inews--2020-05-12--Online market VAT changes in the pipeline for when Britain leaves EU Single Market

Online market VAT changes in the pipeline for when Britain leaves EU Single Market It could mean an increase in the price of online goods as businesses seek to pass on the extra compliance costs to consumers The issue is part of the alignment of how EU and non-EU goods will be treated after the UK leaves the EU Single Market and Customs Union on 1 January 2021 .
It is being proposed that for online consumer sales by overseas suppliers via a marketplace ( such as Amazon or eBay ) the obligation to account for VAT will shift from @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is currently a similar obligation for platform providers to account for VAT on consumer sales of digital services , but it is envisaged that this will extend to marketplaces for all straight-to-consumer sales of goods valued below £135 .
Where a marketplace is not used but the goods are sold directly to UK consumers from the seller ’ s own website , the seller will remain responsible for the VAT .
However , HMRC is looking at ways in which the delivery agents ( such as Royal Mail , DHL , UPS , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and ensure that their overseas customers are registered and accounting for VAT correctly .
The consultation is an attempt to ensure VAT is collected on all consumer sales in the UK by moving the payment point away from the importation to the point of supply in the UK .
However , transferring the liability for the VAT to the marketplace , and asking delivery agents to verify the VAT status of its customers , is likely to add significant extra administration costs to both these sectors .
These changes will only apply to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ This is the same limit for customs duty relief .
However , the current £15 limits that avoids any import VAT will be abolished from 1 January 2021 .
Therefore , VAT will be due on all standard rated sales up to £135 and HMRC is looking at ways to collect this tax efficiently .
Placing the obligation on the marketplace will mean that HMRC only needs to deal with a much smaller number of UK taxpaying entities compared with the much larger number of overseas suppliers across the EU and further afield @ @ @ @ @ @ @ similar measure on 1 January 2021 but is now proposing to delay these until 1 July 2021 as a result of Covid-19 .
It is almost certain this delay will be ratified by the EU Council .
This could result in a hiatus period where the UK and EU rules are at odds , making it even more difficult for businesses to comply .
For consumers , all of this means an increase in VAT payable on low value purchases due to the withdrawal of the £15 relief .
It could also mean @ @ @ @ @ @ @ goods as businesses seek to pass on the extra compliance costs to consumers .

The Government has announced a consultation that could significantly impact the VAT accounting treatment for online marketplaces and possibly delivery agents.
The issue is part of the alignment of how EU and non-EU goods will be treated after the UK leaves the EU Single Market and Customs Union on 1 January 2021. It is being proposed that for online consumer sales by overseas suppliers via a marketplace (such as Amazon or eBay) the obligation to account for VAT will shift from the supplier to the marketplace.
There is currently a similar obligation for platform providers to account for VAT on consumer sales of digital services, but it is envisaged that this will extend to marketplaces for all straight-to-consumer sales of goods valued below £135.
Where a marketplace is not used but the goods are sold directly to UK consumers from the seller’s own website, the seller will remain responsible for the VAT. However, HMRC is looking at ways in which the delivery agents (such as Royal Mail, DHL, UPS, etc) can police the VAT system and ensure that their overseas customers are registered and accounting for VAT correctly.
VAT explained
The consultation is an attempt to ensure VAT is collected on all consumer sales in the UK by moving the payment point away from the importation to the point of supply in the UK. However, transferring the liability for the VAT to the marketplace, and asking delivery agents to verify the VAT status of its customers, is likely to add significant extra administration costs to both these sectors.
These changes will only apply to sales valued at £135 or less. This is the same limit for customs duty relief. However, the current £15 limits that avoids any import VAT will be abolished from 1 January 2021.
Therefore, VAT will be due on all standard rated sales up to £135 and HMRC is looking at ways to collect this tax efficiently. Placing the obligation on the marketplace will mean that HMRC only needs to deal with a much smaller number of UK taxpaying entities compared with the much larger number of overseas suppliers across the EU and further afield.
The EU had planned to introduce similar measure on 1 January 2021 but is now proposing to delay these until 1 July 2021 as a result of Covid-19. It is almost certain this delay will be ratified by the EU Council. This could result in a hiatus period where the UK and EU rules are at odds, making it even more difficult for businesses to comply.
For consumers, all of this means an increase in VAT payable on low value purchases due to the withdrawal of the £15 relief. It could also mean an increase in the price of online goods as businesses seek to pass on the extra compliance costs to consumers.
Alan Pearce is VAT partner at Blick Rothenberg


inews--2020-05-12--Coronavirus lockdown: No automatic right for workers to walk out if they feel unsafe

Coronavirus lockdown : No automatic right for workers to walk out if they feel unsafe Alok Sharma did not support the idea of employees refusing to do their jobs in protest at unsafe workplace conditions Workers who fear their workplace is unsafe as lockdown measures are eased will have no automatic right to walk out , the Business Secretary has said .
Alok Sharma said that staff who are concerned about Covid-19 danger should consult their bosses at first , and report them to councils or the Health and Safety Executive if they are not satisfied .
The Government has @ @ @ @ @ @ @ make workplaces safe for employees who are being encouraged to return to work if they can not work from home .
Mr Sharma told MPs that all employers must conduct a `` Covid-19 risk assessment '' and share the results with staff .
Larger firms must also publish their risk assessments online .
Asked by i at the daily Downing Street press conference whether worried workers should refuse to do their jobs , the Business Secretary said : `` Employers have a duty to keep their employees safe in the workplace - that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ If somebody feels their workplace is not safe , they have to take that up with their employer .
If they do n't feel they are getting any traction they absolutely should get in touch with the Health and Safety Executive or the local authority . ''
He added : `` It will be a very , very small number of workplaces where people will feel like that , but if they do they can follow through and action will be taken . ''
Mr Sharma did not back the idea of a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to coronavirus safety fears .
Sarah Albon , the chief executive of HSE , said that rogue bosses could be prosecuted if they refused to implement safety precautions but added that most employers caught disobeying the Government guidance have been mistaken rather than malicious .
Trade unions and opposition politicians have warned that the return to work could leave employees vulnerable .
Shadow Business Secretary Ed Miliband said : `` The challenge is not the vast majority of employers who want to do the right thing but the small minority who do n't @ @ @ @ @ @ @ union , which represents gig economy workers , said : `` The return to work instruction is predicated on workplaces being safe because they follow new Government guidelines .
The guidance is not law and is not mandatory . ''

Workers who fear their workplace is unsafe as lockdown measures are eased will have no automatic right to walk out, the Business Secretary has said.
Alok Sharma said that staff who are concerned about Covid-19 danger should consult their bosses at first, and report them to councils or the Health and Safety Executive if they are not satisfied.
The Government has set out detailed guidelines on how to make workplaces safe for employees who are being encouraged to return to work if they cannot work from home. Mr Sharma told MPs that all employers must conduct a “Covid-19 risk assessment” and share the results with staff. Larger firms must also publish their risk assessments online.
Asked by i at the daily Downing Street press conference whether worried workers should refuse to do their jobs, the Business Secretary said: “Employers have a duty to keep their employees safe in the workplace – that is absolutely enshrined in law.
‘Very small number’
“If somebody feels their workplace is not safe, they have to take that up with their employer. If they don’t feel they are getting any traction they absolutely should get in touch with the Health and Safety Executive or the local authority.”
He added: “It will be a very, very small number of workplaces where people will feel like that, but if they do they can follow through and action will be taken.” Mr Sharma did not back the idea of a right to stop work immediately in response to coronavirus safety fears.
Sarah Albon, the chief executive of HSE, said that rogue bosses could be prosecuted if they refused to implement safety precautions but added that most employers caught disobeying the Government guidance have been mistaken rather than malicious.
Trade unions and opposition politicians have warned that the return to work could leave employees vulnerable. Shadow Business Secretary Ed Miliband said: “The challenge is not the vast majority of employers who want to do the right thing but the small minority who don’t.”
Jason Moyer-Lee of the IWGB union, which represents gig economy workers, said: “The return to work instruction is predicated on workplaces being safe because they follow new Government guidelines. The guidance is not law and is not mandatory.”


inews--2020-05-13--Coronavirus: From mannequins in dining rooms to tables in greenhouses, how restaurants plan to reope

Coronavirus: From mannequins in dining rooms to tables in greenhouses, how restaurants plan to reopen post-lockdown

Coronavirus : From mannequins in dining rooms to tables in greenhouses , how restaurants plan to reopen post-lockdown Social distancing will be a key element to the relaunching of hospitality businesses A three Michelin-starred restaurant appears to be seriously considering adding mannequins to empty tables when it reopens with social distancing measures in place .
Like in the UK , where the Government has suggested restaurants and bars will have to abide by strict safety guidelines when relaunching in July - `` at the earliest '' - US businesses also look set to trial bold new strategies to reduce the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ remain unclear , when hospitality businesses open , tables will have to be further apart , and guests will have to keep away from one another .
At The Inn at Little Washington , one of the most acclaimed dining destinations in the US , theatrical mannequins on empty tables will be designed to make the room feel bustling and atmospheric .
Europe is looking to reopen ( Photo : FABRICE COFFRINI/AFP via Getty Images ) It was chef Patrick O'Connell who came up with the idea to plant model guests in his @ @ @ @ @ @ @ INN style , '' the venue said on Instagram .
And so when the establishment reopens on 29 May - if all goes to plan - diners will be among mannequins adorning vintage , 1940s outfits , as visitors will need to maintain a 2m distance from one another , or thereabouts .
A spokesperson told the food publication Eater that the move falls “ within the whimsical vein of the Inn ’ s reverently irreverent approach to hospitality '' and said the team is working with a theatre company to build believable @ @ @ @ @ @ @ arguably creepy , The Inn at Little Washington is n't the only restaurant looking to ease the severity of sparsely populated post-lockdown dining .
One restaurateur in Australia intends to place mannequin heads on tables when relaunching , according to local press .
Though this may be nothing more than a marketing strategy .
Elsewhere , including in the UK , more believable solutions include glass or perspex screens erected between tables , which has been dismissed by industry leaders such as Corbin & King founder Jeremy Lee , but has been viewed @ @ @ @ @ @ @ The restaurant Mediamatic ETEN will from 21 May offer a four-course vegetarian menu , which will be served to diners as they sit in individual glass structures .
Those isolating in household groups ( no larger than three ) will be able to go out together and share a greenhouse , and will be served by waiters wearing gloves and face shields .

A three Michelin-starred restaurant appears to be seriously considering adding mannequins to empty tables when it reopens with social distancing measures in place.
Like in the UK, where the Government has suggested restaurants and bars will have to abide by strict safety guidelines when relaunching in July – “at the earliest” – US businesses also look set to trial bold new strategies to reduce the chance of infections.
Though the details remain unclear, when hospitality businesses open, tables will have to be further apart, and guests will have to keep away from one another.
At The Inn at Little Washington, one of the most acclaimed dining destinations in the US, theatrical mannequins on empty tables will be designed to make the room feel bustling and atmospheric.
Obscure tactics
It was chef Patrick O’Connell who came up with the idea to plant model guests in his Virginia restaurant. “Social distancing is INN style,” the venue said on Instagram.
And so when the establishment reopens on 29 May – if all goes to plan – diners will be among mannequins adorning vintage, 1940s outfits, all the while maintaining a 2m distance from one another, or thereabouts.
A spokesperson told the food publication Eater that the move falls “within the whimsical vein of the Inn’s reverently irreverent approach to hospitality” and said the team is working with a theatre company to build believable “sets”.
While obscure and arguably creepy, The Inn at Little Washington isn’t the only restaurant looking to ease the severity of sparsely populated post-lockdown dining.
Perspex guards
One restaurateur in Australia intends to place mannequin heads on tables when relaunching, according to local press. Though this may be nothing more than a marketing strategy.
Elsewhere, including in the UK, more believable solutions include glass or perspex screens erected between tables, which has been dismissed by industry leaders such as Corbin & King co-founder Jeremy King, but has been viewed as a viable alternative by others.
While in Amsterdam, restaurants have trialled individual “greenhouses” to separate tables.
The restaurant Mediamatic ETEN will from 21 May offer a four-course vegetarian menu, which will be served to diners as they sit in individual glass structures.
Those isolating in household groups (no larger than three) will be able to go out together and share a greenhouse, and will be served by waiters wearing gloves and face shields.


inews--2020-05-13--'I was temporarily housed in a former office block with my children. Two years later, we're still he

'I was temporarily housed in a former office block with my children. Two years later, we're still here'

' I was temporarily housed in a former office block with my children .
Two years later , we 're still here' “ I ’ ve felt scared living in this building , ” says 39-year-old Emiliane , who is spending lockdown in a tiny flat Far from providing a sanctuary , though , she says her second floor , two-bedroom flat feels unsafe .
“ I am very scared about my kids pushing on the windows because there isn ’ t much space so they jump and climb , ” she explains .
“ I worry , because they @ @ @ @ @ @ @ time and we need them open for fresh air , that they could fall out.
” Her partner and father of her three children is currently caring for his own 90-year-old father and living in Grays , which is at least a 40-minute drive away , meaning he struggles to help with childcare at the best of times but certainly hasn ’ t been able to much during the coronavirus crisis .
“ They cry for him all the time , ” Emiliane says .
One of the bedrooms , which the two @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that their beds are pressed up against one another and there is no space to move around .
Her youngest sleeps in the main bedroom with her .
The living and kitchen area is also cramped .
There is no room to swing a cat here , let alone raise three children during a national lockdown .
The cramped conditions at Astra House are completely legal .
In 2016 , it was converted from offices into 51 studios , as well as one and two-bedroom flats , through a planning loophole known as @ @ @ @ @ @ @ allows changes to be made to an existing building without planning permission .
However , it has been widely criticised for creating “ rabbit-hutch homes ” , “ human warehouses ” and “ slums of the future ” because these conversions do not have to meet minimum size standards of 37m² for a one-bedroom , one person flat or 61m² for a two-bedroom flat or minimum standards for access to light , which means some conversions have tiny windows which do not open fully or at all , leading to poor ventilation .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ bad political policies .
Sadly , her story is far from unique .
Across England , the number of families in temporary accommodation is rising .
Recent quarterly statistics recorded 86,130 households in temporary accommodation at the end of June 2019 .
This represents a 79 per cent increase since December 2010 , when the use of temporary accommodation hit its lowest point since 2004 .
Those 86,130 households include 127,370 children .
Sixty six per cent of them were placed in temporary accommodation by London local authorities like Redbridge .
“ It @ @ @ @ @ @ @ says .
“ I have begged to be moved to Grays , so I can be near my partner , my kids near their father , but they won ’ t take me .
This block is on the outskirts of town , I don ’ t feel safe here during lockdown .
The cramped conditions are also affecting my mental health .
It is drowning me.
” Living in unsuitable temporary accommodation at the best of times has been found to negatively impact inhabitants ’ mental health .
Research by the NHS @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Housing Federation found that , in comparison with the general population , those with mental health conditions are one and a half times more likely to live in rented housing .
Children who have lived in temporary accommodation for more than one year are three times as likely to have mental health problems than their peers , according to Shelter .
“ The problem is that local authority housing departments are simply tasked with housing families , ” she explains .
“ A concrete box on an industrial estate is a box ticked @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the overall picture , which is that children need communities in which to grow up .
Vulnerable women , with very low incomes , depend more than others on networks - of friends , local charities , their church or mosque , their children 's school - to survive day to day.
” “ We can not continue to treat a generation of children as if they do n't matter , as if we can just ‘ warehouse ’ them and forget about their wellbeing , ” says Jane .
Moving forward we @ @ @ @ @ @ @ about how we house people , but about what makes a secure home .
A spokesperson for Mears , the management company at Astra House , said : “ We are sorry to hear about this tenant 's experiences .
We have received a small number of anti-social behaviour complaints which are always investigated and where appropriate warnings are issued and the council is informed .
All cases are managed in line with our anti-social behaviour policy .

“I’ve felt scared living in this building,” says 39-year-old Emiliane, who is speaking from her flat in Astra House in Harlow, Essex. The former office block is situated on an industrial estate, surrounded by concrete, a KFC and a B&Q superstore.
“I’m scared to leave the flat because people in the block drink and take drugs, and there’s a lot of antisocial behaviour,” she tells me. “I’m on the second floor and the lift didn’t work for around two months.”
During the national coronavirus lockdown, Emiliane has been following the Government’s stay at home guidelines here with her three young children aged four, three and six months.
Far from providing a sanctuary, though, she says her second floor, two-bedroom flat feels unsafe. “I am very scared about my kids pushing on the windows because there isn’t much space so they jump and climb,” she explains. “I worry, because they are so close to them all the time and we need them open for fresh air, that they could fall out.”
Emiliane, who is originally from Albania, was moved here “temporarily” from east London by Redbridge Council after she became homeless due to the breakdown of her relationship with her partner’s parents. Two years later, she’s still here.
Her partner and father of her three children is currently caring for his own 90-year-old father and living in Grays, which is at least a 40-minute drive away, meaning he struggles to help with childcare at the best of times but certainly hasn’t been able to much during the coronavirus crisis. “They cry for him all the time,” Emiliane says.
One of the bedrooms, which the two older children share, is so small that their beds are pressed up against one another and there is no space to move around. Her youngest sleeps in the main bedroom with her. The living and kitchen area is also cramped. There is no room to swing a cat here, let alone raise three children during a national lockdown.
“My mental health has deteriorated since living here,” says Emiliane. “Just before lockdown I was suicidal. I’m on medication now and it is better but this period has been very hard.”
The cramped conditions at Astra House are completely legal. In 2016, it was converted from offices into 51 studios, as well as one and two-bedroom flats, through a planning loophole known as permitted development rights (PDR) which allows changes to be made to an existing building without planning permission.
PDR was extended for office to residential conversions by David Cameron’s Conservative government, who justified it as a way of creating much-needed homes at a time of national shortage.
However, it has been widely criticised for creating “rabbit-hutch homes”, “human warehouses” and “slums of the future” because these conversions do not have to meet minimum size standards of 37m² for a one-bedroom, one person flat or 61m² for a two-bedroom flat or minimum standards for access to light, which means some conversions have tiny windows which do not open fully or at all, leading to poor ventilation.
Ben Derbyshire, a former president of Royal Institute of British Architects (Riba), said that the plans for Astra House “mostly indicate two bed apartments of 52.5 m2 while the Nationally Described Space Standards are 61 m2 for 3 person and 70 m2 for 4 person two-bedroom apartments.”
There’s no doubt that Emiliane’s two-bedroom flat is too small for a growing family of four. “The shortfall of 8 m2 would be the equivalent of a single bedroom, and 17.5 m2 the equivalent of a living room,” he added.
Riba has long opposed PDR. Their executive director, Adrian Dobson, told i: “Permitted development rules are a cause for serious concern. Across the UK, offices are legally being turned into sub-standard homes – sometimes smaller than budget hotel rooms. During the current pandemic, many people are experiencing the very real difficulties of living in cramped and inadequate PDR housing.”
Emiliane is caught in the crosshairs of bad political policies. Sadly, her story is far from unique. Across England, the number of families in temporary accommodation is rising. Recent quarterly statistics recorded 86,130 households in temporary accommodation at the end of June 2019. This represents a 79 per cent increase since December 2010, when the use of temporary accommodation hit its lowest point since 2004. Those 86,130 households include 127,370 children. Sixty six per cent of them were placed in temporary accommodation by London local authorities like Redbridge.
Read more What coronavirus lockdown is like for a mother and daughter living in one room
Living in limbo in a converted office block like this, waiting for a permanent home, was challenging long before the coronavirus crisis, but the strict social distancing measures introduced by the Government in response to the pandemic brought Emiliane’s situation into sharp focus.
“It has all affected me,” Emiliane says. “I have begged to be moved to Grays, so I can be near my partner, my kids near their father, but they won’t take me. This block is on the outskirts of town, I don’t feel safe here during lockdown. The cramped conditions are also affecting my mental health. It is drowning me.”
Living in unsuitable temporary accommodation at the best of times has been found to negatively impact inhabitants’ mental health. Research by the NHS Confederation mental health network and the National Housing Federation found that, in comparison with the general population, those with mental health conditions are one and a half times more likely to live in rented housing. Children who have lived in temporary accommodation for more than one year are three times as likely to have mental health problems than their peers, according to Shelter.
Jane Williams is the founder and CEO of The Magpie Project which supports mums living in temporary accommodation with children under five.
“The problem is that local authority housing departments are simply tasked with housing families,” she explains. “A concrete box on an industrial estate is a box ticked for them. Nobody is looking at the overall picture, which is that children need communities in which to grow up. Vulnerable women, with very low incomes, depend more than others on networks – of friends, local charities, their church or mosque, their children’s school – to survive day to day.”
She adds: “It is simply impossible for these women – who are themselves very strong, survivors of trauma and homelessness – to adequately mother their children in these settings. They do not lack the ability but their housing is thwarting their efforts.”
The slums of the future critics warned of are now our present. Coronavirus has changed how we all experience home, reinforcing the urgent need for decent social housing. Cutting red tape and corners through short-sighted political decisions has only exacerbated a housing crisis which has come home to roost during a national emergency.
“We cannot continue to treat a generation of children as if they don’t matter, as if we can just ‘warehouse’ them and forget about their wellbeing,” says Jane. Moving forward we must start to think long-term not just about how we house people, but about what makes a secure home.
A spokesperson for Mears, the management company at Astra House, said: “We are sorry to hear about this tenant’s experiences. We have received a small number of anti-social behaviour complaints which are always investigated and where appropriate warnings are issued and the council is informed. All cases are managed in line with our anti-social behaviour policy.
“Our Housing Office carries out quarterly visits to each household and tenants can contact our customer service team 24/7 to report any issues. A caretaker also carries out weekly health and safety checks and cleans the communal areas.
“The lift is working having had repairs carried out a few weeks ago. This took a while to complete as we were waiting for parts but we appreciate that this is a real inconvenience for residents. All windows are double glazed units and have restrictors attached.”
A Redbridge Council spokesperson said: “It would be inappropriate for us to comment on individual cases. London is in the grip of a major housing crisis and Redbridge is no exception to that.”
“Whilst we always do our utmost to house residents in the borough, this, unfortunately, isn’t always possible. We sometimes have no choice but to house residents outside of the borough in temporary accommodation. It’s not ideal and is symptomatic of the situation that we currently face.
“We always do our best to support those residents who live in temporary accommodation.”
The Council said it is building 600 new affordable council homes as well as two local temporary housing schemes.
If you are struggling with suicidal thoughts, or are struggling with your mental health in other ways, you can contact Samaritans for free on 116 123 or email jo@samaritans.org.
Vicky Spratt is i‘s Housing Correspondent


inews--2020-05-13--Coronavirus could spell the end of the lavish tech company office - but not for everyone

Coronavirus could spell the end of the lavish tech company office - but not for everyone Tech companies are famed for their luxurious offices .
Could Covid-19 put an end to them ?
For many years , one of the major perks of working for one of the world 's largest technology companies was the opportunity to spend time in their lavish offices .
Google , in particular , helped to usher the cornerstones of the tech working space in the late 90s - beanbags , slides , sleep pods and - crucially - free food , ensuring that if @ @ @ @ @ @ @ waking hour working , you may as well do it in relative comfort .
These days , Airbnb has outfitted its enormous San Francisco HQ with conference rooms resembling some of its quirkiest listings and kombucha on tap , while Amazon 's Seattle campus sports its own biodome spheres housing more than 40,000 plants .
The coronavirus pandemic may spell an end to all of that .
Twitter has become the first major Silicon Valley stalwart to tell its workers they 're welcome to work from home indefinitely if its employees are in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to - and if they want to continue to do so forever , `` we will make that happen '' .
While reopening the social media firm 's offices will be the company 's decision , when and if its employees return will be theirs , it added , warning that very few sites are expected to open their doors before September .
Twitter 's new stance is an interesting one .
While the very nature of tech encourages being able to connect , communicate and work remotely , the Silicon Valley giants @ @ @ @ @ @ @ -style meetings to chew over thorny issues .
Facebook , Google and Amazon 's workers may dress casually , bring their dogs to work and regularly agonise over the choice of polenta or freekeh at lunchtime , but they 're also expected to coordinate sprawling teams and squash upcoming problems quickly .
The huge former warehouses decked out with table football and keyboard vending machines have become symbolic of both the companies they belong to and the much-maligned tech industry as a whole .
While they 'll be better equipped to work remotely @ @ @ @ @ @ @ office culture that 's defined the sector ( and dripped down into even the humblest start-up 's working practices ) it 'll be intriguing to see how - and if - tech 's biggest companies pivot from campuses to employee 's living rooms and spare rooms .
But remote working wo n't work for everyone Amazon founder Jeff Bezos tours the facility at the grand opening of the Amazon Spheres in Seattle , in January 2018 ( Photo : Getty ) However , when privacy is the name of the game , hackable @ @ @ @ @ @ @ going to cut it for everyone .
Some of Apple 's employees focused on its products are reportedly already back working at the company 's Apple Park HQ in California - unsurprising , given the company 's reputation as the most secretive in the world .
Remote working is still patchy in terms of connectivity and reliability - in the age of zoombombing and untold security risks , the very thought of precious iPhone designs falling into the wrong hands is enough to bring Tim Cook out in a cold sweat .
Meeting @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and over-reliance on home internet networks , which can lack the security of a multi-billion dollar company 's offices .
No matter how much the rest of the world embraces dialling in from home , tech 's elite secret keepers will still be meeting behind ( extensively sanitised ) closed doors .

For many years, one of the major perks of working for one of the world’s largest technology companies was the opportunity to spend time in their lavish offices. Google, in particular, helped to usher the cornerstones of the tech working space in the late 90s – beanbags, slides, sleep pods and – crucially – free food, ensuring that if you were going to be spending every waking hour working, you may as well do it in relative comfort.
These days, Airbnb has outfitted its enormous San Francisco HQ with conference rooms resembling some of its quirkiest listings and kombucha on tap, while Amazon’s Seattle campus sports its own biodome spheres housing more than 40,000 plants.
The coronavirus pandemic may spell an end to all of that. Twitter has become the first major Silicon Valley stalwart to tell its workers they’re welcome to work from home indefinitely if its employees are in a role and situation that enables them to – and if they want to continue to do so forever, “we will make that happen”.
While reopening the social media firm’s offices will be the company’s decision, when and if its employees return will be theirs, it added, warning that very few sites are expected to open their doors before September.
Pivoting from campuses to living rooms
Twitter’s new stance is an interesting one. While the very nature of tech encourages being able to connect, communicate and work remotely, the Silicon Valley giants have always encouraged face-to-face “spit-balling”-style meetings to chew over thorny issues. Facebook, Google and Amazon’s workers may dress casually, bring their dogs to work and regularly agonise over the choice of polenta or freekeh at lunchtime, but they’re also expected to coordinate sprawling teams and squash upcoming problems quickly.
The huge former warehouses decked out with table football and keyboard vending machines have become symbolic of both the companies they belong to and the much-maligned tech industry as a whole. While they’ll be better equipped to work remotely than many others, without the corporate office culture that’s defined the sector (and dripped down into even the humblest start-up’s working practices) it’ll be intriguing to see how – and if – tech’s biggest companies pivot from campuses to employee’s living rooms and spare rooms.
But remote working won’t work for everyone
However, when privacy is the name of the game, hackable phone conferences and digital meetings are never going to cut it for everyone. Some of Apple’s employees focused on its products are reportedly already back working at the company’s Apple Park HQ in California – unsurprising, given the company’s reputation as the most secretive in the world.
Remote working is still patchy in terms of connectivity and reliability – in the age of zoombombing and untold security risks, the very thought of precious iPhone designs falling into the wrong hands is enough to bring Tim Cook out in a cold sweat. Meeting in person eliminates any damning paper trails and over-reliance on home internet networks, which can lack the security of a multi-billion dollar company’s offices. No matter how much the rest of the world embraces dialling in from home, tech’s elite secret keepers will still be meeting behind (extensively sanitised) closed doors.


inews--2020-05-13--Covid-19 daily death toll not reducing 'as speedily as we would like', says statistics chief

Covid-19 daily death toll not reducing 'as speedily as we would like ' , says statistics chief National Statistician Ian Diamond warns an L-shaped recession will lead to more deaths from poverty Professor Ian Diamond told MPs that , although the country had come through the peak of the coronavirus outbreak , there were still fears of a second spike in infections .
He also warned that an L-shaped recession - where the UK economy does not bounce back immediately from the effects of the virus - would lead to more deaths among people from the effects of poverty and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ told the public administration select committee : “ We are through the current peak , but it does seem to me we need to be worried that as we come through this current peak we do not seed another one.
” Prof Diamond said there were still three coronavirus epidemics in the UK - in hospitals , in care homes and in the wider community .
He added : “ We need , I would suggest , to be able to be prepared to act in each of those areas .
“ What @ @ @ @ @ @ @ deaths in each of those areas but not at the moment as speedily as we would perhaps like.
” On fears of a prolonged economy downturn , Prof Diamond said : “ If we end up with an L-shaped recession as opposed to a V shape where we come back out quite quickly … this could lead to a significant number of deaths as a result of people being pushed into poverty or long term unemployment .
`` We know that people in the lowest deciles of income have higher morality rates in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that you are likely to see an increase in deaths.
” Prof Diamond said , however that he was not yet “ prepared to say we have the highest death toll in Europe ” , adding : “ There is no doubt that we are , if you like , at the higher level for deaths , but because of the great difficulty in understanding exactly whether we ’ re comparing apples with apples or apples with pears , I am not prepared to say that the UK has the highest.
” He @ @ @ @ @ @ @ evidence and nuances around it but politicians need to make the policy .
That is what is happening .
“ I also think it is very good that officials are there [ at Sage ] because science is almost never black and white … Those people doing the policymaking , it helps that they understand the nuances.
” Prof Diamond also called for new laws ensuring that all deaths are recorded electronically within 24 hours , because the ONS was receiving delayed notifications , often by post , leading to a lag of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of comprehensive excess mortality figures .
Prof Diamond and Ed Humpherson , the director general for regulation for the UK Statistics Authority , both called for all data that is referred to by politicians to be put in the public domain .
There has been controversy over the publication of scientific advice , including discussed at Sage .
Mr Humpherson added that the social care sector has never been “ monitored , measured and tracked ” like the NHS and that he hoped the spotlight thrown on care homes during the pandemic would @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” and be rectified .

Daily deaths from Covid-19 are not reducing in the UK “as speedily as we would like”, the National Statistician has said.
Professor Ian Diamond told MPs that, although the country had come through the peak of the coronavirus outbreak, there were still fears of a second spike in infections.
He also warned that an L-shaped recession – where the UK economy does not bounce back immediately from the effects of the virus – would lead to more deaths among people from the effects of poverty and unemployment due to the downturn.
He told the public administration select committee: “We are through the current peak, but it does seem to me we need to be worried that as we come through this current peak we do not seed another one.”
Prof Diamond said there were still three coronavirus epidemics in the UK – in hospitals, in care homes and in the wider community. He added: “We need, I would suggest, to be able to be prepared to act in each of those areas.
“What are seeing is a reduction in the deaths in each of those areas but not at the moment as speedily as we would perhaps like.”
Fears over L-shaped recession
On fears of a prolonged economy downturn, Prof Diamond said: “If we end up with an L-shaped recession as opposed to a V shape where we come back out quite quickly … this could lead to a significant number of deaths as a result of people being pushed into poverty or long term unemployment.
“We know that people in the lowest deciles of income have higher morality rates in our country, so if you increase that you are likely to see an increase in deaths.”
Prof Diamond said, however that he was not yet “prepared to say we have the highest death toll in Europe”, adding: “There is no doubt that we are, if you like, at the higher level for deaths, but because of the great difficulty in understanding exactly whether we’re comparing apples with apples or apples with pears, I am not prepared to say that the UK has the highest.”
The Office for National Statistics’ figures suggest that around 136,000 people currently have Covid-19.
In his evidence to MPs, Prof Diamond also backed Boris Johnson’s top adviser, Dominic Cummings, being present at Sage, the scientific advisory group on emergencies.
Nuances
He said: “Science can provide some evidence and nuances around it but politicians need to make the policy. That is what is happening.
“I also think it is very good that officials are there [at Sage] because science is almost never black and white … Those people doing the policymaking, it helps that they understand the nuances.”
Prof Diamond also called for new laws ensuring that all deaths are recorded electronically within 24 hours, because the ONS was receiving delayed notifications, often by post, leading to a lag of up to 11 days in the publication of comprehensive excess mortality figures.
Prof Diamond and Ed Humpherson, the director general for regulation for the UK Statistics Authority, both called for all data that is referred to by politicians to be put in the public domain. There has been controversy over the publication of scientific advice, including discussed at Sage.
Mr Humpherson added that the social care sector has never been “monitored, measured and tracked” like the NHS and that he hoped the spotlight thrown on care homes during the pandemic would show up this “disparity of measurement” and be rectified.


inews--2020-05-13--Life in Lisbon after lockdown: 'There's no extra money and no excitement'

Life in Lisbon after lockdown : 'There 's no extra money and no excitement' Euphoria is in short supply and any visible differences are hard to spot The reality was rather more prosaic .
The fact restaurants , bars , clubs and even beaches were still closed , combined with the general feeling that people had increasingly been pushing the rules that did exist to their limit , meant that euphoria was in short supply and any visible difference was hard to spot .
Portugal has , on the face of it , been spared the worst effects of the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ just over a thousand deaths .
Its citizens can reflect with some satisfaction on the way that their government has dealt with the crisis , especially when compared to their Spanish neighbours .
Apparent success in combating the virus has come at an economic and psychological cost .
More than most capitals Lisbon relies on tourism and countless 'cash in hand ' jobs with no contracts – not ideal at the best of times , disastrous when trying to claim for missed pay from the government .
In addition to that , we @ @ @ @ @ @ @ having great difficulties in getting what they are entitled to – missed or late payments .
Everyone is subsisting on a smaller sum and no-one can borrow from their friends because they are in the same boat .
The surreal experience of queuing to enter supermarkets where everyone is masked has become the new normal ( Photo : Patricia De Melo Moreira/Getty ) At first , there was a kind of novelty to this unique experience , people faced the situation sanguinely and there was a sense almost of adventure everywhere .
We @ @ @ @ @ @ @ giving an extra illicit thrill to the attendees who needed to creep through the streets with a plausible story at the ready to explain their late-night movements .
But now I don ’ t hear much about that .
There seems to no appetite for any kind of parties , no money for anything but necessities and no feeling of excitement .
The surreal experience of queuing to enter supermarkets where everyone is masked has become the new normal .
The other side of this coin is that people are less willing to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ busier every day , more and more people can be seen without masks , more and more cafes and restaurants are open as takeaways .
It seems an inevitable response to the guidelines under which we live – anyone can always think of a reason to be outside and more and more people are willing to simply pretend rather than adhere to the spirit of the law as they did at first .
Especially in Lisbon and its surrounding areas as the worst-hit areas of Portugal have so far been in the north @ @ @ @ @ @ @ light at the end of the tunnel – relaxation perhaps necessary as people push towards it - but there is a general realisation that it will be a long hard slog rather than a moment of release .
I have friends who own a restaurant .
When they are finally allowed to re-open they and their staff will need to be tested , their capacity will be smaller – it all boils down to more work than they did before and less money at the end .
A story I hear again and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ s no surprise that the general mood is far from one of elation .
There is a general understanding that the following three-stage relaxation process will be difficult and also necessary .

Last Monday Portuguese citizens emerged blinking into the light after the strictest conditions of emergency law were finally relaxed… or at least that was the theory.
The reality was rather more prosaic. The fact restaurants, bars, clubs and even beaches were still closed, combined with the general feeling that people had increasingly been pushing the rules that did exist to their limit, meant that euphoria was in short supply and any visible difference was hard to spot.
Portugal has, on the face of it, been spared the worst effects of the Covid-19 virus, with “only” just over a thousand deaths. Its citizens can reflect with some satisfaction on the way that their government has dealt with the crisis, especially when compared to their Spanish neighbours.
But, of course, the raw numbers do not tell the whole story.
Apparent success in combating the virus has come at an economic and psychological cost. More than most capitals Lisbon relies on tourism and countless ‘cash in hand’ jobs with no contracts – not ideal at the best of times, disastrous when trying to claim for missed pay from the government.
In addition to that, we hear of friends who do have contracts having great difficulties in getting what they are entitled to – missed or late payments. Everyone is subsisting on a smaller sum and no-one can borrow from their friends because they are in the same boat.
At first, there was a kind of novelty to this unique experience, people faced the situation sanguinely and there was a sense almost of adventure everywhere. We heard of clandestine parties, no doubt giving an extra illicit thrill to the attendees who needed to creep through the streets with a plausible story at the ready to explain their late-night movements.
But now I don’t hear much about that. There seems to no appetite for any kind of parties, no money for anything but necessities and no feeling of excitement. The surreal experience of queuing to enter supermarkets where everyone is masked has become the new normal.
The other side of this coin is that people are less willing to toe the line, the streets are busier every day, more and more people can be seen without masks, more and more cafes and restaurants are open as takeaways. It seems an inevitable response to the guidelines under which we live – anyone can always think of a reason to be outside and more and more people are willing to simply pretend rather than adhere to the spirit of the law as they did at first. Especially in Lisbon and its surrounding areas as the worst-hit areas of Portugal have so far been in the north.
And now there is arguably a light at the end of the tunnel – relaxation perhaps necessary as people push towards it – but there is a general realisation that it will be a long hard slog rather than a moment of release.
I have friends who own a restaurant. When they are finally allowed to re-open they and their staff will need to be tested, their capacity will be smaller – it all boils down to more work than they did before and less money at the end. A story I hear again and again with minor variations.
It’s no surprise that the general mood is far from one of elation. There is a general understanding that the following three-stage relaxation process will be difficult and also necessary.
Richard Walsh is a British DJ and promoter


inews--2020-05-13--UK economy: GDP shrinks by 2% in first three months of 2020 as coronavirus lockdown hits

UK economy : GDP shrinks by 2 % in first three months of 2020 as coronavirus lockdown hits March saw the biggest monthly fall on record at 5.8 per cent , and represents just one full week of lockdown The UK economy has shrunk by 2 per cent in the first three months of the year - the biggest drop since the 2008 financial crash .
New figures released by The Office for National Statistics ( ONS ) mark the first official growth estimate since the Government introduced social distancing measures , and show activity contracted at a record pace @ @ @ @ @ @ @ cent .
But with the lockdown only coming into place on 23 March , the second quarter will show the full hit on the economy after the UK ground to a standstill .
It comes as a leaked Treasury assessment of the coronavirus crisis estimated a £300bn blow to the Exchequer , and could result in an income tax increase , end of the triple lock on state pension increases and a two-year public sector pay freeze , The Telegraph reported .
The document , addressed to Chancellor Rishi Sunak , is reportedly @ @ @ @ @ @ @ `` best case scenario '' forcasts a £337bn budget deficit this year .
In order to fund the increased debt , it recommends raising income tax between £25bn and £30bn – equivalent to a 5 per cent increase in the basic rate of income tax .
The ONS said there had been `` widespread '' declines across the service , manufacturing and construction industry .
In line with the ongoing struggle for airline companies , it recorded a 1.9 per cent fall in services output , which includes travel agents , hotels and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ also fell by 2.1 per cent in the first quarter , driven by declines in manufacturing , while construction output dropped by 2.6 per cent .
The ONS said : `` This is the largest quarterly contraction since the global financial crisis and reflects the imposing of public health restrictions and voluntary social distancing put in place in response to the Covid-19 pandemic '' .
The service industry has faced a number of setbacks since lockdown ( Photo : Getty ) Chancellor Rishi Sunak has said it is `` very likely '' that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ recession '' as a result of the coronavirus crisis .
`` We 've seen one here with only a few days of impact from the virus , so it is now very likely that the UK economy will face a significant recession this year and we are in the middle of that as we speak . ''
The Bank of England last week warned the coronavirus crisis could see the economy plunge by a further 25 per cent in the second quarter and fall by 14 per cent overall in 2020 , which @ @ @ @ @ @ @ records began .
The Bank also said Britain 's unemployment rate could hit 9 per cent between April and June as the lockdown batters firms across the economy .
Jonathan Athow , deputy national statistician for economic statistics at the ONS , said : `` With the arrival of the pandemic , nearly every aspect of the economy was hit in March , dragging growth to a record monthly fall .

The UK economy has shrunk by 2 per cent in the first three months of the year – the biggest drop since the 2008 financial crash.
New figures released by The Office for National Statistics (ONS) mark the first official growth estimate since the Government introduced social distancing measures, and show activity contracted at a record pace in March, plunging by 5.8 per cent.
But with the lockdown only coming into place on 23 March, the second quarter will show the full hit on the economy after the UK ground to a standstill.
It comes as a leaked Treasury assessment of the coronavirus crisis estimated a £300bn blow to the Exchequer, and could result in an income tax increase, end of the triple lock on state pension increases and a two-year public sector pay freeze, The Telegraph reported.
The document, addressed to Chancellor Rishi Sunak, is reportedly dated 5 May, saying that the “best case scenario” forcasts a £337bn budget deficit this year. In order to fund the increased debt, it recommends raising income tax between £25bn and £30bn – equivalent to a 5 per cent increase in the basic rate of income tax.
GDP drop
The financial decline was driven by a record fall in March, when first quarter gross domestic product (GDP) tumbled.
The ONS said there had been “widespread” declines across the service, manufacturing and construction industry. In line with the ongoing struggle for airline companies, it recorded a 1.9 per cent fall in services output, which includes travel agents, hotels and shops, among others.
There was a 2.0% fall in UK GDP in Quarter 1 (Jan to March) 2020 https://t.co/SWbwgp79J8 pic.twitter.com/VS2Nzc3Rww — Office for National Statistics (ONS) (@ONS) May 13, 2020
Production output also fell by 2.1 per cent in the first quarter, driven by declines in manufacturing, while construction output dropped by 2.6 per cent.
The ONS said: “This is the largest quarterly contraction since the global financial crisis and reflects the imposing of public health restrictions and voluntary social distancing put in place in response to the Covid-19 pandemic”.
‘Significant recession’
Chancellor Rishi Sunak has said it is “very likely” that the UK will face a “significant recession” as a result of the coronavirus crisis.
He told the BBC: “A recession is defined technically as two quarters of decline in GDP.
“We’ve seen one here with only a few days of impact from the virus, so it is now very likely that the UK economy will face a significant recession this year and we are in the middle of that as we speak.”
The Bank of England last week warned the coronavirus crisis could see the economy plunge by a further 25 per cent in the second quarter and fall by 14 per cent overall in 2020, which would mark the worst annual fall since records began.
The Bank also said Britain’s unemployment rate could hit 9 per cent between April and June as the lockdown batters firms across the economy.
Jonathan Athow, deputy national statistician for economic statistics at the ONS, said: “With the arrival of the pandemic, nearly every aspect of the economy was hit in March, dragging growth to a record monthly fall.
“Services and construction saw record declines on the month with education, car sales and restaurants all falling substantially.”
He added: “The pandemic also hit trade globally, with UK imports and exports falling over the last couple of months, including a notable drop in imports from China.”


inews--2020-05-13--Tory MP Peter Bone says Boris Johnson's Sunday night television address was 'plain wrong' and led to

Tory MP Peter Bone says Boris Johnson's Sunday night television address was 'plain wrong' and led to 'confusion'

Tory MP Peter Bone says Boris Johnson 's Sunday night television address was 'plain wrong ' and led to 'confusion' 'Spin and presentation do n't make good government .
It is Parliament that makes good government . '
The Government was subjected to severe criticism from one of its own backbenchers on Tuesday over its handling of the loosening of Covid-19 lockdown restrictions .
The address and publicity in advance of the speech has been criticised for being unclear , leading to confusion about the nature of the change to restrictions and when they were coming into effect .
Mr @ @ @ @ @ @ @ link that `` the television presentation by the Prime Minister was plain wrong '' , saying that he had been contacted by constituents confused by the messaging .
`` I 've been emailed by my constituents saying the Government has eased the lockdown too much and an equal number are saying they have n't eased the lockdown enough . ''
The ardent Brexiteer said that the Government had communicated its message `` badly '' and that `` too many of the Prime Minister 's special advisers and aides think they are running a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ `` They think the Prime Minister goes on television and announces all sorts of executive orders without any reference to Parliament .
Many of them have clearly been watching too many episodes of West Wing . ''
'Not how our Parliamentary democracy works' Prime Minister Boris Johnson addressing the nation about coronavirus ( COVID-19 ) from 10 Downing Street ( Photo : PA ) He then listed the reasons why he felt the televised address , which followed a bank holiday weekend were many details had been briefed to the press , was @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Speaker warned the Government twice not to do this .
It made it clear that the Government should announce new policy in the chamber of the House of Commons first . ''
He said the Government disobeying the Speaker 's wishes was `` not how our Parliamentary democracy works '' .
He also said the Government had breached the ministerial code .
`` On page 23 under section 'Ministers and Parliament ' , it says in bold type : 'When Parliament is in session the most important announcements of Government policy should be @ @ @ @ @ @ @ . '
He also said that as MP 's have a better idea of the concerns of constituents they should have been given the opportunity to question the Prime Minister on the change in policy .
He also criticised the delay of the publication of the 51-page document detailing the changes , which should have been published at the same time as the speech and said that media briefings added to confusion .

The Government was subjected to severe criticism from one of its own backbenchers on Tuesday over its handling of the loosening of Covid-19 lockdown restrictions.
Tory MP Peter Bone, who represents Wellingborough, accused Boris Johnson’s advisers of trying to run a “presidential Government” and watching “too much West Wing” with a televised address on Sunday night.
The address and publicity in advance of the speech has been criticised for being unclear, leading to confusion about the nature of the change to restrictions and when they were coming into effect.
‘Plain wrong’
Mr Bone told the Commons via a video link that “the television presentation by the Prime Minister was plain wrong”, saying that he had been contacted by constituents confused by the messaging.
“I’ve been emailed by my constituents saying the Government has eased the lockdown too much and an equal number are saying they haven’t eased the lockdown enough.”
The ardent Brexiteer said that the Government had communicated its message “badly” and that “too many of the Prime Minister’s special advisers and aides think they are running a presidential Government”.
He added: “They think the Prime Minister goes on television and announces all sorts of executive orders without any reference to Parliament. Many of them have clearly been watching too many episodes of West Wing.”
‘Not how our Parliamentary democracy works’
He then listed the reasons why he felt the televised address, which followed a bank holiday weekend were many details had been briefed to the press, was wrong.
He said: “The Speaker warned the Government twice not to do this. It made it clear that the Government should announce new policy in the chamber of the House of Commons first.”
He said the Government disobeying the Speaker’s wishes was “not how our Parliamentary democracy works”. He also said the Government had breached the ministerial code.
“On page 23 under section ‘Ministers and Parliament’, it says in bold type: ‘When Parliament is in session the most important announcements of Government policy should be made in the first instance in Parliament.’
“Clearly the Prime Minister’s television address breached the ministerial code.”
He also said that as MP’s have a better idea of the concerns of constituents they should have been given the opportunity to question the Prime Minister on the change in policy.
He also criticised the delay of the publication of the 51-page document detailing the changes, which should have been published at the same time as the speech and said that media briefings added to confusion.
He finished by saying “spin and presentation don’t make good Government. It is Parliament that makes good Government”.


inews--2020-05-13--When can I go fishing? Latest on when angling will be allowed after Government issues new UK lockdow

When can I go fishing? Latest on when angling will be allowed after Government issues new UK lockdown rules

When can I go fishing ?
Latest on when angling will be allowed after Government issues new UK lockdown rules Latest on when angling will be allowed , as government issues new lockdown guidelines .
If you regularly partake in a spot of fishing , you may be eager to get back out on the open water or riverbank again .
When will I be able to fish again ?
If you are planning to go fishing in lakes or the sea you must be within your own household and two metres from other households .
Although this will now @ @ @ @ @ @ @ be “ no sunbathing , picnics or barbecues ” , which is in contrast to Johnson ’ s new advice .
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 .
Is fishing allowed in other European countries ?
On 4 May angling resumed in Belgium , and many countries have now also announced timetables for lifting restrictions on activities that allow social distancing to continue , such @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that Culture Secretary Oliver Dowden has already confirmed to MPs that ministers are actively considering how low risk outdoor activities such as angling and golf might be permitted in the first phase of easing restrictions .
How can I prepare to fish again ?
The EA has also advised on other ways that keen anglers can keep busy and prepare for when they can head back out to fish again .
“ First up , take some time to get your tackle into top condition so you ’ re ready to go when @ @ @ @ @ @ @ enjoy our favourite pastime again , ” adds the EA .

If you regularly partake in a spot of fishing, you may be eager to get back out on the open water or riverbank again.
But with the UK still under lockdown, when will the public be able to fish?
Here’s everything you need to know.
When will I be able to fish again?
According to the Government’s new lockdown rules, angling and water sports were allowed to resume in England from Wednesday (13 May).
If you are planning to go fishing in lakes or the sea you must be within your own household and two metres from other households.
However, outdoor swimming pools, indoor swimming pools, and gyms remain closed for the foreseeable future.
But the leaders of Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland have rejected Boris Johnson’s new “stay alert” slogan.
The First Minister of Scotland, Nicola Sturgeon, has ordered those in Scotland to follow different advice on outdoors exercise.
Although this will now be unlimited, Sturgeon said there must be “no sunbathing, picnics or barbecues”, which is in contrast to Johnson’s new advice.
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.
The Northern Ireland Executive has now published its five-stage plan for slowly easing the coronavirus lockdown.
Although the blueprint does not currently include projected dates, phase one includes the reopening of outdoor spaces and public sports amenities.
Is fishing allowed in other European countries?
This report sets how recreational fishing could be permitted, alongside drawing on experience in other European countries including Germany, Holland, Denmark, the Czech Republic and Norway.
Angling has been allowed to continue in these countries under certain conditions during the pandemic.
On 4 May angling resumed in Belgium, and many countries have now also announced timetables for lifting restrictions on activities that allow social distancing to continue, such as fishing.
The Angling Trust explains that Culture Secretary Oliver Dowden has already confirmed to MPs that ministers are actively considering how low risk outdoor activities such as angling and golf might be permitted in the first phase of easing restrictions.
How can I prepare to fish again?
The Angling Trust has launched a new Fishing Buzz website which has lots of angling news, advice, tips and videos to keep the whole family entertained.
The EA has also advised on other ways that keen anglers can keep busy and prepare for when they can head back out to fish again.
“First up, take some time to get your tackle into top condition so you’re ready to go when we can return to the bankside and enjoy our favourite pastime again,” adds the EA.
They advise thoroughly cleaning and drying fishing nets and gear in order to ensure diseases and invasive species are removed to help to protect waterways and fish stocks.
They also advise disposing of old bait and preparing new bait, alongside tying rigs or flies.


inews--2020-05-13--Hamilton film: Disney+ UK release date, cast and everything else you need to know about the movie of

Hamilton film: Disney+ UK release date, cast and everything else you need to know about the movie of the hit musical

Hamilton film : Disney+ UK release date , cast and everything else you need to know about the movie of the hit musical Lin-Manuel Miranda 's Tony-winning musical has had its film release date bumped forward by over a year The room where it happens is now your living room - as long as you have a Disney+ subscription .
Back in February it was announced that a filmed version of Lin-Manuel Miranda 's Tony-winning musical Hamilton - starring the original Broadway cast - would be coming to cinemas in October 2021 .
That was then set to be followed @ @ @ @ @ @ @ However , Disney has now turned the world upside down by moving the release forward by more than a year , and bringing it straight to its streaming platform .
When is Hamilton coming to Disney+ ?
This means Hamilton will now be available to stream from 3 July for all Disney+ subscribers .
And with much of its new content slated for Disney+ , such as Marvel 's Falcon and the Winter Soldier and Loki , now delayed because of the coronavirus pandemic , Disney has decided to bump Hamilton up the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ was professionally filmed back in 2016 , with the full original cast , including Miranda himself in the title role .
Bob Iger , Disney 's executive chairman , said : `` No other artistic work in the last decade has had the cultural impact of Hamilton - an inspiring and captivating tale told and performed in a powerfully creative way .
`` In light of the extraordinary challenges facing our world , this story about leadership , tenacity , hope , love and the power of people to unite against the forces @ @ @ @ @ @ @ . ''
The original Broadway cast appear in the filmed version ( Photo : Getty ) Miranda added that the way the production was filmed means everyone has `` the best seat in the house '' .
He added : `` I 'm so grateful to Disney and Disney+ for reimagining and moving up our release to 4 July weekend of this year , in light of the world turning upside down .
`` I ’ m so grateful to all the fans who asked for this , and I ’ m so @ @ @ @ @ @ @ make it happen .
I ’ m so proud of this show .
I can ’ t wait for you to see it . ''
What is Hamilton about ?
The musical chronicles the life of Alexander Hamilton , an immigrant who became one of America 's founding fathers .
Miranda uses a cast of almost exclusively non-white actors to tell the tale , and many of the songs are inspired by rap and hip-hop .

The room where it happens is now your living room – as long as you have a Disney+ subscription.
Back in February it was announced that a filmed version of Lin-Manuel Miranda‘s Tony-winning musical Hamilton – starring the original Broadway cast – would be coming to cinemas in October 2021.
That was then set to be followed by an exclusive release on Disney+.
However, Disney turned the world upside down by moving the release forward by more than a year, and bringing it straight to its streaming platform.
When is Hamilton coming to Disney+?
This means Hamilton will now be available to stream from 3 July for all Disney+ subscribers.
It’s only a matter of time… Our Hamilton film.
THIS July 3rd.
On Disney+.#Hamilfilm pic.twitter.com/cXTM949hRr — Lin-Manuel Miranda (@Lin_Manuel) May 12, 2020
Disney reportedly paid a record-breaking $75m for the global rights to the recording of Hamilton.
And with much of its new content slated for Disney+, such as Marvel’s Falcon and the Winter Soldier and Loki, now delayed because of the coronavirus pandemic, Disney has decided to bump Hamilton up the schedule.
The production we will see was professionally filmed back in 2016, with the full original cast, including Miranda himself in the title role.
‘Biggest cultural impact of the decade’
Bob Iger, Disney’s executive chairman, said: “No other artistic work in the last decade has had the cultural impact of Hamilton – an inspiring and captivating tale told and performed in a powerfully creative way.
“In light of the extraordinary challenges facing our world, this story about leadership, tenacity, hope, love and the power of people to unite against the forces of adversity is both relevant and impactful.”
Miranda added that the way the production was filmed means everyone has “the best seat in the house”.
He added: “I’m so grateful to Disney and Disney+ for reimagining and moving up our release to 4 July weekend of this year, in light of the world turning upside down.
“I’m so grateful to all the fans who asked for this, and I’m so glad that we’re able to make it happen. I’m so proud of this show. I can’t wait for you to see it.”
What is Hamilton about?
The musical chronicles the life of Alexander Hamilton, an immigrant who became one of America’s founding fathers.
Miranda uses a cast of almost exclusively non-white actors to tell the tale, and many of the songs are inspired by rap and hip-hop.
Leslie Odom Jr. plays Hamilton’s nemesis Aaron Burr, Christopher Jackson plays George Washington and Jonathan Groff, the only white actor in the production, plays King George III.
Hamilton’s wife Eliza is played by Philippa Soo and Renée Elise Goldberry plays her sister Angelica.
The musical tells how Hamilton fought in the civil war and went on to help shape modern America, including its financial system.
It holds the record for the most Tony Award nominations with 16, winning 11, including Best Musical and Best Original Score.


inews--2020-05-13--Face masks: is it possible to wash and reuse a coronavirus PPE mask

Face masks : is it possible to wash and reuse a coronavirus PPE mask As the coronavirus continues to spread , the UK Government is now advising members of the public to wear face masks Experts have previously passed the government research that showcased how face coverings , such as face masks , can help stop the spread of the virus by those without symptoms , otherwise known as 'asymptomatic ' .
If you ’ re already wearing a face mask , or looking to make your own so you can follow the new guidelines , here ’ s what @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
If you ’ re using thin , surgical masks then no , these can not be washed and reused as they are designed to be disposable , single-use masks .
The World Health Organisation states : “ Replace the mask with a new one as soon as it is damp and do not reuse single-use masks.
” If you ’ re using a cloth face covering , for example something that you ’ ve made yourself at home , then yes , you should be washing your face mask between uses .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ mask in the wash after every use .
So , every time you return home from the supermarket for example , you should put the mask in the wash and let it dry before using it again .
How do I effectively clean my face mask ?
Because of the frequency of washing required , you should make sure you have multiple masks that you can rotate with whilst the other ones are being washed and dried .
How do I make my own face mask ?
You can read more about sewn @ @ @ @ @ @ @ here .
You ’ ll need two 10 ” by 6 ” rectangles of cotton fabric , two 6 ” pieces of elastic , needle , thread , scissors and a sewing machine .
For those of us who do not have access to a sewing machine , or don ’ t know how to sew , there are a variety of “ no sew ” methods you can follow .
Before putting on your mask , make sure your hands are clean - wash them thoroughly with soap and water for at @ @ @ @ @ @ @ mask on , make sure your mouth and nose are covered , with no gaps between your face and the mask .
Avoid touching the mask whilst it ’ s on your face - if you do accidentally touch the mask , make sure and wash your hands with soap and water as soon as possible .
When it comes time to remove the mask , always remove it from behind , making sure to avoid touching the front of it .
Immediately discard the mask if it is a single use mask @ @ @ @ @ @ @ machine if it ’ s a cloth mask .
The document said : `` The Government is now advising that people should aim to wear a face-covering in enclosed spaces where social distancing is not always possible and they come into contact with others that they do not normally meet , for example on public transport or in some shops . ''
The publication also emphasised that `` homemade cloth face coverings can help reduce the risk of transmission in some circumstances '' and that they are `` not intended to help the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ transmission of the disease to others if you have it asymptomatically '' .

Experts have previously passed the government research that showcased how face coverings, such as face masks, can help stop the spread of the virus by those without symptoms, otherwise known as ‘asymptomatic’.
If you’re already wearing a face mask, or looking to make your own so you can follow the new guidelines, here’s what you need to know about reusing masks.
Can I wash and reuse a face mask?
Whether you can wash and reuse a face mask depends on what kind of face mask you’re using.
If you’re using thin, surgical masks then no, these cannot be washed and reused as they are designed to be disposable, single-use masks.
The World Health Organisation states: “Replace the mask with a new one as soon as it is damp and do not reuse single-use masks.”
If you’re using a cloth face covering, for example something that you’ve made yourself at home, then yes, you should be washing your face mask between uses.
The advice is to put your cloth mask in the wash after every use. So, every time you return home from the supermarket for example, you should put the mask in the wash and let it dry before using it again.
How do I effectively clean my face mask?
The Centre for Disease Control states that “a washing machine should suffice properly washing a face covering”.
Because of the frequency of washing required, you should make sure you have multiple masks that you can rotate with whilst the other ones are being washed and dried.
You can make your own masks at home using household items like t-shirts and pillowcases.
How do I make my own face mask?
You can easily make a cloth face mask at home, whether you know how to sew or not.
You can read more about sewn cloth face covering instructions from the CDC here. You’ll need two 10” by 6” rectangles of cotton fabric, two 6” pieces of elastic, needle, thread, scissors and a sewing machine.
For those of us who do not have access to a sewing machine, or don’t know how to sew, there are a variety of “no sew” methods you can follow.
This is a quick cut t-shirt face mask tutorial from the CDC that you can follow at home:
You’ll need a t-shirt and a pair of scissors
First, cut about seven to eight inches of material from the bottom of the t-shirt. From this band of material, cut out six to seven inches from the centre of the band.
You should see the face mask begin to take shape – cut the two tie strings at the back of the mask. You can now use this DIY t-shirt mask to tie to your face when you go out and about
How do I effectively wear a mask?
These are the steps you should take when wearing a face mask, according to WHO.
Before putting on your mask, make sure your hands are clean – wash them thoroughly with soap and water for at least 20 seconds.
When putting your mask on, make sure your mouth and nose are covered, with no gaps between your face and the mask.
Avoid touching the mask whilst it’s on your face – if you do accidentally touch the mask, make sure and wash your hands with soap and water as soon as possible.
When it comes time to remove the mask, always remove it from behind, making sure to avoid touching the front of it. Immediately discard the mask if it is a single use mask, or place it in the washing machine if it’s a cloth mask.
Should I be wearing a mask?
The government published a 50 page document called Our Plan to Rebuild: The UK Government’s COVID-19 recovery strategy, and within this publication it had a dedicated section for face coverings.
The document said: “The Government is now advising that people should aim to wear a face-covering in enclosed spaces where social distancing is not always possible and they come into contact with others that they do not normally meet, for example on public transport or in some shops.”
The publication also emphasised that “homemade cloth face coverings can help reduce the risk of transmission in some circumstances” and that they are “not intended to help the wearer, but to protect against inadvertent transmission of the disease to others if you have it asymptomatically”.
So while face masks won’t prevent you from catching the disease, it will help prevent the spread of the disease from those with the virus.


inews--2020-05-13--Can I drive to exercise or walk my dog? The lockdown rules on travelling in UK explained

Can I drive to exercise or walk my dog ?
The lockdown rules on travelling in UK explained As rules regarding lockdown restrictions begin to change , knowing what you can and can not do can still feel vague Under government guidance , people are now allowed to go outside for more than their once daily exercise - in fact , outdoor exercise is now no longer limited .
But does this include driving to a beauty spot or park to run or walk your dog ?
Can I drive to take my dog on a walk ?
Current rules @ @ @ @ @ @ @ there are only four reasons you should be leaving your home : The UK Government has now updated the daily exercise allowance , from one form of daily exercise a day to an unlimited amount of exercise each day .
This will be permitted from Wednesday 13 May , and social distancing measures will still need to be followed .
Boris Johnson said : `` From this Wednesday , we want to encourage people to take more and even unlimited amounts of outdoor exercise . ''
Driving to other destinations to do this @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is also allowed .
`` You can sit in the sun in your local park , you can drive to other destinations , you can even play sports but only with members of your own household , '' Johnson explained .
In the list released by the government , it stated : “ Parks will remain open only for individuals and households to exercise .
The National Trust also announced that they are closing all of their gardens and parks as well due to the spread of coronavirus .
Their statement said : @ @ @ @ @ @ @ our gated gardens and parks as well as our houses , cafes and shops to help restrict the spread of the coronavirus , and by the end of Tuesday 24 March , we will close all our car parks .

Under government guidance, people are now allowed to go outside for more than their once daily exercise – in fact, outdoor exercise is now no longer limited. But does this include driving to a beauty spot or park to run or walk your dog?
Here’s what you should know.
Can I drive to take my dog on a walk?
Current rules being enforced by the lockdown states that there are only four reasons you should be leaving your home:
Daily exercise (which includes walking your dog)
Shopping for essentials
Travelling to and from work
To fulfil medical needs
The UK Government has now updated the daily exercise allowance, from one form of daily exercise a day to an unlimited amount of exercise each day.
This will be permitted from Wednesday 13 May, and social distancing measures will still need to be followed.
Boris Johnson said: “From this Wednesday, we want to encourage people to take more and even unlimited amounts of outdoor exercise.”
Driving to other destinations to do this exercise, which includes dog walking, is also allowed.
“You can sit in the sun in your local park, you can drive to other destinations, you can even play sports but only with members of your own household,” Johnson explained.
Are parks closed?
In the list released by the government, it stated: “Parks will remain open only for individuals and households to exercise.
“Communal spaces within parks such as playgrounds and football pitches will be closed.”
The National Trust also announced that they are closing all of their gardens and parks as well due to the spread of coronavirus.
Their statement said: “We have now closed all of our gated gardens and parks as well as our houses, cafes and shops to help restrict the spread of the coronavirus, and by the end of Tuesday 24 March, we will close all our car parks.
“We believe it is important that people do not travel, and instead stay at home and observe social distancing measures.”


inews--2020-05-13--Coronavirus deaths: We need to start recording ethnicity on death certificates

Coronavirus deaths : We need to start recording ethnicity on death certificates If one thing is clear by now from the coronavirus pandemic , it is that the disease does not affect everyone equally Analysis from the Office for National Statistics starkly outlines that those living in areas with high levels of deprivation are being most heavily impacted .
There have been 55 deaths for every 100,000 people in the poorest parts of England , compared with 25 in the wealthiest areas .
There is also mounting evidence that black , Asian and minority ethnic communities are being disproportionately affected @ @ @ @ @ @ @ more than four times more likely to die from Covid-19 than their white counterparts .
Likewise , non-white patients with Covid-19 have been shown to make up more than 34 per cent of those in intensive care .
These figures are truly shocking , and have led to the announcement of an official inquiry , to be headed by NHS England and Public Health England , into the disproportionate impact of Covid-19 on black , Asian and minority ethnic communities .
As the outbreak has progressed , there has been growing recognition of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , Public Health England announced it was to start recording Covid-19 cases and deaths in hospitals by ethnicity .
But we are still not doing enough .
Only by adding ethnicity onto all death certificates will we be able to establish a complete picture of the impact on those from black , Asian and minority ethnic backgrounds .
There ’ s another pressing problem : the fact that we didn ’ t collect this data in the past makes it even harder to come up with a policy response to the crisis today @ @ @ @ @ @ @ now , we suffer from the problem of not being able to compare it to data before the pandemic began .
Taking an intersectional approach has the power to provide us with greater insight about individuals , their lives , their needs and the potential gaps in the service provision required to meet those needs .
This is because it shows that the inequalities faced by women of colour are not the same as those faced by white women with a racial element “ added on ” : they are fundamentally different .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ unemployment rate of 2.9 per cent for non-disabled white women .
This figure jumps to seven per cent for non-disabled black , Asian and minority ethnic women ( BAME ) and to 14 per cent for disabled black , Asian and ethnic minority women .
It is also important to recognise that analysing data under broad terms such as BAME is often not sufficient .
Analysis of death rates per 100,000 population in England showed marked differences between ethnic groups – with figures of 23 for white British , 27 for Asians , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for those of Caribbean heritage .
While the Covid-19 pandemic shows the need for better data , it also shines a spotlight on the political dimension of data collection .
Without mandatory collection and reporting requirements , this can be inconsistent between local and national levels of government and across the devolved nations of the UK .
For example , in Scotland , ethnicity is recorded on death certificates , however such data is not routinely captured in England and Wales .
This is despite a report back in 2003 noting that collecting @ @ @ @ @ @ @ inequalities .
Covid-19 is exposing this as a deadly failing .
So it is vital that systematic , standardised collection of properly disaggregated data is undertaken now .
Such data is imperative in the immediate term as we create responses to Covid-19 , but also as we deal with the aftershocks of the pandemic right across society more broadly .
The fact that the UK has reached the grim milestone of having the highest death toll in Europe shows we need more robust data collection in order to respond better to this crisis @ @ @ @ @ @ @ take steps to address the inequalities in UK society .
We need an intersectional response now , more than ever , if we are to rebuild a more equitable society that works for all .

If one thing is clear by now from the coronavirus pandemic, it is that the disease does not affect everyone equally.
Analysis from the Office for National Statistics starkly outlines that those living in areas with high levels of deprivation are being most heavily impacted. There have been 55 deaths for every 100,000 people in the poorest parts of England, compared with 25 in the wealthiest areas.
There is also mounting evidence that black, Asian and minority ethnic communities are being disproportionately affected by the virus. Black men are more than four times more likely to die from Covid-19 than their white counterparts. Likewise, non-white patients with Covid-19 have been shown to make up more than 34 per cent of those in intensive care.
These figures are truly shocking, and have led to the announcement of an official inquiry, to be headed by NHS England and Public Health England, into the disproportionate impact of Covid-19 on black, Asian and minority ethnic communities.
Such figures also make clear the need for data that is disaggregated – separated out into categories – by protected characteristics such as ethnicity, disability, age and gender.
As the outbreak has progressed, there has been growing recognition of this from the government and in mid-April, Public Health England announced it was to start recording Covid-19 cases and deaths in hospitals by ethnicity.
But we are still not doing enough. Only by adding ethnicity onto all death certificates will we be able to establish a complete picture of the impact on those from black, Asian and minority ethnic backgrounds.
Governing with our hands tied
There’s another pressing problem: the fact that we didn’t collect this data in the past makes it even harder to come up with a policy response to the crisis today. Even as we begin disaggregating data now, we suffer from the problem of not being able to compare it to data before the pandemic began.
Not having access to this fine-tuned data means government officials are forced to operate with one hand tied behind their back in formulating health and social policies in response to Covid-19.
Collecting disaggregated data is also vitally important so we can undertake what’s known as intersectional analysis, which shows how people’s outcomes are simultaneously affected by multiple factors such as gender, disability, and ethnicity.
Taking an intersectional approach has the power to provide us with greater insight about individuals, their lives, their needs and the potential gaps in the service provision required to meet those needs.
This is because it shows that the inequalities faced by women of colour are not the same as those faced by white women with a racial element “added on”: they are fundamentally different. For example, recent figures show an unemployment rate of 2.9 per cent for non-disabled white women. This figure jumps to seven per cent for non-disabled black, Asian and minority ethnic women (BAME) and to 14 per cent for disabled black, Asian and ethnic minority women.
It is also important to recognise that analysing data under broad terms such as BAME is often not sufficient. Analysis of death rates per 100,000 population in England showed marked differences between ethnic groups – with figures of 23 for white British, 27 for Asians, 43 for black people, and 69 for those of Caribbean heritage.
Access to better data therefore not only rests on improved collection, but also delving into broad categorisations such as BAME.
Data is political
While the Covid-19 pandemic shows the need for better data, it also shines a spotlight on the political dimension of data collection. Without mandatory collection and reporting requirements, this can be inconsistent between local and national levels of government and across the devolved nations of the UK.
For example, in Scotland, ethnicity is recorded on death certificates, however such data is not routinely captured in England and Wales. This is despite a report back in 2003 noting that collecting this information was vital for tackling health inequalities.
Covid-19 is exposing this as a deadly failing. So it is vital that systematic, standardised collection of properly disaggregated data is undertaken now. Such data is imperative in the immediate term as we create responses to Covid-19, but also as we deal with the aftershocks of the pandemic right across society more broadly.
The fact that the UK has reached the grim milestone of having the highest death toll in Europe shows we need more robust data collection in order to respond better to this crisis.
We need policies that recognise and take steps to address the inequalities in UK society. We need an intersectional response now, more than ever, if we are to rebuild a more equitable society that works for all.
Siobhan Morris, Grand Challenge of Justice & Equality, UCL and Olivia Stevenson, Head of Public Policy, UCL
This article is republished from The Conversation under a Creative Commons license. Read the original article.


inews--2020-05-13--Giant Hogweed: UK map, how to identify and get rid of the plant that causes severe burns

Giant Hogweed : UK map , how to identify and get rid of the plant that causes severe burns With lockdown rules easing off , people are being allowed to spend more time outside amid the coronavirus pandemic If you 're taking advantage of spending more time outdoors - either by gardening , or perhaps going on long walks - you might come across a plant that is a lot more dangerous than you first might realise .
This is everything you need to know about Giant Hogweed , from what it looks like to why it ’ s dangerous @ @ @ @ @ @ @ touch the toxic sap .
What is Giant Hogweed and is it dangerous ?
Giant Hogweed was introduced to Britain and Europe in the 19th century , from the Caucasus Mountains .
The earliest documented reference to the plant has been traced back to the Royal Botanic Gardens Kew Seed List of 1817 , where seeds of the plant were listed .
The plant itself can reach over 10ft in height and , according to The Royal Horticultural Society ( RHS ) , “ most gardeners will want to eradicate it , as @ @ @ @ @ @ @ can cause severe skin burns ” .
The sap contains a chemical called furocoumarin which makes the skin sensitive to the sun , which can cause bad blistering .
The blistering can even recur over the span of months , and even years .
What does Giant Hogweed look like ?
You can tell the difference between Giant Hogweed and regular hogweed by looking at the leaves - regular hogweed leaves are going to be more rounded versus the jagged edges of Giant Hogweed leaves .
Where am I likely to find Giant @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of Giant Hogweed ?
There is no statutory obligation for landowners to get rid of Giant Hogweed , but you should be aware that it is illegal to plant or grow certain invasive and non-native plants in the UK , and this includes Giant Hogweed .
The website goes on to explain that soil or plant material contaminated with invasive non-native plants can cause ecological damage , and could be classified as controlled waste - Giant Hogweed is classified as controlled waste .
Healthline also explains that the Giant Hogweed sap can damage @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the sap gets in your eyes , you can experience either temporary or permanent blindness .
Similarly , breathing in sap particles can result in respiratory problems .

If you’re taking advantage of spending more time outdoors – either by gardening, or perhaps going on long walks – you might come across a plant that is a lot more dangerous than you first might realise.
This is everything you need to know about Giant Hogweed, from what it looks like to why it’s dangerous – and what to do if you touch the toxic sap.
What is Giant Hogweed and is it dangerous?
Giant Hogweed, also known by its Latin name Heracleum Mantegazzianum, originated in Southern Russia and Georgia.
The plant is part of the Apiaceae family, which includes well known vegetables and herbs like parsley, carrot, parsnip and coriander.
Giant Hogweed was introduced to Britain and Europe in the 19th century, from the Caucasus Mountains. The earliest documented reference to the plant has been traced back to the Royal Botanic Gardens Kew Seed List of 1817, where seeds of the plant were listed.
The plant itself can reach over 10ft in height and, according to The Royal Horticultural Society (RHS), “most gardeners will want to eradicate it, as it is potentially invasive and the sap can cause severe skin burns”.
The sap contains a chemical called furocoumarin which makes the skin sensitive to the sun, which can cause bad blistering. The blistering can even recur over the span of months, and even years.
What does Giant Hogweed look like?
The Woodland Trust outlines the appearance of Giant Hogweed so that you can better identify the dangerous plant:
Stems: the stems are green with purple blotches and stiff, white hairs. The stems are hollow with ridges and a thick circle of hair at the base of each leaf stalk
Leaves: the leaves are huge, and can measure up to 1.5m wide and 3m long, and are often divided into smaller leaflets. The Woodland Trust compares them to rhubarb leaves, with irregular and jagged edges, with the underside of the leaf being described as hairy
Flowers: the flowers of the Giant Hogweed appear in June and July, and are small and white and appear in clusters on “umbrella-like heads” that face upwards
Seeds: the seeds are dry, flattened and an oval shape, almost 1cm long and tan in colour with brown lines
You can tell the difference between Giant Hogweed and regular hogweed by looking at the leaves – regular hogweed leaves are going to be more rounded versus the jagged edges of Giant Hogweed leaves.
Similarly, you might confuse Giant Hogweed with cow parsley – cow parsley can only grow about 3-4 feet, unlike Giant Hogweed which can reach staggering heights of almost 12 feet.
Cow parsley also has smaller florets and broader leaves that are, again, much more rounded than the jagged leaves of Giant Hogweed.
Where am I likely to find Giant Hogweed?
The plant is found throughout the UK, and more specifically, by river banks where the seeds are transported via the water.
The RHS also says that areas affected by Giant Hogweed include “gardens and allotments adjacent to infected woodland, healthland or common land”.
You can view the distribution of Giant Hogweed reports across the UK on the Plant Tracker website here.
You can zoom into specific regions of the UK to see how many reports of Giant Hogweed have been made in certain areas.
How do I get rid of Giant Hogweed?
If you find your garden or allotment being invaded by Giant Hogweed, you’re going to want to get it removed.
There is no statutory obligation for landowners to get rid of Giant Hogweed, but you should be aware that it is illegal to plant or grow certain invasive and non-native plants in the UK, and this includes Giant Hogweed.
The UK government website states: “You must not import, transport, keep, breed, sell, use or exchange, grow or cultivate, or release into the environment certain invasive alien species.
“If you do, you can be fined or sent to prison for up to two years.”
The website goes on to explain that soil or plant material contaminated with invasive non-native plants can cause ecological damage, and could be classified as controlled waste – Giant Hogweed is classified as controlled waste.
To dispose of Giant Hogweed, the government website states that you must:
Use a registered waste carrier
Send it to an authorised or suitable disposal site – you can check with the site directly, contact your local authority or check the Environmental Agency public register
Your local authority can help arrange the disposal of Giant Hogweed. You can check who your local authority is by using the government website here.
You cannot compost most non-native plants because they will usually survive the composting process and can infect areas where compost is used.
When dealing with Giant Hogweed, the RHS says: “When controlling Giant Hogweed, always wear gloves, cover your arms and legs, and ideally wear a face mask when working on or near it.
“Cut plant debris, contaminated clothing and tools are potentially hazardous too.”
How do I treat Giant Hogweed burns?
If you accidentally get Giant Hogweed sap on your skin, Healthline says that you should wash the area with mild soap and cool water as quickly as possible. You should keep the skin covered when you’re outside to protect it from the sunlight.
If a rash or blister begins to form, you should seek medical attention. Your treatment will depend on how severe your reaction is.
“Skin irritation that’s caught early might be treated with a steroid cream and nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, such as ibuprofen, to relieve pain,” Healthline explains. “Severe burns could require surgery to graft new skin over the damaged skin.”
Healthline also explains that the Giant Hogweed sap can damage more than just your skin – if the sap gets in your eyes, you can experience either temporary or permanent blindness. Similarly, breathing in sap particles can result in respiratory problems.