thehuffingtonpostuk--2020-11-30--At My Foodbank, Demand Is Peaking. So Is Our Desire To End Food Poverty

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Since 2012, I’ve been volunteering at Epsom and Ewell Foodbank, where, in recent years, we’ve been handing out what should be an unacceptable number of emergency food parcels. After all, if we can’t stop food poverty here in affluent, suburban Surrey, where can we?
The coronavirus pandemic has only driven us the wrong way – we’ve seen an increase in need of 265% this year over 2019. This pandemic has dragged a wider section of society into poverty for the first time – here in Surrey, we’ve even had company directors coming to us with nowhere else to turn.
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Before coronavirus, we’d sit with people and have a cup of a tea and a chat, giving us the chance to link someone up with other local support that could help with why they don’t have enough money for food. To minimise the risks of spreading the virus, we’ve been forced to to convert to a delivery service. This means we’re really missing out on our normal one-to-one relationships with people who come to us.
Not being able to have these conversations is making it harder for us to help people be less likely to use a food bank in the future. The earlier we can engage with people often the quicker we can help, whether it’s signposting to other agencies for guidance or to offer support services we provide. Our aim, after all, is to help people to the point they don’t need us again.
“Our food stock has doubled from donations and we have given out an astonishing 125 tons of food.”
All this hardship, however, has only made us even more determined in that mission. That is why we support the Trussell Trust in its campaign to create a Hunger Free Future and why we continue to support initiatives that we know will help end the need for food banks like ours.
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Luckily, we’ve witnessed incredible generosity in our community. Our food stock has doubled from donations and we have given out an astonishing 125 tons of food. Back in April at the beginning of this pandemic, we hit a shortage and even had to buy some – but we had an amazing response on social media. We have incredible supporters and still continue to receive around 15 offers to volunteer every single week.
We’re here to help people – but we want for the need to not be there. That is why we focus on sign-posting people to other services, providing a counselling service, and offering support and encouragement. We have set up an online Zoom process, helping for example with doctor’s appointments, and have seen some good outcomes. Extras that help are having a furniture service and an IT scheme that serves the community. In September we started collecting laptops and distributing them to schools to support children with no access to the internet. We have so far recovered 50 laptops and helped two schools. It’s great to be able to help people with these, but of course it shouldn’t be our role. In a just country, all children would have access to such a basic resource.
“We can’t leave whether someone has enough money for the basics to chance.”
The most crucial part of our mission is to ensure people understand the reality of living in poverty, understand the practicalities. Society needs to hear from people affected, or else it’s just the rest of the world living in ivory towers and nothing changes. That’s why we started the East Surrey Poverty Truth Commission, which is about getting together to understand how policy decisions have affected people’s lives. People who have used the food bank and experienced poverty come together with civic figures – bishops, local big and small business owners, councils, police and health representatives – open monthly discussions.
We’re trying to peel back the layers of what’s going on and show the reality. People just don’t realise how expensive it is to be poor – pay as you go phones and electricity meters, for example, cost much more than those of us living on contracts, while one woman was forced to access our services because a bus fare increase took another chunk out of her weekly budget.
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When you listen to as many people’s experiences as we do, it becomes clear it’s complicated why people end up in debt, and sometimes the only reason they’re in need is because of who answered the phone and the support offered or not.
This isn’t right. We can’t leave whether someone has enough money for the basics to chance. That’s why we must come together to push for change, to push for that future where no one needs a food bank.
Jonathan Lees is founder of Epsom and Ewell Foodbank


thehuffingtonpostuk--2020-11-30--6 Ways To Keep The Magic Alive At Christmas For Kids (And Yourself)

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We could all be forgiven for finding it hard to channel joy this Christmas. Many of us will know friends or family suffering from the effects of Covid-19, or will have experienced losses throughout 2020.
Some of us may be facing the prospect of not seeing loved ones over the festive season, and most will be subject to continuing restrictions in the run up to December 22 under England’s new tiered system.
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But take heart – there are still ways to make Christmas 2020 magical for you and your family, even if it doesn’t feel exactly the same as years gone by. Here’s how.
Make a magical window display
Our primary school PTA have come up with a sweet idea that is festive, free and doesn’t break Covid rules. They’ve encouraged families to decorate their windows over the Christmas period – they’ll then put together a map of the participating windows and families will be able to walk round the local area and look at them, find clues and answer some fun questions, with prizes for the best windows. We like this one particularly because it reminds us of the rainbow and teddy bear trails in lockdown 1.0. Team up with your neighbours and give it a shot.
A Christmas trail
Similar to the window trail, a Christmas trail can involve spotting whatever you like: we think a general Christmas tree spot would work best with kids – or you could try Christmas lights. Make it fun by adding an element of competition: if you have more than one child, see who can spot the highest number of trees lit up through windows (with prizes for the winner and the runner-up, naturally).
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A socially-distanced Santa
It is possible to see Santa – grottos that have chosen to stay open are just changing the rules a little... which means no sitting on Santa’s knee, this year. It’s worth checking your local area to see if there is one you can visit before answering.
James Lovell, founder of Ministry of Fun, which runs “Santa School” in London, told Reuters they’ve created red velvet masks for Santa with white fur trim, and presents will be piled onto a small sleigh, which children can pull towards them.
Lovell insists social distancing won’t take anything away from the grotto experience. “It’s very easy to do and to make a child two metres away from Santa does not in any way take away from the magic,” he said.
A Christmas carol service
There are limited carol services taking place at some big name venues, such as the Royal Albert Hall. But we’re taking inspiration from both the NHS clap and the lockdown concerts that people held over the summer. In my local area of east London, a Royal Opera House soprano gave weekly performances outside her house, accompanied by her classically-trained musician husband. If you get on with your neighbours, there’s no reason not to suggest a rousing rendition of Good King Wenceslas from the doorstep – just make sure you sing loudly. Mulled wine may help.
A Zoom meal (parents need fun too, right?)
My friends and I have decided to take part in a Christmas Zoom meal - and while we are all a bit over Zoom now, it’s still worth it to see the faces of the people you love. Make it extra-special by signing up for a collective meal delivery kit – we’re going for this one by cult London Italian restaurant Padella. We’re ordering in advance, one per household, and cooking together, then eating at the same time, online, with wines paired and delivered by local London wine gurus Burgess & Hall.
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Secret Santa by post
To make our Zoom Christmas meal (see above) even more special, we’re also doing a team ‘secret Santa’ – but be warned: the last post for Christmas mail is Friday, December 18 for second class mail, and Monday, December 21 for first class mail. Wednesday, December 23 for special delivery. If you want to keep it low-key (and low-budget) consider a ‘crafty Christmas’, like my eight-year-old has done with her friends at school. She painted her pal Emilia this adorable picture.


thehuffingtonpostuk--2020-11-30--What We Know About Joggers' Breathing And Your Covid Risk

Professor Paul Hunter, an expert in infectious diseases from the University of East Anglia, says the risks of Covid-19 transmission are driven by whether you’re indoors (a higher risk than being outdoors), how crowded it is (the more crowded, the higher the risk), how close you are to other people (the closer you are, the higher the risk), and the time you spend with somebody (the longer you spend, the higher the risk).
“Yes, a jogger passing through probably will create more virus around in the atmosphere than somebody else who’s walking,” he says, “so that increases risk from that perspective. But they are passing you a lot more quickly.”
He adds: “And generally speaking, joggers tend to put more space between you as they pass you on the path than other people. So taking all that together, I wouldn’t worry about it.”
What can you do if you’re still worried?
If you see a jogger coming towards you and you’re worried, keep to the side of the path away from where they are running or cross the road for peace of mind.
Should you wear a mask? Prof Hunter wouldn’t advise people to wear masks outdoors – unless they’re in a crowded outdoor area, like a beer garden – “because the risk outdoors is so much lower”.
On the whole, experts believe we shouldn’t worry too much. TV doctor Dr Sarah Jarvis appeared on Channel 5 earlier this year and said it would take around 50 runners breathing heavily running past you for a person to get the infection.


thehuffingtonpostuk--2020-11-30--Count Down The Days To Christmas With This Kindness Calendar

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Make a gift for someone who is homeless or lonely, leave a positive message for someone else to find, congratulate someone for an achievement that may go unnoticed – these are just some of the lovely suggestions in a December calendar, which is all about kindness.
And after a tough 2020, it’s much-needed.
Christmas is going to be very different this year, with restrictions on meeting up with loved ones, so Action for Happiness is urging people to spread a bit of kindness in their tiers.
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Its downloadable December Kindness Calendar provides simple acts of kindness that anyone can do, and there’s an act for each day of the month, too.
Action For Happiness Kindness Calendar
The calendar, which can be downloaded and printed for free, has been designed to boost our mental health and happiness at the same time.
Scientific evidence suggests that there is a ‘virtuous circle’ of giving – doing things for others makes us happier, and being happier makes us more likely to do things for others.
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Giving to others or supporting a good cause activates the reward centre in the brain, the same part of the brain that is activated if we receive a gift ourselves. This feeling is known as the ‘warm glow’ of giving to others and researchers have found it consistently across all cultures and economic circumstances.
Mark Williamson, CEO of Action for Happiness, said: “This is an unusual holiday season and it’s been a challenging year. Although we can’t change our situation or control big global events, we can choose to respond to others and ourselves with kindness.
“Our Kindness Calendar is a reminder to prioritise doing things for others while looking after our own mental health at the same time.”
Here are all of the tips:
1. Share the kindness calendar with others and spread the kindness.
2. Contact someone you can’t be with to see how they are.
3. Offer to help someone who is facing difficulties at the moment.
4. Give kind comments to as many people as possible today.
5. Make a gift for someone who is homeless or feeling lonely.
6. Support a charity, cause or campaign you really care about.
7. Leave a positive message for someone else to find.
8. Do something helpful for a friend or family member.
9. Notice when you’re hard on yourself or others and be kind instead.
10. Listen wholeheartedly to others without judging them.
11. Be generous. Feed someone with food, love or kindness today.
12. Buy an extra item and donate it to a local food bank.
13. See how many different people you can smile at today.
14. Share a happy memory or inspiring thought with a loved one.
15. Contact an elderly neighbour and brighten up their day.
16. Look for something positive to say to everyone you speak to.
17. Practice gratitude. List the kind things others have done for you.
18. Give away something that you have been holding on to.
19. Buy locally and support independent shops near you.
20. Contact someone who may be alone or feeling isolated.
21. Appreciate kindness and thank people who do things for you.
22. Congratulate someone for an achievement that may go unnoticed.
23. Choose to give or receive the gift of forgiveness.
24. Bring joy to others. Share something which made you laugh.
25. Treat everyone with kindness today, including yourself!
26. Get outside. Pick up litter or do something kind for nature.
27. Call a relative who is far away to say hello and have a chat.
28. Be kind to the planet. Eat less meat and use less energy.
29. Turn off digital devices and really listen to people.
30. Let someone know how much you appreciate them and why.


thehuffingtonpostuk--2020-11-30--Can Boris Johnson Persuade His MPs There’s A Way Out Of Tough Tiers?

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So, one thing is now clear at least: Boris Johnson will win his Commons vote on Tuesday and England will move out of its second national lockdown and into his new system of “tough tiers”. Keir Starmer’s decision not to oppose the regulations means that Tory rebels will simply lack the numbers to defeat their government.
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Starmer’s order to his own troops to abstain is based on the take-it-or-leave-it nature of the Covid regulation: if MPs vote them down, there will be no restrictions at all. Instead, the Labour leader wants to register his protest at the lack of financial help for firms still closed and for those forced to self isolate.
But while Johnson’s margin of victory may appear comfortable (with 364 Conservative MPs in total, the PM can now cope with even a rebellion of 100 of them), the politics certainly won’t be. Plenty of Tory MPs in shire seats will vote loyally with their government, while sharing the anger of some of their local residents and businesses that they are being harshly treated.
For the rebels, their mood has been hardened by the new “economic impact assessment” published just a day before the vote. Many felt it was a rushed rehash of bits of the Office for Budget Responsibility documents of last week. It wasn’t a dodgy dossier as such, but some Tory MPs felt it was an insult to their intelligence to dress up a lack of analysis as, well, “analysis”.
Yet it’s not just a lack of transparency over the economic stats that worries many MPs. The absence of details on even some health impacts is also a concern. And nowhere was that more apparent than with Matt Hancock’s stance on rolling out “community testing” as a route out of the Tier 3 restrictions that so many Tories are upset about.
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At the No.10 briefing, the health secretary said this: “In Liverpool where over 300,000 people, both those with symptoms and those without, where that testing has happened, they’ve managed to bring case rates down by over three quarters.” Hancock came very close to saying community testing was the cause of Liverpool’s success, even though there has been no evaluation of the project, and even though a lag in the system means it’s right now too early to tell definitively.
As former Army chief General Gordon Messenger pointed out, “community testing” is now preferred to the phrase “mass testing”. And there are many public health chiefs who think mass testing is a real waste of time and valuable resources. They prefer regular, repeat testing to be used on specific groups and settings, from schools (where pupils and staff can benefit) to higher risk workplaces like meat processing plants.
Messenger was also honest enough to say what No.10 has seemed reluctant to admit, namely that it’s physically impossible to repeat Liverpool’s 2,000 troop deployment for every Tier 3 area. And he was cautious about how quickly things could happen, saying community testing help would “sequence over time and into January and beyond”. That just underlined there are few quick short cuts out of Tier 3.
Dido Harding revealed last week that the overwhelming bulk of the extra £7bn spent on test and trace is going on testing, not tracing. While rapid testing is money well spent to keep hospitals, care homes, universities and schools still functioning, some councils think it won’t be well spent if the money also goes on the “worried well” who just want to check they don’t have the virus.
Yet for a government that prefers to use carrots rather than sticks, the rapid tests have that most tantalising “moonshot” possibility of all: creating some kind of Covid-free “passport” to allow people to live as normal a life as possible.
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Tonight’s government “prospectus” (Section 2.42, page 13) actually says work is underway to allow individuals who have two negative test results to have Tier 2-style freedoms (visiting friends in groups of six outdoors, going to pubs and restaurants, football matches) even in Tier 3 areas “for a time limited period”.
Whether that hope proves to be more looney tunes than lunar discovery remains to be seen. There will be all sorts of issues with possible validation of such “passports” (how do you prove your negative home test was your own? – how do you avoid forgeries? – how can a pub or restaurant feasibly open in the hope of just getting passport holders as customers?). But along with the idea of using the NHS app prove you’ve had a vaccination, ministers clearly think the idea could work.
Crucially, it all comes down to the art of persuasion. Persuading people to get vaccines or tests, through incentives, could prove more effective than compulsion. Hancock told me last year, long before Covid broke out in China, that there was a “strong argument” for effectively making all vaccinations a precondition of a child attending a state school. Right now, he has to agree with his boss that mandating vaccination is not the best policy.


thehuffingtonpostuk--2020-11-30--Boris Johnson Set To Win Covid Vote As Labour Refuses To Back Tory Rebels

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Boris Johnson is set to win the crunch vote on new coronavirus restrictions as Labour has refused to back Conservative rebels.
Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer said on Monday the party would be abstaining in Tuesday’s Commons vote on the new system for suppressing the illness.
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The prime minister is facing a rebellion from Conservative MPs over new tiered restrictions that kick in on Wednesday once a second national lockdown ends.
Up to 100 Tories are thought to be unhappy about the new approach for England, which MPs will vote on tomorrow.
Labour abstaining means the government are poised to win the vote.
Starmer said: “Coronavirus remains a serious threat to the public’s health and that’s why Labour accept the need for continued restrictions. We will always act in the national interest, so we will not vote against these restrictions in Parliament tomorrow.
“However, I remain deeply concerned that Boris Johnson’s government has failed to use this latest lockdown to put a credible health and economic plan in place.
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“We still don’t have a functioning testing system, public health messaging is confused, and businesses across the country are crying out for more effective economic support to get them through the winter months. It is short-term government incompetence that is causing long-term damage to the British economy.
“It is imperative that the government gets control of the virus so that our NHS can be protected and our economy recovers faster.”
But the government has accused Starmer of “playing politics”.
“This pandemic is one of the biggest challenges facing the country in decades and Labour have decided to abstain on it,” a No 10 spokesman said.
“While Keir Starmer claims he offers new leadership, it’s clear to all that he actually offers no leadership at all.
“Keir Starmer is playing politics in the middle of a global pandemic instead of working with the government to find a way through this difficult time for the British people.”
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thehuffingtonpostuk--2020-11-30--Philip Green's Arcadia Group Falls Into Administration

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Arcadia Group, the owner of high street fashion brands including Topman, Topshop and Dorothy Perkins, has collapsed into administration.
The firm has hired administrators from Deloitte after the pandemic “severely impacted” sales across its brands.
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The group, which runs 444 stores in the UK and 22 overseas, said 9,294 employees are currently on furlough.
No redundancies are being announced yet as a result of the appointment and stores will continue to trade, the administrators said.
Up to 15,000 workers face losing their jobs if the company – which is owned by owned by one of the country’s richest men, Sir Philip Green – ultimately goes under.
Ian Grabiner, chief executive of Arcadia, said: “This is an incredibly sad day for all of our colleagues as well as our suppliers and our many other stakeholders.
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“The impact of the Covid-19 pandemic, including the forced closure of our stores for prolonged periods, has severely impacted on trading across all of our brands.
“Throughout this immensely challenging time our priority has been to protect jobs and preserve the financial stability of the group in the hope that we could ride out the pandemic and come out fighting on the other side.
“Ultimately, however, in the face of the most difficult trading conditions we have ever experienced, the obstacles we encountered were far too severe.”
Matt Smith, joint administrator at Deloitte, said: “We will now work with the existing management team and broader stakeholders to assess all options available for the future of the group’s businesses.
“It is our intention to continue to trade all of the brands, and we look forward to welcoming customers back into stores when many of them are allowed to reopen.
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“We will be rapidly seeking expressions of interest and expect to identify one or more buyers to ensure the future success of the businesses.
“As administrators we’d like to thank all of the group’s employees, customers and business partners for their support, at what we appreciate is a difficult time.”
Arcadia Group run by Sir Philip Green has collapsed into administration zz/KGC-247/STAR MAX/IPx
Earlier on Monday, Mike Ashley’s Frasers Group said an offer for a £50 million lifeline for Arcadia was rejected.
There was anger from staff last week, many of whom found out the company was on the brink from the press before hearing from their own employer.
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Arcadia’s response was to email employees a generic statement about “media speculation” it had also sent to the press, despite two major outlets having independently stood the story up.
“I think the worst thing is that it was on the news before we were told anything,” one worker told HuffPost UK. “It’s been all over the work WhatsApp all morning. Some staff members saw it before even management did. That email doesn’t really tell us much either. People are certainly panicking.”
They added: “It would be a nightmare [if thousands of people lost their jobs] there won’t be enough jobs to go round, a lot of the shops in this town have closed as well, I have already started looking and jobs in fashion retail just aren’t there. I think a lot of people will look at supermarkets instead.”
Arcadia Group became part of Taveta Investments, owned by Sir Philip and his family, in 2002.
Sir Philip’s retail empire embarked upon a major restructuring process last year to cut costs.
Since the start of the pandemic, 500 jobs have been lost at the mogul’s company.
It is the latest retailer to have been hammered by the closure of stores in the face of coronavirus, with rivals including Debenhams, Edinburgh Woollen Mill Group and Oasis Warehouse all sliding into insolvency since the pandemic struck in March.
Business secretary Alok Sharma said he would be keeping a “very close eye” on the administrators’ report on director conduct, and pledged the government would support the affected workers.
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He tweeted: “Within three months, the administrators have a duty to file a report on director conduct with The Insolvency Service – who will then determine whether a full investigation is required. I will be keeping a very close eye on this process.”
Sharma added: “This is a deeply challenging time for retailers and we remain fully committed to supporting them, including through an unprecedented package of business support worth £280 billion.”
Retail trade union Usdaw has said it is seeking urgent meetings with Arcadia’s administrators in a bid to preserve jobs.
Dave Gill, Usdaw national officer, said: “Now that Arcadia is in administration, it is crucial that the voice of staff is heard over the future of the business and that is best done through their trade union.
“We are seeking urgent meetings and need assurances on what efforts are being made to save jobs, the plan for stores to continue trading and the funding of the pension scheme.
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thehuffingtonpostuk--2020-11-30--MPs Demand Priti Patel Cancels Pre-Christmas Deportation Flight To Jamaica

Home Secretary Priti Patel at the Home Office in central London Stefan Rousseau - PA Images via Getty Images
Almost 70 MPs and peers have signed a letter to Priti Patel demanding that she cancels a deportation flight to Jamaica set to take off on Wednesday.
Charities and activists say as many 50 people could be deported on the flight organised by the Home Office.
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The government’s plans have already sparked a huge backlash from campaigners, who have condemned them as “dangerous and wrong”.
Now MPs have launched their own attempt to get the home secretary to back down on the deportation flight, which is scheduled for the day England’s second lockdown ends.
The letter to Patel – which was coordinated by Labour’s Clive Lewis – reads: “Some of the individuals affected [by the deportation] arrived in this country as children. Many now have children of their own. Britain is their home.”
MPs have also warned that the lives of those being deported will be put at risk amid the ongoing Covid-19 pandemic, which has killed more than 58,000 people in the UK alone.
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“The conditions of deportation, such as shackling detainees to ushers for long journeys in potentially cramped conditions, risk exposing people to the virus,” the letter reads, adding that Black people are already at an increased risk of contracting coronavirus.
But it’s not just Covid-19 that MPs are worried about. “The dangers of return are huge,” the letter goes on.
“We know that five UK deportees were killed between 2018 and 2019. Some people in detention have scars from past abuse in Jamaica, or siblings who have been murdered.”
The Government is doing little more than pay lip service to righting wrongs and correcting injustices. I’ve coordinated a letter asking @pritipatel @ukhomeoffice to #StopThePlane and stand alongside nearly 70 MPs and peers calling for Wednesday's flight to be cancelled #Jamaica50 pic.twitter.com/eV2DPtMo4l — Clive Lewis MP (@labourlewis) November 30, 2020
The letter also points out: “You have previously committed to ‘righting the wrongs’ concerning the Windrush scandal. But eight months after the Windrush Lessons Learned Review was published, the recommendations have still not been fully implemented, it adds.
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“Planning a pre-Christmas deportation flight demonstrates that the Home Office has so far failed to learn any lessons. It has been reported that at least one of those already detained for this flight has a Windrush generation grandfather.”
The letter ends: “Tackling institutionalised racism starts one step at a time. We must not see a repeat of the actions that led to members of the Windrush generation being so unjustly treated.
“We urge you to cancel this flight and take a step in the right direction towards ending the hostile environment.”
The letter to Patel has been signed by former shadow home secretary Diane Abbott, as well as influential Labour backbenchers Dawn Butler, Rebecca Long-Bailey and John McDonnell.
Former Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn, who also signed the letter, has penned his own message to the home secretary.
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Corbyn called the deportation “the continuation of an unnecessarily harsh approach that ought to have been abandoned on the back of lessons learnt from the Windrush scandal”.
He added: “Actions speak louder than words and the government must prove that it no longer actively pursues such a hostile approach.”
In a separate statement, Lewis said the deportation policy “should shame any government that cares a jot about basic human rights”.
“Despite the Windrush scandal and the damning EHRC report published less than a week ago, this government is doing little more than pay lip service to righting wrongs and correcting injustice,” he said.
The Home Office has insisted that all the people set to be deported are “foreign national offenders”.
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A spokesperson said: “We make no apology for seeking to remove dangerous foreign criminals to keep the public safe.
“Each week we remove foreign criminals from the UK to different countries who have no right to be here, this flight is no different.
“The people being detained for this flight include convicted murderers and rapists.”
The Home Office previously listed other serious offences committed by those set to be on the flight. However, they declined to provide the full list of convictions when asked by HuffPost UK.
Zita Holbourne – co-founder of BARAC UK, a group that campaigns against racism and for migrant rights, said that “those targeted for deportation are branded by government as hardened criminals”.
Under UK law, non-British citizens who are convicted of a criminal offence and sentenced to 12 months or more in prison in the UK can be eligible for deportation.


thehuffingtonpostuk--2020-11-30--Tier 3 Areas May Not Get Mass Coronavirus Testing Until January

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Mass coronavirus testing may not be available for some areas in the toughest tier of England’s restrictions until “January and beyond”, the government’s head of operations for community testing has said.
General Sir Gordon Messenger said the type of mass testing that has been on offer in Liverpool led by the armed forces would be “simply undeliverable” for all areas of the country.
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He stressed the need to move away from the term “mass testing” because areas will have to be prioritised for community screening based on how long they have been under harsh restrictions and how ready they are to deliver the programme.
Boris Johnson had suggested that mass testing would allow a route out of the toughest Covid restrictions for the 23m people who will be in tier 3 areas when England’s lockdown ends on Wednesday.
The prime minister has praised the success of community testing in Liverpool, where more than 200,000 people were screened for Covid-19 – including by using rapid lateral flow tests, which give results within 30 minutes.
Johnson said that the testing programme, as well as tier 3 restrictions, helped lower the incidence of the virus in the area by allowing the isolation of asymptomatic carriers, allowing it to be downgraded to tier 2 from Wednesday.
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But Messenger warned that while the programme in Liverpool was delivered by a primarily military workforce, that same set-up cannot be repeated.
General Sir Gordon Messenger, head of operations for the community testing programme PA
“I can say with confidence that cannot be replicated around the country, and therefore the military support, along with all other types of central support, has to be targeted where it’s needed most and where it can have the greatest effect,” he told a Downing Street briefing.
“So that is our starting assumption. As I say, I’ve no doubt that the military will play a prominent role.
“But the idea that it can be a wholesale offer to all local authorities is simply undeliverable given what the military are doing already.”
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Messenger said community testing would instead be delivered by local authorities accessing volunteers, the private sector and central government, along with help from the military.
“We are alive to the possibility that we will not be able to do this all at once,” he said.
“But we assess that local authorities are at varying levels of preparedness and readiness to do this and therefore I can see this as an offer that will sequence over time and into January and beyond.
“The priority that we accord, the levels of support that we give, will be based on the infection rate, how long those areas have been under harsh restrictions, how mature their plans are, how ready they are to deliver them.
“And that’s the business of the next week or so, to try and identify some frontrunners and to lean into support of them so we can have a quick early impact.”


thehuffingtonpostuk--2020-11-30--I'm A Celebrity's AJ Pritchard Will Not Be Informed Of Grandmother's Death Until Castle Exit, Brothe

I'm A Celebrity's AJ Pritchard Will Not Be Informed Of Grandmother's Death Until Castle Exit, Brother Curtis Reveals

I’m A Celebrity star AJ Pritchard’s grandmother has died while he has been taking part on the ITV reality show, but he will not be told until he leaves the castle.
AJ’s brother Curtis has revealed their nanna Angela Gratton died in hospital on Friday at the age of 93.
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Posting a tribute to his “inspirational” nanna on Instagram, Curtis said former Strictly Come Dancing professional AJ had agreed not to be told if anything happened to her until he leaves the castle.
“It is following our grandad’s wishes that myself and AJ are to carry on with the current projects we are committed to,” the former Love Island star wrote.
“Grandad said to myself and AJ that it would break his heart for us to stop what we were doing as Nanna had such pride in our work.
“AJ therefore discussed with the family before entering the castle that if something did happen to Nanna whilst he was away, that he wouldn’t want to be told until he left the castle and that in her honour he would complete his commitment to the show, with a view to doing her and the family proud.”
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AJ Pritchard is currently in the I'm A Celebrity castle ITV
He continued: “As Grandad and Nanna would have wished for, AJ will stay in the castle and continue making her proud wherever she is watching from.
“AJ has so much more to give to the show and we know that Nanna will be watching and guiding him throughout the final part of his journey on the programme.
“We know we have made the right decision for everyone involved.”
AJ with younger brother Curtis SIPA USA/PA Images
Curtis revealed that Angela had been living with dementia for 10 years prior to her death.
He added: “Nanna, words literally cannot describe how much I love you, and forever will love you and the memories of you. You really have been a massive part of my life and helped me to be the man I am today.”


thehuffingtonpostuk--2020-11-30--Nicola Sturgeon Admits To 'Dark Days And Sleepless Nights' During Pandemic

First minister and Scottish National Party leader Nicola Sturgeon delivers the keynote address via videolink at her party's "virtual" conference. Handout via Getty Images
Nicola Sturgeon said the past nine months have been the hardest of her life as she conceded public figures seldom reveal their personal vulnerabilities.
In her conference address to SNP members on Monday, Scotland’s first minister admitted to “dark days and sleepless nights” during the pandemic.
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Her comments strike a similar tone to those made by Michelle Obama in August when the former US first lady referred to experiencing “low-grade depression” during the pandemic and in the wake of George Floyd’s death.
Sturgeon has previously said she has been “scunnered” by Covid-19, which hit Scotland in March.
More than 5,000 people are recorded as dying with confirmed or suspected coronavirus in Scotland since then.
Sturgeon said politicians “usually run a mile from admitting human frailty”.
She said: “I don’t mind saying that these last nine months have been the hardest of my life.
“I’ve had many dark days and sleepless nights, struggling with the horrendous choices the pandemic has forced upon us.
“At times I’ve felt completely overwhelmed – as I’m sure many of you have.
“I feel a deep sadness for the lives that have been lost. Not a single day passes that I don’t think of families who are grieving.”
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Thank you @NicolaSturgeon for saying this. I know few people who have not suffered mentally, if not physically, through this pandemic and it's really important when those in power say it openly and honestly. — Jane Merrick (@janemerrick23) November 30, 2020
A true leader admits to being human. A political culture is sick when this kind of statement is seen as either weak or unusual. https://t.co/VOJNyxWQGk — Jonathan Lis (@jonlis1) November 30, 2020
While the first minister said she has “done my best to get these decisions as right as I can”, she admitted there have been mistakes and she takes that responsibility on her own shoulders.
“The responsibility for that is mine and mine alone,” she said.
“I feel it deeply and I always will,” she told delegates.
While admitting mistakes had been made in the approach of the Scottish government, she said refusing to do anything would have been far worse.
Sturgeon said: “Like governments everywhere, ours has had to wrestle with almost impossible decisions.
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“Every action necessary to reduce the harm of the virus and save lives puts jobs and businesses on the line and causes suffering in so many other ways.
“But without those necessary measures, more lives will be lost.”
Speaking on The Michelle Obama Podcast, the former first lady told journalist Michele Norris: “I know that I am dealing with some form of low-grade depression.


thehuffingtonpostuk--2020-11-30--ITV Unveils New Reality Show The Cabins – The Alternative Winter Love Island We've All Been Waiting

ITV Unveils New Reality Show The Cabins – The Alternative Winter Love Island We've All Been Waiting For

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When Love Island bosses first announced last year that they would be making a winter series, many envisaged log cabins, roaring fires and simmering hot tub antics.
And while a snow-filled version of our favourite reality show never emerged (the first-ever January series went ahead in sunny South Africa earlier this year) ITV will finally be answering our prayers in 2021.
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With Love Island unable to air due to the pandemic, producers are set to introduce viewers to new reality dating show The Cabins.
The Cabins is coming to ITV2 in January ITV
A host of singletons are set to shack up in a set of intimate log cabins, where in 24 hours, they have to decide if they would like to spend more time together, or call it a day and walk away.
Nestled in the UK, each sumptuous cabin boasts a hot tub, games, romantic outdoor seating and fully equipped kitchens to rustle up date-worthy treats.
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Take a first look at the show in the trailer below...
The Cabins is set to be the perfect place holder until Love Island returns in the summer of 2021.
Instead, bosses are planning a “bigger and better than ever with an extended run” for next summer.


thehuffingtonpostuk--2020-11-30--Rishi Sunak Blindsided By Offer Of Extra Cash For Pubs Amid Tory Rebellion

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Rishi Sunak had not signed up to plans providing extra financial support for pubs and restaurants when they were briefed to a newspaper amid a major Tory rebellion against tougher coronavirus restrictions, HuffPost UK has learnt.
The chancellor was blindsided by government sources telling the Telegraph that more support was on the way, with Monday morning’s front page understood to be the first the Treasury had heard of the plans.
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HuffPost UK understands that Sunak is now working to see what more it can do to help the Covid-hit hospitality sector, beyond existing economy-wide government schemes.
But the news comes after reports of tensions between Sunak and Boris Johnson.
Addressing the speculation about tension with the prime minister, Sunak joked earlier this month that: “I should take his credit card away”.
The Telegraph report came with Johnson struggling to contain a rebellion of up to 70 Tory MPs against the new tougher system of tiered restrictions, which make it harder for pubs to operate.
The Covid Recovery Group of rebels said on Monday it hoped to see the details of the new package for hospitality before MPs vote on the tiered restrictions on Tuesday evening.
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But it is unclear if new proposals will be ready in time, with Downing Street saying only that support was being kept “under review”.
“We are under no doubt of the difficulty that the hospitality industry are facing, especially as we move towards Christmas, which is obviously a very busy time for the hospitality industry,” a No.10 spokesperson told reporters earlier on Monday.
“But as I say we keep the support under review.”
Hospitality UK chief executive Kate Nicholls said the industry has been urging the Treasury to provide extra support.
She told HuffPost UK: "Businesses are on the brink and without extra support many are just not going to survive.
"We have been making that point to the Treasury, with suggestions as to how to support our sector.
"It is looking pretty miserable now, but it will look much worse under the new tier system, within which 94% of our members expect to trade at a loss or be unviable in tier 2.
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"Those businesses will not survive this Christmas without further support – they need it badly and they need it now.”
Chancellor Rishi Sunak Toby Melville / Reuters
Announcing fresh financial support could prove embarrassing for Sunak just days after he announced his spending review, which included the forecast that the UK is set to borrow £394bn this year, equivalent to 19% of GDP.
The news comes after Johnson placed nearly 99% of the country under the more stringent restrictions, which mean hospitality must close in tier 3, while pubs can only serve alcohol with “substantial meals” in tier 2.
The decision sparked a major backlash from Tory MPs and has forced the prime minister into making concessions, including offering a fresh Commons vote on the measures by February 3 if they are to continue beyond that date.
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On Monday, the Telegraph reported that extra cash would also be offered to pubs and restaurants badly hit by the restrictions.
A senior government source told the newspaper: “We understand the fact that the hospitality industry has been particularly hard-hit during the pandemic.
“The Christmas period is a time of year when establishments would expect to be particularly busy so we are looking at how we can support them over the festive period.”
Following the report, Covid Recovery Group chair Mark Harper said: “I welcome the fact that the government has recognised our concerns about the enormous impact that its proposals will have on the hospitality industry and has suggested further support.
“We look forward to seeing the detail of the support proposed being set out before the vote on the restrictions tomorrow evening, along with the cost-benefit analysis we’ve been asking for.”
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thehuffingtonpostuk--2020-11-30--Alison Hammond And Dermot O'Leary Join This Morning Presenting Team In Show Shake-Up

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Alison Hammond and Dermot O’Leary have been confirmed as the new hosts of This Morning on Fridays.
The pair will take over from Eamonn Holmes and Ruth Langsford as the regular presenters of the ITV daytime show’s Friday episode, following much media speculation.
However, Eamonn and Ruth will continue to present the show during school holidays when Monday to Thursday hosts Holly Willoughby and Phillip Schofield are on leave.
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Alison Hammond and Dermot O'Leary will present This Morning on Fridays Shutterstock/ITV
ITV has confirmed the changes will come into effect from January, after Alison and Dermot proved to be a hit with viewers when they teamed up to present two shows together over the summer.
Alison – who has been a correspondent on This Morning since 2002 – said she was “really excited” to be handed a regular slot.
She said: “I never dreamt that when I first joined This Morning - initially for a few months - that I would still be there 19 years later. I genuinely care about the show and the viewers who watch, so it’s a huge privilege and honour to be hosting a show I adore so much.
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“I’m just really excited to be doing even more of what I love alongside the lovely Dermot.”
X Factor host Dermot also said he was “thrilled and honoured” to be joining the team.
“We have huge shoes to fill and we are well aware what a privilege it is to be stepping into them,” he said.
Ruth Langsford and Eamonn Holmes will continue to present during the school holidays ITV/Shutterstock
“Above all, we want to have fun and for you to be able to kick your weekend off with a smile, especially given the year we’ve all had. So I’m delighted to be co-hosting with the living embodiment of sunshine on a rainy day. I can’t wait to get started.”
Eamonn and Ruth were quick to congratulate Alison and Dermot on their new roles, and reassured viewers they are remaining with the show.
They both tweeted: It’s a changing of the guard on Fridays from January. We hope you make Alison and Dermot as welcome as you’ve made us over the years. Have a ball you two!
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“It’s not goodbye from us, it’s simply au revoir until the next half term,” they added.
It’s a changing of the guard on Fridays from January. We hope you make Alison and Dermot as welcome as you’ve made us over the years. Have a Ball you two !
It’s not Goodbye from us, it’s simply Au Revoir until the next half term. https://t.co/vvdzZMaccg — Eamonn Holmes (@EamonnHolmes) November 30, 2020
It’s a changing of the guard on Fridays from January. We hope you make Alison and Dermot as welcome as you’ve made us over the years. Have a Ball you two !
It’s not Goodbye from us, it’s simply Au Revoir until the next half term. https://t.co/qxy1bufkPI — Ruth Langsford (@RuthieeL) November 30, 2020
ITV’s managing director for daytime, Emma Gormley added: “Alison has provided some of the most memorable moments on the show in recent times and teamed up with the brilliant Dermot we think they are a great pairing in addition to our fabulous presenting line up of Holly and Phil and Eamonn and Ruth.”
Holly Willoughby and Phillip Schofield will still present from Monday to Thursday Ken McKay/ITV/Shutterstock
Holly and Phillip’s roles remain unaffected by the changes, and the pair will continue to present each week from Monday to Thursday.
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It was recently announced the pair are set to front a special Christmas Day episode of This Morning this year for the first time ever.
This Morning airs weekdays at 10am on ITV.


thehuffingtonpostuk--2020-11-30--Keir Starmer Facing Labour Rebellion Over Covid Tiers Vote

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Keir Starmer could face a significant rebellion if he whips his MPs to vote for Boris Johnson’s new Covid tiers system.
The Labour leader is weighing up whether to ask MPs to vote for the government’s new local lockdowns on Tuesday, as England prepares to move out of national measures.
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But HuffPost UK has learned “around 20 MPs” want to break ranks and vote against the reintroduction of tiers 1, 2 and 3 – refusing even to abstain.
South Shields MP Emma Lewell-Buck is among them and believes Starmer should offer MPs a free vote.
She wants the government “to come up with something better” and would prefer a system in which Covid-secure hospitality venues stay open, while the vulnerable are protected and mass testing rolled out.
The MP says she, and others, voted for the second national lockdown “through gritted teeth”, fearing the impact on the economy would grow.
“We can no longer sit on our hands and keep approving measures if we don’t agree,” she said. “We need to make a stand here.
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“We understand there is a risk to public health but what the government is doing isn’t good enough.
“The public like simple, clear messaging. They understand masks and the rule of six, for example, not an ever-changing cycle of different tiers.
“People are just giving up and the government has lost their confidence.”
She said she had spoken with many distraught business-owners from her constituency in recent days.
“We know this is a public health crisis but we can’t just abstain and leave it to the government,” she said. “We are MPs and part of our job is making difficult decisions.”
Another senior Labour MP said they were “very concerned” about the tiers, but added: “To vote against the tier system and see it fall would mean no restrictions at all. That’s the problem.”
But they insisted: “The tier system as it stands is unacceptable.”
The prime minister’s argument is that a sliding scale of restrictions will control local outbreaks and avoid the need for a third blanket lockdown.
But many Tory MPs as well as Labour’s are deeply unhappy about the prospect of closures in the strictest tier 3.
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The Covid Recovery Group of Tory MPs, led by Steve Baker and former whip Mark Harper, reject further lockdown measures.
While the system is still expected to pass, scores of Johnson’s MPs are preparing to revolt, meaning it could be an uncomfortable event for both leaders.
Prime minister Boris Johnson PA
“It reminds me very much of the Brexit debate in that it has become very polarised and everyone is thinking about their own constituencies,” Lewell-Buck added.
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Labour MP for Leeds Richard Burgon suggested he wanted to see tougher measures enforced, adding he would vote down the tiers system.
He said in a Facebook post on Monday there was not enough support for businesses in tier 3, adding: “The government’s proposed new restrictions repeat the errors of the past and I will not be voting for them on Tuesday.”
He adds the “proposed approach risks causing yet more harm to both public health and the economy”.
“The new tier system will not only fail to drive the virus levels down, but there’s a real risk that taking the foot off the brake over the coming weeks will undermine the gains made by the current lockdown,” he said. “That will make a third wave and yet another lockdown much more likely in the new year.
“A sustained economic recovery simply isn’t possible if we’re having to constantly move in and out of restrictions.”
Labour is yet to make a decision on whether to support the government.
Starmer is due to meet chief medical officer Chris Whitty and chief scientific officer Patrick Vallance, before MPs gather for the Parliamentary Labour Party meeting on Monday evening.
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Shadow foreign secretary Lisa Nandy suggested in an interview on Sunday that Labour was trying to get more financial support from the government for businesses before agreeing to back tiers.
She did not rule out backing the government or abstaining, however, saying: “We’ve never voted against health restrictions.


thehuffingtonpostuk--2020-11-30--Cardi B Apologises For Hosting Thanksgiving Meal For 37 People Amid Pandemic

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Cardi B has apologised for hosting a Thanksgiving meal for almost 40 people.
US health officials had urged people not to get together to celebrate the holiday amid the pandemic.
Cardi B PA
Cardi sparked controversy when she revealed on Twitter that she had hosted a large bash, writing: “12 kids and 25 adults over the holidays. It was lit!!”
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However, after a backlash from some fans, she added: “Sorry my bad wasn’t trying to make nobody feel bad.
“I just had my family in my home for the first time and it felt so good & uplifted me.
“I spent soo much money getting every1 tested but it felt worth it. I wasnt trying to offend no1.”
12kids and 25 adults over the https://t.co/jROX5NQF2p was lit !! — iamcardib (@iamcardib) November 29, 2020
Sorry my bad wasn’t trying to make nobody feel bad.I just had my family in my home for the first time and it felt so good & uplifted me .I spent soo much money getting every1 tested but it felt worth it.I wasnt trying to offend no1. https://t.co/gjGo1JAvnY — iamcardib (@iamcardib) November 29, 2020
She appeared to backtrack on her apology later when she continued: “People be trying tooo hard to be offended. I wonder how they survive the real world.”
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People be trying tooo hard to be offended.I wonder how they survive the real world 😂 — iamcardib (@iamcardib) November 29, 2020
The party was attended by Cardi’s husband, rapper Offset, and their daughter, Kulture, after the couple called off their divorce.
Offset also shared an insight into the festivities, posting a video of a large group performing a dance routine together.
Coronavirus cases in the US have continued to rise and the number of new infections topped 200,000 for the first time on Friday.
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The highest previous daily count was 196,000 on November 20, according to data from Johns Hopkins University.
On Monday, singer Rita Ora also issued an apology for a “spur of the moment” decision to attend a party for her 30th birthday, which broke lockdown rules.


thehuffingtonpostuk--2020-11-30--Revealed: Tier 3 Did Bring Down Number Of Covid Patients, But Tier 1 Did Nothing

The number of Covid-19 patients in hospital has fallen in areas that were under tier 3 lockdown, but risen in areas that were in tier 1, analysis by HuffPost UK has revealed.
It may help explain how some areas that were only in tier 1 before the national lockdown have ended up in tier 3 from Wednesday.
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Our findings bear out warnings by Public Health England’s Dr Susan Hopkins and the government’s Sage (scientific advisory group for emergencies) advisers that tier 1 measures were insufficient to slow the pandemic.
Overall, the the number of people in hospital with Covid-19 fell last week for the first time since August – driven by the tier 3 areas, with tier 2 areas maintaining relatively flat numbers and tier 1 hospitals seeing more patients than before.
After reaching a peak of 14,712 hospital beds occupied by Covid-19 patients on November 23, the national number has fallen by 1,000 – a 7% decrease in less than a week.
The fall in patients marks a sharp reversal from a fortnight ago, when the number of beds occupied by Covid-19 patients was increasing at a rate of 19% a week.
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The overall number of hospital beds occupied by Covid-19 patients in England. Andrew Hillman
Bed occupancy by Covid-19 patients is falling quickest in the north-west and Yorkshire, where many areas were placed in tier 3 – the highest level of local restrictions – prior to the national lockdown on November 5.
Liverpool was the only city to be placed in tier 3 when the government unveiled the three-tier system in October. Within two weeks of the announcement, Liverpool University Hospitals Trust had almost twice as many Covid-19 patients as any other hospital trust in England. But since then, the number of Covid-19 patients occupying beds in the trust’s hospitals has fallen by 45%.
Greater Manchester entered tier 3 on October 23. Collectively, the seven acute trusts that operate across the area have seen a 15% fall in patients with Covid-19 following a peak on November 16.
The occupancy rate of beds by Covid-19 patients for the Liverpool City Region, Lancashire, Greater Manchester and South Yorkshire. Andrew Hillman
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In the Midlands and south of England, however, the number of beds occupied by Covid-19 patients continues to rise.
Patient levels are growing fastest for the East Kent Hospitals University Trust and Medway Foundation Trust; collectively, the trusts have seen a fivefold increase in occupied beds in the past three weeks.
On Thursday, health secretary Matt Hancock revealed that Kent and Medway would be in tier 3 once the national lockdown ends on December 2.
The occupancy rate of beds by Covid-19 patients based on whether the area was in tier 1, 2 or 3 prior to the country moving into national lockdown in early November. Andrew Hillman
Overall, the number of patients with Covid-19 is now 30% lower than at its peak (on April 13) during the pandemic’s first wave.
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However, since April, as hospitals resume non-urgent procedures, there has been a steady increase in patients in hospital for reasons other than Covid-19.
On November 5, the latest date for which data are available, 102,000 beds were occupied by non-Covid-19 patients, compared with just 52,000 beds on April 13.
Beds occupied by different patient types on April 13 (peak during first wave) and November 5. Andrew Hillman
Writing in The Times on Saturday, cabinet minister Michael Gove said that without the national lockdown in November, hospitals would have been “physically overwhelmed” with “every bed, every ward occupied”.
Gove added that the tiers in place prior to the lockdown were “neither strong enough to reduce social contact sufficiently, nor applied widely enough to contain the virus’s spread”, and described the new three-tier system as “stronger” and “tougher”.
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Dr Louise Dyson, an epidemiologist at Warwick University who sits on SAGE’s pandemic modelling sub-group (SPI-M), told HuffPost UK that falling new cases – followed with a delay by falling hospital bed occupancy rates – provided evidence that the very highest tiers prior to national lockdown were “just about reducing R slightly below 1.”
After reaching a peak during the first pandemic wave in mid-April, the number of patients in hospital with Covid-19 roughly halved each month until August.
But Dyson said occupancy rates were not guaranteed to decline in the same way during this second wave, adding that “keeping transmission under control was always going to be harder in the winter”.
During the summer, non-essential shops did not reopen until eight weeks after the peak in occupied beds; this time, lockdown is due to end just nine days after the peak.
And just a month on from the second wave peak in bed occupancy, on December 23, restrictions will be eased for a five-day window over Christmas, during which people will be allowed to travel freely and form temporary three-household bubbles.
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Dyson said it is unclear how people will respond to the temporary easing of restrictions, and so it is particularly hard to model the impact of the Christmas window on transmission.
“Of course, all of these [eased restrictions] will increase transmission,” she said. “One of the worrying things about this kind of interaction is that there is lots of intergenerational mixing, so there’s a worry that it will lead to more cases in older people.”


thehuffingtonpostuk--2020-11-30--Rita Ora Apologises For Attending 30th Birthday Gathering Despite Covid Rules

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Rita Ora has apologised for a “spur of the moment” decision to attend a party for her 30th birthday, which broke lockdown rules.
The singer admitted she had been at a “small gathering” with friends to celebrate her milestone birthday, after photos of people leaving the event at a west London restaurant on Saturday were published in the press.
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Scotland Yard later confirmed that officers had been called to an address in Notting Hill amid a breach of Covid regulations, with Downing Street also issuing a warning to celebrities flouting coronavirus rules.
Posting an apology on Instagram, Rita said it was an “inexcusable error of judgment”.
Rita Ora David M. Benett via Getty Images
She wrote: “Hello all, I attended a small gathering with some friends to celebrate my 30th birthday.
“It was a spur of the moment decision made with the misguided view that we were coming out of lockdown and this would be OK…
“I’m deeply sorry for breaking the rules and in turn understand that this puts people at risk.
“This was a serious and inexcusable error of judgment.
“Given the restrictions, I realise how irresponsible these actions were and I take full responsibility.
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“I feel particularly embarrassed knowing first-hand how hard people have worked to combat this terrible illness and being fully aware of the sacrifices that people and businesses have made to help keep us all safe.
“Even though this won’t make it right, I want to sincerely apologise.”
Rita posted this apology on Instagram Instagram
A No.10 spokesperson said prime minister Boris Johnson was “clear” that everyone needs to follow the restrictions, “including celebrities”, stressing that “it’s up to police to decide what action to take” if they are broken.
This statement was also given after controversial actor Laurence Fox was condemned on social media after boasting of having a “large group” over for lunch, where they “hugged, ate and put the world to rights”.
Good Morning Britain presenter Piers Morgan also called Laurence’s actions “ridiculous” and “reckless” saying it “epitomises the attitude of a small minority of people in this country who just don’t think this virus is for them”.


thehuffingtonpostuk--2020-12-01--Why The UK's Brexit Stance On Fishing Rights Makes Very Little Sense

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As things stand, the UK is set to crash out of the EU next month with no deal, a scenario that could cost the British economy £160bn.
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So why can’t we negotiate a deal with the EU? Mostly because of a stand-off over fishing rights.
From a purely economic standpoint, the intense haggling over fishing rights seems a bit odd – even when combined with fish and shellfish processing, the sector makes up 0.1% of Britain’s GDP.
Yet many Brexit supporters see it as a symbol of the regained sovereignty that Brexit will supposedly bring and it has been heavily promoted by the likes of Nigel Farage, who even went so far as convening his own fishing armada during the run up to the EU referendum.
Picture of the pro-Brexit flotilla of ships heading up the Thames to the heart of pro-Remain London. (This is real.) pic.twitter.com/FZE90ePaiG — Jim Waterson (@jimwaterson) June 15, 2016
So what is the UK actually negotiating for?
A “point of principle”.
Not our words, those of foreign secretary Dominic Raab, who this week said: “On fishing there’s a point of principle: as we leave the EU we’re going to be an independent… coastal state and we’ve got to be able to control our waters.”
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Currently, fish quota allocations for each country are defined under the Common Fisheries Policy. These are based on historic catch allocations and under a principle of “relative stability”, are fixed.
The UK wants to allocate quotas on new zonal approach which would drastically limit how much fish EU boats could catch in UK waters.
What happens when we ‘control our waters’?
According to a consultation paper published by the UK Department for the Environment, Food and Rural Affairs in 2018, the UK would gain far higher shares of the overall quota for many types of fish in its waters.
What types of fish would we get more of?
This is where things get... interesting – British people don’t really like the fish caught in British waters.
The most popular catches in the UK are traditional stalwarts like cod and haddock but the most fished species in British waters are mackerel and herring – most of our cod and haddock is caught in EU waters and imported.
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So what do we do with all the mackerel and herring? We sell it to the EU where it’s far more popular.
Dmitry Grozoubinski, founder of ExplainTrade, told HuffPost UK: “The way it’s worked out is that UK fishers primarily catch fish to sell to Europe and a lot of the fish British people like such as haddock that goes into fish and chips for example, gets caught mostly by EU fleets and then it’s sold to the UK.”
Statista
What happens after Brexit?
This is where the “point of principle” begins to fall apart. In January when all things Brexity kick in proper, the UK is going to really struggle to sell a lot of the catch it’s fought so hard over.
“The UK is facing a situation where you retain the right to fish in British waters but face your fish being non-competitive abroad so businesses are not viable,” says Grozoubinski.
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This is due to two factors – borders and tariffs.
Borders
When the UK leaves the single market and customs union on January 1, the entire country will instantly be surrounded by bureaucratic red tape and anyone trying to sell anything in the EU will face major delays transporting their goods.
“Even with the fish you’re currently catching and selling to the EU, a lot of that trade is with fresh seafood,” says Grozoubinski.
“And it works because you can take that shipment can either dock in an EU port or be loaded onto a refrigerated truck and driven straight across and in a restaurant in Lyon later that day.
″[After Brexit] none of that is going to work anymore because the borders are going to take much longer to cross.”
The second issue is possible tariffs.
Tariffs
In the event of a no-deal Brexit which is becoming ever more likely by the hour, in large part because of the stand-off over fishing rights, the UK would regain control over its waters and would catch lots and lots of fish.
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The problem arises when the UK tries to sell that fish. As shown above, British people simply don’t eat much mackerel, for instance, and exports the huge majority of it to countries in the EU.
A no deal Brexit would mean it is now subject to tariffs which EU countries are unlikely to pay if here are alternatives. Some catches such as scallops will face up to 20% tariffs.
“It’s not that the seafood would cost you more because it’s the Europeans that pay the EU tax, it’s that British seafood would become less competitive than seafood from Europe because they wouldn’t need to pay those tariffs,” says Grozoubinski.
“What it looks like the UK is trying to do is take back control of the supply side and catch more fish, but if the deal falls over you’ll be seriously hurt on the demand side because the UK will be blocked out of its biggest market.”
So what do we gain from taking a stand for fishing rights?


thehuffingtonpostuk--2020-12-01--This Covid-Inspired Elf On The Shelf Hack Is A Godsend For Parents

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Every year when December comes around, parents in the UK – and around the world – become servants to the mini but mighty Elf On The Shelf.
Each day, already overloaded mums and dads have to remember to place this little toy in a new ingenious hiding place – ready for excited children to find.
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This year however, some have caved early and have made the extremely sound decision to place the mischievous elf in quarantine for a prolonged period – a valuable lesson on following rules and restrictions if ever we saw one.
For any parents who forgets to move the Elf on a Shelf, put it in a jar and tell your kids the elf has traveled and needs to quarantine for two weeks pic.twitter.com/7H9gqjOJfu — Erica Ponte (@EricaPonte_) December 1, 2020
The idea has proven to be a hit among parents who can now spend two weeks off Elf On The Shelf duty, while the toy sits festering in a glass jar. Some parents have even got creative, crafting tiny face masks and Covid-19 testing kits for the toys.
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Katy Burrows, whose toy is isolating for 14 days after “travelling from the North Pole”, admitted the Elf on the Shelf tradition was the “worst” she’d ever started – “and not even the magical look of delight on my five-year-old’s face changes that.”
You're not wrong. I have taken the coward's route. Quarantine for 14 days after travelling from the North Pole. Worst Christmas tradition ever started 🙄 and not even the magical look of delight in my 5yr olds face changes that. A hill I will perish on. pic.twitter.com/rxGwDTkROS — Katy Burrows (@KatyJBurrows) December 1, 2020
Others are already enjoying the peace and quiet that a quarantined elf brings – as well as the bonus of not having to feel like a bad parent after forgetting to move it one morning.
Oh darn! Our elf has to quarantine for 14 days because one of his elf friends wasn’t feeling well this week. Better safe than sorry! 😁 (And he brought his mask, too.) pic.twitter.com/BVqZFnDwE5 — Tamara Hubbard, LCPC (@TamaraTweets) December 1, 2020
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Some parents have opted for a full two-week quarantine, while others have stuck with the UK rule of a 10-day (s)elf-isolation (sorry, not sorry) period.
I make no secret of regretting starting the whole elf thing 7 years ago. The kids love it so it goes firmly in the “things they’ll appreciate later” file.
But 2020 gave me one gift. 10 full days of quarantine for this pair. No moving them, no funny jokes. Check and mate, elves. pic.twitter.com/T6V6hsug03 — Pam Roach (@pamelamroach) December 1, 2020
Meanwhile one mum has completely shot herself in the foot with a five-day quarantine period for old elfie – oh, Amanda.


thehuffingtonpostuk--2020-12-01--I'm A Celebrity Blasted By Tory Peers Over Use Of Non-Native Insects

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A number of Tory peers have spoken out against the current series of I’m A Celebrity...Get Me Out Of Here!, over its use of live “non-native” insects in various challenges.
The long-running ITV reality show has relocated from its usual home in the Australian jungle to a castle in Wales due to the coronavirus pandemic, and its use of various bugs has continued to raise eyebrows
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Tory Lord Cormack suggested the show should rebrand as “I’m An Idiot… Get Me Out Of Here!” (we see what you did there, Lord Cormack), while commenting that “idiots bringing in bugs to bite people who are camping in Wales” is an “irresponsible”, “stupid” and “ridiculous thing to do”.
Another Tory peer, the Earl of Caithness voiced his feelings that it was “crassly stupid” for a television programme to release bugs and insects into the environment.
I'm A Celebrity hosts Ant and Dec ITV
These comments come after it was revealed that police had offered “advice” to I’m A Celebrity bosses, amid reports of an investigation.
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Prior to this, an I’m A Celebrity spokesperson had insisted: “All of the insects used on I’m A Celebrity are non-invasive species. They are only ever released in a contained area and collected immediately after filming.
“The bugs are UK-bred and are commercially purchased in the UK for birds and exotic animal feed for pets and zoo keepers in normal circumstances.
“Our insects have been donated to local wildlife sanctuaries, trusts and zoos for their exotic animal and bird feed after filming.”
I’m A Celebrity has long come under fire from animal rights activists due to the nature of some of its trials, with the show making the decision to axe the eating of living creatures ahead of last year’s series.
The original 10 stars of I'm A Celebrity ITV
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A representative for the RSPCA said in a statement earlier in the series: “Throughout the years, we’ve been raising our concerns with the production company about how animals were being treated on the Australia-based programme, but we never received a response from the show.
“We were very pleased when the show’s production company got in touch with us in the planning stages of this year’s series, set here in the UK. We spoke to them about changing the way they use animals along with the change of continent - perhaps introducing welfare-friendly alternatives to animal use in the trials.
“However, we were really disappointed to be told that they would continue to be using animals in this way during this series. We know that many of you, the animal loving public, agree with us and really dislike the use of animals in this way.”
In response, ITV said (via Digital Spy): “I’m a Celebrity complies with animal welfare law concerning the use of animals and we are proud of our exemplary production practices.
“We have a long working relationship with the RSPCA in New South Wales, Australia and as such contacted their counterparts some months ago when we knew that the programme would be made in the UK, with a view to working collaboratively with them.”
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thehuffingtonpostuk--2020-12-01--Pubs That Don't Serve Food Given £1,000 To Cope With Strict Lockdown Rules

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Pubs that do not serve food will be given £1,000 in December to help them survive the strictest coronavirus lockdown rules, Boris Johnson has announced.
“Our pubs, our hotels, restaurants, they are in many ways the heart of our communities and part of the fabric of our identity as a country,” the prime minister told MPs on Tuesday.
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He said the money for so-called wet pubs was to “recognise how hard they have been hit” by Covid controls during what would typically be their busiest time of year.
Under the tier 2 rules, pubs can only serve alcohol if it is accompanied by a “substantial meal”.
Tier 3 pubs must close their doors and are limited to takeaway only.
In tier 1, pubs can stay open with no requirement to serve food, but only around 1% of England’s population falls under this tier.
MPs will vote on Tuesday evening on whether to approve the government’s new three-tiered approach. It will replace the four-week national lockdown.
The prime minister is facing a significant rebellion from Tory MPs who are opposed to the strictest measures.
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And as HuffPost UK revealed, Labour leader Keir Starmer could see as many as 20 of his own MPs ignore orders to abstain and vote against the rules.
Starmer’s decision not to tell his MPs to vote against the measures means the government is expected to win the vote, with the new system coming into force from December 2.
HuffPost UK revealed on Monday chancellor Rishi Sunak had not signed up to plans providing extra financial support for pubs and restaurants before it had been briefed to a newspaper on Sunday evening.
The chancellor was blindsided by government sources telling The Daily Telegraph that more support was on the way, with Monday morning’s front page understood to be the first the Treasury had heard of the plans.
Almost 99% of England’s population into the tough measures of tier 2 and tier 3 when the second national lockdown ends. Only the Isle of Wight, Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly have been designated for the lightest tier 1 restrictions.


thehuffingtonpostuk--2020-12-01--Piers Morgan And Michael Gove Clash Over 'Substantial Meal' Definition In Latest Scotch Egg Row

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People, we have entered day two of the scotch egg discourse.
And it wasn’t something the cabinet secretary found especially easy to define.
As several areas of the UK prepare to enter Tier 2 lockdown restrictions later this week – meaning pubs can open, but alcohol will only be served alongside a “substantial meal” – environment secretary George Eustice made headlines on Monday when he stated that a scotch egg “probably would count as a substantial meal if there were table service”.
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Asked about the matter during the following morning’s edition of GMB, Michael Gove said: “As far as I’m concerned, it’s probably a starter.
“But the broader and more serious point that I think that we need to establish is that there are reasonable rules about hospitality, which are there in order to keep us all safe, and they specify that in certain areas, if you are in a hospitality setting… if you’re ordering drinks, it needs to be alongside a substantial meal.”
Piers Morgan brandishing a scotch egg ITV
Piers then interrupted, calling for clarity and asking the direct question: “What is a substantial meal? Tell us.”
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“It’s a definition that’s existed in law for years now, if I’m taking my 16-year-old son or 17-year-old daughter out to the pub, I can buy them an alcoholic drink, provided it’s with a substantial meal.”
The divisive host then repeated his question, to which Gove said: “It’s been defined in law for years now… the law was passed long before I ever became an MP, I think.”
“So you’ve no idea what constitutes a substantial meal?” Piers then questioned.
“I think I’d say three things,” Gove began. “We’ve got hospitality settings that have been perfectly happy for years to make sure that 16 and 17-year-olds only have alcoholic drinks with substantial meals…”
Michael Gove weighs in on what GMB called the "scotch egg row" ITV
“With respect Mr Gove,” Piers then interjected. “If you’re one of the gang of four that’s basically been deciding all of this stuff all year, and even you can’t tell us what a substantial meal is, how is anybody supposed to know?”
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Later in the discussion, Susanna Reid pointed out that the lack of clarity over whether a scotch egg was, indeed, a substantial meal was proof of bigger issues within the government’s ability to agree on restrictions.
“It may sound trivial,” Piers agreed. “But actually, it’s really important to people. People want to go and have a meal, but they want to know what the rules are.”
Susanna added: “And pubs definitely need to know what the rules are otherwise they get fined.”
Referencing his earlier comment, Gove concluded: “Pubs already do know what the rules are. And they have for years now.
“Now, I made a jocular remark that my own preference when it comes to a substantial meal might be for more than just a scotch egg. But that’s because I’m a hearty trencherman.”
And of course, the whole thing descended into a load of Piers Morgan and Michael Gove talking over one another, with occasional references to scotch eggs.
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An average snapshot from a day in UK political discourse ITV
Things didn't get off to the best start with Gove's interview, either, with Susanna initially having to remind the government official that she was "there too", after he initially only said good morning to Piers.
Tuesday’s GMB also saw Piers taking Rita Ora to task after her 30th birthday party, which made front page news due to the fact it took place during lockdown.
Following the chart-topping singer’s public apology, Piers claimed: “You’re not deeply sorry – you’re deeply sorry you got caught! That’s what you’re ‘deeply sorry’ about.
“If you hadn’t been caught would you be issuing a statement saying: ‘I’ve just woken up and realised what I did was terribly wrong and I’m deeply sorry’?”
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thehuffingtonpostuk--2020-12-01--PM’s Ethics Chief Inundated With Emails After Priti Patel Bullying Row

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Boris Johnson’s ethics chief has revealed his office has been inundated with public messages about ministerial standards in the wake of the Priti Patel bullying scandal and other controversies.
Ex-MI5 boss Lord Evans, who chairs the prime minister’s committee on standards in public life, said there has been “disquiet amongst quite a number of people” in recent months as Johnson resisted calls to sack various ministers.
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In one of the most high profile cases, Johnson decided to keep Patel as home secretary despite an internal investigation finding her guilty of breaching the ministerial code after she was accused of bullying Home Office officials by “shouting and swearing” at them.
The PM’s decision sparked the resignation of his independent adviser on ministerial interests, Sir Alex Allan, which was described as “deeply concerning” by Lord Evans.
Lord Evans Weardale told MPs there was a lot of "disquiet". PA Wire/PA Images
Labour MP Rachel Hopkins asked Lord Evans whether the Patel case and Johnson’s refusal to sack education secretary Gavin Williamson over the exams fiasco had done “lasting damage to public confidence in the ministerial standards”.
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At the Commons public administration committee, Lord Evans replied: “I think there has been concern over this last period because of the number of high profile cases.
“Why do I say that? Partly because of media coverage and that’s always the case.
“But also we have had a very large number of emails and messages to our own website and so there is a concern out there.
“But I don’t feel as a result of that the situation is irreversible or we are doomed to decline on these issues.”
The peer went on: “Judging from our mailbox there is disquiet amongst quite a number of people.
“Is there more disquiet than there was 10 years ago? I think that’s quite difficult.
“The current area (of discussion) in the last few months about the ministerial code and ministerial accountability - that’s the issue of the day in a sense on the standards agenda at the moment.
“Has it undermined public trust? Your judgment on that is probably at least as good as mine.”
Lord Evans also said he shared the concerns of commissioner for public appointments Peter Riddell about the growing number of people being hired to official posts without proper competition.
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Riddell last month said he was worried about the appointment of “political allies of ministers” to Whitehall non-executive boards and warned against “unregulated appointments” like the hiring of Tory peer Baroness Dido Harding to run the so-called NHS Test and Trace service.
“In so far as the commissioner has concerns we would share them,” Evans told the committee.
“As a general principle we think that public appointments should be done on the basis of merit and on a free and fair and open basis.
“But recently there are times when there are immediate and great operational pressures and we recognise that and we wouldn’t want to challenge that at all.
“But even then there are urgent procedures through the commissioner for public appointments to make sure that loopholes are not being exploited.
“I feel uncomfortable at the concerns expressed by the commissioner.
“I do think we need to be very careful not to lose the fair and open procedures for public appointments and whilst it’s absolutely right and proper that ministers should make those appointments and there’s no reason at all why somebody who’s politically aligned should not be appointed, they should be appointed on the basis of being the best candidate and not because they happen to be a friend of the minister or something.”


thehuffingtonpostuk--2020-12-01--Betty Bobbitt, Prisoner Cell Block H And Crocodile Dundee Star, Dies Aged 81

Actor Betty Bobbitt has died at the age of 81, it has been confirmed.
She was best known for her role in Australian drama Prisoner Cell Block H.
Betty Bobbitt has died at the age of 81 Betty Bobbitt/Facebook
Betty’s son Christopher Hill confirmed she died in hospital on Monday, after suffering a “massive stroke” last week.
Writing on his mother’s official Facebook page, he said: “Sadly, mum passed away this morning at 10:20am after five nights in hospital.
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“She was peaceful and in no pain. Thank you for your support and apologies if I can’t respond to everyone but I will try. I will post more later.”
At the weekend, Chris revealed Betty was receiving palliative care after being admitted to hospital on Wednesday.
“We are hugely devastated and struggling to come to terms with such a sudden event,” he said at the time.
“My mum has been a legend, an inspiration, a mentor and icon for so many.”
Betty played Judy Bryant in Prisoner Cell Block H Grundy
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Betty, who was born in the US and based in Australia, was known to millions as Judy Bryant in Prisoner Cell Block H, which she appeared in from 1980 and 1985.
She also made cameo appearances in several of the Crocodile Dundee films between 1988 and 2020.
Among her final roles was also a guest appearance in an episode of Neighbours in 2019.


thehuffingtonpostuk--2020-12-01--Under-16s 'Unlikely' To Be Able To Consent To Puberty Blockers, High Court Rules

Keira Bell outside the Royal Courts of Justice in central London PA
Under-16s “unlikely” to adequately understand nature of puberty blocking treatment, court rules
Over-16s “have the ability to consent” to treatment
But judges recommend court authorisation in some instances even for children over 16
Children with gender dysphoria under the age of 16 are “unlikely” to be able to consent to puberty blocking treatment, the High Court has said in a landmark ruling described as a “devastating blow” to trans young people.
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Keira Bell, a 23-year-old woman who began taking puberty blockers when she was 16 before “detransitioning”, had brought legal action against the Tavistock and Portman NHS Trust, which runs the UK’s only gender identity development service for children.
The legal challenge was also brought by Mrs A, the mother of a 15-year-old girl with autism who is currently on the waiting list for treatment.
At a hearing in October, their lawyers said children going through puberty are “not capable of properly understanding the nature and effects of hormone blockers”.
Speaking outside the Royal Courts of Justice after the ruling, Bell said she was “delighted” with the High Court’s ruling.
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A statement was also read on behalf of her fellow claimant, Mrs A, which said: “I’m relieved to hear the court have understood and agreed with our concerns about [...] treating children and young people with puberty blockers.”
Their solicitor Paul Conrathe said the ruling was “a historic judgment that protects children who suffer from gender dysphoria”.
But a spokesperson for the Tavistock and Portman NHS Trust, said: “The trust is disappointed by today’s judgment and we understand that the outcome is likely to cause anxiety for patients and their families.
“Our first duty is to our patients, particularly those currently receiving hormone blocking treatment, and we are working with our partners, University College London Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust and Leeds Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust, to provide support for patients concerned about the impact on their care.”
The spokesperson also confirmed that the trust would seek permission to appeal against the judgment.
Chief executive of Stonewall, Nancy Kelley, said she welcomed news of the Tavistock appeal and described the ruling as “deeply concerning and shocking.”
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She said: “Although it is unclear, the judgement implies that trans under 18-year-olds should obtain permission from court before being prescribed hormone blockers by the NHS... the average onset of puberty in the UK is currently 11 for girls and 12 for boys.
“For decades, hormone blockers have been used to pause puberty for children experiencing precocious puberty. They also play a vital role in helping to alleviate the distress many trans young people experience and offer much-needed time to questioning young people to explore their identity. Denying this neutral support is not a neutral act and can be deeply harmful to trans young people.”
Kelley said the ruling would be “incredibly tough” to hear for trans young people and their families and said if it is upheld on appeal it would extend the wait trans young people already face when seeking specialist support.
Lawyers for Bell and Mrs A had argued that young people would need to be able to give informed consent not only for puberty blockers but also for cross-sex hormones, because of the “very high likelihood” that children who start taking hormone blockers would later begin taking the other.
Bell said on Tuesday: “While puberty blockers are a reversible intervention, the judgement says that in order for a young person to give informed consent, they must also understand the potential implications of a range of other potential future treatments, including cross-sex hormones and surgical intervention. These treatments are only available to those aged 16 or over, and those aged 18 or over, respectively. We believe this is an extraordinary extension of the principle of informed consent.
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“If this judgement is upheld on appeal, this ruling is likely to significantly extend the wait trans young people already face when seeking specialist support - and risks adding enormous strain to our already overstretched courts and mental health services.”
The Tavistock and Portman NHS Trust had argued that the treatments were separate, meaning that children only needed to be able to consent to puberty blockers in order to receive them.
But in its ruling, the High Court agreed with Bell and Mrs A, saying both treatments were “two stages of one clinical pathway and once on that pathway it is extremely rare for a child to get off it”.
Dame Victoria Sharp – sitting with Lord Justice Lewis and Mrs Justice Lieven – said children of any age needed to understand “the immediate and long-term consequences of the treatment” to be able to consent to the use of puberty blockers, and that this was unlikely if they were under 16.
Announcing the court’s decision at a hearing in London, Dame Victoria said that. “in order for a child to be competent to give valid consent the child would have to understand, retain and weigh” a number of factors, including “the immediate consequences of the treatment in physical and psychological terms” and the fact that “the vast majority of patients taking puberty blocking drugs proceed to taking cross-sex hormones and are, therefore, a pathway to much greater medical interventions”.
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The judge said that, for a child to be competent to consent to puberty blockers, they would also have to understand “the relationship between taking cross-sex hormones and subsequent surgery, with the implications of such surgery, the fact that cross-sex hormones may well lead to a loss of fertility (and) the impact of cross-sex hormones on sexual function”.
Dame Victoria said children also needed to understand “the impact that taking this step on this treatment pathway may have on future and life-long relationships, the unknown physical consequences of taking puberty blocking drugs and the fact that the evidence base for this treatment is as yet highly uncertain”.
Lui Asquith, from the trans children’s charity Mermaids, said the ruling was a “devastating blow”.
They told the PA news agency: “This morning’s judgment has been an absolutely devastating blow for trans young people across the country. We believe very strongly that every young person has the right to make their own decisions about their body and that should not differ because somebody is trans.
“The court today has decided to treat trans young people differently to every other child in the country.
“We believe that we’re entering a new era of discrimination, frankly. We see day in, day out at Mermaids the positive impact hormone blockers can have on some trans young people – in all honesty, they can save lives.
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“They allow some young people to be able to go outside, engage in society, go to school, and we’re now in a position whereby those young people are not necessarily going to be able to access it.
“We’re entering a new era of experimentation, that experiment being what happens to trans young people who need hormone blockers who can’t get them.”
They added that the ruling may cause doctors to go through the courts to get approval to provide puberty blockers.
They said: “For those under 16, the court has said that it’s from a range of highly unlikely to doubtful that that young person will be able to give informed consent around hormone blockers.
“The judgment has said that clinicians may wish to therefore seek approval or support from the court in making those decisions, so what this in effect does is likely to lead clinicians seeking approval from the court to try and avoid liability.”
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NHS England, which was not involved in this case, has now updated the NHS’s service specifications to reflect the judgment, meaning no-one under the age of 16 can now be referred for puberty blockers unless a court rules it is in the child’s best interests.
A spokesperson said: “We welcome the clarity which the court’s decision brings. The Tavistock have immediately suspended new referrals for puberty blockers and cross-sex hormones for the under 16s, which in future will only be permitted where a court specifically authorises it.”
Editor’s note: An earlier version of this story stated in its headline that the court had ruled transgender children could be prescribed puberty blockers. While this is not incorrect in some situations, it did not reflect the additional judgment that it was deemed “unlikely” that young people under 16 would be able to consent to such treatment, and that the authorisation of a court “may well” be sought in some cases for over-16s, and so we amended the story to reflect the full detail of the judgment once it became available.
Useful websites and helplines:
The Gender Trust supports anyone affected by gender identity | 01527 894 838
supports anyone affected by gender identity | 01527 894 838 Mermaids offers information, support, friendship and shared experiences for young people with gender identity issues | 0208 1234819
offers information, support, friendship and shared experiences for young people with gender identity issues | 0208 1234819 LGBT Youth Scotland is the largest youth and community-based organisation for LGBT people in Scotland. Text 07786 202 370
is the largest youth and community-based organisation for LGBT people in Scotland. Text 07786 202 370 Gires provides information for trans people, their families and professionals who care for them | 01372 801554
provides information for trans people, their families and professionals who care for them | 01372 801554 Depend provides support, advice and information for anyone who knows, or is related to, a transsexual person in the UK


thehuffingtonpostuk--2020-12-01--Tess Daly Reveals The Odd Side Effect Of Watching Husband Vernon Kay On I’m A Celebrity… Get Me Out

Tess Daly Reveals The Odd Side Effect Of Watching Husband Vernon Kay On I’m A Celebrity… Get Me Out Of Here!

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The presenter is so engrossed in this year’s series, that she’s even having dreams about it, which (brilliantly) feature her doing Bushtucker Trials with her Strictly Come Dancing co-host Claudia Winkleman.
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During an interview on Tuesday’s Lorraine, Tess said: “Honestly, I have barely slept. I don’t think I have slept more than five or six hours since he has been in there.
“The other day I woke up dreaming I was doing a challenge with Claudia. It involved snakes and being underground and it was terrifying… I am living and breathing it every step of the way but loving it. I have laughed with them and cried with them.”
Vernon Kaye and Tess Daly Ian Gavan via Getty Images
Tess also revealed that she and her two daughters are missing their dad, who has now been away from home for four and a half weeks.
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“Oh my goodness, it feels like he has been away forever,” she said. “I think about him every moment of every day and I watch him every night. Yeah, he is doing brilliantly and it’s lovely watching him but it’s nerve-wracking, it really is. I worry about him being cold, about him not eating…”
She added: “Phoebe, our sixteen year old, watches it every night with me. Amber, who is 11, isn’t allowed to stay up that late because obviously it is school nights a lot of the time.
“On a Friday night she is allowed to, so she did see it when he said ‘hello’. I looked at their faces and they just lit up. They miss him, they haven’t seen him for four and a half weeks now because they were isolating for two weeks before going in.”


thehuffingtonpostuk--2020-12-01--Mariah Carey's All I Want For Christmas Could Be About To Get Its First Ever UK Number One

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Christmas looks to have come early for Mariah Carey, as she could be about to reach number one in the UK with her classic festive hit All I Want For Christmas Is You for the first time ever.
Despite being one of the best-selling songs of all time, the track has never actually reached the top spot in Britain since its release in 1994.
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However, that could be about to change this week, as early figures for this week suggest she’s on course to finally make it.
Mariah Carey launching her Christmas album in New York in 1994 Startraks/Shutterstock
As of Monday, Mariah was only 900 chart sales behind Ariana Grande’s Positions, which is currently number one in the midweek chart.
This is partly due to a huge boost in streaming of Christmas songs, as Britons attempt to get into the festive spirit earlier than usual due to the stresses of 2020.
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According to the Official Charts Company, year-to-date streams of Christmas songs are up nearly 44% on the same period in 2019.
However, Mariah fans will have to wait until Friday to see if she manages to clinch the number one, when the Official Chart is counted down at 4pm on Radio 1.
In 1994, the year it was originally released, All I Want For Christmas Is You was kept off the top spot of the UK singles chart by East 17′s Stay Another Day.
Last year, it reached number one in the US Billboard chart for the first time ever.
In 2017, The Economist revealed that the four-minute hit has earned Mariah more than $60 million (£46.6m) in royalties since its release.