inews--2020-05-13--Coronavirus lockdown: Workers return to offices and factories as measures ease across England

Coronavirus lockdown : Workers return to offices and factories as measures ease across England Restrictions lifted in England on garden centres , tennis courts , golf courses and anglers Traffic levels edged up in London and other major cities including Leeds , Manchester and Newcastle , while Transport for London reported a 7.9 per cent increase in passenger numbers since last week .
In further evidence that economic activity is beginning to resume , the Government disclosed that numbers of heavy good vehicles on the UK ’ s roads had risen this week .
The AA said call-outs to breakdowns @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Wales and Northern Ireland have yet to relax lockdown rules to the extent England has , but their First Ministers are coming under increased pressure to get businesses open again .
Among the organisations urging Nicola Sturgeon to ease restrictions are Homes for Scotland and the SGA Fishing Group which expressed their fears of the lockdown continuing in letters to her .
In Wales , First Minister Mark Drakeford said his road map for exiting the coronavirus lockdown is expected to be published on Thursday .
A five step plan for Northern Ireland @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Wales is nearing a return after the coronavirus crisis ( Photo : Getty ) English golf clubs , tennis courts and garden centres received the green light to open on Wednesday , while anglers were given permission to resume their pastime .
Josh Novell , manager of the Polhill garden centre near Sevenoaks , Kent , said it had set up a one-way system and installed perspex shields around its tills .
He said : “ These months are our bread and butter .
The sun was out over the Easter weekend and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ down excited about that.
” Martin Salter , chief policy adviser for the Angling Trust , said : “ We were delighted with the sensible and responsible attitude of the anglers who turned up to fish today.
” Restrictions on how far people can travel to get to the countryside , national parks and beaches in England were also lifted with the proviso that visitors continue to respect social distancing rules .
With temperatures forecast to rise to 21C ( 69F ) in parts of the UK this weekend , the tourism body @ @ @ @ @ @ @ “ waiting for you once we ’ ve got to the other side of Covid-19 ” .
It said : “ In the meantime , a trip to the seaside isn ’ t worth the risk.
” The Lake District National Park urged people “ not to rush back ” , adding : “ Help protect our communities - the fells will still be here when this passes.
” However , the challenge in forcing the public to respect social distancing guidance was underlined by the disclosure that Greater Manchester Police were called @ @ @ @ @ @ @ large gatherings over the Bank Holiday weekend .

The slow return to factories and offices gathered pace on Wednesday in response to Boris Johnson’s call for more employees to resume their jobs as the first step in England’s exit from the coronavirus lockdown.
Traffic levels edged up in London and other major cities including Leeds, Manchester and Newcastle, while Transport for London reported a 7.9 per cent increase in passenger numbers since last week.
In further evidence that economic activity is beginning to resume, the Government disclosed that numbers of heavy good vehicles on the UK’s roads had risen this week. The AA said call-outs to breakdowns went up on Wednesday.
Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland have yet to relax lockdown rules to the extent England has, but their First Ministers are coming under increased pressure to get businesses open again.
Among the organisations urging Nicola Sturgeon to ease restrictions are Homes for Scotland and the SGA Fishing Group which expressed their fears of the lockdown continuing in letters to her.
In Wales, First Minister Mark Drakeford said his road map for exiting the coronavirus lockdown is expected to be published on Thursday. A five step plan for Northern Ireland was unveiled on Tuesday.
Green light to golfers and anglers
English golf clubs, tennis courts and garden centres received the green light to open on Wednesday, while anglers were given permission to resume their pastime.
Josh Novell, manager of the Polhill garden centre near Sevenoaks, Kent, said it had set up a one-way system and installed perspex shields around its tills.
He said: “These months are our bread and butter. The sun was out over the Easter weekend and normally we would be jumping up and down excited about that.”
Martin Salter, chief policy adviser for the Angling Trust, said: “We were delighted with the sensible and responsible attitude of the anglers who turned up to fish today.”
He added: “Angling is the ultimate self-isolating sport. Large crowds and successful fishing don’t mix.”
Restrictions on how far people can travel to get to the countryside, national parks and beaches in England were also lifted with the proviso that visitors continue to respect social distancing rules.
‘Stay away from Blackpool’
With temperatures forecast to rise to 21C (69F) in parts of the UK this weekend, the tourism body for Blackpool said the resort would be “waiting for you once we’ve got to the other side of Covid-19”. It said: “In the meantime, a trip to the seaside isn’t worth the risk.”
The Lake District National Park urged people “not to rush back”, adding: “Help protect our communities – the fells will still be here when this passes.”
Birmingham City Council said its parks and grasslands would be mowed in wider-than-usual strips to help people maintain social distancing.
However, the challenge in forcing the public to respect social distancing guidance was underlined by the disclosure that Greater Manchester Police were called to more than 1,000 house parties and large gatherings over the Bank Holiday weekend.
And police officers in England and Wales were warned by the National Police Chiefs’ Council that they had no legal powers to enforce the two metre social distancing advice.


inews--2020-05-13--Coronavirus: Spanish woman, 113, has recovered from Covid-19 after weeks spent in isolation

Coronavirus : Spanish woman , 113 , has recovered from Covid-19 after weeks spent in isolation Daughter says she has 'become herself again ' and is busy chatting with her family Maria Branyas survived the virus but other elderly residents in her care home did not .
Spanish care homes have been hit hard by the pandemic ( Photo : Getty ) A 113-year-old woman , believed to be the oldest in Spain , has recovered from coronavirus .
Maria Branyas was diagnosed with Covid-19 shortly after Spain went into lockdown in March .
After weeks spent in isolation with @ @ @ @ @ @ @ recovered and is busy chatting and engaging with her family again .
Her daughter Rosa Moret told Catalan regional television TV3 her mother was “ in shape , wanting to talk , to explain , to reflect , she has become herself again '' .
The Santa Maria del Tura care home in the city of Olot , where Ms Branyas has lived for the past two decades , said she had survived the disease and was “ doing fine ” .
A spokesperson for the home said she was tested for the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ negative .
It is understood “ several ” other residents at the home , who were also diagnosed with Covid-19 , did not survive .
Slow road to recovery for the elderly who contract Covid-19 ( Photo : Getty ) Born in Mexico in 1907 to Spanish parents , she moved with her family to San Francisco , California two years later where her father worked as a journalist .
During the First World War , her family travelled back to Spain to live .
In 1931 , she married a doctor Juan @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of Spain .
She has lived through two world wars , the Spanish Civil War , the flu pandemic of 1918-19 and now the coronavirus pandemic and credits `` good health '' for her longevity .
Ms Branyas is not the only centenarian to contract Covid-19 and survive .
Dutchwoman Cornelia Ras , aged 107 , is also one of the oldest survivors of the virus after falling ill on 17 March and being given the all clear a month later .
Bill Lapschies , an American Second World War veteran , also @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to celebrate his 104th birthday at his care home in Oregon .

A 113-year-old woman, believed to be the oldest in Spain, has recovered from coronavirus.
Maria Branyas was diagnosed with Covid-19 shortly after Spain went into lockdown in March.
After weeks spent in isolation with mild symptoms, the super-centenarian has now recovered and is busy chatting and engaging with her family again.
Her daughter Rosa Moret told Catalan regional television TV3 her mother was “in shape, wanting to talk, to explain, to reflect, she has become herself again”.
Super-centenarian
The Santa Maria del Tura care home in the city of Olot, where Ms Branyas has lived for the past two decades, said she had survived the disease and was “doing fine”.
A spokesperson for the home said she was tested for the virus last week and the result was negative.
It is understood “several” other residents at the home, who were also diagnosed with Covid-19, did not survive.
Mother-of-three Ms Branyas has 11 grandchildren and 13 great-grandchildren.
‘Doing fine’
Born in Mexico in 1907 to Spanish parents, she moved with her family to San Francisco, California two years later where her father worked as a journalist.
During the First World War, her family travelled back to Spain to live.
In 1931, she married a doctor Juan Moret and settled in the Catalan region of Spain.
She has lived through two world wars, the Spanish Civil War, the flu pandemic of 1918-19 and now the coronavirus pandemic and credits “good health” for her longevity.
Survived wars and pandemics
Ms Branyas is not the only centenarian to contract Covid-19 and survive.
Dutchwoman Cornelia Ras, aged 107, is also one of the oldest survivors of the virus after falling ill on 17 March and being given the all clear a month later.
Bill Lapschies, an American Second World War veteran, also recovered from the disease just in time to celebrate his 104th birthday at his care home in Oregon.


inews--2020-05-13--Care homes to get £600m support to stop coronavirus spreading after deadly outbreaks killed thousand

Care homes to get £600m support to stop coronavirus spreading after deadly outbreaks killed thousands Details of how the fund will be spent were not available after it was announced by Boris Johnson Social care providers will get extra funding to keep residents and staff safe after Boris Johnson admitted that the toll of coronavirus on the sector had been `` too high '' .
The Government will provide £600m to care homes so they can institute new measures to reduce the spread of Covid-19 infection .
Those is likely to include rotating staff less often and shielding the homes @ @ @ @ @ @ @ they never become infected .
Ministers have been accused of `` seeding '' the virus in the care sector through their single-minded focus on reducing demand on the NHS , to avoid a repeat of the chaos experienced by the Italian health service in February and March .
Elderly patients were discharged from hospital and sent to care homes when it was not clear whether or not they had been infected with coronavirus , according to critics .
It was not until mid-April that Covid-19 tests became available for all care home residents @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the House of Commons on Monday The new funding was announced by the Prime Minister at lunchtime on Wednesday but details of how it will be spent will not be revealed until Thursday .
The scheme will involve support to train staff on how to handle coronavirus cases , financial inducements to keep workers in place at specific homes rather than moving between them , and giving every care home in England a named point of contact to provide clinical advice from the Government .
It is still not clear whether the full @ @ @ @ @ @ @ councils to care providers , or whether the cash boost will apply in Wales , Scotland and Northern Ireland .
Critics questioned why ministers had failed to provide more detail on how the fund will help the sector .
Former Liberal Democrat leader Tim Farron told i : `` Care staff are protecting the most vulnerable by putting themselves on the line every single day .
They need us to protect them .
It is an insult to their service for the Prime Minister to announce long awaited funding but not back it @ @ @ @ @ @ @ total of 33,186 people have now died of Covid-19 in the UK , according to the Government 's official tally , including 494 recorded in the latest 24-hour period .
A quarter of all registered coronavirus deaths happened in care homes .
'More we can do' Challenged on the epidemic in care homes by Labour leader Keir Starmer at Prime Minister 's Questions , Mr Johnson said : `` It is absolutely true that the number of casualties has been too high . ''
But he denied that patients were wrongly sent into @ @ @ @ @ @ @ saying : `` The number of discharges from hospitals into care homes actually went down in March and April . ''
Housing Secretary Robert Jenrick said at the daily Downing Street press conference : `` There is more that we can do and our whole focus now needs to be on ensuring that care homes are guided through the weeks and months ahead , and we protect as many people as we possibly can within them . ''
A study from the London School of Economics found that more than 22,000 care home @ @ @ @ @ @ @ died as a result of the coronavirus crisis , far above the official death toll of 8,314 up to last week .
Excess mortality in the sector - the number of deaths being recorded above the average for this time of year - has spiked in recent weeks but is now starting to reduce .
As well as discharging too many patients without testing them for Covid-19 , the Government has been accused of failing to ensure that care workers had access to adequate personal protective equipment with supplies being diverted to the @ @

Social care providers will get extra funding to keep residents and staff safe after Boris Johnson admitted that the toll of coronavirus on the sector had been “too high”.
The Government will provide £600m to care homes so they can institute new measures to reduce the spread of Covid-19 infection. Those is likely to include rotating staff less often and shielding the homes which have not had an outbreak so they never become infected.
Ministers have been accused of “seeding” the virus in the care sector through their single-minded focus on reducing demand on the NHS, to avoid a repeat of the chaos experienced by the Italian health service in February and March.
Elderly patients were discharged from hospital and sent to care homes when it was not clear whether or not they had been infected with coronavirus, according to critics. It was not until mid-April that Covid-19 tests became available for all care home residents and staff.
Care confusion
The new funding was announced by the Prime Minister at lunchtime on Wednesday but details of how it will be spent will not be revealed until Thursday. The scheme will involve support to train staff on how to handle coronavirus cases, financial inducements to keep workers in place at specific homes rather than moving between them, and giving every care home in England a named point of contact to provide clinical advice from the Government.
It is still not clear whether the full amount will be handed on from local councils to care providers, or whether the cash boost will apply in Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland.
Critics questioned why ministers had failed to provide more detail on how the fund will help the sector. Former Liberal Democrat leader Tim Farron told i: “Care staff are protecting the most vulnerable by putting themselves on the line every single day. They need us to protect them. It is an insult to their service for the Prime Minister to announce long awaited funding but not back it up with any detail.”
A total of 33,186 people have now died of Covid-19 in the UK, according to the Government’s official tally, including 494 recorded in the latest 24-hour period. A quarter of all registered coronavirus deaths happened in care homes.
‘More we can do’
Challenged on the epidemic in care homes by Labour leader Keir Starmer at Prime Minister’s Questions, Mr Johnson said: “It is absolutely true that the number of casualties has been too high.” But he denied that patients were wrongly sent into homes to free up hospital space, saying: “The number of discharges from hospitals into care homes actually went down in March and April.”
Housing Secretary Robert Jenrick said at the daily Downing Street press conference: “There is more that we can do and our whole focus now needs to be on ensuring that care homes are guided through the weeks and months ahead, and we protect as many people as we possibly can within them.”
A study from the London School of Economics found that more than 22,000 care home residents in England and Wales may have died as a result of the coronavirus crisis, far above the official death toll of 8,314 up to last week. Excess mortality in the sector – the number of deaths being recorded above the average for this time of year – has spiked in recent weeks but is now starting to reduce.
As well as discharging too many patients without testing them for Covid-19, the Government has been accused of failing to ensure that care workers had access to adequate personal protective equipment with supplies being diverted to the NHS.


inews--2020-05-13--Coronavirus lockdown: Commuters urged to stay away from public transport amid overcrowding fears

Coronavirus lockdown : Commuters urged to stay away from public transport amid overcrowding fears Transport Secretary , Grant Shapps , urged people going back to work in the next phase of the lockdown to 'look for alternatives' Transport Secretary Grant Shapps urged people going back to work in the next phase of the lockdown to “ look for alternatives ” to public transport .
As footage showed overcrowding on Tubes and buses in London , the Transport Secretary said the system could only take a 10th of the normal amount of commuters before the two metre social distancing rule would @ @ @ @ @ @ @ other major cities are more likely to use their car to get to work , but in the capital the prospect of overcrowding has sparked fears of a second spike of Covid-19 infections .
But Downing Street claimed there had been no “ significant ” increase in public transport use in the capital - despite figures from Transport for London showing the number of passengers using the Tube on Wednesday from the start of service to 6am was up by 8.7 per cent on the same period last week .
At 8am , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in congestion from 12 per cent to 13 per cent compared to the same time a week earlier , while Birmingham was stable at 11 per cent , Newcastle congestion rose from 11 per cent to 13 per cent and Leeds from 13 per cent to 14 per cent .
He added : “ The picture overall , there are some stations like Canning Town I am particularly conscious of , some other places on the District and Jubilee Line which are a concern , but mostly on the network overall people are @ @ @ @ @ @ @ out again , please look for alternative means of transport.
” The Prime Minister 's official spokesman said : “ TfL is not reporting significant increases on the London network this morning compared to the last few days.
” Transport for London ( TfL ) said the number of passengers using the Tube between 4am and 10am on Wednesday was up by 7.3 per cent compared with the same period last week .
A TfL spokesman said : “ Tube ridership is still around 94 per cent less than it was at the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ are doing everything possible to return Tube and bus services to normal levels under extraordinarily difficult circumstances , with many staff still off sick , shielding or self-isolating .
“ In keeping with the Government ’ s plans for the national rail network , next week we aim to increase to 75 per cent of Tube services , 85 per cent of bus services , restore the Circle line and reopen some closed Tube stations .

Transport Secretary Grant Shapps urged people going back to work in the next phase of the lockdown to “look for alternatives” to public transport.
As footage showed overcrowding on Tubes and buses in London, the Transport Secretary said the system could only take a 10th of the normal amount of commuters before the two metre social distancing rule would be breached.
Commuters outside London and other major cities are more likely to use their car to get to work, but in the capital the prospect of overcrowding has sparked fears of a second spike of Covid-19 infections.
But Downing Street claimed there had been no “significant” increase in public transport use in the capital – despite figures from Transport for London showing the number of passengers using the Tube on Wednesday from the start of service to 6am was up by 8.7 per cent on the same period last week.
Congestion increase
At 8am, the roads in Manchester saw an increase in congestion from 12 per cent to 13 per cent compared to the same time a week earlier, while Birmingham was stable at 11 per cent, Newcastle congestion rose from 11 per cent to 13 per cent and Leeds from 13 per cent to 14 per cent.
Mr Shapps told BBC Breakfast people should “try to avoid” getting the bus or Tube in London and other busy urban areas.
He added: “The picture overall, there are some stations like Canning Town I am particularly conscious of, some other places on the District and Jubilee Line which are a concern, but mostly on the network overall people are heeding that advice. The appeal goes out again, please look for alternative means of transport.”
The Prime Minister’s official spokesman said: “TfL is not reporting significant increases on the London network this morning compared to the last few days.”
5,700 more journeys
Transport for London (TfL) said the number of passengers using the Tube between 4am and 10am on Wednesday was up by 7.3 per cent compared with the same period last week.
This equates to nearly 5,700 additional journeys.
A TfL spokesman said: “Tube ridership is still around 94 per cent less than it was at the same time last year.
“We are doing everything possible to return Tube and bus services to normal levels under extraordinarily difficult circumstances, with many staff still off sick, shielding or self-isolating.
“In keeping with the Government’s plans for the national rail network, next week we aim to increase to 75 per cent of Tube services, 85 per cent of bus services, restore the Circle line and reopen some closed Tube stations.
“In keeping with the Government’s road map, Londoners who can work from home should continue to do so.”


inews--2020-05-13--Burnley's players will be tested for coronavirus as Premier League players gear up to return to trai

Burnley's players will be tested for coronavirus as Premier League players gear up to return to training

Burnley 's players will be tested for coronavirus as Premier League players gear up to return to training Exclusive : The majority of Premier League players are thought to be behind the idea of finishing the 2019-20 season next month The majority of Premier League players are thought to be behind the idea of finishing the 2019/20 season next month , provided that , following the Government ’ s roadmap to ease lockdown , there is not a spike in Covid-19 infections between now and then .
No football has been played in England since the middle of March ( @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Wednesday released phase one of their guidelines for sports clubs ’ “ phased return ” to playing elite sport .
It states that a Covid-19 officer must be appointed at all clubs and “ training should only be resumed where government guidelines on social distancing can be followed , considering any terms of dispensation allowed for elite sport , ” meaning players will have to keep two metres apart at all times .
But Burnley defender James Tarkowski said : “ Personally , as long as there are safety precautions , and all @ @ @ @ @ @ @ make sure everyone is as safe as possible , I want to go back and play .
“ I understand that people and players have different views on the situation and I don ’ t think whatever decision is made is going to please everyone .
But my personal view is that as long as everyone is as safe as possible , I ’ m willing to go back and play.
” While Burnley will on Thursday test all of their playing squad - who i revealed last week were the first in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ favour of returning to playing in an anonymised survey - for the virus , West Ham have constructed a testing tent at their Rush Green training ground , which includes temperature checks .
Wolves also started trialling a drive-through testing area for staff at their training ground this week .
How can you play football and social distance ?
Palace boss Roy Hodgson confirmed that he was set to return with everyone else ( Photo : Getty ) West Ham midfielder Jack Wilshere said he remains unsure about the restart dates being discussed @ @ @ @ @ @ @ if it ’ s not safe to do so , '' Wilshere told Sky Sports .
`` I can ’ t see how you can play football and social distance at the same time but these are the questions that people need to ask and need to be answered .
It ’ s as simple as that.
” “ I would be very surprised , knowing my club as I do and knowing the chairman Steve Parish , that he would not be sympathetic to a player who came and said `` I @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ m certain he would solve that situation , but it would be taken out of my hands .
I wouldn ’ t have any problem with it.
” Never too old ... Hodgson also confirmed that he was set to return with everyone else , after questions were asked due to his age .
He is 72 years old , placing him in the vulnerable category .
“ As far as I ’ m concerned , I feel every bit as good as I did on March 10th , in fact probably @ @ @ @ @ @ @ has given me more of a chance to work on my fitness than I had during the time I was working on a daily basis .

Burnley’s players will be tested for coronavirus on Thursday, as Premier League players get ready to return to training on Monday, even while some players remain unsure about playing again in mid-June.
The majority of Premier League players are thought to be behind the idea of finishing the 2019-20 season next month, provided that, following the Government’s roadmap to ease lockdown, there is not a spike in Covid-19 infections between now and then.
i revealed on Wednesday that at Beswicks Sports, a football agency who represent more than 150 players across English football and abroad, including Newcastle United’s Longstaff brothers, Sean and Matty, and Burnley striker Jay Rodriguez, not one player had objected to returning to playing.
Government guidance
The Government on Wednesday released phase one of their guidelines for sports clubs’ “phased return” to playing elite sport. It states that a Covid-19 officer must be appointed at all clubs and “training should only be resumed where government guidelines on social distancing can be followed, considering any terms of dispensation allowed for elite sport,” meaning players will have to keep two metres apart at all times.
Phase two will include players being able to tackle each other again.
Presentations, involving the Professional Footballers’ Association, were made to Premier League club captains and PFA delegates on Wednesday about the medical protocols being put in place.
No tackling, disinfected pitches
Each club’s PFA delegate received a 40-page document explaining how they could train safely, with measures including disinfecting pitches and training gear, no tackling and advice to avoid spitting.
Some of the Premier League’s stars, such as Raheem Sterling, Sergio Aguero and Danny Rose, have already shared their concerns about returning to playing in June.
But Burnley defender James Tarkowski said: “Personally, as long as there are safety precautions, and all the testing that can be done to make sure everyone is as safe as possible, I want to go back and play.
West Ham and Wolves also testing
“I understand that people and players have different views on the situation and I don’t think whatever decision is made is going to please everyone. But my personal view is that as long as everyone is as safe as possible, I’m willing to go back and play.”
He added: “From the people I’ve spoken to, we’ve had a few group conversations, the general consensus is we do want to go back and play, to finish this season.”
While Burnley will on Thursday test all of their playing squad – who i revealed last week were the first in the Premier League to all vote in favour of returning to playing in an anonymised survey – for the virus, West Ham have constructed a testing tent at their Rush Green training ground, which includes temperature checks. Wolves also started trialling a drive-through testing area for staff at their training ground this week.
How can you play football and social distance?
West Ham midfielder Jack Wilshere said he remains unsure about the restart dates being discussed. “No player will go back if it’s not safe to do so,” Wilshere told Sky Sports. “I can’t see how you can play football and social distance at the same time but these are the questions that people need to ask and need to be answered. It’s as simple as that.”
He added: “I’m desperate to get back playing football but at the same time I’ve got a family at home, I’ve got kids.”
Crystal Palace manager Roy Hodgson also revealed that he would have no issue if any of his players did not want to come back.
“It’s a matter for the individual and for the club. I shall abide by whatever the club rules in that respect,’ he told beIN Sports.
“I would be very surprised, knowing my club as I do and knowing the chairman Steve Parish, that he would not be sympathetic to a player who came and said “I have serious reservations about playing. I’m certain he would solve that situation, but it would be taken out of my hands. I wouldn’t have any problem with it.”
Never too old…
Hodgson also confirmed that he was set to return with everyone else, after questions were asked due to his age. He is 72 years old, placing him in the vulnerable category.
But he said: ”Age is age. It’s how you feel really. Your age doesn’t necessarily relate to your fitness or how you’re feeling, or your capacity to do a job.
“As far as I’m concerned, I feel every bit as good as I did on March 10th, in fact probably a little bit better because this time has given me more of a chance to work on my fitness than I had during the time I was working on a daily basis.
“When I’m called back to work I shall be very happy to go back to work.”


inews--2020-05-13--Coronavirus and UK travel: Campsites consider how to re-open safely after lockdown

Coronavirus and UK travel : Campsites consider how to re-open safely after lockdown Matt Hancock has said summer holidays abroad are unlikely to happen this year Campsite providers are now considering how they may be able to re-open safely when people are able to move around more freely later this year .
The firm posted losses of £747m ( €845.8m ) in the first half of 2020 , with its latest report saying the coronavirus pandemic was the “ greatest crisis ” both it and the industry had ever faced .
Tourists visitng Sligachan campsite on the Isle of Skye @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Mitchell/Getty ) “ We would also 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 , ” she added .
In a briefing paper on re-starting the economy in rural area , it said self-catering accommodation should be able to open early if customers can access them using their own vehicles , they are let to people in the same household and do not involve shared facilities that bring them into @ @ @ @ @ @ @ said holidays abroad will be unlikely to go ahead this summer ( Photo : Sean Gallup/Getty ) The British Holiday and Home Parks Association said that the `` staycation '' trend was well established before the pandemic and was likely to `` take on extra momentum '' in its aftermath .
`` However , consumer confidence has been understandably impacted by the health risks , so this is nothing like the level of enquiries that would have been expected in a ‘ normal ’ year . ''
`` That is why British Holiday @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the Government to consider the means to support this industry throughout the winter to enable it to re-open in spring 2021 . ''
`` If the government believes summer holidays abroad can ’ t go ahead , it should make it clear to holiday companies and airlines that they shouldn ’ t be selling to holidaymakers who will subsequently be left out of pocket .
And indicate how it will support the industry through this difficult period . ''

British tourists may turn to domestic trips and camping holidays once lockdown restrictions are lifted after hopes of summer holidays abroad were effectively dashed.
Campsite providers are now considering how they may be able to re-open safely when people are able to move around more freely later this year.
It comes as the embattled travel industry was dealt a fresh blow after holiday giant Tui, the UK’s biggest tour operator, announced it was looking to cut 8,000 jobs worldwide.
The firm posted losses of £747m (€845.8m) in the first half of 2020, with its latest report saying the coronavirus pandemic was the “greatest crisis” both it and the industry had ever faced.
Earlier this week Matt Hancock said foreign holidays will likely be off limits this summer despite plans from some airlines to resume their services.
Domestic tourism
Dan Yates, founder of the camping website Pitchup.com, said they had a year-on-year increase of 23 times in bookings for 2021 compared to the equivalent number this time last year.
He told i it was no surprise that camping and holiday parks were proving to be appealing as many had generously sized pitches spread over large, rural locations.
“We expect greater interest in low-cost travel given the economic impact coronavirus has inflicted on so many,” he said.
“One of the few silver linings of this episode may be millions permanently refocusing on what really matters, an ethos holiday parks and campsites have espoused for decades.”
Cool Camping told i it had experienced an increase in traffic and bookings for July and August since the announcement that holiday accommodation could potentially re-open in England from 4 July.
“It looks like there has been some pent up demand with people waiting for some guidance about when they would be allowed to take holidays again,” a spokesman said.
Sabina Voysey, director general of The Camping and Caravanning Club, which has more than 100 sites, said Covid-19 had had a “significant impact” on their income.
“We have campsites all over the UK and believe that you don’t have to travel far for a break and a change of scene,” she said.
“By supporting local businesses and local economies in a sensible and phased approach we can start to help the rebuilding process when the time is right.”
She added they would urge the Government to provide “greater clarity” on how the sector can safely open and operate campsites with additional measures.
Closed sectors
The Government has established five ministerial task forces to develop plans for when closed sectors can re-open, with one covering entertainment and leisure set to include tourism.
However, research by the UK’s tourism authority Visit Britain has suggested that the majority of Britons who had planned a domestic holiday this year believe it is unlikely to go ahead.
Patricia Yates, acting chief executive of Visit Britain/Visit England, said the body was working with the Government to ensure tourism can recover as quickly as possible once restrictions are relaxed.
“We would also 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,” she added.
The Country Land and Business Association has said some businesses such as self-catering holiday cottages should be allowed to re-open early to help restart the rural economy.
In a briefing paper on re-starting the economy in rural area, it said self-catering accommodation should be able to open early if customers can access them using their own vehicles, they are let to people in the same household and do not involve shared facilities that bring them into contact with others.
The British Holiday and Home Parks Association said that the “staycation” trend was well established before the pandemic and was likely to “take on extra momentum” in its aftermath.
“Since Sunday’s Government announcement that parts of the hospitality industry may reopen at the earliest on 4 July, some holiday parks are reporting a small uplift in booking enquiries,” a spokesman said.
“However, consumer confidence has been understandably impacted by the health risks, so this is nothing like the level of enquiries that would have been expected in a ‘normal’ year.”
The organisation said that a large number of parks traditionally close at the end of the holiday year, around October or November, until the early spring.
“Some of these parks will be seeking permission from their local authorities to remain open for longer this year,” they added.
“This will provide extra visitor capacity, but will fall a long way short of replacing the income already lost, and which they desperately need to remain in business.
“That is why British Holiday and Home Parks Association is calling on the Government to consider the means to support this industry throughout the winter to enable it to re-open in spring 2021.”
Meanwhile the European Union has unveiled its plans to help people across its 27 nations to salvage their holidays, although tourists from outside Europe cannot enter until at least 15 June.
A series of guidelines were laid out by the European Commission, including on lifting ID checks on hastily closed borders and helping to get airlines, ferries and buses running safely.
Summer breaks
Rory Boland, editor of Which? Travel, said the current situation on summer holidays abroad was “completely chaotic” with ministers saying holidays probably were unlikely to go ahead but with “almost no official rules”.
“The FCO [Foreign and Commonwealth Office] advise against travelling abroad is indefinite, yet some airlines are ignoring this altogether and relaunching flights while travel companies are selling holidays due to depart within the next few weeks, with no warning that they are unlikely to go ahead.
“Even if the non-essential travel ban was lifted, and you could get to the airport, and assuming you were allowed to enter the destination country, many have banned UK nationals, the government will soon introduce 14-days quarantine for when you arrive back to the UK.
“Fourteen days is longer than many people’s holidays, and will make a trip abroad completely impractical.”
“If the government believes summer holidays abroad can’t go ahead, it should make it clear to holiday companies and airlines that they shouldn’t be selling to holidaymakers who will subsequently be left out of pocket. And indicate how it will support the industry through this difficult period.”


inews--2020-05-14--Moses Sumney græ review: A nuanced exploration of gender and identity

The album combines aspects of innocence and sexual experience and deconstructs the concepts of blackness and maleness Moses Sumney ’ s second album is a double , and splits and nuances in gender , sexuality and identity define its fluid nature .
A 28-year-old Ghanaian-American who grew up as an outsider in both countries , Sumney is most interested in removing masculinity ’ s hard shell , and touching the tenderness beneath .
His potent soul falsetto entwines with liquid R & B .
On “ Gagarin ” , where water drips as if in a film noir alley or @ @ @ @ @ @ @ romantic piano , the jazz becomes subaqueous , its title ’ s cosmonaut exploring inner space .
“ Neither/Nor ” , meanwhile , is acoustic folk with Bert Jansch-like Eastern inflections , and “ Polly ” is almost childlike psychedelic pop , combining innocence and sexual experience .
James Blake ’ s hyper-sensitive sound-world is only a faint analogy .
Prince ’ s borderless realm is closer , especially “ If I Was Your Girlfriend ” on his own sprawling double-album , Sign ‘ O ’ the Times , which turned straight sex @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Sumney leaves his sexuality undefined , concerning himself only with how it feels .
Critics of identity politics sometimes forget that identity is often imposed – Black Lives Matter is needed because racist murders keep showing they don ’ t – and blackness and maleness are equally , undramatically deconstructed .
græ ’ s first half was released earlier this year .
The second is an intimate vision of loneliness , and this preacher ’ s son goes deeper into spirituality with the complex gospel finale of “ Bless Me ” , and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a lack of tunes , Sumney ’ s swim into deeper currents is a welcome voyage of discovery .

Moses Sumney, græ ★★★★
Moses Sumney’s second album is a double, and splits and nuances in gender, sexuality and identity define its fluid nature.
A 28-year-old Ghanaian-American who grew up as an outsider in both countries, Sumney is most interested in removing masculinity’s hard shell, and touching the tenderness beneath.
His potent soul falsetto entwines with liquid R&B. On “Gagarin”, where water drips as if in a film noir alley or sex dungeon, and cymbals splash around romantic piano, the jazz becomes subaqueous, its title’s cosmonaut exploring inner space.
“Neither/Nor”, meanwhile, is acoustic folk with Bert Jansch-like Eastern inflections, and “Polly” is almost childlike psychedelic pop, combining innocence and sexual experience.
James Blake’s hyper-sensitive sound-world is only a faint analogy. Prince’s borderless realm is closer, especially “If I Was Your Girlfriend” on his own sprawling double-album, Sign ‘O’ the Times, which turned straight sex into a playfully perverse Moebius loop.
Sumney leaves his sexuality undefined, concerning himself only with how it feels. Critics of identity politics sometimes forget that identity is often imposed – Black Lives Matter is needed because racist murders keep showing they don’t – and blackness and maleness are equally, undramatically deconstructed.
græ’s first half was released earlier this year. The second is an intimate vision of loneliness, and this preacher’s son goes deeper into spirituality with the complex gospel finale of “Bless Me”, and its aching acceptance of loss.
Despite a lack of tunes, Sumney’s swim into deeper currents is a welcome voyage of discovery.
THEARTSDESK.COM


inews--2020-05-14--House prices and coronavirus: the pandemic and UK lockdown could have a lasting impact on the housin

House prices and coronavirus: the pandemic and UK lockdown could have a lasting impact on the housing market

House prices and coronavirus : the pandemic and UK lockdown could have a lasting impact on the housing market The housing market in England is reopening , but we are still waiting for the biggest economic shock in recent history to come into focus On Thursday , Britain woke up to two bits of inextricably linked news : our GDP had fallen by two per cent ( the biggest drop since 2008 ) and the housing market in England ( though not in Scotland , Wales or Northern Ireland ) was reopening , brought out of the deep freeze that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ March when all transactions were suspended due to lockdown .
As the thaw began , with estate agents returning to work , the Office for National Statistics confirmed what we already knew - the United Kingdom is on course for the deepest recession in modern history because of the coronavirus pandemic and we ’ re only just beginning to get a glimpse of how bad its economic aftermath will be .
Remember Help to Buy ?
Lest we forget .
The building , buying and selling of homes on the private market is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , let ’ s face it , we don ’ t really produce much these days .
Construction makes up a huge proportion of our GDP which is why the Government was so reluctant to close building sites and quick to reopen them .
As former Number 10 advisor Toby Lloyd and his co-authors pointed out in Rethinking The Economics of Land and Housing , property is now the single largest source of wealth in the UK , making up to half of all total household assets and net wealth .
Mortgage debt @ @ @ @ @ @ @ well as the majority of household liabilities .
So , it ’ s no surprise that both ensuring the ongoing exchange of houses and maintaining their value is an overriding macroeconomic concern at the best of times .
The last financial crisis exposed the limits of this thinking , of course , but little changed and growing wealth inequality continued to be driven by the financialisation of housing which , in turn , pushed more and more people into relative poverty or to the verge of it .
That was laid bare by @ @ @ @ @ @ @ on low and middle incomes who were stretched by private rents were in hot water because of job losses and furloughing .
This sent the landlord lobby into a frenzy of action and forced the Government to restore Local Housing Allowance to cover the lowest third of market rents .
Housebuilders and estate agents will welcome the reopening of the housing market with open arms .
As will anyone who was stuck and trying to move during lockdown .
But we are still in the midst of a pandemic , still buffering as @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in recent history to come into focus .
“ Some people ’ s financial situations are unchanged but there are many others who have lost income , savings , jobs , and even loved ones , ” he told i .
“ Therefore it seems likely that while some people will be able to afford the same house price as before the lockdown ( dependent on a full recovery in the mortgage market ) , many others will be in a far worse position.
” So what will all of this mean for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ house prices could fall , but inequality could grow .
“ In the absence of a significant price correction , it ’ s likely that this period will further reinforce pre-existing inequalities .
Those lucky enough to have the savings and income to benefit from secure and affordable home-ownership will continue to do so , while the number of those that don ’ t will grow .
They will be stuck in the insecure , unaffordable , often poor quality and over-crowded private rented sector or in homes they own but are too @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” It ’ s too soon to tell just how bad this will be .
The Bank of England has forecast the worst recession since 1706 , with a 25 per cent fall of GDP in the second quarter of this year .
That ’ s so serious that the Government , according to a briefing leaked to The Telegraph , is reportedly thinking about freezing public sector pay and hiking taxes to pay off the national debt of the extended Job Retention Scheme .
If our economy doesn ’ t bounce back @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to Neal , “ [ this ] raises the prospect of forced sales and the risk of a significant house price drop .
In the absence of these forced sales , we will probably see prices falling slightly though potentially further in more at risk markets like city centre apartments where loan to value ratios are high on new builds , Airbnb was a big market and where there may now be fewer international students.
” If austerity V.2 were to be the chosen response to the incoming recession it would compound all @ @ @ @ @ @ @ high but wages fall , the stalemate that has characterised recent years will continue and only new Help to Buy style schemes will bring the market back to life .
We ’ ve been here before .
Of course , there is another way out of this .
Economic stimulus , a programme of public spending that would mitigate the deepening inequality caused housing wealth inequality : we could just build social housing .
It was desperately needed before and now it could be both a key to economic recovery and solving the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ new generation of truly affordable social housing ( not just using the money generated from Right to Buy sales ) would stem the continuing crisis in the private rented sector .
It would turn homes into a national asset once again , which would indemnify us against future catastrophes like coronavirus which , inevitably , will come .
It would keep the economy moving because there would still be construction .
A radical intervention or a joined-up , common-sense approach ?

On Thursday, Britain woke up to two bits of inextricably linked news: our GDP had fallen by two per cent (the biggest drop since 2008) and the housing market in England (though not in Scotland, Wales or Northern Ireland) was reopening, brought out of the deep freeze that the Government put it into back in March when all transactions were suspended due to lockdown.
As the thaw began, with estate agents returning to work, the Office for National Statistics confirmed what we already knew – the United Kingdom is on course for the deepest recession in modern history because of the coronavirus pandemic and we’re only just beginning to get a glimpse of how bad its economic aftermath will be.
Unlike 2008, the recession on our horizon isn’t anything to do with the housing market (see the bit in The Big Short where Margot Robbie explains mortgage bonds from a bubble bath). But, nonetheless, unleashing the animal spirits of our housing market is a well-rehearsed Conservative response to economic downturn.
Remember Help to Buy? Lest we forget. The building, buying and selling of homes on the private market is lighter fuel for our economy in which, let’s face it, we don’t really produce much these days. Construction makes up a huge proportion of our GDP which is why the Government was so reluctant to close building sites and quick to reopen them.
As former Number 10 advisor Toby Lloyd and his co-authors pointed out in Rethinking The Economics of Land and Housing, property is now the single largest source of wealth in the UK, making up to half of all total household assets and net wealth. Mortgage debt comprises the majority of bank lending as well as the majority of household liabilities.
So, it’s no surprise that both ensuring the ongoing exchange of houses and maintaining their value is an overriding macroeconomic concern at the best of times. The last financial crisis exposed the limits of this thinking, of course, but little changed and growing wealth inequality continued to be driven by the financialisation of housing which, in turn, pushed more and more people into relative poverty or to the verge of it.
That was laid bare by this pandemic when it emerged that people on low and middle incomes who were stretched by private rents were in hot water because of job losses and furloughing. This sent the landlord lobby into a frenzy of action and forced the Government to restore Local Housing Allowance to cover the lowest third of market rents.
Housebuilders and estate agents will welcome the reopening of the housing market with open arms. As will anyone who was stuck and trying to move during lockdown. But we are still in the midst of a pandemic, still buffering as we wait for the biggest economic shock in recent history to come into focus.
Read more Coronavirus help for renters: The assistance available if you are renting in the UK
Neal Hudson is a leading UK housing market analyst. He warns that the consequences of the coronavirus crisis and lockdown will leave a lasting impression on the housing market.
“Some people’s financial situations are unchanged but there are many others who have lost income, savings, jobs, and even loved ones,” he told i. “Therefore it seems likely that while some people will be able to afford the same house price as before the lockdown (dependent on a full recovery in the mortgage market), many others will be in a far worse position.”
So what will all of this mean for the housing market? Neal says that house prices could fall, but inequality could grow. “In the absence of a significant price correction, it’s likely that this period will further reinforce pre-existing inequalities. Those lucky enough to have the savings and income to benefit from secure and affordable home-ownership will continue to do so, while the number of those that don’t will grow. They will be stuck in the insecure, unaffordable, often poor quality and over-crowded private rented sector or in homes they own but are too small or inappropriate for their changing needs.”
It’s too soon to tell just how bad this will be. The Bank of England has forecast the worst recession since 1706, with a 25 per cent fall of GDP in the second quarter of this year. That’s so serious that the Government, according to a briefing leaked to The Telegraph, is reportedly thinking about freezing public sector pay and hiking taxes to pay off the national debt of the extended Job Retention Scheme.
If our economy doesn’t bounce back there will be widespread joblessness. According to Neal, “[this] raises the prospect of forced sales and the risk of a significant house price drop. In the absence of these forced sales, we will probably see prices falling slightly though potentially further in more at risk markets like city centre apartments where loan to value ratios are high on new builds, Airbnb was a big market and where there may now be fewer international students.”
If austerity V.2 were to be the chosen response to the incoming recession it would compound all of this. If house prices remain high but wages fall, the stalemate that has characterised recent years will continue and only new Help to Buy style schemes will bring the market back to life. We’ve been here before.
Of course, there is another way out of this. Economic stimulus, a programme of public spending that would mitigate the deepening inequality caused housing wealth inequality: we could just build social housing. It was desperately needed before and now it could be both a key to economic recovery and solving the housing crisis.
Right now the Government faces tough questions about how they will support renters, homeowners and landlords alike. A further increase to the benefits available to renters would effectively be a huge public bailout for private landlords when the benefits bill payable to them is already shamefully high.
Borrowing to build a new generation of truly affordable social housing (not just using the money generated from Right to Buy sales) would stem the continuing crisis in the private rented sector. It would turn homes into a national asset once again, which would indemnify us against future catastrophes like coronavirus which, inevitably, will come. It would keep the economy moving because there would still be construction. A radical intervention or a joined-up, common-sense approach?
Vicky Spratt is i‘s Housing Correspondent


inews--2020-05-14--The Big Flower Fight: Netflix release date, cast of contestants and how the new series with Vic Reev

The Big Flower Fight: Netflix release date, cast of contestants and how the new series with Vic Reeves works

The Big Flower Fight : Netflix release date , cast of contestants and how the new series with Vic Reeves works The Big Flower Fight is a floristry-themed Netflix vehicle which pushes amateur gardeners to their botanical limits You 've heard of The Great British Bake Off , The Great British Sewing Bee and The Great Pottery Throw Down - and now there 's a brand new wholesome reality show joining the mix .
When is The Big Flower Fight on Netflix ?
All eight episodes will appear at once , which means you can binge to your heart 's @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Comedians Vic Reeves and Natasia Demetriou are teaming up to front the show , with floral expert Kristen Griffith-VanderYacht acting as the judge .
Reeves is best known for his comedy duo with Bob Mortimer , which includes the nonsensical parody game show Shooting Stars .
He is also a panel show regular on the likes of Mock the Week .
Demetriou is currently starring in the BBC vampire mockumentary series What We Do in the Shadows , and also plays Sophie in Stath Lets Flats .
Who are the contestants ?
Henck @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , who is Danish , has been the director of florist Bespoke Flowers for 20 years , and has won a gold medal at the Chelsea Flower Show .
Ralph , a groundsman at a private school in Eastbourne , is competing with his son , Jim , who is at university in Brighton .
Sarah owns a wedding florist business called Intrigue Designs in Maryland , and Jordan has been working with her for the past three years .
These Londoners are originally from Vancouver .
Andrew has collaborated with the V @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in the past .
Monet and Stephanie met in college , and have won prizes including a silver medal at the RHS Hampton Court Flower Show 2018 and gold in the South of England Agricultural Show in the same year .
Nick was a college baseball player who became a plant coach , while Taylor runs her own interior plant styling business .
They are from New York .
Raymond owns Sunflowers Florist in south east London , which is where he met Chanelle , who has her own fashion label and has @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
These Dubliners both have degrees in landscape architecture and met at the University College Dublin eight years ago .
What should we expect ?

You’ve heard of The Great British Bake Off, The Great British Sewing Bee and The Great Pottery Throw Down – and now there’s a brand new wholesome reality show joining the mix.
The Big Flower Fight is a floristry-themed Netflix vehicle which pushes amateur gardeners to their botanical limits.
Here is everything you need to know…
When is The Big Flower Fight on Netflix?
The show will begin streaming on Monday 18 May.
All eight episodes will appear at once, which means you can binge to your heart’s content.
Who is presenting it?
Comedians Vic Reeves and Natasia Demetriou are teaming up to front the show, with floral expert Kristen Griffith-VanderYacht acting as the judge.
Reeves is best known for his comedy duo with Bob Mortimer, which includes the nonsensical parody game show Shooting Stars. He is also a panel show regular on the likes of Mock the Week.
Demetriou is currently starring in the BBC vampire mockumentary series What We Do in the Shadows, and also plays Sophie in Stath Lets Flats.
Who are the contestants?
Ten pairs of amateur gardeners are facing off to be named The Big Flower Fight‘s inaugural champions.
They are…
Henck and Yan
Henck is a Dutch freelance florist and Yan, who is Danish, has been the director of florist Bespoke Flowers for 20 years, and has won a gold medal at the Chelsea Flower Show.
Ralph and Jim
Ralph, a groundsman at a private school in Eastbourne, is competing with his son, Jim, who is at university in Brighton.
Sarah and Jordan
Sarah owns a wedding florist business called Intrigue Designs in Maryland, and Jordan has been working with her for the past three years.
Andi and Helen
Andi, from Somerset, has won silver medals at BBC Gardeners World and the Chelsea Flower Show. Helen is a YouTube presenter for Candide Gardening.
Andrew and Ryan
These Londoners are originally from Vancouver. Andrew has collaborated with the V&A Museum and the Tate Gallery in the past.
Monet and Stephanie
Monet and Stephanie met in college, and have won prizes including a silver medal at the RHS Hampton Court Flower Show 2018 and gold in the South of England Agricultural Show in the same year.
Nick and Taylor
Nick was a college baseball player who became a plant coach, while Taylor runs her own interior plant styling business. They are from New York.
Raymond and Chanelle
Raymond owns Sunflowers Florist in south east London, which is where he met Chanelle, who has her own fashion label and has worked with the likes of Cardi B.
Declan and Eoghan
These Dubliners both have degrees in landscape architecture and met at the University College Dublin eight years ago.
Rachel and Delilah
Rachel and Delilah both work at the popular Rosehip Social florist and plant shop in Brooklyn, New York.
What should we expect?
The format will be very similar to the likes of Bake Off – a new challenge each week, with the weakest pair going home.
The teams who can create “the biggest, boldest garden sculptures” will be in a good position, but they are also encouraged to think about conservationism and plants which give back to the environment, such as pollinating, insect-friendly species.
The winners will be given the honour of designing their own flower sculpture, which will go on display at Kew Gardens in London.


inews--2020-05-14--Coronavirus to cost insurance market as much the September 11 attacks

Coronavirus to cost insurance market as much the September 11 attacks Lloyd ’ s of London said the coronavirus pandemic will see insurers having to pay out between £2.5bn to £3.5bn to customers The Covid-19 pandemic will cost the insurance industry as much as the September 11 attacks , according to Lloyd ’ s of London .
The world 's largest insurance market said the pandemic will see insurers having to pay out between £2.5bn to £3.5bn to customers but warned that losses could spike if the lockdown continues into another quarter .
Lloyd 's said the pay outs would @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the hurricanes of 2017 .
The insurance market said : `` Lloyd 's believes that once the scale and complexity of the social and economic impact of Covid-19 is fully understood , the overall cost to the global insurance non-life industry is likely to be far in excess of those historical events . ''
The forecast comes as insurers have been criticised for refusing to pay out business interruption claims made by a large number of firms forced to close during the lockdown .
Earlier this month the Financial Conduct Authority ( FCA @ @ @ @ @ @ @ it was seeking a legal judgment from the British courts to clarify whether insurers should pay the claims .
He said : `` What makes Covid-19 unique is not just the devastating continuing human and social impact , but also the economic shock .
Taking all those factors together will challenge the industry as never before .
`` The global insurance industry is paying out on a very wide range of policies to support businesses and people affected by Covid-19 .
The Lloyd 's market alone is currently expected to pay claims amounting @ @ @ @ @ @ @ per cent of the payout is expected to go to UK customers .
In a letter sent to the heads of insurance companies in April , the City watchdog ’ s interim chief executive Chris Woolard warned that the FCA would be monitoring the sector ’ s treatment of customers .
The regulator said one of its key objectives “ is to ensure that financial pressures on policyholders are not exacerbated by slow payment ” .

The Covid-19 pandemic will cost the insurance industry as much as the September 11 attacks, according to Lloyd’s of London.
The world’s largest insurance market said the pandemic will result in it having to pay out between £2.5bn to £3.5bn to customers but warned that those costs could rise much further if the lockdown continues into another quarter.
Lloyd’s added that the pay outs would also be larger than those made during the hurricanes of 2017. The insurance market said: “Lloyd’s believes that once the scale and complexity of the social and economic impact of Covid-19 is fully understood, the overall cost to the global insurance non-life industry is likely to be far in excess of those historical events.”
The forecast comes as insurers have been criticised for refusing to pay out on business interruption claims made by a large number of firms that have been forced to close during the lockdown.
Earlier this month the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA), the City watchdog, said it was seeking a legal judgment from the British courts to clarify whether insurers should pay the claims.
Lloyd’s chief executive John Neal said insurers are facing one of their biggest challenges in history.
He said: “What makes Covid-19 unique is not just the devastating continuing human and social impact, but also the economic shock. Taking all those factors together will challenge the industry as never before.
“The global insurance industry is paying out on a very wide range of policies to support businesses and people affected by Covid-19. The Lloyd’s market alone is currently expected to pay claims amounting to some $4.3bn.”
Monitoring customer treatment
Around 15 per cent of the payout is expected to go to UK customers.
In a letter sent to the heads of insurance companies in April, the City watchdog’s interim chief executive Chris Woolard warned that the FCA would be monitoring the sector’s treatment of customers. The regulator said one of its key objectives “is to ensure that financial pressures on policyholders are not exacerbated by slow payment”.


inews--2020-05-14--Roche antibody test: How the '100% accurate' new UK coronavirus test works - and who will be able to

Roche antibody test: How the '100% accurate' new UK coronavirus test works - and who will be able to get one

Roche antibody test : How the '100 % accurate ' new UK coronavirus test works - and who will be able to get one It has been described as the 'best approved test available on the market now' The antibody test , which Prime Minister Boris Johnson previously described as a `` game-changer '' - is said to be 100 per cent accurate and could be rolled out within weeks .
However it may be some time before members of the public can get their hands on one .
What is the new test ?
It can detect whether someone @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Given the UK took some time to ramp up its testing of people displaying symptoms of the virus , the antibody test is likely to be in high demand .
It could mark a breakthrough in assessing how widely spread the virus is - and indicate how many people might have immunity .
What does the test involve ?
Individuals will give a sample of their blood which will be tested for antibodies .
If detected , it will indicate that they were exposed to Covid-19 .
The test will even identify people @ @ @ @ @ @ @ display any symptoms at the time .
Taking the human blood sample , lab professionals will separate the red blood cells to obtain the serum , or plasma , through a process known as centrifugation , according to Roche .
How accurate is the test ?
The test is 100 per cent accurate , meaning it will pick up 100 per cent of people who have had the virus .
It also has a specificity of over 99.8 per cent , so it will pick up virtually all people who have not had @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ?
Roche says it will be able to provide hundreds of thousands of antibody tests to the UK every single week .
The Government has said the tests will first be rolled out to frontline workers , such as those in health and social care .
After that it may be rolled out more widely but the timeframe remains unclear .
It is also not known whether they will be available through the NHS or another website .
Wo n't that be too late ?
It is thought that antibodies stay in the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ so there is plenty of time for the public to get a test .
What does the test mean for immunity ?

Public Health England (PHE) has approved a test to find out whether people have been infected with coronavirus in the past.
The antibody test, which Prime Minister Boris Johnson previously described as a “game-changer” – is said to be 100 per cent accurate and could be rolled out within weeks.
However it may be some time before members of the public can get their hands on one.
What is the new test?
The antibody test – the Sars-CoV-2 serology assay – has been developed by Swiss pharmaceutical giant Roche.
PHE has evaluated the test and deemed it to be safe and reliable for widespread use.
It can detect whether someone has had Covid-19 in the past. Given the UK took some time to ramp up its testing of people displaying symptoms of the virus, the antibody test is likely to be in high demand.
It could mark a breakthrough in assessing how widely spread the virus is – and indicate how many people might have immunity.
What does the test involve?
Individuals will give a sample of their blood which will be tested for antibodies. If detected, it will indicate that they were exposed to Covid-19.
The test will even identify people who have had coronavirus but did not display any symptoms at the time.
Taking the human blood sample, lab professionals will separate the red blood cells to obtain the serum, or plasma, through a process known as centrifugation, according to Roche.
Reagents are then added to the serum. If Covid-19 antibodies are present, the chemicals trigger a light reaction which a machine detects.
How accurate is the test?
The test is 100 per cent accurate, meaning it will pick up 100 per cent of people who have had the virus.
It also has a specificity of over 99.8 per cent, so it will pick up virtually all people who have not had coronavirus.
A test that is 100 per cent specific means all healthy individuals are correctly identified as healthy – there are no false positives.
Who can get a test?
Roche says it will be able to provide hundreds of thousands of antibody tests to the UK every single week.
The Government has said the tests will first be rolled out to frontline workers, such as those in health and social care.
After that it may be rolled out more widely but the timeframe remains unclear. It is also not known whether they will be available through the NHS or another website.
Won’t that be too late?
It is thought that antibodies stay in the blood for up to two years, so there is plenty of time for the public to get a test.
Professor Sir John Bell, regius professor of medicine at Oxford University, told Radio 4’s Today programme that antibodies “stick around probably for a year or two”.
He added that the Roche test was the “best approved test available on the market now”.
What does the test mean for immunity?
There are still a number of questions around whether people who have had Covid-19, and who have recovered, are immune.
Although the test is a “very positive development”, Professor John Newton, national coordinator of the UK Coronavirus Testing Programme, said it was still unclear to what extent the presence of antibodies indicated immunity to Covid-19.
Experts have said antibodies suggest a level of immunity, but it remains unclear whether people are completely protected and how long any immunity lasts.
Some have suggested that immunity could last for two to three years but more research is needed.
When more information about immunity is available, the test could be an important tool for lifting the lockdown. People would be able to return to work or socialise, knowing it is unlikely they will get the virus again.
Additional reporting by PA


inews--2020-05-14--Coronavirus: How the 'game-changer' antibody test will help UK's Covid-19 response

Coronavirus : How the 'game-changer ' antibody test will help UK 's Covid-19 response Ministers may find the new test is not all they had wished for , however A long-awaited test to ascertain whether people have been infected with Covid-19 has finally been given the green light by health officials in England .
The test , which checks to see if people have developed antibodies having caught the virus , had previously been hailed as a “ game changer ” by Boris Johnson as it could prove a vital tool in getting people working again and restart the economy @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the test , which has now been approved for use by Public Health England and could begin delivering hundreds of thousands of the finger-prick tests a week .
The issue for Public Health England has always been that any antibody test must provide a high degree of accuracy , as Chief Medical Officer Chris Whitty has repeatedly stressed that “ the only thing worse than no test is a bad test ” .
This test , which was passed fit by Porton Down labs last week , will initially be offered to frontline @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and other public services , to get those that have been infected back to work .
It will then be offered to the wider public .
It will also give the Government and scientists far greater power of surveillance of where the virus has been and how much of the population has been infected .
This test , which was passed fit by Porton Down labs last week , will initially be offered to frontline staff ( Photo : Getty ) But ministers could well find that the test may not be the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the Government gets a clearer picture of who has been infected , it must now grapple with whether it should provide them with “ immunity passports ” .
Officials have been in talks with biometric technology firms about creating such passports , despite the World Health Organisation has advised against such a move , as there is as yet no evidence that people are protected from a second infection .
Concerns have been raised that such an antibody test throws up issues around a two tier society of those that are immune and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ have warned about the potential of creating a black market in immunity passports , and how such passports would be policed .
But an even greater headache for ministers may be that the test will illustrate just how few people have actually contracted the disease and may therefore have to remain in a stricter lockdown .
The Chief Scientific Adviser this week revealed that just 4 per cent of the population nationally may have had Covid-19 , meaning a second wave of infections is still a very real threat .

A long-awaited test to ascertain whether people have been infected with Covid-19 has finally been given the green light by health officials in England.
The test, which checks to see if people have developed antibodies having caught the virus, had previously been hailed as a “game changer” by Boris Johnson as it could prove a vital tool in getting people working again and restart the economy.
Swiss pharmaceutical giant Roche has developed the test, which has now been approved for use by Public Health England and could begin delivering hundreds of thousands of the finger-prick tests a week.
Surveillance test
The issue for Public Health England has always been that any antibody test must provide a high degree of accuracy, as Chief Medical Officer Chris Whitty has repeatedly stressed that “the only thing worse than no test is a bad test”.
This test, which was passed fit by Porton Down labs last week, will initially be offered to frontline staff, such as on the NHS and other public services, to get those that have been infected back to work. It will then be offered to the wider public.
It will also give the Government and scientists far greater power of surveillance of where the virus has been and how much of the population has been infected.
But ministers could well find that the test may not be the game changer it first appears. As the Government gets a clearer picture of who has been infected, it must now grapple with whether it should provide them with “immunity passports”.
Officials have been in talks with biometric technology firms about creating such passports, despite the World Health Organisation has advised against such a move, as there is as yet no evidence that people are protected from a second infection.
Second wave
Concerns have been raised that such an antibody test throws up issues around a two tier society of those that are immune and those that are not, while others have warned about the potential of creating a black market in immunity passports, and how such passports would be policed.
But an even greater headache for ministers may be that the test will illustrate just how few people have actually contracted the disease and may therefore have to remain in a stricter lockdown.
The Chief Scientific Adviser this week revealed that just 4 per cent of the population nationally may have had Covid-19, meaning a second wave of infections is still a very real threat.


inews--2020-05-14--Tim Burgess: 'Imagine the work I could have had behind me if I hadn’t done all the drugs'

Tim Burgess : 'Imagine the work I could have had behind me if I hadn ’ t done all the drugs' The Charlatans frontman on the incredible success of his lockdown Twitter Listening parties and his new life in rural Norfolk Yet the nightly events have become a life raft for those starved of social interaction , and a new means of pure connection between artist and fan .
Blur , Oasis and New Order have all taken part , with Duran Duran , The Streets and Spandau Ballet among those to come .
Burgess beams – his default setting @ @ @ @ @ @ @ put-together website has now had more than four million views .
Given I ’ m about to talk to Burgess about his own forthcoming fifth solo album , I Love the New Sky , that comment raises an eyebrow .
But Burgess has never been one for holding back .
His 2012 memoir Telling Stories details in unflinching terms the ups and downs of his life .
From growing up in Northwich through to The Charlatans ’ success in the 90s and beyond , the book is set against a backdrop of death @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
One chapter is called “ Cocainus ” ; I ’ ll leave the rest to your imagination .
He is no less open today , chatting via Zoom ( “ it ’ s the future !
” ) from the rural Norfolk house he shares with his partner , Nik Void of Factory Floor , and their young son Morgan , who he is attempting to home-school .
“ I didn ’ t think I could teach him anything other than how to hold a microphone ” .
He spins his screen @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , then through the window to a large garden that backs on to a farmer ’ s field .
Having previously lived in north London and , before that , for a hard-living decade in Los Angeles , the setting was a change of pace .
“ It took some adjusting to .
The village doesn ’ t even have any shops ” .
But it has proved a fertile creative environment .
“ It ’ s helped change the way I think about writing .
I ’ m older , and I @ @ @ @ @ @ @ There ’ s a lot to look at and take in with five members of a band blasting it .
For me , writing now , I want every moment to be interesting just for somebody walking into this room hearing it on an acoustic guitar.
” In his secluded space , he set out to make an album he could see through “ from conception to delivery .
And further .
Forever.
” The songs on I Love the New Sky , for the first time in a long career of collaboration @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ambition was to represent everything about me , everything I see , and to document a whole year .
But that doesn ’ t mean I did everything myself.
” My favourite track , “ The Warhol Me ” , is a catchy , propulsive pop culture romp through Andy Warhol ’ s address book .
“ I was feeling quite confident that I could do something bubblegum , or throwaway .
But you can throw away pop and it can bounce right back at you .
And bite you.
” Which part @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ?
He thinks for a second .
“ The part that invented Tim ’ s Twitter Listening Party .
Oh , the hair too.
” “ I Got This ” , which Burgess describes as his “ stadium song ” , can barely contain its optimism .
When I mention it , he sings its lyrics : “ there is treasure beneath all the dirt/it ’ s going to get better/the future is friendly ” .
“ It gives you tingles , ” he smiles .
It seems to sum up his life @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ m a Gemini , so I have my moments .
But positivity comes from within , and I ’ ve got lots.
” Has he always been like that ?
“ I think I have , although the after-effects of alcohol and drugs were personality-distorting.
” He got clean in 2006 , after being unable even to rehearse without drinking .
He ’ s since taken up transcendental meditation and found boundless energy reserves .
In the past decade he has released seven albums ( three with The Charlatans , four solo @ @ @ @ @ @ @ up his own record label , O Genesis , and started his own coffee brand , Tim Peaks .
It seems he has swapped one addiction for another .
“ I think that ’ s fair , ” he says .
“ I ’ ve always been compulsive .
Now I have the need to feel fulfilled by doing good work .
Imagine the work I could have had behind me if I hadn ’ t done all the drugs ?
” Tim Burgess performs on stage at Glastonbury in 2015 ( Photo @ @ @ @ @ @ @ It is interesting to watch Burgess juggle parallel careers .
To many , he will always be the singer of a much-loved band , the cocksure performer strutting through the hits .
Yet his creative scope has evolved far beyond the reductive “ Madchester survivor ” tag that uncharacteristically irks him ( “ that whole idea of spending 27 years just surviving is ridiculous ” ) .
His recent solo work is full of avant-garde abstractions .
He has made albums with leftfield figures such as Lambchop ’ s Kurt Wagner and experimental @ @ @ @ @ @ @ artists whose audience probably weren ’ t down the indie disco dancing to “ The Only One I Know ” .
“ Why would I ?
” Does he think he has changed at all ?
“ My dad just passed away and I realised at the funeral from what people were saying that I ’ m so much more like him than I ever thought , ” he says .
“ My mum always had huge drive , and I think when I first joined the band I had too much enthusiasm @ @ @ @ @ @ @ when it wasn ’ t .
There ’ s a drive I have now through dislike of things .
”

If you are a music fan who has spent any time on Twitter recently, you will have come across the phenomenon that is Tim Burgess’s Twitter Listening Parties.
The premise is simple: the Charlatans frontman puts on an album, you listen along at home simultaneously, and the artists who made the record tweet a track-by-track appraisal with anecdotes about each song.
Yet the nightly events have become a life raft for those starved of social interaction, and a new means of pure connection between artist and fan. Blur, Oasis and New Order have all taken part, with Duran Duran, The Streets and Spandau Ballet among those to come. Burgess beams – his default setting – as he tells me the hastily put-together website has now had more than four million views.
“I knew it could be big,” Burgess tells me. “It’s a lot of work to organise, but it has its own magic. People are listening all over the world. It’s not overly nostalgic, but it’s comforting, it’s a connection when you can’t see people.”
The artists are usually good value, too. “Some people take to it really well,” he agrees. “When a band puts out an album, they feel more confident talking about it a year later, five years later. There’s an unguardedness about it.”
Given I’m about to talk to Burgess about his own forthcoming fifth solo album, I Love the New Sky, that comment raises an eyebrow. But Burgess has never been one for holding back. His 2012 memoir Telling Stories details in unflinching terms the ups and downs of his life. From growing up in Northwich through to The Charlatans’ success in the 90s and beyond, the book is set against a backdrop of death, fraud and his legendary drug abuse. One chapter is called “Cocainus”; I’ll leave the rest to your imagination.
He is no less open today, chatting via Zoom (“it’s the future!”) from the rural Norfolk house he shares with his partner, Nik Void of Factory Floor, and their young son Morgan, who he is attempting to home-school. “I didn’t think I could teach him anything other than how to hold a microphone”.
He spins his screen round to show me his working space, then through the window to a large garden that backs on to a farmer’s field. Having previously lived in north London and, before that, for a hard-living decade in Los Angeles, the setting was a change of pace. “It took some adjusting to. The village doesn’t even have any shops”.
‘When a band puts out an album, they feel more confident talking about it a year later, five years later’
But it has proved a fertile creative environment. “It’s helped change the way I think about writing. I’m older, and I wanted to do more interesting things. There’s a lot to look at and take in with five members of a band blasting it. For me, writing now, I want every moment to be interesting just for somebody walking into this room hearing it on an acoustic guitar.”
In his secluded space, he set out to make an album he could see through “from conception to delivery. And further. Forever.” The songs on I Love the New Sky, for the first time in a long career of collaboration, are entirely self-written. “My ambition was to represent everything about me, everything I see, and to document a whole year. But that doesn’t mean I did everything myself.”
Enlisting Void, maverick producer Thighpaulsandra and, crucially, Grumbling Fur’s Daniel O’Sullivan (“he’s got the chops”), the results are fantastic: vibrant, melodic songs with anything-is-possible spirit that veer from feel-good rockabilly to spry pop, sun-kissed West Coast balladry to buoyant rock. “It was obvious early on how far we could take things”.
My favourite track, “The Warhol Me”, is a catchy, propulsive pop culture romp through Andy Warhol’s address book. “I was feeling quite confident that I could do something bubblegum, or throwaway. But you can throw away pop and it can bounce right back at you. And bite you.” Which part of Warhol does he see in himself? He thinks for a second. “The part that invented Tim’s Twitter Listening Party. Oh, the hair too.”
“I Got This”, which Burgess describes as his “stadium song”, can barely contain its optimism. When I mention it, he sings its lyrics: “there is treasure beneath all the dirt/it’s going to get better/the future is friendly”. “It gives you tingles,” he smiles. It seems to sum up his life ethos. “It does. I’m a Gemini, so I have my moments. But positivity comes from within, and I’ve got lots.”
Has he always been like that? “I think I have, although the after-effects of alcohol and drugs were personality-distorting.” He got clean in 2006, after being unable even to rehearse without drinking. He’s since taken up transcendental meditation and found boundless energy reserves.
In the past decade he has released seven albums (three with The Charlatans, four solo), written three books, set up his own record label, O Genesis, and started his own coffee brand, Tim Peaks. It seems he has swapped one addiction for another.
“I think that’s fair,” he says. “I’ve always been compulsive. Now I have the need to feel fulfilled by doing good work. Imagine the work I could have had behind me if I hadn’t done all the drugs?”
It is interesting to watch Burgess juggle parallel careers. To many, he will always be the singer of a much-loved band, the cocksure performer strutting through the hits. Yet his creative scope has evolved far beyond the reductive “Madchester survivor” tag that uncharacteristically irks him (“that whole idea of spending 27 years just surviving is ridiculous”). His recent solo work is full of avant-garde abstractions. He has made albums with leftfield figures such as Lambchop’s Kurt Wagner and experimental composer Peter Gordon, the sort of artists whose audience probably weren’t down the indie disco dancing to “The Only One I Know”.
‘I’ve always been compulsive. Now I have the need to feel fulfilled by doing good work’
“I think that’s amazing, though,” he says. “Lots of Charlatans fans are a bit scared of the solo stuff, too. With the band, people project themselves on to me, and I project it back, and we have that connection. But it’s good to explore other things.”
“The Only One I Know” was a hit in 1990 – a reminder that Burgess, despite his increasingly implausible youthfulness, has been in the public eye for 30 years. “Someone said the other day on Channel 4 News, ‘It’s good he’s not lost his Manchester accent,’” he says, baffled.
“Why would I?” Does he think he has changed at all? “My dad just passed away and I realised at the funeral from what people were saying that I’m so much more like him than I ever thought,” he says. “My mum always had huge drive, and I think when I first joined the band I had too much enthusiasm, always thinking something was good even when it wasn’t. There’s a drive I have now through dislike of things.”
‘I Love the New Sky’ is out on 22 May. Find out more about Tim’s Twitter Listening Parties at timstwitterlisteningparty.com


inews--2020-05-14--Marks & Spencer reopening cafes across the UK as coronavirus lockdown rules begin to ease

Marks & Spencer reopening cafes across the UK as coronavirus lockdown rules begin to ease The retailer joins other food companies in trying to begin trading safely Marks & Spencer is to reopen 49 of its cafés across the UK tomorrow .
The high street retailer said it had taken the decision to reopen the sites to takeaway customers after operating social distancing and extra hygiene measures in its stores .
The retailer said its cafés would be opening for takeaway hot drinks only and the sites selected were located next to M & S Foodhall stores which have remained @ @ @ @ @ @ @ came as café chains such as Pret a Manger and Caffe Nero reopen sites for takeaway customers .
Pret reopened 71 stores for delivery and takeaway on 11 May , taking the number of stores to be reopened to 101 .
Yesterday , McDonald ’ s reopened 15 restaurants for delivery only and confirmed a further 30 Drive-Thru outlets will open before the end of June .
The fast food chain follows Burger King and KFC , which have been gradually opening up select sites for takeaway and delivery this month .
Moto @ @ @ @ @ @ @ service area operator , plans to reopen 27 of its Burger King restaurants for takeaway only on 14 May .
A further 17 restaurants are scheduled to relaunch on 17 May .
Moto chief executive Ken McMeikan said : “ This is another significant step forward to reopening our catering brands and we look forward to opening more in the coming weeks.
” M & S said its reopening plan came after a trial at five locations including its High Street Kensington and Maybrook Canterbury sites .
The 49 sites chosen to reopen @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in Belfast , Cramlington and Cheshunt .
The company said that it had prepared “ rigorous guidance for colleagues and will have extensive signage for customers so they can pick up their coffee safely ” .
Safety measures have introduced , including plastic screens at each café till .
Employees have also been asked to wash their hands every 30 minutes as a minimum , with surfaces also being sanitised regularly .
Only one staff member would work behind a counter at a time to ensure social distancing , while it was also @ @ @ @ @ @ @ encouraged to use contactless payment .

Marks & Spencer is to reopen 49 of its cafés across the UK tomorrow. The high street retailer said it had taken the decision to reopen the sites to takeaway customers after operating social distancing and extra hygiene measures in its stores.
The retailer said its cafés would be opening for takeaway hot drinks only and the sites selected were located next to M&S Foodhall stores which have remained open through the lockdown.
The move came as café chains such as Pret a Manger and Caffe Nero reopen sites for takeaway customers. Pret reopened 71 stores for delivery and takeaway on 11 May, taking the number of stores to be reopened to 101.
Yesterday, McDonald’s reopened 15 restaurants for delivery only and confirmed a further 30 Drive-Thru outlets will open before the end of June.
Move to normality
The fast food chain follows Burger King and KFC, which have been gradually opening up select sites for takeaway and delivery this month.
Moto, the UK’s largest motorway service area operator, plans to reopen 27 of its Burger King restaurants for takeaway only on 14 May.
A further 17 restaurants are scheduled to relaunch on 17 May. Moto chief executive Ken McMeikan said: “This is another significant step forward to reopening our catering brands and we look forward to opening more in the coming weeks.”
‘Rigorous guidance’
M&S said its reopening plan came after a trial at five locations including its High Street Kensington and Maybrook Canterbury sites. The 49 sites chosen to reopen span the UK, and include locations in Belfast, Cramlington and Cheshunt.
The company said that it had prepared “rigorous guidance for colleagues and will have extensive signage for customers so they can pick up their coffee safely”. Safety measures have introduced, including plastic screens at each café till.
Employees have also been asked to wash their hands every 30 minutes as a minimum, with surfaces also being sanitised regularly.
Only one staff member would work behind a counter at a time to ensure social distancing, while it was also introducing contactless collection and customers would be encouraged to use contactless payment.


inews--2020-05-14--Coronavirus: The communications gurus in 10 Downing Street keep bungling messaging on crucial plans

Coronavirus: The communications gurus in 10 Downing Street keep bungling messaging on crucial plans for country's future

Coronavirus : The communications gurus in 10 Downing Street keep bungling messaging on crucial plans for country 's future Senior figures in the Government have a long track record as experts in political communications The one thing this Government was supposed to be expert in was communications - but this week has seen a series of missteps in getting its message out .
The team currently in 10 Downing Street masterminded Vote Leave 's victory in the 2016 Brexit referendum , then led the Conservatives to a thumping win in the general election last year .
Both times they relied @ @ @ @ @ @ @ back control '' and `` Get Brexit done '' were pithy , memorable slogans which drowned out their opponents ' more complex pitches .
Although the Cabinet and No 10 aides have surprisingly little governing experience , considering their party has been in power for nearly a decade , their comms track record was not in doubt .
In the early stages of the pandemic , when the lockdown was first imposed , the Government took flak for failing to explain its plan clearly .
No 10 quickly rehired election campaign chief Isaac @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Guerin , and crafted the message `` Stay at home , protect the NHS , save lives '' .
Moving to the next phase of the lockdown was always going to be difficult , as ministers have acknowledged .
Asking people to return to work , while still social distancing and protecting the vulnerable , requires more nuance than simply shutting down the country - but is inevitable at some point , even if you disagree with the exact timing .
However , even staunch allies of the Government have been critical of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ `` Stay alert '' messaging .
First the slogan was trailed into the Sunday papers , then Boris Johnson gave a televised speech to the nation - without many key details of how the new rules would actually work .
A No 10 spokesman briefed the press with more information , but on Monday morning Dominic Raab sowed further confusion by making errors in the guidance .
It was only on Monday afternoon that the Government `` road map '' was published and the Prime Minister fielded questions on it from MPs , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ experience , Mr Johnson allowed another policy to go off half-cocked on Wednesday : at Prime Minister 's Questions he announced that local councils would get £600m to protect care homes from infection , before civil servants were able to provide any information on where the money would go or what it would do .
Eight hours later , the Department of Health put out a statement saying only : `` Further details will follow tomorrow . ''
Even in its communications with Parliament , the Government has been struggling in recent days @ @ @ @ @ @ @ information that the `` hybrid '' Commons would end next week , with all of MPs expected to attend in person .
The announcement had not been cleared with opposition parties , and prompted an instant backlash .

The one thing this Government was supposed to be expert in was communications – but this week has seen a series of missteps in getting its message out.
The team currently in 10 Downing Street masterminded Vote Leave’s victory in the 2016 Brexit referendum, then led the Conservatives to a thumping win in the general election last year. Both times they relied heavily on punchy messaging: “Take back control” and “Get Brexit done” were pithy, memorable slogans which drowned out their opponents’ more complex pitches.
Although the Cabinet and No 10 aides have surprisingly little governing experience, considering their party has been in power for nearly a decade, their comms track record was not in doubt.
In the early stages of the pandemic, when the lockdown was first imposed, the Government took flak for failing to explain its plan clearly. No 10 quickly rehired election campaign chief Isaac Levido and young social media guru Ben Guerin, and crafted the message “Stay at home, protect the NHS, save lives”.
Tricky task
Moving to the next phase of the lockdown was always going to be difficult, as ministers have acknowledged. Asking people to return to work, while still social distancing and protecting the vulnerable, requires more nuance than simply shutting down the country – but is inevitable at some point, even if you disagree with the exact timing.
However, even staunch allies of the Government have been critical of the way it rolled out the new “Stay alert” messaging. First the slogan was trailed into the Sunday papers, then Boris Johnson gave a televised speech to the nation – without many key details of how the new rules would actually work.
A No 10 spokesman briefed the press with more information, but on Monday morning Dominic Raab sowed further confusion by making errors in the guidance. It was only on Monday afternoon that the Government “road map” was published and the Prime Minister fielded questions on it from MPs, journalists and the public.
‘Further details will follow’
Despite that experience, Mr Johnson allowed another policy to go off half-cocked on Wednesday: at Prime Minister’s Questions he announced that local councils would get £600m to protect care homes from infection, before civil servants were able to provide any information on where the money would go or what it would do. Eight hours later, the Department of Health put out a statement saying only: “Further details will follow tomorrow.”
Even in its communications with Parliament, the Government has been struggling in recent days. Jacob Rees-Mogg casually slipped out the information that the “hybrid” Commons would end next week, with all of MPs expected to attend in person. The announcement had not been cleared with opposition parties, and prompted an instant backlash.