inews--2020-05-28--Tori Amos: ‘We need a revolution to protect our children’

Tori Amos : ‘ We need a revolution to protect our children ’ As she releases a personal guide to changing the world , Tori Amos talks politics , # MeToo and the muses that spoke to her aged two At the start of her new book , Resistance : A Songwriter ’ s Story of Hope , Change and Courage , the singer-songwriter Tori Amos warns : “ Make no mistake : we are living in a moment of crisis .
Of unprecedented crises .
It seems that in every possible sphere , we are all confronting dark forces @ @ @ @ @ @ @ world , as countries , as people… as creators.
” Her aim is to “ engage , examine , then reassess the artist ’ s role in society and , by doing so , to create a way forward for us as we commit to resist those dark forces that wish to subjugate us.
” She is currently under lockdown “ deep in farm country ” in Cornwall , where she lives with her husband and daughter , and where she has a studio .
She should be on an international book tour @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of virtual events , including a Q & A at the Hay Festival Digital .
Over the phone , she tells me she is finding the enforced period at home productive – she is working on a new album – if fitfully challenging .
“ I process things differently from my husband [ the sound engineer Mark Hawley ] .
I usually travel to work things and he is more of an at-home kind of person .
It ’ s worked for over 24 years because I just kind of pop off.
” @ @ @ @ @ @ @ her editor Rakesh Satyal , who worked with her on her first memoir , 2005 ’ s Piece by Piece , and persuaded Amos that her perspective on creativity and the changing political climate needed to be heard .
Singer Tori Amos performs during soundcheck at Radio City Music Hall in New York City ( Photo : Astrid Stawiarz/Getty ) We learn how Mary would read her children Edgar Allan Poe stories at bedtime and instilled in her daughter a love of language that would carry through into her songwriting .
In the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ viscerally drawn – “ Death is messy , ” she writes , “ and I am leaking ” – and she includes lyrics to a new song about her mother called “ Mary ’ s Raven ” .
The song Gold Dust , which references Amos ’ s years playing hotel lounges three blocks from the White House in the late 70s , yields a reflection on her education in how political deals are brokered .
Employed as a pianist from the age of 13 , she overheard the conversations of lobbyists , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ whisky , and was startled by the gulf between what she was told at school and how government really worked .
She notes that little has changed – “ I don ’ t know if anyone can evade the swamp .
And I ’ ve spent a lot of time in Florida and in Washington , so I know what a real swamp is… If America [ re-elects Trump ] , it will be a very dark world .
We ’ re seeing systems gutted from the inside out .
While this pandemic @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of a democratic government.
” She saw a similar awakening in 2017 with the # MeToo movement , which arrived a full 25 years after Amos ’ s song Me and a Gun , which documented her experience of rape , and which appeared on her debut album in 1992 .
In the book , Amos describes the Little Earthquakes LP as “ a long and arduous climb to song-write my way out of a very personal hell.
” “ I thought : ‘ Well , thank God ’ – or , I @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ , ” she says .
“ It ’ s like : ‘ OK , a lot of us have been chipping away at that wall that was immovable for so long.
’ People are beginning to draw the line of what is acceptable and what isn ’ t .
And we have to keep drawing the lines .
That way you change the behaviour , because it ’ s out in the open and can ’ t be swept away without some kind of reckoning.
” I ask whether writing a book @ @ @ @ @ @ @ chorus was freeing .
“ Oh no , not at all , ” she replies , with feeling .
“ I think the chapters about Mary became freeing and more natural-feeling , and that ’ s when the editor called me up and said : ‘ The good news is that you ’ ve found the voice but now you have to go back and re-write the whole thing.
’ And I did .
It was about grounding it in the personal before we got into the political .
”

At the start of her new book, Resistance: A Songwriter’s Story of Hope, Change and Courage, the singer-songwriter Tori Amos warns: “Make no mistake: we are living in a moment of crisis. Of unprecedented crises. It seems that in every possible sphere, we are all confronting dark forces that aim to divide us as a world, as countries, as people… as creators.”
The book finds the 56-year-old, who rose to fame in the early 90s with albums including Little Earthquakes and Boys For Pele, looking back at 40 years in music through the prism of politics, the patriarchy and personal trauma.
Her aim is to “engage, examine, then reassess the artist’s role in society and, by doing so, to create a way forward for us as we commit to resist those dark forces that wish to subjugate us.”
Amos was born and raised in Baltimore, the daughter of the Reverend Dr Edison Amos, a Methodist minister who disapproved of her love of rock’n’roll.
A classically trained piano prodigy, she blazed a trail through a male-dominated music industry singing about the harrowing end of female experience, from sexual violence to miscarriage, and appeared on the front of one album suckling a pig.
She is currently under lockdown “deep in farm country” in Cornwall, where she lives with her husband and daughter, and where she has a studio. She should be on an international book tour but instead she is doing a series of virtual events, including a Q&A at the Hay Festival Digital.
Over the phone, she tells me she is finding the enforced period at home productive – she is working on a new album – if fitfully challenging. “I process things differently from my husband [the sound engineer Mark Hawley]. I usually travel to work things and he is more of an at-home kind of person. It’s worked for over 24 years because I just kind of pop off.”
The idea for the book came from her editor Rakesh Satyal, who worked with her on her first memoir, 2005’s Piece by Piece, and persuaded Amos that her perspective on creativity and the changing political climate needed to be heard.
“This was when only something like democracy was on the line in the United States,” Amos says dryly, referring to the current coronavirus crisis.
The discussions in Resistance take as their starting point specific songs from her back catalogue, each of which represents a formative moment in her life, among them childbirth, 9/11, Trump’s election, #MeToo and the death of her mother, Mary, in 2019.
We learn how Mary would read her children Edgar Allan Poe stories at bedtime and instilled in her daughter a love of language that would carry through into her songwriting. In the book, Amos’s grief is viscerally drawn – “Death is messy,” she writes, “and I am leaking” – and she includes lyrics to a new song about her mother called “Mary’s Raven”.
‘If America re-elects Trump, it will be a very dark world’
Power is a recurring theme, from her account of her altercations with record companies – her label initially rejected her first album and suggested she replace the pianos with guitars – to her observations on the nefarious goings-on in government.
The song Gold Dust, which references Amos’s years playing hotel lounges three blocks from the White House in the late 70s, yields a reflection on her education in how political deals are brokered. Employed as a pianist from the age of 13, she overheard the conversations of lobbyists, political operatives and bankers over bottles of whisky, and was startled by the gulf between what she was told at school and how government really worked.
She notes that little has changed – “I don’t know if anyone can evade the swamp. And I’ve spent a lot of time in Florida and in Washington, so I know what a real swamp is… If America [re-elects Trump], it will be a very dark world. We’re seeing systems gutted from the inside out. While this pandemic is happening, so is the excavation of a democratic government.”
Amos, who sees herself as a pragmatist, is hoping for “an awakening… because that is what is needed, a mother-revolution to protect [our] children from the lights of democracy going out.”
She saw a similar awakening in 2017 with the #MeToo movement, which arrived a full 25 years after Amos’s song Me and a Gun, which documented her experience of rape, and which appeared on her debut album in 1992. In the book, Amos describes the Little Earthquakes LP as “a long and arduous climb to song-write my way out of a very personal hell.”
How did she feel in 2017 when, as revelations about the movie mogul Harvey Weinstein came out, the floodgates opened on women’s stories of harassment and assault?
“I thought: ‘Well, thank God’ – or, I should say: ‘Thank the goddess’,” she says. “It’s like: ‘OK, a lot of us have been chipping away at that wall that was immovable for so long.’ People are beginning to draw the line of what is acceptable and what isn’t. And we have to keep drawing the lines. That way you change the behaviour, because it’s out in the open and can’t be swept away without some kind of reckoning.”
I ask whether writing a book without the usual constrictions of verse and chorus was freeing. “Oh no, not at all,” she replies, with feeling. “I think the chapters about Mary became freeing and more natural-feeling, and that’s when the editor called me up and said: ‘The good news is that you’ve found the voice but now you have to go back and re-write the whole thing.’ And I did. It was about grounding it in the personal before we got into the political.”
‘I believe there will be live music again. And it will be transformative’
The book also offers glimpses into the creative process which, Amos writes, “is not all faeries, muses and angels. Sometimes it feels like dancing with demons.”
Amos earned a scholarship to the Peabody Conservatory of Music in Baltimore at the age of five – the youngest student ever accepted – but, more interested in writing her own music than performing others’, left when she was 11.
“I’ve met songwriters in my life who believe they’re writing the songs themselves, but I’m the co-writer with this force that I call the ‘muses’,” she says. “It’s been coming to me since I can remember – my mother said I started playing when I was two and a half.”
In the past, Amos has taken hallucinogens for inspiration, but no longer – “That was way before I was a mother.”
Right now, Amos is alarmed not just at the political future but also what lies ahead for musicians.
“Until there’s some type of vaccine, I don’t see how there will be live concerts,” she says. “It’s terrible for the unknown artists and musicians who depend on music to keep the lights on and eat. I think everyone is really grieving. We’re all missing that collaboration with the audience, that magical exchange. But I believe there will be live music again. And it will be transformative.”
Resistance by Tori Amos is published by Hodder & Stoughton, at £16.99


inews--2020-05-28--•All the 2020 movies that have changed from cinema releases to online streaming

• All the 2020 movies that have changed from cinema releases to online streaming With cinemas shut across the world , film studios are bringing their new releases to you Keira Knightly and Gugu Mbatha-Raw star in Missbehaviour ( 2020 ) , a film about the 1970 Miss World competition .
( Picture : Pathé ) Anya Taylor-Joy and Johnny Flynn in the film adaptation of Jane Austen 's 1815 novel , Emma .
( Picture : Focus Features ) The original cinema release of this controversial satirical film , which heavily features firearms , already had to be postponed @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the US last autumn .
And in 2020 , UK cinemas closed just over a week after its theatrical release date , dramatically cutting down its time in the limelight .
Scoob !
is an animated adaptation of the much loved cartoon Scooby Doo .
( Picture : Warner Animation Group ) Issa Rae and Kumail Nanjiani star as a couple who become unintentionally involved in a murder .
( Picture : Paramount Pictures ) The computer-animated Trolls World Tour was the first film to become available under this new partnership .
It @ @ @ @ @ @ @ on demand services .

Since the UK lockdown began, more people than ever are now using streaming services for some much needed entertainment.
Where we once enjoyed a trip out to the cinema, we are getting inventive with video calls and simultaneous streaming, and families are growing ever more reliant on the likes of Disney+ to keep restless kids distracted.
While this is undoubtedly great news for the likes of Netflix, film studios have been feeling the full force of the crisis.
Adapting to the unprecedented situation, many studios have now scrapped scheduled cinema releases, in favour of home-entertainment releases.
So, if you’ve been crossing off old Netflix titles like a winning bingo card, look no further than our list of new and upcoming online film releases, to keep your lockdown binge-watching fresh.
Onward
This computer-animated fantasy-adventure film produced by Walt Disney Pictures and Pixar Animation Studios, is sure to be a hit with kids and adults alike.
Featuring the voices of Chris Pratt and Tom Holland, it follows the adventures of two elven brothers who begin a magical quest to spend one more day with their late father.
This film only had two weeks of theatrical release before cinemas closed, which pales in comparison to the usual six weeks that most largely anticipated films have.
UK cinema release date: 6 March 2020
Available on demand from: 4 May 2020
Available to watch on: Sky Store, Amazon Prime, Google Play, iTunes
DVD, 4K Ultra HD & Blu-ray release: 19 May 2020
Misbehaviour
Starring Keira Knightley and Jessie Buckley, this comical drama follows a group of feminist protesters who create a plan to disrupt the 1970 Miss World competition.
A mere four days after the film was released in theatres across the UK, cinemas were forced to close due to the coronavirus pandemic.
The film was released on demand, three months prior to its DVD release date, to compensate.
UK cinema release date: 13 March 2020
Available on demand from: 15 April 2020
Available to watch on: YouTube, Amazon Prime, Google Play, YouTube
DVD release date: July 2020
Bloodshot
Bloodshot only saw a single week in theatres before lockdown measures forced cinemas to close. Four days later it was released online, for on-demand home entertainment.
Vin Diesel, stars as Ray Garrison, a US marine who is resurrected by a team of scientists and transformed into the superhero Bloodshot, after he and his wife are murdered.
The film is based on the bestselling comic book of the same name.
UK cinema release date: 13 March 2020
Available on demand from: 24 March 2020
Available to watch on: Sky Store, YouTube, Google Play, Amazon Prime
DVD release: 5 May
Blu-ray and Ultra HD 4K Blu-ray release: 8 June 2020
Emma
This adaptation of Jane Austen’s 1815 novel of the same name, is set in Georgian and Regency-era England and follows a young woman, Emma Woodhouse, as she plays the role of matchmaker for her friends and family.
The film stars Anya Taylor-Joy (Peaky Blinders, Split) as Emma, Bill Nighy (Love Actually, Pirates of the Caribbean) as Mr Woodhouse, and comedian Miranda Hart as Miss Bates.
UK cinema release date: 14 February 2020
Available on demand from: 20 March 2020
Available to watch on: YouTube, Amazon Prime, Google Play
DVD release date: 19 May 2020
Vivarium
This horror film may strike a chord with many of us currently stuck at home during lockdown.
Jesse Eisenberg and Imogen Poots star as a couple who get trapped for several years inside an eerie house in an empty, labyrinthine-like suburban neighbourhood.
The film details their descent into despair, as they continually but unsuccessfully try to escape this surreal reality.
Cinema release date: 27 March 2020
Available on demand from: 27 March 2020
Available to watch on: Amazon Prime, YouTube, Google Play
DVD release date: 25 May 2020
Read more: It will feel risky to go to the cinema in July but addicts like me will take their chances
Artemis Fowl
This fantastical film follows the epic journey of Artemis Fowl, a 12-year-old boy genius and criminal mastermind, as he takes on an ancient, underground civilisation, while attempting to find his father who has mysteriously disappeared.
Starring Judy Dench (Victoria and Abdul, Cats) Colin Farrel (In Bruges, The Gentlemen) and Nonso Anozie (Game of Thrones) and directed by Kenneth Branagh, this film is based on Eoin Colfer’s popular fantasy novels of the same name.
UK cinema release date: 29 May 2020
Available on demand from: 12 June, 2020
Available to watch on: Disney+
The Hunt
The original cinema release of this controversial satirical film, which heavily features firearms, already had to be postponed after a string of mass shootings in the US last autumn. And in 2020, UK cinemas closed just over a week after its theatrical release date, dramatically cutting down its time in the limelight.
However all is not lost, for you can now watch as twelve strangers avoid being hunted for sport, from the safety and comfort of your home, on Amazon Prime.
Starring Hilary Swank and Emma Roberts.
UK cinema release date: 11 March 2020
Now available on demand on: Amazon Prime
DVD release: 9 June, 2020
Scoob!
Warner Brothers has followed in the footsteps of Universal Pictures and the Walt Disney Company by opting for a video on-demand release of its new animated film Scoob!, as cinemas remain closed across the world.
Scoob! is an animated adaptation of the much loved cartoon Scooby Doo.
It is the first film based on the popular kids show, since the live action version, Scooby-Doo 2: Monsters Unleashed, hit cinemas in 2004.
It will be released on demand the same day as its now-cancelled theatrical release.
The film features the voices of Zac Efron, Amanda Seyfried and Mark Wahlberg.
UK cinema release date: 15 May 2020
Available on demand from: 15 May, 2020
Available to watch on: Amazon Prime
The Way Back
Ben Affleck stars as Jack Cunningham, a high school basketball superstar who gave up the sport for unknown reasons.
The film follows him years later, as he attempts to find redemption by leaving his meaningless job and battling an alcohol addiction, in order to become a basketball coach for his old university.
UK Cinema release date: 24 April
Now available on demand on: Amazon Prime
DVD release date: 19 May
Read more: How to get Disney Plus: Smart TV, Sky Q and app download explained, and the devices you can watch on
The King of Staten Island
The King of Staten Island is a comedy-drama based on the life of American comedian, Pete Davidson (Saturday Night Live), who grew up in Staten Island.
The film is a coming-of-age story which follows him as he enters the world of stand-up comedy.
Universal Pictures has decided to premiere The King of Staten Island through home entertainment services on 12 June, a full week prior to its original theatrical release date.
However it is not yet known what services it will be streamed on, so keep your eyes peeled.
Cinema release date: 19 June 2020
Available to watch on: 12 June 2020
The Lovebirds
This romantic comedy stars Issa Rae and Kumail Nanjiani as a couple who are on the verge of breaking up, when they become unintentionally involved in a murder mystery.
The film follows them as they try to save themselves and their relationship, while trying to clear their names.
Cinema release date: 3 April
Available on demand from: 22 May
Available to watch on: Netflix
Read more: How to get Disney Plus: Smart TV, Sky Q and app dowàload explained, and the devices you can watch on
The Invisible Man
Elizabeth Moss (Handmaid’s Tale) stars in this science fiction horror which sees her fight against her scientist ex boyfriend, who becomes invisible in order to stalk and terrorise her.
While this film had three full weeks in UK theatres before lockdown began, it has been released early on streaming services, way ahead of its DVD release date.
Cinema release date: 28 February
Available on demand from: 20 March 2020
Available to watch on: Amazon Prime, Google Play, YouTube
DVD release date: 29 June 2020
Inheritance
This thriller sees Lily Collins star as the daughter of a wealthy and powerful man who upon suddenly passing away, leaves her with a disturbing secret inheritance that threatens to destroy her family’s lives.
The film also stars Simon Pegg (Shaun of the Dead, Hot Fuzz).
It has not yet been announced which streaming platforms it will be released on, so be sure to watch this space.
Cinema release date: 22 May 2020
Available on demand from: 22 May 2020
Trolls World Tour
In a response to the pandemic, Sky has recently announced a partnership with NBCUniversal which will make movie releases available to rent on the Sky Store on the exact same day as their scheduled cinema premieres.
The computer-animated Trolls World Tour was the first film to become available under this new partnership. It is also now available on several other on demand services.
The film is a jukebox musical and a sequel to the extremely popular 2016 film Trolls.
It sees Princess Poppy and Branch on another adventure, this time aiming to unify the musical world of Trolls and defeat Queen Barb from destroying different genres of music.
Cinema release date: 10 April 2020
Available on demand from: 10 April 2020
Available to watch on: YouTube, Google Play, Amazon Prime


inews--2020-05-28--England's 'flawed' voucher system is leaving children to go hungry, charity warns - while rest of UK

England's 'flawed' voucher system is leaving children to go hungry, charity warns - while rest of UK gets it right

England 's 'flawed ' voucher system is leaving children to go hungry , charity warns - while rest of UK gets it right The country 's food voucher system has been mired in controversy over its 'ineffective ' and 'undignified ' approach to providing food The country 's food vouchers scheme for children entitled to free school meals has been branded as `` ineffective '' and `` undignified '' provision for struggling families by Human Rights Watch ( HRW ) .
The NGO is urging authorities in England to take inspiration from the systems employed in Scotland , Northern Ireland @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Education authorities in Wales , Scotland and Northern Ireland are providing funds for meals through bank transfers , as well as providing food parcels to replace the free school meal system during the crisis .
But in England families in need are supplied with food vouchers for select supermarkets , which are ordered online .
Part of the voucher system , run by Edenred , a French company specialising in prepaid corporate services , is meant to supply stranded families with £15 worth of food a week per child .
However , routine @ @ @ @ @ @ @ vouchers for weeks .
'These families are struggling anyway' Some families have waited weeks to receive the vouchers ( Photo : Christopher Furlong/Getty ) “ One family took £15 of vouchers to the local supermarket and were told the supermarket only accepts them in multiples of 10 , so they would have to come back next week , ” she said .
“ It may seem like a small detail , but it ’ s demeaning to not be allowed to use the voucher.
” Maya Wittleton , head teacher at Avonmore Primary @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and Fulham , explained her concerns about the scheme for a community in which 65 percent of the children come from families for whom English is not their main language .
For refugees who have no recourse to public funds , she said the food voucher system is their lifeline .
`` A lot of parents couldn ’ t work out the voucher system because of limited English or computer access .
So they ’ re coming to the school to try and log in , with staff translating , '' she said @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , some have traveled from conflict situations or lived through Ebola outbreaks .
Asking for food like this is revisiting their trauma .
It ’ s genuinely distressing both for the families and school staff . ''
Billy McGranahan , founder of Dads House , a London charity to help single parents on low incomes , said the poorest in their network “ are the ones facing the onslaught of the virus… .
We deliver food once a week now , sometimes twice , when families call us.
” He called the situation @ @ @ @ @ @ @ runs two separate food bank distribution points in London every day , with very long queues on some days .
'Children have being going hungry' Schools in England are unclear whether they can be fully reimbursed for costs they may incur ensuring children have sufficient food outside of the electronic voucher program , such as food for parcels or vouchers purchased from local supermarkets .
The lack of clarity effectively gives school managers incentives to use the government ’ s faulty electronic voucher system , even though they do not work for many @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , access to computers , or knowledge of English is limited .
Children usually entitled to free school meals are missing out ( Photo : Getty ) “ The government ’ s failure to properly ensure all pupils had sufficient food as soon as it closed schools means children have been going hungry , ” said Kartik Raj , western Europe researcher at HRW .
“ The government should scrap its reliance on the flawed voucher system it has used to replace school meals in England and instead follow good practices being developed @ @ @ @ @ @ @ A spokesperson from the UK Department for Education said : “ No system of this magnitude to provide free school meals has been implemented in such a short period of time before , ” and that authorities and the voucher company had worked hard to reduce waiting times and improve the voucher ordering process .

England’s “flawed” food voucher system is leaving children hungry amid the coronavirus pandemic and is trailing behind the rest of the UK, a human rights NGO has warned.
The country’s food vouchers scheme for children entitled to free school meals has been branded as “ineffective” and “undignified” provision for struggling families by Human Rights Watch (HRW). The NGO is urging authorities in England to take inspiration from the systems employed in Scotland, Northern Ireland and Wales to improve the scheme.
Education authorities in Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland are providing funds for meals through bank transfers, as well as providing food parcels to replace the free school meal system during the crisis.
But in England families in need are supplied with food vouchers for select supermarkets, which are ordered online. Part of the voucher system, run by Edenred, a French company specialising in prepaid corporate services, is meant to supply stranded families with £15 worth of food a week per child. However, routine voucher website crashes have left families without vouchers for weeks.
‘These families are struggling anyway’
Katie Barry, head teacher at St. George’s CE Community Primary School in Gainsborough, Lincolnshire, sees a lot of her pupils from the nearby Park Springs housing estate tripped up by the “horrendous” online system and problems redeeming the vouchers.
“One family took £15 of vouchers to the local supermarket and were told the supermarket only accepts them in multiples of 10, so they would have to come back next week,” she said. “It may seem like a small detail, but it’s demeaning to not be allowed to use the voucher.”
Maya Wittleton, head teacher at Avonmore Primary School in the London Borough of Hammersmith and Fulham, explained her concerns about the scheme for a community in which 65 percent of the children come from families for whom English is not their main language. For refugees who have no recourse to public funds, she said the food voucher system is their lifeline.
“A lot of parents couldn’t work out the voucher system because of limited English or computer access. So they’re coming to the school to try and log in, with staff translating,” she said. “These families are struggling anyway, some have traveled from conflict situations or lived through Ebola outbreaks. Asking for food like this is revisiting their trauma. It’s genuinely distressing both for the families and school staff.”
Billy McGranahan, founder of Dads House, a London charity to help single parents on low incomes, said the poorest in their network “are the ones facing the onslaught of the virus…. We deliver food once a week now, sometimes twice, when families call us.” He called the situation “soul-destroying”. Dads House now runs two separate food bank distribution points in London every day, with very long queues on some days.
‘Children have being going hungry’
Schools in England are unclear whether they can be fully reimbursed for costs they may incur ensuring children have sufficient food outside of the electronic voucher program, such as food for parcels or vouchers purchased from local supermarkets.
The lack of clarity effectively gives school managers incentives to use the government’s faulty electronic voucher system, even though they do not work for many families, especially those whose digital literacy, access to computers, or knowledge of English is limited.
“The government’s failure to properly ensure all pupils had sufficient food as soon as it closed schools means children have been going hungry,” said Kartik Raj, western Europe researcher at HRW. “The government should scrap its reliance on the flawed voucher system it has used to replace school meals in England and instead follow good practices being developed in other parts of the UK.”
A spokesperson from the UK Department for Education said: “No system of this magnitude to provide free school meals has been implemented in such a short period of time before,” and that authorities and the voucher company had worked hard to reduce waiting times and improve the voucher ordering process.


inews--2020-05-28--The anger around Dominic Cummings is abating, but how much damage it has caused remains to be seen

The anger around Dominic Cummings is abating , but how much damage it has caused remains to be seen The Prime Minister is likely to succeed in avoiding a major rebellion , and anger is dying down , but the leader has been weakened by it The leaked email revealing Cabinet Office minister Penny Mordaunt ’ s doubts over Mr Cummings ’ explanation for driving to Durham and nearby tourist spots and the more than 40 MPs publicly baying for his head is embarrassing for the Prime Minister , but he remains unmoved in his support .
Wednesday ’ s @ @ @ @ @ @ @ gave a clear insight into Boris Johnson ’ s strategy to protect his most senior aide , which has been to ignore the outrage , face down any rebellion and move on .
No 10 , accurately perhaps , has calculated that any scandal has a burn rate and in the absence of any more revelations to further fuel the anger , this episode , like every other , will eventually blow out .
The repetition by ministers to “ move on ” is beginning to resonate , and even Labour leader Sir @ @ @ @ @ @ @ become a “ national distraction ” and more important issues , such as the Government ’ s test and trace programme , need focus .
Downing Street , which has undoubtedly underestimated the indignation this mini-saga has provoked and mismanaged the comms around it , will now be praying no further action is taken by Durham Police , which is investigating the aide 's jaunt to Barnard Castle to “ check his eyesight ” .
Boris Johnson has said he has spoken to Mr Cummings at great length about the controversy and concluded @ @ @ @ @ @ @ AKMEN/AFP/Getty ) The question now is how deep the damage has been to the Conservatives .
Polling this week showed the biggest drop in popularity the Tories has suffered for a decade .
MPs from both wings of the party have warned Mr Johnson has burned through precious political capital to save just one adviser .
The Prime Minister will be relieved that the risk of a full-blown mutiny among “ red wall ” Tory MPs has been avoided .
But there is still resentment among many of those backbenchers who believe their @ @ @ @ @ @ @ time Conservative voters in the North may have been fatally undermined .
They will have to rely on the electorate having short memories .
It will blow over “ This was always going to blow over as quickly as it blew up , ” the MP said .
“ The PM knew he could not give up a scalp so early in his government , and certainly not one that appears to be so important to him as his chief adviser .
It would have looked weak to have given him up .
@

After nearly a week of wall to wall media coverage, a ministerial resignation and nationwide public condemnation, the fury surrounding Dominic Cummings appears to be abating.
The leaked email revealing Cabinet Office minister Penny Mordaunt’s doubts over Mr Cummings’ explanation for driving to Durham and nearby tourist spots and the more than 40 MPs publicly baying for his head is embarrassing for the Prime Minister, but he remains unmoved in his support.
Wednesday’s appearance in front of the Liaison Committee gave a clear insight into Boris Johnson’s strategy to protect his most senior aide, which has been to ignore the outrage, face down any rebellion and move on.
Burn out
No 10, accurately perhaps, has calculated that any scandal has a burn rate and in the absence of any more revelations to further fuel the anger, this episode, like every other, will eventually blow out.
The repetition by ministers to “move on” is beginning to resonate, and even Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer has admitted the affair has become a “national distraction” and more important issues, such as the Government’s test and trace programme, need focus.
Downing Street, which has undoubtedly underestimated the indignation this mini-saga has provoked and mismanaged the comms around it, will now be praying no further action is taken by Durham Police, which is investigating the aide’s jaunt to Barnard Castle to “check his eyesight”.
The question now is how deep the damage has been to the Conservatives. Polling this week showed the biggest drop in popularity the Tories has suffered for a decade. MPs from both wings of the party have warned Mr Johnson has burned through precious political capital to save just one adviser.
The Prime Minister will be relieved that the risk of a full-blown mutiny among “red wall” Tory MPs has been avoided. But there is still resentment among many of those backbenchers who believe their efforts to retain the trust of first time Conservative voters in the North may have been fatally undermined. They will have to rely on the electorate having short memories.
It will blow over
But one former Cabinet minister told i, the Cummings debacle was unlikely to have a lasting impact on the Government.
“This was always going to blow over as quickly as it blew up,” the MP said. “The PM knew he could not give up a scalp so early in his government, and certainly not one that appears to be so important to him as his chief adviser. It would have looked weak to have given him up.”
Nonetheless, the Prime Minister has been weakened by the actions of his right hand man. How lasting it will be remains to be seen.


inews--2020-05-28--Donald Trump vows to regulate or shut down social media platforms over Twitter censorship row

Donald Trump vows to regulate or shut down social media platforms over Twitter censorship row The US President claimed Republicans felt that social media platforms `` totally silence conservatives ' voices '' Donald Trump is poised to revise a US law that protects social media platforms from being responsible for content posted by their users after threatening to `` strongly regulate '' or shut down platforms in a row over conservative censorship .
The US president angrily claimed Twitter had stifled free speech after the site labelled two of his tweets criticising postal voting as `` potentially misleading '' earlier @ @ @ @ @ @ @ company has done so .
A label reading 'Get the facts about mail-in ballots ' was applied to Mr Trump 's tweets , linking to a series of tweets and articles from The Washington Post , CNN and NBC debunking the claims , pointing out there is no evidence that postal ballots are linked to voter fraud .
`` We will strongly regulate , or close them down before we can ever allow this to happen , '' he said .
`` Big tech is doing everything in their very considerable power to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
If that happens , we no longer have our freedom .
I will never let it happen ! ''
Mark Zuckerberg , Facebook 's chief executive , criticised Twitter 's decision to fact-check the president 's tweets , saying it was not the place of the company to act as an `` arbiter of truth '' .
`` I just believe strongly that Facebook should n't be the arbiter of truth of everything that people say online , '' he said in an interview with Fox News .
`` Private companies probably @ @ @ @ @ @ @ companies , should n't be in the position of doing that . ''
`` This does not make us an 'arbiter of truth , ' '' he tweeted .
`` Our intention is to connect the dots of conflicting statements and show the information in dispute so people can judge for themselves .
More transparency from us is critical so folks can clearly see the why behind our actions . ''
Social media companies have long been dogged over accusations they are unsympathetic to conservative voices , with figures including Stephen Yaxley-Lennon , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Milo Yiannopoulos complaining the companies were liberally biased .
Separately , a three-judge panel of the US Court of Appeals in Washington on Wednesday upheld the dismissal of a lawsuit by conservative group Freedom Watch and right-wing YouTube personality Laura Loomer against Google , Facebook , Twitter and Apple accusing them of conspiring to suppress conservative political views .
A draft of the order seen by Reuters would require the Federal Communications Commission ( FCC ) to propose and clarify regulations under section 230 of the Communications Decency Act , a law that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ responsibility for the content they host .
The order asks the FCC to assess whether social media firms editing content forfeits the protections imposed by section 230 , whether a firm has used deceptive policies to moderate such material and whether these policies are inconsistent with the company 's terms of service .

Donald Trump is poised to revise a US law that protects social media platforms from being responsible for content posted by their users after threatening to “strongly regulate” or shut down platforms in a row over conservative censorship.
The US president angrily claimed Twitter had stifled free speech after the site labelled two of his tweets criticising postal voting as “potentially misleading” earlier this week, the first time the company has done so.
A label reading ‘Get the facts about mail-in ballots’ was applied to Mr Trump’s tweets, linking to a series of tweets and articles from The Washington Post, CNN and NBC debunking the claims, pointing out there is no evidence that postal ballots are linked to voter fraud.
‘Interfering in the election’
In a series of tweets, Mr Trump claimed Twitter was interfering in the 2020 presidential election and that Republicans felt that social media platforms “totally silence conservatives’ voices”.
“We will strongly regulate, or close them down before we can ever allow this to happen,” he said. “Big tech is doing everything in their very considerable power to censor in advance of the 2020 election. If that happens, we no longer have our freedom. I will never let it happen!”
https://twitter.com/realDonaldTrump/status/1265819308699070464
Mark Zuckerberg, Facebook’s chief executive, criticised Twitter’s decision to fact-check the president’s tweets, saying it was not the place of the company to act as an “arbiter of truth”.
“I just believe strongly that Facebook shouldn’t be the arbiter of truth of everything that people say online,” he said in an interview with Fox News.
“Private companies probably shouldn’t be, especially these platform companies, shouldn’t be in the position of doing that.”
Fact check: there is someone ultimately accountable for our actions as a company, and that’s me. Please leave our employees out of this. We’ll continue to point out incorrect or disputed information about elections globally. And we will admit to and own any mistakes we make. — jack (@jack) May 28, 2020
Mr Trump also posted about postal voting on Facebook, which did not apply a label or warning to it.
Jack Dorsey, Twitter’s chief executive, took issue with Mr Zuckerberg’s comments, saying the company would continue to point out “incorrect or disputed information about elections globally”.
“This does not make us an ‘arbiter of truth,'” he tweeted. “Our intention is to connect the dots of conflicting statements and show the information in dispute so people can judge for themselves. More transparency from us is critical so folks can clearly see the why behind our actions.”
Conservative voices ‘stifled by social media’
Social media companies have long been dogged over accusations they are unsympathetic to conservative voices, with figures including Stephen Yaxley-Lennon, also known as Tommy Robinson, and Milo Yiannopoulos complaining the companies were liberally biased.
Separately, a three-judge panel of the US Court of Appeals in Washington on Wednesday upheld the dismissal of a lawsuit by conservative group Freedom Watch and right-wing YouTube personality Laura Loomer against Google, Facebook, Twitter and Apple accusing them of conspiring to suppress conservative political views.
Read More Coronavirus: Facebook will display fact-checking messages to users who’ve interacted with fake news
The White House confirmed Mr Trump was planning on signing an executive order targetting social media companies on Wednesday but did not provide further details.
A draft of the order seen by Reuters would require the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) to propose and clarify regulations under section 230 of the Communications Decency Act, a law that largely protects social media platforms from legal responsibility for the content they host.
The order asks the FCC to assess whether social media firms editing content forfeits the protections imposed by section 230, whether a firm has used deceptive policies to moderate such material and whether these policies are inconsistent with the company’s terms of service.


inews--2020-05-28--Immigrants are only wanted by the UK if we risk our lives working in the NHS

Immigrants are only wanted by the UK if we risk our lives working in the NHS We should n't have to put our life in the line to be considered 'worthy ' of living in the UK This is not to take away from the fantastic work the NHS workers and other frontline staff have been doing during this pandemic .
But we need to recognise that beyond their profession , they deserve the right to exist in the UK ( Photo : Clive Brunskill/Getty ) When I first arrived in the UK in 2004 at the age of seven @ @ @ @ @ @ @ much the Government supported my family , helping us settle and become integrated into society .
This help ranged from social housing to welfare benefits as we were finding our feet in a new country .
Now at the age of 23 , I understand that if it were not for this support , I don ’ t think I would have been where I am today .
I also understand that the narrative has gravely changed since then - immigrants are seen as a nuisance to the UK unless they hold a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
This was demonstrated earlier this month when the Immigration Bill arrived in the House of Commons .
Home Secretary Priti Patel outlined her plans to replace EU freedom of movement with a points-based system - where `` highly skilled '' workers are given priority to enter the UK .
Yet , who is a `` highly skilled '' worker is yet to be established .
According to the new measures , those who want to migrate to the UK must earn over £25,600 .
This threshold does not consider migrants who want @ @ @ @ @ @ @ better life yet do not meet the income threshold .
If this threshold was to exist when my family and I wanted to move to the UK back in 2004 , then we would have been denied .
Some MPs refuted the Immigration Bill , attempting to defend migrant ’ s rights , but using the golden argument of `` immigrants serve our society , we need them '' .
Many turned to the rationale that the coronavirus outbreak has highlighted the need for immigration for frontline services .
This is the rationale @ @ @ @ @ @ @ around who should be let into the country and who is worthy of staying .
It is quite frustrating as it seems that immigrants are only worthy of being in the UK if they are useful and putting their lives on the line .
Home Secretary Priti Patel plans to replace EU freedom of movement with a points-based system The Government further fuelled the fire around the narrative of the `` worthy '' immigrant as they have announced that NHS workers including porters and cleaners will not be subjected to the surcharge to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a great step forward for the treatment of NHS workers , but other migrants will still have to pay a fee , despite paying their taxes .
As with the Windrush scandal , we see how disposable the Government sees immigrants and when they deemed to no longer serve useful , they are deported as if they are a commodity .
This attitude encourages the assumption that migrants are here to serve those who are born here and have citizenship .
As a country , we need to be more compassionate towards immigrants @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a good quality of life regardless of if they are putting themselves at risk or on the frontline for the betterment of society .
This is not to take away from the fantastic work the NHS workers and other frontline staff have been doing during this pandemic .
But we need to recognise that beyond their profession , they deserve the right to exist in the UK without weight placed on what job they are doing or how much they earn .
Immigrants like me are so much more than that .

When I first arrived in the UK in 2004 at the age of seven, I was not aware of how much the Government supported my family, helping us settle and become integrated into society. This help ranged from social housing to welfare benefits as we were finding our feet in a new country.
Now at the age of 23, I understand that if it were not for this support, I don’t think I would have been where I am today. I also understand that the narrative has gravely changed since then – immigrants are seen as a nuisance to the UK unless they hold a job which is beneficial to wider society.
This was demonstrated earlier this month when the Immigration Bill arrived in the House of Commons. Home Secretary Priti Patel outlined her plans to replace EU freedom of movement with a points-based system – where “highly skilled” workers are given priority to enter the UK. Yet, who is a “highly skilled” worker is yet to be established.
According to the new measures, those who want to migrate to the UK must earn over £25,600. This threshold does not consider migrants who want to come to the UK for a better life yet do not meet the income threshold. If this threshold was to exist when my family and I wanted to move to the UK back in 2004, then we would have been denied.
Some MPs refuted the Immigration Bill, attempting to defend migrant’s rights, but using the golden argument of “immigrants serve our society, we need them”. Many turned to the rationale that the coronavirus outbreak has highlighted the need for immigration for frontline services. This is the rationale that is used frequently in the debate around who should be let into the country and who is worthy of staying. It is quite frustrating as it seems that immigrants are only worthy of being in the UK if they are useful and putting their lives on the line.
The Government further fuelled the fire around the narrative of the “worthy” immigrant as they have announced that NHS workers including porters and cleaners will not be subjected to the surcharge to use healthcare services. This is indeed a great step forward for the treatment of NHS workers, but other migrants will still have to pay a fee, despite paying their taxes.
As with the Windrush scandal, we see how disposable the Government sees immigrants and when they deemed to no longer serve useful, they are deported as if they are a commodity.
This attitude encourages the assumption that migrants are here to serve those who are born here and have citizenship. As a country, we need to be more compassionate towards immigrants and view them as humans who deserve a good quality of life regardless of if they are putting themselves at risk or on the frontline for the betterment of society.
This is not to take away from the fantastic work the NHS workers and other frontline staff have been doing during this pandemic. But we need to recognise that beyond their profession, they deserve the right to exist in the UK without weight placed on what job they are doing or how much they earn. Immigrants like me are so much more than that.
Nasra Ayub is a Bristol based activist, speaker and journalist


inews--2020-05-28--Football, Prince William and Our Mental Health: what time the documentary is on BBC One tonight, and

Football, Prince William and Our Mental Health: what time the documentary is on BBC One tonight, and what to expect

Football , Prince William and Our Mental Health : what time the documentary is on BBC One tonight , and what to expect The Duke of Cambridge wants to get people talking about mental health , and help the conversation spread across the country Prince William is known for being outspoken about mental health , and has been a huge football fan since he was a boy .
He wants to use the game to get people talking about mental health , and help the conversation spread across the country .
When is Football , Prince William and Our Mental @ @ @ @ @ @ @ expect ?
The film gives us special , exclusive access to the Duke of Cambridge over the course of a year .
He meets players , fans and managers from grassroots to the elite as part of his efforts to start `` the biggest ever conversation on mental health , through football '' .
The film also tells the stories of men who have been affected by mental health , from former England goalkeeper Joe Hart , who has been forced to cope with a very public decline in his career and is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ team at Burnley , to a group of bereaved fathers who use their local football team as a support network and safe space to talk .
Former Premier League footballer Marvin Sordell opens up about his struggles with depression and Aston Villa centre back and England defender Tyrone Mings talks about the pressures of living and performing in the public eye playing top level football .
Chelsea manager Frank Lampard also speaks to Prince William about how as a player he was `` stuck in the stone age '' when it came to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a long way to go in how it 's dealt with at clubs .
The Duke visits footballers from the grassroots to elite level ( Photo : BBC ) Explaining his choice to Gary Lineker , he said : `` A long time ago at school I got into football big time .
I was looking around for clubs .
All my friends at school were either Man United fans or Chelsea fans and I didn ’ t want to follow the run of the mill teams .
`` Aston Villa ’ s @ @ @ @ @ @ @ have got friends of mine who support Aston Villa and one of the first FA Cup games I went to was Bolton v Aston Villa back in 2000 .
Sadly , Villa went on to lose to Chelsea .

Prince William is known for being outspoken about mental health, and has been a huge football fan since he was a boy.
In Football, Prince William and Our Mental Health, a new show from the BBC, he combines the two.
He wants to use the game to get people talking about mental health, and help the conversation spread across the country.
Here is everything you need to know…
When is Football, Prince William and Our Mental Health on TV?
The 55-minute documentary will be on BBC One on Thursday 28 May at 8.05pm.
It will also be available on BBC iPlayer.
What should we expect?
The film gives us special, exclusive access to the Duke of Cambridge over the course of a year.
He meets players, fans and managers from grassroots to the elite as part of his efforts to start “the biggest ever conversation on mental health, through football”.
The film also tells the stories of men who have been affected by mental health, from former England goalkeeper Joe Hart, who has been forced to cope with a very public decline in his career and is now struggling to get into the first team at Burnley, to a group of bereaved fathers who use their local football team as a support network and safe space to talk.
Former Premier League footballer Marvin Sordell opens up about his struggles with depression and Aston Villa centre back and England defender Tyrone Mings talks about the pressures of living and performing in the public eye playing top level football.
Chelsea manager Frank Lampard also speaks to Prince William about how as a player he was “stuck in the stone age” when it came to mental health and how there’s still a long way to go in how it’s dealt with at clubs.
Prince William and football
The Duke has been a big fan of Birmingham side Aston Villa since he was at school.
Explaining his choice to Gary Lineker, he said: “A long time ago at school I got into football big time. I was looking around for clubs. All my friends at school were either Man United fans or Chelsea fans and I didn’t want to follow the run of the mill teams.
“I wanted to have a team that was more mid-table that could give me more emotional rollercoaster moments.
“Aston Villa’s always had a great history. I have got friends of mine who support Aston Villa and one of the first FA Cup games I went to was Bolton v Aston Villa back in 2000. Sadly, Villa went on to lose to Chelsea.
“It was fantastic, I sat with all the fans with my red beanie on, and I was sat with all the Brummie fans and had a great time.
“It was the atmosphere, the camaraderie and I really felt that there was something I could connect with.”


inews--2020-05-28--The songs inspired by coronavirus — Quarantine Speech, Six Feet Apart and Stay the F**k at Home

The songs inspired by coronavirus — Quarantine Speech , Six Feet Apart and Stay the F**k at Home Lots of musicians are rising to the challenge of creating entertaining and observant songs about the crisis At the start of March an obscure Bristol alt-metal outfit called Cegvera released a bizarrely prescient concept album called The Sixth Glare , all about the arrival of an illness to which the world doesn ’ t have immunity .
In the three months since , hordes of musicians have thrown themselves at the Covid-19 crisis with fundraising songs , at-home gigs , and more @ @ @ @ @ @ @ songs about the disease itself , but there have been some : one of the most entertaining is the fabulous Quarantine Speech by Brummie rapper Lady Leshurr .
With the track released to coincide with the Queen ’ s special address to the nation , clad in a disposable white bodysuit and jewelled Union Jack face mask , Leshurr comedically lays out the drastic changes to normality .
Fleur East released the equally wordy and observant Not Alone , which humorously captured the disparity between our usual desire to escape the mundane everyday @ @ @ @ @ @ @ would return to normal .
American hip hop firecracker Snow Tha Product recorded a new song , Nowhere to Go ( Quarantine Love ) , delivering us to a party in her home .
For others who want to party it out , DJ-producer iMarkKeyz ’ s trap-flavoured banger samples a bizarre Insta-rant by hip hop superstar Cardi B telling the world : “ Coronavirus - shit is getting real ” .
Vintage rockers dived in , too .
The Rolling Stones recorded the reggae-flavoured Living in a Ghost Town prior to Covid-19 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in tune with the times .
Meanwhile pantomime shock rocker Alice Cooper goes for a more anthemic morale booster on Don ’ t Give Up ( “ Our enemy is a cold indiscriminate monster… do we fear it ?
Yeah .
Do we cower before it ?
Hell , no !
” ) .
US hip hop has a long history of social documentation and New Orleans ’ s Dee-1 fired up a catchy slice of dirty south called Corona Clap , featuring a video that draws on cinema ’ s many zombie @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a song that cuts to the sadness of social distancing is Six Feet Apart by US country star Luke Combs , a raw , acoustic-strummed lament on missing family , friends and socialising .
Equally heartfelt is Quarantine Queen by Brit singer Sinéad Harnett , a rueful R & B-tinted slow song regretting life passing by .
Perhaps best of all is New Hampshire cabaret host Bob E Kelly ’ s piano romp through Aussie comedian Chris Franklin ’ s Stay the F**k at Home : “ I need the gym , I @ @ @ @ @ @ @ bitch and moan/You need to grow a brain cell and stay the f**k at home.
” More music will come of these times but , right now , that one nails it .

At the start of March an obscure Bristol alt-metal outfit called Cegvera released a bizarrely prescient concept album called The Sixth Glare, all about the arrival of an illness to which the world doesn’t have immunity. In the three months since, hordes of musicians have thrown themselves at the Covid-19 crisis with fundraising songs, at-home gigs, and more.
There haven’t been many songs about the disease itself, but there have been some: one of the most entertaining is the fabulous Quarantine Speech by Brummie rapper Lady Leshurr. With the track released to coincide with the Queen’s special address to the nation, clad in a disposable white bodysuit and jewelled Union Jack face mask, Leshurr comedically lays out the drastic changes to normality.
Fleur East released the equally wordy and observant Not Alone, which humorously captured the disparity between our usual desire to escape the mundane everyday, and more recent wishes that things would return to normal.
American hip hop firecracker Snow Tha Product recorded a new song, Nowhere to Go (Quarantine Love), delivering us to a party in her home. For others who want to party it out, DJ-producer iMarkKeyz’s trap-flavoured banger samples a bizarre Insta-rant by hip hop superstar Cardi B telling the world: “Coronavirus – shit is getting real”.
Vintage rockers dived in, too. The Rolling Stones recorded the reggae-flavoured Living in a Ghost Town prior to Covid-19 but its mood and lyrics are uncannily in tune with the times. Meanwhile pantomime shock rocker Alice Cooper goes for a more anthemic morale booster on Don’t Give Up (“Our enemy is a cold indiscriminate monster… do we fear it? Yeah. Do we cower before it? Hell, no!”).
US hip hop has a long history of social documentation and New Orleans’s Dee-1 fired up a catchy slice of dirty south called Corona Clap, featuring a video that draws on cinema’s many zombie apocalypses.
Of the singer-songwriter brigade, a song that cuts to the sadness of social distancing is Six Feet Apart by US country star Luke Combs, a raw, acoustic-strummed lament on missing family, friends and socialising. Equally heartfelt is Quarantine Queen by Brit singer Sinéad Harnett, a rueful R&B-tinted slow song regretting life passing by.
Perhaps best of all is New Hampshire cabaret host Bob E Kelly’s piano romp through Aussie comedian Chris Franklin’s Stay the F**k at Home: “I need the gym, I need the beach, I hear you bitch and moan/You need to grow a brain cell and stay the f**k at home.”
More music will come of these times but, right now, that one nails it.
THEARTSDESK.COM


inews--2020-05-28--Matt Hancock laughs off 'priceless' claim test and trace was rushed to take heat off Dominic Cumming

Matt Hancock laughs off 'priceless' claim test and trace was rushed to take heat off Dominic Cummings in Kay Burley interview

Matt Hancock laughs off 'priceless ' claim test and trace was rushed to take heat off Dominic Cummings in Kay Burley interview The revelation the PM 's senior adviser allegedly breached lockdown rules has plagued the Government since it emerged this weekend In an interview with Mr Hancock on Thursday , Sky News presenter Kay Burley suggested ministers had brought forward the test and trace launch without the supporting mobile app in order to limit the damage from the story , something that caused the Health Secretary to break out in laughter .
Matt Hancock laughed at the suggestion test @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ( Photo : Sky News ) Ms Burley told the minister : `` You 've rushed it forward , have n't you ?
Because you want to take the headlines away from Dominic Cummings , so you 've brought it forward - it should have been 1 June when the app is being launched at the same time . ''
' I think we ’ ve got it just right' The Health Secretary said that the scheme had begun at the right time .
( Photo : Sky News ) Not letting the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ `` You said this app was absolutely essential to this track and trace , the app is still not ready until next week and yet you 've brought this forward . ''
“ And one of the things we learned in the pilot on the Isle of Wight is that getting people used to that idea is important to do before we also add the technology capability , the app , on top.
” NHS workers are tested for Coronavirus ( Covid-19 ) at a drive through testing site ( Photo : Getty @ @ @ @ @ @ @ scheme , which is being launched in England in Thursday , will be voluntary at first .
Those who have come into contact with someone with Covid-19 will be asked to isolate for 14-days if contacted .
`` It 's an instruction from the NHS and it 's very important that you do it , but it 's legally not mandated at this stage because we think it 's far , far better if as a country we pull together and do this and everybody follows the instructions . ''

Health Secretary Matt Hancock has laughed off the suggestion the Government brought forward its test and trace scheme to alleviate the pressure it is under over advisor Dominic Cummings‘ trip to Durham.
The revelation that the Prime Minister’s senior adviser allegedly breached lockdown rules has plagued the Government since it emerged over the weekend.
In an interview with Mr Hancock on Thursday, Sky News presenter Kay Burley suggested ministers had brought forward the test and trace launch without the supporting mobile app in order to limit the damage from the story, something that caused the Health Secretary to break out in laughter.
‘You’ve rushed it forward, haven’t you?’
Ms Burley told the minister: “You’ve rushed it forward, haven’t you? Because you want to take the headlines away from Dominic Cummings, so you’ve brought it forward – it should have been 1 June when the app is being launched at the same time.”
As the presenter continued with her point Mr Hancock started to laugh. He then answered: “It’s priceless Kay. I’m normally accused of delaying these things, of bringing them in too slowly.
“I committed to getting this system in mid-May, it’s still just about mid-May.”
He added: “You can’t accuse me both of rushing and of there being a delay.”
‘I think we’ve got it just right’
Not letting the point go, Ms Burley said: “You said this app was absolutely essential to this track and trace, the app is still not ready until next week and yet you’ve brought this forward.”
As the Health Secretary continued to laugh, she said: “I suppose many of my viewers will think it’s not a laughing matter”.
Mr Hancock replied: “Yes, well I can’t quite work out whether you’re telling me I’ve gone too fast or too slow. I think we’ve got it just right.”
He said that the app is “helpful” but there is a “reason we haven’t brought it in right at the start”.
“Asking people to isolate even if they’re healthy because the NHS has got in contact, that is quite a big change,” he said.
“And one of the things we learned in the pilot on the Isle of Wight is that getting people used to that idea is important to do before we also add the technology capability, the app, on top.”
Scheme could be made mandatory
The minister also said that the scheme, which is being launched in England in Thursday, will be voluntary at first. Those who have come into contact with someone with Covid-19 will be asked to isolate for 14-days if contacted.
He said: “We have considered making this mandatory and there are some other countries in which it’s mandatory.
“But in the first instance we have great faith the public will follow the instructions from the NHS.
“It’s an instruction from the NHS and it’s very important that you do it, but it’s legally not mandated at this stage because we think it’s far, far better if as a country we pull together and do this and everybody follows the instructions.”


inews--2020-05-28--Emily Maitlis: Newsnight presenter says she wanted 'night off' BBC programme after Dominic Cummings

Emily Maitlis: Newsnight presenter says she wanted 'night off' BBC programme after Dominic Cummings opening row

Emily Maitlis : Newsnight presenter says she wanted 'night off ' BBC programme after Dominic Cummings opening row The presenter thanked people for their support after the BBC ruled her introduction breached impartiality rules Newsnight host Emily Maitlis has said it was her decision not to present the BBC Two programme on Wednesday , following a row about her comments on Dominic Cummings allegedly breaking the coronavirus lockdown rules .
She said she asked for the `` night off '' , later adding that she was `` overwhelmed '' by people 's kindness and support .
Many applauded her monologue @ @ @ @ @ @ @ aide , which aired on Tuesday 's Newsnight , but the BBC said it breached impartiality rules - a decision that sparked widespread controversy . '
I asked for the night off' However the presenter tweeted : `` So grateful to my friend and excellent colleague [ Katie Razzall ] for stepping in this evening .
She did so because I asked for the night off -knowing tonight ’ s [ programme ] would be in the most excellent hands . ''
She later added : `` Been overwhelmed by all the kindness @ @ @ @ @ @ @ - and I ’ ve probably missed much of it .
A big thank you from us all at [ Newsnight ] . ''
Razzall said she would never have agreed to present the show if she thought the BBC had asked her colleague to step aside .
Esme Wren , the editor of Newsnight , also confirmed that Maitlis had not been replaced in response to the BBC 's statement .
`` [ Katie Razzall ] is part of the team and we work as a team throughout , '' she said @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a monologue about Mr Cummings ' decision to travel from London to Durham - where his parents and sister live - with his family during the lockdown .
The Downing Street aide said he was concerned about childcare for his son if both he and his wife were ill with coronavirus , adding that he had no regrets over his actions .
Maitlis said Mr Cummings `` broke the rules '' and `` the country can see that , and it 's shocked the Government can not '' .
`` The longer ministers @ @ @ @ @ @ @ worked within ( the rules ) , the more angry the response to this scandal is likely to be . ''
Following controversy over the monologue , the BBC said it believed the introduction did not meet its standards of due impartiality .
The programme `` should have done more to make clear the introduction was a summary of the questions we would examine , with all the accompanying evidence , in the rest of the programme '' .
Piers Morgan , the Good Morning Britain presenter , branded the BBC statement `` @ @ @ @ @ @ @ was `` chucking one of its best journalists under the bus for telling the truth '' .
National Union of Journalists general secretary Michelle Stanistreet said : `` At a time of national crisis , frank and fearless journalism that scrutinises and holds this Government to account is more necessary than ever . ''

Newsnight host Emily Maitlis has said it was her decision not to present the BBC Two programme on Wednesday, following a row about her comments on Dominic Cummings allegedly breaking the coronavirus lockdown rules.
She said she asked for the “night off”, later adding that she was “overwhelmed” by people’s kindness and support.
Many applauded her monologue about the Prime Minister’s most senior aide, which aired on Tuesday’s Newsnight, but the BBC said it breached impartiality rules – a decision that sparked widespread controversy.
Wednesday’s episode was presented by Newsnight’s UK editor Katie Razzall, leading to speculation that Maitlis had been replaced over her comments.
‘I asked for the night off’
However the presenter tweeted: “So grateful to my friend and excellent colleague [Katie Razzall] for stepping in this evening. She did so because I asked for the night off -knowing tonight’s [programme] would be in the most excellent hands.”
So grateful to my friend and excellent colleague @katierazz for stepping in this evening . She did so because I asked for the night off -knowing tonight’s prog would be in the most excellent hands 🖐 #newsnight https://t.co/0ZkH2KbzBF — emily m (@maitlis) May 28, 2020
She later added: “Been overwhelmed by all the kindness, messages – and support on here – and I’ve probably missed much of it. A big thank you from us all at [Newsnight].”
Razzall said she would never have agreed to present the show if she thought the BBC had asked her colleague to step aside.
Esme Wren, the editor of Newsnight, also confirmed that Maitlis had not been replaced in response to the BBC’s statement. “[Katie Razzall] is part of the team and we work as a team throughout,” she said.
Maitlis introduced Tuesday’s show with a monologue about Mr Cummings’ decision to travel from London to Durham – where his parents and sister live – with his family during the lockdown. The Downing Street aide said he was concerned about childcare for his son if both he and his wife were ill with coronavirus, adding that he had no regrets over his actions.
It has led to calls for his resignation but Boris Johnson has so far backed his advisor.
‘Broken the rules’
Maitlis said Mr Cummings “broke the rules” and “the country can see that, and it’s shocked the Government cannot”.
“The longer ministers and the Prime Minister tell us he worked within (the rules), the more angry the response to this scandal is likely to be.”
The public mood, she said, was “one of fury, contempt and anguish”.
Following controversy over the monologue, the BBC said it believed the introduction did not meet its standards of due impartiality.
The programme “should have done more to make clear the introduction was a summary of the questions we would examine, with all the accompanying evidence, in the rest of the programme”.
But the judgment sparked criticism, with many showing support for Maitlis.
‘Utterly disgraceful’
Piers Morgan, the Good Morning Britain presenter, branded the BBC statement “utterly disgraceful”, saying the corporation was “chucking one of its best journalists under the bus for telling the truth”.
Former Newsnight economics editor Paul Mason said the BBC’s decision made him “sick”.
National Union of Journalists general secretary Michelle Stanistreet said: “At a time of national crisis, frank and fearless journalism that scrutinises and holds this Government to account is more necessary than ever.”
Labour MP Diane Abbott said it was “astonishing that BBC bosses feel the need to apologise for [Emily Maitlis] saying the simple truth”.
But Conservative MP Chris Green said her introduction “had a clear bias and had nothing to do with the BBC’s mission to inform and educate”.
“We do not need Newsnight to behave as poor quality entertainment,” he added.
Additional reporting by PA


inews--2020-05-28--EasyJet job losses: Airline to cut 4,500 roles as coronavirus continues to ravage airlines

EasyJet job losses : Airline to cut 4,500 roles as coronavirus continues to ravage airlines The news comes after Boeing , the jet manufacturer , last night announced plans to dismiss more than 12,000 workers The low cost airline announced this morning that it planned to axe up to 30 per cent of its staff ( Photo : Richard Heathcote/Getty ) Easyjet is to cut as many as 4,500 jobs as the coronavirus pandemic continues to ravage the airline industry .
The low cost airline announced this morning that it planned to axe up to 30 per cent of its @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the expectation passenger demand will be two-thirds lower once customers can fly again after the lockdown is lifted .
Johan Lundgren , easyJet ’ s chief executive , said : `` We realise that these are very difficult times and we are having to consider very difficult decisions which will impact our people , but we want to protect as many jobs as we can for the long-term.
” The news comes after Boeing , the jet manufacturer , last night announced plans to dismiss more than 12,000 workers .
The cuts followed @ @ @ @ @ @ @ which employs 160,000 staff worldwide , would reduce its workforce by 10 per cent .
At the beginning of the month , Ryanair also stated it was axing 15 per cent of its 20,000-strong workforce , mainly pilot and cabin crew staff , as the Covid-19 pandemic continues to ground flights .
The company said : “ The Ryanair airlines will shortly notify their trade unions about its restructuring and job loss program , which will commence from July 2020 . ''
Easyjet said it will further reduce costs by revising its contracts @ @ @ @ @ @ @ spends on maintenance .
Mr Lundgren said : `` Against this backdrop , we are planning to reduce the size of our fleet and to optimise the network and our bases .
We will continue to remove cost and non-critical expenditure at every level .
We will be launching an employee consultation over the coming days.
” Russ Mould , investment director at AJ Bell , the investment platform , said : “ These measures are understandable given the scale of the current challenges facing the business .
However if , as easyJet @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in demand by 2023 the firm ’ s ability to benefit from this recovery will be affected by the decisions it is taking now.
” He added : “ It can , for example , be easier to cut staff than it will be to rehire and retrain them as and when easyJet needs to increase its capacity again.
” Easyjet employs 8,000 people in the UK , 7,000 of them are currently furloughed as part of the UK government ’ s Job Retention Scheme .
In total the airline employs 15,000 staff @

Easyjet is to cut as many as 4,500 jobs as the coronavirus pandemic continues to ravage the airline industry.
The low cost airline announced this morning that it planned to axe up to 30 per cent of its staff and drastically reduce its fleet on the expectation passenger demand will be two-thirds lower once customers can fly again after the lockdown is lifted.
Johan Lundgren, easyJet’s chief executive, said: “We realise that these are very difficult times and we are having to consider very difficult decisions which will impact our people, but we want to protect as many jobs as we can for the long-term.”
Cuts at Boeing
The news comes after Boeing, the jet manufacturer, last night announced plans to dismiss more than 12,000 workers. The cuts followed an announcement in April that Boeing, which employs 160,000 staff worldwide, would reduce its workforce by 10 per cent.
At the beginning of the month, Ryanair also stated it was axing 15 per cent of its 20,000-strong workforce, mainly pilot and cabin crew staff, as the Covid-19 pandemic continues to ground flights. The company said: “The Ryanair airlines will shortly notify their trade unions about its restructuring and job loss program, which will commence from July 2020.”
Easyjet said it will further reduce costs by revising its contracts with airports and re-examining what the airline spends on maintenance.
Mr Lundgren said: “Against this backdrop, we are planning to reduce the size of our fleet and to optimise the network and our bases. We will continue to remove cost and non-critical expenditure at every level. We will be launching an employee consultation over the coming days.”
‘Measures understandable’
Russ Mould, investment director at AJ Bell, the investment platform, said: “These measures are understandable given the scale of the current challenges facing the business. However if, as easyJet is guiding, there is a recovery in demand by 2023 the firm’s ability to benefit from this recovery will be affected by the decisions it is taking now.”
He added: “It can, for example, be easier to cut staff than it will be to rehire and retrain them as and when easyJet needs to increase its capacity again.”
Easyjet employs 8,000 people in the UK, 7,000 of them are currently furloughed as part of the UK government’s Job Retention Scheme. In total the airline employs 15,000 staff.
Easyjet’s share price rose 6 per cent in early morning trading.


inews--2020-05-28--When will gyms reopen? Latest UK coronavirus lockdown news as gyms are still closed

When will gyms reopen ?
Latest UK coronavirus lockdown news as gyms are still closed With the UK lockdown still in place , but Boris Johnson revealing a `` conditional plan '' to easing restrictions , when could gyms begin to reopen again ?
Johnson said that his blueprint for a gradual easing of the coronavirus lockdown in England could see primary schools , nurseries and shops partially reopening from 1 June .
Some cafes or restaurants with outdoor space , and places or worship and socially distanced cinemas , could return to business from July , although specific details @ @ @ @ @ @ @ The government hasn ’ t yet confirmed when gyms will be able to reopen .
The First Minister has unveiled plans to ease Scotland out of lockdown restrictions , around two weeks after Boris Johnson began to ease lockdown restrictions in England .
She said that several strict measures will be relaxed from 28 May in a four-phase `` route map '' .
In phase one , from May 28 , outdoor swimming in Scotland is permitted along with other outside activities including golf , canoeing and hiking .
However , leisure centres @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the country reaches phase three of the exit-lockdown plan during which physical distancing measures will still be in place .
The First Minister of Wales , Mark Drakeford , said that Wales would allow more frequent exercise and the opening of garden centres , but that said schools will not reopen from 1 June .
In Northern Ireland , some sports , such as golf and tennis , have also been allowed to restart , with social distancing measures in place .
Health club chain PureGym has previously said that it is working @ @ @ @ @ @ @ out to allow for social distancing , alongside capping member numbers .
However , Mr Cobbold added that gyms will only be re-opened when permitted to do so by the government .
He said : `` The right approach is a considered and careful opening , we will probably , when permitted by government , start by opening half a dozen sites and then expand from there when we 're confident that we have a model that 's safe and secure for members for the future.
” The PureGym website states : “ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ work hard to ensure your club is clean , safe , and ready for your return .
We are looking forward to welcoming you back.
” Fitness studio Barry 's Bootcamp also released a statement saying the company is `` unsure when we will be reopening but will continue to closely follow the advice of the government and local authorities '' .
They are currently offering virtual workouts for members .
Virgin Active will also inform customers when it will reopen clubs `` once it is safe to do so based on government @ @ @ @ @ @ @ other European countries ?
In Italy , citizens will now be able to travel within regions in order to visit relatives , provided that they wear masks .

The coronavirus lockdown has changed people’s lives in many ways, but one of the biggest has been the way in which we exercise.
Gyms, leisure centres and indoor pools had all been closed since 21 March, while home workout equipment is like gold dust online.
However, the Government has finally given the go-ahead for gyms to open their doors again.
When did the gyms reopen?
Gyms, leisure centres and indoor pools reopened on Saturday 25 July.
They will have to follow strict new guidelines, such as introducing timed bookings for workouts and restrictions on showering.
Culture Secretary Oliver Dowden said the move to reopen gyms would help get the country “match-fit to defeat the virus” amid growing fears of inactivity among the population due to social distancing restrictions.
“The reopening of gyms is the news millions across the country have been waiting for with many people desperate to jump on a spinning bike or dive into a pool,” he said.
“Our comprehensive guidance will ensure gyms, pools and leisure centres have the support they need to reopen safely for their customers and staff.”
In the Government’s Our Plan to Rebuild document, released on Monday 11 May, gyms and fitness studios were originally part of step three of the lockdown exit plan, starting from 4 July.
However, Mr Johnson later said indoor gyms are categorised as “close proximity” businesses and would remain shut.
He said: “The business and culture secretaries will establish task forces with public health experts and the sectors to help them become Covid-secure and reopen as soon as possible.”
The industry reacted with frustration at Mr Johnson’s “catastrophic decision” to give the green light to many sectors of the economy, but not gyms.
Mark Sesnan, managing director of GLL, which runs 270 leisure and sport facilities on behalf of local authorities, said: “This will bad for business, bad for jobs and bad for the health of the nation.”
He added: “The Government is ignoring the health of the nation, when it has been proven that conditions such as obesity and diabetes increase the risks associated with Covid-19.”
What safety measures will be in place?
When gyms reopen, it won’t be business as usual.
According to The Times, gyms and swimming pools will require receptionists to use clickers to count numbers going in, and booking systems will be put in place to prevent overcrowding.
On gym floors, people will only be permitted to use equipment that’s spaced two metres apart and a gym’s maximum capacity will be calculated based on three metres squared per person.
Changing rooms and showers will be in use but “extra care” will be provided to maintain social distancing in these areas, while sweat towels will not be permitted on gym floors or studios.
Health club chain PureGym has previously said that it is working out how its facilities could be laid out to allow for social distancing, alongside capping member numbers.
PureGym CEO Humphrey Cobbold, told BBC Radio 4’s Today programme that the chain was working to upgrade hygiene and sanitation procedures in order to “provide a safe environment for the future.”


inews--2020-05-28--This House cast: who stars in James Graham's National Theatre Live play, and what time it's on YouTu

This House cast: who stars in James Graham's National Theatre Live play, and what time it's on YouTube tonight

This House cast : who stars in James Graham 's National Theatre Live play , and what time it 's on YouTube tonight The political comedy from James Graham , the man behind Brexit : The Uncivil War and ITV 's Quiz is the next show streaming from the National The National Theatre may still be off limits because of the coronavirus lockdown , but thankfully its plays are n't .
For weeks it has been allowing us to stream some of its most famous productions for free , from the comfort of our own homes , with the National @ @ @ @ @ @ @ already been treated to the likes of Frankenstein starring Benedict Cumberbatch , Ralph Fiennes in Antony and Cleopatra and Inua Ellams ' Barber Shop Chronicles .
And now it is the turn of This House , a political comedy from James Graham , the man behind Brexit : The Uncivil War and ITV 's Quiz .
Here is everything you need to know ... How can I watch This House ?
The play will be available to stream `` live '' on the National Theatre 's YouTube channel at 7pm on Thursday 28 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 7pm on Thursday 4 June , but you 'll need to start watching by 4.15pm on that day to ensure you see it all .
A Streetcar Named Desire , starring Gillian Anderson , is also available to watch until 7pm on Thursday 28 May .
What is it about ?
This House is based on true events that occurred in British politics during the 1970s , when a system called pairing threw Parliament into disarray .
The National Theatre synopsis says : `` It ’ s 1974 , and Britain has a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ring with the sound of infighting and backstabbing as the political parties battle to change the future of the nation .
`` During this era of chaos , when a staggering number of politicians die and age-old traditions are thrown aside , MPs find they must roll up their sleeves , and bend the rules , to navigate a way through the Mother of all Parliaments . ''
This House depicts the battle between Labour and the Conservatives during the 1970s ( Photo : National Theatre )

The National Theatre may still be off limits because of the coronavirus lockdown, but thankfully its plays aren’t.
For weeks it has been allowing us to stream some of its most famous productions for free, from the comfort of our own homes, with the National Theatre at Home scheme.
We have already been treated to the likes of Frankenstein starring Benedict Cumberbatch, Ralph Fiennes in Antony and Cleopatra and Inua Ellams’ Barber Shop Chronicles.
And now it is the turn of This House, a political comedy from James Graham, the man behind Brexit: The Uncivil War and ITV’s Quiz.
Here is everything you need to know…
How can I watch This House?
The play was made available to stream “live” on the National Theatre’s YouTube channel at 7pm on Thursday 28 May.
It will be available until 7pm on Thursday 4 June, but you’ll need to start watching by 4.15pm on that day to ensure you see it all.
A Streetcar Named Desire, starring Gillian Anderson, is also available to watch until 7pm on Thursday 28 May.
What is it about?
This House is based on true events that occurred in British politics during the 1970s, when a system called pairing threw Parliament into disarray.
The National Theatre synopsis says: “It’s 1974, and Britain has a hung Parliament. The corridors of Westminster ring with the sound of infighting and backstabbing as the political parties battle to change the future of the nation.
“During this era of chaos, when a staggering number of politicians die and age-old traditions are thrown aside, MPs find they must roll up their sleeves, and bend the rules, to navigate a way through the Mother of all Parliaments.”
This original 2013 production is directed by Jeremy Herrin (People, Places and Things).
Who’s in the cast?
There are several well-known in the cast, including Phil Daniels (Quadrophenia, EastEnders), who plays Labour chief whip Bob Mellish.
His deputy, Walter Harrison, is played by Reece Dinsdale..
Also on the Labour side are Vincent Franklin (Bodyguard) as Michael Cocks, Lauren O’Neil (Richard III) as Ann Taylor and Richard Ridings (Fat Friends) as Joe Harper.
Conservative chief whip Humphrey Atkins is played by Julian Wadham (The Trial of Lord Lucan), with Charles Edwards (The Crown) as his deputy Jack Weatherill.


inews--2020-05-28--My child was becoming scared of the outside world - so I've sent him back to nursery

My child was becoming scared of the outside world - so I 've sent him back to nursery Despite my initial reservations , nursery has done him the world of good and I ’ ve made the right decision It ’ s hard explaining something like the coronavirus pandemic to an infant .
A young child isn ’ t fully equipped to understand why they can ’ t see their Granny at the moment or give their best friend a cuddle .
But children do pick up on the anxiety around them .
They notice that things have changed and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ isolated and depressed because of it .
My partner and I had discussed whether or not we should use the key worker place we had been allocated during lockdown several times over the last two months .
Despite still paying to keep Milo ’ s space open , however , we had decided it would be safer to have him at home with us .
I didn ’ t feel comfortable with the fact that the nursery sessions were now being held at a central ‘ hub ’ , in a building we @ @ @ @ @ @ @ fact that I had no proof staff were sticking rigorously to the hand-washing and sanitising guidelines .
Plus , Milo had not long recovered from a bacterial infection after receiving months of treatment .
I didn ’ t want to risk anything else happening to him .
`` He ’ ll be fine home with us , '' we reasoned , agreeing to take turns working so one of us could keep him entertained whenever he was bored inside the small two-bedroom flat where we lived .
As a writer , I could @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and , as a teacher now assigning and marking his pupils ’ school work from home , my partner could do the same .
Milo had plenty of toys to play with , children ’ s TV programmes and films to watch , and a park nearby where we would take him to feed the ducks and have a run around during our daily hour of exercise .
I thought other teachers working from home who had opted to continue sending their children to nursery must be mad .
But , as time @ @ @ @ @ @ @ began to feel differently .
I noticed that my once chirpy and chatty little boy would have moments where he would sit curled up on the sofa , holding his favourite blankie and just staring into space .
He began asking a lot of questions about ‘ the bug ’ ( the nickname we ’ d given to Covid-19 ) and when it was going to go away .
“ I don ’ t like it outside , ” he would say .
“ It ’ s scary.
” He became reluctant to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to ride his balance bike in the communal garden , and panicked whenever I said I was popping out to the shops , begging me not to leave .
It was then that I realised his emotional wellbeing was beginning to suffer because of the changes lockdown had brought about for all of us .
Despite our efforts to keep him busy and upbeat , our sweet , happy-go-lucky boy was getting down in the dumps and becoming increasingly afraid .
He would wake in the night crying to come and sleep with @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ d never done before – and let out long sighs when watching his favourite cartoon , complaining that he was fed up .
I realised then that he needed to be around children .
Just as we would talk to our partners , siblings , friends and colleagues about our struggles , feelings and fears at this very uncertain time , he needed to do the same with people his age .
He needed to feel part of a community again and express himself in a way no adult could really understand @ @ @ @ @ @ @ I had to accept that safeguarding his mental welfare was just as important as protecting his physical health .
So , two weeks ago , I rang up the manager at the nursery hub and asked if I could bring Milo in .
While I wasn ’ t allowed in to have a look around , she reassured me that they were following strict guidelines to keep the children safe and also educating them about hand-washing and social distancing .
On the first day we took him back , Milo 's face lit @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of laughter and play coming from inside the nursery as we waited by the entrance gate for a staff member to come and get him .
I think spending time with children again , sharing his experience of lockdown with them , and regaining some sense of normality has made him feel less isolated .
It also means that when his own nursery does start to open up again in line with schools in June , Milo will already be comfortable attending .
He is back to being our bouncy , bubbly little @ @ @ @ @ @ @ despite my initial reservations , nursery has done him the world of good and I ’ ve made the right decision .

It’s hard explaining something like the coronavirus pandemic to an infant. A young child isn’t fully equipped to understand why they can’t see their Granny at the moment or give their best friend a cuddle. But children do pick up on the anxiety around them. They notice that things have changed and can, just like adults, feel isolated and depressed because of it.
This is precisely why I decided to send my three-year-old, Milo, back to nursery two weeks ago.
My partner and I had discussed whether or not we should use the key worker place we had been allocated during lockdown several times over the last two months. Despite still paying to keep Milo’s space open, however, we had decided it would be safer to have him at home with us.
I didn’t feel comfortable with the fact that the nursery sessions were now being held at a central ‘hub’, in a building we had never been inside. Or the fact that I had no proof staff were sticking rigorously to the hand-washing and sanitising guidelines. Plus, Milo had not long recovered from a bacterial infection after receiving months of treatment. I didn’t want to risk anything else happening to him.
“He’ll be fine home with us,” we reasoned, agreeing to take turns working so one of us could keep him entertained whenever he was bored inside the small two-bedroom flat where we lived. As a writer, I could pretty much choose the hours I worked and, as a teacher now assigning and marking his pupils’ school work from home, my partner could do the same.
Milo had plenty of toys to play with, children’s TV programmes and films to watch, and a park nearby where we would take him to feed the ducks and have a run around during our daily hour of exercise.
I thought other teachers working from home who had opted to continue sending their children to nursery must be mad. But, as time passed and lockdown dragged on, I began to feel differently. I noticed that my once chirpy and chatty little boy would have moments where he would sit curled up on the sofa, holding his favourite blankie and just staring into space.
“What’s the matter sausage?” I’d ask him. “I’m sad Mummy,” he would reply. When I’d ask why he’d just shrug his shoulders.
He began asking a lot of questions about ‘the bug’ (the nickname we’d given to Covid-19) and when it was going to go away. “I don’t like it outside,” he would say. “It’s scary.”
He became reluctant to go to the park with us, to ride his balance bike in the communal garden, and panicked whenever I said I was popping out to the shops, begging me not to leave. It was then that I realised his emotional wellbeing was beginning to suffer because of the changes lockdown had brought about for all of us.
Despite our efforts to keep him busy and upbeat, our sweet, happy-go-lucky boy was getting down in the dumps and becoming increasingly afraid. He would wake in the night crying to come and sleep with us in our bed – something he’d never done before – and let out long sighs when watching his favourite cartoon, complaining that he was fed up.
I realised then that he needed to be around children. Just as we would talk to our partners, siblings, friends and colleagues about our struggles, feelings and fears at this very uncertain time, he needed to do the same with people his age. He needed to feel part of a community again and express himself in a way no adult could really understand through play, imagination and creativity. I had to accept that safeguarding his mental welfare was just as important as protecting his physical health.
So, two weeks ago, I rang up the manager at the nursery hub and asked if I could bring Milo in. While I wasn’t allowed in to have a look around, she reassured me that they were following strict guidelines to keep the children safe and also educating them about hand-washing and social distancing.
On the first day we took him back, Milo’s face lit up the moment he heard the sounds of laughter and play coming from inside the nursery as we waited by the entrance gate for a staff member to come and get him.
Afterwards, he told me animatedly about all the things he’d done that afternoon – painted pictures, played with toy trains, counted number blocks and listened to stories. But in particular, about all the new friends he had made.
Since then we’ve arranged to take him in for two full days a week. This not only gives us some much-needed respite from juggling work with childcare, but him a break from being around adults all day.
I think spending time with children again, sharing his experience of lockdown with them, and regaining some sense of normality has made him feel less isolated. It also means that when his own nursery does start to open up again in line with schools in June, Milo will already be comfortable attending. He is back to being our bouncy, bubbly little chatterbox now so I know that, despite my initial reservations, nursery has done him the world of good and I’ve made the right decision.