bbcuk--2020-08-12--'Why I stopped hiding my scars'

'Why I stopped hiding my scars'

Jayne , Emily and Laura have one thing in common - they all have scars .
Aimee , for her part , has flare-ups of psoriasis that can leave her face covered in red patches .
But all four have come to feel comfortable in their own skin .
'My legs looked like I 'd come straight from The Walking Dead' Following surgery , I got a flesh-eating bug ( necrotising fasciitis ) which ate away at my legs from my mid-thigh down to my feet .
Initially , there was no flesh on my bones from my leg down @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , my bottom , and my stomach and they 've replaced all the skin from my thigh down , which looks a bit like reptilian skin .
To get the amount of skin they needed , they had to stretch it like a web to make the skin bigger - like through a pasta machine .
I had a condition called lipoedema .
It 's predominantly women that get it and it 's abnormal fat cells from the waist down .
I was on top about a size eight to 10 and then @ @ @ @ @ @ @ time .
I lost a lot of weight , but it does n't diet or exercise away and it 's very painful .
I started going back and forth to the GP about eight years ago , and then was told that this condition was n't treatable on the NHS .
In 2017 I got the courage to go and have some surgery on it .
I 'd gone into it so excited about having this great life , being able to just wear normal clothes , which I had n't been able @ @ @ @ @ @ @ days after I had the second surgery , I became very , very ill .
The next thing I remember , I woke up to find that I 'd been in a coma and I was totally delirious and I had psychosis and I thought everybody was robots .
I thought I was in the hospital for medical experiments and it was just absolutely terrifying .
My family had been there , they did n't think I was going to survive the night , and they 'd had to sign a consent , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ have to amputate both of my legs .
It was a very scary time .
It was about six-seven weeks in before I actually saw what my legs looked like and it was a huge shock .
They just looked like two pipe cleaners .
For somebody that wanted to have slim legs , my legs looked like I 'd come straight from The Walking Dead .
In some ways , mentally , it 's been really tough because I 've got PTSD ( post-traumatic stress disorder ) , especially to do with @ @ @ @ @ @ @ has done is it 's really made me appreciate my life more .
I 've gone through a spell of trying really hard to do lots of things in case one day something happens and I 'm not here any more .
I want to tick as many things off that bucket list as I can .
I have n't been to the Moulin Rouge in Paris , or the Orient Express .
I want to visit Petra , want to go to Amsterdam .
I 'm not sure about the mile-high club @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 's up for that one , but it 's on there regardless .
It is n't always easy .
I 'm not always happy and it 's changed my personality .
Then I just dust myself off and I go into the next day with a `` Right that 's it , we 're going to do this . ''
'It represents a lot of pain , but also a lot of overcoming' My scar 's on my right hand , quite close to my wrist .
It 's a bit raised off @ @ @ @ @ @ @ it feels a bit hard , a bit lumpy in some areas , soft in areas , and in terms of its colour , it 's a bit darker than my shade .
In my life I have self-harmed three times on my arm and it 's all been on the same area .
It 's because I did n't want to get any more scars on a different part of my body .
The last time I self-harmed was a year and a bit ago .
I 've had this scar since @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 's been 10 years .
It represents a lot of pain , but it also represents a lot of overcoming , because I think why I can smile now is because I 'm not in the place I used to be .
I 'm in therapy at the moment and self-harm is something that we talk about .
It was inflicted , but I do n't see it as I harmed myself .
I see it as I had a lot of pain inside and I did n't know how to deal with @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the first time is because I did something really bad .
I shoplifted here and there , and of course the day I steal the most things is the day I get caught .
I thought I need to get punished for it .
• Jayne , Emily , Laura and Aimee spoke to reporter Ena Miller , for Woman 's Hour on BBC Radio 4 • Listen to Aimee on Thursday 13 August at 10:00 , catch up later online or download the Woman 's Hour podcast When I first got my @ @ @ @ @ @ @ effort to hide it , wearing long-sleeved skin-tight tops in the summer , and it 's boiling and you 're sweating and you 're so uncomfortable .
The reason why I hid it is I thought everyone 's going to look at it , people think they 're entitled to touch , and ask intrusive questions .
I 'd essentially be telling every stranger that asks me about my mental health and self-harm , I just would n't want to do that .
I think especially with the stigma of self-harm , you @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and its either disgust or it 's someone feeling incredible pity for you .
Both reactions I completely hate , so for me it 's just easier to say , `` Yeah , I got burnt . ''
The shift for me happened a few years back and I think it coincided with me just getting tired of being so hard on myself .
My needs mattered more than what other people might say .
I feel like I started becoming more honest , knocking down that stigma from within .
Then it @ @ @ @ @ @ @ where I was like , `` Actually , I 'm going to show my scar , it 's going to be out there . ''
And if people look at it , and if people say something , that 's OK. ' I 've always said that my scars look like crumpled up tights' From my bellybutton down to my toes , I 've always said that my scars look like crumpled up tights .
It does make me feel uncomfortable sometimes , because you think people are going to notice because you @ @ @ @ @ @ @ going to Cardiff shopping , people will stare at you .
I like to be labelled as a burns survivor , because you 're not a victim , but you are a survivor of what happened in the accident , and you 've come out stronger .
When I was about one , a non-member of my birth family put me in the bath , and my birth mum came in and saw what happened .
She dialled 999 .
It was scalding water .
I got removed from my birth family and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ As a child , it was hard because you get children who will be nasty .
I remember this one lad and he said I had zombie legs and that basically I should have died in the bath .
I remember my first day of high school , I wore a skirt with high socks and these horrible little clodhoppers .
At the age of 15-16 years I started wearing trousers , so I just hid it all .
I went really quiet .
I did n't have the confidence to talk to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , and that 's the way I dealt with it .
I hid myself as well from the world and then at about 18-21 years I decided , `` I 'm me . ''
I had a lot of talks with people at this adult burns club , and the children 's burns club as well , and I heard a story from somebody else and I thought , `` My life 's not that bad . ''
Everybody accepted you for who you are , and that was really nice because then @ @ @ @ @ @ @ you could tell your stories , encourage each other .
I was about 25 and there was about eight of us in a row on a beach in swimsuits , all with different burns and from all walks of life , and we thought , `` We 're going to post this on Instagram , because we 're going to show people that we 're brave , and that it 's all right to talk about your burns and open up . ''
I was in a beauty pageant .
It was the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 've got differences and uniqueness .
I want young people to look up to me as a role model and think , `` If she can do it , I can do it , I can get out of my shell . ''
Explaining to my partner that I 'm with now was hard .
I was nervous .
When he first saw my scars he was a bit shocked , and he thought , `` How can somebody do this to a person ? ''
He has n't asked any questions since @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ago .
So it is all normal , but because the skin on my belly is so skin-tight , I 'm afraid to have kids because of it .
He wants kids in the future , and I was scared that I could n't give it to him .
It may be possible , but we 'll have to wait and see .
One day I 'm hoping to have kids , but at the moment I 've got my dogs . '
I could n't cope with that feeling in the morning @ @ @ @ @ @ @ been a few weeks since I 've had a psoriasis flare up .
My skin 's looking really great at the moment .
I still have patches on other bits of my body .
Strangely , I 've taken lots of photos of my skin during a major flare up and I have had those photos even printed .
It 's just to remind myself of what my skin can be .
During a severe flare up , the psoriasis started on my forehead .
First it was just small spot-sized dry patches @ @ @ @ @ @ @ each patch merged with each other , creating much larger patches of dry skin crossing my entire forehead .
Both eyebrows were completely affected , and then it spread down the sides of my nose , around my mouth , until , it was pretty much dotted all over my face , neck and body .
I constantly had this tingling , burning sensation on all of the patches that covered my face and my body , and it affects my scalp the most .
During my flare up , I started to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ At one point my hair was so fine , it was a few strands that I could just hold together .
What I ended up doing was buying wigs to make myself feel better .
Sometimes it would get bad enough that it would feel like an open wound .
Even the feeling of my clothing touching my psoriasis would be completely unbearable .
I love all my clothes and I love fashion .
I could only wear fleece-lined leggings and big baggy jumpers that were fleece-lined .
I could n't wear bras @ @ @ @ @ @ @ had to wear cycling shorts so that the elastic did n't cut into my skin .
When I first got guttate psoriasis ( which causes small spots or papules ) , I was misdiagnosed with chicken pox .
Over the next few weeks , I ended up staying at my mum 's .
She set me up a little bed in her room .
What I could n't cope with the most was that initial feeling in the morning of remembering how I now looked and having to accept it all over again @ @ @ @ @ @ @ bless her , always at my side , waiting for me to wake up .
I would just burst into tears and she would comfort me and tell me I was beautiful .
Remind me that she would get me all the help that she could get me .
You are aware of other people 's reactions .
At work , customers would say to me , `` Can I not be served by you , because you 've probably got something contagious . ''
I work in retail , so I 'm @ @ @ @ @ @ @ initially saying , `` Yes , that 's fine .
I 'll get someone else to serve you . ''
It did n't take me long to be able to say to people , `` I 'm not contagious , I 'm absolutely fine , and so either you 're served by me or you wo n't get served . ''
All of my friends and family were really supportive .
I was single at the time .
I did n't expect to meet anyone during a flare up until I met my @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , he had absolutely no questions about my skin at all .
He did n't query it , did n't look at me any differently , just approached me and said , `` Wow , you 're beautiful . ''
People started to contact me once I had my initial photo on social media and say , `` You 're really inspirational . ''
That was when I had to embrace it and I thought , `` Wow I do n't think I would ever have considered myself an inspiration to anyone .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ Woman 's Hour , broadcast on 4 August , 6 August , 11 August and 13 August .
Text interviews shortened and edited for clarity by Lucy Wallis .
You may also be interested in : Sylvia Mac has spent most of her life trying to conceal the extensive scars which cover her body - the legacy of a childhood accident .
Here she explains why , at the age of 48 , she decided it was time to stop hiding and come out into the open .
Me and my scar : @ @ @ @ @ @ @ my body

I'd gone into it so excited about having this great life, being able to just wear normal clothes, which I hadn't been able to before, and then about five days after I had the second surgery, I became very, very ill. The next thing I remember, I woke up to find that I'd been in a coma and I was totally delirious and I had psychosis and I thought everybody was robots. I thought I was in the hospital for medical experiments and it was just absolutely terrifying. My family had been there, they didn't think I was going to survive the night, and they'd had to sign a consent, because they thought they were going to have to amputate both of my legs. It was a very scary time.


bbcuk--2020-08-12--First-time buyers: Four ways the property market 'will be tougher'

Official forecasts predict a fall in UK house prices with the economy in recession and jobs being lost .
First-time buyers may be rejoicing about the prospect of cheaper property .
Yet a report by the Resolution Foundation suggests home ownership could become increasingly `` out of reach '' for this group of people .
It comes as a survey of agents predicts a medium-term downturn in the housing market , following a short-lived boom after lockdown .
The coronavirus crisis has led to people losing their jobs , incomes being hit , and the economy slumping .
Reopening the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to a short-term rise in house prices and demand for property .
• Coronavirus : How the financial shockwave is affecting jobs and money This will not last , commentators say , and over the coming months , house prices will inevitably fall on average , according to the government 's official forecaster , the Office for Budget Responsibility .
It has predicted falls of anything between 2 % this year , to 22 % by the later half of next year .
Its central forecast is an 11 % fall by the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Usually , first-time buyers would see house price falls as a chance for property to become more affordable .
Some young people in stable jobs , with savings , and who have had the chance to put more aside in lockdown will benefit , the Resolution Foundation 's Housing Outlook report says .
Yet , the typical first-time buyer faces four major obstacles , it suggests : • Lenders will be asking for a larger deposit .
The typical first-time buyer family , aged around 30 and putting aside 5 % of their @ @ @ @ @ @ @ more than 20 years to pay for it .
A long-term financial downturn would mean mortgage lenders will need to protect themselves against borrowers being unable to repay , so would require a larger deposit upfront • Saving has just got tougher .
More than half of renters aged between 25 and 34 do not have savings .
Others have either had to cut or dip into savings during lockdown owing , in part , to lower incomes • The government 's stamp duty holiday in England and Northern Ireland does not help @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , many first-time buyers did not buy a home expensive enough to be charged stamp duty .
They may also have had some advantage over movers , as the starting point was more favourable to first-time buyers .
That advantage has disappeared for the time-being • Moving for a job may be expensive .
With jobs being lost , young workers may find they need to relocate .
Extra travel could hit savings , while moving to a city for work is likely to mean higher housing costs '' Although prices are projected @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the wake of the pandemic-induced recession , this drop wo n't make things any easier for typical young first-time buyers looking to purchase their first home , '' said the report 's co-author Lindsay Judge .
`` The current crisis looks set to deepen pre-existing inequalities and the growing divide between those who are able to look forward to home ownership , and those for whom this dream is increasingly out of reach . ''
The Resolution Foundation has called for targeted government support for first-time buyers to support their incomes , or @ @ @ @ @ @ @ homeowners and landlords when trying to buy a property .
A separate survey of agents by the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors ( RICS ) said that July saw a rise in housing demand and sales across he UK , helped by the stamp duty holiday .
There has also been greater demand from tenants .
However , some surveyors say as government support for workers is withdrawn , then the trend could reverse .
`` Significantly , some contributors are now even referencing the possibility of a boom followed by a bust @ @ @ @ @ @ @ economist at Rics .
`` I ca n't increase my offer any more without help from Mum and Dad . ''
Cordelia Clark 's first home felt within reach .
The 27-year-old was about to scramble on to the housing ladder , but then a twist appeared .
One of the UK 's biggest mortgage lenders , Nationwide , altered the rules .
There is now a tighter limit on how much your family can help you when you are getting your deposit together .
The bank of mum and dad - as @ @ @ @ @

There is now a tighter limit on how much your family can help you when you are getting your deposit together. The bank of mum and dad - as it is often known.


bbcuk--2020-08-13--GAA: The African fishermen taking up gaelic football

A County Down gaelic football club has been training players from further afield .
A number of men from Ghana have been working as fishermen out of Ardglass harbour for the last year .
Ruth Curran , secretary at Ardglass gaelic football club , said : `` We met a few weeks ago and we were talking about gaelic and having a bit of banter about how you have to play gaelic when you come out to our club . ''
She added : `` We got our senior manager to put on a bit of a training session with @ @ @ @ @ @ @ . ''
The 31-year-old grew up in Ghana and he is one of about 30 men from the African country who have spent the last two summers in Ardglass working in the local fishing industry .
He said : `` Ardglass is a nice community , I consider it one of the best places I ’ ve settled in .
“ Our first time at the gaelic club , I wondered how could I play football with my hand and my leg also .
“ But then I remembered when I was in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ so it was nothing to me and it wasn ’ t so bad.
” Ruth Curran said it ’ s an opportunity for the club to promote the health and wellbeing of everybody in the local community .
“ They very much are part of our community and we want to make them feel welcome . ''

A County Down gaelic football club has been training players from further afield.
A number of men from Ghana have been working as fishermen out of Ardglass harbour for the last year.
Ruth Curran, secretary at Ardglass gaelic football club, said: "We met a few weeks ago and we were talking about gaelic and having a bit of banter about how you have to play gaelic when you come out to our club."
She added: "We got our senior manager to put on a bit of a training session with them and go through some basic skills."
Edward Kweku Dzidzornu is a seafarer by profession.
The 31-year-old grew up in Ghana and he is one of about 30 men from the African country who have spent the last two summers in Ardglass working in the local fishing industry.
He said: "Ardglass is a nice community, I consider it one of the best places I’ve settled in.
“Our first time at the gaelic club, I wondered how could I play football with my hand and my leg also.
“But then I remembered when I was in high school I played handball before, so it was nothing to me and it wasn’t so bad.”
Ruth Curran said it’s an opportunity for the club to promote the health and wellbeing of everybody in the local community.
“They very much are part of our community and we want to make them feel welcome."
Video journalist: Niall McCracken


bbcuk--2020-08-13--The Papers: Train crash aftermath and likely outcry over exams

Dramatic pictures of the train derailment in Aberdeenshire are on most front pages .
The Daily Telegraph says the investigation is set to examine why the service was allowed to depart as scheduled following a night of thunderstorms and torrential rain .
According to The Times , an official report published last month said Network Rail 's plans to address climate change and extreme weather were `` not keeping up with the frequency and severity of these events '' .
Several papers lead with the row about the way exam grades in England will be decided .
`` Ministers braced @ @ @ @ @ @ @ fiasco '' , is the Guardian 's headline .
It says pressure is mounting on the government to institute a fairer system or face fury from students .
If students were hoping that ministers would follow Scotland and allow them to keep the grades predicted by their teachers , then Education Secretary Gavin Williamson makes clear in the Daily Telegraph that such a move would not be fair to the classes of 2019 and 2021 .
But The Times has better news for students - saying universities are ready to rip up their @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to the paper , they have reassured ministers that they will `` soften '' the grades they normally require for entry to take account of the extraordinary circumstances that have led to exams being cancelled .
New home for the Sussexes Elsewhere in the paper however , pupils are warned that the scramble for university places in clearing may be even more chaotic than usual this year as the operation will be run largely from the homes of admissions staff because social distancing rules have made it impossible to work from campus .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ Barbara area of California on the Pacific coast - with the papers reporting that the Duke and Duchess of Sussex have bought their first home there .
According to the Sun , they and their son , Archie , made the move from Los Angeles 100 miles away in secret last month .
The Daily Express says with its white sandy beaches , palm-studded rolling hills and Spanish hacienda-style mansions , Santa Barbara is home to some of America 's biggest stars , seeking a respite from Hollywood .
Finally , sharks may @ @ @ @ @ @ @ but a study has found they are actually rather good at making and keeping friends .
The `` i '' reports that researchers tracked 41 grey reef sharks in the Pacific Ocean and found they were highly community-minded , forming social networks built on long-lasting friendships .
According to the paper , they spent their mornings together as large groups , dispersing throughout the day and into the night and reconvening with the same group members the following day .
But The Daily Telegraph strikes a note of caution - suggesting the camaraderie @ @ @ @ @ @ @ n't call to each other or show affection or raise their young , it says .

But The Times has better news for students - saying universities are ready to rip up their admissions rules for this year. According to the paper, they have reassured ministers that they will "soften" the grades they normally require for entry to take account of the extraordinary circumstances that have led to exams being cancelled.


bbcuk--2020-08-13--Family's fears over Leicestershire double murderer's release

The family of a woman who was stabbed to death by an occult-obsessed `` sadist '' are to appeal against his release .
Paul Bostock , 53 , has been in prison since pleading guilty in 1986 to killing two women in Leicestershire .
Despite once saying he should be `` prevented from walking the streets again '' , Bostock has been deemed safe enough to be released on parole .
The family of his second victim , Amanda Weedon , said it was still too soon for him to be released .
Her brother Martin , 61 , said @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a dangerous person .
I do n't think you can fix a mind like his . ''
In 1983 Bostock stabbed and killed 33-year-old pet beautician Caroline Osborne while she was walking dogs in Aylestone Meadows in Leicester .
Two years later he killed Miss Weedon , a 21-year-old nurse , after he visited Ms Osborne 's nearby grave .
The Beaumont Leys resident was described as `` a loner ... with an obsession with weapons , with the occult and with black magic '' .
Leicester Crown Court heard both killings were @ @ @ @ @ @ @ element of sexual sadism '' .
While awaiting trial he wrote : `` I 'm an animal who should be prevented from walking the streets again .
`` If I suffer 100 years I would still deserve more . ''
• Latest news and stories from the East Midlands He was sentenced to life imprisonment at the age of 19 .
The BBC has seen Parole Board documents showing it had decided Bostock was now safe enough to leave prison , although he will have a tag and `` very strict limitations '' @ @ @ @ @ @ @ he can go .
A spokeswoman confirmed it had directed his release and said its decisions were `` solely focussed '' on the risk a prisoner poses to the public and whether that risk is manageable .
She added : `` Protecting the public is our number one priority . ''
Miss Weedon 's family said they were told on Monday and given 21 days to submit their appeal .
Mr Weedon added : `` I believe most people deserve a second chance .
But not him .
`` People will say , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ - but I 'd ask them , do you want a guy who can stab someone 37 times in 10 minutes , after killing another woman , to come live alongside you ? ''
Follow BBC East Midlands on Facebook , Twitter , or Instagram .
Send your story ideas to eastmidsnews @ bbc.co.uk .

The BBC has seen Parole Board documents showing it had decided Bostock was now safe enough to leave prison, although he will have a tag and "very strict limitations" on who he can meet and where he can go.


bbcuk--2020-08-13--A-levels: Over a third of NI results lower than estimated grades

Over a third of estimated grades allocated by teachers to NI 's A-level and AS level students were lowered in the final results .
About 28,000 pupils across Northern Ireland received their results on Thursday morning .
Overall , 37 % of estimated grades were lowered and 5.3 % were raised .
Unlike other years , this year 's results have been estimated after exams were cancelled by the Covid-19 pandemic .
Last year , 45.8 % of estimated grades provided by schools matched the student 's final results .
The proportion of A* to A grades awarded to A-level @ @ @ @ @ @ @ In Northern Ireland , A-level grades were based on previous AS results , resit data and teachers ' predicted grades for their students .
A similar system was used in England , where 36 % of entries had a lower grade than teachers predicted .
In Northern Ireland , 58 % of this year 's A-level and AS results matched the grade estimated by the pupil 's teacher .
The proportion of A* grades has risen by 1 % .
A* to A grades rose by 2.3 % .
The overall percentage pass @ @ @ @ @ @ @ chief executive of examination body CCEA said that if teacher judgement had been used on its own , results would have risen `` considerably '' .
Justin Edwards said that often teachers `` over-predict '' or are `` over confident '' when it comes to predicting the lower C-E grades in particular .
But he added that he was `` eternally grateful for the education workforce of Northern Ireland '' .
Mr Edwards said that CCEA is the only awarding body in the UK who historically asked for predicted grades prior to issuing @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ask for this is if something terrible happens to a child and we have to issue results and we want to know how to predict results for that child we can return to that data for that child , '' he said .
`` In 2019 , the predictions that were given to us were 45.8 % accurate against the actual exam results that the children achieved , that is for both grammar and secondary schools . ''
'Dreams taken away by an algorithm' However , some head teachers have said their school @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the grades predicted by teachers .
Matthew Pitts , from Bangor Academy , told the Nolan Show that 63.4 % of his school 's grades had been lowered while Alan Hutchinson , from Glastry College , said 56 % of their grades had been reduced .
Mr Hutchinson said he has `` no confidence whatsoever in what has been used '' .
`` There are huge anomalies , '' Mr Hutchinson said .
`` One pupil who achieved and was predicted an A at AS level has been taken down to a B @ @ @ @ @ @ @ A but has been awarded an A .
`` The important thing in this is not data , it 's children and their futures .
We have had teachers dealing with children who have had their dreams and aspirations taken away from them by an algorithm . ''
Mr Pitts said that 11 % of pupils had their grades lowered by two grades and 53.4 % were lowered by one grade .
`` Our school is 25 % below the A-levels we achieved last year .
`` We 've been working really hard @ @ @ @ @ @ @ years and our results have gone up 20 % and we 're really proud of it .
`` I 've already had a pupil sobbing in my office this morning .
She had a B and two Cs at AS level and that now translates into a C and two Ds .
I ca n't see any logic behind this . ''
St Cecilia 's College principal Martine Mulhern said her experience on results day had been of `` sheer disappointment '' .
`` I have n't slept all night , because I @ @ @ @ @ @ @ facing the day , '' she told BBC NI 's Good Morning Ulster .
`` I have just found the results to be very erratic , a lack of consistency .
`` I am waking up this morning to hear that Wales have said that they are guaranteeing A-level or A2 students their AS grades as a minimum grade , whereas 13 % of our grades at A2 level were actually lower than their AS grades , which we would have always considered to be the baseline from moving on to A2 .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ circumstances and CCEA have worked very hard to come up with a model , but in all of that what has been lost are the children . ''
In response , Education Minister Peter Weir said that in `` any case in which somebody has been unfairly treated because the grade they have received does not reflect their prior performance , then there is the opportunity directly for an appeal '' .
`` And indeed anybody in that circumstance will be treated sympathetically . ''
In a statement , Mr Weir said it @ @ @ @ @ @ @ were `` comparable to those awarded in part years and recognised as equally valid to avoid any long-term detrimental impact '' .
`` Full credit must go to teachers and school leaders who very quickly produced the professional judgements required and submitted these to CCEA within the very tight deadlines set .
`` However , for those not happy with the outcome I would emphasise that the results today are provisional , and there is an appeals process available . ''
In an email to principals on Wednesday , CCEA had admitted there @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of the grades awarded .
It said it would `` start contacting schools where we have seen anomalies in terms of judgements provided and the grade issued '' .
As exams were cancelled , grades are awarded based on predicted grades from schools , which have been standardised by CCEA .
A similar system is also in place in England and Wales , and about 12 % of pupils in Northern Ireland take subjects through exam boards from those countries .
In Scotland , results predicted by teachers alone will now be used @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is after a major U-turn by the Scottish government on Tuesday , which abandoned a moderation system for grades by the Scottish Qualifications Authority ( SQA ) .
The 2020 results show that maths , biology , business studies , religious studies and chemistry were the top five most popular subjects among Northern Ireland 's A-level students .
Almost 40 % of A level entries in Northern Ireland were in STEM subjects .
There was a 2.3 % rise in the number of females studying science , technology , engineering and maths in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Northern Ireland have outperformed their counterparts in England and Wales in recent years .
Just over 30 % of entries were awarded A* or A grades in 2019 .
CCEA will operate a dedicated exams helpline for pupils on 028 9026 1260 from 13-26 August .

"The main reason we ask for this is if something terrible happens to a child and we have to issue results and we want to know how to predict results for that child we can return to that data for that child," he said.


bbcuk--2020-08-13--A-levels: Pupils in Wales post record top grades

Top grades at A-level have gone up in Wales , after a chaotic summer when schools shut and exams were cancelled .
But final results are on average significantly lower than those estimated by teachers , which the exams watchdog said were `` too generous '' .
The education minister stepped in to pledge grades would be no lower than pupils ' earlier AS results , and up to 4,500 may now be given improved grades .
Teaching unions said some results were `` unfair and unfathomable '' .
But the exams watchdog said the grades were `` meaningful and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the Welsh Government on Wednesday followed an outcry in Scotland after thousands of results were initially downgraded , sparking changes in other parts of the UK .
Qualifications Wales said last week that teacher estimates had been `` generous '' , resulting in thousands of grades being adjusted down .
This affected more than four in 10 of all grades - more than 12,500 .
But after the minister intervened , students whose results today are worse than their earlier AS grades in that subject - it is believed this could involve between @ @ @ @ @ @ @ their A-levels readjusted `` as soon as possible '' .
• A record proportion of A and A* grades - 29.9 % , up 2.9 percentage points from 2019 .
But this is less than the 40.4 % estimated after the initial teacher assessments • 42.2 % of final A-level grades are lower than the predicted grades based on assessment ; 53.7 % are the same and 4.1 % are higher • The proportion achieving A* is 10.8 % - adjusted downwards from the original estimate of 15.4 % • More pupils on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ - 48.1 % , compared to 45.3 % for pupils not eligible • The gap between boys and girls is slightly wider than last year - with A* to C grades for 76.5 % of boys and 82.3 % of girls • 22.2 % achieved an A* or A for AS-levels , up 1.9 percentage points from last year .
Education Minister Kirsty Williams said she had to make sure that those changes did not disadvantage Welsh students , and so she was giving a guarantee that a final A-level grade can not @ @ @ @ @ @ @ grade .
`` This will mean - and I have received assurances from Ucas and universities - that students can speak with confidence to their prospective universities regarding their A-level grades , '' Ms Williams added .
What has been the problem ?
The qualifications watchdog found that the estimated grades by teachers had been too generous in Wales .
If you look at the last 10 years , usually about a quarter of grades are at the top - last year it was around 27 % , when record numbers of pupils @ @ @ @ @ @ @ found if it had gone along with the estimates for this summer then more than 40 % would have been A and A* grades .
• How will I get my exam results this year ?
The watchdog said that was `` generous '' .
So aiming to keep the integrity of the qualifications - for the sake of employers and universities - and to be fair to students , Qualifications Wales revised the results .
The majority of students ( 53.7 % ) get the same as the original assessment grade while @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a lower grade .
A small proportion get a higher grade .
The watchdog says it has also been monitoring to ensure the exams are fair in terms of disadvantaged groups and gender gaps .
But these are extraordinary times , with schools closed and pupils unable to sit the exams they had worked for .
Once ministers in England and Scotland had stepped in to overrule the usual exam moderation practices it was inevitable that Wales would have to follow suit .
Students who get their grades today are being told if @ @ @ @ @ @ @ AS level grades , they will be issued with revised ones by the WJEC as soon as possible .
Education expert Gareth Evans , from the University of Wales Trinity Saint David , said some students would still wonder if they might have performed better than expected .
`` While it will doubtless be of some comfort to those who performed well at the halfway stage of their A-levels , it will be of scant consolation to those pinning their hopes on boosting scores at the end of the course , '' he @ @ @ @ @ @ @ moderation of grades allocated by teachers remains .
The right of pupils to challenge their grades as appropriate is absolutely essential . ''
What has been the reaction ?
Eithne Hughes , director of the ASCL Cymru union said : `` We have received many calls from school leaders expressing their frustration , confusion , and disappointment at the results awarded to their students .
`` They report that grades have been pulled down in a way that they feel to be utterly unfair and unfathomable , and they are extremely concerned about @ @ @ @ @ @ @ concerned . ''
Neil Foden , a north Wales-based member of the national executive of the National Education Union , said that from his contact with schools , more than 90 % of headteachers were unhappy with the grades .
`` There is real concern in schools about the number of learners whose results have been downgraded from the teacher estimates , '' he said .
Dilwyn Roberts-Young , of Welsh teaching union Ucac , said : `` There remains serious concern that there are many discrepancies at individual and centre level , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ pledge last night .
`` The last minute changes and the results of individuals are inevitably going to create anxiety and we hope we will not see this repeated next week . ''
Qualifications Wales chief executive Philip Blaker said this year 's process had not disadvantaged particular groups of pupils .
`` We have analysed attainment gaps this year relative to previous years - looking at aspects such as gender , age and eligibility for free school meals '' , he said .
`` Our analysis shows no statistically significant differences this @ @ @ @ @ @ @ The results show Wales has proportionately more pupils with top grades and grades A* to C than in England , but fewer than in Northern Ireland .
But the performance at both A* to C and A*-A grades in Wales is higher than in all regions of England , apart from the south east , which is only slightly higher .
There had also been a 3.3 % rise in the proportion of A* to C grades in Wales , higher than elsewhere .
How is Wales different to Scotland and England on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ exams taken earlier were cited as reliable evidence towards estimating A-level performance .
In Scotland , the row over the downgrading of results for Higher exams has affected 75,000 pupils , with claims the method unfairly penalised pupils at schools which had historically not performed as well .
The Scottish government has now promised all pupils would get the grades predicted by teachers .
In England , pupils have now been promised their final results will be no lower than their mock exams - with an option in the appeal system of a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ A key difference between Wales and England is that English pupils will be able to resit in the autumn if they are unhappy with their grades .
There are no exams for Welsh pupils in October , although the usual GCSE Maths , Welsh and English exams are due to go ahead in November .
What do pupils say ?
At Merthyr College , Caitlyn Foley got an A* and three As .
`` It 's been a bit weird having to deal with all the changes so last minute , '' she @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 's predicted grades were final but then we found out that there was a bit more than that , '' she said .
`` Obviously the announcement last night that we would n't get less than what we got in AS , that was a bit reassuring . ''
Fellow student Tom Bush , who got an A and two Bs , added : `` I 've actually got lower now than I had at AS in Psychology which is odd but hopefully I 'll go up . ''
Zac Evans , a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Asaph , said he got Cs in art , design and technology , and an E in PE .
`` I 'm going to look into an appeal with the hope of getting a higher grade in DT because I was hoping for a B but it will all be OK in the long run .
`` I 've just had advice from the headmaster and they 'll be releasing how the application process works on Monday because they say it 's changing and I 'll be looking into it . ''
Qualifications @ @ @ @ @ @ @ any relevant adjustments to the appeals process and liaise with other exam regulators .
Its advice to pupils getting results is : • If your A-level grade is the same or higher than your AS level , then no action is required .
• If the grade is lower it will be replaced with the same grade as that received for the AS level - and revised grades will be issued by WJEC as soon as possible .
• If needed , students can contact their prospective university to advise them of the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ have to be made through a school or college , rather than direct to the WJEC exam board - and there are limited grounds .
These are restricted to the process - such as the exam board using the wrong data to calculate a final grade .
It will not allow schools and colleges to rethink their estimated grades or ranking of pupils .
If other mistakes are highlighted through an appeal , the other pupils affected will not see their grades lowered , the exam board has said .
Jackie Parker , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ : `` We will all be working to look through every individual child 's performance data to look at what results they 've achieved and to ensure if appeals are necessary they are going forward positively .
`` I think the WJEC and others have tried to be as fair as they can but I personally think there 's more work to do here .
`` For me , the moral purpose of leadership is to ensure that our young people are not disadvantaged in any way . ''
Lisa Thomas , principal @ @ @ @ @ @ @ been a very unsettling time and results would now be closely scrutinised .
`` If we feel that there are learners that have been disadvantaged in any way then we would be looking to use the appeals process , '' she said .
How schools ' past performance is accounted for There has been concern about how the `` standardisation '' process looks at schools and colleges ' previous results .
In Wales , this does not apply to the process for A-levels , the Welsh Bacc and some GCSEs where you already @ @ @ @ @ @ @ previous assessment - such as AS levels - to work from .
But average results from 2017-19 are taken into account when standardising most GCSEs .
Schools could appeal to the WJEC if they think there were significant circumstances or events in those previous years which might bring the average down .
However , currently there is no scope for pupils to appeal against the grade they were given by their school or college - the Centre Assessment Grade ( CAG ) .
If pupils have concerns about bias or discrimination in allocating @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the WJEC and a process similar to a malpractice complaint would be followed , but those are expected to be rare .
In other years there can be requests for exam scripts to be reviewed , but this is obviously not an option when no exams have been taken .
The minister has announced , however , that the appeal process will be free for all students .
Qualifications Wales has set a 17 September deadline for initial reviews and then a 42-day deadline for appeals to be dealt with by the WJEC @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is possible .

A-levels: Unfair results claim after grades lowered Published 13 August 2020
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This video can not be played To play this video you need to enable JavaScript in your browser. Media caption, Bradley Desmier was predicted a B, C and a merit but got a D, E and a pass
A-level results day in Wales has been overshadowed by claims that results for some pupils are "utterly unfair and unfathomable".
Top grades have risen despite a chaotic summer when exams were cancelled.
But more than 42% of final grades were lowered from those estimated by teachers, after the exams watchdog called them "too generous".
The education minister has pledged grades would be no lower than pupils' earlier AS results.
Up to 4,500 may now be given improved grades, which exam board officials have promised to do as soon as possible.
There has still been strong criticism by teaching unions and some head teachers, who claim pupils were being "short changed" and the calculations had placed an over-emphasis on last year's AS-levels.
One further education organisation has called for a review of the process.
But Education Minister Kirsty Williams said she was confident the system was fair and "very robust".
"In any year under normal circumstances, sometimes the grades of a student... do not meet the expectations of maybe the teacher, or maybe the student and that's not different this year," she said.
"Clearly, I wish we had not been in a position to make last-minute changes but [students] can be absolutely confident that the exams that they have achieved today are as good as exams that were taken last year."
Image source, Getty Images Image caption, A pupil from Swansea looks at her results, a situation experienced by thousands around Wales
The late intervention by Ms Williams on Wednesday followed an outcry in Scotland after thousands of results were initially downgraded, sparking changes in other parts of the UK.
WJEC chief executive, Ian Morgan, said he thought the system had been "fair and balanced."
"We probably looked at a dozen different models and it was felt, from a WJEC perspective, and signed off by Qualifications Wales, that the approach we took was the fairest in the circumstances," he said.
Mr Morgan said there would "inevitably" be appeals.
"It's about ensuring that we are fair and consistent in that appeals process," he said.
He said his organisation had done "the best that we possibly can in the circumstances."
What do the results show?
A record proportion of A and A* grades - 29.9%, up 2.9 percentage points from 2019. But this is less than the 40.4% estimated after the initial teacher assessments
42.2% of final A-level grades are lower than the predicted grades based on assessment, 53.7% are the same and 4.1% are higher
The proportion achieving A* is 10.8% - adjusted downwards from the original estimate of 15.4%
More pupils on free school meals saw their A-levels downgraded - 48.1%, compared to 45.3% for pupils not eligible
98.6% achieved passes A*-E, up 1% on 2019
The gap between boys and girls is slightly wider than last year - with A* to C grades for 76.5% of boys and 82.3% of girls
22.2% achieved an A* or A for AS-levels, up 1.9 percentage points from last year.
Image caption, Education Minister Kirsty Williams meets students at Merthyr College
What has been the problem?
The qualifications watchdog found that the estimated grades by teachers had been too generous in Wales.
If you look at the last 10 years, usually about a quarter of grades are at the very top - last year it was around 27%, when record numbers of pupils got A and A*s.
But Qualifications Wales found if it had gone along with the estimates for this summer then more than 40% would have been A and A* grades.
Following the revision, the majority of students (53.7%) have been given their original assessment grade while the remainder (42.2%) get a lower grade. A small proportion get a higher grade.
Altogether, 37% were downgraded by a single grade and 5% were dropped two grades.
But once ministers in England and Scotland had stepped in to overrule the usual exam moderation practices it was inevitable that Wales would have to follow suit.
Students who get their grades today are being told if their results are lower than their earlier AS-level grades, they will be issued with revised ones by the WJEC as soon as possible.
Education expert Gareth Evans, from the University of Wales Trinity Saint David, said some students would still wonder if they might have performed better than expected.
"While it will doubtless be of some comfort to those who performed well at the halfway stage of their A-levels, it will be of scant consolation to those pinning their hopes on boosting scores at the end of the course," he said.
"Issues with the artificial moderation of grades allocated by teachers remains. The right of pupils to challenge their grades as appropriate is absolutely essential."
What has been the reaction?
Eithne Hughes, director of the ASCL Cymru union said: "We have received many calls from school leaders expressing their frustration, confusion, and disappointment at the results awarded to their students.
"They report that grades have been pulled down in a way that they feel to be utterly unfair and unfathomable, and they are extremely concerned about the detrimental impact on the young people concerned."
Neil Foden, a north Wales-based member of the national executive of the National Education Union, said that from his contact with schools, more than 90% of headteachers were unhappy with the grades.
"There is real concern in schools about the number of learners whose results have been downgraded from the teacher estimates," he said.
Dilwyn Roberts-Young, of Welsh teaching union Ucac, said: "There remains serious concern that there are many discrepancies at individual and centre level, in spite of the education minister's pledge last night.
"The last-minute changes and the results of individuals are inevitably going to create anxiety and we hope we will not see this repeated next week."
Colegau Cymru - an education charity representing further education providers - has called for an urgent review of the awarding process.
It said there had been "considerable inequalities" in the results of individual learners.
Director of development Kelly Edwards said: "We must ensure that the grades awarded are fair and accurate so that learners can progress on their chosen path."
Qualifications Wales chief executive Philip Blaker said this year's process had not disadvantaged particular groups of pupils and the grades were "meaningful and robust".
"We have analysed attainment gaps this year relative to previous years - looking at aspects such as gender, age and eligibility for free school meals", he said.
"Our analysis shows no statistically significant differences this year relative to other years."
The results show Wales has proportionately more pupils with top grades and grades A* to C than in England, but fewer than in Northern Ireland.
There had also been a 3.3% rise in the proportion of A* to C grades in Wales, higher than elsewhere.
And the performance at both A* to C and A*-A grades in Wales is higher than in all regions of England, apart from the south east, which is only slightly higher.
'Quite a lot of people I know have got lower than they were predicted'
Sophie Price, 18, from Bassaleg, Newport, is aiming to start a fashion buying course in London but was told online that she did not have the right grades.
"I was freaking out, I didn't know what to do," she said.
"There's not a lot of guidance on what to do - you're just left there. You can't really ring them, you have to email them and then you're waiting for an email back.
"Quite a lot of people I know have got lower than they were predicted. Lots of people have been predicted Cs and got Us."
BBC It's a bit heart-breaking, you don't really know what else to do Sophie Price
A-level student
Sophie passed her Welsh Bac and got a D in business and E in art; she was predicted two Cs.
Her art mark will be upgraded because of her AS grade last year but she will now need to appeal against her business grade, although her university said it will keep her place open for now.
"I don't have a back-up plan - I was so set on the one thing.
"It's a bit heart-breaking, you don't really know what else to do. It's hard when your future's in the hands of other people and you have no control over it."
Image caption, Caitlyn Foley said she had a "faint idea but it went better than I was expecting"
At Merthyr College, Caitlyn Foley got an A* and three As.
"It's been a bit weird having to deal with all the changes so last minute," she said. "We thought the teacher's predicted grades were final but then we found out that there was a bit more than that," she said.
"Obviously the announcement last night that we wouldn't get less than what we got in AS, that was a bit reassuring."
Fellow student Tom Bush, who got an A and two Bs, added: "I've actually got lower now than I had at AS in Psychology which is odd but hopefully I'll go up."
Image caption, Zac Evans may appeal his design and technology grade
Zac Evans, a pupil at Ysgol Glan Clwyd, St Asaph, said he got Cs in art, design and technology, and an E in PE.
"I'm going to look into an appeal with the hope of getting a higher grade in DT because I was hoping for a B but it will all be OK in the long run.
"I've just had advice from the headmaster and they'll be releasing how the application process works on Monday because they say it's changing and I'll be looking into it."
Image caption, The Welsh Joint Education Committee (WJEC) in Cardiff is the main exam board and will handle appeals
Can I appeal?
Qualifications Wales has been asked to quickly make any relevant adjustments to the appeals process and liaise with other exam regulators.
The advice to pupils getting results is:
If your A-level grade is the same or higher than your AS-level, then no action is required.
If the grade is lower it will be replaced with the same grade as that received for the AS-level - and revised grades will be issued by WJEC as soon as possible. It is believed this could involve between 3,000 and 4,500 grades.
If needed, students can contact their prospective university to advise them of the change.
As things stand, appeals have to be made through a school or college, rather than direct to the WJEC exam board - and there are limited grounds. These are restricted to the process - such as the exam board using the wrong data to calculate a final grade.
It will not allow schools and colleges to rethink their estimated grades or ranking of pupils. If other mistakes are highlighted through an appeal, the other pupils affected will not see their grades lowered, the exam board has said.
Image source, Getty Images Image caption, Students pose for a photograph with their A-level results at Ffynone House School in Swansea
Jackie Parker, head of Crickhowell School in Powys said: "We will all be working to look through every individual child's performance data to look at what results they've achieved and to ensure if appeals are necessary they are going forward positively.
"I think the WJEC and others have tried to be as fair as they can but I personally think there's more work to do here.
"For me, the moral purpose of leadership is to ensure that our young people are not disadvantaged in any way."
Lisa Thomas, principal of Merthyr College, said it had been a very unsettling time and results would now be closely scrutinised.
"If we feel that there are learners that have been disadvantaged in any way then we would be looking to use the appeals process," she said.
Image source, PA Media Image caption, Exams were cancelled after schools were closed in March
Analysis: Robert Cuffe, head of data science at BBC News
Is there a fair way to award grades without exams?
Even exams can be unfair. Some of us perform badly under exam pressure, and two people marking the same paper can give different grades.
But this year's assessment had left many people feeling their future chances have been harmed by a computer model.
The awarding body put in place a system that led to more than 40% of grades being downgraded to stop grade inflation.
But on the eve of results day thousands of students were rescued when the Welsh Government announced students that achieved higher AS grades are entitled to have their A-level result upgraded to match.
Information available to calculate grades differs across the UK: like in Northern Ireland, AS results contribute to overall A-level results in Wales and therefore can be taken into account. However, this doesn't happen in England - where AS grades have no bearing to A-level results.
Research suggests that using AS performance can improve the overall accuracy of grades.
It still means that if a school has a stronger year group than last year, or if teaching has improved, that might not be fully recognised this year.
Grades could be calculated using a range of evidence including work to date, mock exams and teacher assessed grades, but even experts can't agree on a perfect way to navigate yet another difficult problem caused by the coronavirus.
How schools' past performance is accounted for
There has been concern about how the "standardisation" process looks at schools and colleges' previous results.
In Wales, this does not apply to the process for A-levels, the Welsh Bacc and some GCSEs where you already have a lot of hard data from previous assessment - such as AS-levels - to work from.
But average results from 2017-19 are taken into account when standardising most GCSEs. Schools could appeal to the WJEC if they think there were significant circumstances or events in those previous years which might bring the average down.
However, currently there is no scope for pupils to appeal against the grade they were given by their school or college - the Centre Assessment Grade (CAG).
If pupils have concerns about bias or discrimination in allocating those grades, they can appeal to the WJEC and a process similar to a malpractice complaint would be followed, but those are expected to be rare.
In other years there can be requests for exam scripts to be reviewed, but this is obviously not an option when no exams have been taken.
The minister has announced, however, that the appeal process will be free for all students.
Qualifications Wales has set a 17 September deadline for initial reviews and then a 42-day deadline for appeals to be dealt with by the WJEC exam board. A further independent review is possible.


bbcuk--2020-08-13--Mum suffered 'hardship' in school bus payment row

A mother fought for two years to secure free school transport for her child despite being eligible all along , an investigation has found .
The woman had to make four daily journeys to get her child , who has special educational needs , to school .
But Buckinghamshire County Council only agreed to pay for two legs of the trip , causing her `` hardship and anxiety '' .
It has apologised and following an inquiry by the Local Government Ombudsman , will reimburse the mother .
She first asked the council in October 2018 to pay mileage to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ significant '' sensory needs and high levels of anxiety , to school , as it had no suitable transport that met their needs .
As reported by the Local Democracy Reporting Service , she heard nothing until January 2019 , and at one point the authority requested information from the wrong school , the LGO said .
Her request was refused but an appeal was lodged in February 2019 and a hearing took place a month later .
The county council did not submit a decision within 14 days of the hearing , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ LGO .
But by the end of May 2019 , the council said it could only pay for two legs of the journey .
A report from the watchdog said the mother `` had no choice '' but to take her children to school herself since September 2018 , and `` could have used this time as respite from her caring responsibilities '' .
The authority , now known as Buckinghamshire Council , has agreed to pay for all four legs of the journey and reimburse costs dating back two years after the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ flawed '' .
It will also pay £50 for each week she took her child to school from September 2018 given the `` time , trouble and anxiety '' it caused , the ombudsman added .
The mother 's second child , who also has special educational needs , will now be assessed to consider whether they are also eligible for alternative transport .
In a statement , the council said it accepted the LGO 's findings `` that there has been a failure in the application of our processes , resulting in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ have apologised to the family and made full payment in accordance with the Ombudsman 's recommendation . ''
`` We are working to finalise the other recommendations and will ensure these are completed within the required timescales . ''

She first asked the council in October 2018 to pay mileage to take her son, who has "significant" sensory needs and high levels of anxiety, to school, as it had no suitable transport that met their needs.


bbcuk--2020-08-14--France to be added to UK quarantine countries

People coming to the UK from France and the Netherlands will be forced to quarantine for 14 days from Saturday .
Transport Secretary Grant Shapps said the measure - which also applies to people travelling from Monaco , Malta , Turks and Caicos , and Aruba - would kick in from 04:00 BST .
He added that this was necessary to keep coronavirus infections down .
France warned the UK decision would lead to `` reciprocal measures '' across the Channel .
Clement Beaune , France 's secretary of state for European affairs , tweeted that the UK 's decision @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for the French .
The UK government 's decision follows a surge in cases in the countries affected in recent days .
Airlines UK described it as `` another devastating blow to the travel industry already reeling from the worst crisis in its history '' .
With up to half a million UK tourists thought to be in France at present , the deadline is expected to induce a rush to ports and airports , with thousands of tourists desperate to avoid quarantine .
The Eurotunnel website is reportedly struggling to deal with @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , director of public affairs at Getlink , which operates the Channel Tunnel , told BBC 's Newsnight programme that the trains were `` already pretty much fully booked '' on Friday .
He said : `` We just have n't got the space to take everybody who might suddenly want to come up to the coast . ''
Urging travellers to check online if there is space for them before heading to the terminal , he said people should understand `` that it 's not going to be easy to get back @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to ease further in England from Saturday • Where are the world 's coronavirus hotspots ?
Shadow home secretary Nick Thomas-Symonds said while the Labour party supports `` evidence based measures '' at the border , it was `` vital '' that No 10 had a `` joined-up strategy '' and `` urgently '' puts in place a specific deal to support the heavily impacted travel sector .
The MP added : `` That the government has still not put in place an effective track , trace and isolate system has made matters @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that we are reliant on the blunt tool of 14-day quarantine . ''
He called on Downing Street to publish science behind its decisions , `` and details of any work being done to reduce the time needed to isolate through increased testing and other measures '' .
According to the data company Statista , people from the UK paid 10.35 million visits to France last year , putting it second behind Spain - with 18.12 million - in terms of popularity .
The Foreign Office is now warning against `` all but @ @ @ @ @ @ @ quarantine measure was imposed for Spain on 25 July .
The ending of more so-called `` travel corridors '' - allowing movement between the UK and the other countries with the need to self-isolate on return to the UK - follows a `` significant change '' in the risk of contracting Covid-19 , the Department for Transport said .
It added that there had been a 66 % increase in newly reported cases per 100,000 people in France since last Friday .
For the Netherlands , it was up 52 % .
And @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , while it was 273 % for Turks and Caicos and 1,106 % for Aruba .
Mr Shapps said quarantine was needed because `` we 've absolutely work so hard to keep our numbers down here '' , adding : `` We ca n't afford to re-import those cases from elsewhere . ''
Ahead of a government meeting on the new measures , UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson promised to be `` absolutely ruthless '' in deciding on rules for holidaymakers from abroad .
`` We ca n't be remotely complacent about our @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a pandemic you do n't allow our population to be re-infected or the disease to come back in , '' he added .
On Thursday , France reported 2,524 new coronavirus cases in 24 hours , the highest daily increase since its lockdown was lifted in May .
The country 's Prime Minister , Jean Castex , said on Tuesday that coronavirus numbers had been going `` the wrong way '' for a fortnight .
• What are the rules in France and other parts of Europe ?
• How will the world @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the government has announced that maximum fines for people in England who repeatedly refuse to wear a face covering could double to £3,200 , while organisers of illegal raves could face a £10,000 penalty .
But from Sunday indoor theatre , music and performance venues will be able to reopen with socially distanced audiences .
Casinos , bowling alleys , skating rinks and soft play centres will also be allowed to resume , as will `` close-contact '' beauty services such as facials , eyebrow threading and eyelash treatments .
Will you be @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ bbc.co.uk .
Please include a contact number if you are willing to speak to a BBC journalist .
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"We have done everything the government has asked of us for months but I really think they need to treat us all with a little respect and give us time to organise ourselves so that we can continue with our jobs, and our children with their lives," she said.


bbcuk--2020-08-13--Coronavirus: Lockdown to ease further in England from Saturday

More beauty treatments , small wedding receptions and live indoor performances will be able to resume in England from Saturday , as lockdown rules are eased .
Bowling alleys , casinos and soft play centres will also be able to reopen , PM Boris Johnson has announced .
It comes as the government introduces tough new measures targeting breaches of social distancing restrictions .
Fines for refusing to wear a mask could reach a maximum of £3,200 and illegal rave organisers face a £10,000 penalty .
`` Most people in this country are following the rules and doing their bit @ @ @ @ @ @ @ must remain focused and we can not be complacent , '' Mr Johnson said .
`` That is why we are strengthening the enforcement powers available to use against those who repeatedly flout the rules . ''
The changes coincide with new quarantine measures for people coming to the UK from several countries including France and the Netherlands , which mean travellers must self-isolate for 14 days from Saturday .
• What are the rules for face masks or face coverings ?
• How to stay cool in a face mask • What @ @ @ @ @ @ @ lockdowns ?
The prime minister said that plans to open up more of the economy this weekend `` will allow more people to return to work and the public to get back to more of the things they have missed '' .
But Mr Johnson reiterated a warning that the government `` will not hesitate to put on the brakes if required , or to continue to implement local measures to help to control the spread of the virus '' .
Under changes coming into force from 15 August : • Indoor theatre @ @ @ @ @ @ @ able to reopen with socially distanced audiences • Wedding receptions in the form of a sit-down meal for up to 30 guests will be permitted • The piloting of a small number of sporting events to test the safe return of spectators will resume , commencing with the final of the World Snooker Championship at Sheffield 's Crucible Theatre over the weekend • Casinos , bowling alleys , skating rinks and soft play centres will be allowed to reopen • `` Close contact '' beauty services such as facials , eyebrow threading , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ microblading will resume • Pilots will take place at conference venues ahead of the expected resumption of business events from 1 October at the earliest The new guidance will not apply in areas where local lockdown measures are in place , the government said .
Lockdown restrictions were last week introduced in Preston and kept in place in 18 other areas to control outbreaks .
Devolved administrations in Scotland , Wales and Northern Ireland have the power to set their own timings for the easing of restrictions .
The latest easing of England @ @ @ @ @ @ @ on 1 August , however this was postponed after the ONS expressed concerns about a slight increase in the number of people in England testing positive for coronavirus .
Last week , ONS figures showed this may be levelling off .
New guidance will also mean that staff offering `` close contact '' services , including hairdressers , will now have to wear a face mask as well as a clear visor .
The government said the move , which follows new evidence from the scientific advisory group for emergencies ( Sage ) @ @ @ @ @ @ @ from respiratory droplets caused by sneezing , coughing , or speaking .
It also applies to businesses that operate remotely , such as massage therapists working in people 's homes , and those learning in vocational training environments .
Nightclubs , dance halls and discotheques are among venues that remain closed in law .
Under current guidance , people who refuse to wear a face covering where it is required face a £100 fine , which can be reduced to £50 if paid within 14 days .
The new enforcement measures will see @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , up to a maximum of £3,200 .
In England , face coverings are mandatory in many indoor settings , including public transport , shops and museums , with some exemptions for children or on medical grounds .
Transport for London and British Transport Police have already made 91,501 interventions based on present face coverings guidance , the government said - preventing 4,397 from boarding , asking 3,030 to leave the network and issuing 341 penalty notices .
There will also be a clampdown on illegal gatherings of more than 30 people , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ spot fines of up to £10,000 .
According to the government , forces across England and Wales have already stepped up patrols to prevent illegal gatherings in areas of concern , such as Leicester and Greater Manchester , where it said deployments have sometimes been larger than on New Year 's Eve .
Last weekend , West Midlands Police shut down 125 parties and raves - and closed a pub - taking action to stop illegal gatherings and anti-social behaviour across the region .
Further detail on the new enforcement measures is to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Home Secretary Priti Patel said she would not allow progress against the virus to be undermined by `` a small minority of senseless individuals '' .
`` These measures send a clear message - if you do n't cooperate with the police and if you put our health at risk , action will follow . ''
• ALHAN 'S WORLD : Health tips to keep you in good shape in these socially distanced times • WAKE UP TO MONEY : Bracing for the Covid recession

The prime minister said that plans to open up more of the economy this weekend "will allow more people to return to work and the public to get back to more of the things they have missed".


bbcuk--2020-08-13--Fewer hospital patients in Covid-19 hotspots

The number of people in hospital with Covid-19 fell in coronavirus hotspots in June and July , according to data released by NHS England .
Cases of coronavirus have been rising nationally since the middle of July , and even earlier in Leicester .
More of these cases are among young people , who are less likely to become seriously sick .
But scientists use hospital data to understand whether rising cases reflect more infections or more testing .
The number of people dying or going into hospital with Covid-19 has been falling across the UK for months , but @ @ @ @ @ @ @ number of confirmed cases has started to rise .
Prof Chris Witty , the UK 's chief medical adviser , has warned that we have `` reached the limit of what we can do to open up society '' without allowing room for the virus to return .
But some scientists argue that the rise in confirmed cases could reflect more testing rather than more infections .
It may still be too soon for any increase in infections to translate into more people in hospital or dying with Covid-19 nationally .
But hotspots @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of cases started to increase earlier .
Leicester saw worsening infection figures throughout the early summer before Health Secretary Matt Hancock announced a local lockdown at the end of the June .
And Blackburn overtook Leicester as the part of the country with the highest rate of infection in July .
Data released on Thursday by NHS England showed that rising cases were not matched by an increase in the number of people in hospital in the NHS trusts that serve either of these councils .
The number of people admitted to hospital @ @ @ @ @ @ @ increase in Leicester in June , but the rise was much smaller than the rise in confirmed cases .
In July , Leicester saw 1,336 cases but only seven people were admitted to hospital with Covid-19 .
In Blackburn , the number of infections more than doubled in July , but the number of people admitted to hospital fell from 54 in June to 13 in July .
More of the cases now being detected nationally are in people aged 15-44 .
They are much less likely to become seriously ill or die @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of the UK 's fall in Covid-19 hospitalisations , according to Jason Oke , a researcher at the Centre for Evidence Based Medicine at Oxford University .
But `` there are not yet any signs of a second wave in the hospital data '' , he says .

The number of people dying or going into hospital with Covid-19 has been falling across the UK for months, but since the middle of July, the number of confirmed cases has started to rise.


bbcuk--2020-08-13--A-levels: Anger over 'unfair' results this year

There is anger among schools , colleges and students , after nearly 40 % of A-level grades awarded on Thursday were lower than teachers ' predictions .
In England , 36 % of entries had a lower grade than teachers predicted and 3 % were down two grades , in results after exams were cancelled by the pandemic .
School and college leaders are calling for a review and say all fees for appeals should be waived .
Prime Minister Boris Johnson said the results were a `` robust set of grades '' .
The overall results , across England @ @ @ @ @ @ @ record highs for A* and A grades .
But David Hughes , chief executive of the Association of Colleges , said he had heard from a number of colleges where more than half of their school-assessment grades have been adjusted downwards following moderation .
Paul Whiteman leader of the heads ' union NAHT said : `` The government must make sure that there is no financial barrier to a school or college making an appeal . ''
Geoff Barton , leader of the ASCL head teachers ' union said : `` While there @ @ @ @ @ @ @ grades , there was a `` great deal of volatility among the results at school and student level . ''
He said students felt grades had been pulled down `` in a way that they feel to be utterly unfair and unfathomable '' .
He called on the government and exams watchdog Ofqual to review the moderation process in England `` as a matter of urgency '' .
`` We would warn them against simply digging in their heels , and insisting all is well .
`` This results day must have been @ @ @ @ @ @ @ colleges , and young people - it is a shambles . ''
For the top A* and A grades , independent schools in England saw the greatest improvement on last year - up 4.7 percentage points .
This compares with a 1.7 , 2 and 0.3 percentage points improvement for top grades for England 's academies , comprehensives and colleges respectively .
Prime Minister Boris Johnson said pupils would be able to sit exams if they feel they could have done better .
`` Where pupils are disappointed , where they feel that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ they feel that there 's an injustice been done to them , there is the possibility of appeal and they can re-sit , they can take a re-sit this autumn as well . ''
• What 's next in the arguments over exam results ?
• A third of NI A-level grades lower than predicted • Will the exam 'triple lock ' affect me ?
And other questions '' But looking at the big picture , I think overall we 've got a very robust set of grades , plus you 've got @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ever before are getting their first choice course at university and more kids from disadvantaged backgrounds going to university . ''
Education Secretary Gavin Williamson said the `` majority of young people will have received a calculated grade today that enables them to progress to the destination they deserve , with the added safety net of being able to appeal on the basis of their mock results , as well as the chance of sitting autumn exams '' .
But Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer said : `` Something has obviously gone horribly @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
`` Nearly 40 % of young people have had their grades marked down and that 's thousands of young people whose opportunities could have been dashed . ''
• for A-levels : 9 % of entries were A* ( up from 7.8 % in 2019 ) • 27.9 % were A* and A ( up from 25.5 % in 2019 ) • these are the highest ever levels of A* and As - up from a previous high of 27 % in 2011 • 78.4 % of entries were A*-C ( up @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Psychology now the second most popular subject , after maths • girls outperform boys , except in A*s • in England , the moderation means that 36 % of results have been lowered by one grade , 3 % by two grades , 2 % have increased • there will be 25,000 university courses available in clearing , including 4,500 in top Russell Group universities • for vocational qualifications , the Department for Education says results `` broadly in line with previous years '' The proportion of entries getting an A* or A @ @ @ @ @ @ @ year - with the 27.9 % above the previous highest of 27 % in 2011 .
And there are increases in those getting A* to C - as the exam regulator had promised a more lenient approach .
'My future has been set back' At Wilberforce Sixth Form College in Hull , while some students were celebrating , others were very disappointed .
Abbi is one of those students who is not happy with her results , saying she had missed out on her place at Durham University to study engineering .
She @ @ @ @ @ @ @ retakes or finding a clearing place at another university .
`` It seems like some unfair grading .
When I opened them I had a bit of a cry , '' she told the BBC .
`` My future has been set back completely , '' she said .
`` I had my heart set on Durham and it 's now not an option for clearing because there 's no clearing for my course . ''
`` I would have happily sat the exams but it was up to the government , '' @ @ @ @ @ @ @ angry her results had been affected by something out of her control .
• Students warn that using mocks 'makes mockery ' of exams • In Wales students promised no A-levels lower than AS-level grades Principal Colin Peaks said he had never seen `` such a negative feeling '' on results day in all his years of teaching .
Mr Peaks said there was `` something worrying across the board '' , with many good students not getting the grades they would have expected .
`` The anomalies within the system are n't @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the piece that do not make sense to me . ''
He said basing results , in part , on last year 's students ' results was wrong because `` they 're different '' .
`` We are going to see lots of appeals , '' he added .
Students taking vocational exams have been getting estimated results over recent weeks - with more than 250,000 receiving their grades in BTec and Cambridge Technical qualifications which are equivalent to A-levels and strong GCSE passes .
The Department for Education says vocational results are @ @ @ @ @ @ @ '' .
Figures from the admissions service , Ucas , show that more students have been accepted onto UK degree courses this year .
Among UK applicants , 358,860 have been accepted - a 2.9 % rise compared with 2019 .
Of these , 316,730 have been accepted on to their first choice , up 2.7 % on the same point last year .
Clearing is an increasingly popular route for students to find a degree course , with leading universities among those offering last-minute places through the system , Ucas said .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ results in every way , with grades arriving for exams that were never taken .
In more usual times the headlines would have been about this being a record year for top grades - with almost 28 % getting A*s or As .
But instead this has been an exam results day full of uncertainty , with head teachers warning about volatility below the surface of rising grades .
Almost two out of every five results were lower than the grades predicted by their teachers - and heads are warning of a confusing @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
But , at the same time , those trying to get to university might find that they 're able to get in with lower grades than in previous years , with the promise of `` super-flexible '' admissions .
The confusion extends to what happens next .
Because for those getting bad news today , it could still be good news through the appeals process .
Have you got your A-level or BTec results today ?
Are there any questions you 'd like to ask our experts ?
Share your stories by @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a contact number if you are willing to speak to a BBC journalist .
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"Where pupils are disappointed, where they feel that they could have done better, where they feel that there's an injustice been done to them, there is the possibility of appeal and they can re-sit, they can take a re-sit this autumn as well."


bbcuk--2020-08-13--Free school meals 'should be extended' for pupils from low-income migrant families

Free school meals should be permanently extended to the children of migrants in England who are currently ineligible for public support , charities say .
During the coronavirus outbreak the meal scheme has temporarily included some pupils whose families have `` no recourse to public funds '' ( NRPF ) .
Sixty organisations have written to the education secretary asking him to permanently extend the scheme .
The government said it would continue while Covid-19 `` impacts schools '' .
NRPF status is given to some migrants as a condition of their right to remain in the UK - generally @ @ @ @ @ @ @ permanent residency - and prevents them from receiving most government-funded benefits .
The government has already made a U-turn on providing free school meals outside of term-time .
That came after an intervention in June by Manchester United footballer Marcus Rashford , who campaigned for the government to offer free school meal vouchers over the summer holidays in England .
Now charities and trade unions have demanded ministers change their policy again , ensuring children from low-income migrant families with no recourse to public funds are added to the list of those eligible @ @ @ @ @ @ @ In a letter to Education Secretary Gavin Williamson , the 60 organisations , which includes the Children 's Society , Unison , and Action for Children , said they `` applauded '' the decision to extend free school meals to some NRPF families in April .
However , they said they were `` extremely concerned by the government 's intention to stop providing free school meals to these children in the near future '' .
`` The progress the government has made by extending this vital lifeline to NRPF families will be lost @ @ @ @ @ @ @ '' the letter says .
`` We ask that you urgently provide clarity to these families ahead of the return to school in September by confirming that they will continue to be eligible for free school meals - fully and permanently . ''
Analysis by Oxford University 's Migration Observatory , published on Friday , suggests more than 175,000 children in the UK are from NRPF families .
Sam Royston , director of policy and research for the Children 's Society , said that those figures showed the number of children affected was @ @ @ @ @ @ @ child is able to eat should not depend on their parents ' immigration status '' .
A Department for Education spokeswoman said : `` We have temporarily extended free school meal eligibility to include some children of groups who have no recourse to public funds in light of the current unique circumstances many families face at this time .
`` This will continue for the duration of the summer holidays and while the outbreak impacts schools . ''
Meanwhile , a law firm has also prepared a possible legal challenge , arguing that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ because of immigration status is discriminatory and a breach of human rights .
Matthew Gold & Co Ltd. Solicitors has been instructed to challenge the eligibility criteria for free school meals .
In England , about 1.3 million children claimed for free school meals in 2019 - about 15 % of state-educated pupils .
Children of all ages living in households on income-related benefits may be eligible , from government-maintained nurseries through to sixth forms .
Eligibility varies slightly between England , Wales , Scotland and Northern Ireland because the nations set their @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the government provided vouchers to families in England whose children qualified for free meals , which it then extended over the summer holidays .
Children eligible could receive a £90 food voucher to cover the six-week summer holiday , or £105 if their school had a seven-week break .

NRPF status is given to some migrants as a condition of their right to remain in the UK - generally those who have not yet qualified for permanent residency - and prevents them from receiving most government-funded benefits.


bbcuk--2020-08-13--‘Raise sick pay’ to lower virus health and economic risk

Statutory sick pay should be increased and the furlough scheme extended on a flexible basis , new research suggests .
Doing so would better manage a `` crude '' trade-off between lives and livelihoods as the UK economy reopens .
These are two of the recommendations in a new report from the Royal Society .
It says economic and health data should be combined to produce the best economic outcome at the smallest loss of life .
The government says it has already protected 9.6 million jobs .
The report by Professors Sir Tim Besley and Sir Nicholas Stern warns @ @ @ @ @ @ @ restrictions would lead to a second wave of infections that would mean both a higher death toll and ultimately a greater hit to the economy .
The report is published a day after data showed the UK suffered the biggest economic hit of the world 's richest nations between April and June while also incurring the highest number of excess deaths to date in Europe .
It argues that as the furlough scheme - which has supported the wages of 9.6 million workers - is phased out , statutory sick pay of £95.85 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ workers to self-isolate .
This , in turn , makes efforts to successfully implement Track Trace and Isolate schemes almost impossible .
A review of sick pay policy along with the extension of a more flexible furlough scheme would help mitigate both health and economic risks .
The blanket phasing out of the current furlough scheme across all sectors by October is not sufficiently sensitive to the risks of a second wave of infections , the report argues .
`` I think the furlough scheme in its current form is almost certainly going @ @ @ @ @ @ @ more targeted towards occupations that ca n't resume anywhere near their normal level of activity , '' said Sir Tim Besley , professor of economics at the London School of Economics and co-author of the report .
`` If people are being asked to self-isolate they need to be cushioned against the economic consequences of that '' .
Professors Stern and Besley also recommend minimising the rotation of staff between different shifts and the introduction of subsidised workplace testing - particularly in sectors where close contact is hard to avoid .
Combining economic @ @ @ @ @ @ @ will require high quality data and the report encourages the gathering of more detailed information from financial institutions to track the economic impact of policy interventions .
Without it , the report says , the UK risks repeating its experience of suffering the worst of both worlds .
The government insists it has protected jobs and offered help to those needing it .
`` We 've protected more than 9.6 million jobs through the furlough scheme , supported more than two million self-employed people and paid out billions in loans and grants to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ spokesperson said .
`` And for those in most need , we 've provided an unprecedented package of support including injecting £9.3bn into the welfare system , mortgage holidays and additional help for renters .
`` We 've also made sick pay payable from day one and will refund employers with up to 250 staff the cost of up to a fortnight 's sick pay .
Employers can , and many do , pay more than the statutory rate - something we encourage . ''

"I think the furlough scheme in its current form is almost certainly going to have to be modified to be more targeted towards occupations that can't resume anywhere near their normal level of activity," said Sir Tim Besley, professor of economics at the London School of Economics and co-author of the report.


bbcuk--2020-08-13--'We were all packed, then they cancelled our holiday'

James Preston , a police officer in Yorkshire and his wife , an NHS radiographer , both worked long days through lockdown .
By the end of July they were more than ready for their holiday .
`` We were literally all packed , kids had their rucksacks , '' says James .
`` Half the stuff was in the car . ''
They were just about to set out on the four hour drive to Alder Country Park in Norfolk , when the phone rang .
The holiday that they booked before Christmas was no longer available .
`` @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
`` We said , how can it not be available ?
We booked it last year . ''
Their eldest daughter is in a wheelchair so they plan well ahead to ensure they find somewhere that can accommodate her needs .
But they were told that a maintenance problem at the lodge they 'd booked meant it was cancelled .
In a normal year Hoseasons , the firm through which it had been booked , says it would have tried to find them an alternative , but with demand for UK holidays @ @ @ @ @ @ @ fully booked .
`` I came off the phone and said 'sorry kids , no holiday ' , says James .
The younger ones burst into tears .
The Prestons are n't alone .
Dozens of holiday-makers have contacted BBC Radio 4 's You and Yours programme to say their holiday has been cancelled at short notice .
A Facebook page set up by disgruntled Hoseasons customers has more than 500 members .
Rod Leaman booked a four night stay at the Welcome Family Holiday Park in Devon through Hoseasons in February .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ due to go he received an e-mail saying that his booking had been cancelled as the dates he 'd chosen were no longer available .
When Mr Leaman phoned the holiday park itself , he was told that when it reopened in July the owners had decided not to take bookings for less than a week .
`` I would happily have paid for the extra three nights , but that option was n't given to me , '' he says .
The booking was for his daughter Claire so she could get @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and her fifteen-year-old daughter Rayah .
Some disappointed holidaymakers were given no explanation at all .
Jill Turner , a teacher from Poole in Dorset , received a text message from Hoseasons , apologising for cancelling the caravan she 'd booked for four nights in mid-August .
It took Jill an hour to get through to the company on the phone , she says .
Even then , she says they did n't offer any reason why they could n't honour her reservation .
After the BBC looked into Jill 's case , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
`` I 'm really disappointed about the whole situation , that a company who we thought we could trust ... that they could send an 'oh we are sorry ' , when they were n't '' , says Jill .
`` What was really annoying was that no-one actually seemed to care . ''
Hoseasons is part of the holiday rental company , the Awaze group .
The group also owns Cottages.com , many of whose customers have reported similar last-minute cancellations .
Hoseasons told the BBC that double-bookings had occurred in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the large volume of bookings and rebookings taking place as lockdown was eased .
On 31st July , the day James and his family were told their holiday was cancelled , Henrik Kjellberg chief executive of Awaze UK published a letter of apology to customers .
`` Though we expected demand to resurface as UK travel restrictions were lifted , we did n't plan for a tenfold increase , which is what we 've experienced on some of our platforms in recent weeks , '' he wrote .
`` To put it simply @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the level we needed them to and this regrettably caused some duplicate bookings to occur . ''
The firm says as well as the technical glitch there have been a handful of other reasons for cancellations .
Hoseasons does n't own the properties it takes bookings for and says some became unavailable after owners decided to withdraw them , either to use them themselves , or as a result of concerns around Covid-19 .
The firm says late cancellations have affected less than 1 % of bookings in July and August and those @ @ @ @ @ @ @ customers who contacted the BBC and joined the Facebook site said it has been hard to get hold of Hoseasons to arrange a refund .
The firm says it will be adding further capacity by hiring more staff for its contact centre .
James and Georgina Preston , who paid the full £1,500 bill for their holiday back in January , have been told they will get some compensation , but they have n't yet received it or their money back .
They are still angry and feel they are owed an explanation @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Park , says the maintenance issue at the lodge , caused by a hot tub , was only identified on the day the Prestons were due to arrive .
Countrywide apologised for the late cancellation .
Mr Preston says he still feels like he 's in limbo , but in hindsight it is less about the money than the disappointment .
`` It 's been tough for everyone - during what 's happened in lockdown .
It 's been tough for Hoseasons , I get that .
What I do n't get is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ hours ' notice .
How can they not have known ? ''
You and Yours is broadcast on BBC Radio 4 at 12.15pm

The firm says as well as the technical glitch there have been a handful of other reasons for cancellations. Hoseasons doesn't own the properties it takes bookings for and says some became unavailable after owners decided to withdraw them, either to use them themselves, or as a result of concerns around Covid-19.


bbcuk--2020-08-13--Bury shooting: Boxer Cole Kershaw dies in 'targeted attack'

A teenage boxer has died after being shot in a targeted attack in Greater Manchester that police believe was a case of mistaken identity .
Officers were called to reports of several shots fired in Bury at about 21:35 BST on Wednesday .
A spokesman said Cole Kershaw , 18 , was found on Chesham Road with a single gunshot to the chest .
He was taken to hospital where he died a short time later .
A murder investigation is under way .
Ch Supt Stuart Ellison said Mr Kershaw and four other men in a Ford Mondeo were @ @ @ @ @ @ @ with a group of men in a silver BMW `` driving in tandem '' in Bury town centre .
Shots were fired from the BMW when Mr Kershaw and another man stepped out of the Mondeo and he was fatally struck in the chest .
He said : `` It 's not clear at this stage , but it 's unlikely Cole Kershaw was the intended target .
`` It is quite clear it was a targeted attack on the vehicle and there does n't seem to be a threat to the wider @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Facebook , BrickCity Boxing Gym in Bury posted : `` Last night we lost one of our own , we are truly lost for words and we can not comprehend why or how it has happened .
`` You were n't just King Cole Kershaw you were part of the BrickCity family , always in with a cheeky smile and always gave 1000 % effort and you were a true inspiration to watch .
`` Sending all our love to your family at this awful time .
RIP King Cole Kershaw you will @ @ @ @ @ @ @ '' Why not follow BBC North West on Facebook , Twitter and Instagram ?
You can also send story ideas to northwest.newsonline @ bbc.co.uk

In a tribute on Facebook, BrickCity Boxing Gym in Bury posted: "Last night we lost one of our own, we are truly lost for words and we cannot comprehend why or how it has happened.


bbcuk--2020-08-13--Coronavirus: Greencore staff self-isolate after outbreak

Almost 300 people have tested positive for Covid-19 following an outbreak at a factory which makes M & S sandwiches .
Greencore in Northampton started `` proactively testing '' workers due to rising numbers of cases in the town .
Lucy Wightman , Director of Public Health at Northamptonshire County Council , said 299 workers had tested positive .
A spokesman for the company , which employs 2,100 people , said those who tested positive were self-isolating .
He added that in each case it had `` conducted contact tracing '' .
Mrs Wightman said 220 people had tested positive @ @ @ @ @ @ @ another 79 `` through the national process '' and all were employees at the site .
She said 1,300 employees had been tested but there might be up to 100 more cases as between 300 and 400 results are yet to come back .
The first four cases were identified on 28 July , with a further nine cases on 3 August leading Public Health Northamptonshire to ask workers to get tested .
Once the 79 positive results came back , Greencore began mass testing over the last three days .
Greencore said @ @ @ @ @ @ @ as usual '' and it had no concerns about its products .
Northampton has been on a watchlist as an area of concern for the past 10 days after infection rates began rising in the town .
It had the 12th highest rate of coronavirus infections in England - with the equivalent of 38 positive cases for every 100,000 people .
That is still significantly below the levels of infection seen in north-west England , where council leaders have introduced stricter lockdown measures .
In Oldham and Pendle , for example , the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ every 100,000 people .
But the confirmation of almost 300 new cases at the Greencore factory takes things to a worrying new level , and will heighten fears of a local lockdown .
Northampton had already been identified as potentially facing a local lockdown .
The number of confirmed coronavirus cases in the town increased from 67 in the week ending 1 August up to 85 for the week ending 8 August .
Jonathan Nunn leader of Northampton Borough Council said the outbreak was `` dreadful '' and `` disappointing '' .
He @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is still the case '' Northampton would avoid a local lockdown .
One of those to test positive was Bakers ' Union 's branch secretary for the factory , Nicolae Macari .
He said he tested positive on 4 August , along with his mother and father - who also work at Greencore - and his wife .
`` When suddenly three or four people are pulled out of a line because they have tested positive , people are terrified , '' he said .
Mrs Wightman said Greencore had `` highly effective @ @ @ @ @ @ @ work extremely hard to exceed the requirements needed to be Covid-19 secure within the workplace '' .
She said the outbreak was `` about how people behave outside of Greencore , not at work , '' adding if people failed to follow the rules `` a possible local lockdown will follow '' .

That is still significantly below the levels of infection seen in north-west England, where council leaders have introduced stricter lockdown measures. In Oldham and Pendle, for example, the infection rate is around 100 cases for every 100,000 people.