conservativehome--2020-05-11--Ten questions for Johnson about his lockdown plan

They are no less relevant this morning than they were yesterday – and are unlikely to be answered this afternoon .
• None Will the Government publish the advice and calculations on which the plan is based ?
There ’ s a good argument against : that the scientists who provide it will react badly to criticism of their work ; that they will then withdraw their services , and that Ministers will thus find it harder to get scientists to serve at all .
But there ’ s a better argument for : that open sourcing the data means @ @ @ @ @ @ @ be missed , and that the stakes are so high that this consideration must be paramount .
• None On what basis are Ministers responding to the R rate ?
What matters most isn ’ t the reproduction rate of the virus in itself .
But , rather , where that rate is rising and falling – and among whom .
If it ’ s increasing faster in hospitals and care homes , for example , than in factories or workplaces ( as appears to be the case ) , that would suggest @ @ @ @ @ @ @ rules than the headline rate of transmission might seem to imply .
Or regional variations in lifting could follow regional variations in rates .
• None What ’ s the Government ’ s worst case scenario for the NHS ?
The foundation stone of its strategy to date has been “ Stay Home .
Protect the NHS .
[ Our italics . ]
Save Lives.
” This being so , it must have an estimate of the worst case scenario for the service – one that would risk Italy-style pictures on our TV @ @ @ @ @ @ @ gasping for air , clutching at their chests and at tubes pumping oxygen into their oxygen-starved lungs ” .
What is it – and when could the NHS cope with the numbers , if ever ?
• None Is the 200,000 number for testing an aspiration or a promise , and does it cover tests or capacity ?
Ministers now want to protect the health service through a South Korea-style plan : first by reducing the number of cases and deaths ; then stamping out reoccurences by testing people , and then tracing @ @ @ @ @ @ @ contact with .
Boris Johnson has referred to 200,000 tests by the end of the month .
But it isn ’ t clear what this means in practice .
• None How many tracers will it have and by when ?
Ministers will need a volunteer army of tracers to track down those people who tests show to have the virus or who report having it ; then find out who they ’ ve been in contact with – and then trace those contacrs .
Matt Hancock wants to recruit 18,000 tracers .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ our last question – how many people are being tested and by when .
If the number gets up to 200,000 by the end of the month , that 18,000 number could be an underestimate .
• None What level of App take-up are Ministers expecting ?
The Government is relying on people downloading and using an app as part of its test and trace plan .
What level of take-up does it need to work ?
One estimate is that if 60 per cent of the population use the app then new @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” .
The take up of apps abroad for the same purpose has been about 2o per cent .
It may also drop its own centralised model in favour of the Apple/Google decentralised one .
• None What ’ s the Government ’ s estimate of non-Coronavirus healthcare costs to date ?
That there is an cost is uncontrovertible : cancelled operations , impaired mental health , domestic and child abuse , and so on .
Some of these are human costs – deaths that wouldn ’ t otherwise have happened .
Some @ @ @ @ @ @ @ social services may eventually have to meet .
But the specific healthcare are an obvious starting-point for enquiry – given the centrality of the NHS to Ministers ’ strategy .
• None What ’ s its estimate of the costs of lockdown to the economy to date ?
The costs to the economy are not the costs of the lockdown .
The economic contraction set in during early March ; the lockdown was imposed on March 24 .
Social distancing would have happened anyway .
So the question , rather , is what @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and the less stringent one that preceded it , has been .
It would be impossible to find an exact answer , but government must have , or be able to calculate , an estimate .
• None What ’ s its calculation of the total cost and total saving of the lockdown ?
Again , it would be impossible to find an exact answer , but possible to work out an estimate .
The method ?
To assign a monetary value to each human life in Britain ( and , yes , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to estimate how many lives have been saved , from which a figure can be produced ; then to calculate that total costs of the lockdown and , to see whether these are greater than the saving .
• None Are there any elements of the lockdown that wouldn ’ t be reintroduced ?
There ’ s still much that isn ’ t known about the virus .
But more is known now than was in early March .
Do the Government ’ s advisers now believe that there is relatively little risk @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ?
If so , doesn ’ t that suggest that the present strict bars on outdoors activity , introduced in late March , wouldn ’ t be reintroduced even were the present lockdown first relaxed but then later tightened again ?
There will be better questions than these and there will be worse .
Boris Johnson will strain to avoid answering any of them , and ask the public to take the Government on trust .
His policy has had its successes ( ramping test numbers up quickly ) as well as its @ @ @ @ @ @ @ part of a month into the lockdown , in its third iteration of policy on the subject ) .
Like most people , we think it ’ s better to wait for the eventual inquiry before making a final judgement , let alone rushing into one now when so much about the virus is still unknown .
But it ’ s fair to say that even though international comparisons are plagued with difficulty , Britain is unlikely to win any prizes for keeping cases and numbers down – or for consistent Government handling @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the plan that the Prime Minister announced yesterday evening can ’ t simply be taken on trust .
It should be questioned .
Hence all the above .
Finally : we believe there is a solid political basis for a slow easing , based on the centrality of the NHS ’ s capacity to cope to the Government ’ s strategy .
If it didn ’ t , Johnson would be left with a bust healthcare system .
Leading to mass reactive social distancing .
Leading to continued economic paralysis .
And to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Changing that centrality would mean a national conversation about Britain ’ s folk religion – NHS worship .
That can only be done by a kind of national Entmoot .
It would discuss whether the short-term imperative of keeping the hospitals on their feet is more important than the medium-term one of coping with other healthcare penalities : more cancer deaths , mental illness , domestic abuse , etc .
Plus the costs to the economy , and thus soon to the NHS , of this near-shutdown stasis .
Asking questions like some @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to begin .

They are no less relevant this morning than they were yesterday – and are unlikely to be answered this afternoon.
Will the Government publish the advice and calculations on which the plan is based? There’s a good argument against: that the scientists who provide it will react badly to criticism of their work; that they will then withdraw their services, and that Ministers will thus find it harder to get scientists to serve at all. But there’s a better argument for: that open sourcing the data means that errors are less likely to be be missed, and that the stakes are so high that this consideration must be paramount.
There’s a good argument against: that the scientists who provide it will react badly to criticism of their work; that they will then withdraw their services, and that Ministers will thus find it harder to get scientists to serve at all. But there’s a better argument for: that open sourcing the data means that errors are less likely to be be missed, and that the stakes are so high that this consideration must be paramount. On what basis are Ministers responding to the R rate? What matters most isn’t the reproduction rate of the virus in itself. But, rather, where that rate is rising and falling – and among whom. If it’s increasing faster in hospitals and care homes, for example, than in factories or workplaces (as appears to be the case), that would suggest ordering a faster relaxation of the lockdown rules than the headline rate of transmission might seem to imply. Or regional variations in lifting could follow regional variations in rates.
What matters most isn’t the reproduction rate of the virus in itself. But, rather, where that rate is rising and falling – and among whom. If it’s increasing faster in hospitals and care homes, for example, than in factories or workplaces (as appears to be the case), that would suggest ordering a faster relaxation of the lockdown rules than the headline rate of transmission might seem to imply. Or regional variations in lifting could follow regional variations in rates. What’s the Government’s worst case scenario for the NHS? The foundation stone of its strategy to date has been “Stay Home. Protect the NHS. [Our italics.] Save Lives.” This being so, it must have an estimate of the worst case scenario for the service – one that would risk Italy-style pictures on our TV screens of patients in waiting rooms “gasping for air, clutching at their chests and at tubes pumping oxygen into their oxygen-starved lungs”. What is it – and when could the NHS cope with the numbers, if ever?
The foundation stone of its strategy to date has been “Stay Home. Protect the NHS. [Our italics.] Save Lives.” This being so, it must have an estimate of the worst case scenario for the service – one that would risk Italy-style pictures on our TV screens of patients in waiting rooms “gasping for air, clutching at their chests and at tubes pumping oxygen into their oxygen-starved lungs”. What is it – and when could the NHS cope with the numbers, if ever? Is the 200,000 number for testing an aspiration or a promise, and does it cover tests or capacity? Ministers now want to protect the health service through a South Korea-style plan: first by reducing the number of cases and deaths; then stamping out reoccurences by testing people, and then tracing others than those infected have been in contact with. Boris Johnson has referred to 200,000 tests by the end of the month. But it isn’t clear what this means in practice.
Ministers now want to protect the health service through a South Korea-style plan: first by reducing the number of cases and deaths; then stamping out reoccurences by testing people, and then tracing others than those infected have been in contact with. Boris Johnson has referred to 200,000 tests by the end of the month. But it isn’t clear what this means in practice. How many tracers will it have and by when? Ministers will need a volunteer army of tracers to track down those people who tests show to have the virus or who report having it; then find out who they’ve been in contact with – and then trace those contacrs. Matt Hancock wants to recruit 18,000 tracers. But that number will be related to our last question – how many people are being tested and by when. If the number gets up to 200,000 by the end of the month, that 18,000 number could be an underestimate.
Ministers will need a volunteer army of tracers to track down those people who tests show to have the virus or who report having it; then find out who they’ve been in contact with – and then trace those contacrs. Matt Hancock wants to recruit 18,000 tracers. But that number will be related to our last question – how many people are being tested and by when. If the number gets up to 200,000 by the end of the month, that 18,000 number could be an underestimate. What level of App take-up are Ministers expecting? The Government is relying on people downloading and using an app as part of its test and trace plan. What level of take-up does it need to work? One estimate is that if 60 per cent of the population use the app then new Coronavirus cases could be “substantially reduced”. The take up of apps abroad for the same purpose has been about 2o per cent. It may also drop its own centralised model in favour of the Apple/Google decentralised one.
The Government is relying on people downloading and using an app as part of its test and trace plan. What level of take-up does it need to work? One estimate is that if 60 per cent of the population use the app then new Coronavirus cases could be “substantially reduced”. The take up of apps abroad for the same purpose has been about 2o per cent. It may also drop its own centralised model in favour of the Apple/Google decentralised one. What’s the Government’s estimate of non-Coronavirus healthcare costs to date? That there is an cost is uncontrovertible: cancelled operations, impaired mental health, domestic and child abuse, and so on. Some of these are human costs – deaths that wouldn’t otherwise have happened. Some are also costs that the police and social services may eventually have to meet. But the specific healthcare are an obvious starting-point for enquiry – given the centrality of the NHS to Ministers’ strategy.
That there is an cost is uncontrovertible: cancelled operations, impaired mental health, domestic and child abuse, and so on. Some of these are human costs – deaths that wouldn’t otherwise have happened. Some are also costs that the police and social services may eventually have to meet. But the specific healthcare are an obvious starting-point for enquiry – given the centrality of the NHS to Ministers’ strategy. What’s its estimate of the costs of lockdown to the economy to date? The costs to the economy are not the costs of the lockdown. The economic contraction set in during early March; the lockdown was imposed on March 24. Social distancing would have happened anyway. So the question, rather, is what the additional cost of this shutdown, and the less stringent one that preceded it, has been. It would be impossible to find an exact answer, but government must have, or be able to calculate, an estimate.
The costs to the economy are not the costs of the lockdown. The economic contraction set in during early March; the lockdown was imposed on March 24. Social distancing would have happened anyway. So the question, rather, is what the additional cost of this shutdown, and the less stringent one that preceded it, has been. It would be impossible to find an exact answer, but government must have, or be able to calculate, an estimate. What’s its calculation of the total cost and total saving of the lockdown? Again, it would be impossible to find an exact answer, but possible to work out an estimate. The method? To assign a monetary value to each human life in Britain (and, yes, such calculations are made); then to estimate how many lives have been saved, from which a figure can be produced; then to calculate that total costs of the lockdown and, to see whether these are greater than the saving.
Again, it would be impossible to find an exact answer, but possible to work out an estimate. The method? To assign a monetary value to each human life in Britain (and, yes, such calculations are made); then to estimate how many lives have been saved, from which a figure can be produced; then to calculate that total costs of the lockdown and, to see whether these are greater than the saving. Are there any elements of the lockdown that wouldn’t be reintroduced? There’s still much that isn’t known about the virus. But more is known now than was in early March. Do the Government’s advisers now believe that there is relatively little risk of catching it in the open air? If so, doesn’t that suggest that the present strict bars on outdoors activity, introduced in late March, wouldn’t be reintroduced even were the present lockdown first relaxed but then later tightened again?
– – – – – – – – – –
There will be better questions than these and there will be worse. Boris Johnson will strain to avoid answering any of them, and ask the public to take the Government on trust.
His policy has had its successes (ramping test numbers up quickly) as well as its failures (settling on test-and-trace the best part of a month into the lockdown, in its third iteration of policy on the subject).
Like most people, we think it’s better to wait for the eventual inquiry before making a final judgement, let alone rushing into one now when so much about the virus is still unknown.
But it’s fair to say that even though international comparisons are plagued with difficulty, Britain is unlikely to win any prizes for keeping cases and numbers down – or for consistent Government handling of the crisis.
Which is why the plan that the Prime Minister announced yesterday evening can’t simply be taken on trust. It should be questioned. Hence all the above.
Finally: we believe there is a solid political basis for a slow easing, based on the centrality of the NHS’s capacity to cope to the Government’s strategy.
If it didn’t, Johnson would be left with a bust healthcare system. Leading to mass reactive social distancing. Leading to continued economic paralysis. And to a broken-backed Government with shot authority.
Changing that centrality would mean a national conversation about Britain’s folk religion – NHS worship. That can only be done by a kind of national Entmoot.
It would discuss whether the short-term imperative of keeping the hospitals on their feet is more important than the medium-term one of coping with other healthcare penalities: more cancer deaths, mental illness, domestic abuse, etc.
Plus the costs to the economy, and thus soon to the NHS, of this near-shutdown stasis. Asking questions like some of the above might enable that conversation to begin.


conservativehome--2020-05-11--What will Conservative MPs make of the Prime Minister’s new plan – not just this morning, but during

What will Conservative MPs make of the Prime Minister’s new plan – not just this morning, but during the coming weeks?

Can a Conservative MP bang a virtual desk ?
We may find out tomorrow afternoon , when Boris Johnson will address the 1922 Committee – or at least as many members of it as the techology is able to cope with .
Many revolts have been forecast for such meetings , for which Tory MPs meet en masse in Committee Room 14 , but few of these predictions have ever come true .
And the Prime Minister will doubtless be given a good reception tomorrow ( assuming the meeting goes ahead ) , with most criticism couched in code , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ may matter more is not so much how they react to the plan on the morning or the day after its announcement – whether in that virtual meeting tomorrow or during Johnson ’ s statement to the virtual Commons this afternoon – but during the weeks and perhaps months that lie ahead .
ConHome has done two ring-rounds of Conservative MPs – see here and here – and found last time round that the balance of opinion supported a gradual lockdown lifting .
Since then , a few have gone further : Graham @ @ @ @ @ @ @ led the charge during a debate on Coronavirus regulations last week .
All three are members of the ’ 22s executive , and the first and third are officers .
It has been dividing 12-4 over the lockdown , with the majority arguing for a substantial early lifting .
What the executive and Tory MPs do now is a very moot question .
The sum of the Prime Minister ’ s new plan is that it guarantees no substantial change to the lockdown , with the exception of activity outdoors as of Wednesday @ @ @ @ @ @ @ he laid out .
There is a durable political case for it : were further waves of the virus to overwhelm the NHS , social distancing would soar voluntarily , the economy would stay in stasis – and the Government ’ s credibility would be shot .
As long as the Conservative poll ratings remain buoyant ( how long will that be ? )
, Johnson can afford to shrug off both his left-wing and right-wing critics , including much of the Tory press , and soldier on .
He will be more @ @ @ @ @ @ @ virus-wary workers in Red Wall seats , and by the potential threat to the Union ’ s response to the virus from Nicola Sturgeon and the Welsh Government .
Our take is that Conservative MPs – who after all have the power to fire Johnson as party leader , for all his emphatic majority gained less than six months ago – are crucial to the lockdown ’ s future .
And this site ’ s best guess is that for the moment they will mostly watch and wait to see what happens next @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Coronavirus is due to kick off today – the Government having pulled , in effect , a planned vote tomorrow on virus-driven prisoner releases ( a potential flashpoint for a backbench revolt ) .
We will all see what it produces .
All in all , a shift from public support for shutdowns is only likely to come when anxiety about job losses and recession outweighs concern for the NHS and its workers .
Our columnist James Frayne believes that support for the lockdown is wide but shallow , and this site has @ @ @ @ @ @ @ months after the economic contraction began – in early to mid-June .
At any rate , Tory MPs are unlikely to move en masse – tabling critical amendments to legislation , challenging the Prime Minister openly at PMQs , and so on – until public opinion moves .

Can a Conservative MP bang a virtual desk? We may find out tomorrow afternoon, when Boris Johnson will address the 1922 Committee – or at least as many members of it as the techology is able to cope with.
Many revolts have been forecast for such meetings, for which Tory MPs meet en masse in Committee Room 14, but few of these predictions have ever come true.
And the Prime Minister will doubtless be given a good reception tomorrow (assuming the meeting goes ahead), with most criticism couched in code, as is usually the case.
What may matter more is not so much how they react to the plan on the morning or the day after its announcement – whether in that virtual meeting tomorrow or during Johnson’s statement to the virtual Commons this afternoon – but during the weeks and perhaps months that lie ahead.
ConHome has done two ring-rounds of Conservative MPs – see here and here – and found last time round that the balance of opinion supported a gradual lockdown lifting.
Since then, a few have gone further: Graham Brady, Steve Baker and Charles Walker led the charge during a debate on Coronavirus regulations last week.
All three are members of the ’22s executive, and the first and third are officers. It has been dividing 12-4 over the lockdown, with the majority arguing for a substantial early lifting.
What the executive and Tory MPs do now is a very moot question. The sum of the Prime Minister’s new plan is that it guarantees no substantial change to the lockdown, with the exception of activity outdoors as of Wednesday, for all the prospective timetable that he laid out.
There is a durable political case for it: were further waves of the virus to overwhelm the NHS, social distancing would soar voluntarily, the economy would stay in stasis – and the Government’s credibility would be shot.
As long as the Conservative poll ratings remain buoyant (how long will that be?), Johnson can afford to shrug off both his left-wing and right-wing critics, including much of the Tory press, and soldier on.
He will be more concerned about Keir Starmer outflanking him amongst virus-wary workers in Red Wall seats, and by the potential threat to the Union’s response to the virus from Nicola Sturgeon and the Welsh Government.
Our take is that Conservative MPs – who after all have the power to fire Johnson as party leader, for all his emphatic majority gained less than six months ago – are crucial to the lockdown’s future. And this site’s best guess is that for the moment they will mostly watch and wait to see what happens next.
A two-day general debate on the Coronavirus is due to kick off today – the Government having pulled, in effect, a planned vote tomorrow on virus-driven prisoner releases (a potential flashpoint for a backbench revolt).
We will all see what it produces. All in all, a shift from public support for shutdowns is only likely to come when anxiety about job losses and recession outweighs concern for the NHS and its workers.
Our columnist James Frayne believes that support for the lockdown is wide but shallow, and this site has wondered whether a tipping-point might come three months after the economic contraction began – in early to mid-June.
At any rate, Tory MPs are unlikely to move en masse – tabling critical amendments to legislation, challenging the Prime Minister openly at PMQs, and so on – until public opinion moves.


conservativehome--2020-05-11--WATCH: Stay Alert. Control the virus. Save lives. The Government’s new plan – Johnson’s broadcast.

Prime Minister @ BorisJohnson addresses the nation on the next steps on coronavirus : https : //t.co/7bdNfHdrKi

Prime Minister @BorisJohnson addresses the nation on the next steps on coronavirus: https://t.co/7bdNfHdrKi
— UK Prime Minister (@10DowningStreet) May 10, 2020


conservativehome--2020-05-11--“This is a plan that everyone must make work.” The Prime Minister’s statement. Full text.

“ It is now almost two months since the people of this country began to put up with restrictions on their freedom – your freedom – of a kind that we have never seen before in peace or war .
And you have shown the good sense to support those rules overwhelmingly .
You have put up with all the hardships of that programme of social distancing .
Because you understand that as things stand , and as the experience of every other country has shown , it ’ s the only way to defeat the coronavirus – the most @ @ @ @ @ @ @ my lifetime .
And though the death toll has been tragic , and the suffering immense .
And though we grieve for all those we have lost .
It is a fact that by adopting those measures we prevented this country from being engulfed by what could have been a catastrophe in which the reasonable worst case scenario was half a million fatalities .
And it is thanks to your effort and sacrifice in stopping the spread of this disease that the death rate is coming down and hospital admissions are coming down @ @ @ @ @ @ @ protected our NHS and saved many thousands of lives .
And so I know – you know – that it would be madness now to throw away that achievement by allowing a second spike .
We must continue to control the virus and save lives .
And yet we must also recognise that this campaign against the virus has come at colossal cost to our way of life .
We can see it all around us in the shuttered shops and abandoned businesses and darkened pubs and restaurants .
And there are millions @ @ @ @ @ @ @ this terrible disease , and at the same time also fearful of what this long period of enforced inactivity will do to their livelihoods and their mental and physical wellbeing .
To their futures and the futures of their children .
So I want to provide tonight – for you – the shape of a plan to address both fears .
Both to beat the virus and provide the first sketch of a road map for reopening society .
A sense of the way ahead , and when and how and on what @ @ @ @ @ @ @ proceed .
I will be setting out more details in Parliament tomorrow and taking questions from the public in the evening .
I have consulted across the political spectrum , across all four nations of the UK .
And though different parts of the country are experiencing the pandemic at different rates .
And though it is right to be flexible in our response .
I believe that as Prime Minister of the United Kingdom – Scotland , England , Wales , Northern Ireland , there is a strong resolve to defeat this @ @ @ @ @ @ @ on what we could do .
Because although we have a plan , it is a conditional plan .
And since our priority is to protect the public and save lives , we can not move forward unless we satisfy the five tests .
We must protect our NHS .
We must see sustained falls in the death rate .
We must see sustained and considerable falls in the rate of infection .
We must sort out our challenges in getting enough PPE to the people who need it , and yes , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ must fix it .
And last , we must make sure that any measures we take do not force the reproduction rate of the disease – the R – back up over one , so that we have the kind of exponential growth we were facing a few weeks ago .
And to chart our progress and to avoid going back to square one , we are establishing a new Covid Alert System run by a new Joint Biosecurity Centre .
And that Covid Alert Level will be determined primarily by R and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in turn that Covid Alert Level will tell us how tough we have to be in our social distancing measures – the lower the level the fewer the measures .
The higher the level , the tougher and stricter we will have to be .
There will be five alert levels .
Level One means the disease is no longer present in the UK and Level Five is the most critical – the kind of situation we could have had if the NHS had been overwhelmed .
Over the period of the lockdown @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and it is thanks to your sacrifice we are now in a position to begin to move in steps to Level Three .
And as we go everyone will have a role to play in keeping the R down .
By staying alert and following the rules .
And to keep pushing the number of infections down there are two more things we must do .
We must reverse rapidly the awful epidemics in care homes and in the NHS , and though the numbers are coming down sharply now , there is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ And if we are to control this virus , then we must have a world-beating system for testing potential victims , and for tracing their contacts .
So that – all told – we are testing literally hundreds of thousands of people every day .
We have made fast progress on testing – but there is so much more to do now , and we can .
When this began , we hadn ’ t seen this disease before , and we didn ’ t fully understand its effects .
With every day @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
We are shining the light of science on this invisible killer , and we will pick it up where it strikes .
Because our new system will be able in time to detect local flare-ups – in your area – as well as giving us a national picture .
And yet when I look at where we are tonight , we have the R below one , between 0.5 and 0.9 – but potentially only just below one .
And though we have made progress in satisfying at least some of the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ by no means fulfilled all of them .
And so no , this is not the time simply to end the lockdown this week .
Instead we are taking the first careful steps to modify our measures .
And the first step is a change of emphasis that we hope that people will act on this week .
We said that you should work from home if you can , and only go to work if you must .
We now need to stress that anyone who can ’ t work from home @ @ @ @ @ @ @ manufacturing , should be actively encouraged to go to work .
And we want it to be safe for you to get to work .
So you should avoid public transport if at all possible – because we must and will maintain social distancing , and capacity will therefore be limited .
So work from home if you can , but you should go to work if you can ’ t work from home .
And to ensure you are safe at work we have been working to establish new guidance for employers @ @ @ @ @ @ @ you do go to work , if possible do so by car or even better by walking or bicycle .
But just as with workplaces , public transport operators will also be following COVID-secure standards .
And from this Wednesday , we want to encourage people to take more and even unlimited amounts of outdoor exercise .
You can sit in the sun in your local park , you can drive to other destinations , you can even play sports but only with members of your own household .
You must obey the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ those rules we will increase the fines for the small minority who break them .
And so every day , with ever increasing data , we will be monitoring the R and the number of new infections , and the progress we are making , and if we as a nation begin to fulfil the conditions I have set out , then in the next few weeks and months we may be able to go further .
In step two – at the earliest by June 1 – after half term – we @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to begin the phased reopening of shops and to get primary pupils back into schools , in stages , beginning with reception , Year 1 and Year 6 .
Our ambition is that secondary pupils facing exams next year will get at least some time with their teachers before the holidays .
And we will shortly be setting out detailed guidance on how to make it work in schools and shops and on transport .
And step three – at the earliest by July – and subject to all these conditions and further @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the numbers support it , we will hope to re-open at least some of the hospitality industry and other public places , provided they are safe and enforce social distancing .
Throughout this period of the next two months we will be driven not by mere hope or economic necessity .
We are going to be driven by the science , the data and public health .
And I must stress again that all of this is conditional , it all depends on a series of big Ifs .
It depends on all @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to follow the advice , to observe social distancing , and to keep that R down .
And to prevent re-infection from abroad , I am serving notice that it will soon be the time – with transmission significantly lower – to impose quarantine on people coming into this country by air .
And it is because of your efforts to get the R down and the number of infections down here , that this measure will now be effective .
And of course we will be monitoring our progress locally , regionally @ @ @ @ @ @ @ outbreaks , if there are problems , we will not hesitate to put on the brakes .
We have been through the initial peak – but it is coming down the mountain that is often more dangerous .
We have a route , and we have a plan , and everyone in government has the all-consuming pressure and challenge to save lives , restore livelihoods and gradually restore the freedoms that we need .
But in the end this is a plan that everyone must make work .
And when I look at @ @ @ @ @ @ @ patience and common sense you have shown .
The fortitude of the elderly whose isolation we all want to end as fast as we can .
The incredible bravery and hard work of our NHS staff , our care workers .
The devotion and self-sacrifice of all those in every walk of life who are helping us to beat this disease .
Police , bus drivers , train drivers , pharmacists , supermarket workers , road hauliers , bin collectors , cleaners , security guards , postal workers , our teachers and a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ working round the clock to find a vaccine .
When I think of the millions of everyday acts of kindness and thoughtfulness that are being performed across this country .
And that have helped to get us through this first phase .
I know that we can use this plan to get us through the next .
And if we can ’ t do it by those dates , and if the alert level won ’ t allow it , we will simply wait and go on until we have got it right @ @ @ @ @ @ @ devilish illness .
We will come back to health , and robust health .
And though the UK will be changed by this experience , I believe we can be stronger and better than ever before .
More resilient , more innovative , more economically dynamic , but also more generous and more sharing .
But for now we must stay alert , control the virus and save lives .
Thank you very much .
”

“It is now almost two months since the people of this country began to put up with restrictions on their freedom – your freedom – of a kind that we have never seen before in peace or war.
And you have shown the good sense to support those rules overwhelmingly.
You have put up with all the hardships of that programme of social distancing.
Because you understand that as things stand, and as the experience of every other country has shown, it’s the only way to defeat the coronavirus – the most vicious threat this country has faced in my lifetime.
And though the death toll has been tragic, and the suffering immense.
And though we grieve for all those we have lost.
It is a fact that by adopting those measures we prevented this country from being engulfed by what could have been a catastrophe in which the reasonable worst case scenario was half a million fatalities.
And it is thanks to your effort and sacrifice in stopping the spread of this disease that the death rate is coming down and hospital admissions are coming down.
And thanks to you we have protected our NHS and saved many thousands of lives.
And so I know – you know – that it would be madness now to throw away that achievement by allowing a second spike.
We must stay alert.
We must continue to control the virus and save lives.
And yet we must also recognise that this campaign against the virus has come at colossal cost to our way of life.
We can see it all around us in the shuttered shops and abandoned businesses and darkened pubs and restaurants.
And there are millions of people who are both fearful of this terrible disease, and at the same time also fearful of what this long period of enforced inactivity will do to their livelihoods and their mental and physical wellbeing.
To their futures and the futures of their children.
So I want to provide tonight – for you – the shape of a plan to address both fears.
Both to beat the virus and provide the first sketch of a road map for reopening society.
A sense of the way ahead, and when and how and on what basis we will take the decisions to proceed.
I will be setting out more details in Parliament tomorrow and taking questions from the public in the evening.
I have consulted across the political spectrum, across all four nations of the UK.
And though different parts of the country are experiencing the pandemic at different rates.
And though it is right to be flexible in our response.
I believe that as Prime Minister of the United Kingdom – Scotland, England, Wales, Northern Ireland, there is a strong resolve to defeat this together.
And today a general consensus on what we could do.
And I stress could.
Because although we have a plan, it is a conditional plan.
And since our priority is to protect the public and save lives, we cannot move forward unless we satisfy the five tests.
We must protect our NHS.
We must see sustained falls in the death rate.
We must see sustained and considerable falls in the rate of infection.
We must sort out our challenges in getting enough PPE to the people who need it, and yes, it is a global problem but we must fix it.
And last, we must make sure that any measures we take do not force the reproduction rate of the disease – the R – back up over one, so that we have the kind of exponential growth we were facing a few weeks ago.
And to chart our progress and to avoid going back to square one, we are establishing a new Covid Alert System run by a new Joint Biosecurity Centre.
And that Covid Alert Level will be determined primarily by R and the number of coronavirus cases.
And in turn that Covid Alert Level will tell us how tough we have to be in our social distancing measures – the lower the level the fewer the measures.
The higher the level, the tougher and stricter we will have to be.
There will be five alert levels.
Level One means the disease is no longer present in the UK and Level Five is the most critical – the kind of situation we could have had if the NHS had been overwhelmed.
Over the period of the lockdown we have been in Level Four, and it is thanks to your sacrifice we are now in a position to begin to move in steps to Level Three.
And as we go everyone will have a role to play in keeping the R down.
By staying alert and following the rules.
And to keep pushing the number of infections down there are two more things we must do.
We must reverse rapidly the awful epidemics in care homes and in the NHS, and though the numbers are coming down sharply now, there is plainly much more to be done.
And if we are to control this virus, then we must have a world-beating system for testing potential victims, and for tracing their contacts.
So that – all told – we are testing literally hundreds of thousands of people every day.
We have made fast progress on testing – but there is so much more to do now, and we can.
When this began, we hadn’t seen this disease before, and we didn’t fully understand its effects.
With every day we are getting more and more data.
We are shining the light of science on this invisible killer, and we will pick it up where it strikes.
Because our new system will be able in time to detect local flare-ups – in your area – as well as giving us a national picture.
And yet when I look at where we are tonight, we have the R below one, between 0.5 and 0.9 – but potentially only just below one.
And though we have made progress in satisfying at least some of the conditions I have given.
We have by no means fulfilled all of them.
And so no, this is not the time simply to end the lockdown this week.
Instead we are taking the first careful steps to modify our measures.
And the first step is a change of emphasis that we hope that people will act on this week.
We said that you should work from home if you can, and only go to work if you must.
We now need to stress that anyone who can’t work from home, for instance those in construction or manufacturing, should be actively encouraged to go to work.
And we want it to be safe for you to get to work. So you should avoid public transport if at all possible – because we must and will maintain social distancing, and capacity will therefore be limited.
So work from home if you can, but you should go to work if you can’t work from home.
And to ensure you are safe at work we have been working to establish new guidance for employers to make workplaces COVID-secure.
And when you do go to work, if possible do so by car or even better by walking or bicycle. But just as with workplaces, public transport operators will also be following COVID-secure standards.
And from this Wednesday, we want to encourage people to take more and even unlimited amounts of outdoor exercise.
You can sit in the sun in your local park, you can drive to other destinations, you can even play sports but only with members of your own household.
You must obey the rules on social distancing and to enforce those rules we will increase the fines for the small minority who break them.
And so every day, with ever increasing data, we will be monitoring the R and the number of new infections, and the progress we are making, and if we as a nation begin to fulfil the conditions I have set out, then in the next few weeks and months we may be able to go further.
In step two – at the earliest by June 1 – after half term – we believe we may be in a position to begin the phased reopening of shops and to get primary pupils back into schools, in stages, beginning with reception, Year 1 and Year 6.
Our ambition is that secondary pupils facing exams next year will get at least some time with their teachers before the holidays. And we will shortly be setting out detailed guidance on how to make it work in schools and shops and on transport.
And step three – at the earliest by July – and subject to all these conditions and further scientific advice; if and only if the numbers support it, we will hope to re-open at least some of the hospitality industry and other public places, provided they are safe and enforce social distancing.
Throughout this period of the next two months we will be driven not by mere hope or economic necessity. We are going to be driven by the science, the data and public health.
And I must stress again that all of this is conditional, it all depends on a series of big Ifs. It depends on all of us – the entire country – to follow the advice, to observe social distancing, and to keep that R down.
And to prevent re-infection from abroad, I am serving notice that it will soon be the time – with transmission significantly lower – to impose quarantine on people coming into this country by air.
And it is because of your efforts to get the R down and the number of infections down here, that this measure will now be effective.
And of course we will be monitoring our progress locally, regionally, and nationally and if there are outbreaks, if there are problems, we will not hesitate to put on the brakes.
We have been through the initial peak – but it is coming down the mountain that is often more dangerous.
We have a route, and we have a plan, and everyone in government has the all-consuming pressure and challenge to save lives, restore livelihoods and gradually restore the freedoms that we need.
But in the end this is a plan that everyone must make work.
And when I look at what you have done already.
The patience and common sense you have shown.
The fortitude of the elderly whose isolation we all want to end as fast as we can.
The incredible bravery and hard work of our NHS staff, our care workers.
The devotion and self-sacrifice of all those in every walk of life who are helping us to beat this disease.
Police, bus drivers, train drivers, pharmacists, supermarket workers, road hauliers, bin collectors, cleaners, security guards, postal workers, our teachers and a thousand more.
The scientists who are working round the clock to find a vaccine.
When I think of the millions of everyday acts of kindness and thoughtfulness that are being performed across this country.
And that have helped to get us through this first phase.
I know that we can use this plan to get us through the next.
And if we can’t do it by those dates, and if the alert level won’t allow it, we will simply wait and go on until we have got it right.
We will come back from this devilish illness.
We will come back to health, and robust health.
And though the UK will be changed by this experience, I believe we can be stronger and better than ever before. More resilient, more innovative, more economically dynamic, but also more generous and more sharing.
But for now we must stay alert, control the virus and save lives.
Thank you very much.”


Coronavirus Count

Total number of lab-confirmed UK cases : 219,183 ( Up from 215,260 ) .
Total number of COVID-19 associated UK deaths : 31,855 ( Up from 31,587 ) .
Daily number of lab-confirmed UK cases : 3,923 ( Up from 3,896 ) .
Daily number of COVID-19 associated UK deaths : 269 ( Down from 346 ) .
From the Government ’ s website Number of coronavirus ( COVID-19 ) cases and risk in the UK .
DAILY NUMBER OF COVID-19 ASSOCIATED DEATHS BY DATE REPORTED From the Government ’ s website Number of coronavirus ( COVID-19 ) cases and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ risk to the UK has been raised to high ” – From the Government ’ s website Number of coronavirus ( COVID-19 ) cases and risk in the UK .
GOVERNMENT RULES ON STAYING AT HOME AND AWAY FROM OTHERS See here .
Published on Monday March 23 .
GUIDANCE : FURTHER BUSINESSES AND PREMISES TO CLOSE See here .
Published on Monday March 23 .
HOW EVERYONE CAN HELP STOP THE CORONAVIRUS ( SOCIAL DISTANCING ) See here .
Republished on Monday March 23 .
STAY AT HOME IF YOU THINK YOU @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Republished on Monday March 23 .
See here .
Published on Monday March 23 .
GOVERNMENT GUIDANCE FOR WORKERS ON WHAT AND HOW THEY CAN CLAIM See here .
Published on Friday March 20 .
GOVERNMENT GUIDANCE FOR LANDLORDS , TENANTS AND LOCAL AUTHORITIES NEW See here .
Published on Saturday March 28 .
GOVERNMENT GUIDANCE ON WHAT THE CORONAVIRUS BILL WILL DO See here .
Published on Wednesday March 18 HOW TO AVOID CATCHING OR SPREADING CORONAVIRUS • Wash your hands with soap and water often – do this for at @ @ @ @ @ @ @ your hands when you get home or into work .
• Use hand sanitiser gel if soap and water are not available .
• Cover your mouth and nose with a tissue or your sleeve ( not your hands ) when you cough or sneeze .
• Put used tissues in the bin straight away and wash your hands afterwards .
• Try to avoid close contact with people who are unwell .
The symptoms of coronavirus are : However , these symptoms do not necessarily mean you have the illness .
The @ @ @ @ @ @ @ are much more common , such as cold and flu .
NHS 111 has an online coronavirus service that can tell you if you need medical help and advise you what to do .
Use this service if : • You think you might have coronavirus .
• In the last 14 days you ’ ve been to a country or area with a high risk of coronavirus – see the coronavirus advice for travellers .
• You ’ ve been in close contact with someone with coronavirus .
• In Scotland call @ @ @ @ @ @ @ out of hours .
• In Wales call 111 ( if available in your area ) or 0845 46 47 .
• Do not go to a GP surgery , pharmacy or hospital .
• What the coronavirus is , how it ’ s spread and how to avoid catching it – Government NHS website overview .
• Stay at home advice and how to manage self-isolation .
( All information taken from Government sources .
Updated as of 7.00 on Monday May 11th . )

HEADLINE FACTS
Total number of lab-confirmed UK cases: 292,950 (Up from 291,409).
Total number of COVID-19 associated UK deaths: 41,481 (Up from 41,279).
Daily number of lab-confirmed UK cases: 1,541 (Up from 1,266).
Daily number of COVID-19 associated UK deaths: 202 (Up from 151).
England total cases: 156,410 (Up from 156,018 ).
England total deaths: 37,069 (Up from 36,883).
England death rate: 279.4 (Was 278.7).
Scotland total cases: 15,709 (Up from 15,682).
Scotland total deaths: 2,439 (Up from 2,434).
Scotland death rate: 288.9 (Was 288.4).
Wales total cases: 14,658 (Up from 14,581).
Wales total deaths: 1,435 (Up from 1,425).
Wales death rate: 467.0 (Was 464.6)
Northern Ireland total cases: 4,838 (Up from 4,822)
Northern Ireland total deaths: 538 (Up from 537).
Northern Ireland death rate: 257.1 (Was 256.3).
From the Government’s website Number of coronavirus (COVID-19) cases and risk in the UK.
DAILY NUMBER OF COVID-19 ASSOCIATED DEATHS BY DATE REPORTED
DAILY NUMBER OF LAB-CONFIRMED ENGLAND CASES
From the Government’s website Number of coronavirus (COVID-19) cases and risk in the UK.
– – –
RISK
“The risk to the UK has been raised to high” –
From the Government’s website Number of coronavirus (COVID-19) cases and risk in the UK.
– – –
NHS VOLUNTEER RESPONDER FORM
See here
(The Government’s scheme to recruit 250,000 volunteers.)
– – –
OUR PLAN TO REBUILD: THE UK GOVERNMENT’S COVID-19 RECOVERY STRATEGY
See here. New as of Monday May 11.
GOVERNMENT GUIDANCE ON THE LOCKDOWN.
See here. New as of Tuesday June 2.
GOVERNMENT GUIDANCE ON SHIELDING AND PROTECTING PEOPLE WHO ARE CLINICALLY EXTREMELY VULNERABLE FROM COVID-19
See here. New as of Tuesday June 2.
GOVERNMENT GUIDANCE ON SOCIAL DISTANCING
See here. New as of Tuesday June 2.
GOVERNMENT WEBSITE: GENERAL ADVICE
See here.
GOVERNMENT WEBSITE: FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS. WHAT YOU CAN DO AND CAN’T DO
See here.
GOVERNMENT GUIDANCE FOR LANDLORDS, TENANTS AND LOCAL AUTHORITIES NEW
See here. Published on Saturday March 28.
– – –
HOW TO AVOID CATCHING OR SPREADING CORONAVIRUS
Wash your hands with soap and water often – do this for at least 20 seconds .
Always wash your hands when you get home or into work .
Use hand sanitiser gel if soap and water are not available .
Cover your mouth and nose with a tissue or your sleeve (not your hands) when you cough or sneeze .
Put used tissues in the bin straight away and wash your hands afterwards .
Try to avoid close contact with people who are unwell.
SYMPTOMS
The symptoms of coronavirus are:
A cough.
A high temperature.
Shortness of breath.
However, these symptoms do not necessarily mean you have the illness.
The symptoms are similar to other illnesses that are much more common, such as cold and flu.
USING 111
NHS 111 has an online coronavirus service that can tell you if you need medical help and advise you what to do.
Use this service if:
You think you might have coronavirus.
In the last 14 days you’ve been to a country or area with a high risk of coronavirus – see the coronavirus advice for travellers.
You’ve been in close contact with someone with coronavirus.
In Scotland call your GP or NHS 24 on 111 out of hours.
In Wales call 111 (if available in your area) or 0845 46 47.
In Northern Ireland call 111.
Do not go to a GP surgery, pharmacy or hospital.
FURTHER LINKS TO GOVERNMENT ADVICE
– – –
(All information taken from Government sources.
Updated as of 19.00 on Friday June 12.)


conservativehome--2020-05-11--Nicholas Boys Smith: My ten point plan for the ‘new normal’

Nicholas Boys Smith is the Director of Create Streets .
When it comes to how we use , and get around in , our towns and cities ‘ normal has broken ’ .
Two changes seem certain .
For the foreseeable future , public transport ( particularly commuting ) is not going to be as efficient as it used to be .
Breathing and coughing into people ’ s faces as we squeeze armpit to armpit was never pleasant .
Now it will not be acceptable .
And there is not space for everyone to drive – to say nothing @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Secondly , we have all learnt what work does not need to be done in physical proximity to our fellow humans .
Zoom meetings are great and very efficient but it ’ s hard to hire someone or form a new and trusting business relationship purely online .
This will mean that employers will be looking for more adaptable and flexible space to meet the needs of a more remote workforce when commuting into city centres may reduce to two or three days a week .
Two changes are perhaps slightly more tentative @ @ @ @ @ @ @ human memory .
Starved of other possibilities for amusement , many of us have to come to appreciate , contribute to , or rely more on , our local neighbourhoods – both physically ( the small local park ) – and those who live close to us .
And the profound naivety of the case for ‘ superdensity ’ developments ( a.k.a .
tiny flats in large towers or ‘ groundscrapers ’ with no gardens ) as made by , for example , the London Plan is also now plain for all to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is that the best places combine the advantages of physical proximity to our fellow humans , but also the personal private space that we all crave .
Create Streets calls it ‘ gentle density.
’ The consequence of the pandemic that ‘ stick ’ will be ones that enhance trends that were already underway , perhaps most notably the growth of remote working , thanks to technology , and the renewed interest in the quality of life and beauty of what we build due the profound frustration with the desolate places we have @ @ @ @ @ @ @ them .
So what steps can central , city , or local government take to make the ‘ new normal ’ work quickly , support the rapid resumption of economic activity , but also make lives not just bearable but better than before ?
The good news is that Grant Shapps ’ s important announcement takes some very welcome steps in the right direction .
But there are other de-regulating and ‘ pop-up ’ steps which are cheap or even free .
We can do this .
Here is an easy to do10-point @ @ @ @ @ @ @ bike lanes or car-free hours along major arterial routes that have hitherto relied on trains , buses , and tubes .
Grant Shapps ’ s announcement yesterday that he expects councils to do this is incredibly welcome .
In most situations , this can be done immediately and will not always even require so-termed Traffic Regulation Orders .
By the end of May , 75 per cent of major commuting arteries should have safe cycle options .
That should be 90 per cent by the end of June and 100 per cent by @ @ @ @ @ @ @ short term , the cost can be counted in traffic cones .
In the medium term bike lanes should be beautiful not garish and use street trees and urban greening not just day glow yellow .
• Not everyone will want to , or be able to , cycle .
The Government should pass primary legislation to legalise the use of e-scooters on roads .
At present the Road Traffic Act 1988 treats e-scooters like any other motorised vehicle , requiring insurance , MOTs , and would perversely require them to have more @ @ @ @ @ @ @ have shown that they can pass legislation within days if necessary .
The government ’ s increased focus on this is welcome but should not be restricted to rental e-scooters .
Privately owned E-scooters should be legalised for us on roads , and their speed limit raise to 20mph , by the end of the month .
They should be able to use cycle lanes .
We need to catch up with other countries here .
• Councils and employers should fund pop-up bike storage by homes , high streets , and stations @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is a major practical deterrent to cycling .
Cycle hangers cost about £2,500 but the price is falling and clever designers are coming up with cheaper options .
A bit of public money could go a long way here .
A few tens of millions of pounds ( chicken feed in the current situation ) in the right places would transform options for hundreds of thousands of commuters .
• Not everyone knows how to ride a bike .
Councils and government should fund free bike training on demand to give to those @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to start this summer .
Again , a few million pounds here would go a long way .
• Train companies and Transport for London should use pricing to spread the rush hour peak .
The most popular way to do this is to reduce fares for “ pre peak ” travel with either free or very reduced fares .
Cities that have done this ( Singapore , Melbourne , Hong Kong ) have found it works .
• Government should make it far easier for shops , restaurants , and cafés , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ premises .
The current process under Section 115E of the 1980 Highways Act should be replaced with a blanket permission to make use of the public highway up to a certain depth in public squares or pedestrianised high streets above a certain width .
On thinner or busier roads , councils should use traffic cones or planters to widen pavements and control speeds .
Then they can provide the same blanket right to shops and restaurants to trade on their own doorsteps without unnecessary form-filling .
• Government should help high streets be @ @ @ @ @ @ @ class .
For high streets and town centre to ‘ work ’ in future they will need to be flexible .
And the internet Gods are making viable new types of pop-up shop or office that were not conceivable a few years ago .
Government can not and should not try to predict what precise combination of shops , bars and office space will be optimum .
But they should create a new Flexible Use Class for high streets and town centres which could combine A1 , A2 , A3 , D1 , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ artist ’ s studios .
This would permit flexible uses of urban space at different times of the day or week though should not permit destruction of shop facades in high streets .
Upper limits on factors such as hours of operation , air quality , noise and parking could be set through planning condition or by amending The Town and Country Planning ( Use Classes ) Order 1987 .
This should be available within weeks to give commercial property owners more flexibility for the future .
• Government should plant two million @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , and introduce more parklets .
Examples in Waltham Forest , Amsterdam , and Vienna show how it can be done .
People provably walk and cycle more when it is not just safe but pleasant .
Everyone I have spoken to has enjoyed the greater awareness of nature in the last 6 weeks .
It would be lovely not lose that as we emerge from lockdown .
The Building Better Building Beautiful Commission which I co-chaired with the late Sir Roger Scruton set out a series of detailed steps including two million @ @ @ @ @ @ @ green corridors , garden squares and bee and bird bricks .
• Government and councils should continue to support creating healthy streets for people .
A series of actions will provably help town centres and high streets revive .
These include supporting a blanket 20mph speed limit in town centres , wider pavements , pedestrianising more streets and introducing ‘ shared space ’ where cars are ‘ visiting ’ or only permitted at certain times in far more town centres .
• Cleaning urban air .
The debate has changed on air quality @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
A generation of parents has seen the data on diesel fumes and young lungs .
And now they have seen the difference as well .
Car free days , more air quality sensors and networks of safe streets and ‘ school streets ’ where traffic is restricted at pick up and drop off time will make life more pleasant in thousands of places .
Again , the Building Better Building Beautiful Commission made detailed suggestions .
There are many longer-term questions I have not yet touched on .
As a society , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ elderly people away from the rest of us ?
I am not .
What other models might be better ; places with plenty of outdoor space , fresh air , and part of a mixed-use community , perhaps near local primary schools ?
What will be the future balance between city centre and local centres ?
Create Streets is kicking off various programmes of work on ‘ the new normal ’ particularly focusing on poorer towns and communities .
Do please send us any ideas or corrections .
To flourish in the ‘ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ need to rediscover their true purpose as a place for people profitably to congregate for business and pleasure .
And that will normally mean helping them become cleaner , more pleasant places in which it is easier and cheaper , to live , work , spend time , set up businesses , and raise children .
Of two things I am utterly certain .
We can do this .
And if we do it well , our village , town , and city centres will be better places than they were before the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , and more liveable .
Good consequences can flow from awful situations .
For three generations , a diabolical alliance between cars in town centres and modernist architecture ( I call it ‘ traffic modernism ’ ) combined to make our human settlements less pleasant , less prosperous , and less popular .
This can now change .
And this should be a point of inflexion .
There is every reason to have faith , hope , and confidence in the future .
I do .

Nicholas Boys Smith is the Director of Create Streets.
When it comes to how we use, and get around in, our towns and cities ‘normal has broken’. Two changes seem certain. For the foreseeable future, public transport (particularly commuting) is not going to be as efficient as it used to be. Breathing and coughing into people’s faces as we squeeze armpit to armpit was never pleasant. Now it will not be acceptable. And there is not space for everyone to drive – to say nothing about the consequences on air quality. Secondly, we have all learnt what work does not need to be done in physical proximity to our fellow humans. Zoom meetings are great and very efficient but it’s hard to hire someone or form a new and trusting business relationship purely online. This will mean that employers will be looking for more adaptable and flexible space to meet the needs of a more remote workforce when commuting into city centres may reduce to two or three days a week.
Two changes are perhaps slightly more tentative – the corona effect may fade with human memory. Starved of other possibilities for amusement, many of us have to come to appreciate, contribute to, or rely more on, our local neighbourhoods – both physically (the small local park) – and those who live close to us. And the profound naivety of the case for ‘superdensity’ developments (a.k.a. tiny flats in large towers or ‘groundscrapers’ with no gardens) as made by, for example, the London Plan is also now plain for all to see. Gardens matter and the reality is that the best places combine the advantages of physical proximity to our fellow humans, but also the personal private space that we all crave. Create Streets calls it ‘gentle density.’
The consequence of the pandemic that ‘stick’ will be ones that enhance trends that were already underway, perhaps most notably the growth of remote working, thanks to technology, and the renewed interest in the quality of life and beauty of what we build due the profound frustration with the desolate places we have created and the lives we lead in them.
So what steps can central, city, or local government take to make the ‘new normal’ work quickly, support the rapid resumption of economic activity, but also make lives not just bearable but better than before? The good news is that Grant Shapps’s important announcement takes some very welcome steps in the right direction. But there are other de-regulating and ‘pop-up’ steps which are cheap or even free. We can do this. Here is an easy to do10-point plan.
Councils should create pop-up bike lanes or car-free hours along major arterial routes that have hitherto relied on trains, buses, and tubes. Grant Shapps’s announcement yesterday that he expects councils to do this is incredibly welcome. In most situations, this can be done immediately and will not always even require so-termed Traffic Regulation Orders. By the end of May, 75 per cent of major commuting arteries should have safe cycle options. That should be 90 per cent by the end of June and 100 per cent by the end of July. In the short term, the cost can be counted in traffic cones. In the medium term bike lanes should be beautiful not garish and use street trees and urban greening not just day glow yellow. Not everyone will want to, or be able to, cycle. The Government should pass primary legislation to legalise the use of e-scooters on roads. At present the Road Traffic Act 1988 treats e-scooters like any other motorised vehicle, requiring insurance, MOTs, and would perversely require them to have more powerful motors. The Houses of Parliament have shown that they can pass legislation within days if necessary. The government’s increased focus on this is welcome but should not be restricted to rental e-scooters. Privately owned E-scooters should be legalised for us on roads, and their speed limit raise to 20mph, by the end of the month. They should be able to use cycle lanes. We need to catch up with other countries here. Councils and employers should fund pop-up bike storage by homes, high streets, and stations, as a lack of storage space is a major practical deterrent to cycling. Cycle hangers cost about £2,500 but the price is falling and clever designers are coming up with cheaper options. A bit of public money could go a long way here. A few tens of millions of pounds (chicken feed in the current situation) in the right places would transform options for hundreds of thousands of commuters. Not everyone knows how to ride a bike. Councils and government should fund free bike training on demand to give to those who have never ridden a bike, to start this summer. Again, a few million pounds here would go a long way. Train companies and Transport for London should use pricing to spread the rush hour peak. The most popular way to do this is to reduce fares for “pre peak” travel with either free or very reduced fares. Cities that have done this (Singapore, Melbourne, Hong Kong) have found it works. Government should make it far easier for shops, restaurants, and cafés, to trade on the pavements outside their premises. The current process under Section 115E of the 1980 Highways Act should be replaced with a blanket permission to make use of the public highway up to a certain depth in public squares or pedestrianised high streets above a certain width. On thinner or busier roads, councils should use traffic cones or planters to widen pavements and control speeds. Then they can provide the same blanket right to shops and restaurants to trade on their own doorsteps without unnecessary form-filling. Government should help high streets be more flexible with a new flexible use class. For high streets and town centre to ‘work’ in future they will need to be flexible. And the internet Gods are making viable new types of pop-up shop or office that were not conceivable a few years ago. Government cannot and should not try to predict what precise combination of shops, bars and office space will be optimum. But they should create a new Flexible Use Class for high streets and town centres which could combine A1, A2, A3, D1, D2, B1 and others such as artist’s studios. This would permit flexible uses of urban space at different times of the day or week though should not permit destruction of shop facades in high streets. Upper limits on factors such as hours of operation, air quality, noise and parking could be set through planning condition or by amending The Town and Country Planning (Use Classes) Order 1987. This should be available within weeks to give commercial property owners more flexibility for the future. Government should plant two million new street trees, re-green our streets, and introduce more parklets. Examples in Waltham Forest, Amsterdam, and Vienna show how it can be done. People provably walk and cycle more when it is not just safe but pleasant. Everyone I have spoken to has enjoyed the greater awareness of nature in the last 6 weeks. It would be lovely not lose that as we emerge from lockdown. The Building Better Building Beautiful Commission which I co-chaired with the late Sir Roger Scruton set out a series of detailed steps including two million new street trees, urban orchards, green corridors, garden squares and bee and bird bricks. Government and councils should continue to support creating healthy streets for people. A series of actions will provably help town centres and high streets revive. These include supporting a blanket 20mph speed limit in town centres, wider pavements, pedestrianising more streets and introducing ‘shared space’ where cars are ‘visiting’ or only permitted at certain times in far more town centres. Cleaning urban air. The debate has changed on air quality. And it is not going back. A generation of parents has seen the data on diesel fumes and young lungs. And now they have seen the difference as well. Car free days, more air quality sensors and networks of safe streets and ‘school streets’ where traffic is restricted at pick up and drop off time will make life more pleasant in thousands of places. Again, the Building Better Building Beautiful Commission made detailed suggestions.
There are many longer-term questions I have not yet touched on. As a society, are we really still comfortable with segregating elderly people away from the rest of us? I am not. What other models might be better; places with plenty of outdoor space, fresh air, and part of a mixed-use community, perhaps near local primary schools? What will be the future balance between city centre and local centres? Create Streets is kicking off various programmes of work on ‘the new normal’ particularly focusing on poorer towns and communities. Do please send us any ideas or corrections.
To flourish in the ‘new normal’ our local centres will need to rediscover their true purpose as a place for people profitably to congregate for business and pleasure. And that will normally mean helping them become cleaner, more pleasant places in which it is easier and cheaper, to live, work, spend time, set up businesses, and raise children.
Of two things I am utterly certain. We can do this. And if we do it well, our village, town, and city centres will be better places than they were before the crisis: more humane, more beautiful, and more liveable. Good consequences can flow from awful situations. For three generations, a diabolical alliance between cars in town centres and modernist architecture (I call it ‘traffic modernism’) combined to make our human settlements less pleasant, less prosperous, and less popular. This can now change. And this should be a point of inflexion. There is every reason to have faith, hope, and confidence in the future. I do.


conservativehome--2020-05-11--Calling Conservatives: New public appointments announced. Northern Ireland Veterans Commissioner – a

Calling Conservatives: New public appointments announced. Northern Ireland Veterans Commissioner – and more

Eight years ago , the TaxPayers ’ Alliance reported that “ in the last year , five times more Labour people were appointed to public bodies than Tories ” .
It currently reports that almost half of avowedly political appointees last year owed their allegiance to Labour Party , compared to less than a third for the Conservatives .
Despite the selection of some Party members or supporters to fill important posts , over time , the Conservatives have punched beneath their weight when it comes to public appointments .
One of the reasons seems to be that Tories simply @ @ @ @ @ @ @ number as Labour supporters .
To help remedy this , each week we put up links to some of the main public appointments vacancies , so that qualified Conservatives can be aware of the opportunities presented .
“ The Institute was established as a Crown Non-Departmental Public Body , independent of Government and employer-led with a mandate set by Ministers .
The Institute is playing a vital role in continuing the apprenticeship and technical education reform process and works on behalf of employers to support the delivery of high quality apprenticeships and T @ @ @ @ @ @ @ apprentices or learners to be confident that their apprenticeship or T Level is of high quality , respected and will help them to build a career with a clear market value.
” “ Led by the Non-Executive Chair , the Crown Commercial Service ( CCS ) Board is responsible for the oversight of the operation of CCS , with emphasis on its strategic direction , management control , and corporate governance .
All Non-Executive Board Members are expected to contribute to decisions covering the strategy for the organisation and the overall direction of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ counsel , advice and challenge .
We are seeking an exceptional individual to join our Board as a Non-Executive Director and Chair of the Technology and Digital Transformation Committee to support progression of our transformation journey… To complement our existing Board we are particularly interested in hearing from individuals who bring recent experience in leading large scale digital transformation in either the private or public sector.
” “ The CCRC ’ s role is to investigate and review cases where it is alleged that a miscarriage of justice may have occurred in relation @ @ @ @ @ @ @ The CCRC is entrusted with the exercise of wide-ranging , and sometimes intrusive , statutory powers .
Commissioners are supported by senior managers , legal and investigations advisers , casework and administrative staff .
Investigations are mainly carried out by CCRC staff but CCRC can require others , such as the police , to carry out investigations on its behalf… Commissioners may be called on to provide specialist advice depending on their background and expertise .
Commissioners may also be involved in the training of staff and of fellow Commissioners ; again , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ “ As a non-executive director , you will play an active role on the board of SLC , supporting the SLC Executive Team and SLC Chair to deliver the company ’ s portfolio of priorities , overcome challenges and exploit opportunities , including the continued growth of its customer base , delivery of recommendations from the Tailored Review ( Annex 3 ) and implementation of the Review of Post-18 Education .
A key element of the role will be to work with the board to ensure that the resources and skills available to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ on its delivery obligations .
The SLC administers the data underpinning one of Government ’ s major assets : the Student Loan book .
This data supports the sale of tranches of loans to monetise that asset for the benefit of the exchequer and taxpayers ( £3.6bn raised to date ) .
There may be other opportunities to realise the value , in the widest sense , of the SLC ’ s data in the future.
” “ The Northern Ireland Veterans Commissioner will be a visible leader and exemplar , establishing a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ future service provision for veterans in Northern Ireland which supports the realisation of the ambition shared across the United Kingdom to be the best place in the world to be a veteran .
The Commissioner must balance this strategic vision with managing short and long-term priorities , while remaining sensitive to the unique political and historical context in Northern Ireland .
The Commissioner will be influential with others and work constructively with senior stakeholders , from public sector organisations and the ex-service sector , to support improved outcomes through collaboration and negotiation.
” @ @ @ @ @ @ @ SSAC ) is an independent statutory advisory body , funded by the Department for Work and Pensions ( DWP ) .
It has the following statutory functions : to perform , on behalf of both the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions and Parliament , a mandatory scrutiny of most of the proposed secondary legislation that underpins the social welfare system ; and to provide advice and assistance to the Secretary of State , whether in response to a specific request from the UK Government or on its own initiative .
In @ @ @ @ @ @ @ secondary legislation , the Committee ’ s general advisory functions are deployed to : inform the Committee ’ s work , improving members ’ ability to scrutinise regulations and provide independent advice to Ministers ; add value to the debate on a topic that is of current interest to Government and stakeholders ; and stimulate debate of a specific topic within the Committee and amongst stakeholders.
” “ The Independent Review of Prevent will deliver on the Government ’ s commitment set out in the Counter Terrorism and Border Security Act 2019 and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Prevent strategy , as set out in CONTEST June 2018 .
We are seeking a highly talented individual of unquestionable independence , integrity and credibility , who can demonstrate his or her ability to exercise sound judgment and analysis at pace and under pressure , with close public and ministerial scrutiny .
This is high profile and public-facing role , so we are seeking to appoint a credible and talented Independent Reviewer who is confident engaging with a wide range of interested parties , from civil society and community organisations , to Ministers @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Chief Inspector of Borders and Immigration provides independent scrutiny of the UK ’ s border and immigration functions , providing security , confidence and assurance as to their effectiveness and efficiency .
They report annually to the Home Secretary and their reports are placed before Parliament .
Leading a team of approximately 30 staff you will strive to continually improve the UK ’ s approach to the Border , Immigration and Citizenship System .
Candidates will have experience of working successfully at a senior level , ideally within a regulation or enforcement arena @ @ @ @ @ @ @ appreciate the importance and opportunity that this role presents .
Excellent communication skills , decisiveness , independence and unquestionable integrity will be essential .
”

Eight years ago, the TaxPayers’ Alliance reported that “in the last year, five times more Labour people were appointed to public bodies than Tories”.
It currently reports that almost half of avowedly political appointees last year owed their allegiance to Labour Party, compared to less than a third for the Conservatives.
Despite the selection of some Party members or supporters to fill important posts, over time, the Conservatives have punched beneath their weight when it comes to public appointments. One of the reasons seems to be that Tories simply don’t apply in the same number as Labour supporters.
To help remedy this, each week we put up links to some of the main public appointments vacancies, so that qualified Conservatives can be aware of the opportunities presented.
– – – – – – – – – –
Institute for Apprenticeships and Technical Education – Non-Executive Board Member
“The Institute was established as a Crown Non-Departmental Public Body, independent of Government and employer-led with a mandate set by Ministers. The Institute is playing a vital role in continuing the apprenticeship and technical education reform process and works on behalf of employers to support the delivery of high quality apprenticeships and T Levels in England. The Institute enables apprentices or learners to be confident that their apprenticeship or T Level is of high quality, respected and will help them to build a career with a clear market value.”
Time: 2 days per month on average
Remuneration: £15,000 per annum.
Closes: 15 May
– – – – – – – – – –
Crown Commercial Service – Non-Executive Directors
“Led by the Non-Executive Chair, the Crown Commercial Service (CCS) Board is responsible for the oversight of the operation of CCS, with emphasis on its strategic direction, management control, and corporate governance. All Non-Executive Board Members are expected to contribute to decisions covering the strategy for the organisation and the overall direction of the business, adding value by offering counsel, advice and challenge. We are seeking an exceptional individual to join our Board as a Non-Executive Director and Chair of the Technology and Digital Transformation Committee to support progression of our transformation journey… To complement our existing Board we are particularly interested in hearing from individuals who bring recent experience in leading large scale digital transformation in either the private or public sector.”
Time: Approx 2-3 days per month.
Remuneration: £15,000 per annum.
Closes: 17 May
– – – – – – – – – –
Criminal Cases Review Commission – Commissioners
“The CCRC’s role is to investigate and review cases where it is alleged that a miscarriage of justice may have occurred in relation to conviction, sentence or both. The CCRC is entrusted with the exercise of wide-ranging, and sometimes intrusive, statutory powers. Commissioners are supported by senior managers, legal and investigations advisers, casework and administrative staff. Investigations are mainly carried out by CCRC staff but CCRC can require others, such as the police, to carry out investigations on its behalf… Commissioners may be called on to provide specialist advice depending on their background and expertise. Commissioners may also be involved in the training of staff and of fellow Commissioners; again, depending on the expertise they bring.”
Time: Min. 52 days per annum.
Remuneration: £358 per diem.
Closes: 18 May
– – – – – – – – – –
Student Loans Company Board – Non-Executive Directors
“As a non-executive director, you will play an active role on the board of SLC, supporting the SLC Executive Team and SLC Chair to deliver the company’s portfolio of priorities, overcome challenges and exploit opportunities, including the continued growth of its customer base, delivery of recommendations from the Tailored Review (Annex 3) and implementation of the Review of Post-18 Education. A key element of the role will be to work with the board to ensure that the resources and skills available to the Company are commensurate with and focussed on its delivery obligations. The SLC administers the data underpinning one of Government’s major assets: the Student Loan book. This data supports the sale of tranches of loans to monetise that asset for the benefit of the exchequer and taxpayers (£3.6bn raised to date). There may be other opportunities to realise the value, in the widest sense, of the SLC’s data in the future.”
Time: Two days per month.
Remuneration: £12,000, up to £17,000.
Closes: 19 May
– – – – – – – – – –
Northern Ireland Office – Northern Ireland Veterans Commissioner
“The Northern Ireland Veterans Commissioner will be a visible leader and exemplar, establishing a strong network and creating a vision of future service provision for veterans in Northern Ireland which supports the realisation of the ambition shared across the United Kingdom to be the best place in the world to be a veteran. The Commissioner must balance this strategic vision with managing short and long-term priorities, while remaining sensitive to the unique political and historical context in Northern Ireland. The Commissioner will be influential with others and work constructively with senior stakeholders, from public sector organisations and the ex-service sector, to support improved outcomes through collaboration and negotiation.”
Time: Approx. 110 days per annum.
Remuneration: £306 per diem plus expenses.
Closes: 22 May
– – – – – – – – – –
Social Security Advisory Committee – Chair
“The Social Security Advisory Committee (SSAC) is an independent statutory advisory body, funded by the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP). It has the following statutory functions: to perform, on behalf of both the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions and Parliament, a mandatory scrutiny of most of the proposed secondary legislation that underpins the social welfare system; and to provide advice and assistance to the Secretary of State, whether in response to a specific request from the UK Government or on its own initiative. In addition to the scrutiny of proposals for secondary legislation, the Committee’s general advisory functions are deployed to: inform the Committee’s work, improving members’ ability to scrutinise regulations and provide independent advice to Ministers; add value to the debate on a topic that is of current interest to Government and stakeholders; and stimulate debate of a specific topic within the Committee and amongst stakeholders.”
Time: Five days per month.
Remuneration: £22,000 per annum.
Closes: 01 June
– – – – – – – – – –
Home Office – Independent Reviewer of Prevent
“The Independent Review of Prevent will deliver on the Government’s commitment set out in the Counter Terrorism and Border Security Act 2019 and will critically examine and report on the Prevent strategy, as set out in CONTEST June 2018. We are seeking a highly talented individual of unquestionable independence, integrity and credibility, who can demonstrate his or her ability to exercise sound judgment and analysis at pace and under pressure, with close public and ministerial scrutiny. This is high profile and public-facing role, so we are seeking to appoint a credible and talented Independent Reviewer who is confident engaging with a wide range of interested parties, from civil society and community organisations, to Ministers and local practitioners.”
Time: Five days per month.
Remuneration: £140,000 pro rata.
Closes: 01 June
– – – – – – – – – –
Home Office – Independent Chief Inspector of Borders and Immigration
“The Independent Chief Inspector of Borders and Immigration provides independent scrutiny of the UK’s border and immigration functions, providing security, confidence and assurance as to their effectiveness and efficiency. They report annually to the Home Secretary and their reports are placed before Parliament. Leading a team of approximately 30 staff you will strive to continually improve the UK’s approach to the Border, Immigration and Citizenship System. Candidates will have experience of working successfully at a senior level, ideally within a regulation or enforcement arena. Whatever your background, you will appreciate the importance and opportunity that this role presents. Excellent communication skills, decisiveness, independence and unquestionable integrity will be essential.”
Time: Full-time.
Remuneration: £130,000
Closes: 06 June


conservativehome--2020-05-11--Andrew Gimson’s Commons sketch: The Prime Minister offers good-natured, commonsensical, rather fuzzy

Andrew Gimson’s Commons sketch: The Prime Minister offers good-natured, commonsensical, rather fuzzy unity

Boris Johnson today stepped forward as the champion of common sense , a term he repeated at frequent intervals .
Sir Keir Starmer ’ s face betrayed scornful incredulity .
When he rose , he said people needed “ clarity ” , but had instead been presented with “ considerable confusion ” .
The Leader of the Opposition wished to know whether “ the safety guidelines ” will be “ ready for Wednesday , which realistically means tomorrow ” , for otherwise people will be “ required to operate to guidelines that don ’ t yet exist ” .
What @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Those of us who suspected he might have laid an ambush for Starmer , and would suddenly reveal a vast stockpile of up-to-the-minute guidelines which could be accessed at the touch of a computer key , were proved wrong .
Johnson thanked Starmer for his questions , “ and the spirit in which he has raised them ” , and proceeded to answer none of them .
The PM instead urged us all to “ apply good solid British common sense ” .
While making his statement , and giving his answers , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of water .
It seems likely that even if he wished to burn the midnight oil in order to collect and harmonise the details demanded by Starmer , Johnson is not in a fit state to do so .
But he has in any case decided he will not fight on the ground chosen by his opponent .
He will not endorse the doctrine of an omniscient state , capable of drawing up guidelines which spare us the need to make prudent decisions in the light of the difficult circumstances we ourselves face @ @ @ @ @ @ @ “ what we are trying to do together ” .
At this , some of the sprinkling of Conservative backbenchers in the Chamber nodded , while others remained motionless .
None , however , tried to puncture him by making a disloyal intervention – something which is in any case harder in this almost deserted Chamber than it would be normally .
Andrew Rosindell ( Con , Romford ) suggested “ true bulldog spirit ” would be of value in drawing up “ his post-Covid economic plan ” .
Johnson agreed that “ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ animating the recovery ” .
Ian Blackford , speaking from Skye for the Scots Nats , said that “ in order to urgently re-establish clarity ” he would pose five questions .
The PM proceeded to deride these questions by answering “ Yes ” or “ No ” to three of them , with no further explanation , and went on : “ there is far , far more that unites the United Kingdom than divides it , though I know there is always the political temptation to accentuate the divisions ” .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ Nats , claimed , “ and I mean this with no malice ” , that Johnson was “ acting as the Prime Minister of England ” .
“ No , Mr Speaker , ” Johnson said , and insisted he was offering “ very good advice for the whole people of the United Kingdom ” .
The PM today offered a choice to the people of the UK between a good-natured , rather fuzzy unity , expounded by himself , and division , sown by his detail-obsessed opponents .

Boris Johnson today stepped forward as the champion of common sense, a term he repeated at frequent intervals.
Sir Keir Starmer’s face betrayed scornful incredulity. When he rose, he said people needed “clarity”, but had instead been presented with “considerable confusion”.
The Leader of the Opposition wished to know whether “the safety guidelines” will be “ready for Wednesday, which realistically means tomorrow”, for otherwise people will be “required to operate to guidelines that don’t yet exist”.
What was the Prime Minister to do? Those of us who suspected he might have laid an ambush for Starmer, and would suddenly reveal a vast stockpile of up-to-the-minute guidelines which could be accessed at the touch of a computer key, were proved wrong.
Johnson thanked Starmer for his questions, “and the spirit in which he has raised them”, and proceeded to answer none of them. The PM instead urged us all to “apply good solid British common sense”.
While making his statement, and giving his answers, he took frequent swigs from a glass of water. It seems likely that even if he wished to burn the midnight oil in order to collect and harmonise the details demanded by Starmer, Johnson is not in a fit state to do so.
But he has in any case decided he will not fight on the ground chosen by his opponent. He will not endorse the doctrine of an omniscient state, capable of drawing up guidelines which spare us the need to make prudent decisions in the light of the difficult circumstances we ourselves face.
Everyone understands, Johnson declared, “what we are trying to do together”. At this, some of the sprinkling of Conservative backbenchers in the Chamber nodded, while others remained motionless.
None, however, tried to puncture him by making a disloyal intervention – something which is in any case harder in this almost deserted Chamber than it would be normally.
Andrew Rosindell (Con, Romford) suggested “true bulldog spirit” would be of value in drawing up “his post-Covid economic plan”.
Johnson agreed that “the spirit of Romford will certainly be animating the recovery”.
Ian Blackford, speaking from Skye for the Scots Nats, said that “in order to urgently re-establish clarity” he would pose five questions.
The PM proceeded to deride these questions by answering “Yes” or “No” to three of them, with no further explanation, and went on: “there is far, far more that unites the United Kingdom than divides it, though I know there is always the political temptation to accentuate the divisions”.
Liz Savile Roberts, for the Welsh Nats, claimed, “and I mean this with no malice”, that Johnson was “acting as the Prime Minister of England”.
“No, Mr Speaker,” Johnson said, and insisted he was offering “very good advice for the whole people of the United Kingdom”.
The PM today offered a choice to the people of the UK between a good-natured, rather fuzzy unity, expounded by himself, and division, sown by his detail-obsessed opponents.


conservativehome--2020-05-11--WATCH: Starmer claims the Government’s plan was released before it was finalised – and grills Johnso

WATCH: Starmer claims the Government’s plan was released before it was finalised – and grills Johnson on the detail

“ What the country needs at this time is clarity and reassurance and at the moment both are in pretty @ @ @ @ @ , Keir Starmer , questions the Prime Minister ’ s guidance on some people returning @ @ @ @ @ pic.twitter.com/iJxJ4NWSEv — Facts About Everything ( @ FAEpodcast ) May 11 , 2020

“What the country needs at this time is clarity and reassurance and at the moment both are in pretty short supply.”
Labour leader, Keir Starmer, questions the Prime Minister’s guidance on some people returning to work. #HouseofCommons pic.twitter.com/iJxJ4NWSEv
— Facts About Everything (@FAEpodcast) May 11, 2020


conservativehome--2020-05-11--WATCH: The Prime Minister on face coverings. He says that they “can be of benefit” in confined spaci

WATCH: The Prime Minister on face coverings. He says that they “can be of benefit” in confined spacings.

“ We ’ re certainly not compelling people to wear face coverings ” PM Boris Johnson says wearing of face @ @ @ @ @ such as transport ” is “ advisable ”

“We’re certainly not compelling people to wear face coverings”
PM Boris Johnson says wearing of face masks in “confined spaces such as transport” is “advisable”
Latest: https://t.co/1y3nyjAe1c pic.twitter.com/k1jri6QfVt
— BBC News (UK) (@BBCNews) May 11, 2020