inews--2020-06-02--Coronavirus latest: School closures set to undo progress in closing attainment gap between rich and

Coronavirus latest: School closures set to undo progress in closing attainment gap between rich and poor

Coronavirus latest : School closures set to undo progress in closing attainment gap between rich and poor The warning came as senior figures in the education system backed government plans for boosted summer camps The coronavirus crisis could undo nearly a decade of progress in closing the attainment gap between children from rich and poor families , according to research .
The warning came as senior figures in the education system backed government plans for boosted summer camps to help children who have fallen behind during lockdown .
The Education Endowment Foundation carried out a “ rapid evidence review ” @ @ @ @ @ @ @ gap from different kinds of school closures , such as summer holidays , adverse weather events and natural disasters .
While the gap between disadvantaged pupils and their classmates at the end of primary school is estimated to have narrowed from 11.5 months in 2009 to 9.2 months in 2019 , according to the EEF ’ s analysis school closures due to Covid-19 are now likely to reverse this progress .
A classroom rearranged to provide a teaching environment safe from coronavirus for pupils and teachers at La Petite Ecole Bilingue at Kentish @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Isabel Infantes/AFP ) i reported that the Government is preparing for beefed-up school summer camps to help children who have missed out on weeks of education .
The plan has garnered support from senior educational figures .
Robert Halfon , the Conservative chair of the House of Commons Education Select Committee , tweeted : “ I 've long argued that summer schools should be opened… Summer schools could help thousands of children who have been left behind to catch-up.
” Russell Hobby , the chief executive of Teach First , told i : @ @ @ @ @ @ @ safe , summer schools can be a part of the puzzle in supporting pupils to get on track and ready to make the most of school next year .
“ This is particularly important for disadvantaged pupils , who are much more likely to have limited or no access to internet or devices to study at home.
” He went on : “ Teachers have worked immensely hard during the crisis - teaching online , setting homework , while staying open for vulnerable children .
`` Some will choose to organise summer schools @ @ @ @ @ @ @ essential that the schools are voluntary for schools and their staff , with paid overtime for those who decide to take part .
“ Sadly many of the children most affected by the pandemic were already behind .
The current crisis gives society the opportunity to support schools in their work to change that .
Additional tutors could be a useful resource for schools and pupils that would complement summer schools .
Steps must be taken to prevent a generation of pupils being left behind .
”

The coronavirus crisis could undo nearly a decade of progress in closing the attainment gap between children from rich and poor families, according to research.
The warning came as senior figures in the education system backed government plans for boosted summer camps to help children who have fallen behind during lockdown.
The Education Endowment Foundation carried out a “rapid evidence review” looking at the impact on the attainment gap from different kinds of school closures, such as summer holidays, adverse weather events and natural disasters.
While the gap between disadvantaged pupils and their classmates at the end of primary school is estimated to have narrowed from 11.5 months in 2009 to 9.2 months in 2019, according to the EEF’s analysis school closures due to Covid-19 are now likely to reverse this progress.
Summer camps
i reported that the Government is preparing for beefed-up school summer camps to help children who have missed out on weeks of education.
The plan has garnered support from senior educational figures. Robert Halfon, the Conservative chair of the House of Commons Education Select Committee, tweeted: “I’ve long argued that summer schools should be opened… Summer schools could help thousands of children who have been left behind to catch-up.”
Russell Hobby, the chief executive of Teach First, told i: “If the science says it is safe, summer schools can be a part of the puzzle in supporting pupils to get on track and ready to make the most of school next year.
“This is particularly important for disadvantaged pupils, who are much more likely to have limited or no access to internet or devices to study at home.”
‘Already behind’
He went on: “Teachers have worked immensely hard during the crisis – teaching online, setting homework, while staying open for vulnerable children.
“Some will choose to organise summer schools to kick-start learning. It’s essential that the schools are voluntary for schools and their staff, with paid overtime for those who decide to take part.
“Sadly many of the children most affected by the pandemic were already behind. The current crisis gives society the opportunity to support schools in their work to change that. Additional tutors could be a useful resource for schools and pupils that would complement summer schools. Steps must be taken to prevent a generation of pupils being left behind.”


inews--2020-06-02--Mystery of Jeremy, the lovelorn 'lefty' garden snail, sheds light on snail genetics

Mystery of Jeremy , the lovelorn 'lefty ' garden snail , sheds light on snail genetics Jeremy the snail died last year , but by studying his offspring , scientists conclude snails don ’ t inherit lefty shells Jeremy the snail was so unlucky in love two 'leftie ' snails brought in to romance him mated with each other instead .
'Uncle Jeremy ' is pictured here with one of their offspring ( Photo : Dr Angus Davison/The University of Nottingham ) ‘ Lefty ’ snails don ’ t inherit their strange shell shape from their parents , according to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ most famous snail with a rare left-coiling shell .
In 2016 scientists from the University of Nottingham kick-started a quest to find Jeremy a lefty garden snail to mate with , hoping to study the offspring to work out why some snails develop shells that curl the opposite way to their neighbours .
Jeremy ’ s lefty shell left him unable to mate with most of the world ’ s right-coiling garden snail population .
Thanks to the international # snaillove campaign , citizen scientists found 40 lefty snails for Jeremy to choose @ @ @ @ @ @ @ turbulent time trying to find a mate from the assortment of lefty snails on offer .
At one stage he was the spurned member of a snail love triangle , after two potential love interests ended up mating with one another .
But before he died in October 2017 , Jeremy successfully mated with another lefty snail , and the scientists have been studying the offspring - and the children of other lefties - to determine why a snail would grow like this .
Rare left-spiralling shell of some garden snails is usually @ @ @ @ @ @ @ inherited condition ( Photo : Shanthi Davison / University of Nottingham ) It turns out that for garden snails , left-coiling shells are not the result of a rare genetic condition , but a development “ accident ” .
`` We have learned that two lefties usually make a right , at least if you are a garden snail , ” said Dr Angus Davison from the University of Nottingham 's School of Life Sciences .
Although their hunch garden snails inherit a lefty shell was not accurate , Dr Davison said it @ @ @ @ @ @ @ have solved the conundrum of why some garden snails are lefty .
The findings are published in the journal Biology Letters .
And Jeremy , who the scientists feared was destined for a life of involuntary chastity , had a happy ending , Dr Davison pointed out : “ After a long search for a mate , and several mishaps along the way , Jeremy finally produced offspring , which delighted me - and the rest of the world .
”

‘Lefty’ snails don’t inherit their strange shell shape from their parents, according to scientists who worked with Jeremy, the most famous snail with a rare left-coiling shell.
In 2016 scientists from the University of Nottingham kick-started a quest to find Jeremy a lefty garden snail to mate with, hoping to study the offspring to work out why some snails develop shells that curl the opposite way to their neighbours. Jeremy’s lefty shell left him unable to mate with most of the world’s right-coiling garden snail population.
Thanks to the international #snaillove campaign, citizen scientists found 40 lefty snails for Jeremy to choose from. But Jeremy still had a turbulent time trying to find a mate from the assortment of lefty snails on offer. At one stage he was the spurned member of a snail love triangle, after two potential love interests ended up mating with one another.
But before he died in October 2017, Jeremy successfully mated with another lefty snail, and the scientists have been studying the offspring – and the children of other lefties – to determine why a snail would grow like this.
Solving the snail shell mystery
It turns out that for garden snails, left-coiling shells are not the result of a rare genetic condition, but a development “accident”. “We have learned that two lefties usually make a right, at least if you are a garden snail,” said Dr Angus Davison from the University of Nottingham’s School of Life Sciences.
Although their hunch garden snails inherit a lefty shell was not accurate, Dr Davison said it was still “very satisfying” to have solved the conundrum of why some garden snails are lefty. The findings are published in the journal Biology Letters.
And Jeremy, who the scientists feared was destined for a life of involuntary chastity, had a happy ending, Dr Davison pointed out: “After a long search for a mate, and several mishaps along the way, Jeremy finally produced offspring, which delighted me – and the rest of the world.”


inews--2020-06-02--BBC's new voice assistant Beeb to speak with a male, northern voice

BBC 's new voice assistant Beeb to speak with a male , northern voice BBC is to challenge Alexa with its own smart speaker assistant — but is Beeb 's voice modelled on DG Tony Hall ?
Alexa , say 'hi ' to Beeb , the BBC 's digital voice assistant which has a male , northern accent to challenge gender stereotypes and the dominance of “ posh ” received pronunciation ( RP ) .
The broadcaster is taking on Amazon ’ s Alexa and Google Home with its own “ public service ” digital assistant , designed to meet @ @ @ @ @ @ @ programmes with their voice - by directing them to the broadcaster ’ s own content .
Beeb is male , both to differentiate it from Alexa and because of the “ problematic association with female voices as functional , subservient assistants , ” said Andy Webb , head of product , BBC voice and AI .
Beeb is “ from the North ” , to show that “ we are breaking away from sterile Southern RP , ” said Mr Webb .
A Northern twang indicates “ warmth and friendliness ” and helps @ @ @ @ @ @ @ audience , ” Mr Webb added .
Actors were auditioned to find the voice of the modern BBC , which was then cloned using Deep Learning Neural Networks .
Beeb will learn your tastes and suggest tailored programming but the BBC said data security was paramount .
Beeb will not record any conversations and the audio of requests will be deleted , the BBC said .
A beta version will initially only be available to UK-based members of Microsoft ’ s Windows Insider Programme , a community of people who regularly test out @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Beeb by experimenting with features and putting the voice assistant through its paces .
The BBC is working to make Beeb accessible via the Amazon Echo and other speakers .
Grace Boswood , COO , BBC Design + Engineering , said : “ This is very much the first step with Beeb – we have a bold , ambitious vision for what we want it to look like in the future , but there ’ s a long way to go.
” I can ask Alexa the meaning of life and to rap @ @ @ @ @ @ @ me ?
Anything , as long as I stay within the boundaries of the BBC ’ s public service content .
Tell Beeb you ’ re bored or seeking inspiration and it will suggest Radio 1 ’ s R & B Anthems playlist from the BBC Sounds app , if that matches your known previous musical preferences .
Knowledge-seekers requesting a QI fact will hear a witticism from presenter Sandi Toksvig herself .
Ask the latest on coronavirus and Beeb will play a five-minute news update of the latest developments .
Get to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a personalised briefing of local news , sport and weather .
So who exactly is the voice of Beeb ?
The accent hovers over the north-west without being clearly identifiable with any city .

Alexa, say ‘hi’ to Beeb, the BBC’s digital voice assistant which has a male, northern accent to challenge gender stereotypes and the dominance of “posh” received pronunciation (RP).
The broadcaster is taking on Amazon’s Alexa and Google Home with its own “public service” digital assistant, designed to meet the demand from people wishing to access programmes with their voice – by directing them to the broadcaster’s own content.
Built using Microsoft artificial intelligence technology, Beeb will work across smart speakers, mobile phones and TVs and is being fine-tuned to understand regional accents.
The first challenge was to choose the BBC’s AI “voice”.
It’s a boy
Beeb is male, both to differentiate it from Alexa and because of the “problematic association with female voices as functional, subservient assistants,” said Andy Webb, head of product, BBC voice and AI.
Beeb is “from the North”, to show that “we are breaking away from sterile Southern RP,” said Mr Webb. A Northern twang indicates “warmth and friendliness” and helps “capture the diversity of the UK audience,” Mr Webb added.
Actors were auditioned to find the voice of the modern BBC, which was then cloned using Deep Learning Neural Networks.
Back in August, we first announced #Beeb, the new voice assistant from the BBC. Find out what Beeb can do and how you can help us make it better: https://t.co/dIq2g2XYpc pic.twitter.com/Jhm6ljvduM — BBC (@AboutTheBBC) June 3, 2020
Data security promise
Accessible via laptops and desktops running Windows initially, Beeb will respond to requests for live and on-demand radio, music mixes, news, weather, BBC podcasts and archive audio.
Beeb will learn your tastes and suggest tailored programming but the BBC said data security was paramount. Beeb will not record any conversations and the audio of requests will be deleted, the BBC said.
A beta version will initially only be available to UK-based members of Microsoft’s Windows Insider Programme, a community of people who regularly test out new technology.
They will help improve Beeb by experimenting with features and putting the voice assistant through its paces. The BBC is working to make Beeb accessible via the Amazon Echo and other speakers.
Grace Boswood, COO, BBC Design + Engineering, said: “This is very much the first step with Beeb – we have a bold, ambitious vision for what we want it to look like in the future, but there’s a long way to go.”
Analysis: Taking Beeb for a test drive
I can ask Alexa the meaning of life and to rap – but what can Beeb do for me? Anything, as long as I stay within the boundaries of the BBC’s public service content.
Tell Beeb you’re bored or seeking inspiration and it will suggest Radio 1’s R&B Anthems playlist from the BBC Sounds app, if that matches your known previous musical preferences.
Knowledge-seekers requesting a QI fact will hear a witticism from presenter Sandi Toksvig herself. Ask the latest on coronavirus and Beeb will play a five-minute news update of the latest developments.
Get to know Beeb better and he will deliver a personalised briefing of local news, sport and weather.
Tell Beeb you’re depressed and a sympathetic voice says “I’m sorry to hear that” and offers a link to the BBC’s Action Line.
Is voice BBC DG?
Shout abuse at the assistant and Beeb’s northern-inflected tones smooth over your anger with a “let’s move on.”
So who exactly is the voice of Beeb? The accent hovers over the north-west without being clearly identifiable with any city.
It’s when Beeb is overloaded with questions it can’t compute that things become clear. Beeb complains “I can’t do everything” with the softened vowels I’ve heard at numerous BBC select committee appearances.
Beeb is surely modelled on Birkenhead’s own Tony Hall, the outgoing BBC Director-General, and this is his AI legacy.


inews--2020-06-02--George Floyd protests: Tapestry CEO Jide Zeitlin says: 'We can repair stores, but we cannot bring ba

George Floyd protests: Tapestry CEO Jide Zeitlin says: 'We can repair stores, but we cannot bring back George Floyd’

George Floyd protests : Tapestry CEO Jide Zeitlin says : 'We can repair stores , but we can not bring back George Floyd ’ He added that his team has been working on a plan to 'contribute to change ' by tackling inequality The chief executive of the fashion company behind Coach and Kate Spade has spoken out in support of the Black Lives Matter movement , even after the brand ’ s stores were damaged during protests over the weekend .
Jide Zeitlin , who also holds the position of chairman at New York-based Tapestry , said in an @ @ @ @ @ @ @ was “ personal ” and he had cried while writing his message .
“ We can replace our windows and handbags , but we can not bring back George Floyd , Ahmaud Arbery , Breonna Taylor , Eric Garner , Trayvon Martin , Emmett Till , and too many others , ” he wrote .
“ Each of these black lives matter.
” He added that his team has been working on a plan to “ contribute to change ” by tackling inequality .
Jide Zeitlin , who also holds the position of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in an open letter to employees that the topic was 'personal' Mr Zeitlin is one of a number of US business leaders who have promised to step up their inclusivity efforts following the unrest .
Posting on LinkedIn on Monday , PepsiCo chief Indra Nooyi said : “ The road ahead will undoubtedly be challenging , and the scale of the work that needs to be accomplished is staggering .
Let ’ s vow to be kind , to roll up our sleeves , and to be part of the force that bends @ @ @ @ @ @ @ who have addressed the issue in public letters and posts include David Solomon of Goldman Sachs , Apple CEO Tim Cook , and BlackRock ’ s Larry Fink .
Meanwhile , world outrage at Mr Floyd ’ s death is growing as the European Union ’ s top diplomat said the bloc was “ shocked and appalled ” by it and thousands marched in Australia ’ s largest city .
In France , protests were planned for the evening in Paris and across the country after calls from the family of a French @ @ @ @ @ @ @ was arrested by police in 2016 .
EU foreign policy chief Josep Borrell ’ s remarks in Brussels were the strongest so far to come out of the 27-nation bloc , saying Floyd ’ s death was a result of an abuse of power .

The chief executive of the fashion company behind Coach and Kate Spade has spoken out in support of the Black Lives Matter movement, even after the brand’s stores were damaged during protests over the weekend.
Jide Zeitlin, who also holds the position of chairman at New York-based Tapestry, said in an open letter to employees that the topic was “personal” and he had cried while writing his message.
“We can replace our windows and handbags, but we cannot bring back George Floyd, Ahmaud Arbery, Breonna Taylor, Eric Garner, Trayvon Martin, Emmett Till, and too many others,” he wrote. “Each of these black lives matter.”
He added that his team has been working on a plan to “contribute to change” by tackling inequality.
Black Lives Matter
Mr Zeitlin is one of a number of US business leaders who have promised to step up their inclusivity efforts following the unrest. Posting on LinkedIn on Monday, PepsiCo chief Indra Nooyi said: “The road ahead will undoubtedly be challenging, and the scale of the work that needs to be accomplished is staggering. Let’s vow to be kind, to roll up our sleeves, and to be part of the force that bends this path toward justice.”
Intel CEO Bob Swan wrote in a memo to staff earlier this week: “Black lives matter. Period.”
Other bosses who have addressed the issue in public letters and posts include David Solomon of Goldman Sachs, Apple CEO Tim Cook, and BlackRock’s Larry Fink.
Outrage sparks world protests
Meanwhile, world outrage at Mr Floyd’s death is growing as the European Union’s top diplomat said the bloc was “shocked and appalled” by it and thousands marched in Australia’s largest city.
Chanting “Black Lives Matter” and “I can’t breathe,” about 3,000 protesters held an impassioned but peaceful march through central Sydney demanding fundamental change in race relations.
In France, protests were planned for the evening in Paris and across the country after calls from the family of a French black man who died shortly after he was arrested by police in 2016.
A protest was also planned in The Hague, Netherlands.
EU foreign policy chief Josep Borrell’s remarks in Brussels were the strongest so far to come out of the 27-nation bloc, saying Floyd’s death was a result of an abuse of power.


inews--2020-06-02--From fire to faeces and litter, UK beauty spots battle with influx of poorly behaved visitors during

From fire to faeces and litter, UK beauty spots battle with influx of poorly behaved visitors during lockdown

From fire to faeces and litter , UK beauty spots battle with influx of poorly behaved visitors during lockdown Illegal campsites , secret beach parties and BBQs in tinder dry woodlands are making the easing of lockdown a nightmare for conservationists Surging numbers of poorly behaved visitors are pushing already stretched wardens to breaking point , raising the threat of severe damage to some of the country 's most precious habitats .
But some visitors are displaying “ total disregard ” for the natural environment , according to Jake Fiennes , general manager of conservation at Holkham National Nature Reserve @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to the site have left rubbish and burnt out BBQs on the beach , trampled through fragile nesting sites despite warning signs , and even caused a fire in some pine woods over the weekend .
“ I ’ m stumped , ” he said .
“ I ’ m speechless that people think this is OK. ” Wild camping and litter left in the New Forest ( Photo : New Forest National Park Authority ) Similar reports of bad behaviour have emerged across the country .
In Haweswater nature reserve on the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ two groups of 30 or more people threw an illicit party in a wood over the weekend .
“ They just left absolutely everything behind in the wood , ” site manager Lee Schofield told i .
“ They brought metal BBQs , tents , bags of food , and just left it all in place .
[ There was ] smashed glass , canisters of laughing gas and human faeces everywhere .
They even brought an axe along and chopped down a tree.
” Mr Schofield said the mess was “ far @ @ @ @ @ @ @ experienced in the past , and has coincided with an influx of visitors seemingly unfamiliar with the Countryside Code .
“ There needs to be a programme of education to help people to know the way to behave , ” he said .
It follows reports of “ horrendous ” amounts of litter dumped at beaches along Dorset ’ s Jurassic Coast , where visitors flocked as soon as lockdown restrictions were lifted .
Volunteers found human waste , tampons and disposable BBQs discarded on footpaths .
Andrew McCloy , chair of the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the majority of people do listen to rangers ' advice .
“ But we ’ re finding that a minority don ’ t care , and we are having to double our efforts up on every front , ” he told i .
Given the unseasonably hot , dry weather that gripped Britain during May , the most pressing fear of conservationists and site managers is of major wildfires starting from disposable BBQs .
Nigel Matthews , head of recreation and learning at the New Forest National Park Authority , is one of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ such a serious fire risk that they should be banned altogether .
He said in the last week rangers have had to stop multiple groups with disposable BBQs , and found scorched evidence of many more .
“ Despite signs up saying ‘ no BBQs , despite ‘ high fire risk ’ signs , despite huge amounts of social media , despite the fact that we have rangers working on the ground ... despite all of that , there are still people who turn up , get a disposable BBQ out of the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ '' he told i .

Visitors to national parks and reserves over the weekend left behind them a trail of litter, faeces, scorched earth, and felled trees.
Surging numbers of poorly behaved visitors are pushing already stretched wardens to breaking point, raising the threat of severe damage to some of the country’s most precious habitats.
Lockdown lifts
Last month ministers lifted restrictions requiring people to take exercise locally, prompting scores of people to head for England’s national parks, nature reserves and beauty spots.
But some visitors are displaying “total disregard” for the natural environment, according to Jake Fiennes, general manager of conservation at Holkham National Nature Reserve in Norfolk.
He told i visitors to the site have left rubbish and burnt out BBQs on the beach, trampled through fragile nesting sites despite warning signs, and even caused a fire in some pine woods over the weekend. “I’m stumped,” he said. “I’m speechless that people think this is OK.”
‘Faeces everywhere’
Similar reports of bad behaviour have emerged across the country. In Haweswater nature reserve on the eastern fringes of the Lake District, two groups of 30 or more people threw an illicit party in a wood over the weekend.
“They just left absolutely everything behind in the wood,” site manager Lee Schofield told i . “They brought metal BBQs, tents, bags of food, and just left it all in place. [There was] smashed glass, canisters of laughing gas and human faeces everywhere. They even brought an axe along and chopped down a tree.”
Mr Schofield said the mess was “far worse” than anything the site has experienced in the past, and has coincided with an influx of visitors seemingly unfamiliar with the Countryside Code. “There needs to be a programme of education to help people to know the way to behave,” he said.
It follows reports of “horrendous” amounts of litter dumped at beaches along Dorset’s Jurassic Coast, where visitors flocked as soon as lockdown restrictions were lifted. Volunteers found human waste, tampons and disposable BBQs discarded on footpaths.
THREAD We are appalled, shocked and saddened at the state in which #Haweswater has been left following this weekend. After reports of groups of campers, our limited staff visited the site to find felled trees, intentionally damaged dry-stone walls, BBQs and litter. #LakeDistrict pic.twitter.com/BIPC6eo6F5 — WildHaweswater (@WildHaweswater) June 1, 2020
Andrew McCloy, chair of the Peak District National Park Authority, stressed the majority of people do listen to rangers’ advice. “But we’re finding that a minority don’t care, and we are having to double our efforts up on every front,” he told i.
Environment Minister Rebecca Pow said councils have the power to issue £150 on-the-spot fines for littering. “Littering blights communities, spoils our countryside and poses a risk to human health,” she said.
Wildfire risk
Given the unseasonably hot, dry weather that gripped Britain during May, the most pressing fear of conservationists and site managers is of major wildfires starting from disposable BBQs.
Nigel Matthews, head of recreation and learning at the New Forest National Park Authority, is one of many conservationists who believe disposable BBQs pose such a serious fire risk that they should be banned altogether.
He said in the last week rangers have had to stop multiple groups with disposable BBQs, and found scorched evidence of many more. “Despite signs up saying ‘no BBQs, despite ‘high fire risk’ signs, despite huge amounts of social media, despite the fact that we have rangers working on the ground…despite all of that, there are still people who turn up, get a disposable BBQ out of the ground, and light it up,” he told i.


inews--2020-06-02--Coronavirus: UK tourism chiefs say airport quarantine risks 'unnecessary' economic damage

Ten tourism boards in Northern England are lobbying ministers over fears a blanket approach to quarantining foreign travellers could cause “ unnecessary damage ” to the economy , with new rules set to be outlined by the Home Secretary Priti Patel on Wednesday .
The warning comes after Visit Britain forecast the tourism sector will see a £15bn drop in income from foreign visitors to the UK and a £22bn loss in domestic tourism due to coronavirus .
The tourism boards want any quarantine measures to be subjected to a weekly review and for the scheme to be lifted as @ @ @ @ @ @ @ start creating “ air bridges ” with countries where the virus is under control as early as next month .
Tourists visitng Sligachan campsite on the Isle of Skye in 2017 ( Photo : Jeff J Mitchell/Getty ) Jo Dilley , managing director of Marketing Peak District and Derbyshire , said : “ While we fully support the Government ’ s commitment to public health , we must avoid causing unnecessary damage to an industry that supports thousands of jobs.
” Kate Nicholls , chief executive of UK Hospitality , has also called @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of those permitted to stay in hotels , which have been accommodating frontline NHS workers during the crisis .
She added : “ A quarantine period for visitors would naturally be damaging for travel so any scheme to get help inbound tourism get up and moving , without the need for 14 days isolation , should be a real confidence booster.
” More than two-thirds of businesses on the North Coast 500 , northern Scotland ’ s iconic coastal touring route , say they are ready to reopen as soon as they are @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Government.NC500 chairman Tom Campbell says he is confident that staycations will be the holiday of choice for most British holidaymakers in the next two years .
He said : “ There can ’ t be a one size fits all approach to the domestic tourism sector .
If it is the last to emerge from the lockdown , it should also be the last to emerge from support.
” Visit Britain ’ s director Patricia Yates said : “ We would like to see a major domestic campaign when restrictions are lifted and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ give reassurance to the public that it is socially responsible to travel.
” Government plans , due to come into force on 8 June , will see people arriving in the UK told to isolate for 14 days to prevent coronavirus cases being introduced from overseas .
The Government is still looking at the prospect of “ air bridges ” between the UK and other countries which would be exempt from the quarantine rules , with Boris Johnson reported to be in favour of the plan .
The Prime Minister ’ s official @ @ @ @ @ @ @ change on air bridges , we have said it ’ s something which the Government is looking at .
But the spokesman added that the policy was focused on stopping “ imported cases of this virus ” and “ one of the most devastating things which could happen to the economy is to have a second spike ” .
`` I think , as we ’ ve seen across the world , people are taking measures out of the lockdown and this targeted approach would be a much more sensible way to behave @ @

Tourism chiefs are calling on the Government to rethink plans to quarantine international visitors as they are facing £37bn losses due to the impact of Covid-19.
Ten tourism boards in Northern England are lobbying ministers over fears a blanket approach to quarantining foreign travellers could cause “unnecessary damage” to the economy, with new rules set to be outlined by the Home Secretary Priti Patel on Wednesday.
The warning comes after Visit Britain forecast the tourism sector will see a £15bn drop in income from foreign visitors to the UK and a £22bn loss in domestic tourism due to coronavirus.
The tourism boards want any quarantine measures to be subjected to a weekly review and for the scheme to be lifted as quickly as possible amid suggestions ministers could start creating “air bridges” with countries where the virus is under control as early as next month.
Don’t forget about us
Jo Dilley, managing director of Marketing Peak District and Derbyshire, said: “While we fully support the Government’s commitment to public health, we must avoid causing unnecessary damage to an industry that supports thousands of jobs.”
Kate Nicholls, chief executive of UK Hospitality, has also called on the Government to widen the scope of those permitted to stay in hotels, which have been accommodating frontline NHS workers during the crisis.
She added: “A quarantine period for visitors would naturally be damaging for travel so any scheme to get help inbound tourism get up and moving, without the need for 14 days isolation, should be a real confidence booster.”
More than two-thirds of businesses on the North Coast 500, northern Scotland’s iconic coastal touring route, say they are ready to reopen as soon as they are given a green light by the Scottish Government.
NC500 chairman Tom Campbell says he is confident that staycations will be the holiday of choice for most British holidaymakers in the next two years.
He said: “There can’t be a one size fits all approach to the domestic tourism sector. If it is the last to emerge from the lockdown, it should also be the last to emerge from support.”
Visit Britain’s director Patricia Yates said: “We would like to see a major domestic campaign when restrictions are lifted and we can holiday at home again to give reassurance to the public that it is socially responsible to travel.”
‘Air bridges’
Government plans, due to come into force on 8 June, will see people arriving in the UK told to isolate for 14 days to prevent coronavirus cases being introduced from overseas.
The Government is still looking at the prospect of “air bridges” between the UK and other countries which would be exempt from the quarantine rules, with Boris Johnson reported to be in favour of the plan.
The Prime Minister’s official spokesman said: “There is no change on air bridges, we have said it’s something which the Government is looking at.
But the spokesman added that the policy was focused on stopping “imported cases of this virus” and “one of the most devastating things which could happen to the economy is to have a second spike”.
“I think, as we’ve seen across the world, people are taking measures out of the lockdown and this targeted approach would be a much more sensible way to behave.”


inews--2020-06-02--Shutdown: The Virus That Changed Our World, Sky Documentaries, review: Not many revelations to be he

Shutdown: The Virus That Changed Our World, Sky Documentaries, review: Not many revelations to be heard

Shutdown : The Virus That Changed Our World , Sky Documentaries , review : Not many revelations to be heard The documentary was essentially a recap of everything we already know and came far too early to be a definitive account Shutdown : The Virus That Changed Our World , 9pm , Sky Documentaries ★★★ It ’ s still far too early for a definitive account of the Covid-19 pandemic .
Shutdown : The Virus That Changed Our World was little more than a Sky News recap of what we ’ ve been through so far .
Although it seems @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is tentatively opening up again , the message was relentlessly grim.The Government ’ s catalogue of blunders was rehearsed once again , from the catastrophic decision to send hospital patients back to care homes without being tested for the virus , to the serial failures to establish testing and tracing .
As Sky ’ s reliably morbid political editor Beth Rigby outlined , the Boris Johnson administration , still basking in its election victory and fixated on Brexit , was too slow to recognise the danger and not decisive enough when it did @ @ @ @ @ @ @ this .
At the World Economic Forum in Davos in January , the sole topic of discussion was climate change .
Covid-19 was not on the agenda , despite stories about its spread in East Asia .
“ We have it under control , ” a complacent Donald Trump told reporters .
Some of the most sinister episodes were to be found in Tom Cheshire ’ s early reports from Wuhan , where rumours of an unknown disease were circulating last December ( though anyone spreading such heresies was punished by the Chinese @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in hazmat suits furtively bundling comatose patients into ambulances was the stuff of sci-fi nightmares .
While this film didn ’ t hesitate to pile on the agony , with harrowing stories of health workers deprived of safety equipment and accounts of the disproportionate number of casualties among Bame groups , there was little investigative research .
Public Health England , the body supposedly responsible for contagious disease control , was never mentioned , but surely will be in subsequent inquiries .
The epidemiological modelling by Imperial College London , which shaped the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ critics but it didn ’ t feature here , either .
As for the future , economics editor Ed Conway delivered this little time-bomb : “ British capitalism as we know it has changed for ever.
” Singing “ We ’ ll Meet Again ” may not be enough .

Shutdown: The Virus That Changed Our World, 9pm, Sky Documentaries ★★★
It’s still far too early for a definitive account of the Covid-19 pandemic. Shutdown: The Virus That Changed Our World was little more than a Sky News recap of what we’ve been through so far.
Although it seems the virus has peaked and that Britain is tentatively opening up again, the message was relentlessly grim.The Government’s catalogue of blunders was rehearsed once again, from the catastrophic decision to send hospital patients back to care homes without being tested for the virus, to the serial failures to establish testing and tracing.
As Sky’s reliably morbid political editor Beth Rigby outlined, the Boris Johnson administration, still basking in its election victory and fixated on Brexit, was too slow to recognise the danger and not decisive enough when it did.
Not that it was unique in this. At the World Economic Forum in Davos in January, the sole topic of discussion was climate change. Covid-19 was not on the agenda, despite stories about its spread in East Asia. “We have it under control,” a complacent Donald Trump told reporters.
Read More Coronavirus lockdown: The West End may never be the same – here’s how theatre transformed after the Spanish Influenza pandemic 100 years ago
Some of the most sinister episodes were to be found in Tom Cheshire’s early reports from Wuhan, where rumours of an unknown disease were circulating last December (though anyone spreading such heresies was punished by the Chinese authorities). Shots of health workers in hazmat suits furtively bundling comatose patients into ambulances was the stuff of sci-fi nightmares.
While this film didn’t hesitate to pile on the agony, with harrowing stories of health workers deprived of safety equipment and accounts of the disproportionate number of casualties among Bame groups, there was little investigative research. Public Health England, the body supposedly responsible for contagious disease control, was never mentioned, but surely will be in subsequent inquiries.
The epidemiological modelling by Imperial College London, which shaped the Government’s response, has numerous critics but it didn’t feature here, either.
As for the future, economics editor Ed Conway delivered this little time-bomb: “British capitalism as we know it has changed for ever.” Singing “We’ll Meet Again” may not be enough.
THEARTSDESK.COM


inews--2020-06-02--Coronavirus latest: Race equality charities and MPs criticise 'wholly inadequate' BAME Covid-19 repo

Coronavirus latest: Race equality charities and MPs criticise 'wholly inadequate' BAME Covid-19 report

Public Health England published its review into the effects of the virus on black and minority ethnic ( BAME ) communities Race equality charities and MPs have condemned an official report into why people from ethnic minorities are more likely to die from Covid-19 , branding its findings “ wholly inadequate ” .
Public Health England published its review into the effects of the virus on black and minority ethnic ( BAME ) communities , which revealed the most deprived workers are twice as likely to die from the disease than the wealthiest .
But the Government came under significant @ @ @ @ @ @ @ was published without offering any insight into the reasons behind the disparity or offering guidance to BAME people to better protect themselves from the virus .
Dr Zubaida Haque , interim director of race equalities charity the Runnymede Trust and a member of the “ independent Sage ” group , attacked the report for failing to offer any guidance to the BAME community .
“ Only 11 out of 89 pages explore the issue of racial inequalities in coronavirus deaths .
Worse there are no recommendations on how to save BME lives , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Shadow Women and Equalities Secretary Marsha De Cordova said the report confirmed that those in the poorest households and from ethnic minorities are “ disproportionately impacted ” .
“ But when it comes to the question of how we reduce these disparities , it is notably silent , ” she added .
Ms de Cordova urged the Government to not “ wait any longer to mitigate the risks faced by these communities and must act immediately to protect BAME people so that no more lives are lost ” .
The Health Secretary , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ lives matter ” and acknowledged the significance of the report coming against the backdrop of riots in the US over the death of George Floyd and wider racial inequality .
At the Downing Street press conference he said : “ This is a particularly timely publication , because right across the world , people are angry about racial injustice .
He said the Government had commissioned a fresh review , led by inequalities minister Kemi Badenoch , that would look to develop fresh recommendations to further protect BAME people .
The PHE report @ @ @ @ @ @ @ effect of sex , age , deprivation and region , people of Bangladeshi ethnicity have around twice the risk of death than people who are white British .
Those of Chinese , Indian , Pakistani , Other Asian , Caribbean and Other Black ethnicity have between a 10 per cent and 50 per cent higher risk of death when compared to white British .
He told the Downing Street press briefing : “ There ’ s a lot more than just the ethnic differences in the report , there are differences to do @ @ @ @ @ @ @ live and occupation and so on .

Race equality charities and MPs have condemned an official report into why people from ethnic minorities are more likely to die from Covid-19, branding its findings “wholly inadequate”.
Public Health England published its review into the effects of the virus on black and minority ethnic (BAME) communities, which revealed the most deprived workers are twice as likely to die from the disease than the wealthiest.
But the Government came under significant fire from all corners when the review was published without offering any insight into the reasons behind the disparity or offering guidance to BAME people to better protect themselves from the virus.
Notably silent
What was the point of this government undertaking a review into why black and ethnic minority people might be more vulnerable, and likely to die with #COVID19, if they couldn't come up a single recommendation or a plan of action outlining how they were going to save BME lives? https://t.co/Hq46gl1Xei — Dr Zubaida Haque (@Zubhaque) June 2, 2020
The report warned of high death rates among taxi drivers, people working in social care and in shops.
Dr Zubaida Haque, interim director of race equalities charity the Runnymede Trust and a member of the “independent Sage” group, attacked the report for failing to offer any guidance to the BAME community.
“Only 11 out of 89 pages explore the issue of racial inequalities in coronavirus deaths. Worse there are no recommendations on how to save BME lives,” she tweeted.
“In fact, the Public Health England review into the disproportionate impact of Covid-19 on black and ethnic minority groups is wholly unsatisfactory and inadequate.
“There’s no mention of racial discrimination,” she added.
Labour’s Shadow Women and Equalities Secretary Marsha De Cordova said the report confirmed that those in the poorest households and from ethnic minorities are “disproportionately impacted”.
“But when it comes to the question of how we reduce these disparities, it is notably silent,” she added.
Ms de Cordova urged the Government to not “wait any longer to mitigate the risks faced by these communities and must act immediately to protect BAME people so that no more lives are lost”.
The Health Secretary, Matt Hancock, stressed that “black lives matter” and acknowledged the significance of the report coming against the backdrop of riots in the US over the death of George Floyd and wider racial inequality.
At the Downing Street press conference he said: “This is a particularly timely publication, because right across the world, people are angry about racial injustice.
“And I get that. Black lives matter.”
He said the Government had commissioned a fresh review, led by inequalities minister Kemi Badenoch, that would look to develop fresh recommendations to further protect BAME people.
Mr Hancock revealed that a further 324 people had died of Covid-19.
The PHE report showed that, after accounting for the effect of sex, age, deprivation and region, people of Bangladeshi ethnicity have around twice the risk of death than people who are white British.
Emphasised inequality
Those of Chinese, Indian, Pakistani, Other Asian, Caribbean and Other Black ethnicity have between a 10 per cent and 50 per cent higher risk of death when compared to white British.
Public Health England’s Professor John Newton said Covid-19 had emphasised existing health inequalities across the country.
He told the Downing Street press briefing: “There’s a lot more than just the ethnic differences in the report, there are differences to do with levels of deprivation and where people live and occupation and so on.
“What Covid-19 has done is to emphasise the existing health inequalities in the country.”


inews--2020-06-02--Commons vote sent our democracy back to the steam age, wasting time and money

Commons vote sent our democracy back to the steam age , wasting time and money Mr Rees-Mogg should not mistake the acquiescence of so many Tory rebels for real support This is supposed to be the mother of parliaments , not queuing for bread in the Soviet Union or waiting to board Oblivion at Alton Towers .
Voting in Britain in the 21st century has been reduced to the “ Rees-Mogg conga ” , a kilometre-long queue of socially distanced MPs snaked around the Palace of Westminster , over greens , through courtyards , up and down stairs .
As @ @ @ @ @ @ @ outside , a security guard asked if they could “ bunch up ” .
( Not really . )
Until last week all 650 MPs could vote safely from home .
Now the Leader of the House of Commons , Jacob Rees-Mogg , has succeeded in stopping electronic voting and blocking proxy voting .
Tuesday 's farce sent our democracy back to the steam age , obliging our representatives to waste their time and our money .
Mr Rees-Mogg should not mistake the acquiescence of so many Tory rebels for real support – @ @ @ @ @ @ @ it is and suspect the new system will collapse on its own .
Several senior Tories agree , as i columnist Katy Balls reports in The Spectator .
MPs have criticised the decision to scrap Parliament 's virtual proceedings ( Photo : Getty ) Of course , we do not all need to hide away for ever .
The economy demands that many of us crack on with work , aware of the risks to people with underlying health conditions and the over-70s .
That is fair and reasonable as we try to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ side of this blasted pandemic .
There is a symbolic value in returning , too , where it can be done safely .
However , returning to workplaces has myriad sensitivities , including colleagues ’ wellbeing , the health of their families , their ability to perform their work remotely , childcare and transport .
Some MPs still need to shield or self-isolate because of their age , health , disability , pregnancy , role as a carer or a family health condition .
They and their constituents are now silenced , disenfranchised @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Commons objected .
The scenes in Westminster were not much more absurd than other chapters in this pandemic , I suppose .
During our virtual Parliament , despite the technical glitches when MPs struggled to join debates via Zoom , one of the more refreshing aspects was being able to listen without a zoological chorus of shrieks and hoots .
Still , the Prime Minister will now have a little support when he goes into combat with forensic opposition leader Keir Starmer .
We may well have to queue for 40 minutes outside @ @ @ @ @ @ @ mean it is also the best way to run our politics in the year 2020 .
D-minus , Rees-Mogg , see me .

This is supposed to be the mother of parliaments, not queuing for bread in the Soviet Union or waiting to board Oblivion at Alton Towers.
Voting in Britain in the 21st century has been reduced to the “Rees-Mogg conga”, a kilometre-long queue of socially distanced MPs snaked around the Palace of Westminster, over greens, through courtyards, up and down stairs. As they began to run out of space outside, a security guard asked if they could “bunch up”. (Not really.)
Until last week all 650 MPs could vote safely from home. Now the Leader of the House of Commons, Jacob Rees-Mogg, has succeeded in stopping electronic voting and blocking proxy voting.
Tuesday’s farce sent our democracy back to the steam age, obliging our representatives to waste their time and our money. Mr Rees-Mogg should not mistake the acquiescence of so many Tory rebels for real support – they simply recognise this shambles for what it is and suspect the new system will collapse on its own. Several senior Tories agree, as i columnist Katy Balls reports in The Spectator.
Of course, we do not all need to hide away for ever. The economy demands that many of us crack on with work, aware of the risks to people with underlying health conditions and the over-70s. That is fair and reasonable as we try to lift the economy out to the other side of this blasted pandemic. There is a symbolic value in returning, too, where it can be done safely.
However, returning to workplaces has myriad sensitivities, including colleagues’ wellbeing, the health of their families, their ability to perform their work remotely, childcare and transport.
Some MPs still need to shield or self-isolate because of their age, health, disability, pregnancy, role as a carer or a family health condition. They and their constituents are now silenced, disenfranchised. Little wonder that MPs across the Commons objected.
Read More: Government is sending dangerous mixed messages to vulnerable people who are shielding
The scenes in Westminster were not much more absurd than other chapters in this pandemic, I suppose. During our virtual Parliament, despite the technical glitches when MPs struggled to join debates via Zoom, one of the more refreshing aspects was being able to listen without a zoological chorus of shrieks and hoots. Still, the Prime Minister will now have a little support when he goes into combat with forensic opposition leader Keir Starmer.
We may well have to queue for 40 minutes outside the supermarket, but that does not mean it is also the best way to run our politics in the year 2020. D-minus, Rees-Mogg, see me.
Twitter: @olyduff


inews--2020-06-02--A Very British Hotel Chain: Inside Best Western, Channel 4, review: An irritatingly facetious docume

A Very British Hotel Chain: Inside Best Western, Channel 4, review: An irritatingly facetious documentary

A Very British Hotel Chain : Inside Best Western , Channel 4 , review : An irritatingly facetious documentary Some viewers have found the series hilarious , while others have been less impressed by the business end of the hotel chain The finale saw the Best Western staff celebrate Christmas at the hotels ( Photo : Channel 4 ) It ’ s impossible to tell whether A Very British Hotel Chain : Inside Best Western came to praise Best Western hotels or kill the business off entirely .
Some viewers have been weeping with laughter at the David Brent-style antics @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Rob Paterson and his slogans ( “ Smash it !
” “ Give a shit !
” ) , while others have seen it as a bleak warning about how not to run a business .
This final instalment charged ever deeper into fantasy-land , not least with the company ’ s promotional Christmas video starring Nativity donkeys chilling out in a luxury BW hotel .
Diane Morgan ’ s voice-over sustained the show ’ s irritatingly facetious tone , and its weird fixation with major trunk roads .
We were told that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , Edinburgh was “ 200 miles north up the A1 ( M ) and A1 ” .
Paterson apparently has a long track record in the hotel trade , but here he looked like a kids ’ party magician who ’ d somehow busked his way into the top job .
His finest faux pas came after ski-jumper Eddie the Eagle turned out to be the mystery guest at BW ’ s annual conference .
“ I think Best Western is the Eddie the Eagle of the hotel business !
” raved Rob @ @ @ @ @ @ @ determined and famous for finishing last .

A Very British Hotel Chain: Inside Best Western, 9pm, Channel 4 ★★★
It’s impossible to tell whether A Very British Hotel Chain: Inside Best Western came to praise Best Western hotels or kill the business off entirely. Some viewers have been weeping with laughter at the David Brent-style antics of the company’s Aussie CEO Rob Paterson and his slogans (“Smash it!” “Give a shit!”), while others have seen it as a bleak warning about how not to run a business.
This final instalment charged ever deeper into fantasy-land, not least with the company’s promotional Christmas video starring Nativity donkeys chilling out in a luxury BW hotel.
Diane Morgan’s voice-over sustained the show’s irritatingly facetious tone, and its weird fixation with major trunk roads. We were told that from BW’s HQ in York, Edinburgh was “200 miles north up the A1(M) and A1”.
Paterson apparently has a long track record in the hotel trade, but here he looked like a kids’ party magician who’d somehow busked his way into the top job. His finest faux pas came after ski-jumper Eddie the Eagle turned out to be the mystery guest at BW’s annual conference. “I think Best Western is the Eddie the Eagle of the hotel business!” raved Rob. Very British indeed – plucky, determined and famous for finishing last.
THEARTSDESK.COM


inews--2020-06-02--MPs forced to form 'ludicrous Alton Towers-style' queue to vote in the Commons

MPs forced to form 'ludicrous Alton Towers-style ' queue to vote in the Commons MPs have branded the Government ’ s Commons voting system “ ludicrous ” and “ a shambles ” after they were forced to queue for hours to register their vote in Parliament .
Members were made to stand in a socially-distanced line stretching 1km in order to cast their vote on whether Parliament should scrap the remote voting system brought in during the Covid-19 pandemic .
Chaotic scenes emerged as speaker Sir Lindsay Hoyle and his officials were left repeatedly shouting instructions at MPs who snaked @ @ @ @ @ @ @ an “ Alton Towers-style ” queue .
The Government passed the motion by 261 votes to 163 .
The move was condemned by MPs from across parties , and drew a rebuke from the Equalities and Human Rights Commission , which said it “ could not be right ” to exclude politicians who can not vote in person if they are shielding from Covid-19 .
Conservative MP Nusrat Ghani tweeted : “ How very British .
We could vote electronically and crack on with business in Parliament or we can stand in queues.
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ comments , adding : “ Anyone watching the voting live on @ BBCParliament would see what an embarrassing shambles it is.
” The SNP ’ s Joanna Cherry described “ ludicrous scenes at Westminster in the conga voting queue ” as she waited to cast her vote , claiming it made a “ mockery of the place ” .
MPs queuing up to cast their vote But in a partial climbdown , Commons Leader Jacob Rees-Mogg , who has spearheaded the Government ’ s plans to return to a physical Parliament , said @ @ @ @ @ @ @ due to health reasons will still be able to participate remotely .
He insisted , however , that MPs must vote in person in a statement ahead of the controversial vote .
Mr Rees-Mogg told members : “ Voting while enjoying a sunny walk or whilst watching television does democracy an injustice .
The solemn decisions we take together affect the lives of millions of people in this country .
We ask members to vote in person for a reason , because it is the heart of what Parliament is about.
” Shadow @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Rees-Mogg was “ living in another universe ” as the country remains in the grip of the Covid-19 pandemic .
She asked : “ Can he guarantee that members and House staff are going to be safe ?
It may be Covid-19 secure but there is movement… we could be silent spreaders .
“ What the Leader of the House is proposing is discriminatory – the Equality and Human Rights Commission has said so.
” In a letter to Vicky Foxcroft , the shadow minister for disabled people , EHRV chief executive Rebecca @ @ @ @ @ @ @ her concerns on record , adding “ that proceedings in parliament must remain fully inclusive during the coronavirus pandemic ” .

MPs have branded the Government’s Commons voting system “ludicrous” and “a shambles” after they were forced to queue for hours to register their vote in Parliament.
Members were made to stand in a socially-distanced line stretching 1km in order to cast their vote on whether Parliament should scrap the remote voting system brought in during the Covid-19 pandemic.
Chaotic scenes emerged as speaker Sir Lindsay Hoyle and his officials were left repeatedly shouting instructions at MPs who snaked their way through the parliamentary estate in an “Alton Towers-style” queue.
Very British
How very British. We could vote electronically and crack on with business in Parliament or we can stand in queues. pic.twitter.com/qVibWK4Trk — Nus Ghani MP (@Nus_Ghani) June 2, 2020
The Government passed the motion by 261 votes to 163. The move was condemned by MPs from across parties, and drew a rebuke from the Equalities and Human Rights Commission, which said it “could not be right” to exclude politicians who cannot vote in person if they are shielding from Covid-19.
Conservative MP Nusrat Ghani tweeted: “How very British. We could vote electronically and crack on with business in Parliament or we can stand in queues.”
Tory colleague Michael Fabricant echoed her comments, adding: “Anyone watching the voting live on @BBCParliament would see what an embarrassing shambles it is.”
The SNP’s Joanna Cherry described “ludicrous scenes at Westminster in the conga voting queue” as she waited to cast her vote, claiming it made a “mockery of the place”.
But in a partial climbdown, Commons Leader Jacob Rees-Mogg, who has spearheaded the Government’s plans to return to a physical Parliament, said MPs who are unable to attend Parliament due to health reasons will still be able to participate remotely.
He insisted, however, that MPs must vote in person in a statement ahead of the controversial vote.
Mr Rees-Mogg told members: “Voting while enjoying a sunny walk or whilst watching television does democracy an injustice. The solemn decisions we take together affect the lives of millions of people in this country. We ask members to vote in person for a reason, because it is the heart of what Parliament is about.”
Another universe
Shadow Commons leader Valerie Vaz questioned if Mr Rees-Mogg was “living in another universe” as the country remains in the grip of the Covid-19 pandemic.
She asked: “Can he guarantee that members and House staff are going to be safe? It may be Covid-19 secure but there is movement… we could be silent spreaders.
“What the Leader of the House is proposing is discriminatory – the Equality and Human Rights Commission has said so.”
In a letter to Vicky Foxcroft, the shadow minister for disabled people, EHRV chief executive Rebecca Hilsenrath, said she wanted to place her concerns on record, adding “that proceedings in parliament must remain fully inclusive during the coronavirus pandemic”.


inews--2020-06-02--Endangered seahorses flourish in Dorset's Studland Bay in calmer lockdown waters

Divers record largest population of seahorses in Studland Bay since monitoring began The lure of calm , quiet waters during lockdown has coaxed spiny seahorses back to Studland Bay in record numbers , two years after they disappeared from the Dorset site .
The Seahorse Trust reported that 16 seahorses , including pregnant males and a baby born this year , have been spotted during a single dive in Studland Bay .
Seahorses enjoy legal protection in the UK ( Photo : The Seahorse Trust ) It represents the largest recorded number of seahorses in the bay since 2008 when @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in sharp contrast to 2018 and 2019 , when no seahorses were found at the site .
The increase is down to a sharp reduction in people , boat traffic the movement of anchors in the area during the Covid-19 lockdown .
The break from human activity has given the habitat valuable time to recovery , according to Seahorse Trust founder and director executive director Neil Garrick-Maidment .
“ The ecology of the site has made a remarkable recovery , ” he said .
“ We have seen so many seahorses because the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ plenty of food to eat , and crucially , somewhere to hide .
The seagrass has started to repair itself , and the spiny seahorses have taken advantage of this . ''
The UK has two native seahorse species : the spiny seahorse and the short snouted seahorse .
Both have protected status , meaning that without a proper licence it is illegal to disturb them in any way .
Studland Bay has also been designated as a Marine Conservation Area for its role as an important seahorse habitat .
The Seahorse Trust @ @ @ @ @ @ @ revival is a lasting success , and is calling for moorings in the bay to be rearranged to protect the seagrass habitat the seahorses depend on .
“ The seahorses need protection to stop them being disturbed again as Covid restrictions are lifted , ” said Mr Garrick-Maidment .
`` We do not want boats and divers banned , but the seahorses and seagrass do need their legal protection enforced . ''

The lure of calm, quiet waters during lockdown has coaxed spiny seahorses back to Studland Bay in record numbers, two years after they disappeared from the Dorset site.
The Seahorse Trust reported that 16 seahorses, including pregnant males and a baby born this year, have been spotted during a single dive in Studland Bay.
Lockdown quiet
It represents the largest recorded number of seahorses in the bay since 2008 when monitoring began. The count also stands in sharp contrast to 2018 and 2019, when no seahorses were found at the site.
The increase is down to a sharp reduction in people, boat traffic the movement of anchors in the area during the Covid-19 lockdown. The break from human activity has given the habitat valuable time to recovery, according to Seahorse Trust founder and director executive director Neil Garrick-Maidment.
“The ecology of the site has made a remarkable recovery,” he said. “We have seen so many seahorses because the food chain has recovered, giving seahorses plenty of food to eat, and crucially, somewhere to hide. The seagrass has started to repair itself, and the spiny seahorses have taken advantage of this.”
Future protection
The UK has two native seahorse species: the spiny seahorse and the short snouted seahorse. Both have protected status, meaning that without a proper licence it is illegal to disturb them in any way. Studland Bay has also been designated as a Marine Conservation Area for its role as an important seahorse habitat.
The Seahorse Trust wants to make sure the seahorses’ revival is a lasting success, and is calling for moorings in the bay to be rearranged to protect the seagrass habitat the seahorses depend on. “The seahorses need protection to stop them being disturbed again as Covid restrictions are lifted,” said Mr Garrick-Maidment. “We do not want boats and divers banned, but the seahorses and seagrass do need their legal protection enforced.”


inews--2020-06-02--Coronavirus lockdown: Avatar 2 film crew fly into New Zealand despite restrictions

Coronavirus lockdown : Avatar 2 film crew fly into New Zealand despite restrictions Director James Cameron and team given special permission to return to film sequel The international film crew for Avatar 2 have flown into New Zealand to begin filming despite the border being closed since the coronavirus lockdown .
Director James Cameron and 55 members of the crew are reported to have landed in New Zealand on a private charter flight at the weekend to begin filming the sequel to Avatar .
They have been allowed in under an exemption for 'other essential workers ' .
But their @ @ @ @ @ @ @ as borders were closed by Prime Minister Jacinda Ahern in March as part of strict lockdown measures to halt the spread of the virus .
It appears an exception has been made for the filmmakers while other industries , reliant on people entering the country , have not been granted the same dispensation .
Dairy farmer Tom Hargreaves told broadcaster RNZ it was frustrating to see the Hollywood contingent allowed in when he was unable to bring in employees from abroad who normally work at his farm .
June Ranson , chair of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Investment , told the station the exception made for Avatar revealed a “ double standard ” in government .
The Avatar 2 crew , including James Cameron and producer Jon Landau , are now expected to self-isolate for 14 days at the QT Hotel in Wellington .
Sci-fi film Avatar took the world by storm after its launch in 2009 ( Photo : Getty ) New Zealand ’ s economic development minister Phil Twyford said : “ The New Zealand border remains closed and public health remains the government ’ s number one @ @ @ @ @ @ @ “ Since April 21 I have signed off 22 applications representing 154 other essential workers .
Of these , 56 are workers in the film industry.
” Filming came to an abrupt halt in March after the New Zealand government placed the country on lockdown .
The original science fiction film Avatar took digital 3D into a new realm , winning Academy Awards for Best Visual Effects , Best Cinematography and Best Art Direction .
Four sequels in total are planned , with the release date for the first expected to be December @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , 2025 and 2027 .

The international film crew for Avatar 2 have flown into New Zealand to begin filming despite the border being closed since the coronavirus lockdown.
Director James Cameron and 55 members of the crew are reported to have landed in New Zealand on a private charter flight at the weekend to begin filming the sequel to Avatar.
They have been allowed in under an exemption for ‘other essential workers’.
But their arrival has angered many in the country as borders were closed by Prime Minister Jacinda Ahern in March as part of strict lockdown measures to halt the spread of the virus.
Film crew flies in
It appears an exception has been made for the filmmakers while other industries, reliant on people entering the country, have not been granted the same dispensation.
Dairy farmer Tom Hargreaves told broadcaster RNZ it was frustrating to see the Hollywood contingent allowed in when he was unable to bring in employees from abroad who normally work at his farm.
June Ranson, chair of the New Zealand Association of Migration and Investment, told the station the exception made for Avatar revealed a “double standard” in government.
The Avatar 2 crew, including James Cameron and producer Jon Landau, are now expected to self-isolate for 14 days at the QT Hotel in Wellington.
‘Double standard’
New Zealand’s economic development minister Phil Twyford said: “The New Zealand border remains closed and public health remains the government’s number one priority in making border exemption decisions.”
“Since April 21 I have signed off 22 applications representing 154 other essential workers. Of these, 56 are workers in the film industry.”
Mr Landau revealed on social media a week earlier production on a sequel to the 2009 blockbuster film Avatar would be restarting.
Filming came to an abrupt halt in March after the New Zealand government placed the country on lockdown.
The original science fiction film Avatar took digital 3D into a new realm, winning Academy Awards for Best Visual Effects, Best Cinematography and Best Art Direction.
Four sequels in total are planned, with the release date for the first expected to be December 2021 followed by further releases in 2023, 2025 and 2027.


inews--2020-06-02--Coronavirus and travel advice: Border quarantine rules could be repealed within weeks if contact tra

Coronavirus and travel advice: Border quarantine rules could be repealed within weeks if contact tracing works properly

Coronavirus and travel advice : Border quarantine rules could be repealed within weeks if contact tracing works properly Priti Patel is expected to announce full details of the self-isolation programme on Wednesday Home Secretary Priti Patel will tell the House of Commons that from next Monday , everyone arriving in Britain must register the address where they live or will be staying .
They will then have to stay there for 14 days so they do not inadvertently spread coronavirus , and can only leave home if they can not get food otherwise or in an emergency .
Police will @ @ @ @ @ @ @ following the rules and fine them if they do not .
The plans have been welcomed by the public in opinion polls , but they are fiercely opposed by the aviation and tourism industries , as well as by a number of Conservative MPs .
The new rules will be in place for an initial three-week period , with a review scheduled for 29 June .
At the Downing Street press conference on Tuesday John Newton , the Government 's Covid-19 testing czar , suggested that they could be repealed once the NHS @ @ @ @ @ @ @ last week , is fully operational .
Rather than a blanket quarantine , visitors from abroad could be given details of how to enroll in Test and Trace if they fall ill , with their contacts traced so they so not risk seeding a major coronavirus outbreak .
Professor Newton said : `` If we are able to very quickly respond with a test and trace programme , then we could cover it in that way .
If travellers are able to be tested and self-isolate in response to contact tracing just like @ @ @ @ @ @ @ also be a way of dealing with it . ''
Ministers have emphasised that the quarantine rules will be `` temporary and time limited '' - potentially opening the door for summer holidays abroad if the new regime is replaced in late June or July .
Simon Clarke , the local government minister , said : `` We all want these restrictions to be lifted as soon as it ’ s safe to do so . ''
A senior Government source said the rules would be closely monitored from the moment they come @ @ @ @ @ @ @ social distancing , it 's a totally new measure so we have to monitor how it 's working . ''
Officials are working on the idea of `` air bridges '' with other countries , focussing primarily on places that have close economic ties to the UK and have controlled their Covid-19 outbreaks .
It means holidaymakers may be able to visit the likes of France , Portugal and Greece over the summer without having to self-isolate either when they fly out or when they return .
Tory backbenchers have teamed up with @ @ @ @ @ @ @ proposals , which will not be put to a vote in Parliament .
Former Cabinet minister David Davis said : `` We should at least look to copy and learn from countries such as Austria , who test arrivals at airports and those who test negative for coronavirus are then exempted from quarantine . ''

Border quarantine plans to be announced on Wednesday could be repealed within weeks if the UK’s test and tracing programme proves to work properly.
Home Secretary Priti Patel will tell the House of Commons that from next Monday, everyone arriving in Britain must register the address where they live or will be staying.
They will then have to stay there for 14 days so they do not inadvertently spread coronavirus, and can only leave home if they cannot get food otherwise or in an emergency. Police will have the power to check they are following the rules and fine them if they do not.
The plans have been welcomed by the public in opinion polls, but they are fiercely opposed by the aviation and tourism industries, as well as by a number of Conservative MPs.
‘Time limited’
The new rules will be in place for an initial three-week period, with a review scheduled for 29 June. At the Downing Street press conference on Tuesday John Newton, the Government’s Covid-19 testing czar, suggested that they could be repealed once the NHS Test and Trace scheme, which launched last week, is fully operational.
Rather than a blanket quarantine, visitors from abroad could be given details of how to enroll in Test and Trace if they fall ill, with their contacts traced so they so not risk seeding a major coronavirus outbreak. Professor Newton said: “If we are able to very quickly respond with a test and trace programme, then we could cover it in that way. If travellers are able to be tested and self-isolate in response to contact tracing just like a domestic new case, that would also be a way of dealing with it.”
Ministers have emphasised that the quarantine rules will be “temporary and time limited” – potentially opening the door for summer holidays abroad if the new regime is replaced in late June or July. Simon Clarke, the local government minister, said: “We all want these restrictions to be lifted as soon as it’s safe to do so.”
A senior Government source said the rules would be closely monitored from the moment they come in, adding: “Just like social distancing, it’s a totally new measure so we have to monitor how it’s working.”
Officials are working on the idea of “air bridges” with other countries, focussing primarily on places that have close economic ties to the UK and have controlled their Covid-19 outbreaks. It means holidaymakers may be able to visit the likes of France, Portugal and Greece over the summer without having to self-isolate either when they fly out or when they return.
Tory backbenchers have teamed up with travel companies to rebel against the quarantine proposals, which will not be put to a vote in Parliament. Former Cabinet minister David Davis said: “We should at least look to copy and learn from countries such as Austria, who test arrivals at airports and those who test negative for coronavirus are then exempted from quarantine.”
Rules explained


inews--2020-06-02--Fisherman rescues roe deer found struggling out at sea

Jeremy Richards sailed out to save the animal as a seal was moving in Fisherman Jeremy Richards was handline fishing off the coast of Cornwall when he caught more than he bargained for reeling in a roe deer .
He had spotted a seal moving in on an animal struggling at sea and a closer inspection revealed it was a deer .
So he sailed in to rescue it .
`` I was n't sure what it was .
I mean we 're used to seeing the odd sunfish or the occasional shark , perhaps a dolphin , but it @ @ @ @ @ @ @ '' , Mr Richards told the BBC .
Porthleven fisherman Jeremy Richards in Cornwall catches deer in the sea ( Photo : Jeremy Richards ) But as he got nearer he could see the animal was “ spooked ” and there was a large seal preventing it getting back to shore .
“ I could see that about five , ten metres behind it , there was a huge , great seal , a monstrous great thing , and it appeared to be keeping itself between the little deer and the shore ” @ @ @ @ @ @ @ believes the animal may have fallen from cliffs at Penwinian Head near Gunwalloe and then swam for dear life to try to get back to shore .
Jeremy Richards , a member of Porthleven Fishermen and Boat Owners ' Association , had been sailing around the coast from Gunwalloe when he made the discovery ( Photo : Jeremy Richards ) “ He was really , really tired , '' said Mr Richards , `` He seemed to settle quite quickly .
I just talked to him for a second or two and he @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to help him . ''
But it was n't exactly plain sailing from there .
The deer had become so comfortable on board , under a blanket , it was reluctant to give up its newfound sea legs .
`` He got a bit feisty , he seemed to like the boat as his new home , '' Mr Richards said .
A video posted on social media revealed the return to land proved more tricky than the sea rescue as the deer had to be hoisted out of the boat , up @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .

Fisherman Jeremy Richards was handline fishing off the coast of Cornwall when he caught more than he bargained for reeling in a roe deer.
He had spotted a seal moving in on an animal struggling at sea and a closer inspection revealed it was a deer. So he sailed in to rescue it.
“I wasn’t sure what it was. I mean we’re used to seeing the odd sunfish or the occasional shark, perhaps a dolphin, but it had a very different look to it”, Mr Richards told the BBC.
Reeled in a roe deer
But as he got nearer he could see the animal was “spooked” and there was a large seal preventing it getting back to shore.
“I could see that about five, ten metres behind it, there was a huge, great seal, a monstrous great thing, and it appeared to be keeping itself between the little deer and the shore”, he added.
Sailing alongside the animal, he latched onto it and hauled it aboard the boat.
The Porthleven fisherman believes the animal may have fallen from cliffs at Penwinian Head near Gunwalloe and then swam for dear life to try to get back to shore.
‘Huge, great seal’
“He was really, really tired,” said Mr Richards, “He seemed to settle quite quickly. I just talked to him for a second or two and he seemed to realise that I was trying to help him.”
Mr Richards took it back to Porthleven and called the RSPCA.
But it wasn’t exactly plain sailing from there. The deer had become so comfortable on board, under a blanket, it was reluctant to give up its newfound sea legs.
Reluctant to go ashore
“He got a bit feisty, he seemed to like the boat as his new home,” Mr Richards said.
A video posted on social media revealed the return to land proved more tricky than the sea rescue as the deer had to be hoisted out of the boat, up the slipway and into the RSPCA van.
No longer a fish out of water, it has since been released into nearby woodland.


inews--2020-06-02--How will working from home affect my insurance bills and taxes?

How will working from home affect my insurance bills and taxes ?
Ask Gareth : Should I inform my landlord of the situation ?
Should I inform my landlord , freeholder , lender and insurer ?
Could my landlord refuse permission or charge me more rent ?
Or if I was using a garden room , could it be liable to business rates ?
And must I just accept that my winter heating and power bills will be considerably higher than last winter when the time clock went off at 7.30 am and came on at 7pm ?
Millions of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ( Photo : Getty ) There ’ s plenty to unpack here and I can understand why it can be confusing .
While the government has published a huge amount of guidance on what is permissible under lockdown , you often have to consult the individual terms of your financial products , legal contracts and lending agreements .
Therefore , I ’ m going to caveat many of my answers to your questions with a big ‘ it depends on your terms ’ , so I ’ d urge you to start rifling @ @ @ @ @ @ @ reality .
When you buy car insurance , your insurer will ask how you intend to use your vehicle – for social use , commuting or any business purposes , with 'business ' usually defined as being separate from travel to more than one location for work ( commuting ) .
Some insurers will have different definitions , and some cover you on certain types of business use as standard .
One might argue that , logically , the use of your vehicle could be classified as commuting and that business car insurance @ @ @ @ @ @ @ driving to clients ' houses , or driving employees around .
However , three of the four major comparison sites define commuting as travel to a ‘ permanent ’ or ‘ single ’ place of work .
Insurers will have slightly different definitions too .
In practice , most insurers would be fairly reasonable about your situation .
You don ’ t have to advise your insurer if you ’ re having to drive more because taking public transport , for example , is not possible .
Get in touch and explain your @ @ @ @ @ @ @ says , but I doubt you ’ ll have to switch to a business policy .
You should n't need to inform your landlord that you are working from home temporarily .
It might be different if you 're running a business from the property , as this may be against the terms of your tenancy agreement .
Technically , conducting business from home could invalidate your mortgage and home insurance policy .
But I very much doubt that is going to be enforced by lenders , who are , to their credit @ @ @ @ @ @ @ during the pandemic .
You may need to let your home insurer know about the fact that you ’ re working from home , and consider adding extra cover for new items in your home , though if your employer owns the equipment , it should be responsible for insurance cover .
The Association of British Insurers , which represents the insurance industry , says that if your work is mainly clerical in nature , your standard home insurance should cover you .
The government states that you don ’ t have to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ you only use a small part of your home , such as a bedroom , for your business .
If you ’ ve made changes to your home for your business , you may be liable .
Did you build a garden room specifically to work and receive clients ?
If not , it shouldn ’ t be an issue .
The self-employed have always been able to claim expenses for bills if they conduct work at home .
But there are some restrictions on tax relief for employees .
If your employer @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , you should be able to claim tax relief on some of the bills that solely relate to work – such as gas and electricity , and phone bills for work calls .

Dear Gareth,
I’m now working from home due to the coronavirus crisis and I’m not sure how this affects my personal finances.
If I am working from home but using my car to visit colleagues and my boss, with social distancing, or post-lockdown to meet at a motorway service station, do I need business car insurance?
Should I inform my landlord, freeholder, lender and insurer? Could my landlord refuse permission or charge me more rent? Or if I was using a garden room, could it be liable to business rates?
And must I just accept that my winter heating and power bills will be considerably higher than last winter when the time clock went off at 7.30 am and came on at 7pm?
David Mackmin, Milford Haven
Gareth says…
There’s plenty to unpack here and I can understand why it can be confusing. While the government has published a huge amount of guidance on what is permissible under lockdown, you often have to consult the individual terms of your financial products, legal contracts and lending agreements. Therefore, I’m going to caveat many of my answers to your questions with a big ‘it depends on your terms’, so I’d urge you to start rifling through your paperwork to find out the reality.
Car insurance
When you buy car insurance, your insurer will ask how you intend to use your vehicle – for social use, commuting or any business purposes, with ‘business’ usually defined as being separate from travel to more than one location for work (commuting). Some insurers will have different definitions, and some cover you on certain types of business use as standard.
One might argue that, logically, the use of your vehicle could be classified as commuting and that business car insurance would only be necessary if you were driving to clients’ houses, or driving employees around. However, three of the four major comparison sites define commuting as travel to a ‘permanent’ or ‘single’ place of work. Insurers will have slightly different definitions too.
In practice, most insurers would be fairly reasonable about your situation. You don’t have to advise your insurer if you’re having to drive more because taking public transport, for example, is not possible. Get in touch and explain your situation, and see what your insurer says, but I doubt you’ll have to switch to a business policy.
Read More: Coronavirus pandemic exposes risks and rewards of working from home
Informing a landlord
You shouldn’t need to inform your landlord that you are working from home temporarily. It might be different if you’re running a business from the property, as this may be against the terms of your tenancy agreement.
Technically, conducting business from home could invalidate your mortgage and home insurance policy. But I very much doubt that is going to be enforced by lenders, who are, to their credit, bending over backwards to support borrowers during the pandemic.
You may need to let your home insurer know about the fact that you’re working from home, and consider adding extra cover for new items in your home, though if your employer owns the equipment, it should be responsible for insurance cover. The Association of British Insurers, which represents the insurance industry, says that if your work is mainly clerical in nature, your standard home insurance should cover you.
Taxes
The government states that you don’t have to pay business rates for home-based work if you only use a small part of your home, such as a bedroom, for your business. If you’ve made changes to your home for your business, you may be liable. Did you build a garden room specifically to work and receive clients? If not, it shouldn’t be an issue.
The self-employed have always been able to claim expenses for bills if they conduct work at home. But there are some restrictions on tax relief for employees. If your employer has asked you to work at home, you should be able to claim tax relief on some of the bills that solely relate to work – such as gas and electricity, and phone bills for work calls.
But rent or broadband, and anything else that is used for both private and business use, cannot be claimed for.
Which? has published extensive free guides to your coronavirus rights and how it has affected your finances on our website.
Gareth Shaw is Head of Money at Which?. To have your question featured, email business@inews.co.uk.


inews--2020-06-02--NHS Test and Trace: Thousands of suspected coronavirus cases not contacted, leaked report shows

NHS Test and Trace : Thousands of suspected coronavirus cases not contacted , leaked report shows Many people have not contacted the NHS after their confirmed case Less than half of people in England with confirmed Covid-19 cases have been through the Government 's test and trace system , leaked figures show .
Between 28 May and 31 May , the first days since the system went live , there were 4,456 confirmed new cases of coronavirus .
Of those , 1,831 people either self-registered on the website or were called by the NHS Test and Trace and provided details @ @ @ @ @ @ @ numbers are significantly lower than 8,000 new coronavirus cases there are thought to be each day .
Anyone who is contacted will be told to stay at home ( Photo : Shutterstock ) According to Channel 4 News , who saw the report , those who filled out the form reported 4,634 contacts between them , of which only 1,749 have so far been contacted .
Just four in 10 of those with the virus are contacting the NHS themselves , and around the same figure of their contacts have been pursued by @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the Government had declined to offer - suggest the many people are not being traced under the new system and can undermine efforts to control the virus 's spread .
Asked for the details of how the system was working on Monday , John Newton , who is in charge of the testing programme , said : `` We will be publishing some figures soon , I know everybody is keen to see them . ''
At the same briefing Health Secretary Matt Hancock claimed many of those hired by NHS Test and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a reduction in coronavirus cases and insisted the programme is `` up and running '' and `` successful '' .
He said : `` We 've hired 25,000 people to work as contact tracers and the level of incidence of disease has come down so actually we have more capacity than we need , that is a good thing . ''
Last month the prime minister said he had “ great confidence ” in the “ world-beating ” test and tracing system that would stop a second coronavirus peak and help ease lockdown @ @

Less than half of people in England with confirmed Covid-19 cases have been through the Government’s test and trace system, leaked figures show.
Between 28 May and 31 May, the first days since the system went live, there were 4,456 confirmed new cases of coronavirus.
Of those, 1,831 people either self-registered on the website or were called by the NHS Test and Trace and provided details of their recent physical contacts.
The numbers are significantly lower than 8,000 new coronavirus cases there are thought to be each day.
Thousands not yet contacted
According to Channel 4 News, who saw the report, those who filled out the form reported 4,634 contacts between them, of which only 1,749 have so far been contacted.
Just four in 10 of those with the virus are contacting the NHS themselves, and around the same figure of their contacts have been pursued by the NHS.
The figures – which the Government had declined to offer – suggest the many people are not being traced under the new system and can undermine efforts to control the virus’s spread.
Asked for the details of how the system was working on Monday, John Newton, who is in charge of the testing programme, said: “We will be publishing some figures soon, I know everybody is keen to see them.”
Claims of lack of cases
At the same briefing Health Secretary Matt Hancock claimed many of those hired by NHS Test and Trace had nothing to do due to a reduction in coronavirus cases and insisted the programme is “up and running” and “successful”.
He said: “We’ve hired 25,000 people to work as contact tracers and the level of incidence of disease has come down so actually we have more capacity than we need, that is a good thing.”
Last month the prime minister said he had “great confidence” in the “world-beating” test and tracing system that would stop a second coronavirus peak and help ease lockdown restrictions.


inews--2020-06-03--The Great Gatsby to restart West End theatre as 'immersive 1920s masquerade ball'

The Great Gatsby to restart West End theatre as 'immersive 1920s masquerade ball' Audiences starved of theatre will wear 1920s-style masks and gloves for a 'hedonistic ' return to live performances Theatre will return to the West End in decadent style with an “ immersive ” production of The Great Gatsby , staged as a masquerade ball .
Staged across three floors in a 32,000sq ft historic building in Mayfair , The F. Scott Fitzgerald dramatisation will run from October 1 as an Art Deco Masquerade Ball .
Producers the Guild of Misrule and Immersive Everywhere say the show , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ “ reimagined ” to provide a safe experience for theatregoers denied live performances since March .
Capacity will be limited to allow for social distancing and the audience , wearing gloves as well as masks , can choose where they stand and move throughout the performance .
The historic 56 Davies Street venue in Mayfair-sketch by Milly England The actors will be trained to “ keep groups of audience following the story , whilst remaining at a safe distance.
” Other measures to ensure compliance with government Covid-19 guidelines include temperature checks for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ deep clean of the Davies Street venue before and after every performance and hand sanitisers made readily available .
Despite the precaution , ticket-holders are promised entry to “ a hedonistic world of red hot rhythms , bootleg liquor and pure jazz age self-indulgence await.
” Producers Louis Hartshorn and Brian Hook said “ We want to offer something for people to look forward to following this extended lockdown . ''
`` Our show has several inherent features that make it safer than a trip to the supermarket , so we ’ re @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Hopefully we can provide a blueprint for other productions to open safely and be part of the process of restoring employment and the economy of the creative industries.
” Seventy per cent of UK theatres said they will run out of cash by the end of the year , unless they receive additional government support .

Theatre will return to the West End in decadent style with an “immersive” production of The Great Gatsby, staged as a masquerade ball.
Staged across three floors in a 32,000sq ft historic building in Mayfair, The F. Scott Fitzgerald dramatisation will run from October 1 as an Art Deco Masquerade Ball.
Audience members will wear compulsory face coverings to “complement their fabulous attire.”
Producers the Guild of Misrule and Immersive Everywhere say the show, first staged in 2015, has been “reimagined” to provide a safe experience for theatregoers denied live performances since March.
‘Fabulous masks and gloves’
Capacity will be limited to allow for social distancing and the audience, wearing gloves as well as masks, can choose where they stand and move throughout the performance.
The actors will be trained to “keep groups of audience following the story, whilst remaining at a safe distance.”
Other measures to ensure compliance with government Covid-19 guidelines include temperature checks for audience and staff on arrival, a deep clean of the Davies Street venue before and after every performance and hand sanitisers made readily available.
Hedonistic break-out from lockdown
Despite the precaution, ticket-holders are promised entry to “a hedonistic world of red hot rhythms, bootleg liquor and pure jazz age self-indulgence await.”
Producers Louis Hartshorn and Brian Hook said “We want to offer something for people to look forward to following this extended lockdown.”
“Our show has several inherent features that make it safer than a trip to the supermarket, so we’re embracing that and innovating.”
“Hopefully we can provide a blueprint for other productions to open safely and be part of the process of restoring employment and the economy of the creative industries.”
Theatres facing collapse
A collapse in box office income has left shuttered West End and regional theatres facing financial ruin.
Seventy per cent of UK theatres said they will run out of cash by the end of the year, unless they receive additional government support.