channel4uk--2020-04-20--Disability campaigner Doug Paulley: ‘It is a uniquely vulnerable position to be reliant on people, P

Disability campaigner Doug Paulley: ‘It is a uniquely vulnerable position to be reliant on people, PPE and services you have no control over’

There are many other issues surrounding disability in the current crisis – not least of which are concerns over how @ @ @ @ @ There are many other issues surrounding disability in the current crisis – not least of @ @ @ @ @ hospitals might approach treatment .
Disability campaigners are worried that they might not get the @ @ @ @ @ so they want the guidelines to be looked at .
Doug Paulley and Katherine Runswick-Cole @ @ @ @ @ judicial review – which is due to be launched tomorrow .
Doug is disabled and @ @ @ @ @ and Katherine ’ s son William has a diagnosis of a learning disability and autism @ @ @ @ @ Katherine about her concerns on official guidelines regarding medical treatment of the disabaled during the @ @ @

There are many other issues surrounding disability in the current crisis – not least of which are concerns over how hospitals might approach treatment.
There are many other issues surrounding disability in the current crisis – not least of which are concerns over how hospitals might approach treatment.
Disability campaigners are worried that they might not get the proper level of care, so they want the guidelines to be looked at. Doug Paulley and Katherine Runswick-Cole are both involved in that judicial review – which is due to be launched tomorrow.
Doug is disabled and lives in a care home and Katherine’s son William has a diagnosis of a learning disability and autism.
I began by asking Katherine about her concerns on official guidelines regarding medical treatment of the disabaled during the Covid-19 outbreak.


channel4uk--2020-04-20--Teachers condemn ‘irresponsible speculation’ about schools re-opening

Today was meant to be the start of the summer term in most schools across the UK .
But there @ @ @ @ @ on when , and how they might re-open .
Teachers and school leaders have condemned @ @ @ @ @ speculation ” about the prospect of pupils returning to classrooms sometime next month , and @ @ @ @ @ to deny any such approach – saying schools will only open again once it is @ @

Today was meant to be the start of the summer term in most schools across the UK.
But there’s still no word on when, and how they might re-open.
Teachers and school leaders have condemned what they called “irresponsible speculation” about the prospect of pupils returning to classrooms sometime next month, and today English ministers were quick to deny any such approach – saying schools will only open again once it is safe.


channel4uk--2020-04-20--Inside Spanish care home where half of residents have coronavirus symptoms

Spain is now considering relaxing some of its draconian lockdown measures , as official fatality rates begin to slow .
@ @ @ @ @ its care homes – just as here in the UK – is believed to have @ @ @ @ @ Madrid released figures that include deaths in care homes of elderly residents who had coronavirus @ @ @ @ @ tested – the city ’ s death toll almost doubled .
Lindsey Hilsum has the @ @ @ @ @ nursing home is coping , in Torres de la Alameda , just east of the @ @

Spain is now considering relaxing some of its draconian lockdown measures, as official fatality rates begin to slow.
But the death toll inside its care homes – just as here in the UK – is believed to have been vastly underestimated.
When Madrid released figures that include deaths in care homes of elderly residents who had coronavirus symptoms but weren’t tested – the city’s death toll almost doubled.
Lindsey Hilsum has the story of how one such nursing home is coping, in Torres de la Alameda, just east of the capital.
Directors: Mayte Carrasco, Marcel Mettelsiefen
Edit : Georgia Wyss


channel4uk--2020-04-20--‘I thought I would die’ – meet the Syrian doctor who survived coronavirus by helping to treat himsel

‘I thought I would die’ – meet the Syrian doctor who survived coronavirus by helping to treat himself

A Syrian doctor who escaped from war-torn Raqqa in Syria seven years ago is now working as a doctor in @ @ @ @ @ Dr Ammar Kanbar caught the coronavirus and was hospitalised – an experience he said was @ @ @ @ @ .
He ’ s just returned home and is recuperating and is still short of @ @ @ @ @ Channel 4 News when he first started to feel the symptoms .

A Syrian doctor who escaped from war-torn Raqqa in Syria seven years ago is now working as a doctor in a hospital in Stoke-on-Trent.
Dr Ammar Kanbar caught the coronavirus and was hospitalised – an experience he said was even worse than fleeing Syria.
He’s just returned home and is recuperating and is still short of breath.
He described to Channel 4 News when he first started to feel the symptoms.


channel4uk--2020-04-20--‘There’s a lack of clear communication from the top down’ – Beth Cameron, ex-White House National Se

‘There’s a lack of clear communication from the top down’ – Beth Cameron, ex-White House National Security Council

Beth Cameron is vice president for Global Biological Policy at the Nuclear Threat Institute .
Beth Cameron is vice president @ @ @ @ @ the Nuclear Threat Institute .
She was previously the senior director for global health security @ @ @ @ @ House National Security Council , a unit charged with preparing for a pandemic which was @ @ @ @ @ 2018 .

Beth Cameron is vice president for Global Biological Policy at the Nuclear Threat Institute.
Beth Cameron is vice president for Global Biological Policy at the Nuclear Threat Institute.
She was previously the senior director for global health security and biodefense on the White House National Security Council, a unit charged with preparing for a pandemic which was disbanded by President Trump in 2018.


channel4uk--2020-04-20--Anti-lockdown protesters take to the streets in the US

“ Everything is closed unless we say otherwise ” – New York ’ s governor Andrew Cuomo declared today – @ @ @ @ @ state ’ s coronavirus cases appeared to be “ on the descent ” there should @ @ @ @ @ the lockdown .
Contrast that with President Trump , who has been giving his backing @ @ @ @ @ home orders in states led by Democratic governors .

“Everything is closed unless we say otherwise” – New York’s governor Andrew Cuomo declared today – as he said although the state’s coronavirus cases appeared to be “on the descent” there should be no rush to lift the lockdown.
Contrast that with President Trump, who has been giving his backing to protests against stay at home orders in states led by Democratic governors.


channel4uk--2020-04-20--More than 140,000 firms apply for furlough cash from government

Within the first half-hour of launch , there were 67,000 claims – as the government ’ s scheme to support @ @ @ @ @ opened for applications .
Millions of workers have been put on temporary leave across the @ @ @ @ @ but the Government has pledged to pay up to 80 % of their wages .
@ @ @ @ @ – a new report predicts British households could lose an average of £515 of their @ @ @ @ @

Within the first half-hour of launch, there were 67,000 claims – as the government’s scheme to support businesses during the coronavirus crisis opened for applications.
Millions of workers have been put on temporary leave across the economy by the lockdown, but the Government has pledged to pay up to 80% of their wages.
It will be badly needed – a new report predicts British households could lose an average of £515 of their disposable income per month.


channel4uk--2020-04-20--‘There will be a Chilcot-esque type inquiry’ – Tory MP Tobias Ellwood

We ’ re joined by the Chair of the Commons Defence Committee , Conservative MP Tobias Ellwood in Bournemouth .
@ @ @ @ @ ’ s Shadow Business Minister , Lucy Powell , who ’ s in Manchester .

We’re joined by Tobias Elwood and Lucy Powell.
We’re joined by the Chair of the Commons Defence Committee, Conservative MP Tobias Ellwood in Bournemouth.
I also talk to Labour’s Shadow Business Minister, Lucy Powell, who’s in Manchester.


channel4uk--2020-04-20--‘I cannot put myself at risk or my unborn child’ says pregnant doctor campaigning for PPE for NHS st

‘I cannot put myself at risk or my unborn child’ says pregnant doctor campaigning for PPE for NHS staff

An NHS doctor has taken her campaign about the lack of PPE to Downing Street .
More than 50 NHS @ @ @ @ @ after contracting Covid-19 .
Dr Abdul Chowdhury was one of those who died .
He @ @ @ @ @ complaining about the lack of PPE for NHS staff .
Meanwhile , another NHS doctor @ @ @ @ @ the lack of PPE to Downing Street .
I spoke with Dr Viz and began @ @ @ @ @ was protesting .

An NHS doctor has taken her campaign about the lack of PPE to Downing Street.
More than 50 NHS staff have lost their lives after contracting Covid-19.
Dr Abdul Chowdhury was one of those who died.
He had written to Boris Johnson complaining about the lack of PPE for NHS staff.
Meanwhile, another NHS doctor has taken her campaign about the lack of PPE to Downing Street.
I spoke with Dr Viz and began by asking her why she was protesting.


channel4uk--2020-04-20--Hospitals hit by shortage of protective equipment and crucial drugs

While the shortage of PPE in hospitals is well-known , Intensive Care Units around the country are also running short @ @ @ @ @ coronavirus crisis puts the supply chain under increasing strain .
At the same time , @ @ @ @ @ meant to bring 400,000 protective hospital gowns from Turkey is still on its way to @ @ @ @ @ officials insist they are working flat out to get NHS staff what they need .

While the shortage of PPE in hospitals is well-known, Intensive Care Units around the country are also running short of crucial drugs as the coronavirus crisis puts the supply chain under increasing strain.
At the same time, the first of three planes meant to bring 400,000 protective hospital gowns from Turkey is still on its way to pick them up, as officials insist they are working flat out to get NHS staff what they need.


channel4uk--2020-04-21--MPs agree plans to work virtually during coronavirus lockdown

If you wanted to create an environment where social distancing is impossible , you would probably come up with something @ @ @ @ @ .
Hundreds of MPs crammed into a chamber deliberately designed to be a crowded cauldron @ @ @ @ @ place by squeezing past human counters in lobby corridors .
But that is all about @ @ @

If you wanted to create an environment where social distancing is impossible, you would probably come up with something like the Houses of Parliament.
Hundreds of MPs crammed into a chamber deliberately designed to be a crowded cauldron of debate. Voting taking place by squeezing past human counters in lobby corridors. But that is all about to change.


channel4uk--2020-04-21--Prisons battle against coronavirus

Prisons battle against coronavirus

As the pandemic took hold , Britain ’ s prisons found themselves on the frontline .
The government promised steps @ @ @ @ @ But plans to release some of them early were paused last week and now this @ @ @ @ @ internal document saying numbers in England and Wales are too high to control the risk @ @ @

As the pandemic took hold, Britain’s prisons found themselves on the frontline.
The government promised steps to keep prisoners safe. But plans to release some of them early were paused last week and now this programme has seen a leaked internal document saying numbers in England and Wales are too high to control the risk of Covid-19.


channel4uk--2020-04-21--US to suspend immigration in fight against coronavirus, Trump says

In a late night tweet , Donald Trump announced his intention to put a temporary ban on all immigration into @ @ @ @ @ applications have been on hold anyway for weeks due to the outbreak of Covid-19 .

In a late night tweet, Donald Trump announced his intention to put a temporary ban on all immigration into the US.
Most immigration applications have been on hold anyway for weeks due to the outbreak of Covid-19.


channel4uk--2020-04-21--‘We chose to think somehow UK would be affected differently’ – Prof Dame Anne Glover on UK governmen

‘We chose to think somehow UK would be affected differently’ – Prof Dame Anne Glover on UK government response to coronavirus

We ’ re joined by Professor Dame Anne Glover , currently professor at Strathclyde Institute of Pharmacy and Biomedical Sciences @ @ @ @ @ Professor Dame Anne Glover , currently professor at Strathclyde Institute of Pharmacy and Biomedical Sciences @ @ @ @ @ adviser to the European Commission .

We’re joined by Professor Dame Anne Glover, currently professor at Strathclyde Institute of Pharmacy and Biomedical Sciences
We’re joined by Professor Dame Anne Glover, currently professor at Strathclyde Institute of Pharmacy and Biomedical Sciences and a former chief scientific adviser to the European Commission.


channel4uk--2020-04-21--UK coronavirus response: how the big decisions were made

Boris Johnson put Britain into lockdown four weeks ago .
But should he have acted earlier ?
As the virus @ @ @ @ @ seeded in Europe , the government turned to its scientific advisers to lead our response @ @ @ @ @ that swiftly imposed lockdowns to contain the virus , at first Britain sought only to @ @ @ @ @ the first part of an investigative series looking into how we got here , our @ @ @ @ @ .

Boris Johnson put Britain into lockdown four weeks ago. But should he have acted earlier?
As the virus tore through China and then seeded in Europe, the government turned to its scientific advisers to lead our response. But unlike other countries that swiftly imposed lockdowns to contain the virus, at first Britain sought only to slow its spread.
In the first part of an investigative series looking into how we got here, our political editor Gary Gibbon reports.


channel4uk--2020-04-21--Government has ‘reasonable amount of headroom’ to borrow more money – Tory MP Mel Stride

We speak to Conservative MP Mel Stride who is the chairman of the Treasury Select Committee We speak to Conservative @ @ @ @ @ the chairman of the Treasury Select Committee – and began by asking him if the @ @ @ @ @ months , will the economic aid promised by the Chancellor also continue ?

We speak to Conservative MP Mel Stride who is the chairman of the Treasury Select Committee
We speak to Conservative MP Mel Stride who is the chairman of the Treasury Select Committee – and began by asking him if the lockdown does continue for some months, will the economic aid promised by the Chancellor also continue?


channel4uk--2020-04-21--Oil prices fall to levels not seen in two decades

They used to call it ‘ black gold ’ – well not right now .
Yesterday , one set of @ @ @ @ @ for the first time ever .
Today , the tumult intensified : prices across the @ @ @ @ @ not seen in two decades .
Demand has collapsed in the worldwide lockdown , and @ @ @ @ @ of places to store the fuel nobody wants anymore .

They used to call it ‘black gold’ – well not right now. Yesterday, one set of US oil prices went negative for the first time ever.
Today, the tumult intensified: prices across the oil market falling to levels not seen in two decades.
Demand has collapsed in the worldwide lockdown, and now producers are running out of places to store the fuel nobody wants anymore.


channel4uk--2020-04-21--BAME coronavirus cases ‘a huge and unexpected problem’, says chair of NHS diversity council

We chose to think somehow UK would be affected differently ’ – Prof Dame Anne Glover on UK government response @ @

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‘Tourists getting in the way of wildfire recovery on Maui,’ says former state representative


channel4uk--2020-04-21--First Sikh A&E consultant dies after contracting coronavirus

As the death toll from Covid-19 continues to rise , so does the number of healthcare workers dying from the @ @ @ @ @ claimed the life of one of the country ’ s most eminent accident and emergency @ @ @ @ @ was the first Sikh A and E consultant appointed in the UK .
The 52-year-old @ @ @ @ @ he worked .

As the death toll from Covid-19 continues to rise, so does the number of healthcare workers dying from the disease.
Last night it claimed the life of one of the country’s most eminent accident and emergency doctors.
Manjeet Singh Riyat was the first Sikh A and E consultant appointed in the UK. The 52-year-old died at the hospital where he worked.


channel4uk--2020-04-21--‘This is just the start’: Oxford Vaccine Group leader says millions of doses of vaccine could be rea

‘This is just the start’: Oxford Vaccine Group leader says millions of doses of vaccine could be ready by autumn

We ’ re joined by Professor Andrew Pollard , the head of the Oxford Vaccine Group .
We ’ re @ @ @ @ @ , the head of the Oxford Vaccine Group who will be carrying out the trials @ @ @

We’re joined by Professor Andrew Pollard, the head of the Oxford Vaccine Group.
We’re joined by Professor Andrew Pollard, the head of the Oxford Vaccine Group who will be carrying out the trials on Thursday.


channel4uk--2020-04-21--‘We’re counting stock every morning, we’re counting it before we leave at night’ – care home manager

‘We’re counting stock every morning, we’re counting it before we leave at night’ – care home manager on struggle to get PPE

Joining me now is Anita Astle , she runs Wren Hall care home in Nottinghamshire .
Joining me now is @ @ @ @ @ Wren Hall care home in Nottinghamshire , where a number of her residents have passed @ @ @ @

Joining me now is Anita Astle, she runs Wren Hall care home in Nottinghamshire.
Joining me now is Anita Astle, she runs Wren Hall care home in Nottinghamshire, where a number of her residents have passed away from coronavirus.


channel4uk--2020-04-21--Why is there not enough protective equipment for NHS and care home staff?

Amidst a glut of more shocking statistics today there was one issue that just would just not go away – @ @ @ @ @ enough personal protective equipment to protect staff in hospitals and care homes ?
The Health @ @ @ @ @ on why supplies are not getting through and companies offering support are not getting responses @

Amidst a glut of more shocking statistics today there was one issue that just would just not go away – why is there still not enough personal protective equipment to protect staff in hospitals and care homes?
The Health Secretary faced more questions today on why supplies are not getting through and companies offering support are not getting responses.


channel4uk--2020-04-21--FactCheck: are ethnic minority coronavirus patients more likely to die?

Some 16 per cent of people who died in hospital after testing positive for the coronavirus are from ethnic minorities , new NHS England data shows .
News reports have contrasted this figure with the fact that 13 per cent of the population of England identified themselves as being from an ethnic minority in the last census .
This has led some outlets to suggest BME patients are more likely to die from coronavirus than white people .
But the data isn ’ t so clear .
The NHS stats look at people who died in hospital after testing positive @ @ @ @ @ @ @ April .
Of those , 74 per cent were recorded as white , 7 per cent as Asian , and 6 per cent as black .
An additional 1 per cent were listed as having a mixed background .
Is this about ethnicity or geography ?
It ’ s tempting to compare this data to the national figures on ethnicity – just as several media outlets have done .
But that doesn ’ t actually tell us much .
We know that cities – especially London and parts of the West Midlands – @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the crisis so far .
And we know that a greater proportion of people in these areas come from ethnic minorities than the England-wide average .
If we want to find out whether BME coronavirus patients are more likely to die than white patients , we need to know more about the demographics of the places those patients lived .
That ’ s what researchers at the Intensive Care National Audit and Research Centre ( ICNARC ) have been doing with data on people in critical care .
They compare the ethnicity of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ wards in which those patients live .
As FactCheck found earlier this month , the ICNARC data has been widely misinterpreted as showing that BME patients are three times more likely to end up in intensive care with coronavirus .
This misunderstanding has been created by comparing ethnicity on ICU wards with the demographics of the UK as a whole .
Analysis in the latest ICNARC publication suggests that when compared to their local areas , white people are somewhat under-represented in critical care , Asian patients are very slightly over-represented , and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in the case of black patients , the most recent data suggests that the disparity is getting smaller as the epidemic progresses .
Unfortunately , NHS England doesn ’ t publish data to allow us to directly compare patient ethnicity and local demographics when it comes to deaths .
But we do know that the two places with the highest coronavirus death toll – London and the West Midlands , which together account for 47 per cent of hospital deaths – are also the most ethnically diverse regions of England .
So it @ @ @ @ @ @ @ slightly more BME patients in the death toll compared to the England average .
The claim that BME patients are over-represented in the death stats rests on a small margin : 16 per cent of deaths versus 13 per cent of the wider population .
So it ’ s very vulnerable to changes in the underlying data .
For example , it ’ s up to patients whether they record their ethnicity – and for 10 per cent of the deaths included in NHS figures , none was given .
We simply don @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of BME patients would still apply if we had ethnicity data on these individuals .
And more importantly , the data on England-wide ethnicity is from the 2011 census – so it ’ s nearly ten years old .
We know that London and the West Midlands have both seen their BME populations increase since then .
Some or all of the apparent ethnic disparity could be explained by the fact that there are more people from ethnic minorities in England today .
Hospital deaths are only part of the picture And there @ @ @ @ @ @ @ stats .
They only tell us about hospital patients : they do not include people who died in care homes or in the community .
This is significant when it comes to ethnicity because data from the last census in 2011 suggests that older people – i.e .
the people most likely to live and die in care homes – are more likely to be white .
It may be that some of the over-representation of ethnic minority patients among hospital deaths is explained by the fact that white people – by virtue @ @ @ @ @ @ @ more likely to die outside hospital and are therefore missing from this data .
Only once we combine the NHS stats with figures on deaths outside hospitals will we get a full picture of which ethnic groups , if any , are more likely to die with coronavirus .
The Office for National Statistics has been collating information on all deaths from Covid-19 , but it ’ s not yet comparable with the latest NHS publication .
The ONS told FactCheck today that they are in the early stages of a project that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to be linked to census data .
New NHS data has led some to suggest that coronavirus patients from ethnic minorities are more likely to die than white patients .
That ’ s based on comparing the proportion of deaths from each ethnic group with the demographics of England as a whole .
But this is not a helpful comparison .
It relies on data from the 2011 census – and we know that BME populations have grown since then .
And the two regions with the highest death tolls so far – @ @ @ @ @ @ @ also the most ethnically diverse parts of England .
So we can not say yet whether the death statistics are best explained by ethnicity or geography .
These new figures don ’ t tell us about people who died outside hospital .
That ’ s significant because older people – i.e .
those most likely to live and die in care homes – are more likely to be white .
We ’ ll only have a full picture of the ethnic breakdown of coronavirus deaths once we can reconcile hospital data with ONS @ @ @ @ @ @ @ The NHS stats are also limited by the fact that in 10 per cent of cases , no ethnicity was given ( this at the patient ’ s discretion ) .
Finally , we should remember that even if someone dies after testing positive for coronavirus , we don ’ t know whether it was the virus that caused the death .

Some 16 per cent of people who died in hospital after testing positive for the coronavirus are from ethnic minorities, new NHS England data shows.
News reports have contrasted this figure with the fact that 13 per cent of the population of England identified themselves as being from an ethnic minority in the last census.
This has led some outlets to suggest BME patients are more likely to die from coronavirus than white people.
But the data isn’t so clear.
The figures
The NHS stats look at people who died in hospital after testing positive for coronavirus up to 5pm on 17 April.
Of those, 74 per cent were recorded as white, 7 per cent as Asian, and 6 per cent as black. An additional 1 per cent were listed as having a mixed background.
Is this about ethnicity or geography?
It’s tempting to compare this data to the national figures on ethnicity – just as several media outlets have done.
But that doesn’t actually tell us much. We know that cities – especially London and parts of the West Midlands – have been hit first and hardest by the crisis so far. And we know that a greater proportion of people in these areas come from ethnic minorities than the England-wide average.
If we want to find out whether BME coronavirus patients are more likely to die than white patients, we need to know more about the demographics of the places those patients lived.
That’s what researchers at the Intensive Care National Audit and Research Centre (ICNARC) have been doing with data on people in critical care. They compare the ethnicity of ICU coronavirus patients with the local authority wards in which those patients live.
As FactCheck found earlier this month, the ICNARC data has been widely misinterpreted as showing that BME patients are three times more likely to end up in intensive care with coronavirus. This misunderstanding has been created by comparing ethnicity on ICU wards with the demographics of the UK as a whole.
Analysis in the latest ICNARC publication suggests that when compared to their local areas, white people are somewhat under-represented in critical care, Asian patients are very slightly over-represented, and black people are significantly over-represented. Though in the case of black patients, the most recent data suggests that the disparity is getting smaller as the epidemic progresses.
Unfortunately, NHS England doesn’t publish data to allow us to directly compare patient ethnicity and local demographics when it comes to deaths.
But we do know that the two places with the highest coronavirus death toll – London and the West Midlands, which together account for 47 per cent of hospital deaths – are also the most ethnically diverse regions of England.
So it is not necessarily surprising to see proportionately slightly more BME patients in the death toll compared to the England average.
The comparison relies on a small difference
The claim that BME patients are over-represented in the death stats rests on a small margin: 16 per cent of deaths versus 13 per cent of the wider population. So it’s very vulnerable to changes in the underlying data.
For example, it’s up to patients whether they record their ethnicity – and for 10 per cent of the deaths included in NHS figures, none was given. We simply don’t know whether the apparent over-representation of BME patients would still apply if we had ethnicity data on these individuals.
And more importantly, the data on England-wide ethnicity is from the 2011 census – so it’s nearly ten years old. We know that London and the West Midlands have both seen their BME populations increase since then. Some or all of the apparent ethnic disparity could be explained by the fact that there are more people from ethnic minorities in England today.
Hospital deaths are only part of the picture
And there are further limits to the NHS deaths stats. They only tell us about hospital patients: they do not include people who died in care homes or in the community.
This is significant when it comes to ethnicity because data from the last census in 2011 suggests that older people – i.e. the people most likely to live and die in care homes – are more likely to be white.
It may be that some of the over-representation of ethnic minority patients among hospital deaths is explained by the fact that white people – by virtue of being older on average – are more likely to die outside hospital and are therefore missing from this data.
Only once we combine the NHS stats with figures on deaths outside hospitals will we get a full picture of which ethnic groups, if any, are more likely to die with coronavirus.
The Office for National Statistics has been collating information on all deaths from Covid-19, but it’s not yet comparable with the latest NHS publication. The ONS told FactCheck today that they are in the early stages of a project that will allow figures on ethnicity and coronavirus to be linked to census data.
FactCheck verdict
New NHS data has led some to suggest that coronavirus patients from ethnic minorities are more likely to die than white patients.
That’s based on comparing the proportion of deaths from each ethnic group with the demographics of England as a whole.
But this is not a helpful comparison. It relies on data from the 2011 census – and we know that BME populations have grown since then.
And the two regions with the highest death tolls so far – London and the West Midlands – are also the most ethnically diverse parts of England. So we cannot say yet whether the death statistics are best explained by ethnicity or geography.
These new figures don’t tell us about people who died outside hospital. That’s significant because older people – i.e. those most likely to live and die in care homes – are more likely to be white.
We’ll only have a full picture of the ethnic breakdown of coronavirus deaths once we can reconcile hospital data with ONS figures on deaths in the community.
The NHS stats are also limited by the fact that in 10 per cent of cases, no ethnicity was given (this at the patient’s discretion).
Finally, we should remember that even if someone dies after testing positive for coronavirus, we don’t know whether it was the virus that caused the death.


channel4uk--2020-04-22--Improvement in natural conditions should not come at the expense of human lives – Christiana Figuere

Improvement in natural conditions should not come at the expense of human lives – Christiana Figueres

Christiana Figueres , the Costa Rican diplomat who was an architect of the landmark Paris climate accords told Channel 4 @ @ @ @ @ changed her view of the future .

Christiana Figueres, the Costa Rican diplomat who was an architect of the landmark Paris climate accords told Channel 4 News whether the pandemic had changed her view of the future.


channel4uk--2020-04-22--What will be the priority after coronavirus: the climate, the economy or both?

As we mark Earth day – in the rush to restore economies after lockdown restrictions are eased – will protecting @ @ @ @ @ the back seat ?
The smog has lifted from major cities across the world .
@ @ @ @ @ skies , and hear the birds singing .
With factories shuttered , traffic gone from @ @ @ @ @ our throwaway consumer habits suddenly curtailed – the environment has , at least , been @ @ @ @ @ as we mark Earth day – in the rush to restore economies after lockdown restrictions @ @ @ @ @ the planet be consigned to the back seat ?

As we mark Earth day – in the rush to restore economies after lockdown restrictions are eased – will protecting the planet be consigned to the back seat?
The smog has lifted from major cities across the world.
You can see the blue skies, and hear the birds singing. With factories shuttered, traffic gone from the roads and many of our throwaway consumer habits suddenly curtailed – the environment has, at least, been free to flourish.
But as we mark Earth day – in the rush to restore economies after lockdown restrictions are eased – will protecting the planet be consigned to the back seat?


channel4uk--2020-04-22--UK and Welsh governments clash over tests

Governments across the UK are under pressure to increase testing capacity .
Today the Foreign Secretary – himself answering questions @ @ @ @ @ s response – criticised the Welsh Health Minister for abandoning public testing targets altogether .
@ @ @ @ @ stopped there .

Governments across the UK are under pressure to increase testing capacity.
Today the Foreign Secretary – himself answering questions over the UK government’s response – criticised the Welsh Health Minister for abandoning public testing targets altogether.
And the controversy has not stopped there.
Our correspondent Andy Davies reports from Cardiff.


channel4uk--2020-04-22--‘We were good at spotting the risk exists but were quite poor at doing anything about it’-  Retired

‘We were good at spotting the risk exists but were quite poor at doing anything about it’-  Retired British Army officer questions virus preparation

Channel 4 News spoke to General Sir Richard Barrons , retired senior British Army officer , and former Commander of @ @ @ @ @ and 2016 .

Channel 4 News spoke to General Sir Richard Barrons, retired senior British Army officer, and former Commander of Joint Forces Command between 2013 and 2016.


channel4uk--2020-04-22--‘I would have turned to military on day one’ – former Tory leader Iain Duncan Smith

As well as concerns over death rates , the government is facing pressure on many fronts .
Channel 4 News @ @ @ @ @ – previously Conservative party leader and former work and pensions secretary – about the government @ @ @ @ @ out 100,000 tests a day .

As well as concerns over death rates, the government is facing pressure on many fronts.
Channel 4 News asked Sir Iain Duncan Smith – previously Conservative party leader and former work and pensions secretary – about the government’s target to carry out 100,000 tests a day.


channel4uk--2020-04-22--English NHS trust reviewing death certificates

One English NHS trust has told us that it is reviewing all death certificates which it has issued over an @ @ @ @ @ ensure that Covid-19 has been appropriately recorded .
This , after a campaigning group launched @ @ @ @ @ the deaths were being correctly certified .

One English NHS trust has told us that it is reviewing all death certificates which it has issued over an 18-day period in April to ensure that Covid-19 has been appropriately recorded.
This, after a campaigning group launched a legal challenge over whether the deaths were being correctly certified.


channel4uk--2020-04-22--New data suggests official UK care home toll will rise

More than 18,000 people have now died in UK hospitals after testing positive for coronavirus .
But is that official @ @ @ @ @ into account all deaths – in care homes , in the community – and because @ @ @ @ @ stating the right information – the real total could be many thousands more .

More than 18,000 people have now died in UK hospitals after testing positive for coronavirus.
But is that official figure really accurate? Taking into account all deaths – in care homes, in the community – and because death certificates may not be stating the right information – the real total could be many thousands more.


channel4uk--2020-04-22--How Barcelona has coped with weeks of lockdown – the story of two locked-down apartment blocks

One of the hardest hit regions in Europe , which has imposed some of the most repressive restrictions – Catalonia @ @ @ @ @ to relaxing its lockdown .
From Monday , Spain ’ s 8.3 million children will @ @ @ @ @ outside for the first time since mid-March .
After six long weeks , our Europe @ @ @ @ @ how Barcelona has been coping .

One of the hardest hit regions in Europe, which has imposed some of the most repressive restrictions – Catalonia, is finally inching closer to relaxing its lockdown.
From Monday, Spain’s 8.3 million children will finally be allowed to go outside for the first time since mid-March.
After six long weeks, our Europe editor Matt Frei looks at how Barcelona has been coping.
Directors: Mayte Carrasco, Marcel Mettelsiefen; Edited by Dani Isdale


channel4uk--2020-04-22--Government under pressure over over tests pledge and protective equipment

Health Secretary Matt Hancock says the country is “ at the peak ” of the coronavirus epidemic – a peak @ @ @ @ @ .
At home on their webcams – MPs taking part in the first ever social @ @ @ @ @ of Commons heard the Health Secretary Matt Hancock say the country is “ at the @ @ @ @ @ epidemic – a peak which will last some time .
Just a smattering of MPs @ @ @ @ @ new Labour leader Keir Starmer at his first session of Prime Minister ’ s Questions @ @ @ @ @ – standing in for the Prime Minister – on why testing for the virus was @ @ @ @ @ the struggle to get more protective masks and clothing for NHS staff .

Health Secretary Matt Hancock says the country is “at the peak” of the coronavirus epidemic – a peak which will last some time.
At home on their webcams – MPs taking part in the first ever social distanced session of the House of Commons heard the Health Secretary Matt Hancock say the country is “at the peak” of the coronavirus epidemic – a peak which will last some time.
Just a smattering of MPs in the chamber watched the new Labour leader Keir Starmer at his first session of Prime Minister’s Questions.
He quizzed Dominic Raab – standing in for the Prime Minister – on why testing for the virus was still running below capacity and the struggle to get more protective masks and clothing for NHS staff.


channel4uk--2020-04-22--Muslims in UK struggling to carry out burials within 24 hours

Temporary mortuaries are being set up rapidly around the country to cope with this unprecedented number of deaths – but @ @ @ @ @ struggle for Muslims who must carry out burials within the required 24 hours .
Many @ @ @ @ @ out the Islamic funeral rituals are having to self-isolate .
Our Home Affairs Correspondent Darshna @ @ @ @ @ a team of young volunteers in Leicester , where deaths in the Muslim community have @ @ @ @ @ past month .

Temporary mortuaries are being set up rapidly around the country to cope with this unprecedented number of deaths – but it has become a particular struggle for Muslims who must carry out burials within the required 24 hours.
Many elders who would normally carry out the Islamic funeral rituals are having to self-isolate.
Our Home Affairs Correspondent Darshna Soni has been out with a team of young volunteers in Leicester, where deaths in the Muslim community have more than doubled in the past month.


channel4uk--2020-04-22--Latest COVID-19 science updates: antibody tests, air pollution and why the virus may be so infectiou

Latest COVID-19 science updates: antibody tests, air pollution and why the virus may be so infectious

As the COVID-19 pandemic unfolds , scientists are rushing to carry out and publish research which will help us understand how the virus works , and how the disease it causes can be treated .
Each week , Channel 4 News will provide a summary of key research papers , studies or developments from the world of COVID-19 science .
A study by a group from Oxford University tested several commercially available rapid antibody kits and found that those tested were not reliable enough to confidently prove whether an individual had been exposed to coronavirus or if they were immune @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a step forward has been taken in developing a lab-based immunology test for antibodies , which may be used in hospitals .
The study used these lab-based tests as an accuracy benchmark against which to judge the rapid home tests – the cheap ‘ pregnancy type test ’ that could potentially be used at home by the general population .
The study was a preprint , so hasn ’ t yet been fully peer reviewed , and only used a sample of 40 patients .
Eleanor Riley is Professor of Immunology and Infectious @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and was not an author on the paper .
In comments to the Science Media Centre , she said : “ This is a really useful paper .
It shows that the problem with the commercial rapid antibody tests is that they are not sensitive enough – they fail to pick up antibodies in over a third of people who do in fact have antibodies .
However , these tests do have acceptable levels of specificity – that is , they are only picking up people who have genuinely been exposed to the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ test is positive , you can be confident that you have been infected and have antibodies .
But if your test is negative , you can ’ t rule out that you might have been infected .
“ Just as importantly , this paper shows that we do have a very good assay for use in the lab .
The ELISA assay showed excellent sensitivity and specificity .
This means that public health labs now have a test that they can use to begin to understand what percentage of the general public have @ @ @ @ @ @ @ rapid tests do not meet the regulations set by UK regulators .
The research also suggested that all antibody tests are most reliable 10 days after infection by the virus .
The study didn ’ t find a link between the concentration of antibodies found and disease severity .
Several experts have suggested previously that more antibodies would be produced in response to more severe disease , but that isn ’ t backed by this study .
Preprint study on impact of air pollution on coronavirus mortality in England ( published 20/04/2020 ) @ @ @ @ @ @ @ suggests that people in more polluted parts of England are more likely to die from coronavirus .
This follows several recent studies from across the world suggesting similar findings relating to air pollution and the virus .
Specifically , the study suggested that nitrogen oxides and ozone – both produced by cars and by industry – are associated with higher coronavirus morbidity .
Many experts commenting on the findings said that the premise of the study is correct – air pollution has been proven to cause respiratory problems , which intuitively would then @ @ @ @ @ @ @ experts said this study does not prove a causal link between air pollution and the virus in England .
They noted several limitations in the study which do not account for the high specificity of air pollution impact , such that one street may be exposed very differently from an adjacent street .
Dr Liam Brierley , a biostatistician from University of Liverpool who was not an author on the study , said : “ Other research available does demonstrate that air pollution may be important for COVID-19 as regions with higher air @ @ @ @ @ @ @ prevalence of chronic respiratory diseases including asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease ( COPD ) , which can affect COVID-19 disease severity .
Air pollution is therefore still an important consideration in public health responses to pandemic respiratory infections , though much more detailed research will be necessary to fully understand how this affects COVID-19 risks for the UK.
” Nature Medicine study looking at timing of coronavirus transmissions ( published 15/04/2020 ) A study published in Nature Medicine has suggested that the coronavirus may be most infectious before symptoms of the disease @ @ @ @ @ @ @ things .
In 94 confirmed coronavirus cases it found that viral load – the amount of virus present in an infected individual – from patient throat swabs was highest at the point of symptom onset .
Secondly , it modelled the transmission between a separate sample of 77 infected pairs .
Here it estimated that in 44 per cent of the pairs , transmission occurred before symptom onset .
The authors said that together the findings suggest the virus could be most infectious just before symptoms begin .
Using models the authors suggested @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the virus which can potentially transmit – may begin two to three days before the first symptoms begin .
This high presymptomatic transmission may explain why the virus has been so infectious around the world .
In comments to the Science Media Centre , William Keevil , Professor of Environmental Healthcare at University of Southampton who was not an author on the study , said : “ This new study in Nature Medicine adds to the growing evidence around the world of there being significant numbers of asymptomatic , presymptomatic and also low @ @ @ @ @ @ @ are difficult to recognise , trace and isolate without rapid diagnostic virus tests such as RT-PCR being available.
” Some experts commenting on the findings suggested that they added to the body of evidence suggesting masks should be worn by everyone , as transmissions can occur before someone knows they ’ re infected .
Last week ’ s update can be found here .

As the COVID-19 pandemic unfolds, scientists are rushing to carry out and publish research which will help us understand how the virus works, and how the disease it causes can be treated.
Each week, Channel 4 News will provide a summary of key research papers, studies or developments from the world of COVID-19 science.
Preprint study on effectiveness of commercial antibody kits (published 20/04/2020)
A study by a group from Oxford University tested several commercially available rapid antibody kits and found that those tested were not reliable enough to confidently prove whether an individual had been exposed to coronavirus or if they were immune.
However, the research did suggest a step forward has been taken in developing a lab-based immunology test for antibodies, which may be used in hospitals.
The study used these lab-based tests as an accuracy benchmark against which to judge the rapid home tests – the cheap ‘pregnancy type test’ that could potentially be used at home by the general population.
The study was a preprint, so hasn’t yet been fully peer reviewed, and only used a sample of 40 patients.
Eleanor Riley is Professor of Immunology and Infectious Disease at the University of Edinburgh, and was not an author on the paper. In comments to the Science Media Centre, she said:
“This is a really useful paper. It shows that the problem with the commercial rapid antibody tests is that they are not sensitive enough – they fail to pick up antibodies in over a third of people who do in fact have antibodies. However, these tests do have acceptable levels of specificity – that is, they are only picking up people who have genuinely been exposed to the COVID-19 virus. This means if your test is positive, you can be confident that you have been infected and have antibodies. But if your test is negative, you can’t rule out that you might have been infected.
“Just as importantly, this paper shows that we do have a very good assay for use in the lab. The ELISA assay showed excellent sensitivity and specificity. This means that public health labs now have a test that they can use to begin to understand what percentage of the general public have already been infected.”
This means the rapid tests do not meet the regulations set by UK regulators.
The research also suggested that all antibody tests are most reliable 10 days after infection by the virus.
The study didn’t find a link between the concentration of antibodies found and disease severity. Several experts have suggested previously that more antibodies would be produced in response to more severe disease, but that isn’t backed by this study.
Preprint study on impact of air pollution on coronavirus mortality in England (published 20/04/2020)
A preliminary study has been published which suggests that people in more polluted parts of England are more likely to die from coronavirus.
This follows several recent studies from across the world suggesting similar findings relating to air pollution and the virus.
Specifically, the study suggested that nitrogen oxides and ozone – both produced by cars and by industry – are associated with higher coronavirus morbidity.
Many experts commenting on the findings said that the premise of the study is correct – air pollution has been proven to cause respiratory problems, which intuitively would then predispose people to coronavirus.
But many experts said this study does not prove a causal link between air pollution and the virus in England.
They noted several limitations in the study which do not account for the high specificity of air pollution impact, such that one street may be exposed very differently from an adjacent street.
Dr Liam Brierley, a biostatistician from University of Liverpool who was not an author on the study, said:
“Other research available does demonstrate that air pollution may be important for COVID-19 as regions with higher air pollution are more likely to have greater prevalence of chronic respiratory diseases including asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), which can affect COVID-19 disease severity. Air pollution is therefore still an important consideration in public health responses to pandemic respiratory infections, though much more detailed research will be necessary to fully understand how this affects COVID-19 risks for the UK.”
Nature Medicine study looking at timing of coronavirus transmissions (published 15/04/2020)
A study published in Nature Medicine has suggested that the coronavirus may be most infectious before symptoms of the disease begin.
The paper looked at two things. In 94 confirmed coronavirus cases it found that viral load – the amount of virus present in an infected individual – from patient throat swabs was highest at the point of symptom onset.
Secondly, it modelled the transmission between a separate sample of 77 infected pairs. Here it estimated that in 44 per cent of the pairs, transmission occurred before symptom onset.
The authors said that together the findings suggest the virus could be most infectious just before symptoms begin.
Using models the authors suggested that viral shedding – the release of the virus which can potentially transmit – may begin two to three days before the first symptoms begin.
This high presymptomatic transmission may explain why the virus has been so infectious around the world.
In comments to the Science Media Centre, William Keevil, Professor of Environmental Healthcare at University of Southampton who was not an author on the study, said:
“This new study in Nature Medicine adds to the growing evidence around the world of there being significant numbers of asymptomatic, presymptomatic and also low level infection patients showing minor symptoms that are difficult to recognise, trace and isolate without rapid diagnostic virus tests such as RT-PCR being available.”
Some experts commenting on the findings suggested that they added to the body of evidence suggesting masks should be worn by everyone, as transmissions can occur before someone knows they’re infected.
Last week’s update can be found here.


channel4uk--2020-04-22--FactCheck: the target was for 100,000 tests a day to be ‘carried out’, not ‘capacity’ to do 100,000

FactCheck: the target was for 100,000 tests a day to be ‘carried out’, not ‘capacity’ to do 100,000 tests

At the beginning of April , Matt Hancock pledged that the UK would be carrying out 100,000 tests for coronavirus by the end of the April .
That deadline is fast approaching and some commentators , including leading scientists , have expressed doubt that there is enough time to hit that target .
The latest statistics published today show that 22,814 tests were carried out on 13,522 people on Tuesday April 21 .
Significant numbers of people have to be re-tested so the number of individuals is always smaller than the number of tests .
Government ministers have insisted they @ @ @ @ @ @ @ target – but they have been increasingly talking about “ capacity ” in response to questions on this topic .
Today Dominic Raab , standing in for Boris Johnson at Prime Minister ’ s Questions , used that word when the new Labour leader Keir Starmer asked him about daily testing figures .
Mr Raab said : “ I do have to just correct him .
Our capacity for tests is now at 40,000 per day , so I think that is an incredibly important milestone.
” “ And of course he ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ final week that in the final week that will require a big increase.
” Let ’ s be clear : the target Matt Hancock set out was not to increase capacity to 100,000 tests a day , it was to actually do those tests .
The target was set out in writing at the time and is still available on the UK government website : Note the use of the words “ carry out ” .
At the press conference when the target was first announced on April 2 , Mr Hancock said @ @ @ @ @ @ @ goal of 100,000 tests per day by the end of this month .
That is the goal and I am determined that we will get there.
” The health secretary did not use the word “ capacity ” in relation to this target at the time .
He also made it clear from the outset that hitting 100,000 tests a day was not contingent on Britain developing mass antibody testing .
This is something that has not materialized , as the accuracy of these blood tests has been lower than hoped .
But @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in when Mr Hancock made the announcement .
The UK government has already missed one target on testing .
On March 18 another government press release promised 25,000 tests a day “ within four weeks ” .
The press release was vaguely worded , variously promising 25,000 tests a day , tests of 25,000 patients a day ( not the same thing , as we have seen ) and “ increased capacity ” .
“ Within four weeks ” implied a deadline of April 15 , but testing is still below 25,000 a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ deadline .
In statements on April 2 and 3 Mr Hancock also talked about having the capacity to do 3,500 tests a week using an antibody test developed by Public Health England at Porton Down .
The plan was always for this strand of testing – which Mr Hancock refers to as Pillar 4 of his five-pillar testing programme – to test relatively small groups of people .
Government documents go further , saying ministers expected to be able to test up to 5,000 samples a week during April .
It ’ s @ @ @ @ @ @ @ “ pillar ” has come in under the claimed capacity .
To date , fewer than 5,000 tests have been carried out in total over at least three weeks of testing .
It ’ s also worth remembering that even if the target of 100,000 tests a day is hit over the next eight days , Boris Johnson said last month that he hoped to see daily testing hit 250,000 a day , though he did not put a date on this aim .

At the beginning of April, Matt Hancock pledged that the UK would be carrying out 100,000 tests for coronavirus by the end of the April.
That deadline is fast approaching and some commentators, including leading scientists, have expressed doubt that there is enough time to hit that target.
The latest statistics published today show that 22,814 tests were carried out on 13,522 people on Tuesday April 21. Significant numbers of people have to be re-tested so the number of individuals is always smaller than the number of tests.
Government ministers have insisted they are still on track to hit the target – but they have been increasingly talking about “capacity” in response to questions on this topic.
Today Dominic Raab, standing in for Boris Johnson at Prime Minister’s Questions, used that word when the new Labour leader Keir Starmer asked him about daily testing figures.
Mr Raab said: “I do have to just correct him. Our capacity for tests is now at 40,000 per day, so I think that is an incredibly important milestone.”
“And of course he’s right to say that in the final week that in the final week that will require a big increase.”
Let’s be clear: the target Matt Hancock set out was not to increase capacity to 100,000 tests a day, it was to actually do those tests.
The target was set out in writing at the time and is still available on the UK government website:
Note the use of the words “carry out”.
At the press conference when the target was first announced on April 2, Mr Hancock said: “I am now setting the goal of 100,000 tests per day by the end of this month. That is the goal and I am determined that we will get there.”
The health secretary did not use the word “capacity” in relation to this target at the time.
He also made it clear from the outset that hitting 100,000 tests a day was not contingent on Britain developing mass antibody testing.
This is something that has not materialized, as the accuracy of these blood tests has been lower than hoped. But the lack of antibody testing was priced in when Mr Hancock made the announcement.
Other targets
The UK government has already missed one target on testing. On March 18 another government press release promised 25,000 tests a day “within four weeks”.
The press release was vaguely worded, variously promising 25,000 tests a day, tests of 25,000 patients a day (not the same thing, as we have seen) and “increased capacity”.
“Within four weeks” implied a deadline of April 15, but testing is still below 25,000 a day now, a week after that deadline.
In statements on April 2 and 3 Mr Hancock also talked about having the capacity to do 3,500 tests a week using an antibody test developed by Public Health England at Porton Down.
The plan was always for this strand of testing – which Mr Hancock refers to as Pillar 4 of his five-pillar testing programme – to test relatively small groups of people.
Government documents go further, saying ministers expected to be able to test up to 5,000 samples a week during April.
It’s clear that testing carried out under this “pillar” has come in under the claimed capacity. To date, fewer than 5,000 tests have been carried out in total over at least three weeks of testing.
It’s also worth remembering that even if the target of 100,000 tests a day is hit over the next eight days, Boris Johnson said last month that he hoped to see daily testing hit 250,000 a day, though he did not put a date on this aim.


channel4uk--2020-04-22--Government under pressure over tests pledge and protective equipment


channel4uk--2020-04-23--UK applauds coronavirus heroes

UK applauds coronavirus heroes

Pictures from across the country as people pay tribute to NHS workers .

4m
‘Tourists getting in the way of wildfire recovery on Maui,’ says former state representative


channel4uk--2020-04-23--Syria torture trial opens in Germany

Syria torture trial opens in Germany

Earlier Jon Snow spoke to the Syrian lawyer Mazen Darwish who was at today ’ s proceedings .
He was @ @ @ @ @ for three years , and tortured .
We begin by asking him what it was @ @ @ @ @

Earlier Jon Snow spoke to the Syrian lawyer Mazen Darwish who was at today’s proceedings.
He was imprisoned in Syria in 2012 for three years, and tortured. We begin by asking him what it was like being in court.


channel4uk--2020-04-23--Pandemic puts EU unity under strain

Pandemic puts EU unity under strain

The head of the European Central Bank has warned that the Eurozone ’ s economic output could shrink by up @ @ @ @ @ .
Christine Lagarde also told a virtual summit of all 27 EU leaders that a @ @ @ @ @ quickly .
But so far those leaders can not agree how to raise a €1 @ @ @ @

The head of the European Central Bank has warned that the Eurozone’s economic output could shrink by up to 15% this year.
Christine Lagarde also told a virtual summit of all 27 EU leaders that a European recovery fund is needed quickly.
But so far those leaders cannot agree how to raise a €1 trillion or more.


channel4uk--2020-04-23--“Your shift has ended” – funeral held for NHS nurse who died with coronavirus symptoms

Elsie Sazuze , who was 44 , fell ill at home before she died in hospital with Covid-19 symptoms earlier @ @ @ @ @ a mother of two who was a nurse in the NHS before starting to work @ @ @ @ @ midlands .
Elsie Sazuze , who was 44 , fell ill at home before she @ @ @ @ @ symptoms earlier this month .
Today her family and friends paid tribute to her at @ @ @ @ @ her a moving musical send off with a flavour of the country of her birth @ @ @

Elsie Sazuze, who was 44, fell ill at home before she died in hospital with Covid-19 symptoms earlier this month.
She was a mother of two who was a nurse in the NHS before starting to work in care homes in the midlands.
Elsie Sazuze, who was 44, fell ill at home before she died in hospital with Covid-19 symptoms earlier this month.
Today her family and friends paid tribute to her at her funeral – and gave her a moving musical send off with a flavour of the country of her birth, Malawi.


channel4uk--2020-04-23--UK Muslims turn to virtual Ramadan in lockdown

As the Holy month of Ramadan gets under way , millions of Muslims will not be able to congregate for @ @ @ @ @ of Ramadan gets under way , millions of Muslims will not be able to congregate @ @ @ @ @ other Ramadan customs .
Usually mosques host daily free meals after sunset , fundraising events @ @ @ @ @ is the most communal of celebrations .
But at a time when we ’ re @ @ @ @ @ our distance , this will be a largely virtual Ramadan .

As the Holy month of Ramadan gets under way, millions of Muslims will not be able to congregate for prayers
As the Holy month of Ramadan gets under way, millions of Muslims will not be able to congregate for prayers, Iftar and other Ramadan customs.
Usually mosques host daily free meals after sunset, fundraising events and other gatherings for what is the most communal of celebrations.
But at a time when we’re all being told to keep our distance, this will be a largely virtual Ramadan.


channel4uk--2020-04-23--‘I realised how much I needed an audience’ – Grayson Perry on making art in lockdown

Forced to stay in his studio by the current lockdown , award-winning artist Grayson Perry has been inviting the public @ @ @ @ @ him .
Forced to stay in his studio by the current lockdown , award-winning artist @ @ @ @ @ the public to send their art to him .
And from next Monday , his @ @ @ @ @ Grayson ’ s Art Club , will see him investigating various painting themes in the @ @ @ @ @ as well as some more amateur artistic talents .
The aim ?
To unleash the @ @ @ @ @ Sketchbook in hand , Jon Snow caught up with him .

Forced to stay in his studio by the current lockdown, award-winning artist Grayson Perry has been inviting the public to send their art to him.
Forced to stay in his studio by the current lockdown, award-winning artist Grayson Perry has been inviting the public to send their art to him.
And from next Monday, his new Channel 4 series, Grayson’s Art Club, will see him investigating various painting themes in the company of established practitioners, as well as some more amateur artistic talents.
The aim? To unleash the creativity in us all.
Sketchbook in hand, Jon Snow caught up with him.


channel4uk--2020-04-23--Doctors demand laws on morphine are relaxed – for end of life care

How do we ensure that those at the end of their lives don ’ t suffer unnecessarily during this crisis @ @ @ @ @ that those at the end of their lives don ’ t suffer unnecessarily during this @ @ @ @ @ has learnt that leading doctors have written to the Home Secretary calling for an urgent @ @ @ @ @ prescription of painkilling drugs such as morphine .
The letter to Priti Patel details how @ @ @ @ @ their lives are suffering because of difficulties accessing the medication .

How do we ensure that those at the end of their lives don’t suffer unnecessarily during this crisis?
How do we ensure that those at the end of their lives don’t suffer unnecessarily during this crisis?
Channel 4 News has learnt that leading doctors have written to the Home Secretary calling for an urgent relaxation of laws controlling the prescription of painkilling drugs such as morphine.
The letter to Priti Patel details how patients at the end of their lives are suffering because of difficulties accessing the medication.


channel4uk--2020-04-23--Desperation of coronavirus jobless, as lifelong workers struggle to pay rent

The Business Secretary today revealed that 2.8 million workers have been furloughed under the government ’ s support scheme The @ @ @ @ @ 2.8 million workers have been furloughed under the government ’ s support scheme – where @ @ @ @ @ of their wages .
But hundreds of thousands of people could be falling through gaps @ @ @ @ @ social affairs editor Jackie Long has been speaking to some who are finding themselves without @ @ @ @ @ time – unable to afford bills and pay for food .

The Business Secretary today revealed that 2.8 million workers have been furloughed under the government’s support scheme
The Business Secretary today revealed that 2.8 million workers have been furloughed under the government’s support scheme – where it pays 80 per cent of their wages.
But hundreds of thousands of people could be falling through gaps in the scheme.
Our social affairs editor Jackie Long has been speaking to some who are finding themselves without an income for the first time – unable to afford bills and pay for food.


channel4uk--2020-04-23--Coronavirus lockdown tips UK into unprecedented economic slump

Business and Global Trade Correspondent Paul McNamara takes a look at the frightening economic warnings around coronavirus .


channel4uk--2020-04-23--How to get out of lockdown: Scotland sets out its plan

Ministers have started to reveal how they hope to get Britain “ back on her feet ” .
On the @ @ @ @ @ shown the massive hit to the economy from the coronavirus lockdown , The Health Secretary @ @ @ @ @ workers in England will be entitled to use an expanded system of mobile and home @ @ @ @ @ the government was preparing to return to the policy of tracking and tracing the contacts @ @ @ @

Ministers have started to reveal how they hope to get Britain “back on her feet”.
On the day that new figures have shown the massive hit to the economy from the coronavirus lockdown,
The Health Secretary announced that millions of essential workers in England will be entitled to use an expanded system of mobile and home testing. And he said the government was preparing to return to the policy of tracking and tracing the contacts of infected people.


channel4uk--2020-04-23--“We’re going to have to find a new normal” – Nicola Sturgeon

“ We ’ re going to have to find a new normal ” – Nicola Sturgeon Scotland ’ s First @ @ @ @ @ 4 News what the key things to measure would be before Scotland moves to the @ @ @

“We’re going to have to find a new normal” – Nicola Sturgeon
Scotland’s First Minister Nicola Sturgeon tells Channel 4 News what the key things to measure would be before Scotland moves to the next stage.


channel4uk--2020-04-24--Weekend lockdowns – Turkey’s coronavirus response

No country outside Europe and America has more coronavirus cases than Turkey , where numbers have overtaken China and Iran @ @ @ @ @ and America has more coronavirus cases than Turkey , where numbers have overtaken China and @ @ @ @ @ his handling of the crisis is a success story – although some doctors beg to @ @ @ @ @ toll is higher than claimed .
Over 80 countries , including the UK , have @ @ @ @ @ – but what ’ s the situation like there ?

No country outside Europe and America has more coronavirus cases than Turkey, where numbers have overtaken China and Iran.
No country outside Europe and America has more coronavirus cases than Turkey, where numbers have overtaken China and Iran.
President Erdogan says his handling of the crisis is a success story – although some doctors beg to differ, claiming the death toll is higher than claimed.
Over 80 countries, including the UK, have asked Turkey for medical equipment – but what’s the situation like there?


channel4uk--2020-04-24--‘Pandemics can cause more heartbreak than terrorism or even war’ – writer Lawrence Wright

The Pulitzer Prize-winning writer Lawrence Wright is best known for his works of nonfiction – including a seminal book on @ @ @ @ @ work is a novel… or so he thought .
‘ The End of October ’ @ @ @ @ @ starts in Asia , turning into a global pandemic that brings economic ruin .
We @ @ @ @ @ ask what is stranger – truth or fiction ?

The Pulitzer Prize-winning writer Lawrence Wright is best known for his works of nonfiction – including a seminal book on 9/11.
But his latest work is a novel… or so he thought.
‘The End of October’ is about a virus that starts in Asia, turning into a global pandemic that brings economic ruin.
We speak to him, and ask what is stranger – truth or fiction?


channel4uk--2020-04-24--Disinfectant firms warn people to not use products in human body after Trump virus treatment comment

Disinfectant firms warn people to not use products in human body after Trump virus treatment comments

Disinfectant manufacturers have warned people not to use their products on the human body after Donald Trump suggested they could @ @ @ @ @ patients .
The makers of Dettol and Cillit Bang said the products must not be @ @ @ @ @ ingestion or any other route ” .
The US President also floated the possibility of @ @ @ @ @ ultraviolet light .

Disinfectant manufacturers have warned people not to use their products on the human body after Donald Trump suggested they could be used to treat virus patients.
The makers of Dettol and Cillit Bang said the products must not be used via “injection, ingestion or any other route”.
The US President also floated the possibility of infected people being treated with ultraviolet light.


channel4uk--2020-04-24--UK/EU post-Brexit trade negotiations hit wall

While the virus crisis has been unfolding , trade talks have been continuing about the terms under which the UK @ @ @ @ @ the transition period stops at the end of the year .
Despite some 40 video @ @ @ @ @ negotiators have hit a wall , each accusing the other of refusing to budge .

While the virus crisis has been unfolding, trade talks have been continuing about the terms under which the UK will leave the EU after the transition period stops at the end of the year.
Despite some 40 video link meetings this week, negotiators have hit a wall, each accusing the other of refusing to budge.


channel4uk--2020-04-24--‘Number of weeks away’ from lifting lockdown – Prof Devi Sridhar

We talk to Devi Sridhar who ’ s Professor of Global Public Health at the University of Edinburgh – and @ @ @ @ @ she thought the UK government were now on the right track with their response to @ @ @

We talk to Devi Sridhar who’s Professor of Global Public Health at the University of Edinburgh – and begin by asking her if she thought the UK government were now on the right track with their response to the outbreak.


channel4uk--2020-04-24--Road traffic increases for first time since lockdown began

Traffic on Britain ’ s roads is increasing for the first time since the lockdown began .
Figures from the @ @ @ @ @ returning to work or perhaps just growing sick of staying at home despite all restrictions @ @ @ @ @ factories , construction firms and shops are reopening .
And , as Darshna Soni found @ @ @ @ @ seems to be confusion about what constitutes a permitted “ essential journey ” .

Traffic on Britain’s roads is increasing for the first time since the lockdown began. Figures from the AA suggest that people are returning to work or perhaps just growing sick of staying at home despite all restrictions remaining in force.
Some factories, construction firms and shops are reopening.
And, as Darshna Soni found out in Nottingham, there seems to be confusion about what constitutes a permitted “essential journey”.


channel4uk--2020-04-24--Wales could see relaxation of some lockdown rules in May

The First Minister of Wales has said that a relaxation of some lockdown rules could start next month .
While @ @ @ @ @ Scottish government have not put a date on when lockdown restrictions could start to be @ @ @ @ @ of Wales has said that a relaxation of some rules could start next month .

The First Minister of Wales has said that a relaxation of some lockdown rules could start next month.
While ministers in Westminster and the Scottish government have not put a date on when lockdown restrictions could start to be lifted, the First Minister of Wales has said that a relaxation of some rules could start next month.


channel4uk--2020-04-24--100,000 a day tests target has had ‘galvanising effect’ – UK Health Secretary on Covid-19 response

100,000 a day tests target has had ‘ galvanising effect ’ – UK Health Secretary on Covid-19 response We speak @ @ @ @ @ and begin by asking him whether the government had failed to anticipate the demand for @ @ @ @ @ online test booking system .

100,000 a day tests target has had ‘galvanising effect’ – UK Health Secretary on Covid-19 response
Cathy Newman Presenter
We speak to Health Secretary Matt Hancock and begin by asking him whether the government had failed to anticipate the demand for tests when it launched its online test booking system.


channel4uk--2020-04-24--Government tests website closes hours after opening due to ‘significant demand’

The new website enabling millions of key workers in England to access virus tests closed within hours after it experienced @ @ @ @ @ ‘ significant demand ’ .
The new website enabling millions of key workers in England @ @ @ @ @ within hours after it experienced what the government said was ‘ significant demand ’ .
@ @ @ @ @ were ordered within two minutes of the site going live .
The Scottish and Welsh @ @ @ @ @ up similar systems which allow workers to book home and drive-through tests if they or @ @ @ @ @ symptoms .

The new website enabling millions of key workers in England to access virus tests closed within hours after it experienced what the government said was ‘significant demand’.
The new website enabling millions of key workers in England to access virus tests closed within hours after it experienced what the government said was ‘significant demand’.
All 5,000 home testing kits were ordered within two minutes of the site going live. The Scottish and Welsh governments are expected to set up similar systems which allow workers to book home and drive-through tests if they or a family member are showing symptoms.


channel4uk--2020-04-24--FactCheck: how close are we to a cure for coronavirus?

In recent days we have seen disappointing results reported from trials of drugs touted as potential treatments for Covid-19 .
Doctors have been trying to save the lives of people infected with the coronavirus since last year , and a range of drugs more commonly used to ward off malaria , block viruses and suppress the immune system have all been suggested as possible treatments .
But the results have been inconclusive and the US medical authorities currently say no drug is proven to work against Covid-19 .
This anti-viral drug was developed by the US pharma giant Gilead Sciences @ @ @ @ @ @ @ was touted as showing early promise in the fight against Covid-19 , but there have been confusing reports about its effectiveness in recent days .
Last week the US health news site Stat published enthusiastic comments made in a video chat by scientists at the University of Chicago , which is taking part in phase III clinical trials of remdesivir sponsored by Gilead .
The comments appeared to suggest that doctors had seen promising results for some severely ill patients .
Both the university and Gilead said people should not draw conclusions about @ @ @ @ @ @ @ published .
Scientists have pointed out that in any event , this particular trial is not a randomized double-blind placebo-controlled trial , and so will be of limited value in telling us how effective remdesivir is as a treatment .
Considered the gold standard of medical studies , a placebo-controlled trial would see one group of patients given the drug alongside a control group of patients receiving the same treatment but a placebo instead ( “ double-blind ” means neither patients nor doctors know who has been given the placebo ) .
There @ @ @ @ @ @ @ progress around the world .
Gilead has provided remdesivir free of charge to researchers but does not control how the studies are done .
The full results haven ’ t been published yet , but some draft data from a Chinese trial with 237 patients was published , apparently accidentally , on the WHO website on Thursday before being taken down rapidly .
The summary posted on the WHO site said remdesivir was not associated with “ a difference in time to clinical improvement ” or “ clinical or virological benefits ” .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ post “ included inappropriate characterizations of the study ” , adding : “ The study was terminated early due to low enrollment and , as a result , it was underpowered to enable statistically meaningful conclusions .
“ As such , the study results are inconclusive , though trends in the data suggest a potential benefit for remdesivir , particularly among patients treated early in disease.
” Experts say we will have to wait for proper data from larger randomised controlled trials later this year to find out whether remdesivir works .
This @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in its variant form hydroxychloroquine , became notorious last month when US president Donald Trump expressed optimism that it could be a “ game changer ” in the fight against Covid-19 .
There has been disappointing news since then about the drug .
Concerns have been raised about a French study that sparked a lot of interest in hydroxychloroquine after reporting dramatic results from a trial of 20 patients .
The International Society of Antimicrobial Chemotherapy , which publishes the journal where the results were first reported , said the article “ does @ @ @ @ @ @ @ standard , especially relating to the lack of better explanations of the inclusion criteria and the triage of patients to ensure patient safety ” .
Another study on 368 patients in a US military veterans ’ hospital found an increased risk of death among patients treated with hydroxychloroquine , administered both with and without the antibiotic azithromycin .
The study is the largest of its kind but still falls short of the gold standard for medical evidence .
Again , randomised controlled trials of chloroquine are in progress around the world and we @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
This drug combination has been used successfully to prevent and treat HIV and AIDS .
Again , it seemed like a promising Covid-19 treatment .
But a Chinese study reported this week that the treatment had “ little benefit ” for patients .
The researchers only reported data on 86 patients .
Again , much larger and better-designed trials are in progress .
Professor Ian Jones , Professor of Virology at the University of Reading , said : “ We are beginning to see a number of early drug trial reports and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
“ In this case the drugs were a long shot as they were developed for different viruses , not specifically for coronaviruses.
” He added : “ Ideally drug treatment would follow an early diagnosis when symptoms are hardly present .
So it is too early to give up on Covid drug therapy yet .
“ Given at the appropriate time they could still impact disease , improve recovery and limit virus spread .
More trials , with drug given at earlier times , are needed.
” Multiple trials are in progress @ @ @ @ @ @ @ drugs we ’ ve talked about so far .
Scientists are also testing an anti-inflammatory steroid called dexamethasone and beta-interferon , a drug that suppresses the immune system and is used to treat multiple sclerosis .
There are many other potential treatments for coronavirus patients being investigated .
In fact , there are more than 300 trials in progress around the world assessing various drugs or combinations .
And of course , clinical trials are also under way for a number of possible vaccines .

In recent days we have seen disappointing results reported from trials of drugs touted as potential treatments for Covid-19.
Doctors have been trying to save the lives of people infected with the coronavirus since last year, and a range of drugs more commonly used to ward off malaria, block viruses and suppress the immune system have all been suggested as possible treatments.
But the results have been inconclusive and the US medical authorities currently say no drug is proven to work against Covid-19.
Remdesivir
This anti-viral drug was developed by the US pharma giant Gilead Sciences as a treatment for Ebola.
It was touted as showing early promise in the fight against Covid-19, but there have been confusing reports about its effectiveness in recent days.
Last week the US health news site Stat published enthusiastic comments made in a video chat by scientists at the University of Chicago, which is taking part in phase III clinical trials of remdesivir sponsored by Gilead.
The comments appeared to suggest that doctors had seen promising results for some severely ill patients.
Both the university and Gilead said people should not draw conclusions about the trials before the full data was published.
Scientists have pointed out that in any event, this particular trial is not a randomized double-blind placebo-controlled trial, and so will be of limited value in telling us how effective remdesivir is as a treatment.
Considered the gold standard of medical studies, a placebo-controlled trial would see one group of patients given the drug alongside a control group of patients receiving the same treatment but a placebo instead (“double-blind” means neither patients nor doctors know who has been given the placebo).
Chinese study “underpowered”
There are several trials of this nature in progress around the world. Gilead has provided remdesivir free of charge to researchers but does not control how the studies are done.
The full results haven’t been published yet, but some draft data from a Chinese trial with 237 patients was published, apparently accidentally, on the WHO website on Thursday before being taken down rapidly.
The summary posted on the WHO site said remdesivir was not associated with “a difference in time to clinical improvement” or “clinical or virological benefits”.
Gilead said in a statement that the post “included inappropriate characterizations of the study”, adding: “The study was terminated early due to low enrollment and, as a result, it was underpowered to enable statistically meaningful conclusions.
“As such, the study results are inconclusive, though trends in the data suggest a potential benefit for remdesivir, particularly among patients treated early in disease.”
Experts say we will have to wait for proper data from larger randomised controlled trials later this year to find out whether remdesivir works.
Chloroquine
This well-known antimalarial drug, often better known in its variant form hydroxychloroquine, became notorious last month when US president Donald Trump expressed optimism that it could be a “game changer” in the fight against Covid-19.
There has been disappointing news since then about the drug.
Concerns have been raised about a French study that sparked a lot of interest in hydroxychloroquine after reporting dramatic results from a trial of 20 patients.
The International Society of Antimicrobial Chemotherapy, which publishes the journal where the results were first reported, said the article “does not meet the Society’s expected standard, especially relating to the lack of better explanations of the inclusion criteria and the triage of patients to ensure patient safety”.
Another study on 368 patients in a US military veterans’ hospital found an increased risk of death among patients treated with hydroxychloroquine, administered both with and without the antibiotic azithromycin.
The study is the largest of its kind but still falls short of the gold standard for medical evidence. Again, randomised controlled trials of chloroquine are in progress around the world and we will have to wait for proper evidence.
Ritonavir/lopinavir
This drug combination has been used successfully to prevent and treat HIV and AIDS. Again, it seemed like a promising Covid-19 treatment.
But a Chinese study reported this week that the treatment had “little benefit” for patients.
The researchers only reported data on 86 patients. Again, much larger and better-designed trials are in progress.
Professor Ian Jones, Professor of Virology at the University of Reading, said: “We are beginning to see a number of early drug trial reports and, generally, the results are disappointing.
“In this case the drugs were a long shot as they were developed for different viruses, not specifically for coronaviruses.”
He added: “Ideally drug treatment would follow an early diagnosis when symptoms are hardly present. So it is too early to give up on Covid drug therapy yet.
“Given at the appropriate time they could still impact disease, improve recovery and limit virus spread. More trials, with drug given at earlier times, are needed.”
Many trials, other drugs
Multiple trials are in progress around the world to test all the drugs we’ve talked about so far.
Scientists are also testing an anti-inflammatory steroid called dexamethasone and beta-interferon, a drug that suppresses the immune system and is used to treat multiple sclerosis.
There are many other potential treatments for coronavirus patients being investigated. In fact, there are more than 300 trials in progress around the world assessing various drugs or combinations.
And of course, clinical trials are also under way for a number of possible vaccines.


channel4uk--2020-04-24--FactCheck: devolved governments have powers to end lockdown on their own

Could Scotland , Wales or Northern Ireland ease lockdown restrictions before other parts of the UK ?
That ’ s the question many commentators have been asking after the Scottish and Welsh administrations published documents setting out what ending the lockdown in those nations might look like .
Scotland ’ s “ framework for decision-making ” is the start of a “ grown up conversation with the public ” Nicola Sturgeon said .
The Welsh first minister , Mark Drakeford , revealed his government ’ s strategy today – in which lockdown measures could be lifted in three phases “ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Both leaders stressed that it would be some time before life would return to normal .
So far , all the nations of the UK have been working together on a shared coronavirus strategy .
But what if Wales , Scotland or Northern Ireland want to end lockdown without the agreement of the UK government ?
Can the devolved administrations decide to go it alone ?
Can Westminster stop them ?
We ’ ve been speaking to some of the country ’ s leading constitutional experts to find out .
The Westminster @ @ @ @ @ @ @ United Kingdom – but significant powers are devolved to Edinburgh , Cardiff and Belfast .
Health policy is one of those areas .
Jess Sargeant of the independent Institute for Government think-tank explains , telling FactCheck : “ This means that the devolved governments could take different decisions to the UK government on how and when lifting lockdown in their area.
” “ Devolved ministers can use the same powers they used to impose lockdown to change or remove restrictions ” and there ’ s no need for Westminster to make any legislation @ @ @ @ @ @ @ says .
Within each devolved nation , the legal basis of the lockdown is different – as Aileen McHarg , Professor of Public Law at Durham Law School told FactCheck .
“ The Scottish and Welsh Ministers are acting under UK legislation [ the Coronavirus Act 2020 and the Public Health Act 1984 , respectively ] , whereas the NI Executive is acting under legislation made by the old Northern Irish Parliament ” , she says .
Looking specifically at the Scottish regulations , Professor McHarg points out that they contain a “ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ interpretation , mean “ the Scottish ministers are bound to end the lockdown as soon as they consider it no longer necessary ” .
She identifies similar provisions in the Welsh and Northern Irish regulations .
If the devolved administrations decided to end lockdown earlier or in a different way to the route chosen by Westminster , it “ would not , therefore , be a question of ‘ overruling ’ the UK government , as each devolved administration has their own powers to determine the nature and extent of the lockdown for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Kenny , who is Professor of Public Policy at the University of Cambridge told FactCheck : “ Most of the key decisions relating to lockdown , and when and how it might be released , lie in the hands of the devolved administrations so they would not need to seek permission from the UK government about them.
” What would happen if the UK government or Parliament tried to block a decision by the Scottish , Welsh or Northern Irish administrations to lift or ease lockdown ?
Jess Sargeant again : “ The @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the UK Parliament retains the power to legislate in devolved areas .
So in theory , the UK Government could overrule the devolved administrations ” .
But , she says , “ this looks unlikely to happen at this point ” .
Professor Kenny points out : “ For the most part , [ the devolved administrations ] and their scientific experts have been consulting jointly with the UK government and its experts , and have followed a common approach to lockdown.
” But , he says “ there have been some small @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , and the Scottish government has indicated that it is prepared to develop a more independent approach to the management of Scotland ’ s exit from it , if the evidence demands that.
” What do the devolved administrations say ?
A spokesperson for the Welsh government confirmed that they have not set out a definitive timetable for easing the lockdown restrictions .
A spokesperson for the Northern Ireland executive told FactCheck : “ The Executive ’ s clear focus at this time is the ongoing health risk from Covid-19 .
The restrictions @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in protecting people and saving lives , and they need to continue .
The Executive will continue discussions and making preparations for how and when we can move into a recovery phase when the time is right , taking account of all relevant evidence and advice.
” The Scottish government was contacted for comment .

Could Scotland, Wales or Northern Ireland ease lockdown restrictions before other parts of the UK?
That’s the question many commentators have been asking after the Scottish and Welsh administrations published documents setting out what ending the lockdown in those nations might look like.
Scotland’s “framework for decision-making” is the start of a “grown up conversation with the public” Nicola Sturgeon said. The Welsh first minister, Mark Drakeford, revealed his government’s strategy today – in which lockdown measures could be lifted in three phases “like a traffic light in reverse”. Both leaders stressed that it would be some time before life would return to normal.
So far, all the nations of the UK have been working together on a shared coronavirus strategy. But what if Wales, Scotland or Northern Ireland want to end lockdown without the agreement of the UK government? Can the devolved administrations decide to go it alone? Can Westminster stop them?
We’ve been speaking to some of the country’s leading constitutional experts to find out.
Devolved powers
The Westminster Parliament is ultimately sovereign over the whole United Kingdom – but significant powers are devolved to Edinburgh, Cardiff and Belfast. Health policy is one of those areas.
Jess Sargeant of the independent Institute for Government think-tank explains, telling FactCheck: “This means that the devolved governments could take different decisions to the UK government on how and when lifting lockdown in their area.”
“Devolved ministers can use the same powers they used to impose lockdown to change or remove restrictions” and there’s no need for Westminster to make any legislation to allow this to happen, she says.
Different regulations
Within each devolved nation, the legal basis of the lockdown is different – as Aileen McHarg, Professor of Public Law at Durham Law School told FactCheck.
“The Scottish and Welsh Ministers are acting under UK legislation [the Coronavirus Act 2020 and the Public Health Act 1984, respectively], whereas the NI Executive is acting under legislation made by the old Northern Irish Parliament”, she says.
Looking specifically at the Scottish regulations, Professor McHarg points out that they contain a “review clause” which, by her interpretation, mean “the Scottish ministers are bound to end the lockdown as soon as they consider it no longer necessary”. She identifies similar provisions in the Welsh and Northern Irish regulations.
If the devolved administrations decided to end lockdown earlier or in a different way to the route chosen by Westminster, it “would not, therefore, be a question of ‘overruling’ the UK government, as each devolved administration has their own powers to determine the nature and extent of the lockdown for their own territory”.
Professor Michael Kenny, who is Professor of Public Policy at the University of Cambridge told FactCheck: “Most of the key decisions relating to lockdown, and when and how it might be released, lie in the hands of the devolved administrations so they would not need to seek permission from the UK government about them.”
Could Westminster force the issue?
What would happen if the UK government or Parliament tried to block a decision by the Scottish, Welsh or Northern Irish administrations to lift or ease lockdown?
Jess Sargeant again: “The UK’s constitutional arrangements mean that the UK Parliament retains the power to legislate in devolved areas. So in theory, the UK Government could overrule the devolved administrations”. But, she says, “this looks unlikely to happen at this point”.
Professor Kenny points out: “For the most part, [the devolved administrations] and their scientific experts have been consulting jointly with the UK government and its experts, and have followed a common approach to lockdown.”
But, he says “there have been some small differences in how it has been implemented, and the Scottish government has indicated that it is prepared to develop a more independent approach to the management of Scotland’s exit from it, if the evidence demands that.”
What do the devolved administrations say?
A spokesperson for the Welsh government confirmed that they have not set out a definitive timetable for easing the lockdown restrictions.
A spokesperson for the Northern Ireland executive told FactCheck: “The Executive’s clear focus at this time is the ongoing health risk from Covid-19. The restrictions in place are making a real difference in protecting people and saving lives, and they need to continue. The Executive will continue discussions and making preparations for how and when we can move into a recovery phase when the time is right, taking account of all relevant evidence and advice.”
The Scottish government was contacted for comment.