inews--2020-05-03--Coronavirus UK latest: Welsh Government insists it will set its own timetable for reopening schools

Coronavirus UK latest : Welsh Government insists it will set its own timetable for reopening schools Wales says it will not make decisions based on briefings to media by the UK Government The Welsh Government has insisted it will set its own timetable for reopening school amid reports Downing Street wants to start sending locked-down children to class as early as next month .
Year 10 and Year 12 pupils are then expected to form the first wave of secondary pupils returning to school at a later point if it can be shown such a move would be unlikely to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ pandemic .
It is said the earliest possible return of primary school children is intended to minimise the threat to “ early years development ” and help parents return to work .
But the Welsh Government tweeted that it would make its own announcement , saying : “ The Welsh Education Minister will announce when Welsh schools will reopen , not the UK Government.
” Mark Drakeford , First Minister of Wales , told The Andrew Marr Show on Sunday that his “ strong preference ” was for there to be an agreement @ @ @ @ @ @ @ right across the UK ” so the country could leave the lockdown on the same day .
But he added : “ We are preparing of course in Wales to make sure that when the time comes that it ’ s right to reopen our schools .
We have a way of doing it – as we begin to increase the routine activity that the health service can carry out , we ’ ve got a plan for that.
” Welsh First Minister Mark Drakeford ( Photo by DANIEL LEAL-OLIVAS/AFP via Getty Images @ @ @ @ @ @ @ from the trades union and from the local education authorities is that it will need three weeks as a minimum from the point that we decide to do that when schools can reopen , so we are talking about the beginning of June there .
“ We ’ ve a bilingual education system here in Wales .
Children who are learning through the medium of Welsh and who may not have Welsh spoken at home .
Do we need to get those children back into education sooner ?
Those are the sort of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the moment.
” 'Only when it is safe to do so' A Welsh Government spokeswoman said : “ Decisions on the next phase for schools in Wales will be made by the Welsh Education Minister , and will only start when it is safe to do so .
There are five key principles for our decision on the next phase , including the confidence of parents , teacher and pupils , and sufficient time to plan ahead .

The Welsh Government has insisted it will set its own timetable for reopening school amid reports Downing Street wants to start sending locked-down children to class as early as next month.
Boris Johnson’s blueprint for unlocking the UK includes hopes of putting teachers on three weeks’ notice to reopen primary schools on 1 June, according to the Telegraph.
Year 10 and Year 12 pupils are then expected to form the first wave of secondary pupils returning to school at a later point if it can be shown such a move would be unlikely to provoke a second peak in the Covid-19 pandemic.
It is said the earliest possible return of primary school children is intended to minimise the threat to “early years development” and help parents return to work.
But the Welsh Government tweeted that it would make its own announcement, saying: “The Welsh Education Minister will announce when Welsh schools will reopen, not the UK Government.”
Wales could diverge
Mark Drakeford, First Minister of Wales, told The Andrew Marr Show on Sunday that his “strong preference” was for there to be an agreement on a “common set of measures right across the UK” so the country could leave the lockdown on the same day.
But he added: “We are preparing of course in Wales to make sure that when the time comes that it’s right to reopen our schools. We have a way of doing it – as we begin to increase the routine activity that the health service can carry out, we’ve got a plan for that.”
However, hinting that a June start date may also be favourable in Wales, he suggested Wales in a unique position due to the Welsh language.
He said: “Our advice from the trades union and from the local education authorities is that it will need three weeks as a minimum from the point that we decide to do that when schools can reopen, so we are talking about the beginning of June there.
“We’ve a bilingual education system here in Wales. Children who are learning through the medium of Welsh and who may not have Welsh spoken at home. Do we need to get those children back into education sooner? Those are the sort of things that we are working on at the moment.”
‘Only when it is safe to do so’
A Welsh Government spokeswoman said: “Decisions on the next phase for schools in Wales will be made by the Welsh Education Minister, and will only start when it is safe to do so. There are five key principles for our decision on the next phase, including the confidence of parents, teacher and pupils, and sufficient time to plan ahead.
“Any updates will come direct from the Education Minister and the Welsh Government, not through anonymous briefings. This is too serious a matter for that.”


inews--2020-05-03--Coronavirus latest: Britain's lack of preparedness for tackling Covid-19 crisis linked to austerity,

Coronavirus latest: Britain's lack of preparedness for tackling Covid-19 crisis linked to austerity, health expert says

Coronavirus latest : Britain 's lack of preparedness for tackling Covid-19 crisis linked to austerity , health expert says Sir Michael Marmont blamed a lack of financial support for the health and social care systems during the 2010s for the issues facing the UK The UK 's `` lack of preparedness '' for the coronavirus pandemic is directly linked to a decade of stringent austerity measures , the chairman of a Government-commissioned review into health inequalities has said .
Professor Sir Michael Marmot , director of University College London 's Institute of Health Equity , said that the lack of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ social care systems during the 2010s is partly to blame for the overwhelming issues now facing the country .
Asked on BBC Radio 4 's World This Weekend whether it was possible to connect austerity in the 2010s with the public health response to the Covid-19 crisis , Sir Michael said : “ I think there is .
`` We 're terribly worried about the health of workers in social care .
The reduction in adult social care spending over the last decade was 7 per cent in real terms .
But in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ areas the reduction was 16 per cent .
In the least deprived 20 per cent the reduction was 3 per cent . ''
'Clear line ' between austerity and lack of preparedness The professor continued : `` We 're wringing our hands about how awful it is in social care - we just have n't been spending - in fact doing the opposite .
`` So there 's a clear line between our lack of preparedness in the healthcare system , in the social care system and in community resources more generally - @ @ @ @ @ @ @ sector - a clear line between austerity and our lack of preparedness to cope with this pandemic . ''
Sir Michael went on to say that rather than being “ the great leveller ” , as some have described the coronavirus pandemic , he believed it had instead exposed “ underlying health inequalities ” and amplified them .
The lockdown restrictions also demonstrated the `` opposite of affecting people equally '' , he added , as he compared a family in a comfortable home with plenty of garden space to a family of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in London .
His comments followed a report by the Office for National Statistics ( ONS ) that found that people living in the most deprived areas of England have experienced coronavirus mortality rates more than double those living in the least deprived areas .
For those deaths involving Covid-19 that took place between March 1 and April 17 , the mortality rate in the most deprived areas was 55.1 deaths per 100,000 population .

The UK’s “lack of preparedness” for the coronavirus pandemic is directly linked to a decade of stringent austerity measures, the chairman of a Government-commissioned review into health inequalities has said.
Professor Sir Michael Marmot, director of University College London’s Institute of Health Equity, said that the lack of financial support given to the health and social care systems during the 2010s is partly to blame for the overwhelming issues now facing the country.
Asked on BBC Radio 4’s World This Weekend whether it was possible to connect austerity in the 2010s with the public health response to the Covid-19 crisis, Sir Michael said: “I think there is.
“We’re terribly worried about the health of workers in social care. The reduction in adult social care spending over the last decade was 7 per cent in real terms. But in the most deprived 20 per cent of areas the reduction was 16 per cent. In the least deprived 20 per cent the reduction was 3 per cent.”
‘Clear line’ between austerity and lack of preparedness
The professor continued: “We’re wringing our hands about how awful it is in social care – we just haven’t been spending – in fact doing the opposite.
“So there’s a clear line between our lack of preparedness in the healthcare system, in the social care system and in community resources more generally – the decline of support for the voluntary sector – a clear line between austerity and our lack of preparedness to cope with this pandemic.”
Sir Michael went on to say that rather than being “the great leveller”, as some have described the coronavirus pandemic, he believed it had instead exposed “underlying health inequalities” and amplified them.
The lockdown restrictions also demonstrated the “opposite of affecting people equally”, he added, as he compared a family in a comfortable home with plenty of garden space to a family of five in a tiny high rise flat in London.
Increased mortality
His comments followed a report by the Office for National Statistics (ONS) that found that people living in the most deprived areas of England have experienced coronavirus mortality rates more than double those living in the least deprived areas.
For those deaths involving Covid-19 that took place between March 1 and April 17, the mortality rate in the most deprived areas was 55.1 deaths per 100,000 population.
By contrast, the rate was 25.3 deaths per 100,000 in the least deprived areas.
Additional reporting by Press Association


inews--2020-05-03--Coronavirus lockdown has reduced the UK's daily CO2 emissions by more than a third

Coronavirus lockdown has reduced the UK 's daily CO2 emissions by more than a third Exclusive : Emissions are down 36 per cent due to the lockdown , according to a new analysis The UK has reduced carbon emissions by more than a third during the coronavirus as the grounding of aircraft and less power generation has produced the silver lining of cleaner air across the nation .
An analysis of energy usage from leading consultancy firm Sia Partners found daily CO2 emissions reduced by 36 per cent in the UK as the lockdown resulted in reduced economic activity and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ as transport , power generation , and manufacturing .
The data , which covers the period since the UK lockdown began on 23 March up until the end of April , shows that six days of lockdown has suppressed the equivalent of the whole domestic aviation sector emissions for one year .
However , while the research shows the environmental benefits of the lockdown would result in an 8 per cent annual drop in carbon emissions Sia Partners warns then end of the strict lockdown conditions expected later this week could lead to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ out as people flock to their cars and avoid public transport .
Air travel is down 90 percent from pre-lockdown levels ( Photo by Dan Kitwood/Getty Images ) Chloé Depigny , a senior manager at Sia Partners , said : `` While these figures are encouraging , the fear is that people will be reluctant to return to public transport and instead will use private cars as they try to protect themselves from Covid-19 .
`` This could actually mean that when the UK comes out of lockdown that emissions will rise beyond @ @ @ @ @ @ @ reduction on an annual basis we 've seen so far is wiped out . ''
Ms Depigny also pointed out that the UK ’ s fall in emissions has been less than across the rest of Europe .
The equivalent data for the EU27 showed a 58 per cent fall in daily CO2 emissions as countries such as France , Germany , Italy and Spain imposed even stricter lockdown conditions to suppress the spread of Covid-19 .
`` The reason the UK has not seen as much of a reduction in carbon emissions @ @ @ @ @ @ @ lockdown has not been as severe here as in countries such as France , Italy and Spain , ” added Ms Depigny .
The almost empty M1 during lockdown ( Photo by OLI SCARFF/AFP via Getty Images ) “ It may feel like we 're restricted here , but it has been far more strict in some European countries , which also have a less carbon intensive electricity system . ''
The health crisis has boosted energy production levels from clean energy generation with wind and solar accounting for 27 per cent of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ during April , compared to 22 per cent a year earlier .
According to National Grid ’ s most optimistic scenarios , this increase would have taken two to seven years without the lockdown .
However , much of the increase is down to less generation from polluting sources rather than a large increase in renewable energy production .
Ms Depigny said : `` While it appears wind and solar energy has gone up , that 's actually because overall energy production has reduced .
Wind and solar accounted for 27 % of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ but they have n't produced significantly more energy than usual .
They 've produced a similar amount as other more traditional forms of energy production such as coal have fallen significantly . ''

The UK has reduced carbon emissions by more than a third during the coronavirus as the grounding of aircraft and less power generation has produced the silver lining of cleaner air across the nation.
An analysis of energy usage from leading consultancy firm Sia Partners found daily CO2 emissions reduced by 36 per cent in the UK as the lockdown resulted in reduced economic activity and big falls in large carbon-emitting sectors such as transport, power generation, and manufacturing.
The data, which covers the period since the UK lockdown began on 23 March up until the end of April, shows that six days of lockdown has suppressed the equivalent of the whole domestic aviation sector emissions for one year.
The biggest impact has been on the transport sector, where emissions from air travel are down 90 per cent.
Passenger vehicles – including motorcycles and buses – have seen a 60 per cent drop in emissions as a result of travel restrictions and fewer people commuting to work.
Transport is usually the primary source of carbon in the UK, accounting for over a third of national emissions.
Under lockdown, it is only the third largest contributor, behind residential and energy supply.
Short lived decrease
However, while the research shows the environmental benefits of the lockdown would result in an 8 per cent annual drop in carbon emissions Sia Partners warns then end of the strict lockdown conditions expected later this week could lead to those improvements to air quality being wiped out as people flock to their cars and avoid public transport.
Chloé Depigny, a senior manager at Sia Partners, said: “While these figures are encouraging, the fear is that people will be reluctant to return to public transport and instead will use private cars as they try to protect themselves from Covid-19.
“This could actually mean that when the UK comes out of lockdown that emissions will rise beyond previous levels and the 8 per cent reduction on an annual basis we’ve seen so far is wiped out.”
Ms Depigny also pointed out that the UK’s fall in emissions has been less than across the rest of Europe.
The equivalent data for the EU27 showed a 58 per cent fall in daily CO2 emissions as countries such as France, Germany, Italy and Spain imposed even stricter lockdown conditions to suppress the spread of Covid-19.
“The reason the UK has not seen as much of a reduction in carbon emissions as the EU 27 is that the lockdown has not been as severe here as in countries such as France, Italy and Spain,” added Ms Depigny.
“It may feel like we’re restricted here, but it has been far more strict in some European countries, which also have a less carbon intensive electricity system.”
Clean energy generation
The health crisis has boosted energy production levels from clean energy generation with wind and solar accounting for 27 per cent of the total electricity generated in the UK during April, compared to 22 per cent a year earlier.
According to National Grid’s most optimistic scenarios, this increase would have taken two to seven years without the lockdown. However, much of the increase is down to less generation from polluting sources rather than a large increase in renewable energy production.
Ms Depigny said: “While it appears wind and solar energy has gone up, that’s actually because overall energy production has reduced. Wind and solar accounted for 27% of all electricity generation in April 2020, but they haven’t produced significantly more energy than usual. They’ve produced a similar amount as other more traditional forms of energy production such as coal have fallen significantly.”


inews--2020-05-03--Coronavirus latest: What may be in Boris Johnson's 'routemap' out of the Covid-19 lockdown

Coronavirus latest : What may be in Boris Johnson 's 'routemap ' out of the Covid-19 lockdown Picnics , pothole repairs and alternating school days could be permitted - but office workers are unlikely to return for months On Thursday , Boris Johnson will reveal his blueprint for easing the nationwide restrictions brought in almost overnight in late March in a bid to slow the spread of the Covid-19 outbreak .
A great deal of speculation has surrounded the Prime Minister ’ s “ roadmap ” out of the lockdown , with the Government itself responsible for flying several of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ s reaction to different measures .
Rumours have been circling for weeks that schools could be due to reopen , with the latest date suggesting classes will start , for some , in June .
Ministers have said any reopening of schools will come in a “ phased manner ” with primary schools increasingly looking likely to begin admitting pupils first .
Ofsted chief Amanda Spielman said ideas around “ rotating ” days for classes and year groups could be introduced as it has in other countries to help with social distancing @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a minimum of three weeks to start planning for a return .
A major difficulty for encouraging people to return to work will be ensuring public transport is safe to use .
Transport Secretary Grant Shapps said employers will be asked to introduce shift patterns to reduce pressure on transport at peak times .
One way systems on buses and trains will be introduced , social distancing spacing will be marked on platforms and bus stops and more hand sanitisers installed .
Mr Shapps is also expected to urge commuters to walk or @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ease capacity on transport .
The Government is “ actively looking at ” quarantining people travelling to the UK from abroad to keep coronavirus infection rates under control .
Thermal screening of passengers could also be used at the border under plans being considered .
Travellers into the UK are also likely to be told to download the NHS tracing app , that will alert people if they have come into contact with someone who is infected .
While the UK as a whole is likely to lift the lockdown in certain areas @ @ @ @ @ @ @ at the possibility of imposing more stringent social distancing measures on certain sectors , such as prisons , care homes or whole towns if the rate of infection begins to creep up .
This will mean the economy will take less of a hit by allowing other parts of the country to continue to operate more freely .
Ministers are eager to get construction sites operating again , as they believe outdoor working poses less of a risk for transmitting the disease .
The Government urged construction sites to continue to remain open @ @ @ @ @ @ @ The Prime Minister believes work on railways and potholes in roads could be carried out quickly while passenger numbers are low .
Office spaces are likely to to be closed for months to come , as the Government will urge all those who can work from home to continue to do so .
But warehouses and non-food factories are expected to reopen .
When offices do return , it is likely employers will be asked to place their workforce in alternating groups to work from home one day , and in the office @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the last to reopen as entertainment venues are seen to be toward the bottom of the list in terms of priorities due to the difficulties of allowing social interaction without raising the risk of infection .
People are expected to be allowed out of the house more often than just once a day for exercise and recreation .
Picnics will be permitted as well as car trips to the countryside , but beaches and playgrounds are expected to remain closed .

On Thursday, Boris Johnson will reveal his blueprint for easing the nationwide restrictions brought in almost overnight in late March in a bid to slow the spread of the Covid-19 outbreak.
A great deal of speculation has surrounded the Prime Minister’s “roadmap” out of the lockdown, with the Government itself responsible for flying several of its own kites to gauge the public’s reaction to different measures.
Here, i looks at what ministers’ latest thinking on loosening its measures includes:
Schools
Rumours have been circling for weeks that schools could be due to reopen, with the latest date suggesting classes will start, for some, in June. Ministers have said any reopening of schools will come in a “phased manner” with primary schools increasingly looking likely to begin admitting pupils first. Ofsted chief Amanda Spielman said ideas around “rotating” days for classes and year groups could be introduced as it has in other countries to help with social distancing measures. Schools believe they will require a minimum of three weeks to start planning for a return.
Public transport
A major difficulty for encouraging people to return to work will be ensuring public transport is safe to use. Transport Secretary Grant Shapps said employers will be asked to introduce shift patterns to reduce pressure on transport at peak times. One way systems on buses and trains will be introduced, social distancing spacing will be marked on platforms and bus stops and more hand sanitisers installed. Mr Shapps is also expected to urge commuters to walk or cycle to work if possible to help ease capacity on transport.
Borders
The Government is “actively looking at” quarantining people travelling to the UK from abroad to keep coronavirus infection rates under control. Thermal screening of passengers could also be used at the border under plans being considered. Travellers into the UK are also likely to be told to download the NHS tracing app, that will alert people if they have come into contact with someone who is infected.
Local lockdowns
While the UK as a whole is likely to lift the lockdown in certain areas, the Government is continuing to look at the possibility of imposing more stringent social distancing measures on certain sectors, such as prisons, care homes or whole towns if the rate of infection begins to creep up. This will mean the economy will take less of a hit by allowing other parts of the country to continue to operate more freely.
Outdoor working
Ministers are eager to get construction sites operating again, as they believe outdoor working poses less of a risk for transmitting the disease. The Government urged construction sites to continue to remain open despite external pressure and public opinion. The Prime Minister believes work on railways and potholes in roads could be carried out quickly while passenger numbers are low.
Offices
Office spaces are likely to to be closed for months to come, as the Government will urge all those who can work from home to continue to do so. But warehouses and non-food factories are expected to reopen. When offices do return, it is likely employers will be asked to place their workforce in alternating groups to work from home one day, and in the office then next.
Pubs, restaurants and bars
These will be among the last to reopen as entertainment venues are seen to be toward the bottom of the list in terms of priorities due to the difficulties of allowing social interaction without raising the risk of infection.
Outdoor activities
People are expected to be allowed out of the house more often than just once a day for exercise and recreation. Picnics will be permitted as well as car trips to the countryside, but beaches and playgrounds are expected to remain closed.


inews--2020-05-03--Fewer people would have died if the UK carried out more coronavirus tests, Grant Shapps admits

Fewer people would have died if the UK carried out more coronavirus tests , Grant Shapps admits Transport Secretary Grant Shapps said 'many things ' could have been different if the UK 's testing capacity was higher Transport Secretary Grant Shapps said `` many things '' could have been different if the UK 's testing capacity was above 100,000 before Covid-19 spread in the country .
More than 28,000 people have now died after testing positive for the virus in the UK .
The government had been criticised for is lack of testing capacity , before the number of daily @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the end of April .
Deaths could have been prevented with more testing , the minister said ( Photo : Getty ) In an interview with BBC One 's The Andrew Marr Show , Mr Shapps was asked whether fewer people would have died if testing capacity had been greater sooner .
He replied : `` Yes .
If we had had 100,000 test capacity before this thing started and the knowledge that we now have retrospectively , I 'm sure many things could be different .
`` The fact of the matter @ @ @ @ @ @ @ had - although we 're very big in pharmaceuticals as a country - we 're not a country that had very large test capacity . ''
The minister also revealed that he was `` actively looking at '' quarantining people travelling to Britain from abroad to keep coronavirus infection rates under control .
The figure is equivalent to one sixth of overall deaths figures , which Mr Hancock said is similar to normal times .
However the overall number of deaths is significantly up on previous years .
The addition of deaths outside @ @ @ @ @ @ @ by 17 per cent , making it one of the highest number of fatalities of any country .
However the true scale of coronavirus deaths is likely to higher , as many care homes have been unable to access tests for residents .
The Prime Minister has pledged to set out a `` comprehensive plan '' on how the current lockdown may be eased on Thursday , when the Government must legally review the measures .
Speaking on Sky 's Sophy Ridge On Sunday , he said : `` I do n't think @ @ @ @ @ @ @ this situation that we have at the moment of social distancing back to where we were in February - that 's clearly not going to happen and I do n't think anyone imagines that for one moment .
`` The most important thing is that the absolute focus of what the Prime Minister will be announcing later in the week is that what we do do going forward does n't undo the brilliant work people have been doing to get that R number below 1 - the all-critical reproduction rate does n't come @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 'd see a second spike .
`` So , no , I 'm afraid it is definitely not going to be business as usual but we do want to make sure that people understand where the routemap lies . ''

Fewer Britons would have died from coronavirus if more tests had been available earlier, a Cabinet minister has admitted.
Transport Secretary Grant Shapps said “many things” could have been different if the UK’s testing capacity was above 100,000 before Covid-19 spread in the country. More than 28,000 people have now died after testing positive for the virus in the UK.
The government had been criticised for is lack of testing capacity, before the number of daily tests being carried out rose significantly by the end of April.
He also warned life would not return to “business as usual” when Boris Johnson sets out his exit strategy.
Coronavirus deaths
In an interview with BBC One’s The Andrew Marr Show, Mr Shapps was asked whether fewer people would have died if testing capacity had been greater sooner.
He replied: “Yes. If we had had 100,000 test capacity before this thing started and the knowledge that we now have retrospectively, I’m sure many things could be different.
“The fact of the matter is this is not a country that had – although we’re very big in pharmaceuticals as a country – we’re not a country that had very large test capacity.”
The minister also revealed that he was “actively looking at” quarantining people travelling to Britain from abroad to keep coronavirus infection rates under control.
High death rate
Matt Hancock, the Health Secretary, revealed earlier this week statistics from the Office for National Statistics’ (ONS) and Care Quality Commission’s (CQC) which showed that 4,343 notified deaths in care homes since Easter.
The figure is equivalent to one sixth of overall deaths figures, which Mr Hancock said is similar to normal times. However the overall number of deaths is significantly up on previous years.
The addition of deaths outside of hospital increased the UK’s total by 17 per cent, making it one of the highest number of fatalities of any country.
However the true scale of coronavirus deaths is likely to higher, as many care homes have been unable to access tests for residents.
Life won’t return to normal
The Prime Minister has pledged to set out a “comprehensive plan” on how the current lockdown may be eased on Thursday, when the Government must legally review the measures.
Mr Shapps cautioned that life would not return to how it was in February, before the social distancing measures were introduced.
Speaking on Sky’s Sophy Ridge On Sunday, he said: “I don’t think we should expect us to go from this situation that we have at the moment of social distancing back to where we were in February – that’s clearly not going to happen and I don’t think anyone imagines that for one moment.
“The most important thing is that the absolute focus of what the Prime Minister will be announcing later in the week is that what we do do going forward doesn’t undo the brilliant work people have been doing to get that R number below 1 – the all-critical reproduction rate doesn’t come back up because that’s when we’d see a second spike.
“So, no, I’m afraid it is definitely not going to be business as usual but we do want to make sure that people understand where the routemap lies.”


inews--2020-05-03--Tony Allen was a generous, irreverent genius- working with him was extraordinary

Tony Allen was a generous , irreverent genius- working with him was extraordinary Few other mortals shared such intuitive talent .
He made drumming look effortless as he slid into his seat with a smile The pair had joined together again to record a song by the Togolese singer Bella Bellow , a star in the Sixties who died early in a car crash .
“ I hope to spread a little sweetness in this world , ’ wrote Audrey .
By the time I replied to say thanks for sending the gorgeous song , she had just heard of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ I learned the 79-year-old had been full of beans that day , discussing plans with his manager , before collapsing at his Paris home .
He was rushed to hospital , but died almost instantly .
“ I can ’ t process it – always so full of life and lovely mischief , ” texted Audrey , who performs as Ysee .
Nigerian drummer Tony Allen appears on the Park stage on the final day of the Glastonbury festival ( Photo : LEON NEAL/AFP via Getty ) It feels wrong that Tony Allen @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , so steady , both in music and in life .
Tributes have poured in to a man recognised as the finest drummer of our lifetime , who has worked with so many great musicians since he helped Fela Kuti create Afrobeat half a century ago .
Fela was the star , the singer , the rebel challenging military dictatorship – but it was Tony who gave their music such infectious groove , fusing Yoruba rhythms of his childhood with the jazz he heard on Forces Radio .
“ How come you are @ @ @ @ @ @ @ like this – jazz and highlife ?
” asked Fela famously .
It is impossible to underplay their impact .
Fela became a superstar , his furious lyrics reflecting the mood of many Africans as the optimism of independence was crushed by corruption and dictatorship .
Their sounds were so futuristic Brian Eno said they changed his understanding of music while Paul McCartney went to worship at the iconic Shrine nightclub in Lagos after the Beatles split .
Now listen again to those incendiary tracks from the Seventies – then to Tony ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ his tracks with Damon Albarn in The Good , The Bad & The Queen or one just released by Gorillaz .
The flowing drum patterns feel so familiar , so forceful and yet so languid , so lithe , despite the intensity of the shuffling groove .
Always instantly recognisable .
Tony was a fixture in Africa Express – the music project I founded with Damon and others to promote collaboration across borders , genres and generations .
We have been privileged to work with some of the world ’ s best-known musicians @ @ @ @ @ @ @ see how other artists often felt such awe towards this diminutive character in his seventies .
At one show in Liverpool the drummer in a well-known indie band even asked if it would be all right to talk to him about their art .
Flea from the Red Hot Chilli Peppers came to Lagos largely to play with him at the Shrine.Perhaps our idea of gathering talent and dispensing with usual touring formalities suited him .
“ Why do we need to soundcheck when we ’ ve already rehearsed , ” he would @ @ @ @ @ @ @ with his trademark glass of “ yellow water ” and a spliff .
Yet few other mortals shared such intuitive talent .
He made drumming look effortless as he slid into his seat with a smile .
He played gently , stroking rather than bashing his kit – a legacy of hours performing songs lasting maybe 20 minutes with Fela that would have exhausted more celebrated rock drummers .
Tony told me once a drummer must use all four limbs , although such was his subtle dexterity you might have sworn he had @ @ @ @ @ @ @ movement was imperceptible , ” reflected the producer Nick Gold .
'Tony Allen played gently , stroking rather than bashing his kit ' Turin , Italy .
( Photo : Giorgio Perottino/Getty for OGR ) Two things stood out beyond genius .
The first was irreverence .
“ The world is less fun without him , ” said Eric Trosset , his friend and manager for more than two decades .
This joie de vivre could be seen sometimes on stage , when he might test others by taking music into unexpected new @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the scenes ; on a trip to Kinshasa he offered to sort my meal in a restaurant and I ended up with a dish of fried grubs to his amusement .
Later we smirked like school kids as a hungry British guitarist grabbed a handful of street food on his way to perform , then found his mouth filled with chicken bones during a long song .
The second was generosity .
A fellow drummer called Pauli the PSM tells of banging away during our first Africa Express gig , a private event @ @ @ @ @ @ @ pub in 2006 .
“ I felt this presence behind me .
I tried to ignore him but he was getting closer and closer until he pretty much took the sticks right out of my hands .
That ’ s when I realised who it was.
” Tony displayed his usual hypnotic tricks and the place rocked .
“ That ’ s how you play the drums , my boy ” he said afterwards – then invited Pauli to watch him at a club the next week .
Halfway through the show , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the future of drumming ” , then went on to mentor the younger artist .
Tony was always happy to work with other genuine musical adventurers .
In many ways he epitomised much that we sought to achieve with Africa Express .
Certainly I will never forget his arrival during the first public show – a five-hour set headlining the Park Stage at Glastonbury –that followed months of planning and many sleepless nights .
When Norman Cook span “ Zombie ” , one of the greatest tracks by Fela , then Tony strolled @ @ @ @ @ @ @ original track , it felt like our crazy idea of spontaneous collaboration might just work – especially when Damon and Baaba Maal joined in on the chorus .

Last Thursday I received an email from Audrey Gbaguidi, a singer whom I have known for almost a decade. She was touring as one of Noel Gallagher’s High Flying Birds before the pandemic throttled the live music industry, but I first met her working with the legendary drummer Tony Allen.
The pair had joined together again to record a song by the Togolese singer Bella Bellow, a star in the Sixties who died early in a car crash. “I hope to spread a little sweetness in this world,’ wrote Audrey. By the time I replied to say thanks for sending the gorgeous song, she had just heard of Tony’s own death. Later I learned the 79-year-old had been full of beans that day, discussing plans with his manager, before collapsing at his Paris home. He was rushed to hospital, but died almost instantly. “I can’t process it – always so full of life and lovely mischief,” texted Audrey, who performs as Ysee.
It feels wrong that Tony Allen has gone. He seemed so permanent, so steady, both in music and in life. Tributes have poured in to a man recognised as the finest drummer of our lifetime, who has worked with so many great musicians since he helped Fela Kuti create Afrobeat half a century ago. Fela was the star, the singer, the rebel challenging military dictatorship – but it was Tony who gave their music such infectious groove, fusing Yoruba rhythms of his childhood with the jazz he heard on Forces Radio. “How come you are the only guy in Nigeria who plays like this – jazz and highlife?” asked Fela famously. It is impossible to underplay their impact.
Fela became a superstar, his furious lyrics reflecting the mood of many Africans as the optimism of independence was crushed by corruption and dictatorship. Their sounds were so futuristic Brian Eno said they changed his understanding of music while Paul McCartney went to worship at the iconic Shrine nightclub in Lagos after the Beatles split.
Now listen again to those incendiary tracks from the Seventies – then to Tony’s more recent work, such as his tracks with Damon Albarn in The Good, The Bad & The Queen or one just released by Gorillaz. The flowing drum patterns feel so familiar, so forceful and yet so languid, so lithe, despite the intensity of the shuffling groove. Always instantly recognisable.
Tony was a fixture in Africa Express – the music project I founded with Damon and others to promote collaboration across borders, genres and generations. We have been privileged to work with some of the world’s best-known musicians, yet I was always struck to see how other artists often felt such awe towards this diminutive character in his seventies. At one show in Liverpool the drummer in a well-known indie band even asked if it would be all right to talk to him about their art. Flea from the Red Hot Chilli Peppers came to Lagos largely to play with him at the Shrine.
Perhaps our idea of gathering talent and dispensing with usual touring formalities suited him.
“Why do we need to soundcheck when we’ve already rehearsed,” he would ask when touring with bands, sitting with his trademark glass of “yellow water” and a spliff. Yet few other mortals shared such intuitive talent. He made drumming look effortless as he slid into his seat with a smile.
He played gently, stroking rather than bashing his kit – a legacy of hours performing songs lasting maybe 20 minutes with Fela that would have exhausted more celebrated rock drummers. Tony told me once a drummer must use all four limbs, although such was his subtle dexterity you might have sworn he had extra arms and legs. “His movement was imperceptible,” reflected the producer Nick Gold.
Two things stood out beyond genius. The first was irreverence. “The world is less fun without him,” said Eric Trosset, his friend and manager for more than two decades. This joie de vivre could be seen sometimes on stage, when he might test others by taking music into unexpected new directions. It was certainly seen behind the scenes; on a trip to Kinshasa he offered to sort my meal in a restaurant and I ended up with a dish of fried grubs to his amusement. Later we smirked like school kids as a hungry British guitarist grabbed a handful of street food on his way to perform, then found his mouth filled with chicken bones during a long song.
The second was generosity. A fellow drummer called Pauli the PSM tells of banging away during our first Africa Express gig, a private event to test the concept at a Brixton pub in 2006. “I felt this presence behind me. I tried to ignore him but he was getting closer and closer until he pretty much took the sticks right out of my hands. That’s when I realised who it was.” Tony displayed his usual hypnotic tricks and the place rocked.
“That’s how you play the drums, my boy” he said afterwards – then invited Pauli to watch him at a club the next week. Halfway through the show, he summoned Pauli on stage as “the future of drumming”, then went on to mentor the younger artist. Tony was always happy to work with other genuine musical adventurers. In many ways he epitomised much that we sought to achieve with Africa Express.
Certainly I will never forget his arrival during the first public show – a five-hour set headlining the Park Stage at Glastonbury –that followed months of planning and many sleepless nights. When Norman Cook span “Zombie”, one of the greatest tracks by Fela, then Tony strolled on stage to play drums over the original track, it felt like our crazy idea of spontaneous collaboration might just work – especially when Damon and Baaba Maal joined in on the chorus.
He was, as ever throughout his extraordinary life, beat-perfect.


inews--2020-05-03--UK unity on coronavirus under threat as Scotland sends different messages on lockdown

UK unity on coronavirus under threat as Scotland sends different messages on lockdown Boris Johnson 's Government has been working closely with the devolved administrations on how to stop the spread of Covid-19 , and the four nations of the United Kingdom have maintained almost identical lockdown rules throughout , despite health being a devolved policy area .
UK Government insiders praise Nicola Sturgeon and the other leaders for putting politics aside at Cobra meetings and working constructively across party lines .
But they have accused the First Minister of spreading mixed messages in public , accusing her of trying @ @ @ @ @ @ @ senior Conservatives claim the response to the crisis shows `` the benefits of the Union '' .
The entire UK entered lockdown at the same time , but Ms Sturgeon and the First Ministers of Wales and Northern Ireland have reserved the right to alter the current rules at different times to England if they choose .
On Sunday , the Scottish leader hit out at claims that ministers in Westminster were planning for schools to return in June , saying : `` The Scottish Government - in discussion with local authorities - @ @ @ @ @ @ @ schools . ''
Ms Sturgeon also recommended the wearing of face masks in public a week before Mr Johnson followed suit , while the Scottish Government has told construction sites to close even as builders in England are advised to continue working as long as they can stay two metres apart .
Nicola Sturgeon says she is acting in Scotland 's best interests ( Photo : Getty Images ) On other occasions , the First Minister has used her lunchtime press conference to provide lockdown updates which were due to be announced by @ @ @ @ @ @ @ later the same day .
Ms Sturgeon argues that because health policy is devolved , she has a duty to provide the Scottish public with the most up-to-date information possible .
A No 10 source told i : `` On the substance we 've been very aligned .
But there 's been some difference on messaging - things like Nicola Sturgeon making the announcement on schools a few hours early show that there is politics .
She 's a nationalist who wants to break up the United Kingdom , and it would be @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that lens when they act . ''
One Scottish Conservative insider insisted that the collaboration of the various governments `` has shown the devolution settlement is working and proves the benefits of the Union '' , adding : `` The UK Government provides the resources and the Scottish Government is responsible for delivery . ''
A Whitehall source said : `` In terms of the big picture , the Scottish and UK Governments have remained very aligned on all the big issues .
That should n't be a surprise , we are following @ @ @ @ @ @ @ source warned that if the messaging diverges on different sides of the border the public risks being confused , and claimed Scottish ministers `` have n't really explained why building sites have been closed down '' .
Holyrood insiders believe one reason Ms Sturgeon has been able to make announcements earlier than ministers in Westminster is because of her top-down leadership style , with few high-profile figures sitting in her Cabinet who need to be consulted on big decisions .
Defending her approach , the First Minister said on Friday : `` My @ @ @ @ @ @ @ think are right for Scotland , and part of that judgement , given the nature of a virus , is to try to align our actions as much as we can with the other governments across these islands . ''

The UK’s “four-nation” approach to tackling coronavirus is at risk of splintering, with Westminster officials increasingly frustrated at differences in public messaging between England and Scotland.
Boris Johnson’s Government has been working closely with the devolved administrations on how to stop the spread of Covid-19, and the four nations of the United Kingdom have maintained almost identical lockdown rules throughout, despite health being a devolved policy area.
UK Government insiders praise Nicola Sturgeon and the other leaders for putting politics aside at Cobra meetings and working constructively across party lines. But they have accused the First Minister of spreading mixed messages in public, accusing her of trying to promote a nationalist agenda – while senior Conservatives claim the response to the crisis shows “the benefits of the Union”.
The entire UK entered lockdown at the same time, but Ms Sturgeon and the First Ministers of Wales and Northern Ireland have reserved the right to alter the current rules at different times to England if they choose.
Devolved decisions
On Sunday, the Scottish leader hit out at claims that ministers in Westminster were planning for schools to return in June, saying: “The Scottish Government – in discussion with local authorities – will decide a safe timetable for re-opening schools.”
Ms Sturgeon also recommended the wearing of face masks in public a week before Mr Johnson followed suit, while the Scottish Government has told construction sites to close even as builders in England are advised to continue working as long as they can stay two metres apart.
On other occasions, the First Minister has used her lunchtime press conference to provide lockdown updates which were due to be announced by Downing Street at its own public address later the same day. Ms Sturgeon argues that because health policy is devolved, she has a duty to provide the Scottish public with the most up-to-date information possible.
A No 10 source told i: “On the substance we’ve been very aligned. But there’s been some difference on messaging – things like Nicola Sturgeon making the announcement on schools a few hours early show that there is politics. She’s a nationalist who wants to break up the United Kingdom, and it would be naive to say they’re not considering that lens when they act.”
Divided approach
One Scottish Conservative insider insisted that the collaboration of the various governments “has shown the devolution settlement is working and proves the benefits of the Union”, adding: “The UK Government provides the resources and the Scottish Government is responsible for delivery.”
A Whitehall source said: “In terms of the big picture, the Scottish and UK Governments have remained very aligned on all the big issues. That shouldn’t be a surprise, we are following the same science.” But the source warned that if the messaging diverges on different sides of the border the public risks being confused, and claimed Scottish ministers “haven’t really explained why building sites have been closed down”.
Holyrood insiders believe one reason Ms Sturgeon has been able to make announcements earlier than ministers in Westminster is because of her top-down leadership style, with few high-profile figures sitting in her Cabinet who need to be consulted on big decisions.
Defending her approach, the First Minister said on Friday: “My job is to make the judgements I think are right for Scotland, and part of that judgement, given the nature of a virus, is to try to align our actions as much as we can with the other governments across these islands.”
In recent days both Ms Sturgeon and Jason Leitch, Scotland’s national clinical director, have criticised the Prime Minister for announcing that the UK is past the peak of the Covid-19 outbreak.


inews--2020-05-03--Coronavirus in the UK: Ofsted chief Amanda Spielman calls for primary schools to reopen 'as soon as

Coronavirus in the UK: Ofsted chief Amanda Spielman calls for primary schools to reopen 'as soon as possible'

Coronavirus in the UK : Ofsted chief Amanda Spielman calls for primary schools to reopen 'as soon as possible' Amanda Spielman admitted it was up to health experts to determine exactly when it was safe to send kids back into classrooms Ofsted 's chief inspector believes that the interests of the nation 's youngest children would be best served by allowing them to return to school “ as soon as possible ” .
Amanda Spielman said that there was a “ great deal of logic ” in reopening educational institutions to get children back into the strong routine they need @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and oversight ” the classroom provides them .
`` We know that making normality for children is really important , the younger the children , the more they need that simple structured routine where they understand what 's happening .
`` It 's hard for them to go to school one day and then not for another two weeks .
So I entirely recognise and see the logic of this .
`` I also think there 's a logic from the point of view of parents .
The youngest children are the ones @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
`` It 's hardest for parents to work and do all the other things they need to do if they 're also looking after perhaps several young children at the same time and trying to make sure they work through schoolwork remotely .
`` If you look at the interests of children , it 's very clear that their interests are best served , in the vast majority of cases , by being back at school as soon as possible . ''
However , Ms Spielman admitted that it was up to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ it is safe for children to go back to school and how the return should be organised .
The idea of a reopening schools is being discussed by the Government , she added .
Ms Spielman said it is right that Ofsted is not inspecting the education schools are currently offering , saying the `` vast majority '' are putting in effort to provide online classes , resources and learning packs for their pupils to study at home and that it would be `` wrong '' to judge that `` in the absence @ @ @ @ @ @ @ also added that it was difficult to determine just how far children have fallen behind in their educations during the lockdown period , where many have been home schooled by their parents based on work set by their teachers .
He said that delays to primary schooling have likely had an “ enormous effect ” on the development of children , adding that he supported the reopenning of early years and primary schools as soon as it is possible to do so .
'As soon as science allows' '' I understand there are @ @ @ @ @ @ @ people want to make sure we look after the health of themselves and their families , ” Mr Halfon said .
`` Instead the Government should be providing evidence about how this can be safe , how many more fatalities would we expect to see amongst school staff and parents and how these can be prevented or minimised , '' he said .

Ofsted’s chief inspector believes that the interests of the nation’s youngest children would be best served by allowing them to return to school “as soon as possible”.
Amanda Spielman said that there was a “great deal of logic” in reopening educational institutions to get children back into the strong routine they need and ensure they receive the “care and oversight” the classroom provides them.
However, she admitted there was no single “no-brainer answer” of how to enact such a plan.
Speaking during an appearance on Sky News’ Sophy Ridge on Sunday, the chief inspector of Ofsted said: “There’s a great deal of logic in targeting younger children.
“We know that making normality for children is really important, the younger the children, the more they need that simple structured routine where they understand what’s happening.
“It’s hard for them to go to school one day and then not for another two weeks. So I entirely recognise and see the logic of this.
“I also think there’s a logic from the point of view of parents. The youngest children are the ones who need the greatest care and oversight.
"There's a great deal of logic in targeting younger children." Ofsted’s @amanda_spielman says there is "logic" behind younger children returning to school first when lockdown is eased – adding that they need "structured routine". More on #Ridge: https://t.co/HhpKU0HuuA pic.twitter.com/MGswChzXC8 — Sophy Ridge on Sunday & The Take (@RidgeOnSunday) May 3, 2020
“It’s hardest for parents to work and do all the other things they need to do if they’re also looking after perhaps several young children at the same time and trying to make sure they work through schoolwork remotely.
“If you look at the interests of children, it’s very clear that their interests are best served, in the vast majority of cases, by being back at school as soon as possible.”
However, Ms Spielman admitted that it was up to “health experts” to determine when it is safe for children to go back to school and how the return should be organised. The idea of a reopening schools is being discussed by the Government, she added.
‘Wrong’ to inspect schools during lockdown
Ms Spielman said it is right that Ofsted is not inspecting the education schools are currently offering, saying the “vast majority” are putting in effort to provide online classes, resources and learning packs for their pupils to study at home and that it would be “wrong” to judge that “in the absence of any clear expectation”.
She also added that it was difficult to determine just how far children have fallen behind in their educations during the lockdown period, where many have been home schooled by their parents based on work set by their teachers.
Also appearing on Sophy Ridge on Sunday was chairman of the Commons’ Education Select Committee Robert Halfon.
He said that delays to primary schooling have likely had an “enormous effect” on the development of children, adding that he supported the reopenning of early years and primary schools as soon as it is possible to do so.
‘As soon as science allows’
“I understand there are huge anxieties about ending the lockdown, people want to make sure we look after the health of themselves and their families,” Mr Halfon said.
“I also see that parents want to know their children are educated.”
He added that he believes that parents will be “keen to send their children back to school as the science allows”.
The Tory MP also said he would support “some kind of summer school” run not by teachers but by volunteers.
However Kevin Courtney, joint general secretary of the National Education Union, said he believed any discussion about a possible June return date is “really premature”.
“Instead the Government should be providing evidence about how this can be safe, how many more fatalities would we expect to see amongst school staff and parents and how these can be prevented or minimised,” he said.
Additional reporting by Press Association


inews--2020-05-04--Coronavirus latest: Intensive care patients given tablet computers to connect with their loved ones

Coronavirus latest : Intensive care patients given tablet computers to connect with their loved ones Up to 4,000 computer tablets being sent to ICUs around the UK Coronavirus patients in intensive care can now see and talk to loved ones through video calls thanks to a new programme that is sending 4,000 tablet computers to hospitals across the UK .
The initiative allows family members to talk to medics and get an update on the patient ’ s health as well as connecting to them directly .
In one case , the call was used to make a successful wedding @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the devices could be used in palliative and other healthcare settings where it is difficult for patients to receive visitors because they are vulnerable to infection , said Professor Sir Robert Lechler , the president of the Academy of Medical Sciences .
Could be used elsewhere About a thousand tablets have been sent to 150 hospitals so far - a number that could quadruple in the coming weeks as devices are sent to all of the UK ’ s 250 or more intensive care units .
“ The distressing thing is , when @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , as they have to go off to intensive care , it may be the last time you see them .
So they may die without you having been able to speak , ” said Prof Lechler , who is also director of King ’ s Health Partners , which is overseeing the tablet programme .
NHS workers in PPE attend to a patient in hospital ( Photo : Getty ) One family member commented : “ We haven ’ t spoken to mum for two weeks so it was amazing to see @ @ @ @ @ @ @ lifted mum ’ s spirits and given her renewed strength to get better and come home.
” About half the patients in intensive care are on respirators and unable to use the tablet - but the other half can , he said .
By this point in the pandemic the doctors are quite good at spotting when a patient is going downhill and will soon need respirator and that is the best time to connect them to their loved ones through the tablet , he added .
“ I think this technology will @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Covid 19 - for people that are critically ill , in palliative care , who have difficulty speaking - maybe because they ’ re very short of breath .
Or maybe they ’ re very vulnerable to infection so they can ’ t receive visitors , ” said Prof Lechler .
“ In intensive care , lives often hang in the balance .
It has meant more than anything for relatives to see their parent , sibling , partner or child at such a critical time .
Patients respond positively to hearing their @ @ @ @ @ @ @ said Dr Meyer .

Coronavirus patients in intensive care can now see and talk to loved ones through video calls thanks to a new programme that is sending 4,000 tablet computers to hospitals across the UK.
The initiative allows family members to talk to medics and get an update on the patient’s health as well as connecting to them directly. In one case, the call was used to make a successful wedding proposal.
In the longer term, the devices could be used in palliative and other healthcare settings where it is difficult for patients to receive visitors because they are vulnerable to infection, said Professor Sir Robert Lechler, the president of the Academy of Medical Sciences.
Could be used elsewhere
About a thousand tablets have been sent to 150 hospitals so far – a number that could quadruple in the coming weeks as devices are sent to all of the UK’s 250 or more intensive care units.
“The distressing thing is, when you wave goodbye to your loved ones, as they have to go off to intensive care, it may be the last time you see them. So they may die without you having been able to speak,” said Prof Lechler, who is also director of King’s Health Partners, which is overseeing the tablet programme.
Family responses
One family member commented: “We haven’t spoken to mum for two weeks so it was amazing to see her. I think it will have lifted mum’s spirits and given her renewed strength to get better and come home.”
Another said: “The virtual ‘face-to-face’ communication is like a lifeline to keep connected.”
About half the patients in intensive care are on respirators and unable to use the tablet – but the other half can, he said.
By this point in the pandemic the doctors are quite good at spotting when a patient is going downhill and will soon need respirator and that is the best time to connect them to their loved ones through the tablet, he added.
Future uses
In the longer term, Prof Lechler expects the technology to become commonplace in some parts of the health service.
“I think this technology will prove very useful in wider applications beyond Covid 19 – for people that are critically ill, in palliative care, who have difficulty speaking – maybe because they’re very short of breath. Or maybe they’re very vulnerable to infection so they can’t receive visitors,” said Prof Lechler.
The Life Lines project was launched at Guy’s and St Thomas’ and King’s College Hospital with support from King’s Health Partners, Google and BT.
It is being helped £1m of funding from an unnamed charity.
Message from creators
The programme was created by Louise Rose, professor of critical care nursing at King’s College London and Joel Meyer, a critical care consultant at Guy’s and St Thomas’.
“Watching families and loved ones being reunited through video calls has been incredibly moving,” said Prof Rose.
“In intensive care, lives often hang in the balance. It has meant more than anything for relatives to see their parent, sibling, partner or child at such a critical time. Patients respond positively to hearing their loved one’s voice,” said Dr Meyer.


inews--2020-05-04--Ancient Middle East clay tablets seized at Heathrow are 'fakes', British Museum says

Ancient Middle East clay tablets seized at Heathrow are 'fakes ' , British Museum says Cache of 190 forgeries found in metal trunks will go on display as teaching aids at the British Museum But even though a joint operation between the Border Force and the British Museum has confirmed that the contents of the two metal trunks are fakes , the copies are so convincing that the London institution will use them as teaching aids .
The tablets were baked in a modern kiln to look ancient ( Photo : British Museum ) Last July , two trunks consigned @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the UK , were opened to reveal 190 clay tablets covered in cuneiform script , fired clay figurines , cylinder seals and some unusual animal-shaped pots .
The Museum said : “ It was as if the whole genre of ancient Mesopotamian writing was represented in one shipment : an entire collection ready for a single uninformed buyer .
But it was immediately clear that there was a problem ; not one of the objects was ancient.
” If real , the tablets would have been dried in the sun but in “ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ deliberately and consistently and to a relatively high temperature , thus proving that they were the product of a modern workshop with a kiln.
” Some of the inscriptions reflected Mesopotamian Royal texts of the era but others “ were a jumble of signs , some invented , others upside-down , a complete mish-mash which made no sense when read.
” The Museum said : “ The fakes will instead now be used for teaching and training purposes and a selection will go on display for a short period at the British Museum @ @ @ @ @ @ @ on the look out for counterfeit goods ( Photo : British Museum ) The items were seized under “ false declaration ” rules but the Museum said it did not know if the Bahrain seller faced further action .
“ It seems very likely that more trunks of fakes are out there , that there are more fakes than there are genuine objects .
Consignments which are almost too perfect to believe should be treated with great caution.
” The counterfeit tablets would be placed on display since “ understanding how and why @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the modern mind , their inspirations , their capabilities and their limitations , and even sometimes where they are being made . ''

The shipment discovered at Heathrow looked too good to be true.
Nearly 200 clay tablets, preserved in perfect condition, which apparently displayed the entire history of ancient Mesopotamian writing.
But even though a joint operation between the Border Force and the British Museum has confirmed that the contents of the two metal trunks are fakes, the copies are so convincing that the London institution will use them as teaching aids.
An eagle-eyed Heathrow Border Force official instigated a breakthrough in the emerging market in faked Middle Eastern antiquities.
190 clay tablets
Last July, two trunks consigned from Bahrain to a private address in the UK, were opened to reveal 190 clay tablets covered in cuneiform script, fired clay figurines, cylinder seals and some unusual animal-shaped pots.
All were individually packaged in bubble-wrap and parcel tape.
The cache included a royal inscription referring to the late Assyrian king Adadnirari, a mathematical tablet and an inscribed amulet resembling a unique example excavated at the Assyrian capital of Nimrud.
The tablets were sent to the Middle East department of the British Museum for authentication.
‘One problem – they’re fakes’
The Museum said: “It was as if the whole genre of ancient Mesopotamian writing was represented in one shipment: an entire collection ready for a single uninformed buyer. But it was immediately clear that there was a problem; not one of the objects was ancient.”
If real, the tablets would have been dried in the sun but in “this case they had all been fired deliberately and consistently and to a relatively high temperature, thus proving that they were the product of a modern workshop with a kiln.”
Mish-mash of signs
Some of the inscriptions reflected Mesopotamian Royal texts of the era but others “were a jumble of signs, some invented, others upside-down, a complete mish-mash which made no sense when read.”
The intended purchaser could have been defrauded of thousands of pounds.
The Museum said: “The fakes will instead now be used for teaching and training purposes and a selection will go on display for a short period at the British Museum when it reopens.”
Organised crime behind trade
The items were seized under “false declaration” rules but the Museum said it did not know if the Bahrain seller faced further action.
St John Simpson, curator, the British Museum said: “These seizures confirm an emerging trend: capitalising on interest in the purchase of antiquities, unscrupulous traders are faking Middle Eastern objects for sale.
“It seems very likely that more trunks of fakes are out there, that there are more fakes than there are genuine objects. Consignments which are almost too perfect to believe should be treated with great caution.”
The counterfeit tablets would be placed on display since “understanding how and why fakes are made gives us insights into the modern mind, their inspirations, their capabilities and their limitations, and even sometimes where they are being made.”
“That in turn is useful information to pass back to law enforcement and to the curators and archaeologists in those countries.”
Organised crime gangs are increasingly the source of faked antiquities, the Border Force added.


inews--2020-05-04--Coronavirus latest: antibody test could be on NHS within weeks to test survivor's immunity

Coronavirus latest : antibody test could be on NHS within weeks to test survivor 's immunity The test detects antibodies in patients who have been exposed to the virus that causes Covid-19 A coronavirus antibody test could be widely available on the NHS within a fortnight after gaining regulatory approval for use in the UK .
The Swiss company Roche said it will ramp up production of the Covid-19 so that it can be used across the country in the coming weeks .
The ‘ serology ’ test detects antibodies in patients who have been exposed to the virus that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ help to indicate if a person has gained immunity against the virus .
Roche said the test has a specificity greater than 99.8 per cent and sensitivity of 100 per cent , meaning it never gives false positives and very rarely gives false negatives .
Much to learn about immunity Coronavirus testing capacity has been scaled up in the UK ( Photo : Getty ) It comes after one of the Government ’ s top medical advisers said officials do not have enough information yet on the issue of immunity .
Although welcome @ @ @ @ @ @ @ unknown about a person ’ s immunity to reinfection after recovering from Covid-19 .
Professor John Newton , the UK ’ s testing effort co-ordinator , said there has been “ encouraging ” evidence from South Korea which suggests people are developing immunity to the disease.But he said the science is still not precise about how much immunity you get and how long it lasts .
Geoff Twist , managing director of Roche Diagnostics UK & Ireland , said : “ Reliable antibody testing is the crucial next step in helping us to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to provide much-needed reassurance to our valued key workers , enabling them to continue providing their vital support .
“ More than ever , it is critical that industry works in collaboration with the NHS to help alleviate pressures and provide a solution , and we are extremely proud to be able to deliver our high quality antibody test , which will lead to greater confidence as we move into the next phase .
“ We will continue to work closely with the NHS , public health bodies and the UK Government to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ across the UK.
” Roche said it will provide “ high double-digit millions of tests ” in May for countries accepting the CE mark and in the US , further ramping up capacities thereafter .

A coronavirus antibody test could be widely available on the NHS within a fortnight after gaining regulatory approval for use in the UK.
The Swiss company Roche said it will ramp up production of the Covid-19 so that it can be used across the country in the coming weeks.
The ‘serology’ test detects antibodies in patients who have been exposed to the virus that causes Covid-19.The detection of these antibodies could help to indicate if a person has gained immunity against the virus.
Roche said the test has a specificity greater than 99.8 per cent and sensitivity of 100 per cent, meaning it never gives false positives and very rarely gives false negatives.
Much to learn about immunity
It comes after one of the Government’s top medical advisers said officials do not have enough information yet on the issue of immunity.
Although welcome news, experts cautioned that much remained unknown about a person’s immunity to reinfection after recovering from Covid-19.
Professor John Newton, the UK’s testing effort co-ordinator, said there has been “encouraging” evidence from South Korea which suggests people are developing immunity to the disease.But he said the science is still not precise about how much immunity you get and how long it lasts.
NHS involvement critical
Geoff Twist, managing director of Roche Diagnostics UK & Ireland, said: “Reliable antibody testing is the crucial next step in helping us to understand the spread of the virus and to provide much-needed reassurance to our valued key workers, enabling them to continue providing their vital support.
“More than ever, it is critical that industry works in collaboration with the NHS to help alleviate pressures and provide a solution, and we are extremely proud to be able to deliver our high quality antibody test, which will lead to greater confidence as we move into the next phase.
“We will continue to work closely with the NHS, public health bodies and the UK Government to enable the roll out of the test across the UK.”
Roche said it will provide “high double-digit millions of tests” in May for countries accepting the CE mark and in the US, further ramping up capacities thereafter.


inews--2020-05-04--Becoming, Netflix, review: Michelle Obama's family is the central motif — we are allowed in, but onl

Becoming, Netflix, review: Michelle Obama's family is the central motif — we are allowed in, but only so far

Becoming , Netflix , review : Michelle Obama 's family is the central motif — we are allowed in , but only so far During her husband 's election tour , she knew she had to change tack , carefully curating her public image “ Come on , wake up , the Trumps are coming , you got ta get out , ” says Michelle Obama , remembering the story of how her daughters begged her for a sleepover on the family ’ s last night in the White House .
Obama is on stage in 2018 in a stadium @ @ @ @ @ @ @ her tour of 34 cities across the world to promote her blockbuster biography , Becoming .
The sleepover anecdote features the two towering elements of Obama ’ s life ; politics and family .
Both are the focus of a new Netflix documentary directed by Nadia Hallgren , under the auspices of Higher Ground , the Obamas ’ own production arm , which was behind the Oscar-nominated American Factory .
Michelle Obama recalls falling in love with a young man with a strange name in her law firm ; how she married him @ @ @ @ @ @ @ him ( Photo : Netflix ) Early on , this documentary feels like little more than a promo for Obama ’ s book , but then it shifts gear .
We see how , from her working-class upbringing on the South Side of Chicago , Obama refused to be told she doesn ’ t belong somewhere .
She defied the odds and rose to become one of the most influential women in the world , studying at Princeton and Harvard and becoming America ’ s only black First Lady .
We watch her @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the next generation of Bame students not to let America ’ s racial problems hinder their aspirations .
In filmed workshops and talking-head interviews she addresses the myth of post-racial America , listing the names of Michael Brown , Tamir Rice , Freddie Grey , Eric Garner , Trayvon Martin and Sandra Bland – all of whom were wrongly killed by police .
Family is the central motif of the documentary .
She recalls falling in love with a young man with a strange name in her law firm ; how she married @ @ @ @ @ @ @ with him , lightly touching on the times they had to visit a marriage counsellor .
Her own childhood is also a focus , as she walks around her humble childhood home .
These moments feel as if they should be intimate , but they remain obscured , the cameras kept at arm ’ s length .
Michelle Obama knew she had to change tack , carefully curating her public image ( Photo : Netflix ) She knew she had to change tack , carefully curating her public image , while still retaining @ @ @ @ @ @ @ what she believes .
You can ’ t help notice that a similar level of guardedness is at play with this documentary .
It ’ s understandable but frustrating .
We are allowed in , but only so far .

Becoming, Netflix ★★★
“Come on, wake up, the Trumps are coming, you gotta get out,” says Michelle Obama, remembering the story of how her daughters begged her for a sleepover on the family’s last night in the White House.
Obama is on stage in 2018 in a stadium packed to the rafters, part of her tour of 34 cities across the world to promote her blockbuster biography, Becoming.
The sleepover anecdote features the two towering elements of Obama’s life; politics and family. Both are the focus of a new Netflix documentary directed by Nadia Hallgren, under the auspices of Higher Ground, the Obamas’ own production arm, which was behind the Oscar-nominated American Factory.
Early on, this documentary feels like little more than a promo for Obama’s book, but then it shifts gear. We see how, from her working-class upbringing on the South Side of Chicago, Obama refused to be told she doesn’t belong somewhere. She defied the odds and rose to become one of the most influential women in the world, studying at Princeton and Harvard and becoming America’s only black First Lady.
We watch her using her privilege and platform to encourage the next generation of Bame students not to let America’s racial problems hinder their aspirations. In filmed workshops and talking-head interviews she addresses the myth of post-racial America, listing the names of Michael Brown, Tamir Rice, Freddie Grey, Eric Garner, Trayvon Martin and Sandra Bland – all of whom were wrongly killed by police.
She and her husband know it will take more than one black family in the White House to heal America’s racial divide.
Family is the central motif of the documentary. She recalls falling in love with a young man with a strange name in her law firm; how she married him, and raised their two daughters with him, lightly touching on the times they had to visit a marriage counsellor.
Her own childhood is also a focus, as she walks around her humble childhood home. These moments feel as if they should be intimate, but they remain obscured, the cameras kept at arm’s length.
Recalling her husband’s presidential election tour, she describes the way the press turned and painted her as an aggressive black woman when Obama started polling well.
She knew she had to change tack, carefully curating her public image, while still retaining a sense of who she is and what she believes. You can’t help notice that a similar level of guardedness is at play with this documentary. It’s understandable but frustrating. We are allowed in, but only so far.
THEARTSDESK.COM


inews--2020-05-04--When will I go back to work? Coronavirus measures explained, from staggered starts to social distanc

When will I go back to work? Coronavirus measures explained, from staggered starts to social distancing in the workplace

When will I go back to work ?
Coronavirus measures explained , from staggered starts to social distancing in the workplace The Government is consulting with businesses on the best way to reopen the economy sector by sector Offices will be left half-empty , staff will be grouped into `` teams '' and every shop will have to have a queuing system as Britain gets back to work in future .
The Government has drawn up detailed guidance aimed at six specific sectors of the economy , intended to allow as many people as possible to return to their workplace @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Covid-19 infections .
Trade unions warn that the existing plans are unacceptable because they offer too much leeway to employers .
Frances O'Grady of the TUC said : `` We can not support the Government 's back-to-work plans as they stand .
`` The current proposals fail to provide clear direction to those employers who want to act responsibly .
And they are an open goal for rogue employers , who will cut corners and put their workers - and the wider community - at risk . ''
No 10 insiders are adamant @ @ @ @ @ @ @ published in full by BuzzFeed , are still in draft form and are up for negotiation with businesses and unions .
Employers will reportedly be urged to maximise the number of employees working from home ( Photo : Getty ) Every workplace should institute staggered arrival and departure times and open up as many entrances as possible , to avoid crowding when employees arrive at the start of the day .
They should provide parking space for cars and bikes , to discourage the use of public transport .
Within premises companies should @ @ @ @ @ @ @ less likely to have to walk past each other - the Houses of Parliament have already done this .
Workplace layouts should be reviewed to keep people two metres apart from one another , with tape or paint on the floors to mark a safe distance .
Colleagues will be advised to avoid contacting each other face to face and instead to speak by digital means or radio .
Employers should consider dividing their workers into `` teams '' with different teams turning up to work on different days , to ensure that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ social distancing .
And all companies will be expected to provide large amounts of hand sanitiser at all times .
The Government believes that offices should stay as empty as possible even as other workplaces reopen , because office workers are much more likely to be able from home .
Offices which do open should abolish hot-desking and avoid the use of shared equipment .
Attendance at meetings should be limited to those who absolutely need to be there .
Some builders closed their sites over health concerns ( Photo : Matt Cardy/Getty @ @ @ @ @ @ @ avoid working while facing each other and should instead face away or work side by side , so they are less likely to transmit the virus by coughing or sneezing in each others ' faces .
There is little prospect of restaurants being able to serve customers on the premises , so they will still be restricted to offering takeaways with all bar areas closed for the foreseeable future .
Customers should be asked to order online or over the phone rather than in person , and when picking up takeaways they should @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ready .
Cleaners and carers who must visit people 's homes to do their work should keep their distance from residents , who will be asked to keep all their doors open to minimise contact with surfaces .

Offices will be left half-empty, staff will be grouped into “teams” and every shop will have to have a queuing system as Britain gets back to work in future.
The Government has drawn up detailed guidance aimed at six specific sectors of the economy, intended to allow as many people as possible to return to their workplace without causing a dangerous second peak in Covid-19 infections.
Ministers are keen to reopen the economy within weeks but are worried about a spike in “R” – the rate of transmission of coronavirus.
Trade unions warn that the existing plans are unacceptable because they offer too much leeway to employers. Frances O’Grady of the TUC said: “We cannot support the Government’s back-to-work plans as they stand.
“The current proposals fail to provide clear direction to those employers who want to act responsibly. And they are an open goal for rogue employers, who will cut corners and put their workers – and the wider community – at risk.”
No 10 insiders are adamant that the proposals, which were first published in full by BuzzFeed, are still in draft form and are up for negotiation with businesses and unions.
All workplaces
Every workplace should institute staggered arrival and departure times and open up as many entrances as possible, to avoid crowding when employees arrive at the start of the day. They should provide parking space for cars and bikes, to discourage the use of public transport.
Within premises companies should create one-way routes so that individuals are less likely to have to walk past each other – the Houses of Parliament have already done this.
Workplace layouts should be reviewed to keep people two metres apart from one another, with tape or paint on the floors to mark a safe distance. Colleagues will be advised to avoid contacting each other face to face and instead to speak by digital means or radio.
Employers should consider dividing their workers into “teams” with different teams turning up to work on different days, to ensure that workplaces are never too full to enforce social distancing. And all companies will be expected to provide large amounts of hand sanitiser at all times.
Offices
The Government believes that offices should stay as empty as possible even as other workplaces reopen, because office workers are much more likely to be able from home.
Offices which do open should abolish hot-desking and avoid the use of shared equipment. Attendance at meetings should be limited to those who absolutely need to be there.
Factories and warehouses
Companies should institute an aggressive cleaning regime with all equipment, surfaces and objects in the factory regularly cleaned and disinfected.
Good ventilation is also key: the importance of fresh air is shown by findings that the virus spreads much more easily indoors than outside.
Working outside
Outdoors workers such as builders should avoid working while facing each other and should instead face away or work side by side, so they are less likely to transmit the virus by coughing or sneezing in each others’ faces.
Employers should consider a “pairing system” whereby specific pairs of employees always work together and do not come into regular contact with other colleagues.
Restaurants and hotels
There is little prospect of restaurants being able to serve customers on the premises, so they will still be restricted to offering takeaways with all bar areas closed for the foreseeable future. Customers should be asked to order online or over the phone rather than in person, and when picking up takeaways they should wait in their cars until they are ready.
Kitchen staff should be protected by spacing out workstations, and ensuring that multiple members of staff do not access walk-in fridges and similar facilities at the same time.
In hotels, reception areas should be kept as empty as possible, for example by staggering the times of check-in and check-out.
Working in other people’s homes
Cleaners and carers who must visit people’s homes to do their work should keep their distance from residents, who will be asked to keep all their doors open to minimise contact with surfaces.
The same individuals should be deployed to the same homes every time to limit the possibility of the virus spreading.
Working in vehicles
Delivery drivers should work on their own rather than in pairs and should make “non-contact deliveries” rather than handing over goods in person.
Goods collections should be scheduled in advance to minimise the time workers spend hanging around depots and reduce the number of staff required.


inews--2020-05-04--The Great British Intelligence Test, BBC2, review: Results of this TV study weren't new or surprisin

The Great British Intelligence Test, BBC2, review: Results of this TV study weren't new or surprising

The Great British Intelligence Test , BBC2 , review : Results of this TV study were n't new or surprising Fry and Mosley were good company , but still struggled to make people taking a test on TV exciting I ’ ve always been a bit wary of intelligence tests , largely because the sort of people who are in Mensa like to tell you about it within five minutes of being introduced .
And how much do they really tell us ?
The Great British Intelligence Test didn ’ t do much to dispel these doubts , even if @ @ @ @ @ @ @ good company .
The Horizon special promised to provide us with insights into one of the largest nationwide intelligence tests of its kind .
The test , put together by scientists at London ’ s Imperial College , had been taken by 250,000 people online , as well as by teams live in the studio .
It aimed to gauge everything from whether diet and hobbies could impact on intelligence to , more controversially , what role gender might play .
Mosley and Fry struggled with the obvious problem , though : how @ @ @ @ @ @ @ doing tests on television look interesting ?
The Great British Intelligence Test did n't feel new or fresh ( Photo : BBC ) To try and combat this , there were interviews with the likes of quiz king Bobby Seagull ; vox pops where members of the public guessed the sorts of people who might do better at certain tests ; and interviews with primary school children about what they thought girls and boys excelled at .
None of it felt particularly new .
In the end we learnt that social media increases @ @ @ @ @ @ @ about equal in solving spatial awareness problems , and that exercise from a brisk walk to yoga will help keep your cognitive muscles firing .
All of which was fine , although I ’ m pretty certain the BBC tells us similar information at least three or four times a year .

The Great British Intelligence Test, BBC Two, 9pm ★★
I’ve always been a bit wary of intelligence tests, largely because the sort of people who are in Mensa like to tell you about it within five minutes of being introduced. And how much do they really tell us?
The Great British Intelligence Test didn’t do much to dispel these doubts, even if presenters Michael Mosley and Hannah Fry were good company.
The Horizon special promised to provide us with insights into one of the largest nationwide intelligence tests of its kind. The test, put together by scientists at London’s Imperial College, had been taken by 250,000 people online, as well as by teams live in the studio. It aimed to gauge everything from whether diet and hobbies could impact on intelligence to, more controversially, what role gender might play.
Mosley and Fry struggled with the obvious problem, though: how do you make a bunch of people doing tests on television look interesting?
To try and combat this, there were interviews with the likes of quiz king Bobby Seagull; vox pops where members of the public guessed the sorts of people who might do better at certain tests; and interviews with primary school children about what they thought girls and boys excelled at.
None of it felt particularly new. In the end we learnt that social media increases anxiety, that gamers and readers are about equal in solving spatial awareness problems, and that exercise from a brisk walk to yoga will help keep your cognitive muscles firing.
All of which was fine, although I’m pretty certain the BBC tells us similar information at least three or four times a year.


inews--2020-05-04--Liverpool's coronavirus tragedy: city's death rate is nearly twice the national average due to wides

Liverpool's coronavirus tragedy: city's death rate is nearly twice the national average due to widespread respiratory conditions

Liverpool 's coronavirus tragedy : city 's death rate is nearly twice the national average due to widespread respiratory conditions Population has history of underlying respiratory disease and other public health conditions Liverpool ’ s death rate from Covid-19 is nearly double the average across the rest of the UK due to the population suffering from underlying respiratory and other public health conditions , officials believe .
Council chiefs have been looking into the possibility that the Champions League quarter final match between Liverpool and Atletico Madrid on 11 March , when 3,000 away supporters visited the city , led @ @ @ @ @ @ @ higher death toll .
Yet in fact the number of lives lost is more likely to be linked to an underlying public health crisis already in the most deprived parts of Liverpool , with higher than average rates of smoking , lung disease and obesity and lower life expectancy , public health chiefs say .
Nearly a quarter of people who go to hospital with coronavirus in Liverpool hospitals - 22 per cent - have died , compared to a case fatality rate across all UK hospitals of 13 per cent .
Elderly @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in Liverpool ( Photo : Paul Ellis/AFP/Getty ) The startling death toll amplifies figures released by the Office for National Statistics last week showing that mortality rates from Covid-19 in the country ’ s most deprived areas are double those in more affluent locations .
The real figure is likely to be much higher in both the city and across the country because it does not include care homes and community settings .
There have been 314 deaths in Liverpool hospitals up to the beginning of May , the 10th highest among the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of the highest outside London .
Death rates from respiratory disease in Liverpool is 42 per cent higher than the national rate , even before the coronavirus outbreak .
Respiratory disease accounts for 19 per cent of the gap in life expectancy between Liverpool and England for men and 24 per cent of the gap for women .
Life expectancy in Kirkdale ward , one of the more deprived areas of Liverpool , is 74 compared to 84.6 years in the more affluent Church ward .
In terms of “ healthy ” life @ @ @ @ @ @ @ on average enjoy good health - is just 59 in Kirkdale ward .
Last week the government announced new Covid emergency funding to local authorities , including £13.8m for Liverpool .
But the council has estimated a £78m income loss in the city due to coronavirus .
Labour councillor Paul Brant , Cabinet member for health and social care at Liverpool city council , said the “ significantly higher ” mortality figures in the city were “ almost certainly reflecting the poorer health of the local population ” .
He added : “ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ s public health funding and the wider Council budget are totally counterproductive .
Areas like Liverpool have the greatest need for investment in health - we should be getting the biggest boost not the biggest cuts .
”

Liverpool’s death rate from Covid-19 is nearly double the average across the rest of the UK due to the population suffering from underlying respiratory and other public health conditions, officials believe.
Council chiefs have been looking into the possibility that the Champions League quarter final match between Liverpool and Atletico Madrid on 11 March, when 3,000 away supporters visited the city, led to a spike in cases and subsequently higher death toll.
Yet in fact the number of lives lost is more likely to be linked to an underlying public health crisis already in the most deprived parts of Liverpool, with higher than average rates of smoking, lung disease and obesity and lower life expectancy, public health chiefs say.
Nearly a quarter of people who go to hospital with coronavirus in Liverpool hospitals – 22 per cent – have died, compared to a case fatality rate across all UK hospitals of 13 per cent.
Deprivation
The startling death toll amplifies figures released by the Office for National Statistics last week showing that mortality rates from Covid-19 in the country’s most deprived areas are double those in more affluent locations.
The real figure is likely to be much higher in both the city and across the country because it does not include care homes and community settings.
There have been 314 deaths in Liverpool hospitals up to the beginning of May, the 10th highest among the country’s NHS trusts and one of the highest outside London.
A public health source said the underlying health problems gave those struck down by coronavirus a significantly worse fighting chance in Liverpool hospitals than healthier patients.
Death rates from respiratory disease in Liverpool is 42 per cent higher than the national rate, even before the coronavirus outbreak.
Respiratory disease accounts for 19 per cent of the gap in life expectancy between Liverpool and England for men and 24 per cent of the gap for women.
Cuts to public health budgets
Life expectancy in Kirkdale ward, one of the more deprived areas of Liverpool, is 74 compared to 84.6 years in the more affluent Church ward. In terms of “healthy” life expectancy – the number of years people on average enjoy good health – is just 59 in Kirkdale ward.
Liverpool’s Labour-run council blames years of real terms cuts to public health budgets under the Conservative government for exacerbating the problem.
Last week the government announced new Covid emergency funding to local authorities, including £13.8m for Liverpool. But the council has estimated a £78m income loss in the city due to coronavirus.
Labour councillor Paul Brant, Cabinet member for health and social care at Liverpool city council, said the “significantly higher” mortality figures in the city were “almost certainly reflecting the poorer health of the local population”.
He added: “The unprecedented Government cuts to Liverpool’s public health funding and the wider Council budget are totally counterproductive. Areas like Liverpool have the greatest need for investment in health – we should be getting the biggest boost not the biggest cuts.”