inews--2020-05-25--Coronavirus lockdown: Outdoor markets and car showrooms to open in England as Boris Johnson eases me

Coronavirus lockdown: Outdoor markets and car showrooms to open in England as Boris Johnson eases measures

Coronavirus lockdown : Outdoor markets and car showrooms to open in England as Boris Johnson eases measures As a first step , outdoor markets and car dealers will be entitled to trade from 1 June He raised the prospect of life returning to thousands of high street shops , department stores and shopping centres in three weeks ’ time as long as retailers take action to enforce social distancing and make their premises “ Covid-secure ” .
As a first step outdoor markets and car dealers will be entitled to trade from 1 June , the same day that some @ @ @ @ @ @ @ some age groups .
And Mr Johnson gave the green light for other non-essential retail , including shops selling clothes , shoes , toys , furniture , books , and electronics , to reopen two weeks later .
Tailors , auction houses , photography studios , and indoor markets will also be allowed to trade from 15 June .
Would-be hairdressers across the country are trying their hands at trims - and more ( Photo : Getty ) However , the Government confirmed that pubs , restaurants , hotels , cafes , hairdressers @ @ @ @ @ @ @ remain closed until 4 July at the earliest because of the difficulties in enforcing social distancing in those settings .
Retailers will be expected to follow the lead of supermarkets and pharmacies which have limited numbers of customers at one time and installed transparent screens to limit the risk of transmitting Covid-19 .
They will be urged to place protective coverings on large items handled by the public such as beds or sofas , and frequently clean regularly-touched objects and surfaces including self-checkouts , trolleys , coffee machines and betting terminals , for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ conference , Mr Johnson said he hoped shoppers would return to high streets next month .
He said : “ `` I 'm certainly not going to discourage them from spending at all .
It ’ s early days , but we are very much hoping there will be a bounce-back in the next few months.
” His announcement only applied to England , with devolved administrations in Scotland , Wales and Northern Ireland yet to make any decisions on when non-food shops can reopen .
Josh Hardie , CBI Deputy Director General @ @ @ @ @ @ @ doing all they can to keep the public and their staff safe , and we ’ ve seen many retailers leading from the front with innovative solutions to do just that .
As more and more businesses turn their attention to reopening , this guidance will help them plan to do so safely and securely.
” Helen Dickinson , the chief executive of the British Retail Consortium , said : “ Now that we know which shops can open and when , retailers can begin communicating their plans with their workforces and customers @ @ @ @ @ @ @ its part in getting the economy moving again.
” Many businesses including pubs , restaurants and bars have closed their services due to Covid-19 , putting workers in a precarious position ( Photo : Getty ) They are covered by “ step three ” of the Government ’ s plan to lift the lockdown , which could allow some to trade from 4 July .
But they will also still face tough restrictions : bars and restaurants may be able to serve drinks and meals outside but be forced to strictly limit numbers @ @ @ @ @ @ @ pressing for ministers to begin lifting restrictions in time for the summer break , warning that it faces financial disaster if it is not fully up and running until the autumn .
Up to 15,000 pubs could be forced to close permanently if they are forced to wait until September to emerge from lockdown and do not receive emergency support , the British Beer and Pub Association has warned .

Outdoor markets and car showrooms will be allowed to open next Monday followed by shops on 15 June as Boris Johnson moved to ease England’s coronavirus lockdown.
He raised the prospect of life returning to thousands of high street shops, department stores and shopping centres in three weeks’ time as long as retailers take action to enforce social distancing and make their premises “Covid-secure”.
As a first step outdoor markets and car dealers will be entitled to trade from 1 June, the same day that some English primary schools will resume lessons for some age groups.
And Mr Johnson gave the green light for other non-essential retail, including shops selling clothes, shoes, toys, furniture, books, and electronics, to reopen two weeks later. Tailors, auction houses, photography studios, and indoor markets will also be allowed to trade from 15 June.
Social distancing struggles
However, the Government confirmed that pubs, restaurants, hotels, cafes, hairdressers, nail bars and beauty salons would remain closed until 4 July at the earliest because of the difficulties in enforcing social distancing in those settings.
Retailers will be expected to follow the lead of supermarkets and pharmacies which have limited numbers of customers at one time and installed transparent screens to limit the risk of transmitting Covid-19.
They will be urged to place protective coverings on large items handled by the public such as beds or sofas, and frequently clean regularly-touched objects and surfaces including self-checkouts, trolleys, coffee machines and betting terminals, for example.
At a Downing Street press conference, Mr Johnson said he hoped shoppers would return to high streets next month. He said: “”I’m certainly not going to discourage them from spending at all. It’s early days, but we are very much hoping there will be a bounce-back in the next few months.”
His announcement only applied to England, with devolved administrations in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland yet to make any decisions on when non-food shops can reopen.
Josh Hardie, CBI Deputy Director General, said: “Our shops are doing all they can to keep the public and their staff safe, and we’ve seen many retailers leading from the front with innovative solutions to do just that. As more and more businesses turn their attention to reopening, this guidance will help them plan to do so safely and securely.”
Helen Dickinson, the chief executive of the British Retail Consortium, said: “Now that we know which shops can open and when, retailers can begin communicating their plans with their workforces and customers. The industry stands ready to play its part in getting the economy moving again.”
New guidance explained
No immediate end is in sight for the shutdown imposed on the hospitality sector, which includes pubs, restaurants, cafes, hotels, cinemas, gyms and tourist attractions.
They are covered by “step three” of the Government’s plan to lift the lockdown, which could allow some to trade from 4 July.
But they will also still face tough restrictions: bars and restaurants may be able to serve drinks and meals outside but be forced to strictly limit numbers indoors.
The holiday industry has been pressing for ministers to begin lifting restrictions in time for the summer break, warning that it faces financial disaster if it is not fully up and running until the autumn.
Up to 15,000 pubs could be forced to close permanently if they are forced to wait until September to emerge from lockdown and do not receive emergency support, the British Beer and Pub Association has warned.
The Government confirmed that hairdressers, nail bars and beauty salons, would also remain closed for the moment “because the risk of transmission in these environments is higher where long periods of person to person contact is required”.


inews--2020-05-25--I admire Dominic Cummings - but he needs to resign now

I admire Dominic Cummings - but he needs to resign now He has a brilliant mind but his position has become untenable - if he were thinking impartially , he would sack himself I ’ m glad that Dominic Cummings exists .
Not only is he one of the greatest political campaigners of his generation but he displays a rare refusal to bow to dogma , hierarchy and convention without first questioning where their authority originated , whether it remains valid , and if they might be replaced by something better .
You might not like the conclusions he draws @ @ @ @ @ @ @ questions are never asked stagnates and then decays .
We need those who are willing to ask them , without fear of disapproval and censure .
The type of character who persists in asking “ Why ?
” therefore tends not to be simply brave but also stubborn to the point of being abrasive .
This can make them a liability to themselves and eventually to their own cause .
But it ’ s worth understanding how and why they are as they are .
These iconoclasts occasionally appear on all sides of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ should recognise their function and contribution even when we don ’ t agree with them .
It is unwise to condemn them for having the temerity to be awkward .
Personally , I find Cummings ’ answers to the questions he poses tend to be more right than wrong .
No two people agree on everything , but we share a view on the EU , and I agree with much of his analysis of the institutional flaws and dysfunction of the Conservative Party and the British state .
I ’ ll always @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to deliver Brexit , and in so doing crushed Corbynism .
There are many bad reasons being given for him to go .
We should disregard the predictable contempt of many of those he has defeated ( and/or insulted ) over the years – pro-EU obsessives , distraught Corbynites , resentful Whitehall mandarins , even various Conservative MPs .
Likewise the vile way some of the press crowded him and his family over the weekend , regardless of the presence of a young child .
Downing Street does not want to grant a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ be sacked even if his crime was to be spotted loitering with intent to cross a road .
Nor does the old mantra that “ when an adviser becomes the story , the adviser must go ” really work .
Too many attempts to pretend that simply writing a story , any story , about an adviser automatically makes their position untenable have devalued the concept .
These bad arguments and worse tactics probably contributed to Boris Johnson ’ s decision to stand by him .
The Government would be weaker without Cummings @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and its opponents would be emboldened by his departure .
I would be very sorry to see him go .
He presented his own detailed account this afternoon – far too late .
The decisions he made might be partially covered by technicalities .
They might , as we ’ re told , be motivated by natural instincts .
I felt rather sorry for him at times as he laid out what happened , and none of us can fully know the thinking or circumstances of someone making such decisions about their family @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , knows that tribal loyalties , complex technicalities and good intentions are not what matters in the final political reckoning .
His success is founded on an unshakeable focus on the mission and the message .
He knows that once you are repeating your critics ’ arguments to explain technicalities , you are losing .
Put another way , this issue resembles the £350m figure in reverse .
The Brexit campaign feels like a lifetime ago ( Photo : Jack Taylor/Getty Images ) There are various points at which this story might have @ @ @ @ @ @ @ other colleagues , before travelling .
Staying in Durham once there .
Securing other transport to return , and avoiding a trial trip to Barnard Castle .
Being open about the decision and the rationale at the time , or since , or even presenting this full account a few days sooner , along with an apology .
But those things did not happen .
Maybe Cummings was unfortunate to become the ember that landed in the powderkeg .
Perhaps he was foolish in how he acted .
It might be unfair that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ head .
But were he advising someone else in this situation , I suspect that he would remind them that misfortune , foolishness , unfairness or personal sentiment count for little in the face of cold , hard political reality .
Gunpowder explodes regardless of the feelings or intentions of the spark .

I’m glad that Dominic Cummings exists. Not only is he one of the greatest political campaigners of his generation but he displays a rare refusal to bow to dogma, hierarchy and convention without first questioning where their authority originated, whether it remains valid, and if they might be replaced by something better.
You might not like the conclusions he draws, but a society in which these questions are never asked stagnates and then decays. We need those who are willing to ask them, without fear of disapproval and censure.
Inevitably, vested interests, obsolete elites and lazy thinkers find such challenges threatening, and set out to destroy the questioner.
The type of character who persists in asking “Why?” therefore tends not to be simply brave but also stubborn to the point of being abrasive. This can make them a liability to themselves and eventually to their own cause. But it’s worth understanding how and why they are as they are.
These iconoclasts occasionally appear on all sides of politics in a healthy society. We should recognise their function and contribution even when we don’t agree with them. It is unwise to condemn them for having the temerity to be awkward.
Personally, I find Cummings’ answers to the questions he poses tend to be more right than wrong. No two people agree on everything, but we share a view on the EU, and I agree with much of his analysis of the institutional flaws and dysfunction of the Conservative Party and the British state. I’ll always be glad that he did so much to deliver Brexit, and in so doing crushed Corbynism.
None of these are sufficiently good reasons for him to continue at Downing Street, however.
There are many bad reasons being given for him to go. We should disregard the predictable contempt of many of those he has defeated (and/or insulted) over the years – pro-EU obsessives, distraught Corbynites, resentful Whitehall mandarins, even various Conservative MPs. Likewise the vile way some of the press crowded him and his family over the weekend, regardless of the presence of a young child.
Or the targeting of his family home with video advertising vans and hecklers.
His ability to inspire hypocritical fury in some of Britain’s most tiresome people evidently still works. Those who pontificated last year that the Tories were plotting a “coup” to politicise impartial institutions now lavish praise on a civil servant who misused the Civil Service Twitter account to launch a political attack on a democratically elected government.
This has just been tweeted from the UK Civil Service account. This is the craziest political weekend for a long time. pic.twitter.com/u4x0i6plHL — Lewis Goodall (@lewis_goodall) May 24, 2020
Downing Street does not want to grant a scalp to those who would demand Cummings be sacked even if his crime was to be spotted loitering with intent to cross a road. Nor does the old mantra that “when an adviser becomes the story, the adviser must go” really work. Too many attempts to pretend that simply writing a story, any story, about an adviser automatically makes their position untenable have devalued the concept.
These bad arguments and worse tactics probably contributed to Boris Johnson’s decision to stand by him. The Government would be weaker without Cummings at the heart of the machine, and its opponents would be emboldened by his departure. I would be very sorry to see him go.
He presented his own detailed account this afternoon – far too late. The decisions he made might be partially covered by technicalities. They might, as we’re told, be motivated by natural instincts. I felt rather sorry for him at times as he laid out what happened, and none of us can fully know the thinking or circumstances of someone making such decisions about their family.
But Cummings, of all people, knows that tribal loyalties, complex technicalities and good intentions are not what matters in the final political reckoning. His success is founded on an unshakeable focus on the mission and the message. He knows that once you are repeating your critics’ arguments to explain technicalities, you are losing. Put another way, this issue resembles the £350m figure in reverse.
Few ideas are more powerful than fairness. Millions willingly underwent the restraints of lockdown to slow the pandemic. To protect others, they suffered the inconvenience, hardship and pain of isolation from their loved ones, even through illness and death.
The slightest hint that there might be one rule for them and another rule for those in power has always threatened
the consent that underlies that policy, and endangered the Government’s authority.
There are various points at which this story might have been survivable. Asking Johnson, or other colleagues, before travelling. Staying in Durham once there. Securing other transport to return, and avoiding a trial trip to Barnard Castle. Being open about the decision and the rationale at the time, or since, or even presenting this full account a few days sooner, along with an apology. But those things did not happen.
Maybe Cummings was unfortunate to become the ember that landed in the powderkeg. Perhaps he was foolish in how he acted. It might be unfair that so many enemies are desperate for his head.
It’s entirely plausible that his initial decision and the recent reluctance to be open were driven by sensitivity to hostile coverage and protectiveness of his family, who have been threatened by thugs who dislike his politics.
But were he advising someone else in this situation, I suspect that he would remind them that misfortune, foolishness, unfairness or personal sentiment count for little in the face of cold, hard political reality. Gunpowder explodes regardless of the feelings or intentions of the spark.
Voters’ fury is real, justified and widespread. The political damage is serious and lasting. The Prime Minister might expend yet more capital to defy the uproar, and Cummings might stay on. But to do so would be a mistake.
If he pauses, and coldly analyses the situation in the way that made him famous, he will conclude that for the sake of his own cause he should resign.
Mark Wallace is the chief executive of ‘Conservative Home’, a centre-right political blog which is independent of the Conservative Party


inews--2020-05-25--Armageddon for the arts would be a UK calamity and we face a lost generation of British talent

Armageddon for the arts would be a UK calamity and we face a lost generation of British talent In London , the West End will shrink , with all the capital city ’ s linked entertainment revenue shrinking too Scandalous as the political news is , however , the crisis facing the arts remains urgent .
The Globe is a good place to understand the scale of the problem .
The Globe ’ s financial model , as befits an institution founded by an entrepreneurial American , relies on private philanthropy and profits from ticket sales , educational consultancy and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ pure capitalism - bring in 95 % of the Globe ’ s income .
No wonder the Globe has long been beloved of the Tory right , with its antipathy to even the slightest state subsidy of the arts .
( It is similarly a favourite of The Spectator ’ s chief theatre critic . )
The Globe was always supposed to be the high-brow theatre that paid for itself .
But it turns out that even self-sufficient capitalism isn ’ t enough to save theatre from the forces of Covid-19 .
Attendance @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Fans of the Premier League may get a chance soon to watch a game on screen ; the construction , housing and retail industries are slowly resuming .
But live performance arts , according to the Government ’ s own ‘ traffic-light ’ timetable for reopening the country , are at the back of the queue .
The Premier League is due to restart in mid-June ( Photo : Marc Atkins/Getty ) We can partly thank a populist government , eager to scapegoat the arts sector as ‘ elite ’ .
( Football @ @ @ @ @ @ @ non-socially distanced contact ; theatre rehearsals aren ’ t – some sectors are more equal than others . )
But the epidemiological reality is that making performance spaces safe in the age of Covid-19 will require extraordinary lateral thinking .
Until then , companies are left struggling to pay loyal , longterm staff without selling a single ticket .
As per the Globe ’ s own submission to the Select Committee on Digital , Culture , Media and Sport , “ a model that has contributed to our financial resilience now sees us @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in the wake of COVID-19.
” Suddenly , it ’ s not enough to be a commercial success .
What can any business do , when its product is criminalised overnight ?
The Globe ’ s submission to the DCMS Committee made headlines last week – and photographs of its beautiful reconstruction playhouses make for excellent newspaper fodder .
The focus on high-profile venues , however , has distracted from a broader crisis in the industry .
You can ’ t fund a building if there are no artists left to perform .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ , CEO of the Society of London Theatre and its sister organisation , UK Theatre , who reminded me that 70 % of workers in this sector are freelance or self-employed .
Some have benefited from Rishi Sunak ’ s Income Support Scheme for the Self Employed , but that scheme is only set to last three months .
( It may be 18 months before live performance reopens . )
By contrast , the job retention scheme runs for 8 months .
Thus industries which primarily employ salaried workers are effectively getting @ @ @ @ @ @ @ are heavily freelance .
When Sunak was grilled last week in a Q & A by freelancers , he completely failed to acknowledge this point – and made noises instead about on reopening .
Meanwhile , leaders of theatre buildings face conflicting pressures : as custodians , they have a responsibility in trust to ensure the survival of their own building , but most recognise a wider responsibility to their network of artists .
Many theatres have applied to the Arts Council for emergency funding : some , to conserve their own resources @ @ @ @ @ @ @ with whom they have cancelled work with barely a penny of compensation .
( The Equity Union , with the Musicians Union , fought a hard battle in April to ensure that West End theatres continued to pay contracted performers during closure . )
But most Artistic Directors recognise that the industry sinks or falls together .
Kwame Kwei-Armah , the high-profile AD of the Young Vic theatre , tells me “ Freelance artists are the core of the theatre ecosystem .
You can rebuild the building and companies , but without the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ do you have ?
If their financial hinterland has been gutted how will they have sustained themselves ?
Will they still be here when the art needs them ?
” Theatres like the Young Vic are also civic hubs : even in lockdown , it is continuing its community work under the lauded ‘ Taking Part ’ scheme , which works with over 11,000 marginalised and vulnerable people annually .
We will need them as we rebuild an integrated society .
'The Globe was always supposed to be the high-brow theatre that paid @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Davidson/Getty ) If you watched Normal People recently , thank the publicly-funded Royal Shakespeare Company , who brought screenwriter Alice Birch to prominence in 2017 by developing her play Revolt .
She said .
Revolt again .
Like Kit Harrington in Game of Thrones ?
He was discovered in Warhorse , the stage phenomenon that started at the publicly-funded National Theatre and has since repaid millions of pounds back into the National ’ s coffers .
Two years ago , I sat next to an American family who ’ d booked a London @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Harrington on stage , spending copiously on other shows and restaurants at the same time .
Ed Vaizey was formerly the culture minister under David Cameron ( Photo : Getty ) During the Cameron administration , the arts minister Ed Vaizey was insider who managed to make precisely this case for economic investment to Tory high command .
So praised was he for protecting the creative industries during a time of austerity , when Vaizey left office 150 leading arts figures signed a letter to The Telegraph thanking him for his service .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ , he was carefully positive about his successors , pointing out that as a newly-promoted cabinet minister , Culture Secretary Oliver Dowden : ‘ is passionate about the arts ; I think he cares ; he certainly doesn ’ t want his first big job to be presiding over catastrophe.
’ ( Others in the creative industries were less impressed by a Dowden op-ed in this weekend ’ s Observer , long on warm sentiment , short on detail . )
Other figures in Boris Johnson ’ s circle also have an arts @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , is a former DCMS advisor , and Munira Mirza , director of the Downing Street policy group is a former Deputy Mayor of London for Culture .
To say Mirza is a counter-cultural figure in arts circles would be an understatement – she is a sharp critic of multi-culturalism and as a Brexiteer , once described the arts world ’ s reaction to Brexit supporters as ‘ the new being gay ’ .
But certainly , as Vaizey points out to me , she understands the central importance of cultural policy in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ champions on board a new DCMS taskforce , announced last week with a remit to look at reopening the industry .
Vaizey is particularly optimistic about the appointment of Neil Mendoza , a former publisher and arts philanthropist described as an ‘ invaluable ’ advisor during his own tenure .
But like many , Vaizey is concerned that the Government hasn ’ t yet shown real public concern for the arts .
There is little sign that this is a government priority .
( The Cummings row , I suspect , will only @ @ @ @ @ @ @ embattled government pivots back towards culture war tactics to rally their base . )
And like others , he voices concern that the personnel on the DCMS task force appear to be drawn from London-based institutions , whereas regional arts organisations face different struggles .
But it is clear that the focus of this taskforce , and of DCMS as a whole , is on finding creative ways to reopen performances without spreading infection .
One insider described it to me ‘ helping the arts world to help itself – not handouts ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ thousands of freelancers who face poverty when Sunak ’ s Self-Employed scheme closes , most of whom are expected to leave the sector .
Without financial support , we face a lost generation of British talent , and a Britain in which hundreds of regional towns are left without an arts centre .
In London , the West End will shrink , with all the capital city ’ s linked entertainment revenue shrinking too .
Far away in South Korea , Everbody ’ s Talking About Jamie may be the last Great British @ @ @

Shakespeare’s Globe, we learnt last week, faces the likelihood of permanent closure due to the Covid-19 pandemic. Today, it’s the turn of the Southbank Arts Centre to warn that it could be forced to shutter its doors for good.
Speaking on Classic FM this evening, Prince Charles will add his voice to worries about the ‘absolutely crucial’ British arts industries. But the news agenda in a week in which we would otherwise have heard more public pleas by the creative industries looks set to be swamped by the growing Dominic Cummings scandal.
Scandalous as the political news is, however, the crisis facing the arts remains urgent. The Globe is a good place to understand the scale of the problem. The Globe’s financial model, as befits an institution founded by an entrepreneurial American, relies on private philanthropy and profits from ticket sales, educational consultancy and onsite-catering. Those latter revenue streams – pure capitalism – bring in 95% of the Globe’s income. No wonder the Globe has long been beloved of the Tory right, with its antipathy to even the slightest state subsidy of the arts. (It is similarly a favourite of The Spectator’s chief theatre critic.) The Globe was always supposed to be the high-brow theatre that paid for itself.
But it turns out that even self-sufficient capitalism isn’t enough to save theatre from the forces of Covid-19. Attendance at a theatre is now illegal. Fans of the Premier League may get a chance soon to watch a game on screen; the construction, housing and retail industries are slowly resuming. But live performance arts, according to the Government’s own ‘traffic-light’ timetable for reopening the country, are at the back of the queue.
We can partly thank a populist government, eager to scapegoat the arts sector as ‘elite’. (Football training practice is now allowed with some non-socially distanced contact; theatre rehearsals aren’t – some sectors are more equal than others.) But the epidemiological reality is that making performance spaces safe in the age of Covid-19 will require extraordinary lateral thinking. Until then, companies are left struggling to pay loyal, longterm staff without selling a single ticket. As per the Globe’s own submission to the Select Committee on Digital, Culture, Media and Sport, “a model that has contributed to our financial resilience now sees us critically vulnerable and at risk of closure in the wake of COVID-19.” Suddenly, it’s not enough to be a commercial success. What can any business do, when its product is criminalised overnight?
The Globe’s submission to the DCMS Committee made headlines last week – and photographs of its beautiful reconstruction playhouses make for excellent newspaper fodder. The focus on high-profile venues, however, has distracted from a broader crisis in the industry. You can’t fund a building if there are no artists left to perform. I spoke last week to Julian Bird, CEO of the Society of London Theatre and its sister organisation, UK Theatre, who reminded me that 70% of workers in this sector are freelance or self-employed. Some have benefited from Rishi Sunak’s Income Support Scheme for the Self Employed, but that scheme is only set to last three months. (It may be 18 months before live performance reopens.) By contrast, the job retention scheme runs for 8 months. Thus industries which primarily employ salaried workers are effectively getting 5 months more investment than industries which are heavily freelance. When Sunak was grilled last week in a Q&A by freelancers, he completely failed to acknowledge this point – and made noises instead about on reopening.
Meanwhile, leaders of theatre buildings face conflicting pressures: as custodians, they have a responsibility in trust to ensure the survival of their own building, but most recognise a wider responsibility to their network of artists. Many theatres have applied to the Arts Council for emergency funding: some, to conserve their own resources, have in turn left the artists with whom they have cancelled work with barely a penny of compensation. (The Equity Union, with the Musicians Union, fought a hard battle in April to ensure that West End theatres continued to pay contracted performers during closure.) But most Artistic Directors recognise that the industry sinks or falls together. Kwame Kwei-Armah, the high-profile AD of the Young Vic theatre, tells me “Freelance artists are the core of the theatre ecosystem. You can rebuild the building and companies, but without the freelance artists to populate them, what do you have? If their financial hinterland has been gutted how will they have sustained themselves? Will they still be here when the art needs them?” Theatres like the Young Vic are also civic hubs: even in lockdown, it is continuing its community work under the lauded ‘Taking Part’ scheme, which works with over 11,000 marginalised and vulnerable people annually. We will need them as we rebuild an integrated society.
So the arts need government cash, urgently. Cash that reaches freelancers. But why should government pay up? We’re talking about 100s of millions of pounds. The nation is already loaded with debt – readers and government are entitled to ask why we should be bailing out yet another industry.
The answer is that UK arts funding has never been ‘subsidy’ – it has always been investment. The Centre for Economics and Business Research calculates that the sector generates £23 billion a year. Tourists across the world fly to London for event theatre – for every £1 spent on a ticket in the West End, between £5 and £6 are spent on food, drink, hotels and other entertainment as part of the same trip.
The West End isn’t a special case. Both the political right and left like to divide ‘subsided’ from ‘commercial’ theatre: Tories despise subsidised, the left sneer at commercial. But the two are entirely co-dependent. Artists trained in subsidised venues go on to our world-beating commercial theatres. When I speak to the theatre-owner and producer Nica Burns, she points out that her recent commercial hit, the musical Everybody’s Talking About Jamie, started life at the subsidised Crucible Theatre in Sheffield.
If you watched Normal People recently, thank the publicly-funded Royal Shakespeare Company, who brought screenwriter Alice Birch to prominence in 2017 by developing her play Revolt. She said. Revolt again. Like Kit Harrington in Game of Thrones? He was discovered in Warhorse, the stage phenomenon that started at the publicly-funded National Theatre and has since repaid millions of pounds back into the National’s coffers. Two years ago, I sat next to an American family who’d booked a London holiday entirely around the chance to see Harrington on stage, spending copiously on other shows and restaurants at the same time.
During the Cameron administration, the arts minister Ed Vaizey was insider who managed to make precisely this case for economic investment to Tory high command. So praised was he for protecting the creative industries during a time of austerity, when Vaizey left office 150 leading arts figures signed a letter to The Telegraph thanking him for his service. When I spoke to Vaizey last week, he was carefully positive about his successors, pointing out that as a newly-promoted cabinet minister, Culture Secretary Oliver Dowden: ‘is passionate about the arts; I think he cares; he certainly doesn’t want his first big job to be presiding over catastrophe.’
(Others in the creative industries were less impressed by a Dowden op-ed in this weekend’s Observer, long on warm sentiment, short on detail.) Other figures in Boris Johnson’s circle also have an arts background. His fiancé, Carrie Symonds, is a former DCMS advisor, and Munira Mirza, director of the Downing Street policy group is a former Deputy Mayor of London for Culture. To say Mirza is a counter-cultural figure in arts circles would be an understatement – she is a sharp critic of multi-culturalism and as a Brexiteer, once described the arts world’s reaction to Brexit supporters as ‘the new being gay’. But certainly, as Vaizey points out to me, she understands the central importance of cultural policy in Britain.
And there are other arts champions on board a new DCMS taskforce, announced last week with a remit to look at reopening the industry. Vaizey is particularly optimistic about the appointment of Neil Mendoza, a former publisher and arts philanthropist described as an ‘invaluable’ advisor during his own tenure. But like many, Vaizey is concerned that the Government hasn’t yet shown real public concern for the arts. There is little sign that this is a government priority. (The Cummings row, I suspect, will only exacerbate that problem – especially as an embattled government pivots back towards culture war tactics to rally their base.) And like others, he voices concern that the personnel on the DCMS task force appear to be drawn from London-based institutions, whereas regional arts organisations face different struggles.
Is this task force really the answer to arts sector’s needs? Some share Vaizey’s optimism, including Bird and Burns, who are both advising on how performances might safely reopen. Burns is learning from how theatres have developed new safety protocols in South Korea, where Everybody’s Talking About Jamie is back in rehearsals for an imminent reopening. Not bad for a show from Sheffield.
But it is clear that the focus of this taskforce, and of DCMS as a whole, is on finding creative ways to reopen performances without spreading infection. One insider described it to me ‘helping the arts world to help itself – not handouts’. That won’t help the thousands of freelancers who face poverty when Sunak’s Self-Employed scheme closes, most of whom are expected to leave the sector. Without financial support, we face a lost generation of British talent, and a Britain in which hundreds of regional towns are left without an arts centre. In London, the West End will shrink, with all the capital city’s linked entertainment revenue shrinking too. Far away in South Korea, Everbody’s Talking About Jamie may be the last Great British cultural export.


inews--2020-05-25--Dominic Cummings' lockdown statement: What PM's adviser said and what he really meant

Dominic Cummings ' lockdown statement : What PM 's adviser said and what he really meant Dominic Cummings made a rare foray out of the shadows to put his side of events which have dogged the Government over the last four days .
Dominic Cummings is at the very heart of the Downing Street operation , having far greater access to the Prime Minister , and influence over him , than most Cabinet members .
Boris Johnson 's Chief Adviser , Dominic Cummings and his wife Mary Wakefield leaving his home on Saturday ( Photo : Hollie Adams/Getty ) “ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the idea of unfairness .
I want to explain what I thought , what I did and why over this period because I know people like me who help to make the rules should be accountable for their actions.
” This is the closest Mr Cummings came to addressing the central accusation - that he breached the spirit of the lockdown regulations even if he could find a lawyerly justification for his actions .
He has always prided himself as an anti-establishment figure and goes on to portray himself as an ordinary person @ @ @ @ @ @ @ reasonable husband and father would .
“ Arguably this was a mistake and I understand some will say I should have spoken to the Prime Minister before deciding what to do.
” Mr Cummings comes near to admitting error when explaining why he decided to move his family to Durham .
He said he had daily to “ exercise my judgment about things like this ” .
But surely he would have realised that his action bent the tough lockdown guidance to breaking-point .
Dominic Cummings , special adviser to the Prime Minister @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ( Photo : Chris J Ratcliffe/Getty ) “ The truth is I argued for lockdown , I did not oppose it .
But these stories have created a very bad atmosphere around my home .
I was subject to threats of violence , people came to my house shouting threats , there were posts on social media encouraging attacks , there were many media reports on TV showing pictures of my house.
” The adviser blames the intimidating atmosphere around his house for his decision to head north - and takes a swipe @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for a “ herd immunity ” response to the epidemic .
However , at the same time , the Government was unambiguously telling Londoners that they should not move to second homes in less-affected parts of the country .
“ At some point during the first week , when we were both sick and in bed , I mentioned to him what I had done .
Unsurprisingly , given the condition we were in , neither of us remember the conversation in any detail.
” Boris Johnson ’ s closest adviser insists that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ flight to Durham .
But Mr Cummings makes pretty clear that he did not know the details of his trip up the A1 and how it complied with lockdown rules .
“ She did not want to risk a nearly 300-mile drive with our child , given how ill I had been .
We agreed that we should go for a short drive to see if I could drive safely.
” It raises several questions : Why was he driving at all if he had problems with his vision ?
Why an hour-long @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ?
And was it just a coincidence that the family went on this journey on his wife ’ s birthday ?

Dominic Cummings made a rare foray out of the shadows to put his side of events which have dogged the Government over the last four days.
Here i analyses the key passages.
“I have not offered to resign … I have not considered it.”
Dominic Cummings is at the very heart of the Downing Street operation, having far greater access to the Prime Minister, and influence over him, than most Cabinet members.
Mr Johnson has great loyalty to his most senior adviser following last year’s election triumph in which the Cummings slogan “get Brexit done” resonated with the voters.
Only under the most extreme pressure would Mr Johnson allow him even to contemplate handing in his notice.
“I know that the British people hate the idea of unfairness. I want to explain what I thought, what I did and why over this period because I know people like me who help to make the rules should be accountable for their actions.”
This is the closest Mr Cummings came to addressing the central accusation – that he breached the spirit of the lockdown regulations even if he could find a lawyerly justification for his actions.
He has always prided himself as an anti-establishment figure and goes on to portray himself as an ordinary person facing extraordinary circumstances and behaving as any reasonable husband and father would.
“Arguably this was a mistake and I understand some will say I should have spoken to the Prime Minister before deciding what to do.”
Mr Cummings comes near to admitting error when explaining why he decided to move his family to Durham. He said he had daily to “exercise my judgment about things like this”. But surely he would have realised that his action bent the tough lockdown guidance to breaking-point.
“The truth is I argued for lockdown, I did not oppose it. But these stories have created a very bad atmosphere around my home. I was subject to threats of violence, people came to my house shouting threats, there were posts on social media encouraging attacks, there were many media reports on TV showing pictures of my house.”
The adviser blames the intimidating atmosphere around his house for his decision to head north – and takes a swipe at the media over reports he argued for a “herd immunity” response to the epidemic. However, at the same time, the Government was unambiguously telling Londoners that they should not move to second homes in less-affected parts of the country.
“At some point during the first week, when we were both sick and in bed, I mentioned to him what I had done. Unsurprisingly, given the condition we were in, neither of us remember the conversation in any detail.”
Boris Johnson’s closest adviser insists that the Prime Minister was aware of his flight to Durham. But Mr Cummings makes pretty clear that he did not know the details of his trip up the A1 and how it complied with lockdown rules.
“My wife was very worried particularly because my eyesight seemed to have been affected by the disease.
“She did not want to risk a nearly 300-mile drive with our child, given how ill I had been. We agreed that we should go for a short drive to see if I could drive safely.”
Mr Cummings’s explanation for why he was in Barnard Castle – and later sat on the riverbank in the County Durham town – may be the part of his statement that the public remembers most vividly.
It raises several questions: Why was he driving at all if he had problems with his vision? Why an hour-long round trip to a well-known beauty spot? And was it just a coincidence that the family went on this journey on his wife’s birthday?


inews--2020-05-25--We should be ashamed of our treatment of Dominic Cummings - we are bullying him

We should be ashamed of our treatment of Dominic Cummings - we are bullying him We need to be careful not to get drawn into a vicious mob mentality , as we bray at the latest figure in the stocks Have you ever wondered what it would be like if Twitter suddenly came to life ?
What the world would become if people felt able to scream abuse at strangers in the street rather than , as is custom , with a few keystrokes , and under the cloak of anonymity ?
Well , take a look at the footage @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to a chorus of bellowing and heckling from his neighbours .
This was Twitter – or the worst aspects of it – made flesh .
I ’ m not passing judgement on what Cummings did or whether his actions merit his being the object of such public rancour and I ’ m certainly not questioning the right of his accusers , who doubtless have good reason to be angry and frustrated and to behave like that .
It ’ s just that the scene itself , a solitary man running a gauntlet of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ was being filmed for the pleasure of others , is something I find highly unedifying and depressing .
Is this what we have become : a nation of bullies and snoopers , content to use anyone in public life as a cipher for our own resentments ?
I am mindful of the easy retort to this proposition .
Cummings is a shameful hypocrite who flouted the lockdown rules while decreeing , through the medium of his patron , Boris Johnson , that others should stay at home .
He deserves everything he gets @ @ @ @ @ @ @ not a sympathetic character .
Leave aside what he looks like : the conceit of his studiously constructed , shabby chic appearance , obviously designed for notoriety and recognition , betrays a man of stupendous vanity .
Many will not forget , or forgive , his reported comment about the merits of herd immunity .
“ If that means some pensioners die , too bad , ” is what he is alleged to have said .
Meanwhile , in a north London street of sturdy Georgian houses , a man shouts sarcastically at @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Prime Minister ’ s senior adviser : “ Would you recommend Barnard Castle for a day out ?
” “ Hypocrite !
” a woman bawls from her front window .
And before Cummings can reach No 18 , a scrum of reporters and photographers are waiting for him , also levelling charges of hypocrisy ( while clearly not obeying social distancing rules themselves ) .
In a climate of moral outrage , and where mob mentality holds sway , it ’ s difficult not to feel a little sympathy for the person @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of us is not a hypocrite ?
Dominic Cummings does not regret driving 260 miles from London to Durham ( Photo : Jonathan Brady/WPA Pool/Getty ) To a certain extent , ’ twas ever thus , and those who find themselves enemies of the people – whether they were sent off in a World Cup match or if they cheated on their wife – have had to put up with the hardship of being anti-heroes .
No power , fame or riches comes without accountability .
But the coarsening of public discourse through @ @ @ @ @ @ @ public spite almost commonplace .
Scenes such as this , and the ones we saw during the last general election campaign , where candidates were subject to abuse in the streets , are the reason why people of quality are so reluctant these days to serve in public office .
But is it not possible to despise Dominic Cummings for all that he is and for all that he ’ s done , and also hate how he ’ s being treated ?

Have you ever wondered what it would be like if Twitter suddenly came to life? What the world would become if people felt able to scream abuse at strangers in the street rather than, as is custom, with a few keystrokes, and under the cloak of anonymity? Well, take a look at the footage of Dominic Cummings returning to his home to a chorus of bellowing and heckling from his neighbours. This was Twitter – or the worst aspects of it – made flesh.
I’m not passing judgement on what Cummings did or whether his actions merit his being the object of such public rancour and I’m certainly not questioning the right of his accusers, who doubtless have good reason to be angry and frustrated and to behave like that.
It’s just that the scene itself, a solitary man running a gauntlet of vilification from ordinary citizens while the episode was being filmed for the pleasure of others, is something I find highly unedifying and depressing.
Is this what we have become: a nation of bullies and snoopers, content to use anyone in public life as a cipher for our own resentments?
I am mindful of the easy retort to this proposition. Cummings is a shameful hypocrite who flouted the lockdown rules while decreeing, through the medium of his patron, Boris Johnson, that others should stay at home.
He deserves everything he gets, people will say. He is not a sympathetic character. Leave aside what he looks like: the conceit of his studiously constructed, shabby chic appearance, obviously designed for notoriety and recognition, betrays a man of stupendous vanity. Many will not forget, or forgive, his reported comment about the merits of herd immunity. “If that means some pensioners die, too bad,” is what he is alleged to have said.
Meanwhile, in a north London street of sturdy Georgian houses, a man shouts sarcastically at him, the man who is the Prime Minister’s senior adviser: “Would you recommend Barnard Castle for a day out?” “Hypocrite!” a woman bawls from her front window. And before Cummings can reach No 18, a scrum of reporters and photographers are waiting for him, also levelling charges of hypocrisy (while clearly not obeying social distancing rules themselves).
In a climate of moral outrage, and where mob mentality holds sway, it’s difficult not to feel a little sympathy for the person who is in the stocks. Which of us is not a hypocrite?
To a certain extent, ’twas ever thus, and those who find themselves enemies of the people – whether they were sent off in a World Cup match or if they cheated on their wife – have had to put up with the hardship of being anti-heroes.
No power, fame or riches comes without accountability. But the coarsening of public discourse through social media has now made displays of public spite almost commonplace. Scenes such as this, and the ones we saw during the last general election campaign, where candidates were subject to abuse in the streets, are the reason why people of quality are so reluctant these days to serve in public office.
I know that, in a binary world, it’s not fashionable to hold two apparently contradictory positions.
But is it not possible to despise Dominic Cummings for all that he is and for all that he’s done, and also hate how he’s being treated?


inews--2020-05-25--Dominic Cummings: The unanswered questions following PM's aide's statement, from risk of spreading c

Dominic Cummings: The unanswered questions following PM's aide's statement, from risk of spreading coronavirus to Durham Police

Dominic Cummings : The unanswered questions following PM 's aide 's statement , from risk of spreading coronavirus to Durham Police At the very least , No10 have been economical with the truth about the police contact with the Cummings family Why did Dominic Cummings risk spreading coronavirus in No10 when his wife was ill ?
Mr Cummings ’ wife , Mary Wakefield had been vomiting and felt like she might pass out on Friday 27 March , while her husband was working in No10 .
He hurried home but then returned some hours later , after she felt better @ @ @ @ @ @ @ or a fever , the main symptoms of Covid-19 , but in the circumstances , given the Prime Minister had been diagnosed with the disease the night before and it was rife in the building , it must have occurred to Mr Cummings that she might have been infectious - in fact he revealed both had discussed this possibility later .
Dominic Cummings gives his press conference at Downing Street ( Photo : Sky News ) Did they pose a risk of infection by travelling to Durham ?
Later on 27 March Mr @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that both could become ill with Covid-19 because many at No10 - including the PM - had succumbed to the virus , and they were worried about looking after their four-year-old son .
They decided to travel to Durham where extended family were .
Did they really drive 260 miles without stopping ?
Mr Cummings said he did not stop for petrol or any other reason at all on the 260-mile journey to Durham , and therefore did not risk spreading infection .
He had had a full tank when he left London @ @ @ @ @ @ @ - he had been at work in Downing Street hours before they drove through the evening , arriving at midnight - did they really have a full tank of petrol ready to go , or did they actually stop ?
Did their four-year-old son need to stop at any point to go to the toilet ?
Dominic Cummings drove the family for 'roughly half an hour ' and ended up on the outskirts of Barnard Castle town ( Photo : OLI SCARFF/AFP/Getty ) Why did the family go to Barnard Castle ?
On @ @ @ @ @ @ @ developing symptoms , Mr Cummings said he sought “ expert medical advice ” about whether he could come out of isolation and return to work .
He says he was told it was safe for him to do so .
But his wife was still worried that his eyesight had been affected by the disease .
The next day , Sunday 12 April , they decided to take a `` short drive ” to see if he was fit to drive safely on the 260-mile journey home .
He drove the family for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ended up on the outskirts of Barnard Castle town .
He said he “ felt a bit sick ” .
They parked by a river and sat by a riverbank for about 15 metres and he felt better , so decided it would be ok for him to drive home .
An “ elderly gentleman ” walking nearby appeared to recognise him and Ms Wakefield wished him a happy Easter from a distance .
But why did they risk this 30 minute journey when he could have gone for a test drive near @ @ @ @ @ @ @ did Boris Johnson know and did he act upon it ?
Did No10 mislead about the involvement of Durham Police ?
At the weekend , Durham Police said they had been made aware on 31 March of reports that an individual had travelled from London to Durham and was present at an address in the city .
Officers made contact with the owners of that address - Mr Cummings ’ father - who confirmed that the person was self-isolating on the grounds .
The police said that officers had explained to the family @ @ @ @ @ @ @ statement , No10 questioned this account , saying “ at no stage was he or his family spoken to by the police about this matter , as is being reported ” .
But , Durham Police issued a further statement stating they spoken to Mr Cummings ’ father and that he had confirmed that his son , his son ’ s wife and their child were present at the property .
The statement added : “ He told the officer that his son and son ’ s wife were displaying symptoms of coronavirus @ @ @ @ @ @ @ property .
We can further confirm that our officer gave no specific advice on coronavirus to any members of the family and that Durham Constabulary deemed that no further action was required in that regard .
Our officer did , however , provide the family with advice on security issues .
”

Dominic Cummings has said he does not regret driving 260 miles from London to Durham during lockdown.
Boris Johnson’s chief aide gave a statement and answered questions from Downing Street’s rose garden this afternoon, following mass public anger and calls for him to resign.
Here, we look at the remaining unanswered questions.
Why did Dominic Cummings risk spreading coronavirus in No10 when his wife was ill?
Mr Cummings’ wife, Mary Wakefield had been vomiting and felt like she might pass out on Friday 27 March, while her husband was working in No10. He hurried home but then returned some hours later, after she felt better. She did not have a cough or a fever, the main symptoms of Covid-19, but in the circumstances, given the Prime Minister had been diagnosed with the disease the night before and it was rife in the building, it must have occurred to Mr Cummings that she might have been infectious – in fact he revealed both had discussed this possibility later.
So was it responsible for Mr Cummings to return to No10 on the Friday, risking spreading more infection?
Did they pose a risk of infection by travelling to Durham?
Later on 27 March Mr Cummings and his wife discussed the fact that both could become ill with Covid-19 because many at No10 – including the PM – had succumbed to the virus, and they were worried about looking after their four-year-old son. They decided to travel to Durham where extended family were.
During questions about why they travelled and risked spreading infection en route, Mr Cummings said his wife didn’t have a cough or a fever when they left. But he had been worried that they might both have it, or else they wouldn’t have travelled, so didn’t they pose a risk anyway?
Did they really drive 260 miles without stopping?
Mr Cummings said he did not stop for petrol or any other reason at all on the 260-mile journey to Durham, and therefore did not risk spreading infection. He had had a full tank when he left London. Given the journey was fairly impromptu – he had been at work in Downing Street hours before they drove through the evening, arriving at midnight – did they really have a full tank of petrol ready to go, or did they actually stop? Did their four-year-old son need to stop at any point to go to the toilet?
Why did the family go to Barnard Castle?
On Saturday 11 April, 14 days after developing symptoms, Mr Cummings said he sought “expert medical advice” about whether he could come out of isolation and return to work. He says he was told it was safe for him to do so. But his wife was still worried that his eyesight had been affected by the disease.
The next day, Sunday 12 April, they decided to take a “short drive” to see if he was fit to drive safely on the 260-mile journey home. He drove the family for “roughly half an hour” and ended up on the outskirts of Barnard Castle town. He said he “felt a bit sick”. They parked by a river and sat by a riverbank for about 15 metres and he felt better, so decided it would be ok for him to drive home. An “elderly gentleman” walking nearby appeared to recognise him and Ms Wakefield wished him a happy Easter from a distance. But why did they risk this 30 minute journey when he could have gone for a test drive near his parents’ farm?
How much did Boris Johnson know and did he act upon it?
Mr Cummings has revealed that he told the Prime Minister about his trip to Durham while both were on their sick beds in early April. He said neither of them could remember the exact detail of the conversation.
But did Mr Johnson, after his recovery, ask Mr Cummings about the trip between then and last Friday when the story broke, given that this was potentially a controversial excursion? And if not, why not?
Did No10 mislead about the involvement of Durham Police?
At the weekend, Durham Police said they had been made aware on 31 March of reports that an individual had travelled from London to Durham and was present at an address in the city. Officers made contact with the owners of that address – Mr Cummings’ father – who confirmed that the person was self-isolating on the grounds. The police said that officers had explained to the family the guidelines around self-isolation.
After this statement, No10 questioned this account, saying “at no stage was he or his family spoken to by the police about this matter, as is being reported”. But, Durham Police issued a further statement stating they spoken to Mr Cummings’ father and that he had confirmed that his son, his son’s wife and their child were present at the property. The statement added: “He told the officer that his son and son’s wife were displaying symptoms of coronavirus and were self-isolating in part of the property. We can further confirm that our officer gave no specific advice on coronavirus to any members of the family and that Durham Constabulary deemed that no further action was required in that regard. Our officer did, however, provide the family with advice on security issues.”
At the very least, No10 have been economical with the truth about the police contact with the Cummings family.


inews--2020-05-25--Boris Johnson and George Osborne's lack of empathy for ex-wives says a lot about such hideously narc

Boris Johnson and George Osborne's lack of empathy for ex-wives says a lot about such hideously narcissistic men

Boris Johnson and George Osborne 's lack of empathy for ex-wives says a lot about such hideously narcissistic men Being Boris Johnson means never having to be faithful or ethical or considerate Now the editor of the Evening Standard , his own life , apparently , gets better and better .
Last week , we saw some nice pics of him looking slim and suntanned , wearing cool jeans , a casual blue shirt and New Balance trainers .
He tells those who care to know that he ’ s “ never been happier ” in his hitherto wholly privileged @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in a relationship with Thea Rogers , like him , an Oxford alumni , who ’ s had a successful career in media and comms .
They ’ ve known each other for a while .
Ms Rogers , 10 years younger than her lover , “ metrosexualised ” the then chancellor by getting him to diet and modernise his hairstyle and suits .
In 2015 , she became his chief of staff .
Some people really do have it all .
Carrie Symonds and Boris Johnson were last pictured together at the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 9 March ( Photo : Dan Kitwood/Getty ) Let ’ s turn to our PM , who said that Cummings has “ followed the instincts of every father ” .
This from a man who , for years , has been socially distancing himself from a good number of his offspring .
He too , by all accounts , is happier than ever with his young partner – to whom he is engaged – and their new baby .
Being Boris Johnson means never having to be faithful or ethical or considerate .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ Marina – who had just completed treatment for cervical cancer – and four children were “ crushed ” when they heard about the fiancée and her pregnancy .
One wonders if Mr Johnson extended compassion to the woman who put up with his shenanigans for decades and bore four of his children .
I personally doubt he has any capacity for empathy .
I have been there .
You recover , remake a broken life , but a part of you forever feels like a reject .
Did Osborne consider how his wife @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , would have felt about his newfound , ultimate happiness ?
Is he happier now than when his children were born ?
Most ex-partners take the humiliation and say nothing .
Joe Wicks has called in his wife Rosie to help with his PE sessions ( Photo : YouTube ) The keep-fit coach told an interviewer that , though now married to Rosie Jones , and a father of two , he feels guilty about the way he treated his ex-girlfriend Caroline Ekström , a Swedish owner of a fashion company .
She @ @ @ @ @ @ @ videos .
They were going to get married but the relationship broke up as his career took off : “ I would like to say sorry to my ex-girlfriend .
I was with her for 10 years .
I wish I ’ d treated her with more respect and been kinder at the end.
” Millennials like him are not only fitter but also emotionally more literate than those of previous generations .
Learn from that Mr Osborne and Mr Johnson .
And say sorry to those who have loved you .

George Osborne was the Tory minister who blithely, cruelly imposed austerity measures on the poor and powerless.
Now the editor of the Evening Standard, his own life, apparently, gets better and better. Last week, we saw some nice pics of him looking slim and suntanned, wearing cool jeans, a casual blue shirt and New Balance trainers. He tells those who care to know that he’s “never been happier” in his hitherto wholly privileged life.
He’s divorced and in a relationship with Thea Rogers, like him, an Oxford alumni, who’s had a successful career in media and comms. They’ve known each other for a while. Ms Rogers, 10 years younger than her lover, “metrosexualised” the then chancellor by getting him to diet and modernise his hairstyle and suits. In 2015, she became his chief of staff. Some people really do have it all.
Let’s turn to our PM, who said that Cummings has “followed the instincts of every father”. This from a man who, for years, has been socially distancing himself from a good number of his offspring. He too, by all accounts, is happier than ever with his young partner – to whom he is engaged – and their new baby.
Being Boris Johnson means never having to be faithful or ethical or considerate. According to newspaper reports, his ex-wife Marina – who had just completed treatment for cervical cancer – and four children were “crushed” when they heard about the fiancée and her pregnancy.
One wonders if Mr Johnson extended compassion to the woman who put up with his shenanigans for decades and bore four of his children. I personally doubt he has any capacity for empathy.
Osborne, Johnson and most other such hideously narcissistic men rush on forward without a backward glance at the families they made and left behind, seen to them as collateral damage, inconvenient, superfluous to requirements.
Read More: Why the Dominic Cummings furore could spell chaos for the next phase of coronavirus lockdown
I have been there. You recover, remake a broken life, but a part of you forever feels like a reject. Did Osborne consider how his wife Frances, mother of his two children, would have felt about his newfound, ultimate happiness? Is he happier now than when his children were born? Most ex-partners take the humiliation and say nothing.
Dishearteningly and infuriatingly, the media colludes in the erasure of past wives and lives. The most ardently pro-family, “Christian” papers are the worst. Not surprising, I guess. Their values are biddable. They follow the power.
That is why Joe Wicks’ weekend remarks matter so much. Real men, he shows, can be introspective and thoughtful.
The keep-fit coach told an interviewer that, though now married to Rosie Jones , and a father of two, he feels guilty about the way he treated his ex-girlfriend Caroline Ekström, a Swedish owner of a fashion company. She encouraged him when he started his keep-fit videos. They were going to get married but the relationship broke up as his career took off: “I would like to say sorry to my ex-girlfriend. I was with her for 10 years. I wish I’d treated her with more respect and been kinder at the end.”
Millennials like him are not only fitter but also emotionally more literate than those of previous generations. Learn from that Mr Osborne and Mr Johnson. And say sorry to those who have loved you.


inews--2020-05-25--COP26: BP is a 'key stakeholder' in climate change talks, ministers tell executives

COP26 : BP is a 'key stakeholder ' in climate change talks , ministers tell executives Exclusive : Freedom of Information requests reveal meetings with ministers and COP26 officials to discuss BP ’ s role in climate meeting Ministers and officials in charge of organising crunch climate talks on behalf of the UN have told BP it is a “ key stakeholder ” in the event , raising concerns over the influence of fossil fuel firms in climate diplomacy .
Former Energy Secretary Andrea Leadsom met with BP executives in January during preparations for COP26 , which is set to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ diplomats and climate campaigners descend on Glasgow next year .
Briefings suggest the Government was keen to encourage BP to `` invest in the clean energy transition '' during the meetings , particularly given the `` increasing public challenge to fossil fuel use and need to transition to net zero by the middle of the century '' .
In response to the findings , the Government said its role as COP President is to encourage all sectors to commit to climate action , including a “ wide range of energy companies ” .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ across the globe gather to thrash out environmental policy ( Photo : OSCAR DEL POZO/AFP/Getty ) Commenting on the story , shadow climate change minister Matthew Pennycook said : “ Success at the postponed COP26 UN climate change conference next year is going to require Britain to persuade countries to dramatically raise their ambition on climate action .
It is essential that no vested corporate interest exerts undue influence on the process.
” COP26 , which was due to take place in Glasgow in November , is seen in climate circles as a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ climate targets under the Paris Agreement .
Although almost 200 nations have promised to cut emissions to “ well below ” two degrees under the treaty , national climate pledges for far short of this headline goal and the world is still on course for catastrophic climate change .
BP , which has promised to be a net-zero emitter of carbon by 2050 , is investing in carbon capture technology and renewables , but the bulk of its business remains the extraction and sale of fossil fuels around the world .
“ Cooperation @ @ @ @ @ @ @ with governments , partners and other stakeholders - will be essential to meeting both our own net zero ambition and those of the world , ” a spokesperson for BP said in response to Unearthed 's findings .
“ We are therefore keen to learn more about the government ’ s plans for COP26 and how we might be able to assist.
” It is not unusual for business interests to be influential at COP summits , with corporate support for climate action crucial to the success of the Paris Agreement negotiations in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ wary that fossil fuel interests could be seeking to obstruct , delay or steer talks in their favour .
Since 2005 thousands of observers with links to the fossil fuel industry have attended the climate talks and intervened in the negotiations .
At the 2019 COP meeting in Madrid , fossil fuel interests were blamed for slow progress in the negotiations .
“ The only support BP should get from the government is support to move into renewable energy , in a way that protects workers , communities and the climate , ” @ @ @ @ @ @ @ UK ’ s oil campaign .
“ When COP26 is rescheduled , we ’ d hope that the government invites more sensible stakeholders to participate.
” A COP26 spokesperson said : “ We will be working most closely with organisations that are committed to taking real , positive action and have strong climate credentials .
For example , companies who have committed to achieving net zero , and have published a plan of action of how they will do this .
”

Ministers and officials in charge of organising crunch climate talks on behalf of the UN have told BP it is a “key stakeholder” in the event, raising concerns over the influence of fossil fuel firms in climate diplomacy.
Former Energy Secretary Andrea Leadsom met with BP executives in January during preparations for COP26, which is set to see up to 90,000 world leaders, diplomats and climate campaigners descend on Glasgow next year.
BP executives also met the Government’s COP26 unit “to discuss how BP could contribute to the presidency”, according to government briefing documents and minutes of the meetings obtained by Unearthed, Greenpeace’s investigative unit.
The meetings followed another between BP executives and Kwasi Kwarteng, now minister for clean growth.
Briefings suggest the Government was keen to encourage BP to “invest in the clean energy transition” during the meetings, particularly given the “increasing public challenge to fossil fuel use and need to transition to net zero by the middle of the century”.
Lobbying concerns
However, the notes suggest ministers also stressed the “continuing importance of oil and gas” to the global economy, and offered support to BP’s international business deals.
In response to the findings, the Government said its role as COP President is to encourage all sectors to commit to climate action, including a “wide range of energy companies”.
However, the UK government’s apparently close engagement with BP around the climate event has sparked fears fossil fuel firms could influence the outcome of the international talks.
Commenting on the story, shadow climate change minister Matthew Pennycook said: “Success at the postponed COP26 UN climate change conference next year is going to require Britain to persuade countries to dramatically raise their ambition on climate action. It is essential that no vested corporate interest exerts undue influence on the process.”
COP26, which was due to take place in Glasgow in November, is seen in climate circles as a crucial opportunity for countries to boost their climate targets under the Paris Agreement. Although almost 200 nations have promised to cut emissions to “well below” two degrees under the treaty, national climate pledges for far short of this headline goal and the world is still on course for catastrophic climate change.
In April ministers were forced to postpone the summit until 2021, because of the coronavirus outbreak.
Climate challenge
To avert runaway climate change, scientists agree fossil fuel use should be strictly limited, unless firms can find an effective way to trap and store emissions.
BP, which has promised to be a net-zero emitter of carbon by 2050, is investing in carbon capture technology and renewables, but the bulk of its business remains the extraction and sale of fossil fuels around the world.
“Cooperation – with companies and industries working together with governments, partners and other stakeholders – will be essential to meeting both our own net zero ambition and those of the world,” a spokesperson for BP said in response to Unearthed‘s findings. “We are therefore keen to learn more about the government’s plans for COP26 and how we might be able to assist.”
Business interests
It is not unusual for business interests to be influential at COP summits, with corporate support for climate action crucial to the success of the Paris Agreement negotiations in 2015. But many climate campaigners are wary that fossil fuel interests could be seeking to obstruct, delay or steer talks in their favour.
Since 2005 thousands of observers with links to the fossil fuel industry have attended the climate talks and intervened in the negotiations. At the 2019 COP meeting in Madrid, fossil fuel interests were blamed for slow progress in the negotiations.
“The only support BP should get from the government is support to move into renewable energy, in a way that protects workers, communities and the climate,” said Richard George, head of Greenpeace UK’s oil campaign. “When COP26 is rescheduled, we’d hope that the government invites more sensible stakeholders to participate.”
A COP26 spokesperson said: “We will be working most closely with organisations that are committed to taking real, positive action and have strong climate credentials. For example, companies who have committed to achieving net zero, and have published a plan of action of how they will do this.”


inews--2020-05-26--Opening special educational needs schools now will wreak havoc with my students' emotional wellbeing

Opening special educational needs schools now will wreak havoc with my students ' emotional wellbeing These disruptions will push even the strongest relationships to their limits , and for what ?
A few extra weeks in school ?
Modern teaching is a lot more than standing at your whiteboard , dictating to obedient students .
It ’ s not like that in most mainstream schools and most certainly not in an Special Education Needs ( SEN ) provision .
That ’ s why the latest move from our government to re-open schools with social distancing is so mind-blowing .
I @ @ @ @ @ @ @ additional needs , identified in the teaching world as ‘ SEMH ’ ( Social , Emotional , and Mental Health needs ) .
In an SEN provision we are tasked with teaching a room full of children who have vastly different needs , requiring countless interventions ; interventions that are not compatible with social distancing .
The moment I heard Boris Johnson announce his plan to re-open schools , I tried to picture what my working day would look like .
I went through each child one by one ; how would these @ @ @ @ @ @ @ My first thought was of their social behaviours ; by 9am there is usually someone plaiting my hair , while someone else is pulling rings off my fingers and most of the class have hugged me at least once .
Meanwhile , there is another student typing at my computer , another playing with my water bottle – they might even help themselves to my food .
You get the picture .
There is no such thing as personal space for an SEN teacher - but we don ’ t mind .
We @ @ @ @ @ @ @ need to feel safe and accepted in our classrooms .
But now this lack of personal space could have potentially catastrophic consequences for our health , as Covid-19 has upped the ante .
We all want life to go back to normal , but clearly now isn ’ t the time .
If we open as planned in early June there will be no two-metre distancing , not really .
Not for most schools , but certainly not when half your students can not read or write independently , meaning a member of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for them .
Nor when students on the autistic spectrum need that handshake or high-five to start the day .
Or perhaps when you have students with severe ADHD and sensory processing issues who will run out the room unless there is a trusted adult sat beside them , gently tapping their hand .
The Government have asked that ‘ special schools ’ start bringing students back with no focus on specific year groups .
This is largely based on the emotional wellbeing of the students , which I agree is of paramount @ @ @ @ @ @ @ spent my lockdown on countless video calls with students and staff .
We are tutoring on a one-to-one basis and holding regular group meetings so the whole class can meet together , preserving the sense of community that means so much to us all .
I set academic work as well as fun weekly challenges to encourage creativity and call parents every week .
But it seems that this is not good enough .
We must assume hero status and meet the impossible brief of social distancing at work .
Teachers have spoken @ @ @ @ @ @ @ distancing in the classroom and , in response , we have been advised to change the entire structure of our school day .
However , consistency and routine are the linchpin of SEN teaching .
I challenge you to find a reliable Educational Psychologist who would recommend making such sudden disturbances to an SEN provision .
Change can be confusing for us all , but for children with SEMH needs , it can wreak havoc on their emotions .
In fact , opening our school with these unfamiliar rules and changes will most @ @ @ @ @ @ @ most vulnerable students ; outbursts that require physical intervention from staff , which is counterproductive to say the least .
Shockingly , the Government 's guidance also suggests that we need no PPE , staying safe merely by washing our hands .
There is no need to elaborate on why that terrifies me ; however , it is not just the physical risks that are concerning .
Building trust to develop good relationships with these students can take months , if not years , of hard work .
For children with specific needs @ @ @ @ @ @ @ disorder has the potential to set back years of progress .
These disruptions will push even the strongest relationships to their limits , and for what ?
A few extra weeks in school ?
At this point in the academic year , returning in September seems like the smarter option .
What has worked for us for the last two months can see us through until the end of term .
A little patience may save us all a great deal of turmoil .
Ultimately , the problem we are facing is that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to understand the complexities of teaching .
We may have been here before , but this time the risk is too high .
Why not trust our professional judgement and allow us to be the teachers we need to be ?

Modern teaching is a lot more than standing at your whiteboard, dictating to obedient students. It’s not like that in most mainstream schools and most certainly not in an Special Education Needs (SEN) provision. That’s why the latest move from our government to re-open schools with social distancing is so mind-blowing.
I work with secondary age students who have additional needs, identified in the teaching world as ‘SEMH’ (Social, Emotional, and Mental Health needs). In an SEN provision we are tasked with teaching a room full of children who have vastly different needs, requiring countless interventions; interventions that are not compatible with social distancing.
The moment I heard Boris Johnson announce his plan to re-open schools, I tried to picture what my working day would look like. I went through each child one by one; how would these new guidelines work with their needs? My first thought was of their social behaviours; by 9am there is usually someone plaiting my hair, while someone else is pulling rings off my fingers and most of the class have hugged me at least once.
Meanwhile, there is another student typing at my computer, another playing with my water bottle – they might even help themselves to my food. You get the picture. There is no such thing as personal space for an SEN teacher – but we don’t mind. We know that this is exactly what they need to feel safe and accepted in our classrooms. But now this lack of personal space could have potentially catastrophic consequences for our health, as Covid-19 has upped the ante.
We all want life to go back to normal, but clearly now isn’t the time. If we open as planned in early June there will be no two-metre distancing, not really. Not for most schools, but certainly not when half your students cannot read or write independently, meaning a member of staff must sit close enough to scribe for them. Nor when students on the autistic spectrum need that handshake or high-five to start the day. Or perhaps when you have students with severe ADHD and sensory processing issues who will run out the room unless there is a trusted adult sat beside them, gently tapping their hand.
The Government have asked that ‘special schools’ start bringing students back with no focus on specific year groups. This is largely based on the emotional wellbeing of the students, which I agree is of paramount importance. That is why I have spent my lockdown on countless video calls with students and staff. We are tutoring on a one-to-one basis and holding regular group meetings so the whole class can meet together, preserving the sense of community that means so much to us all. I set academic work as well as fun weekly challenges to encourage creativity and call parents every week. But it seems that this is not good enough. We must assume hero status and meet the impossible brief of social distancing at work.
Teachers have spoken out about the unrealistic practicalities of social distancing in the classroom and, in response, we have been advised to change the entire structure of our school day. However, consistency and routine are the linchpin of SEN teaching. I challenge you to find a reliable Educational Psychologist who would recommend making such sudden disturbances to an SEN provision. Change can be confusing for us all, but for children with SEMH needs, it can wreak havoc on their emotions.
In fact, opening our school with these unfamiliar rules and changes will most certainly lead to physical outbursts from our most vulnerable students; outbursts that require physical intervention from staff, which is counterproductive to say the least.
Shockingly, the Government’s guidance also suggests that we need no PPE, staying safe merely by washing our hands. There is no need to elaborate on why that terrifies me; however, it is not just the physical risks that are concerning. Building trust to develop good relationships with these students can take months, if not years, of hard work. For children with specific needs around relationships and social interaction, such disorder has the potential to set back years of progress. These disruptions will push even the strongest relationships to their limits, and for what? A few extra weeks in school?
At this point in the academic year, returning in September seems like the smarter option. What has worked for us for the last two months can see us through until the end of term. A little patience may save us all a great deal of turmoil.
Ultimately, the problem we are facing is that our Prime Minister and his advisers fail to understand the complexities of teaching. We may have been here before, but this time the risk is too high. Why not trust our professional judgement and allow us to be the teachers we need to be?
The writer is a teacher in an SEN school in England


inews--2020-05-26--'My wife was on a ventilator and I had coronavirus – I cared for an autistic child without breaking

'My wife was on a ventilator and I had coronavirus – I cared for an autistic child without breaking the rules' Many parents are angry after they followed the Government 's guidance when they fell ill and had to cope with childcare Craig and Ruth Andrew say they stuck to the rules despite how seriously ill Ruth became , following the backlash over the actions of Dominic Cummings , right ( Photos : left , Craig Andrew , right , Leon Neal/Getty Images ) The strategist said he and his wife Mary , who was having Covid-19 symptoms , went @ @ @ @ @ @ @ farm to have childcare available should he and his wife become so ill that they were unable to look after their four-year-old .
He claimed his trip to Barnard Castle was to test his eyesight before driving to London , insisting that he `` acted responsibly , legally and with integrity '' .
While some sympathise with his plight , many say it 's an example of one rule for the establishment and another for everyone else .
Craig Andrew was left struggling with coronavirus symptoms and looking after two children – one @ @ @ @ @ @ @ was put into a medical coma while being placed on a ventilator due to the disease .
The 38-year-old says he feels `` aggrieved '' by Cummings ' behaviour .
He had called an ambulance for Ruth , a 36-year-old civil servant , when she became severely breathless a week into the illness .
Craig , from Hastings , East Sussex , is father to two children who live in Brighton and step father to Ruth 's children , Imogen , 14 , and Daniel , 11 .
On 18 March , Mr @ @ @ @ @ @ @ follow the advice to `` stay at home for seven days '' if they believe they have coronavirus symptoms .
He said that if one member of a household thinks they have Covid-19 , then the whole household must stay at home for 14 days .
Four days later guidance was issued stating that people must remain `` in their primary residence '' , to avoid placing additional pressure on communities and services . '
I would n't have done what Cummings did' '' Ruth had got ill first , then me , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ said Craig .
`` It hit my the day after she went into hospital that this was really serious .
But I took the rules seriously – I have family in Yorkshire but I would n't have done what Cummings did and drive miles for help . ''
When Ruth finally came round after six days , she thought the medical staff in hazmat suits were aliens .
She was in hospital for an extra week , while Craig continued to battle with fatigue .
`` It was tough , I was extremely @ @ @ @ @ @ @ as the tasks like preparing the meals and doing the laundry for the kids , Daniel , being autistic , needed extra support , especially with his mother being in hospital . ''
However , Craig , says he has some understanding for Cummings ' actions .
`` If I 'd have got worse I would have called on the help of the children 's father who does n't live too far away .
But it would be a last resort and was n't the first thing I did because of the risk @ @ @ @ @ @ @ say , ' I jumped the gun ' . ''
Many have taken to Twitter to sound off about their views about Cummings and to highlight the sacrifices they made under similar circumstances .
Ifan Morgan Jones and his partner both had coronavirus and struggled looking after their four children , including a two-month-old baby , and said there was `` no excuse `` for what the adviser did .

Boris Johnson’s defence of his chief adviser’s 260 mile drive from London to County Durham during the coronavirus lockdown has provoked a furious backlash.
Yesterday’s press conference, in which Dominic Cummings said he was unrepentant about appearing to breach the rules, has failed to silence calls for his resignation.
The strategist said he and his wife Mary, who was having Covid-19 symptoms, went to a cottage on his parents’ farm to have childcare available should he and his wife become so ill that they were unable to look after their four-year-old. He claimed his trip to Barnard Castle was to test his eyesight before driving to London, insisting that he “acted responsibly, legally and with integrity”.
While some sympathise with his plight, many say it’s an example of one rule for the establishment and another for everyone else.
Craig Andrew was left struggling with coronavirus symptoms and looking after two children – one with autism – after his wife Ruth was put into a medical coma while being placed on a ventilator due to the disease. The 38-year-old says he feels “aggrieved” by Cummings’ behaviour.
He had called an ambulance for Ruth, a 36-year-old civil servant, when she became severely breathless a week into the illness. Craig, from Hastings, East Sussex, is father to two children who live in Brighton and step father to Ruth’s children, Imogen, 14, and Daniel, 11.
“This happened around a week before lockdown, but the message was clear – we had to self-isolate for 14 days,” he said.
On 18 March, Mr Johnson had said “everyone” must follow the advice to “stay at home for seven days” if they believe they have coronavirus symptoms. He said that if one member of a household thinks they have Covid-19, then the whole household must stay at home for 14 days. Four days later guidance was issued stating that people must remain “in their primary residence”, to avoid placing additional pressure on communities and services.
‘I wouldn’t have done what Cummings did’
“Ruth had got ill first, then me, and then Ruth became worse,” said Craig. “It hit my the day after she went into hospital that this was really serious. But I took the rules seriously – I have family in Yorkshire but I wouldn’t have considered doing what Cummings did as driving miles for support didn’t seem the right thing to do in my opinion.”
When Ruth finally came round after six days, she thought the medical staff in hazmat suits were aliens. She was in hospital for an extra week, while Craig continued to battle with fatigue.
“It was tough, I was extremely tired and sick, and as well as the tasks like preparing the meals and doing the laundry for the kids, Daniel, being autistic, needed extra support, especially with his mother being in hospital.”
However, Craig, says he has some understanding for Cummings’ actions. “If I’d have got worse I would have called on the help of the children’s father who doesn’t live too far away. But it would be a last resort and wasn’t the first thing I did because of the risk. I think Cummings may reflect and say, ‘I jumped the gun’.”
Read more: After defending Dominic Cummings, Boris Johnson may lose the fear factor to manage lockdown
‘No excuse’
Me and my partner were ill with coronavirus in April. We have four kids, including 2 month old baby at the time. We didn’t drive to her parent’s house in their 60s just 5 miles away, because of government advice. No excuse for what Dominic Cummings did. https://t.co/34arMr9skB — Ifan Morgan Jones (@ifanmj) May 22, 2020
Many have taken to Twitter to sound off about their views about Cummings and to highlight the sacrifices they made under similar circumstances.
Comedian Josh Widdicombe weighed into the debate, and said he and his sick wife had managed to look after their toddler without breaking regulations.
Ifan Morgan Jones and his partner both had coronavirus and struggled looking after their four children, including a two-month-old baby, and said there was “no excuse ” for what the adviser did.
Cheryl Guthrie posted that she is disabled and visually impaired, yet looked after her 10-year-old daughter when her husband got sick, and she resisted driving to her parents’ home four hours away.
My hubby suffered awful with covid symptoms, myself being disabled and visually impaired and our 10 year old daughter had to stay home and deal with it, shame we could not have got into our car and driven 4 hours to our parents home. — cheryl guthrie (@tismechez) May 25, 2020
Do you have a coronavirus story? Email claudia.tanner@inews.co.uk.