of Monty Python’s Flying Circus. “Which Python will be inspiring your outfit?”
It's time to dust off your finest attire now that pubs & restaurants are open from tomorrow. Which Python will be inspiring your outfit? #MontyPython pic.twitter.com/2SqUlBgWHc — Monty Python (@montypython) July 3, 2020
Hours later, Eric fired off a response making it clear that this was not a message he endorsed.
“Do not listen. This is shit advice,” he insisted. “I have nothing to do with this.
“In the wise words of my wife. ‘What has changed?’. Nothing. There is no cure, there is no vaccine.”
Eric Idle pictured in 2018 Jesse Grant via Getty Images
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Referencing the famous song from Monty Python And The Holy Grail, he added: “Go out at your peril. Mingle at your own risk. Just remember, ‘Bring out your dead’.”
Do not listen. This is shit advice.
I have nothing to do with this.
In the wise words of my wife. “What has changed?”
Nothing.
There is no cure, there is no vaccine.
Go out at your peril. Mingle at your own risk.
Just remember
“Bring out your dead.”
Be safe
Eric https://t.co/q8UJZda3yi — Eric Idle (@EricIdle) July 3, 2020
Doubling down on his message, he later tweeted: “Unless your pub is called The Grim Reaper you should stay home.
“Listening to medical advice from politicians is why America is currently a raging wildfire of epidemia. Please be safe.”
Unless your pub is called The Grim Reaper you should stay home.
Listening to medical advice from politicians is why America is currently a raging wildfire of epidemia. Please be safe. https://t.co/0rkE4Y1tXS — Eric Idle (@EricIdle) July 3, 2020
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Eric is one of the founding members of the Monty Python troupe, performing alongside Graham Chapman, John Cleese, Terry Gilliam, Terry Jones and Michael Palin.


thehuffingtonpostuk--2020-07-04--Midnight Haircuts And Weddings: Lockdown Restrictions Ease In England

There were masks, aprons and faceshields aplenty at the salon, but Jacobs described the trip as “such a relief, I can’t tell you”.
She added: “My hair was everywhere. I’d been wearing hats to hide it.”
Some couples also have not wasted any time before saying “I do”, with two key workers got married just moments after the restrictions lifted.
Care home worker Jennifer Wilson and security guard Louise Arnold, both 22, married at the Peace Garden Pergola in the grounds of Runcorn Town Hall, Cheshire, in what was thought to be the first wedding after the updated Covid-19 guidelines came into force.
Wilson said: “Last week the registry office rang and asked if we wanted to be the first couple in the UK to marry after lockdown, and we just said yes.
“We both work nights normally, so the time suited us.”
Arnold, who works for lorry firm Eddie Stobart, added: “With it having just been Pride month, this felt like something we couldn’t really pass up. Not just for us, but for other LGBT people who haven’t been able to get together to celebrate Pride.”
Meanwhile long queues formed outside barbers on Saturday morning, with some men eager to get their first haircut in three-and-a-half months, as some pubs welcomed their first customers since the start of lockdown.
Despite the celebrations, ministers have urged the public not to get carried away.
Health secretary Matt Hancock told the Daily Mail that people were entitled to enjoy themselves at pubs but added: “You could end up behind bars if you break the law.”
He also said he would not “shirk” from shutting pubs and restaurants again, and imposing local lockdowns if needed.


thehuffingtonpostuk--2020-07-04--Harry Potter Fan Groups Take United Stand Against JK Rowling's Views On Transgender People

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The fallout over JK Rowling’s comments about transgender people continued this week, as two major Harry Potter fan groups made explicit efforts to distance themselves from the author’s views.
The LGBTQ organisation GLAAD has announced it has been working with MuggleNet and The Leaky Cauldron behind the scenes, over how best to respond to Rowling’s headline-making statements about transgender rights.
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Both groups issued a joint statement condemning Rowling’s beliefs on Thursday, while doubling down on their commitment to serve as safe spaces for readers regardless of their sexuality or gender identity.
“As this fandom enters its third decade, JK Rowling has chosen this time to loudly pronounce harmful and disproven beliefs about what it means to be a transgender person,” the statement read.
“In addition to the distaste we feel for her choice to publish these statements during Pride Month — as well as during a global reckoning on racial injustice — we find the use of her influence and privilege to target marginalised people to be out of step with the message of acceptance and empowerment we find in her books and celebrated by the Harry Potter community.”
This marks the beginning of a renewed commitment to serving the #HarryPotter community from a more conscious standpoint than we have done in the past. https://t.co/CcKxdo23NT pic.twitter.com/IetMlsXBY4 — MuggleNet: #1 Wizarding World Resource Since 1999 (@MuggleNet) July 1, 2020
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To better serve their diverse fan base, both groups will no longer report on Rowling’s personal life, or host links to purchase her work unrelated to the Harry Potter franchise. They’ll also refer to the writer only as #JKR so that fans can mute the hashtag.
“Our stance is firm: Transgender women are women,” the joint statement continued. “Transgender men are men. Non-binary people are non-binary. Intersex people exist and should not be forced to live in the binary.”
Combined, MuggleNet and The Leaky Cauldron have more than one million fans on Facebook, and around 474,000 Twitter followers.
The statement comes a little less than a month after Rowling angered fans with a series of tweets in which she implied that the very idea of gender identity invalidates her experience as a cisgender woman.
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“If sex isn’t real, there’s no same-sex attraction,” she tweeted. “If sex isn’t real, the lived reality of women globally is erased. I know and love trans people, but erasing the concept of sex removes the ability of many to meaningfully discuss their lives. It isn’t hate to speak the truth.”
Harry Potter author JK Rowling Dia Dipasupil via Getty Images
The tweets drew immediate backlash from fans as well as Harry Potter actors Rupert Grint and Emma Watson. Meanwhile, Daniel Radcliffe put the author on notice in an essay for The Trevor Project, an advocacy group for at-risk LGBTQ youth.
Rowling, however, didn’t back down. Instead, she defended her stance in a 3,600-word essay, and said her experience as a survivor of sexual assault influenced her views.
“When you throw open the doors of bathrooms and changing rooms to any man who believes or feels he’s a woman ― and, as I’ve said, gender confirmation certificates may now be granted without any need for surgery or hormones ― then you open the door to any and all men who wish to come inside,” she wrote. “That is the simple truth.”


thehuffingtonpostuk--2020-07-04--Pubs Facing 'Significant Pressure' To Open As 'Super Saturday' Gets Underway

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Publicans have described facing “significant pressure” to open on Saturday in the wake of the government’s announcement that they could welcome back customers.
Despite polling carried out by the i newspaper finding that fewer than one in ten people in England intended to head to pubs and restaurants on their reopening weekend, owners and staff up and down the country are bracing for the arrival of thousands of people on “super Saturday”.
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Pubs were officially allowed to open from 6am on Saturday, and leading political figures have encouraged the public to support their locals – with MP Jacob Rees Mogg calling on pub-goers to “go back to drinking a yard of ale”.
After more than three months without income, many publicans are desperate to reopen – but there are concerns that the hype around the further easing of lockdown measures has left them “obliged” to do so, even in the face of health fears.
Damon Horrill, who runs a small network of pubs in Cheshire, told HuffPost UK that publicans had felt “significant pressure” to open their doors, even if they had concerns about the government’s July 4 opening date.
He said: “There’s a lot of pressure on landlords to open, regardless of whether or not they think it’s the right thing to do because, in customers’ minds, we’re supposed to.
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“The reaction has been very positive towards reopening. We haven’t trialled saying: ‘We’re not going to open on July 4’ so we don’t know what the reaction would have been, but the general consensus is that if we didn’t open we would have been going against government guidelines and would be wrong to do so.
“The research we did leading up to opening indicated that if we didn’t open we would be perceived as going against the guidance and restricting customers’ liberties, as opposed to doing something safe.
“That was very much part of our decision making, the fact that we felt obliged to, from the customers’ point of view, deliver what the government suggested.”
Horrill’s team have spent weeks ensuring that social distancing measures can be adhered to inside their pubs, putting up posters and separating tables.
Staff will be tell every customer they speak to that they are not being served to get drunk, and asking them “not to be surprised or upset” if they are spoken to as the day goes on.
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Horrill added: “We ordinarily have security for busy times, just for extra control and to make sure numbers aren’t exceeded, and that’s the plan for this weekend.
“We have got additional security staff who will be in a position to ensure safety.”
While pubs must put in place social-distancing measures, senior politicians have made it clear that customers are responsible for their own safety with Boris Johnson on Thursday urging the public “not to overdo it”.
Both inner-city and rural pubs alike have spent a frantic few weeks ensuring that their venues are safe for their regulars to return – many of them preparing ahead of the government’s announcement and doing their best to pre-empt the rules.
Claire Alexander, who runs two pubs in the Cotswolds with her husband, said: “We’ve spent a long time on making preparations and taking all the precautions because the guidance came through so late – we had to crack on with it ourselves.
“A soft launch on a Monday for example, as opposed to starting on a Saturday, would have been ideal, but this government haven’t done anything sensible throughout this whole bloody pandemic.
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“Retail got six weeks, we got ten days. It’s just ridiculous. We haven’t been able to rely on our government for anything, let alone making our businesses safe.”
In order to ensure that customers keep the required distance, staff will be doing a “meet and greet” service at the door, a one way system will be in place, a staggered, mandatory booking system has been introduced and the pub will operate at just 40% capacity. Those visiting for food will have a 90 minute slot to eat, while drinkers will be welcomed in hourly slots.
Both pubs are now also operating a five-day week, which gives the team enough flexibility to be able to work in two staff bubbles to limit their exposure to colleagues.
Alexander added: “We want everyone who visits to feel safe, we’re really worried for city pubs where people are just going to be turning up and it’s going to be much harder to manage.
“We’ve had to be very proactive in managing it so that our customers feel safe, spread the word and come back.
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“There’s been a real feeling of solidarity. We’ve had really kind messages from other publicans and customers who had booked in with us from around the world, and that has been amazing to see – we’ve had people come to help us throughout.”
But even with a fully-booked pub and the support of the community, Alexander said the real test of her business’s survival will come over the next months.
She added: “We can’t go on forever at 40% capacity – we’ve got to start softly and slowly, but it does mean we are going to be operating at a loss.
“We’re barely going to cover our overheads, and even then it’s only because we’ve managed to have our mortgage holiday extended.
“We’re also really worried about winter – we’re just going to have to hang on as tightly as we can and hope for a bumper year next year.”
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While Alexander has been able to get a rent holiday for her pubs, the vast majority of publicans rent their premises and have been left crippled by their landlords’ expectations of full rent despite being unable to operate.
Rob Star runs six pubs, each with a different freeholder, in London, and faced running into hundreds-of-thousands of pounds of debt as lockdown wore on. Despite his only income being from a takeaway service at his pub in Hackney, he has ben expected to pay 100% of his rent throughout the crisis.
He told HuffPost UK: “All of our pubs are opening on Saturday. Some of them are a lot bigger than others, and with those it’s easier to make them viable while the smaller ones – especially without much outside space – are a lot more difficult.
“But because we haven’t traded in so long we wanted to get them all open – even if some of them are making a loss.”
Like most other pubs, Star and his team have prepared to open by splitting tables, installing signage, implementing a booking system and preparing to launch a new app which customers can use to order table service.
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He said: “I would have much preferred it if the government had said: ‘Let’s open all the pubs on Monday’ – that would have given us a week to get used to the launch of the app or new table configuration.
“It maybe would have allowed people to gradually reintegrate into the pub rather than everybody wanting to go back all at once.
“I think the government guidance has been infamously vague from the off – it doesn’t matter if they’re speaking to the hospitality sector or the public in general.
“Because it’s based on recommendations, a lot of the onus has been put back on the business owner and then, as an extension of that, the customer. We’re almost reliant upon people self-policing while our management do their best to enforce these new rules.
“But we also have to remember that it’s a hospitality environment, people are going out to have fun and socialise. You don’t want somebody constantly saying: ‘Oh, watch out, you’re 50 centimetres away from that person’ – people need to be able to still enjoy themselves in those environments.
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“I think there’s a balance between making sure people are safe and providing an environment where people can relax and have fun.”
British Beer and Pub Association (BBPA) chief executive and former Conservative MEP Emma McClarkin told HuffPost UK that pubs had the freedom to open on their own terms.
She said: “Pubs have the option of when they choose to open, and we are delighted that we have that opportunity to open. Remember, there are other sectors that would love the opportunity to open and we’ve been given that chance.
“We have adhered to the safer workplace guidance and created that safe environment for our customers with all those mitigation factors.
“But remember, these people are publicans – we are working as hosts, we are not policemen. It [Saturday] is going to rely heavily on that relationship that we have of respect, and to protect one another by respecting the new procedures, the new layout and the staff and what the new information they’re having to tell you.
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“But it’s still a social environment, it’s still a pub, and while it’s going to be slightly different, they are publicans at the end of the day.”
McClarkin added that of the pubs opening on Saturday, the BBPA expected only around half to break even – while 40% are expected to make a loss and just 10% turn a profit.
She added: “In order to maintain the beer and pub sector as we know it we’re going to need continued government support.
“We’re going to be in this situation for a long period of time, and it’s going to take an awfully long period of time to rebuild customer confidence to anywhere near the levels we saw pre-Covid.
“We’re going to need continued support from the government throughout all of this, and it’s going to have to come up with a special package for hospitality.
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thehuffingtonpostuk--2020-07-04--Why Super Saturday And Covid Masks Are A Troubling Blend For Anti-Violence Charities

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Coronavirus has changed everything. Make sense of it all with the Waugh Zone, our evening politics briefing. Sign up now.
Saturday marks the partial easing of most coronavirus lockdown restrictions in England – the end of what Boris Johnson has called a three-month “hibernation”.
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Top of the list for some is the first chance to exercise the “ancient, inalienable right of free-born people” (his words) to go to the pub.
But the Police Federation has warned that Johnson’s decision to ease restrictions means a “head of steam” has been gathering towards July 4 and officers are worried about “alcohol consumption leading to drunken and irresponsible behaviour”.
Now HuffPost UK has heard warnings of a “spike in nightlife sexual violence” against women.
And while charities are clear that alcohol, the lockdown, and the lifting of it cannot be used as excuses for violence, harassment or domestic abuse, there are concerns that abusive behaviour could be “exacerbated” or “escalated”.
Bryony Beynon, managing director of the Good Night Out campaign for safer nightlife, has been helping venue managers include the safety of women and LGBTQ+ people in their post-lockdown strategy.
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“With many staff still furloughed and reopening bars and pubs now having to do much more with much less, we can foresee a spike in nightlife sexual violence”
Sexual harassment or violence “doesn’t happen because people get ‘carried away’, but because they make harmful personal choices,” she said.
Beynon told HuffPost UK: “With many staff still furloughed and reopening bars and pubs now having to do much more with much less, we can foresee a spike in nightlife sexual violence that will be particularly acute in premises that have still yet to enact clear policies or consistent consequences.”
Beynon called for a “zero tolerance” approach towards unwanted sexual behaviour to customers and staff members as bars reopen from pubs and bars.
And she warned that as people mingle more – and at nighttime rather than in parks in the day – there is a “strong possibility that perpetrators may use social distancing measures such as masks as a cover for harassment, which also extends to abuse on the street and transport”.
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“Victims may feel they are less likely to be believed if the harasser is not immediately recognisable,” she said. “To help venues prepare for this, we have been helping managers extend their post-lockdown priorities to the safety of women and LGBTQ+ people by running an online training course for managers called Nightlife Unlocked.”
Sarah Green, director at the End Violence Against Women (EVAW) coalition, urged people enjoying the weekend to look out for friends and fellow revellers.
“The government is trying to create a narrative that we’re all back to normal – we’re all soon back at school and back at work – but many public services which women rely on are not”
“If those who are going out for fun and seeing people they’ve not seen for ages could all take responsibility for the way we behave and our friends behave, it could be a good weekend for all,” she said.
“If somebody is out of order towards women in your group or women strangers, tell them.
“Let’s look out for each other.”
Green also warned there was a wider danger around believing “normality” is returning. Many services that women rely on are still being affected by a lockdown, which itself led to fears of surging domestic violence as women were trapped with their abusers.
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She warned the police workforce has been depleted by officers self-isolating, courts are unable to quickly administer things like injunctions against abusers, and investigations and prosecutions are being “significantly slowed down and delayed by ongoing restrictions”.
Meanwhile many GPs’ surgeries, which are “really important places where women sometimes disclose and seek help”, are still operating virtually.
“The government is trying to create a narrative that we’re all back to normal, we’re all soon back at school and back at work, but actually many public services which women rely on are not,” Green said.
“So I think we can get caught up in ‘it’s all back to normal’ when there’s a lot of people still shielding and isolating and the public services we need are still quite diverted, the justice system is still messy and it’s not clear when it will be anything like back to normal.”
ViewApart via Getty Images
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Sarah Davidge, data and evaluation at Women’s Aid, said there is evidence of spikes in reporting of domestic abuse around big football matches.
And she suggested there are concerns that the July 4 weekend might have the same effect.
“Within saying that alcohol and pubs don’t cause domestic abuse, it’s the perpetrators that do that, we do know things like big football matches... you do see a spike in incidents reported afterwards.
“It’s clear from what’s happened in the past, spikes around football tournaments – even though football, drinking, Covid-19 don’t cause domestic abuse, only perpetrators do that – that events like this can exacerbate and escalate behaviour in the short-term and lead to increases in reporting.
“It’s also really important to be aware increases in reporting to the police isn’t the full extent of the picture. Many women will never report to the police and that’s particularly true for women from more marginalised groups whose experiences might be compounded by structural inequalities and institutional racism, and may just feel less safe seeking help from statutory agencies.
“But we would certainly say there is a concern about any event that might lead to escalating domestic abuse.”
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Police chiefs said forces would include plans for domestic incidents, sexual harassment and violence as part of their preparations for pubs and bars reopening.
A National Police Chiefs Council spokesperson said: “The vast majority of drinkers are responsible but we know some people will drink to excess and become vulnerable to harm or indeed cause harm to others.
“Anti-social and criminal behaviour is not acceptable and police will work to ensure public safety, cut crime, and safeguard vulnerable people.
“To abusers, do not think this is a time you can get away with it.
“We will still arrest where appropriate to do so, we will still bring people into custody, and we will still prosecute.
“The Crown Prosecution Service has said this is a priority, and courts are also working to prioritise high risk cases.”
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If you, or someone you know, is in immediate danger, call 999 and ask for the police. If you are not in immediate danger, you can contact:


thehuffingtonpostuk--2020-07-04--David And Victoria: A Love Story

David And Victoria: A Love Story

There have been ups and downs, but mostly ups, and 21 years into their marriage, David and Victoria Beckham are truly couple goals.
As they enter their third decade together, we take a misty-eyed look back at their relationship, starting way back in...
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1997
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Aaaww young love! Fresh-faced and high on love – look, even Victoria (Adams, as she was then known) is smiling. And David was still shopping at Burton.
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David’s still like a Cheshire cat. Victoria, meanwhile, is apparently trying to work out how her bar bill came to that much.
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1998
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One year in and the pair announce their engagement. Feels like yesterday.
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The loved-up pair then headed to Marbella for their first holiday together, way before Gemma Collins and the rest of the “no carbs before Marbs” TOWIE lot invaded the Spanish resort.
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It didn’t take long for Victoria to drag David along to a fashion show (Antonio Berardi, since you’re asking).
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But David’s attendance didn’t appear to have an instant effect on his wardrobe.
1999
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The morning of Posh and Becks’ wedding also saw the debut of David’s signature kiss-on-the-nose PDA. He’ll get the hang of it.
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Luttrellstown Castle, Ireland was the venue for the couple’s nuptials on 4 July 1999. Thrones featured. We doubt vol-au-vaunts did.
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Elton John adopted the couple way before he had kids of his own.
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If anyone can pull off head-to-toe leather, then it’s these two. Except they didn’t. Let that be a warning to us all.
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See also: bandanas.
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That same year also saw the arrival of their first child, Brooklyn, who was named after the place he was conceived. We know this because they told EVERYBODY.
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Yeeaaah, they hadn’t had much sleep at this point, had they?
2000
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With David playing for Manchester United and Victoria still a member of the Spice Girls, the pair were basically royalty at this point.
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In a bid to beat Sophie Ellis Bextor and Spiller to the number one spot, Victoria dragged asked David to join her on the promo trail. She still had to settle for second place, though.
2002
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OK, so David’s definitely been going to a few more fashion shows. Still not sure Victoria’s a fan, though.
2003
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The Beckhams take on Japan. Good to see the hand-hold checker is present and correct.
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You know you’ve really made it when you get your very own waxwork in erm, Louis Tussauds in Great Yarmouth. Well, at least they got the matching leather outfits right.
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Peak matchy-matchy Beckhams at the 2003 MTV Movie Awards in LA.
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From Beckingham Palace to Buckingham Palace: David’s investiture.
2004
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The kiss-on-the-nose PDA still going strong.
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Following Geri’s departure from the Spice Girls, she found work at Madame Tussauds in London.
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We’re blaming Geri for this.
2005
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David is all smiles following the birth of his third son, Cruz, named after the couple’s friend, Tom.
2006
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Victoria celebrating the end of England’s match at the 2006 World Cup.
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Brand Beckham at their first fragrance launch. Bet they still use it everyday.
2007
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We told you Tom was one of their besties.
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Do you reckon they did each other’s?
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2007 saw the the Beckhams move into their family home in Beverly Hills. State of it.
2010
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Spot the odd one out.
2011
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And the only two people capable of upstaging Prince William and Kate Middleton at the royal wedding are... Victoria and her baby bump (sorry David).
2012
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A class act.
2013
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Proud husband and daughter on the frow of Victoria’s New York fashion show
2014
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They’re getting there with these waxworks...
2015
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16 years since their wedding day and they’re still working (out).
2016
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“Errrm, thanks, you really shouldn’t have.”
2017
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Glastonbury. Back off, mate.
2018
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Owning it on Meghan and Harry’s big day.
2019
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Who said romance was dead?
2020
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thehuffingtonpostuk--2020-07-04--Burying Poos And Finding Water: The Dos And Don'ts Of Wild Camping

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Nothing beats unzipping your tent to the fresh morning air with a day of exploring ahead of you. And with travel still largely restricted due to Covid-19, many of you may be considering a camping holiday.
There are hundreds of campsites across the UK offering hot showers, cabins, yurts and more if “glamping” is your style. But for those wishing to enjoy nature in its purest form, wild camping offers an experience like no other.
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Traditionally, “wild camping” means pitching your tent somewhere that isn’t a designated campsite. “That might be in woodland, on a mountainside or in a field,” explains Dan Yates, founder of outdoor accommodation and booking platform Pitchup.com. “Generally, the term is also synonymous with going off-grid and properly back to basics in terms of kit and facilities.”
However, due to the restrictions on wild camping in the UK, getting “off-grid” is surprisingly difficult. More than 200 people were caught illegally wild camping in 2020 in the Lake District – and those who refused to leave peacefully were issued with fines.
Fancy giving a wild camping a try but don’t know where to start? Here are the dos and don’ts you need to know.
Cavan Images via Getty Images
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Do get clued up on the law
This is a crucial first step, as wild camping is mostly illegal in England, Wales and Northern Ireland, with the exception of some parts of Dartmoor. The laws are different in Scotland, however, where wild camping is legal.
If getting to Scotland isn’t an option, you can wild camp in other parts of the UK as long as you have the landowner’s permission. If you’ve got your eye on a spot, it’s time to do some befriending.
Failing that, there are a number of campsites across the UK that advertise themselves as “suitable for wild camping”. The “wildness” of these sites can vary – you may find yourself in an empty field, or there may be water and toilet facilities – so do your research to ensure you get the experience you’re looking for.
Of course, these campsites don’t always offer the complete solitude of traditional wild camping, but for first-timers or those who can’t get to The Highlands, they provide a slice of the experience with no legal worries.
Don’t camp in enclosed fields of crops or animals
When choosing a wild site, whether in Scotland, Dartmoor or somewhere with the landowners’ permission, you should pitch your tent with consideration of farmers and their livelihood.
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“Keep away from buildings, roads or historic structures and take care not to disturb activities like deer stalking or grouse-shooting,” says Yates. “It’s also worth knowing that water attracts midges so you might not want to camp right at the edge of a loch.”
Peter Mulligan via Getty Images
Do make sure there’s water nearby
While you don’t want to be right by the water (due to the aforementioned midges) you should make sure there’s a water source close by if you’re staying on a wild site without taps.
“Remember running water is generally safer than still, which may be stagnant,” says Yates. “Check for waste or animal carcasses upstream as these could contaminate the water. Ideally boil any water before drinking to be on the safe side. You can also buy filters or purification tablets which will treat the water you’ve collected to make it safe.”
naumoid via Getty Images
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Don’t expect to have phone signal
Planning in advance is key, because you can’t rely on your phone once you’re there.
“If you’re going truly remote, there’s no guarantee that you will [have phone signal] so it’s a good idea to let someone back at base know your plans and when you expect to return too, just in case,” says Yates.
Do pack carefully
You’ll want to pack light to save tent space, while ensuring you’ve got the essentials. Yates’ packing recommendations include:
A lightweight tent or bivvy bag [individual waterproof shelter]
Sleeping bag and mat
Portable stove
Water bottle and food
Matches
Swiss army knife
Map and compass
Small trowel and a carrier bag
Clothing to suit various weather conditions
Toothbrush
lolostock via Getty Images
Don’t assume a fire is safe
Sure, you’re outside and no one is around, but this isn’t the time to create an enormous bonfire.
“Check wind conditions, nearby vegetation and campfire rules before you spark up, and be thorough about ensuring your campfire is contained, won’t spread and is put out and covered thoroughly before you move on,” says Yates. “If the weather’s been very dry, use a camping stove instead.”
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Do dispose of human waste properly
This might mean digging a hole and burying your own poo. Yes, really. This can sometimes put people off who’ve never tried wild camping, but trust me, you soon get used to it. On a site without formal toilet facilities – or out on a day-long hike – disposing of your bio waste with care is an essential part of the ‘leave no trace’ ethical principles.
It’s vital to dispose of poo properly to “minimise the possibility of spreading disease and maximise the rate of decomposition,” says the Leave No Trace site. “In most locations, burying human faeces in the correct manner is the most effective method to meet these criteria.”
It’s important to pick your spot carefully, though. “Make sure you’re at least 30 metres away from open water, rivers or streams and as far away from any buildings as possible,” says Yates. “Take a small trowel to bury the biodegradable evidence in a shallow hole and take any used toilet roll away with you.”
In some ecologically sensitive spots, burying poo isn’t recommended, according to Mountaineering Scotland. In these areas, you should carry out any human waste in a sealed container, then flush it down the loo and disinfect the container once you reach a toilet. It goes without saying that you shouldn’t use this container for any other purpose. Research the area you’re going to in advance to see if burying or containing poo is advised.
Don’t be a selfish camper
Hopefully, this doesn’t need to be said, but taking all litter away and leaving the site as you found it is key to considerate camping and will help protect wildlife and the spot for future campers.
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thehuffingtonpostuk--2020-07-04--These 10 Vintage Photos Show Mallorca As You've Rarely Seen It

HuffPost UK Mallorca, a favourite destination with Brits, was once reserved for the very rich
You’re reading our series Summer’s Not Cancelled, celebrating 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.
What is it about Mallorca and the Brits? A mix of exotic and accessible, the Spanish island is, for many of us, our first experience of holidaying abroad.
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With cosy little coves for romance and bigger, brasher resorts for friends and families in need of easy entertainment, the island has become a victim of its own success – having become synonymous with Brits Abroad drinking culture.
Recently imposed restrictions on alcohol and anti-social behaviour aimed to steer visitors towards the island’s more traditional culture and ways of life. Then coronavirus hit – and ground tourism to a halt.
Spain is keen to welcome tourists back – and with quarantine rules soon to ease, UK tourists are beginning once more to dream of holidays in the sun.
Years before the Magaluf strip was a thing, Mallorca’s natural beauty was already luring moneyed Brits to holiday on the island – as a series of newly released archive images show.
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These snapshots and postcards reveal a different Mallorca, before the drunken hordes arrived – not to mention marking some of its defining moments.
A horse and cart at the airport
“This was Mallorca’s first airport,” says Eduardo Gamero, Mallorca’s current president of tourism of this image of two worlds meeting in the early 1960s.
As international travel boomed, the island’s warm air, local seafood, powder beaches and hiking, walking and sunbathing opportunities made it a hotspot.
HuffPost UK
“I remember the first flight landing – an SAS aircraft full of passengers from Scandinavia,” says Gamero of the original airport – now used by private flights and helicopters. In 1960, Palma opened the bigger Airport Son Sant Joan.
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In the early days, he says, aircraft would stop off en route for refuelling. “A flight from London would have taken four or five hours instead of the two hours it takes today.”
Sunbathers in the 1960s
“This is a typical beach scene at the Palmanova resort from the 1960s,” says Gamero of the photo below. “These were the early days of tourism when guests would book a two week holiday in July or August, and hit the beach.”
HuffPost UK
The island’s reputation caught the attention of the glitterati and literati, with Audrey Hepburn, Agatha Christie and Winston Churchill all visitors. Christie even wrote a novel about her favourite destination on the island, Pollensa Bay. Celebs including Harrison Ford, Sting and Gwyneth Paltrow are still fans today.
Bikinis used to be banned
“The first bikini seen on the island was in 1962, and it was incredible,” says Gamero – all the more, he adds, after the very deep and long recession that followed the Spanish Civil War.
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“It was such a statement of freedom, the type that we hadn’t seen before and it really pinpointed the new era of tourism and the moment when Spain started to open up to the outside world.”
HuffPost UK A young holidaymaker enjoys the freedom of wearing a bikini in Mallorca following the lifting of the ban
This postcard is probably from the 1980s, at a point when bikinis had become a common sight on the island.
A van taking leaflets around the island
The Fomento del Turismo de Mallorca (or Mallorca Tourist Board) was formed in 1905, says Gamero – it’s been promoting the island for a whopping 115 years.
HuffPost UK This van transported the island's promotional tourism material across Spain and Portugal
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“This is the Fomento’s early promotional van, in service between 1966 and 1967. It was used by the team to deliver posters and material about Mallorca to travel agents not only throughout Spain, but also to Portugal.”
‘Whatever your sunshine pleasure’
This poster was produced at the beginning of the island’s “boom” years in the 1970s, says Gamero, who remembers the brainstorm behind it.
HuffPost UK
“We wanted to communicate how the destination was great for everyone; families, couples and young people – and the sports facilities we could offer at that time.”
Mallorca’s best beach, according to the locals
“This is one of the finest spots in Mallorca, perhaps our best beach,” says Gamero of Formentor Beach.
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The grand Hotel Formentor was founded in 1929 by the Argentinian businessman Adan Diehl – and hosted celebs from all walks of life.
HuffPost UK
“Churchill, the Dalai Lama, Charles Chaplin, Audrey Hepburn, Gary Cooper, Peter Ustinov, Fernando Rey, Julio Iglesias, Berlanga, Plácido Domingo, Bobby Charlton and Carlos Fuentes all visited in its heyday.”
This second postcard celebrates the 75th anniversary of Formentor Beach, and was released in 1980.
HuffPost UK
Puerto Pollensa in the 1970s
This is a postcard of Puerto Pollensa from the 1970s, as tourism really boomed.
HuffPost UK Agatha Christie's favourite resort on the island, Puerto Pollensa
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“Puerto Pollensa was especially popular with the British holidaymakers and was a favourite holiday spot of the murder mystery author, Agatha Christie, who was inspired by the location to write Problem at Pollensa Bay,” says Gamero.
The arrival of Concorde in the 1980s
“I remember the day well,” says Gamero. “The airport was packed with people – lots of locals who were curious to see what Concorde would look like, together with dignitaries, heads of various government departments and tourism associations.
HuffPost UK The view from the terminal building as Concorde touches down on the island.
“It was an important event – a unique event and there was great excitement. The mainly British passengers disembarking were greeted by a local band playing traditional Mallorquin folk music with traditional dancers in the local costume.”
It was great publicity for the island, he adds, “but really Concorde had to go way out of its way to fly from the UK to Palma!”
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thehuffingtonpostuk--2020-07-04--4 Things On My Mind Before We Head To The Pub This Weekend

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As coronavirus cases lead to localised lockdowns and conversations around a second wave feel more pertinent than ever, the day has come to guzzle down pints. Indoors. In pubs. Whose great idea was that?
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The government’s, actually. It was our prime minister who announced with aplomb that pubs could reopen, with social distancing measures, on July 4 – and the news was greeted with the usual division of opinion. There are the people thirstier than ever to open the wooden doors of their locals, and the people who think the idea is the silliest since Boris Johnson announced he’d been “shaking hands with everybody” – shortly before he contracted Covid-19.
No matter your opinion (You want mine? Thanks for asking: laying around in a park is way more fun/nostalgic/playful than being in a pub, so why go to a pub, silly?!), pubs are dusting off their counters whether we’re into it or not.
And at the very least, it’s got us thinking about all the ways we’ve missing them – and how weird they’re going to be now they are re-opening under Covid-19.
Navigating social distancing at the bar will be a ‘challenge’
Chaz Bharj via Getty Images
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Most pubs barely have enough queueable space in front of the bar, let alone room enough for a 2m distance. And given how inebriation naturally makes people more fond of being close to one another, paired with the excitement levels around pubs reopening, it seems plausible social distancing at the bar will be a ‘challenge’.
Things not allowed but definitely tempting after three pints while queuing for the fourth include: passive-aggressive elbowing at the bar, passive-aggressive foot or hip placement in front of another queuer to edge closer to the bar and just generally going anywhere near anybody else to get closer to the bar.
No! Stay in your lane. There’s a pandemic on.
We’re finally going to accept defeat and download the Wetherspoons app, right?
ablokhin via Getty Images
I’m a real pub app naysayer. If I’m rotting in a chair drinking, the least I can do is move my body once an hour to walk to the bar. My friends have ardently disagreed with me forever and now it seems I may have to shake off the romantic notion of walking to the bar, like my binge-drinking forefathers did, and refresh my pub drinking mindset to suit the demands of 2020.
It’s time to download the app, people. It’s time to accept that ordering drinks to your table is the safest and best shout for everyone around you, and the bar staff themselves.
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They’ll be free from the risk of the odd bit of impassioned spit flying near them from a shouty version of yourself ordering drinks for the whole table after having queued for half an hour. Order at the table, spread your legs, relax. Covid-19 means there’s no need to stand up.
Except to wee, which we hope will be a nicer experience than it used to be
Sean Murphy via Getty Images
For guys, pub toilets are an experience we process, but one that we don’t speak about outside of the pub toilet itself. This is both to preserve our mental health, and the mental health of any non-men we may be drinking with.
Pub toilets for men pre Covid-19 were the absolute worst places on Earth.
Defined by the cacophony of farts, dragged out burps and undirected urine flailing over toilet seats, and taps smeared with the grease of a days’ worth of beer-and-burgers, they were awful, awful, sad pits of despair, where men lived ‘free’, for 40 or 50 seconds. Is that how long a wee takes?
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With government messaging about hand-washing and general cleanliness rife throughout the lockdown though, and now that all of us have been coerced to wash our hands obsessively, perhaps, I hope, men’s toilets will be a more pleasant place. Women’s too, but women aren’t gross. Queues you say? Apparently there’s going to be a system for that.
Fears to one side, the pub is open! Britain can know itself once more
nautiluz56 via Getty Images Pubs are opening, whether we like it or not.
I moan and I jest, but everything might just work out okay, right? Providing people obey the rules of cleanliness and social distancing, book a spot, give your name at the door – no wait, they U-turned on that bit, didn’t they – and don’t just turn up with mates like an expectant drunken mob. Hmmmm.
As much as I love laying around in fields, there’s an accessibility issue to that and pubs serve a more diverse selection of the population. They’re also filled with nice pictures of historical places, coffered wooden walls and the smiles of generous landladies and lords, plus all those friendly locals who rely on these institutions for their sense of community.
Pubs are great bastions of Britishness – and perhaps amid a global pandemic, we need them more than ever.


thehuffingtonpostuk--2020-07-04--Is It Right To Take Your Kids To The Playground Now It's Allowed?

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Parents across Britain may rightly be celebrating outside this Saturday, given news that as well as pubs, bars and restaurants reopening, so too are children’s playgrounds.
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The government revealed plans to substantially relax lockdown measures in England as of July 4. And while swimming pools, beauty salons and nightclubs remain shut, outdoor play areas will be open for families who have been forced to steer clear since March 23.
It’s worth checking in your local park, though, as some councils are keeping them closed a while longer. But, if yours is open, it might look a little different.
The government has issued guidance for those managing playgrounds, which states a range of suggested measures, including: signs should be put up to remind people of social distancing, no food or drink should be consumed in the area, there should be limits on the maximum number of people on the playground, and they should use adjacent space for queues or waiting areas.
But just because we can now let our kids play on public swings and slides – does it mean we should?
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Firstly, what are the risks to children of Covid-19?
Paul Hunter, a professor of medicine and expert in infectious diseases based at the University of East Anglia, tells HuffPost UK it’s important to remember the risk of children contracting the virus is minimal – particularly outdoors where there’s better ventilation, and the virus can be killed by UV light.
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“In terms of risk to the children themselves, that’s probably quite low,” he says. “So far, there have been just three deaths in children under 10 years old in England and Wales. That’s three too many, of course, but, given the vast majority of children in that age group, the numbers are very low.”
Great Ormond Street Hospital states the latest evidence suggests that although children do develop Covid-19, very few children develop severe symptoms, even if they have an underlying health condition. Adults – particularly older adults – are far more likely to be seriously ill from complications of the virus.
So, what’s the issue with playgrounds?
Hunter says part of the confusion for parents about whether or not to take their children to public playgrounds is due to a wider confusion about whether – and how frequently – coronavirus is passed from one child to another. And we don’t know the answer to this for certain.
“There’s evidence that child-to-child transmission probably doesn’t happen very often,” says Hunter. “Most children who get the infection get it from adults.”
The issues with playgrounds, he believes, depends on what the mums, dads, or grandparents are doing while the children are playing. “If the carers are behaving themselves, and the place isn’t too busy, the risk is quite low,” says Hunter. “If you go and it’s busy – and other mums and dads are ‘in your face’ a lot of the time, and won’t socially distance – it’s probably not a good idea.”
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Hunter says a playground trip comes down to personal judgement and responsibility. “If a parent is particularly ill, or you’re sharing the house with elderly parents, that adds an extra dimension to the judgement you have to make,” he says.
“But overall: outdoor playgrounds – providing they don’t get overburdened with people and the parents behave sensibly – shouldn’t be a particularly high risk.”
It’s about weighing up the risks, then?
Mark Hardy, chair of The Association of Play Industries, which has been liaising with the government over the guidelines, believes so. “You have to try and take a risk-benefit approach,” he tells HuffPost UK.
Hardy says parents should weigh up the risks of children not being allowed to play out, versus the benefit of letting them out – and in his view, the benefit “far outweighs the risk”.
“We have an obesity crisis in kids – and if you don’t get them out and active as kids, they won’t be active as adults,” he warns. “If kids have got used to sitting on a sofa, playing with a device, they’ve got out the habit of running around. And habits last a lifetime. That’s a massive issue for society as a whole.”
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If you want to take your children to a play area, Hardy recommends taking hand sanitiser to wash their child’s hands when they come away – as well as washing their own hands. “It’s about personal responsibility,” he adds.
How else can you minimise risk?
The government’s guidance issued to those managing playgrounds includes advice on how those visiting may be able to minimise risk.
These include:


thehuffingtonpostuk--2020-07-04--As A Mum In Lockdown, My Social Life Has Never Been Better. What Happens Now?

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As someone who has worked from home for a few years and has a young family, it’s fair to say I never really got to go out much.
The logistics of home life, the school run, and the need to be chained to my computer for work prevented me from living the fulfilled social life I envisioned for myself. `No office to go to meant no colleagues to chat with, and so most of my human contact was with my small children and my husband when he returned from work. Is this it? I would think to myself. Is my entire dialogue really just about Paw Patrol and the washing?
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This was, of course, before lockdown. Like everything else around us, my social life changed drastically.
Where I would sit and clock watch as I worked from my dining room table, I’m now fielding about six WhatsApp chat groups, each buzzing away throughout the day. Friends who would always vanish behind the doors of offices in the morning only to emerge fatigued and too tired to call in the evening are now all up in my face, asking each day: “How are you? Fancy a FaceTime?”
Even when the workday is over, it doesn’t stop: I’ve Housepartied, I’ve Zoom pub quizzed, I’ve even watched a friend do an Instagram Live on flower arranging. There’s a whole world of digital social activities, talks and events, once held in places hard to get to on a Thursday night, popping up and allowing all those stuck at home a chance to finally join in.
While a huge part of me is incredibly anxious about the overall impact of what’s happening in the wider world, in particular, the absolutely terrifying global number global cases, I’m not ashamed to say I’ve revelled in lockdown. I love that I can look into my calendar and feel overbooked for once. I love that I have the power to choose which events and activities I want to do that night. I love that I’ve reconnected with old friends, some of whom I haven’t seen for years, over a socially distanced drink on Skype. Without the stress of planning travel and childcare, it’s been blissful to say “yes!” to every invite rather than a weak “can I get back to you?”, knowing full well I’ll never be able to make it.
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However, I know the end is near. And while I doubt things will go back to ‘normal’ for a long time (if ever), the worry is starting to creep in. The minute pubs reopen and social events resume, will the fascinating talks return to the museums? Will my peers go back to having a few drinks with their office colleagues before falling into bed after a long week? Will the pub quizzes retreat to... well, the pubs? I’m worried once this is all done and life settles back in, I’ll still be here. In my house. Staring at my phone. Wondering where the hell everybody went.
I know I am extremely fortunate. But it’s absolutely okay to admit that we need more. Loneliness is not always about being by yourself. For many people, be it, parents, freelancers and even those who usually look like they have a busy active social calendar, you can be completely surrounded by people in your daily life and yet still feel like nobody can see you. You can have people in your life, yet have the overwhelming feeling that you’ve been swept out to sea, frantically waving to catch the attention of those on the shore… but they can’t see you to help.
This is a feeling that runs deeper than FOMO. This is the fear of being forgotten about completely.
Despite the physical barriers between us right now, I truly feel that we’ve never been more connected. Of course, this hasn’t been the case for everybody – there has been a sharp spike reported in those struggling with their mental health during this pandemic, and the implications of cutting people off from their wider social and support networks is seeing people who have never suffered from mental health issues now reporting them. And that’s not to mention the longer-term impacts on mental health we might see as we emerge from this crisis.
What I’m saying is this pandemic should raise larger questions about how socialising has been conducted up until now. In a world where presenteeism rules, both in work and in our social lives, those of us who live rurally, have a low income, no access to childcare or have accessibility issues are all at a disadvantage. We need to bring the best bits of lockdown with us when this is all done, so everybody can feel part of the wider community.
I know one day I’ll be sitting in a pub garden again and I can’t wait to give my friends a real-life hug when we do eventually meet. But until then, I’ll make a quarantini and see you on Zoom.
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Danielle Jones is a freelance lifestyle and travel journalist. Follow her on Twitter at @danijonesuk


thehuffingtonpostuk--2020-07-04--Australia Places Melbourne Tower Blocks Under 'Hard Lockdown' After Surge In Coronavirus Cases

Police vehicles park outside one of nine public housing estates which have been locked down in Melbourne on July 4 WILLIAM WEST via Getty Images
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Authorities in Australia have put nine tower blocks in Melbourne under a “hard lockdown” following a spike in coronavirus cases.
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The new restrictions mean that around 3,000 people living in the apartments will not be allowed to leave their homes for any reason for the next five days.
Victoria’s premier Daniel Andrews said the “hard lockdown” would mean “there will be no one allowed in … and no one allowed out”.
According to Reuters, police will be placed on each floor of the towers and law enforcement authorities will also control access points.
Australia’s The Age newspaper said that at least 23 coronavirus cases were found on two estates in recent days.
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Stay-at-home orders have also been placed on a number of Melbourne suburbs, though the restrictions on these areas are less strict.
It comes after the state, which is the second-most populous in Australia, reported its biggest jump in Covid-19 cases since March.
Victoria recorded 108 new cases on Saturday, up from 66 on Friday and more than 70 new cases in each of the previous four days.
“These numbers are a very real concern to all of us,” Andrews told a news conference.
The spike in Victoria is being closely watched as the rest of the country has reined in the virus that causes COVID-19.
Australia’s most populated state, New South Wales, only reported six new coronavirus cases on Saturday, five of them returning travellers from overseas.
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The sixth is a past infection and not an active case, according to health officials. The state reported no new cases on Friday.
Overall, Australia has weathered the coronavirus pandemic much better than most other nations, with just over 8,300 cases and 104 deaths so far.
However, it is not the only country using local lockdowns to try and battle the virus.
While Leicester remains under stricter lockdown restrictions in the UK following a surge in cases, authorities in Spain have ordered the lockdown of El Segria county near the city of Lleida.


thehuffingtonpostuk--2020-07-04--Nigel Farage Says He's 'First In' To Pub, Just Two Weeks After Attending Trump's Tulsa Rally

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Police have been asked to investigate whether Nigel Farage has broken self-isolation rules after he was pictured drinking in a pub, despite visiting the US in June.
The Brexit Party leader sparked controversy after posting on Twitter he was the “first customer in” a pub on Saturday as lockdown measures eased in England, despite attending a rally for Donald Trump on June 20.
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12 o’clock, first customer in. Love it. pic.twitter.com/pBYm9rtejA — Nigel Farage (@Nigel_Farage) July 4, 2020
Farage’s tweet led to accusations he had broken self-isolation rules, with advice for travellers returning from the US to the UK saying they should self-isolate for 14 days.
Acting Lib Dem leader Ed Davey revealed he had written to police, asking them to investigate Farage’s trip to the pub, tweeting: ″Millions of people have had to abide by the rules, and he should as well.”
Others also tagged police and border officials on social media, alerting them to the situation.
Hi @kent_police @metpoliceuk I believe this person should be in quarantine currently for 14 days following international travel.
Please can you look into this? https://t.co/8j28fPqyGn pic.twitter.com/aBI7LBE0Ku — Jamie Murphy (@Microbedoc2) July 4, 2020
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Hi @metpoliceuk. Nigel is supposed to be quarantining. Have a word, please. Cheers! 🍺 — Damon (@damocrat) July 4, 2020
But in a further post on social media, Farage insisted he had not broken the rules.
The 56-year-old wrote: “To all those screaming and shouting about me going to the pub... I have been back from the USA for two weeks and I have been tested – the result was negative.
“Sorry to disappoint you. Cheers!”
However, questions still remain about whether Farage – who attended the Trump rally on June 20 – would have arrived back in the UK in time to have already completed his 14 day quarantine, with some suggesting July 4 should actually have been his last day in self-islation.
To all those screaming and shouting about me going to the pub.... I have been back from the USA for 2 weeks and I have been tested — the result was negative. Sorry to disappoint you. Cheers! pic.twitter.com/E8maRljGwS — Nigel Farage (@Nigel_Farage) July 4, 2020
It emerged in June that Farage, a long-time Trump ally, had been given a “national interest” waiver to enter the US – despite a national travel ban – in order to attend the president’s much-hyped Oklahoma rally.
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An informal Trump adviser, who spoke at the time on condition of anonymity, said Farage was flown from Palm Beach, Florida, to Tulsa for the evening rally, and then to New York City, alongside more than 100 high-profile guests.
Neither the White House nor the Department of Homeland Security would explain what “national interest” was served by allowing in Farage solely to let him attend a Trump rally.
With record Covid-19 infection spikes recorded across the US in recent days and weeks, the advice for travellers returning from the US to the UK is still to self-isolate for 14 days.
In England, if you do not self-isolate, you can be fined up to £1,000.
There are some exceptions to self-isolation rules, for example, diplomats or defence personnel – but while travel rules were waived in the US for Farage, there has been no suggestion that the Brexit Party leader has any such exemption in the UK.
Thousands of pubs have opened across the country on what has been dubbed ‘Super Saturday’, as some coronavirus lockdown restrictions ease further in England.
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Pubs, restaurants, hairdressers and cinemas are among the business able to open from July 4, with some drinkers arriving to collect their first pint as early as 6am.


thehuffingtonpostuk--2020-07-05--US Protesters Tear Down Christopher Columbus Statue, Dump It In The Harbour

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Protesters in Baltimore pulled down a statue of Christopher Columbus and dumped it into the harbour Saturday.
Video posted on Twitter showed a group using ropes to pull the statue from its pedestal in the city’s Little Italy neighbourhood as others cheered. It was then rolled to the city’s Inner Harbour and pushed into the water, The Baltimore Sun reported.
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Protesters just took down the Christopher Columbus statue in Baltimore’s Little Italy. pic.twitter.com/ViPk5eKOtz — Louis Krauss (@louiskraussnews) July 5, 2020
Attacks on statues of controversial figures, including Confederate generals and other leaders who owned slaves or who supported slavery or racist policies, is part of the fallout from anti-racism protests across the nation in the wake of the brutal arrest death of African America George Floyd in Minneapolis in May.
Donald Trump has become particularly incensed by statue destruction. He has compared the actions to the behaviour of fascists, and has vowed to vowed to punish those responsible.
A spokesman for democratic Baltimore mayor Bernard C. “Jack” Young told the Sun that the action was part of a “re-examination taking place nationally and globally around some of these monuments and statues that may represent different things to different people.”
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thehuffingtonpostuk--2020-07-05--Jeremy Clarkson Says He Could Vote Labour Under Keir Starmer

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Broadcaster Jeremy Clarkson has said he could vote for Keir Starmer’s Labour party if there was an election “tomorrow” despite largely backing the Tories for most of his life.
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The outspoken former Top Gear host, a friend of Tory former PM David Cameron, described Boris Johnson as a “talking teddy bear” backed by a cabinet of “absolute wet ne’er-do-wells”.
And he questioned the prime minister’s habit of quoting “really obscure Greek mythology”, simply asking: “What are you doing?”
Clarkson criticised Jeremy Corbyn and Tony Blair as he stressed that while he was not “naturally” a Conservative he “usually” ended up voting for them.
But asked if he had ever considered voting Labour, Clarkson told G&T on Times Radio: “If there’s an election tomorrow, there’s an example.
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“Keir Starmer - I appreciate there’s no love lost between newspapers and Keir and so on and he’s made a few mistakes and I don’t like his hair - it seems to be a single entity, it’s just one molecule, his hair, which is odd.
“But I don’t like Boris’s hair either so let’s not judge them on their hair.”
Jeremy Clarkson tells Gloria & Tom he would vote Labour "tomorrow" if there was an election but adds "Keir Starmer has made a few mistakes and I don’t like his hair".@GloriaDePiero | @tnewtondunn | @JeremyClarkson | @Keir_Starmer pic.twitter.com/sA6cAmvtTH — Times Radio (@timesradio) July 5, 2020
The Sunday Times columnist went on: “I don’t think the current crop are doing a particularly good job.
“When Boris was ill and they just kept wheeling those absolute wet ne’er-do-wells into the press conference every day, and I thought ‘for heaven’s sake if this really is the best they can do without the talking teddy bear at the top’.
“And now the talking teddy bear’s back and he’s just quoting really obscure Greek mythology now when he’s trying to talk about oxes (sic) treading on people’s tongues and I think, what are you doing?
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Then-PM David Cameron meets Jeremy Clarkson during an EU-related visit to W. Chump & Sons Ltd TV studio in west London in 2016 PA
“I wouldn’t naturally vote Conservative it just happens to be that most times, when we’re asked to vote - obviously no-one in their right mind could vote for Corbyn, Blair certainly had his moments of seeming quite sensible and then went into war and that was idiotic, and banned hunting and even though I didn’t like hunting I thought that was idiotic.


thehuffingtonpostuk--2020-07-05--Vast Majority Were 'Doing The Right Thing' On 'Super Saturday', Health Secretary Says

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The vast majority of people who went out on so-called super Saturday as coronavirus restrictions were eased in England “acted responsibly”, the health secretary has said.
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Matt Hancock said most people were “doing the right thing” as pubs, restaurants, cafes and other venues reopened for the first time in three months.
But it came after the chairman of the Police Federation John Apter said it was “crystal clear” that drunk people are unable to follow the one metre-plus social distancing rules amid images of streets packed with drinkers in Soho, London.
Speaking on Sky’s Ridge On Sunday, Hancock said: “Well I think that from what I’ve seen, although there’s some pictures to the contrary, very, very largely people have acted responsibly.
“The large proportion of people, the vast majority of people are, I think, doing the right thing”.
However, he added: “But of course we’ll take action when we need to when... if the minority break the rules.”
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On those who did not social distance, Hancock said: “Well we’ll of course keep this very closely under review, and you’ve seen for instance in Leicester but also in other places that we don’t shirk from bringing in more drastic measures if that is what’s needed to control the virus.”
Meanwhile, NHS England chief executive Sir Simon Stevens warned that coronavirus will leave a “legacy for years to come” as he launched a new rehabilitation service for people suffering long-term effects of the virus.
Stevens said Covid-19 can leave “significant scarring on the lungs”, while Hancock said there was evidence that the disease can leave long-term effects that “look like a post-viral fatigue syndrome”.
To deal with the problems faced by a “minority” of people who have recovered, the NHS has launched a new Covid recovery service offering 12-weeks worth of online and video support with physios, nurses and other clinical staff.
It came as Stevens said the health service was facing “significant extra costs” despite coronavirus infections falling to relatively low levels, amid reports that he had requested a £10bn cash injection from chancellor Rishi Sunak.
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HuffPost UK understands the government has agreed in principle to provide extra funding but is awaiting data from the NHS before deciding on a final settlement.
NHS England Chief Executive Simon Stevens says the Chancellor "has delivered" the additional funding the NHS has needed and says the signs are that this will continue#Marr #Covid_19 https://t.co/wYlDtp2F6u pic.twitter.com/8C3LFa5yHQ — BBC Politics (@BBCPolitics) July 5, 2020
Launching the recovery service, Stevens told BBC One’s Andrew Marr Show: “It is apparent that there can be a significant scarring on the lungs, that shows up under CT scans, there can be other complications.
“So the new Covid recovery service which we are establishing, actually designed in Leicester, will give people a face-to-face check-up, tailor-make the package, and then 12 weeks-worth of online and digital video support and physios and nurses and others.
“But this is going to be a legacy that is going to be with us for years to come, this is not something that will be resolved in four very intense short months.”
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The NHS England chief highlighted other areas where the health service will need extra cash despite the country getting beyond the first peak in coronavirus infections.
“Looking out over the balance of the year, obviously there are judgments to be made about how we sustain the extra beds we think we are going to need.
“We are likely to have a big flu vaccination campaign this winter. There are very significant extra costs from personal protective equipment (PPE) and other parts of the service.”
Asked how much extra that would cost, he said: “That is a dialogue we are having but all the signs are that we will get the support we need.”
Meanwhile, both Stevens and Hancock said they wanted to see NHS staff “properly rewarded” in terms of pay.
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Stevens said: “You would expect me as the head of the NHS to back staff across the health service.
“Of course we want to see NHS staff properly rewarded. Those will be decisions the government will have to take later in the year.”
Hancock stopped short of saying frontline health workers would get an additional pay rise.
But he told Marr: “The good news is there is already an agreed pay rise. So we will absolutely ensure that we recognise the work that frontline staff in the NHS have done.”


thehuffingtonpostuk--2020-07-05--Give Every Adult In Britain £500 Vouchers To Kickstart Economy, Think Tank Urges Treasury

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Giving every adult in Britain a £500 voucher to spend could be the government’s key to kickstarting the economy in the wake of Covid-19, a think tank has said.
The Resolution Foundation is urging chancellor Rishi Sunak to consider giving everyone in Britain the vouchers, with children being handed £250, in order to encourage spending after lockdown.
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The proposed scheme would come at a cost of around £30bn, and would specifically promote spending in the areas of the economy being hardest hit, such as face-to-face retail and hospitality.
Cafes, restaurants and pubs have only just been allowed to reopen under the government’s lockdown rules, and in many cases have gone months without any income. High street clothing shops have also borne the brunt of the crisis in the retail sector, with several big names falling into administration as spending plummeted.
The Observer reported on Sunday that the Treasury were considering the plans, with the department refusing to rule out a similar – perhaps smaller – scheme ahead of Sunak’s ‘summer update’ on the economy set to take place on Wednesday.
James Smith, research director at the Resolution Foundation, said: “While every part of the economy has been affected by the current crisis, the stand out feature of this recession is that some areas are far more affected than others.
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“Social distancing has huge implications for firms in sectors like retail, hospitality, tourism and leisure that will last into the forthcoming reopening phase. That is why the jobs of so many workers in these sectors are in the firing line. The chancellor’s recovery package on Wednesday should reflect this unique economic challenge.
“As well as setting out the biggest ever peacetime job support programme, the chancellor should get Britain spending in places where it’s needed most. A universal ‘high street voucher’ scheme – worth £500 per adult and £250 per child – to be spent only in these sectors would kickstart demand in the right parts of our economy, boost living standards and deliver targeted support to the businesses that need help the most.
“The chancellor has already shown that big, bold measures like the job retention scheme are welcome and necessary in the current economic climate. He should take this same approach as we enter the crucial recovery phase of the crisis.”
The proposed scheme could kickstart Britain's struggling economy, the Resolution Foundation think tank has said. NurPhoto via Getty Images
The scheme has seen success in other nations worldwide, The Observer reported, with China, Taiwan and Malta already handing out consumption vouchers. In April, officials in Wuhan issued £57m-worth of vouchers for residents to spend across the retail, hospitality and cultural sectors.
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Such a scheme in Britain, the Research Foundation proposes, would run over a fixed-term period such as a year and could be closed down if a second wave of the virus hit.
The think tank said a tailored approach to the crisis hitting British high streets would be much more effective than VAT cuts or stimulus checks, such as those seen in the US.