inews--2020-06-04--Are public toilets open in lockdown? Latest coronavirus rules for England explained, with measures e

Are public toilets open in lockdown? Latest coronavirus rules for England explained, with measures easing

Are public toilets open in lockdown ?
Latest coronavirus rules for England explained , with measures easing As people are gradually venturing outside more , there are fewer public toilets than ever before However , with restaurants , cafes , bars , pubs and most non-essential shops remaining closed , people have struggled to get access to public toilets while exercising their new adjusted freedoms .
Public toilets are not open , and some have questioned whether they will in fact be redesigned altogether in a post-lockdown world to account for health and safety .
But at the moment , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , there are fewer public toilets than ever before .
Men 's toilet facilities at the Strensham Services on the M5 Motorway in Worcestershire where alternate urinals are out of use to maintain social distancing ( Photo : PA ) New Government guidance on the revised lockdown measures states : `` Councils are responsible for public toilets and this decision is up to them .
`` You should avoid using the public toilet where possible .
If you need to use any of these facilities , you should practise social distancing and good @ @ @ @ @ @ @ thoroughly ) . ''
The reopening of public toilets varies due to which part of the country you 're in , and there is no nationwide coordinated approach .
Currently , some public toilets in London are already open ; in Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park in Stratford , in Bexley and the City of Westminster , Islington and Chapel Market .
You can check local borough sites to keep up to date with the reopening of public toilets , as well as the London parks website .
A statement from the Department for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ : `` While decisions to reopen public toilets are for councils , we strongly encourage them to open wherever possible .
`` We 've published guidance to help them ensure facilities are safe where they are open including increasing cleaning of touch points . ''
On Saturday it was announced that North Norfolk District Council had reopened 18 further public toilets , as well as the rest of its car parks , after council leader Sarah Butikofer said it was “ potentially causing a public health issue.
” However , many more across @ @ @ @ @ @ @ calling for them to reopen so they simply have somewhere to go to the loo when out and about .

As coronavirus lockdown measures ease across England, people are spending more time outdoors enjoying the warm weather, and from today people are now allowed to meet up in groups of six in private gardens and parks, so long as they remain socially distant.
However, with restaurants, cafes, bars, pubs and most non-essential shops remaining closed, people have struggled to get access to public toilets while exercising their new adjusted freedoms.
Public toilets are not open, and some have questioned whether they will in fact be redesigned altogether in a post-lockdown world to account for health and safety.
But at the moment, while people are gradually venturing outside more, there are fewer public toilets than ever before.
When will public toilets reopen?
New Government guidance on the revised lockdown measures states: “Councils are responsible for public toilets and this decision is up to them.
“You should avoid using the public toilet where possible. If you need to use any of these facilities, you should practise social distancing and good hygiene (i.e. washing your hands thoroughly).”
The reopening of public toilets varies due to which part of the country you’re in, and there is no nationwide coordinated approach.
Currently, some public toilets in London are already open; in Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park in Stratford, in Bexley and the City of Westminster, Islington and Chapel Market.
You can check local borough sites to keep up to date with the reopening of public toilets, as well as the London parks website.
Potential public health issue
A statement from the Department for Housing, Communities and Local Government said: “While decisions to reopen public toilets are for councils, we strongly encourage them to open wherever possible.
“We’ve published guidance to help them ensure facilities are safe where they are open including increasing cleaning of touch points.”
On Saturday it was announced that North Norfolk District Council had reopened 18 further public toilets, as well as the rest of its car parks, after council leader Sarah Butikofer said it was “potentially causing a public health issue.”
However, many more across England remain closed, with people nationwide calling for them to reopen so they simply have somewhere to go to the loo when out and about.


inews--2020-06-04--UK flights: when easyJet, Ryanair, Jet2, TUI and BA flights will resume - and routes that will reope

UK flights: when easyJet, Ryanair, Jet2, TUI and BA flights will resume - and routes that will reopen

UK flights : when easyJet , Ryanair , Jet2 , TUI and BA flights will resume - and routes that will reopen The Government is considering the introduction of 'air bridges ' to enable people to travel between two countries without needing quarantine But while possible plans for `` air bridges '' - which could connect two countries with low rates of coronavirus without needing to quarantine - are understood to be under discussion by the Government , the current rules mean anyone arriving into Britain from 8 June must self-isolate for 14 days .
Spot checks will be carried @ @ @ @ @ @ @ be imposed on people flouting the rules , with the plans reviewed every three weeks .
When will EasyJet , Ryanair , Jet2 and more resume flights ?
Ryanair has announced it will begin operating nearly 1,000 flights per day from 1 July , with passengers having to wear face masks and adhering to other health precautions .
Flights will be at a lower frequency than normal , meaning the airline will operate at around 30 per cent of its normal capacity between July and September .
In a statement CEO Eddie Wilson @ @ @ @ @ @ @ preparing to remove travel restrictions and scrap mandatory quarantines , adding UK holidaymakers `` can now look forward to booking their much needed family holiday '' .
A Jet2 spokesperson said : `` In view of the ongoing travel restrictions caused by the Covid-19 pandemic , we have taken the decision to recommence our flights and holidays programme on 1 July . ''
A British Airways plane comes in to land at Heathrow Airport .
PA Photo .
Picture date : Friday March 6 , 2020 .
( Photo : Steve Parsons/PA Wire @ @ @ @ @ @ @ “ a meaningful return to service ” in July , however at this point , no further specifics have been announced as to what routes will be relaunched .
A Virgin Atlantic spokeswoman said : “ The safety and security of our people and our customers is always our top priority and public health must come first .
`` It ’ s also reassuring for customers to know that all of our package holidays are ATOL protected , so travellers can book their future holidays with confidence.
” What is an air bridge @ @ @ @ @ @ @ bridges '' to enable people to travel , without being quarantined , between two countries where the risk of coronavirus infection is low is understood to be being considered by ministers .

Those hoping to escape for a summer holiday have been offered renewed hope as countries worldwide begin to ease lockdown restrictions and several airlines plan to resume flight schedules.
But while possible plans for “air bridges” – which could connect two countries with low rates of coronavirus without needing to quarantine – are understood to be under discussion by the Government, the current rules mean anyone arriving into Britain from 8 June must self-isolate for 14 days.
Spot checks will be carried out on addresses and £1,000 fines could be imposed on people flouting the rules, with the plans reviewed every three weeks.
The UK Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO) is currently advising against all but essential international travel, which is impacting millions of holiday plans.
When will EasyJet, Ryanair, Jet2 and more resume flights?
Ryanair
Ryanair has announced it will begin operating nearly 1,000 flights per day from 1 July, with passengers having to wear face masks and adhering to other health precautions.
Flights are operating out of 19 airports, including London, Liverpool and Manchester, and travelling to European destinations such as Spain, Greece, Portugal and Germany.
Half of its 1,022 routes will be reopened by the end of July, increasing to 75 per cent during August.
Flights will be at a lower frequency than normal, meaning the airline will operate at around 30 per cent of its normal capacity between July and September.
In a statement CEO Eddie Wilson applauded the news that European countries were preparing to remove travel restrictions and scrap mandatory quarantines, adding UK holidaymakers “can now look forward to booking their much needed family holiday”.
Jet2
According to JET2, if you’re due to travel after 30 June 2020, your flights will operate as normal.
A Jet2 spokesperson said: “In view of the ongoing travel restrictions caused by the Covid-19 pandemic, we have taken the decision to recommence our flights and holidays programme on 1 July.”
EasyJet
From 15 June Easyjet will be restarting its service on mainly domestic routes between 22 European airports, including destinations in France.
New safety measures include no food to be sold during flights, the enhanced cleaning of planes, and disinfection wipes and hand sanitiser made available for passengers.
British Airways
British Airways is due to launch “a meaningful return to service” in July, however at this point, no further specifics have been announced as to what routes will be relaunched.
A spokesman said: “These plans are highly uncertain and subject to the easing of lockdowns and travel restriction.”
Travellers with plans before 31 July are able to claim a voucher for future travel.
Virgin Atlantic
Virgin Atlantic has said flights will not resume until August.
A Virgin Atlantic spokeswoman said: “The safety and security of our people and our customers is always our top priority and public health must come first.
“However, by introducing a mandatory 14-day self isolation for every single traveller entering the UK, the Government’s approach will prevent flights from resuming.
“We are continually reviewing our flying programme and with these restrictions, there simply won’t be sufficient demand to resume passenger services before August at the earliest.”
TUI
TUI was initially planning to resume holidays as of 12 June, but has since pushed this back to July.
A spokesman said the situation will be “continuously reviewed”.
They explained: “These plans are highly uncertain and subject to the easing of lockdowns and travel restriction.
“It’s also reassuring for customers to know that all of our package holidays are ATOL protected, so travellers can book their future holidays with confidence.”
What is an air bridge?
The idea of introducing “air bridges” to enable people to travel, without being quarantined, between two countries where the risk of coronavirus infection is low is understood to be being considered by ministers.
Agreements would need to be reached with other countries before any policy could be introduced. The Telegraph reported that Prime Minister Boris Johnson is “personally in favour” of the idea.
It’s thought one air bridge could be the Canary Islands, as there are low infection rates there.
Britain’s airlines have sent ministers a list of the 45 nations that they want to be exempt from quarantine rules, including key European holiday destinations such as France, Spain, Portugal, Italy, Malta, Croatia, Montenegro, Bulgaria, Greece, Cyprus and Turkey.


inews--2020-06-04--When will libraries open? Latest UK lockdown news on public libraries reopening - and potential new

When will libraries open? Latest UK lockdown news on public libraries reopening - and potential new rules

When will libraries open ?
Latest UK lockdown news on public libraries reopening - and potential new rules Some businesses , vanues and services have begun the process of reopening their doors to the public as lockdown restrictions slowly lift This is what you need to know about libraries reopening ( Photo : Shutterstock ) In March , libraries were forced to close around the country as part of the governments efforts to slow the spread of coronavirus .
With phase two of lockdown beginining for England , this is what the government has said about libraries being able to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ According to the UK government 's roadmap to lift lockdown restrictions in England , venues such as libraries will open in step three of the plan .
The document explains : “ The ambition at this step is to open at least some of the remaining businesses and premises that have been required to close , including personal care ( such as hairdressers and beauty salons ) , hospitality ( such as food service providers , pubs and accommodations ) , public places ( such as places of worship ) and leisure facilities @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that reopen will be required to adhere to Covid-19 secure guidelines to ensure the safety of staff and visitors .
Can I use any library services now ?
When lockdown restrictions began to ease , the government released a list of businesses and venues that “ must remain closed ” , with libraries included in the list .
There are some exceptions to this rule though , with the government stating : “ Digital library services and those where orders are taken electronically , by telephone or by post ( for example no-contact @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Many libraries offer online services - you can find out more about what your library offers by signing up .
What is the government doing to help libraries ?
Earlier in May , the government unveiled new ministerial-led task forces that have been created to help plan how closed sectors can reopen safely .
The announcement said : “ These task forces will be crucial to the reopening of Britain 's economy and each one will lead on developing new Covid-19 secure guidelines for the reopening of public places and businesses , where @ @ @ @ @ @ @ so.
” One of the task forces , managed by the Department for Culture , Media and Sport , looks after libraries , as well as other recreation and leisure facilities .

In March, libraries were forced to close around the country as part of the governments efforts to slow the spread of coronavirus.
With phase two of lockdown beginining for England, this is what the government has said about libraries being able to open its doors again to readers.
When will libraries reopen?
According to the UK government’s roadmap to lift lockdown restrictions in England, venues such as libraries will open in step three of the plan.
The document explains: “The ambition at this step is to open at least some of the remaining businesses and premises that have been required to close, including personal care (such as hairdressers and beauty salons), hospitality (such as food service providers, pubs and accommodations), public places (such as places of worship) and leisure facilities (like cinemas).”
Libraries are included in these services mentioned.
This step, according to the government, will be “no earlier than 4 July”.
Venues that reopen will be required to adhere to Covid-19 secure guidelines to ensure the safety of staff and visitors.
Can I use any library services now?
When lockdown restrictions began to ease, the government released a list of businesses and venues that “must remain closed”, with libraries included in the list.
There are some exceptions to this rule though, with the government stating: “Digital library services and those where orders are taken electronically, by telephone or by post (for example no-contact Home Library Services) may continue.”
Many libraries offer online services – you can find out more about what your library offers by signing up.
You can do this via the government website here.
What is the government doing to help libraries?
Earlier in May, the government unveiled new ministerial-led task forces that have been created to help plan how closed sectors can reopen safely.
The announcement said: “These task forces will be crucial to the reopening of Britain’s economy and each one will lead on developing new Covid-19 secure guidelines for the reopening of public places and businesses, where and when it is safe to do so.”
One of the task forces, managed by the Department for Culture, Media and Sport, looks after libraries, as well as other recreation and leisure facilities.
Headed up by Oliver Dowden, the task force will help develop safe ways for libraries and other creative venues to operate, and feed back issues and concerns to the government.


inews--2020-06-04--Online activism is often dismissed as 'clicktivism', but it can enact legitimate change as well

Online activism is often dismissed as 'clicktivism ' , but it can enact legitimate change as well People who support movements online 'should investigate before they participate , ' argued online sociologist Professor Mellissa Brown A work stoppage campaign started by the music industry in solidarity with anti-racism protests resulted in Black Lives Matter being silenced online ( Photo : Getty ) At the same time , this amplification can often work against the voices it ought to as it 's available to everyone .
On Tuesday , what felt like a huge portion of the internet flooded social media @ @ @ @ @ @ @ blackout triggered by the protests in the US .
The action , designed to be a mark of solidarity in the music industry , should have been labelled with # blackouttuesday in users ' captions , but instead many mistakenly put in # blacklivesmatter .
The move had serious consequences for Black Lives Matter - the organisation organising protests who rely on its hashtag to issue official messaging to followers - as they were drowned out online by the sea of black squares .
With so many disparate protests across the US , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ was extremely important and lost because of an oversight .
It begs the question what the point of online action is if it works against the intended audience and goal .
Concerns like these have led to words like 'clicktivism ' gaining prominence .
The Oxford English Dictionary defines clicktivism as `` the use of social media and other online methods to promote a cause '' , but the reality is the word has a much more derogatory association to it .
An accusation of clicktivism really means that someone is blindly showing @ @ @ @ @ @ @ point to their action - it 's a word that has been used to describe what happened with the black squares .
Clicktivism is dismissed but can achieve legitimate change ( Photo : Getty ) But what else can we do ?
Over the past week , and even before , we have seen key figures in black lives matter reiterate to white people and non-black people of colour to not simply post pictures online and to actually make change .
Hollow online solidarity ties into the rise of 'hashtag activism ' - @ @ @ @ @ @ @ movements - that has defined many of the big social events we have seen in the past decade .
In some ways , online protesting is treated with some cynicism as there is no guaranteed action beyond mass retweets and likes , and is often seen as virtue signalling to a cause online without putting much work into the cause .
There are many obvious examples of where this has worked .
The sexual assault movement # MeToo was started by Tarana Burke in 2006 but went viral in 2017 , and saw @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of sexual violence .
April Reign 's # OscarsSoWhite highlighted a lack of diversity and racism in the film industry .
And of course , # blacklivesmatter - a hashtag which was first started by Alicia Garza , Patrisse Cullors , and Opal Tometi as a response to the trial and later acquittal of George Zimmerman who shot and killed 17-year-old Trayvon Martin in the US .
As we are seeing right now , # blacklivesmatter is now a global organisation in the UK , US and Canada , continuing to fight against @ @ @ @ @ @ @ George Floyd 's death .
Mr Smith is more cautious however , and said that he wants to wait to see if there are longer-term changes before they call it a qualified success .
Drawing on the # blacklivesmatter protests now , he says that despite it being widely shared and promoted in the past , there is still police brutality against black men and women .
Although he counters and says the scale of action , with more than 75 cities protesting , suggests that this could be different .

As the world, much of which is in Covid-19 lockdown, watches protests in the US over the death of George Floyd, the difference between online solidarity and real-life action has never felt more distinct.
For many, the desire to attend a protest in the UK or their own country to support the injustice of an unarmed black man killed by a white police officer, has suddenly been rendered impossible because of coronavirus. Social media is the primary platform for acknowledging and reflecting what is happening in the US as a result.
From viral videos of disproportionate violence against black protestors to tweets urging people to donate to arrested protesters’ bail funds, Instagram and Twitter have become more obvious publishers of news, and a megaphone for voices both on the ground and far away from it.
BLM and black squares
At the same time, this amplification can often work against the voices it ought to as it’s available to everyone. On Tuesday, what felt like a huge portion of the internet flooded social media with black squares in a social media blackout triggered by the protests in the US. The action, designed to be a mark of solidarity in the music industry, should have been labelled with #blackouttuesday in users’ captions, but instead many mistakenly put in #blacklivesmatter. The move had serious consequences for Black Lives Matter – the organisation organising protests who rely on its hashtag to issue official messaging to followers – as they were drowned out online by the sea of black squares. With so many disparate protests across the US, and increasing violence, this unified messaging was extremely important and lost because of an oversight.
The incident highlighted a very real issue with social media activism – often the marginalised voices that need their voices heard are hindered by everyone else sharing their thoughts and desire to be part of the movement. Often the intentions are good, but the actual outcome is reductive and derails the movement.
flooding the BLM hashtag on insta w blank squares that literally say nothing…isn’t helping. hashtags are more than just displays of solidarity. they’re used to mobilize, uplift info/videos/stories & keep people on the ground safe. listen rather than centering your voice. pic.twitter.com/Fgu8jITAya — Franchesca Ramsey (@chescaleigh) June 2, 2020
Professor Melissa Brown was one of the outspoken people on the black squares initiative. Sharing her thoughts on Twitter, she asked: “Why would you want the BLACKLIVESMATTER or BLM hashtag to be flooded with Black squares?”
A digital sociologist, she went on to explain how the move was flawed, saying that Instagram’s algorithm would prioritise the black squares on people’s timelines over other posts under the same hashtag, essentially erasing important activism in the process. “These hashtags are meant to document protests and ongoing police brutality,” she tweeted. “Your plan is to feed Black squares to an algorithm for 24 hours!!!! That’s not smart.”
Online activism’s pitfalls
It begs the question what the point of online action is if it works against the intended audience and goal. Concerns like these have led to words like ‘clicktivism’ gaining prominence. The Oxford English Dictionary defines clicktivism as “the use of social media and other online methods to promote a cause”, but the reality is the word has a much more derogatory association to it. An accusation of clicktivism really means that someone is blindly showing solidarity to a cause online with little point to their action – it’s a word that has been used to describe what happened with the black squares.
Speaking to i Prof Brown said that users who wanted to support movements online “should investigate before they participate”.
“#BlackOutTuesday has a useful purpose and it was never to overshadow #BlackLivesMatter. Unfortunately, when we conflate separate social media protests, we risk creating a context collapse that leads to the message of both movements getting lost.”
In times such as now, it’s extremely important to centre the voices of those directly impacted by the protest issues or organising the activism.
But what else can we do? Over the past week, and even before, we have seen key figures in black lives matter reiterate to white people and non-black people of colour to not simply post pictures online and to actually make change. Hollow online solidarity ties into the rise of ‘hashtag activism’ – the rise of social movements through internet movements – that has defined many of the big social events we have seen in the past decade. In some ways, online protesting is treated with some cynicism as there is no guaranteed action beyond mass retweets and likes, and is often seen as virtue signalling to a cause online without putting much work into the cause.
This has naturally been bolstered by brands and corporations who actively hurt causes, posting images of solidarity to social movements on their social media while doing so. “Social networking sites aren’t designed with activists in mind,” Prof Brown argued. “These are tools operated by corporations with the intent of collecting and exploiting massive amounts of information”.
This then impacts how businesses silence or adapt the usage of their services as a result.
Feeds into offline action
Saying this, there is clear merit in online action, but usually when it’s used to further the issue offline.
“It’s a bit naive,” to say clicktivism is useless, said Brian Callan, lecturer of psychosocial studies at Goldsmiths, University of London. An expert in social movements and civil disobedience, he went on to say that online spheres are frequently used to mobilise offline and one of the clearest examples being The Arab Spring protests from 2010, where social media was essential to activist organisation.
Moreover, social media has become a publisher with people being able to share messages online, which is very powerful in spreading ideas. “It’s a revolution in who can publish and generate content.”
There are many obvious examples of where this has worked. The sexual assault movement #MeToo was started by Tarana Burke in 2006 but went viral in 2017, and saw women across the world share their stories of sexual violence. April Reign’s #OscarsSoWhite highlighted a lack of diversity and racism in the film industry. And of course, #blacklivesmatter – a hashtag which was first started by Alicia Garza, Patrisse Cullors, and Opal Tometi as a response to the trial and later acquittal of George Zimmerman who shot and killed 17-year-old Trayvon Martin in the US. As we are seeing right now, #blacklivesmatter is now a global organisation in the UK, US and Canada, continuing to fight against black oppression in the current protests against George Floyd’s death.
The fact that people hold placards with the hashtag at protests on anti-black racism, and also post videos and photos of protests to it online is evidence for how offline is no longer separate from our online lives, and how the two can work seamlessly together, Dr Callan pointed out.
The issue is, everyone has an equal power to speak out on these apps. “While one group might mobilise a protest, another group can mobilise a counter protest,” pointed out Prof Brown. We saw this with the hashtag #alllivesmatter and the recent #whiteoutwednesday in retaliation to BLM, which co-opted the argument that black lives need defending due to systematic racism, and turned it into an opposing thing.
Interesting thing here: 4chan posts overnight called for users to get the #whiteoutwednesday hashtag trending overnight, so it would be in Trending Topics when Americans woke up. Problem is, k-pop fans are also awake, saw it happening, and drowned it out with stuff like this: pic.twitter.com/MjzAaBzcsx — Ben Collins (@oneunderscore__) June 3, 2020
Despite this, for many people working in education and activism circles, online spaces are undoubtedly a force for good.
Phyll Opoku-Gyimah, executive director of UK Black Pride and executive director of Kaleidoscope Trust described social media as “a vital tool in the fight for human rights”, adding that the recent global uprisings in protest of the murder of George Floyd at the hands of a police officer are testament to that.
She went on to say that in the wake of protests, UK Black Pride has received a record number of donations over the past week, “as organisations and individuals begin to understand the importance of grassroots movements like ours” and that the organisation can attest to people having been galvanised into action as a result of social media.
Going viral for good
For others, the online space and virality have been a mechanism for promoting important messages. Sachini Imbuldeniya and Darren Smith are behind the viral ‘You Clap For Me Now’ video – a video challenging immigrant hostility in the UK, by showcasing the keyworkers who have supported the country during the pandemic.
The pair created the video as a response to the United Nations’ global call to all creatives to help spread messages of kindness and solidarity around the world, as the UK was doing the weekly #clapforourcarers each Thursday.
“We wanted to, of course, celebrate that, but most importantly remind people that their applause should include first- second- and third-generation immigrants that make up so many of our key workforces,” said Ms Imbuldeniya. Mr Smith wrote the poem used in the video as numerous key workers told him they felt uncomfortable about suddenly being celebrated after years of division over Brexit, austerity, the ‘Hostile Environment’ policy and Boris Johnson’s racist comments.
Neither of them had any idea the video would reach the audience it did. “By the time we stopped counting it had been seen by over 308 million people worldwide,” Ms Imbuldeniya said.
Moreover, the video has had some immediate impacts. Ms Imbuldeniya said she received a message from the head of diversity and inclusion at North Middlesex Hospital, asking for the original video file so that she could play the film on repeat in the hospital atrium.
Despite the area being really diverse, over 100 languages are spoken in the borough and more than 60 per cent of its staff are BAME, they have seen a rise in violence and abuse towards staff from both patients and visitors.
“She said it filled her staff with so much hope and positivity during this uncertain time and that I may not know the impact it has had on their lives but she wanted to let me know that it was huge.”
Mr Smith is more cautious however, and said that he wants to wait to see if there are longer-term changes before they call it a qualified success. Drawing on the #blacklivesmatter protests now, he says that despite it being widely shared and promoted in the past, there is still police brutality against black men and women. Although he counters and says the scale of action, with more than 75 cities protesting, suggests that this could be different.
Online spaces and race
In among this discussion is the important distinction of how this impacts issues of race specifically.
David Woodger teaches on race at Goldsmiths, and has found through his 25 years of teaching students rarely have an institutional space to discuss racism, but that the online sphere has radically changed this. With the rise of clicktivism and online discussions on race, he thinks the level of engagement goes far “beyond just a click”.
“I think they’re learning, they’re participating in discussions and in their own way, not the typical ways we’ve seen before.
“People are coming into class with a greater consciousness of these things; white students are more akin to understanding white power and privilege than before and I put this down to social media.”
Moreover, there are a handful of times where social media discussions have led to greater understanding of a racial issue that otherwise had not been defined as clearly. The emergence of ‘blackfishing‘ as a term in 2018 following a viral thread from Wanna Thompson, catapulted a trend of influencers appropriating black culture and blackface into mainstream attention. The term ‘blackfishing’ has since been used frequently since.
Ultimately, engagement online is only effective when it is used to move an issue forward or bring attention to something that had ordinarily been ignored.
While George Floyd’s name has been trending online, the real impact has been the $20 million dollars raised in days for The Minnesota Freedom Fund, which pays bail for those who cannot afford it for example.
“Just like the segregation of schools and neighbourhoods in the US, social networks for one user tend to reflect their offline social circles”, explained Prof Brown. Saying this, when times of crisis or protests occur, people are motivated to expand these online circles and open their understanding of the issue.
While the change of perspective is undeniably a good thing, it’s only one step – the next is leveraging that to push for change in other people of the community.


inews--2020-06-04--When will hotels open in the UK? Latest updates on domestic holidays - and lockdown rules explained

When will hotels open in the UK ?
Latest updates on domestic holidays - and lockdown rules explained Hospitality , entertainment and indoor leisure venues were instructed to close their doors at the end of March as part of lockdown procedures This is when hotels and similar businesses might be able to open their doors again ( Photo : Shutterstock ) Lockdown restrictions are beginning to ease across the UK , with some businesses beginning to reopen their doors to the public .
But when will hotels , B & Bs and other holiday accommodation be allowed to do the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ under new lockdown rules ?
In a 50-page dossier , outlining details of the plan , it listed the businesses and ventures which must remain closed for the time being .
There were some exceptions to the rule , however .
In some instances , the previously listed holiday accommodation could remain open , such as : When will hotels be allowed to reopen ?
Prime Minister Boris Johnson said that he hopes “ to reopen at least some of the hospitality industry and other public places provided they ’ re safe and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , which would be 4 July at the very earliest .
The document states : “ Some venues which are , by design , crowded and where it may prove difficult to enact distancing may still not be able to re-open safely at this point , or may be able to open safely in part.
” Businesses such as hotels and the like will have to be able to meet “ Covid-19 secure guidelines ” and if they can not , may not be permitted to reopen .
Can I get a hotel @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Many Brits have seen their travel plans disrupted by the spread of coronavirus - including staycations and holidays in the UK .
If you had reservations with a hotel in the UK that will no longer be open on your date of travel , you should be able to get a refund , or at the very least , be able to reschedule .
Holiday Inn have implemented a new policy in light of the coronavirus , which allows existing bookings made before 6 April 2020 at all their hotels to be changed @ @ @ @ @ @ @ up to 30 June 2020 .
And if you had a booking with Premier Inn for a hotel stay before 4 July , you can cancel your booking on their website for free .
This doesn ’ t apply to key workers who are still being catered for .
Hilton Hotels have also made it possible for travellers who had booked with them for arrival on or before June 30 to change or cancel at no charge - even those trips described as “ non-cancellable ” .

Lockdown restrictions are beginning to ease across the UK, with some businesses beginning to reopen their doors to the public.
But when will hotels, B&Bs and other holiday accommodation be allowed to do the same?
This is everything you need to know.
Are hotels allowed to reopen under new lockdown rules?
On 10 May, the UK Government announced its phased plan for lifting lockdown.
In a 50-page dossier, outlining details of the plan, it listed the businesses and ventures which must remain closed for the time being.
These include holiday accommodation, specifically hotels, hostels, B&Bs, holiday rentals, campsites and boarding houses.
There were some exceptions to the rule, however. In some instances, the previously listed holiday accommodation could remain open, such as:
In the situation where people live in these places as interim residences whilst their primary home is unavailable, or they live in them permanently
Non-UK residents who are unable to travel to their country of residence can continue to stay in hotels or similar as required
Hotels and other accommodation listed can also be provided to any person unable to return to their main residence
They can also provide services to any critical workers in the effort to deal with coronavirus, if the stay is needed for their work
Hotels, hostels and B&Bs providing rooms to support the homeless and vulnerable (such as those who cannot stay safety in their home) can remain open
Hotels and other accommodation listed are allowed to host blood donation sessions
When will hotels be allowed to reopen?
Prime Minister Boris Johnson said that he hopes “to reopen at least some of the hospitality industry and other public places provided they’re safe and enforce social distancing” in phase three, which would be 4 July at the very earliest.
Johnson said that this would happen “if and only if the numbers support it”.
In the recovery strategy document, “hospitality” is defined by the government as food service providers, pubs and accommodation.
The document states: “Some venues which are, by design, crowded and where it may prove difficult to enact distancing may still not be able to re-open safely at this point, or may be able to open safely in part.”
Businesses such as hotels and the like will have to be able to meet “Covid-19 secure guidelines” and if they cannot, may not be permitted to reopen.
However hotels, bars and cafes could reopen on 3 July in Northern Ireland, weeks before the scheduled reopening on 20 July, if the Stormont executives agree on a plan.
Can I get a hotel refund if I had a reservation?
Many Brits have seen their travel plans disrupted by the spread of coronavirus – including staycations and holidays in the UK.
If you had reservations with a hotel in the UK that will no longer be open on your date of travel, you should be able to get a refund, or at the very least, be able to reschedule.
Holiday Inn have implemented a new policy in light of the coronavirus, which allows existing bookings made before 6 April 2020 at all their hotels to be changed or cancelled free of charge for stays up to 30 June 2020.
And if you had a booking with Premier Inn for a hotel stay before 4 July, you can cancel your booking on their website for free. This doesn’t apply to key workers who are still being catered for.
Hilton Hotels have also made it possible for travellers who had booked with them for arrival on or before June 30 to change or cancel at no charge – even those trips described as “non-cancellable”.
With easyHotel, those who had booked to stay before 30 June can rebook or get a refund for free.


inews--2020-06-04--‘Race to Zero’: Businesses, cities and investors join forces in UN-backed net zero emissions campaig

‘Race to Zero’: Businesses, cities and investors join forces in UN-backed net zero emissions campaign

‘ Race to Zero ’ : Businesses , cities and investors join forces in UN-backed net zero emissions campaign ‘ Race to Zero ’ recruits private sector to lobby for more ambitious climate action in run-up to COP26 climate summit next year Britain 's Business Secretary and Minister for COP26 Alok Sharma is hoping Race to Zero gets the corporate sector on board with bold climate action ( Photo : Tolga AKMEN/AFP/Getty ) The United Nations is hoping to orchestrate a massive show of support for a greener economy with the official launch of Race to Zero , a campaign @ @ @ @ @ @ @ zero emissions before 2050 .
Officials hope Race to Zero will help build momentum for COP26 , a major climate summit due to be held in Glasgow in November 2021 .
By bringing together a huge coalition of businesses , investors and cities promising net zero emissions , organisers hope governments will be encouraged to commit to bolder national action on carbon emissions .
Alok Sharma , UK Secretary of State for Business , Energy and Industrial Strategy and COP26 President , said : `` The Race to Zero initiative will play an @ @ @ @ @ @ @ organisations and regional governments to increase their ambition and take action against climate change.
” The UK is organising COP26 in partnership with Italy , but is facing an uphill struggle to deliver a successful summit .
Coronavirus has pushed the dates of the event back by more than a year , and destroyed a carefully orchestrated schedule of diplomatic meetings designed to build international commitment to further action .
COP26 has had to be delayed by a year because of coronavirus ( Photo : Jeremy Selwyn/WPA Pool/Getty ) Meanwhile , the economic @ @ @ @ @ @ @ will abandon low-carbon policy efforts in favour of fossil-fuel led recoveries .
Race to Zero has recruited some of the world ’ s most powerful businesses in an effort to counteract this threat .
Signatories already cover almost a quarter of global CO2 emissions and more than half of GDP .
Businesses backing the campaign include Rolls-Royce , Nestle , Microsoft and PepsiCo , which have all promised to cut emissions in line with the Paris climate treaty .
To avoid accusations of greenwashing , Race to Zero members have to set interim @ @ @ @ @ @ @ zero strategy by November 2021 , organisers said .
Former Bank of England Governor and UN Special Envoy for Climate and Finance Mark Carney said : `` Net zero targets must be underpinned by transition plans so that investors can assess which companies will seize the opportunities in the transition and which will cease to exist . ''

The United Nations is hoping to orchestrate a massive show of support for a greener economy with the official launch of Race to Zero, a campaign for companies to pledge to hit net zero emissions before 2050.
Officials hope Race to Zero will help build momentum for COP26, a major climate summit due to be held in Glasgow in November 2021.
By bringing together a huge coalition of businesses, investors and cities promising net zero emissions, organisers hope governments will be encouraged to commit to bolder national action on carbon emissions.
Alok Sharma, UK Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy and COP26 President, said: “The Race to Zero initiative will play an important part in encouraging businesses, other organisations and regional governments to increase their ambition and take action against climate change.”
The COP26 challenge
The UK is organising COP26 in partnership with Italy, but is facing an uphill struggle to deliver a successful summit. Coronavirus has pushed the dates of the event back by more than a year, and destroyed a carefully orchestrated schedule of diplomatic meetings designed to build international commitment to further action.
Meanwhile, the economic fallout from Covid-19 has raised fears countries will abandon low-carbon policy efforts in favour of fossil-fuel led recoveries.
Race to Zero has recruited some of the world’s most powerful businesses in an effort to counteract this threat.
Signatories already cover almost a quarter of global CO2 emissions and more than half of GDP. Businesses backing the campaign include Rolls-Royce, Nestle, Microsoft and PepsiCo, which have all promised to cut emissions in line with the Paris climate treaty.
To avoid accusations of greenwashing, Race to Zero members have to set interim carbon reduction targets and publish a net zero strategy by November 2021, organisers said.
Former Bank of England Governor and UN Special Envoy for Climate and Finance Mark Carney said: “Net zero targets must be underpinned by transition plans so that investors can assess which companies will seize the opportunities in the transition and which will cease to exist.”


inews--2020-06-04--BAME and coronavirus: Equalities watchdog launches review into impact of Covid-19 outbreak on ethnic

BAME and coronavirus: Equalities watchdog launches review into impact of Covid-19 outbreak on ethnic minorities

BAME and coronavirus : Equalities watchdog launches review into impact of Covid-19 outbreak on ethnic minorities The EHRC report comes after Public Health England was criticised for not providing recommendations for improvement The UK 's equalities watchdog launches a review into the way the coronavirus crisis has highlighted and worsened racial disparities in Britain .
The inquiry by the Equality and Human Rights Commission ( EHRC ) comes after Public Health England concluded that ethnic minority Britons were more likely to die of Covid-19 than white people .
That report was criticised because it did not include any recommendations for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ from disease , nor did it investigate the fundamental roots of unequal healthcare outcomes between races .
EHRC chair David Isaac said : `` Now is a once in a generation opportunity to tackle long-standing entrenched racial inequalities .
We intend to use our statutory powers to address the loss of lives and livelihoods of people from different ethnic minorities .
Only by taking focused action to tackle race inequality across Britain will we become a fair country in which every individual can reach their full potential . ''
The inquiry 's timetable @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in due course .
It will make `` evidence-based recommendations '' on how to close the racial gap in the UK .
Speaking in the House of Commons , MPs called on the Government to do more to support ethnic minority communities in the wake of the Public Health England report .
Labour 's Gill Furniss said : `` These lives matter and it is time for the Government to take action on the devastating impact this virus has had on BAME communities . ''
Rupa Huq , the MP for Ealing Central @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in Westminster yesterday could n't have failed to have noticed the Black Lives Matter protest , inspired by Minneapolis , and the placard that sticks in my mind most is one that said 'Being black should not be a death sentence ' . ''
But equalities minister Kemi Badenoch responded : `` Let us not in this House use statements like 'being black is a death sentence ' , which young people out there hear , do n't understand the context and then continue to believe that they live in a society that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ one of the best countries in the world to be a black person . ''

The UK’s equalities watchdog launches a review into the way the coronavirus crisis has highlighted and worsened racial disparities in Britain.
The inquiry by the Equality and Human Rights Commission (EHRC) comes after Public Health England concluded that ethnic minority Britons were more likely to die of Covid-19 than white people.
That report was criticised because it did not include any recommendations for how BAME people could be better protected from disease, nor did it investigate the fundamental roots of unequal healthcare outcomes between races.
EHRC chair David Isaac said: “Now is a once in a generation opportunity to tackle long-standing entrenched racial inequalities. We intend to use our statutory powers to address the loss of lives and livelihoods of people from different ethnic minorities. Only by taking focused action to tackle race inequality across Britain will we become a fair country in which every individual can reach their full potential.”
‘Devastating impact’
The inquiry’s timetable and terms of reference will be published in due course. It will make “evidence-based recommendations” on how to close the racial gap in the UK.
Speaking in the House of Commons, MPs called on the Government to do more to support ethnic minority communities in the wake of the Public Health England report. Labour’s Gill Furniss said: “These lives matter and it is time for the Government to take action on the devastating impact this virus has had on BAME communities.”
Rupa Huq, the MP for Ealing Central and Acton, said: “Anyone in Westminster yesterday couldn’t have failed to have noticed the Black Lives Matter protest, inspired by Minneapolis, and the placard that sticks in my mind most is one that said ‘Being black should not be a death sentence’.”
But equalities minister Kemi Badenoch responded: “Let us not in this House use statements like ‘being black is a death sentence’, which young people out there hear, don’t understand the context and then continue to believe that they live in a society that is against them when actually this is one of the best countries in the world to be a black person.”


inews--2020-06-04--Site of Kent naval disaster witnessed by HMS Pinafore composer given protected status

Site of Kent naval disaster witnessed by HMS Pinafore composer given protected status German 'ironclad ' naval ship Grosser Kurfurst sank off Folkestone in 1878 , causing the deaths of 284 men For Albert Sullivan , one half of the illustrious Victorian operatic double act , it was a tragic spectacle he would never forget .
As he crossed the English Channel en route to Paris on a sunny day in 1878 , he witnessed the deaths of 284 men as a German warship was sunk in a training accident .
The composer , who along with dramatist William Gilbert @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Pinafore and the Pirates of Penzance , was given a sobering insight into the realities of life at sea when he saw the SMS Grosser Kurfurst sink in just eight minutes off Folkestone in Kent after it was rammed by another German naval vessel .
Sullivan , who was onboard a ferry sailing for France , later wrote : “ I saw it all - saw the unfortunate vessel slowly go over and disappear under the water in clear , bright sunshine , and the water like a calm lake .
It was @ @ @ @ @ @ @ all the boats moving about picking up the survivors , some exhausted they had to be lifted onto the ships.
” The sinking of the Grosser Kurfurst , a technologically advanced ship on its maiden voyage , was the worst naval disaster involving a non-British vessel in the English Channel during a 50-year period prior to the First World War and came at a time when Britain and Germany were enjoying cordial relations .
Image of the upside-down hull of the pre-First World War battleship SMS Grosser Kurfurst , which sank off Folkestone @ @ @ @ @ @ @ rammed by another German warship during a training exercise ( Photo : Wessex Archaeology ) Now , the wreck of the ship and a striking memorial built in Folkestone to the men who died is to be given protected status , in part because of the pioneering design of the vessel which was one of the first so-called “ ironclads ” - named after the armour plating attached to the hull of naval vessels as designers moved away from wooden hulled ships to the first all-metal warships .
Perversely , the 20cm-thick wrought @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of teak ) on the Grosser Kurfurst did little or nothing to protect the ill-fated vessel from the battering ram attached to the SMS Konig Wilhelm , a second German naval vessel taking part in a training exercise off the English coast .
As the Konig Wilhelm suddenly veered to avoid two sailing boats near Folkestone , it cut across the path of the Grosser Kurfurst and tore a catastrophic hole in its hull .
A failure to close watertight doors in the vessel meant the Grosser Kurfurst sank in just eight minutes @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
The memorial in Cheriton Road Cemetery in Folkestone to the 284 German crewmen who died in 1878 after their warship SMS Grosser Kurfurst sank during a training exercise , after being accidently rammed by another ship ( Photo : Historic England ) Duncan Wilson , chief executive of Historic England , said : “ This historic shipwreck tells the story of Germany ’ s increasing naval strength in the late 19th century at a time when Britain and Germany were on friendly terms .
The listing of the associated memorial is a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 300 crewmen on board .
It is right that we continue to remember them .
”

For Arthur Sullivan, one half of the illustrious Victorian operatic double act, it was a tragic spectacle he would never forget. As he crossed the English Channel en route to Paris on a sunny day in 1878, he witnessed the deaths of 284 men as a German warship was sunk in a training accident.
The composer, who along with dramatist William Gilbert created beloved comic operas such as HMS Pinafore and the Pirates of Penzance, was given a sobering insight into the realities of life at sea when he saw the SMS Grosser Kurfurst sink in just eight minutes off Folkestone in Kent after it was rammed by another German naval vessel.
Sullivan, who was onboard a ferry sailing for France, later wrote: “I saw it all – saw the unfortunate vessel slowly go over and disappear under the water in clear, bright sunshine, and the water like a calm lake. It was too horrible – and then we saw all the boats moving about picking up the survivors, some exhausted they had to be lifted onto the ships.”
Cordial relations
The sinking of the Grosser Kurfurst, a technologically advanced ship on its maiden voyage, was the worst naval disaster involving a non-British vessel in the English Channel during a 50-year period prior to the First World War and came at a time when Britain and Germany were enjoying cordial relations.
Now, the wreck of the ship and a striking memorial built in Folkestone to the men who died is to be given protected status, in part because of the pioneering design of the vessel which was one of the first so-called “ironclads” – named after the armour plating attached to the hull of naval vessels as designers moved away from wooden hulled ships to the first all-metal warships.
Perversely, the 20cm-thick wrought iron armour (combined with another 20cm of teak) on the Grosser Kurfurst did little or nothing to protect the ill-fated vessel from the battering ram attached to the SMS Konig Wilhelm, a second German naval vessel taking part in a training exercise off the English coast.
Sailing boats
As the Konig Wilhelm suddenly veered to avoid two sailing boats near Folkestone, it cut across the path of the Grosser Kurfurst and tore a catastrophic hole in its hull. A failure to close watertight doors in the vessel meant the Grosser Kurfurst sank in just eight minutes, tipping over and sinking upside down.
Despite the rescue efforts of English fishing boats which had launched from Folkestone and adjoining villages, more than half of the German vessel’s 500-strong crew drowned.
The sailors whose bodies were recovered were buried in the Cheriton Road Cemetery in Folkestone, where an imposing black stone memorial – funded by donations from within the German navy – was erected.
‘Poignant reminder’
Both the memorial, which has an inscription written in German, and the wreck of the Grosser Kurfurst have now been granted protection on the advice of heritage watchdog Historic England.
Duncan Wilson, chief executive of Historic England, said: “This historic shipwreck tells the story of Germany’s increasing naval strength in the late 19th century at a time when Britain and Germany were on friendly terms. The listing of the associated memorial is a poignant reminder of the loss of nearly 300 crewmen on board. It is right that we continue to remember them.”
Bombardment
The efforts of the inhabitants of Folkestone to rescue the Grosser Kurfurst’s crew and then honour the dead led to a curious footnote in the history of Anglo-German relations as the two countries became competing powers and relations subsequently deteriorated into a ruinous war.
At the outbreak of the First World War in 1914, the people of Folkestone believed the town’s efforts in 1878 would persuade the Germans to spare them from attack.
Indeed, while other Kent towns were bombarded and shelled from across the Channel, Folkestone remained untouched for three years. But if there was immunity, it did not last – on 25 May 1917 the port was bombed by German aircraft.


inews--2020-06-04--Coronavirus: Half of heart disease patients finding it harder to get treatment during lockdown

Coronavirus : Half of heart disease patients finding it harder to get treatment during lockdown British Heart Foundation survey also finds almost a third have found it harder to get the medicines they need Thousands of heart patients have been medically advised to shield because she is considered by her doctors to be at extremely high risk of developing complications from the coronavirus ( Photo : Steve Parsons/Pool/Getty ) Nearly half of adults with heart and circulatory diseases have found it harder to get medical treatment during the coronavirus lockdown , the British Heart Foundation ( BHF ) has found @ @ @ @ @ @ @ have found it harder to get the medicines they need , according to the YouGov poll of 1,409 UK adults with known heart and circulatory conditions such as congenital heart disease and heart rhythm problems , as well as those who ’ ve previously suffered a heart attack or stroke .
There have been around 28,000 delayed inpatient heart procedures since the Covid-19 pandemic began which the charity says threatens patient survival .
The BHF said difficulties in accessing vital treatment and care could have a damaging impact on people ’ s health @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in deaths .
It could also lead to a `` tidal wave '' of increased NHS pressure as a result of heart and circulatory patients becoming sicker while awaiting hospital investigations and treatment .
Of the people who found it more difficult to access medical treatment from a healthcare professional during the Covid-19 crisis , 41 per cent said they ’ d had a planned test , surgery or procedure postponed or cancelled , while 48 per cent said a lack of available face-to-face appointments was a reason for this .
Sarah Miles @ @ @ @ @ @ @ mother of two from Somerset , had a heart attack and cardiac arrest at 38 , which led to heart failure .
She has been medically advised to shield because she is considered by her doctors to be at extremely high risk of developing complications from the virus .
Lockdown has resulted in a series of delayed or cancelled appointments .
“ The trouble I ’ ve had in accessing treatment and care has caused me great anxiety because I worry about the potential long-term impact on my health .
It will be @ @ @ @ @ @ @ go back to normal , whenever possible .
As I ’ m shielding , I need reassurance that I will be seen safely when my services resume , '' she said .
On top of this , anxieties remain about whether patients should seek medical help .
Some 42 per cent said they did not want to put extra pressure on the health service , while 27 per cent said they were concerned about the risk of developing Covid-19 in a healthcare setting .
The BHF is calling on the Government and the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of heart and circulatory patients who have had care postponed during the coronavirus pandemic .
The charity argues this can be done by increasing the number of heart procedures , surgeries and tests that are carried out , such as procedures for pacemakers and stents , as well as heart imaging tests .
In addition , NHS support systems should be restored for people with conditions , such as heart failure , which can help keep people out of hospital .
Dr Sonya Babu-Narayan , associate medical director at the British Heart Foundation @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and circulatory diseases are already at increased risk of dying from Covid-19 , and their lives should not be put at even greater risk by missing out on treatment for their condition .
`` This backlog will only get larger and the patients in need of treatment could get sicker as their care is delayed further .
If hospital investigations and procedures are delayed too long , it can result in preventable permanent long-term complications , such as heart failure .

Nearly half of adults with heart and circulatory diseases have found it harder to get medical treatment during the coronavirus lockdown, the British Heart Foundation (BHF) has found.
In addition, almost a third have found it harder to get the medicines they need, according to the YouGov poll of 1,409 UK adults with known heart and circulatory conditions such as congenital heart disease and heart rhythm problems, as well as those who’ve previously suffered a heart attack or stroke. There have been around 28,000 delayed inpatient heart procedures since the Covid-19 pandemic began which the charity says threatens patient survival.
The BHF said difficulties in accessing vital treatment and care could have a damaging impact on people’s health, and even result in an increase in deaths. It could also lead to a “tidal wave” of increased NHS pressure as a result of heart and circulatory patients becoming sicker while awaiting hospital investigations and treatment.
Of the people who found it more difficult to access medical treatment from a healthcare professional during the Covid-19 crisis, 41 per cent said they’d had a planned test, surgery or procedure postponed or cancelled, while 48 per cent said a lack of available face-to-face appointments was a reason for this.
‘Great anxiety’
Sarah Miles, 45, a former nurse and mother of two from Somerset, had a heart attack and cardiac arrest at 38, which led to heart failure. She has been medically advised to shield because she is considered by her doctors to be at extremely high risk of developing complications from the virus. Lockdown has resulted in a series of delayed or cancelled appointments.
“The trouble I’ve had in accessing treatment and care has caused me great anxiety because I worry about the potential long-term impact on my health. It will be such a relief when services start to go back to normal, whenever possible. As I’m shielding, I need reassurance that I will be seen safely when my services resume,” she said.
On top of this, anxieties remain about whether patients should seek medical help. Some 42 per cent said they did not want to put extra pressure on the health service, while 27 per cent said they were concerned about the risk of developing Covid-19 in a healthcare setting.
The BHF is calling on the Government and the NHS to urgently address the immediate needs of heart and circulatory patients who have had care postponed during the coronavirus pandemic. The charity argues this can be done by increasing the number of heart procedures, surgeries and tests that are carried out, such as procedures for pacemakers and stents, as well as heart imaging tests. In addition, NHS support systems should be restored for people with conditions, such as heart failure, which can help keep people out of hospital.
Dr Sonya Babu-Narayan, associate medical director at the British Heart Foundation, said: “People with heart and circulatory diseases are already at increased risk of dying from Covid-19, and their lives should not be put at even greater risk by missing out on treatment for their condition.
“This backlog will only get larger and the patients in need of treatment could get sicker as their care is delayed further. If hospital investigations and procedures are delayed too long, it can result in preventable permanent long-term complications, such as heart failure.
“In addition, non-hospital-based health services must not be forgotten, as these enable people with heart and circulatory diseases to stay well and out of hospital.”
The Department of Health and Social Care has been approached for comment.


inews--2020-06-04--Madeleine McCann disappearance: Hundreds come forward with information as world reacts

Madeleine McCann disappearance : Hundreds come forward with information as world reacts The news made headlines across the world The surge in interest comes after police named a 43-year-old German man as a new suspect .
He is named in reports as Christian Brueckner , and is serving a seven-year prison sentence for raping a 72-year-old American woman in Portugal in 2005 .
He had access to a distinctive VW T3 Westfalia camper van from at least April until sometime after May 2007 ( Photo : PA Wire ) Jim Gamble , the senior child protection officer in the first @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , has said the development was the first time in 13 years “ when I actually dare to hope ” .
While the suspect “ came to light a number of years ago ” , Mr Gamble said it was only being made public now following a “ painstaking ” process which began from “ a point of chaos ” after the initial investigation had been “ bungled ” .
Kate and Gerry McCann make an appeal for information in Berlin in 2007 ( Photo : Miguel Villagran/Getty ) But some have criticised @ @ @ @ @ @ @ has thrown up so many failed leads in more than a decade .
Operation Grange , the mission to find Madeleine , has cost £12.3m so far .
Downing Street said there is an `` ongoing dialogue with the Met around funding '' for the investigation .
There was also frustration at the wall-to-wall attention given to the new suspect in a week when so many have highlighted the lack of attention given to black lives .
A picture of missing toddler Madeleine McCann is held by her aunt Philomena McCann ( Photo @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Piers Morgan told viewers that if Maddie were black : `` I do n't think it would have galvanised the same attention , or attracted the same media attention in such huge amount so many years after her disappearance . ''
Former News of the World editor Phil Hall , who has followed the story since the start , said the new line of inquiry appears to be the most serious turn to date , but highlighted concerns that so much information about the man 's past could prejudice a future jury .

Detectives investigating the disappearance of Madeleine McCann received hundreds of messages from the public after they launched a fresh appeal on Wednesday.
DCI Mark Cranwell, who is heading Scotland Yard’s Operation Grange, said officers had received 270 calls and emails to their incident room at New Scotland Yard by 4pm on Thursday.
The surge in interest comes after police named a 43-year-old German man as a new suspect. He is named in reports as Christian Brueckner, and is serving a seven-year prison sentence for raping a 72-year-old American woman in Portugal in 2005.
‘Dare to hope’
Jim Gamble, the senior child protection officer in the first police investigation into Madeleine’s disappearance, has said the development was the first time in 13 years “when I actually dare to hope”.
Mr Gamble said that the “circumstantial evidence” shared by German police made the new suspect a “very, very significant person of interest”.
While the suspect “came to light a number of years ago”, Mr Gamble said it was only being made public now following a “painstaking” process which began from “a point of chaos” after the initial investigation had been “bungled”.
£12m police investigation
Downing Street said in a statement that their “thoughts are with Madeleine’s family who have had to endure so much”.
But some have criticised the ongoing cost of an investigation that has thrown up so many failed leads in more than a decade.
Operation Grange, the mission to find Madeleine, has cost £12.3m so far. Downing Street said there is an “ongoing dialogue with the Met around funding” for the investigation.
Questions over extent of coverage
There was also frustration at the wall-to-wall attention given to the new suspect in a week when so many have highlighted the lack of attention given to black lives.
The news made the front page of every major newspaper in the UK, though it featured on just one in Portugal.
Good Morning Britain host Piers Morgan told viewers that if Maddie were black: “I don’t think it would have galvanised the same attention, or attracted the same media attention in such huge amount so many years after her disappearance.”
Former News of the World editor Phil Hall, who has followed the story since the start, said the new line of inquiry appears to be the most serious turn to date, but highlighted concerns that so much information about the man’s past could prejudice a future jury.


inews--2020-06-04--Coronavirus latest: UK was 'lucky' to avoid disruption to food supplies, experts warn

Coronavirus latest : UK was 'lucky ' to avoid disruption to food supplies , experts warn UK relies heavily on just two EU countries — Spain and the Netherlands — for fresh vegetable imports The UK has only escaped major disruption to fresh food supplies during the pandemic by luck , according to scientists from the University of York .
The team warn the crisis has exposed the fragility of the UK ’ s food system and say it must be overhauled to ensure it can cope with future shocks .
The UK ’ s “ just in time ” @ @ @ @ @ @ @ “ dangerously dependent ” on Spain and the Netherlands for fresh vegetables , and its reliance on just two import routes across the Channel , all make its food supply vulnerable , they say .
For example , more than 80 per cent of lettuces the UK imports come through Dover , along with 67 per cent of tomatoes and 77 per cent of strawberries .
Problems importing via that route could quickly cause supply shortages .
The UK relies heavily on EU labour to pick its harvest ( Photo : Dan Kitwood/Getty @ @ @ @ @ @ @ journal Nature Food , the York team warn the UK has only escaped food shortages during the coronavirus outbreak thanks to “ a large degree of contingent luck ” .
To ensure the UK ’ s food system is prepared for future shocks more must be done to diversify food sources , study co-author Dr Philip Garnett said .
In particular , the UK must grow more of its own food , he said .
Currently just 20 per cent of food consumed in the UK is grown or produced here .
“ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ strategic plan to re-orientate the UK food system to grow more food sustainably in the UK , ” Dr Garnett said .
“ This will require new thinking and investment in British horticulture , a crop diversification strategy and assessment of the potential of new approaches such as indoor vertical farming.
” Meanwhile the UK ’ s heavy reliance on the EU , both for fresh food imports and labour , means a ‘ no deal ’ Brexit could be disastrous .
“ When it comes to food , Covid-19 has demonstrated the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the EU , ” said co-author Professor Bob Doherty .

The UK has only escaped major disruption to fresh food supplies during the pandemic by luck, according to scientists from the University of York.
The team warn the crisis has exposed the fragility of the UK’s food system and say it must be overhauled to ensure it can cope with future shocks.
The UK’s “just in time” supply chain, the fact it is “dangerously dependent” on Spain and the Netherlands for fresh vegetables, and its reliance on just two import routes across the Channel, all make its food supply vulnerable, they say.
For example, more than 80 per cent of lettuces the UK imports come through Dover, along with 67 per cent of tomatoes and 77 per cent of strawberries. Problems importing via that route could quickly cause supply shortages.
A lucky escape
In a paper published in the journal Nature Food, the York team warn the UK has only escaped food shortages during the coronavirus outbreak thanks to “a large degree of contingent luck”.
To ensure the UK’s food system is prepared for future shocks more must be done to diversify food sources, study co-author Dr Philip Garnett said.
In particular, the UK must grow more of its own food, he said. Currently just 20 per cent of fresh fruit, for example, consumed in the UK is grown or produced here.
“It is clear we need a new strategic plan to re-orientate the UK food system to grow more food sustainably in the UK,” Dr Garnett said. “This will require new thinking and investment in British horticulture, a crop diversification strategy and assessment of the potential of new approaches such as indoor vertical farming.”
Meanwhile the UK’s heavy reliance on the EU, both for fresh food imports and labour, means a ‘no deal’ Brexit could be disastrous. “When it comes to food, Covid-19 has demonstrated the need for a good trade deal with the EU,” said co-author Professor Bob Doherty.


inews--2020-06-04--Vladimir Putin declares state of emergency over Arctic oil spill that will take decades to clean up

Vladimir Putin declares state of emergency over Arctic oil spill that will take decades to clean up Arctic diesel spill sees 20,000 tonnes of red diesel spill into the Arctic tundra , causing 'catastrophic ' environmental damage Containment booms installed by rescuers are seen at the site of a huge leak of fuel into the river outside Norilsk , Russia ( Photo : Marine Rescue Service/Handou/REUTERS ) Last Friday a diesel fuel tank at a power plant operated by a subsidiary of the nickel and palladium producer Nornickel lost pressure , leaking 20,000 tons of red diesel into the soil @ @ @ @ @ @ @ agencies suggest the pollution is likely to have spread into Lake Pyasino and into the Kara Sea , which is part of the Arctic Ocean .
Greenpeace Russia has described the incident as one of the largest oil spills in Arctic history .
The damage to local waterways alone could cost six billion rubles ( £69m ) to clean up , it predicted .
The habitat is expected to take decades to recover , with Sergey Verkhovets , coordinator of Arctic projects for WWF Russia , warning the spill will have “ catastrophic @ @ @ @ @ @ @ `` We are talking about dead fish , polluted plumage of birds , and poisoned animals , ” he said in a statement reported by CNN .
The accident happened when part of a power plant operated by a subsidiary of nickel and palladium producer Nornickel collapsed .
Nornickel said the accident could have been caused by the thawing of the permafrost , raising fears that more Arctic infrastructure could become unstable as climate change pushes temperatures up .
`` Right now we can assume ... that due to abnormally mild summer temperatures @ @ @ @ @ @ @ could have melted and the pillars under the platform could have sank , '' said Nornickel chief operating officer , Sergey Dyachenko , according to the TASS news agency .
The Arctic is warming much faster than the rest of the world , with average temperatures up by 1C in just a decade .
Scientists fear the thawing of the permafrost will not only destabilise buildings and infrastructure across the Arctic , but could also trigger the release of stored methane that will accelerate further climate change .
Russian President Vladimir Putin chairs @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the fuel spill ( Photo : ALEXEY NIKOLSKY/Sputnik/AFP/Getty ) Russian authorities say NTEC , the Nornickel subsidiary operating the plant , took two days to inform them of the spill .
In a press conference on Wednesday President Putin lambasted NTEC ’ s chief Sergei Lipin , asking : “ Why did government agencies only find out about this two days after the fact ?
Are we going to learn about emergency situations from social media ?
” But Nornickel insists NTEC reported the accident in a “ timely and proper ” way @ @ @ @ @ @ @ regional Russian agency announcing the accident released on the same day .
Russian authorities have launched four criminal probes into the accident , including into the alleged delay in reporting it to officials , and have arrested an NTEC employee at the plant .

Russian President Vladimir Putin has declared a massive diesel spill in the Arctic Circle a federal emergency, amid fears the accident will cause “catastrophic” damage to the fragile habitat.
Last Friday a diesel fuel tank at a power plant operated by a subsidiary of the nickel and palladium producer Nornickel lost pressure, leaking 20,000 tons of red diesel into the soil and nearby Ambarnaya river.
Russian news agencies suggest the pollution is likely to have spread into Lake Pyasino and into the Kara Sea, which is part of the Arctic Ocean.
Greenpeace Russia has described the incident as one of the largest oil spills in Arctic history. The damage to local waterways alone could cost six billion rubles (£69m) to clean up, it predicted.
The habitat is expected to take decades to recover, with Sergey Verkhovets, coordinator of Arctic projects for WWF Russia, warning the spill will have “catastrophic consequences” for the natural environment. “We are talking about dead fish, polluted plumage of birds, and poisoned animals,” he said in a statement reported by CNN.
A catastrophe is taking place right before our eyes. The diesel spill in Norilsk has become the first accident of such a scale in the Arctic. 20 thousand tonnes of diesel fuel have been spilled in local rivers. pic.twitter.com/PXEXkTuACE — Greenpeace Russia (@greenpeaceru) June 4, 2020
Caused by climate change?
The accident happened when part of a power plant operated by a subsidiary of nickel and palladium producer Nornickel collapsed. Nornickel said the accident could have been caused by the thawing of the permafrost, raising fears that more Arctic infrastructure could become unstable as climate change pushes temperatures up.
“Right now we can assume… that due to abnormally mild summer temperatures recorded in the past years, permafrost could have melted and the pillars under the platform could have sank,” said Nornickel chief operating officer, Sergey Dyachenko, according to the TASS news agency.
The Arctic is warming much faster than the rest of the world, with average temperatures up by 1C in just a decade. Scientists fear the thawing of the permafrost will not only destabilise buildings and infrastructure across the Arctic, but could also trigger the release of stored methane that will accelerate further climate change.
Internal rows
Russian authorities say NTEC, the Nornickel subsidiary operating the plant, took two days to inform them of the spill. In a press conference on Wednesday President Putin lambasted NTEC’s chief Sergei Lipin, asking: “Why did government agencies only find out about this two days after the fact? Are we going to learn about emergency situations from social media?”
But Nornickel insists NTEC reported the accident in a “timely and proper” way, with a press release from a regional Russian agency announcing the accident released on the same day.
Russian authorities have launched four criminal probes into the accident, including into the alleged delay in reporting it to officials, and have arrested an NTEC employee at the plant.


inews--2020-06-04--UK Black Lives Matter protests: Thousands join march through Birmingham to show solidarity and deman

UK Black Lives Matter protests: Thousands join march through Birmingham to show solidarity and demand change in UK

UK Black Lives Matter protests : Thousands join march through Birmingham to show solidarity and demand change in UK Organisers urged attendees to abide by social-distancing guidelines by keeping two metres apart from each other More than 2,000 people gathered in Birmingham as British protesters showed solidarity with the wider movement in the US in reaction to the killing of George Floyd , while also demanding change in the UK .
The UK Isn ’ t Innocent Group , which organised the Black Lives Matter demonstration in the city , said that it wanted to “ not only show solidarity @ @ @ @ @ @ @ also to shed light on the racist systems that still operate in the UK today ” .
Organisers urged attendees to abide by social-distancing guidelines by keeping two metres apart from each other and wearing face masks in order to “ keep everyone safe ” .
“ We are tired and we have been tired for too long , ” said the lead organiser Hannah Ringane .
“ We have been taught that we won ’ t be treated the same as everyone else , that we will be viewed as aggressors.
” @ @ @ @ @ @ @ guidelines by keeping two metres apart from each other and wearing face masks ( Photo : Christopher Furlong/Getty ) Traffic came to a standstill as the crowd moved around the city , though there was very little police presence observed .
Though the demonstrators had first planned to congregate at the pedestrianised Victoria Square , so many people attended that organisers switched locations to allow participants to maintain social distancing .
Protesters were asked instead to make their way to Centenary Square .
There , huge crowds chanted their support for Mr Floyd @ @ @ @ @ @ @ “ I can ’ t breathe ” , which were among Mr Floyd ’ s final words .
In a video posted to Facebook , one of the organisers , Tyreece Ogbeide , said : “ There are too many coming and there ’ s not going to be enough space to maintain social distancing so we have decided to move.
” They added : “ We urge you , do not attend if you have any symptoms of coronavirus or are a high-risk [ individual ] .
“ We want to respect @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Be aware of others and your surroundings and ensure you keep two metres [ away from others ] .
” Aston Villa defender Tyrone Mings , who was among those expected to turn up , told his 109,000 Twitter followers : `` Do n't be afraid to speak your truth .
Stand for what 's right . ''
“ The city of Birmingham has a long and proud history of standing up to racism and to prejudice , and that is why today we stand in solidarity with the Black Lives Matter @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Carol Smith , who was among the demonstrators , said : “ My grandchildren were born here , they have to have a different world to the world I have .
They have to realise they have a right to be here , and they have a right to equality , just like everyone else who don ’ t look like them .

More than 2,000 people gathered in Birmingham as British protesters showed solidarity with the wider movement in the US in reaction to the killing of George Floyd, while also demanding change in the UK.
The UK Isn’t Innocent Group, which organised the Black Lives Matter demonstration in the city, said that it wanted to “not only show solidarity with black people in America, but also to shed light on the racist systems that still operate in the UK today”.
Organisers urged attendees to abide by social-distancing guidelines by keeping two metres apart from each other and wearing face masks in order to “keep everyone safe”.
“We are tired and we have been tired for too long,” said the lead organiser Hannah Ringane. “We have been taught that we won’t be treated the same as everyone else, that we will be viewed as aggressors.”
Large turnout
Traffic came to a standstill as the crowd moved around the city, though there was very little police presence observed. Though the demonstrators had first planned to congregate at the pedestrianised Victoria Square, so many people attended that organisers switched locations to allow participants to maintain social distancing.
Protesters were asked instead to make their way to Centenary Square. There, huge crowds chanted their support for Mr Floyd, waving placards and repeating the mantra “I can’t breathe”, which were among Mr Floyd’s final words.
Passionate speakers and musicians performed outside Lloyd House, the headquarters of West Midlands Police, and staged a “die-in” by lying down on the ground.
‘Peaceful, socially distanced’ event
In a video posted to Facebook, one of the organisers, Tyreece Ogbeide, said: “There are too many coming and there’s not going to be enough space to maintain social distancing so we have decided to move.”
Advertising the event the organisers told supporters: “It’s time for us to speak up. Join us…for a peaceful, socially distanced, stand-in demonstration. Bring masks, bring signs, bring food, water, and spread the word.”
They added: “We urge you, do not attend if you have any symptoms of coronavirus or are a high-risk [individual].
“We want to respect social distancing rules and keep everyone safe. Be aware of others and your surroundings and ensure you keep two metres [away from others].”
Racism in the UK
Aston Villa defender Tyrone Mings, who was among those expected to turn up, told his 109,000 Twitter followers: “Don’t be afraid to speak your truth. Stand for what’s right.”
Birmingham City Council member John Cotton offered his backing to the demonstration in a video.
“The city of Birmingham has a long and proud history of standing up to racism and to prejudice, and that is why today we stand in solidarity with the Black Lives Matter movement,” Cllr Cotton said,
“Your voices and your demands for justice [need] to be heard and…heeded,” he added.
Carol Smith, who was among the demonstrators, said: “My grandchildren were born here, they have to have a different world to the world I have. They have to realise they have a right to be here, and they have a right to equality, just like everyone else who don’t look like them.
“I can’t give you the answer to racism. I didn’t create it, people who look like me didn’t create it.”
Derrick Bassaragh added: “Young kids – black, white and Asian – demand parity, justice, love and equality. Not just for us, but changes for the world. These are the things that are demanded now.”


inews--2020-06-04--Coronavirus vaccine: Boris Johnson calls for 'greater international collaboration'

The Prime Minister said up to eight million lives will be saved thanks to £7bn raised at the Gavi vaccine alliance summit The Prime Minister said up to eight million lives will be saved thanks to the £7bn raised at the summit and called for greater international co-operation to enable `` the triumph of humanity over disease '' .
Mr Johnson said the UK has already committed up to £764m for the global coronavirus response and praised the British collaborations seeking a Covid-19 vaccine .
`` I 'm proud to say that some of the most promising research into vaccines @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , supported by our vaccines taskforce , '' he said .
`` We are pioneering innovative collaborations that will be needed to manufacture and distribute a vaccine once we 've found it , like the partnership between AstraZeneca and the University of Oxford . ''
AstraZeneca said it would now be able to supply more than two billion doses of its potential coronavirus vaccine , thanks to deals with the Serum Institute of India and two Bill Gates-backed global health organisations .
The company , which has already agreed to supply 400 million @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , said on Thursday it had agreed terms with the Indian company , the world 's largest manufacturer of vaccines by volume , to supply one billion doses for low and middle-income countries .
Speaking at the virtual summit , International Development Secretary Anne-Marie Trevelyan said coronavirus vaccines must be made `` quickly available everywhere '' when they are ready .
There are hopes the vaccine could be ready by September ( Photo : Getty ) Mr Johnson said the UK would remain the world 's leading donor to Gavi , an international @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to new and underused vaccines for children living in the world 's poorest countries , contributing £1.65bn over the next five years .
`` Just as we have ... great military alliances , like Nato , where countries collaborate on building their collective military defence ... We now need the same spirit of collaboration and collective defence against the common enemy of disease , '' he said .
`` It will require a new international effort to co-operate on the surveillance and the sharing of information - data is king - that can @ @ @ @ @ @ @ we can rapidly identify any future outbreak .
And it will mean a radical scaling up of our global capacity to respond . ''
The Prime Minister concluded : `` Just as Britain has been honoured to host this summit today , you can count on our full contribution as together we rise to fulfil the greatest shared endeavour of our lifetimes : the triumph of humanity over disease , now and for the generations that follow . ''

Boris Johnson urged world leaders to renew their “collective resolve” to find a coronavirus vaccine as he hosted the Gavi vaccine alliance summit on Thursday.
The Prime Minister said up to eight million lives will be saved thanks to the £7bn raised at the summit and called for greater international co-operation to enable “the triumph of humanity over disease”. Mr Johnson said the UK has already committed up to £764m for the global coronavirus response and praised the British collaborations seeking a Covid-19 vaccine.
“I’m proud to say that some of the most promising research into vaccines is happening right here in the UK, supported by our vaccines taskforce,” he said. “We are pioneering innovative collaborations that will be needed to manufacture and distribute a vaccine once we’ve found it, like the partnership between AstraZeneca and the University of Oxford.”
AstraZeneca said it would now be able to supply more than two billion doses of its potential coronavirus vaccine, thanks to deals with the Serum Institute of India and two Bill Gates-backed global health organisations. The company, which has already agreed to supply 400 million doses to the US and British governments, said on Thursday it had agreed terms with the Indian company, the world’s largest manufacturer of vaccines by volume, to supply one billion doses for low and middle-income countries.
Speaking at the virtual summit, International Development Secretary Anne-Marie Trevelyan said coronavirus vaccines must be made “quickly available everywhere” when they are ready.
UK world leader
Mr Johnson said the UK would remain the world’s leading donor to Gavi, an international organisation created in 2000 to improve access to new and underused vaccines for children living in the world’s poorest countries, contributing £1.65bn over the next five years.
“Just as we have… great military alliances, like Nato, where countries collaborate on building their collective military defence… We now need the same spirit of collaboration and collective defence against the common enemy of disease,” he said.
“It will require a new international effort to co-operate on the surveillance and the sharing of information – data is king – that can underpin a global alert system, so we can rapidly identify any future outbreak. And it will mean a radical scaling up of our global capacity to respond.”
The Prime Minister concluded: “Just as Britain has been honoured to host this summit today, you can count on our full contribution as together we rise to fulfil the greatest shared endeavour of our lifetimes: the triumph of humanity over disease, now and for the generations that follow.”


inews--2020-06-04--Universities latest: Government accused of discriminating against newer universities with 'subjectiv

Universities latest: Government accused of discriminating against newer universities with 'subjective' student cap rules

Universities latest : Government accused of discriminating against newer universities with 'subjective ' student cap rules Concerns have been raised that the policy discriminates against universities serving students from disadvantaged backgrounds The Government has been accused of using a student cap introduced because of the coronavirus crisis to push through an agenda against perceived “ low quality ” university courses .
Concerns have also been raised that the policy could discriminate against newer universities with a larger proportion of students from disadvantaged and black and minority ethnic backgrounds .
The Government decided to cap the number of UK and EU @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , amid worries that Covid-19 would cause universities to aggressively “ over-recruit ” to compensate for a collapse in international student numbers .
While numbers have been capped , universities can also bid for some extra places , including a pot of 5,000 in a group of mainly science , technology , engineering and mathematics ( STEM ) subjects .
Jo Grady , general secretary of the University and Colleges Union , said : “ We fear the criteria the Government is using to allow institutions to bid for extra places are deeply @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the evidence.
” The universities minister , Michelle Donelan , has defended the rules of the cap ( Photo : Christopher Furlong/Getty ) Dr Greg Walker , chief executive of the MillionPlus group of newer universities , said : “ The proposed rules to exclude a wide range of universities from bidding for some of the additional student places seem arbitrary and ill-founded .
“ They don ’ t take into account the social intake of such universities or the circumstances in the communities they exist to serve , where the number of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ than other areas.
” Professor Graham Baldwin , vice-chancellor at the University of Central Lancashire , told i : “ In my view the Government ’ s uses of particular exclusion criteria is flawed and discriminatory to many universities including those in the MillionPlus group .
“ For instance , our social work offering is ranked above several eligible universities with applications for the programme being 17 percent up .
However , we are not eligible to apply for additional places , despite social work being identified nationally as a strategically important subject @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Government did not establish the criteria based on regional requirements and the quality of individual programmes offered by the MillionPlus group and other universities across the country .
In their current form , the controls also discriminate against students that can not travel or move to access the additional places that might be offered at Russell Group universities.
” The universities minister , Michelle Donelan , has defended the rules of the cap as the “ best use of taxpayer funding to support students ” .
The news came as it emerged that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ delay the publication of admissions data on the diversity of its students in light of “ world events ” .
In an email seen by HuffPostUK , university managers said : “ After careful consideration of the current world events and also learning that Cambridge will not be publishing its admissions data until late June , the decision to postpone the release of the annual admissions statistical report has been taken .
”

The Government has been accused of using a student cap introduced because of the coronavirus crisis to push through an agenda against perceived “low quality” university courses.
Concerns have also been raised that the policy could discriminate against newer universities with a larger proportion of students from disadvantaged and black and minority ethnic backgrounds.
The Government decided to cap the number of UK and EU students which universities can recruit this year, amid worries that Covid-19 would cause universities to aggressively “over-recruit” to compensate for a collapse in international student numbers.
There were fears such an approach could push weaker universities into bankruptcy.
‘Deeply subjective’
While numbers have been capped, universities can also bid for some extra places, including a pot of 5,000 in a group of mainly science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) subjects.
However, to access these places universities need to meet criteria on drop-out rates and graduate employment.
Critics say the policy is part of a wider Conservative attack on perceived “low value” courses.
Jo Grady, general secretary of the University and Colleges Union, said: “We fear the criteria the Government is using to allow institutions to bid for extra places are deeply subjective, closed-minded and not led by the evidence.”
‘Arbitrary and ill-founded’
Dr Greg Walker, chief executive of the MillionPlus group of newer universities, said: “The proposed rules to exclude a wide range of universities from bidding for some of the additional student places seem arbitrary and ill-founded.
“They don’t take into account the social intake of such universities or the circumstances in the communities they exist to serve, where the number of well-paid and highly-skilled job roles are fewer than other areas.”
Professor Graham Baldwin, vice-chancellor at the University of Central Lancashire, told i: “In my view the Government’s uses of particular exclusion criteria is flawed and discriminatory to many universities including those in the MillionPlus group.
“For instance, our social work offering is ranked above several eligible universities with applications for the programme being 17 percent up. However, we are not eligible to apply for additional places, despite social work being identified nationally as a strategically important subject.
“It is regrettable that the Government did not establish the criteria based on regional requirements and the quality of individual programmes offered by the MillionPlus group and other universities across the country. In their current form, the controls also discriminate against students that cannot travel or move to access the additional places that might be offered at Russell Group universities.”
The universities minister, Michelle Donelan, has defended the rules of the cap as the “best use of taxpayer funding to support students”.
Oxford admissions
The news came as it emerged that the University of Oxford had decided to delay the publication of admissions data on the diversity of its students in light of “world events”.
In an email seen by HuffPostUK, university managers said: “After careful consideration of the current world events and also learning that Cambridge will not be publishing its admissions data until late June, the decision to postpone the release of the annual admissions statistical report has been taken.”
Oxford has been criticised in recent years for the under-representation of black students in its admissions.
Thousands of people have gathered in London and around the world this week for Black Lives Matter demonstrations in response to the killing of George Floyd in the US.