bbcuk--2020-03-05--Coronavirus: UK moving towards part two of virus plan as cases hit 90

UK health officials are moving towards the second phase of their response to the coronavirus outbreak .
In the `` delay '' phase measures will be ramped up to slow the spread of the virus , the country 's chief medical adviser Prof Chris Whitty said .
He told MPs it was `` highly likely '' some people now being infected in the UK have no connection to overseas cases .
Three new cases of the virus in Scotland have brought the total number of positive tests in the UK to 90 .
Speaking to MPs on the health and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the country was now `` mainly '' in the delay phase of the government 's four-part plan to tackle the virus , but was still following aspects of the first phase .
It is still being decided what measures will be taken in the delay phase - but the government has said they could include banning big events , closing schools , encouraging people to work from home and dissuading the use of public transport .
What do I need to know about the coronavirus ?
• EASY STEPS : What can I @ @ @ @ @ @ @ prepared is the UK ?
• MAPS AND CHARTS : Visual guide to the outbreak Prof Whitty said consequences of the delay phase included : • Pushing the peak of cases `` further away from the winter pressures on the NHS '' so that there was `` more capacity to respond '' • Buying time to allow the UK to improve its response or develop counter measures such as drugs , vaccines and diagnostics • There may be a seasonal element of the virus - so if the peak was delayed to spring @ @ @ @ @ @ @ '' of transmission could be lower Prof Whitty said the early stages of the delay phase were similar to the contain phase , and involved identifying cases of the virus , isolating patients , and tracing anyone who had been in contact with them .
`` As time moves by , we then may start to move into the more socially determined actions ... the kind of measures we can do to delay things which involve changes to society , '' he said .
On Wednesday the highest day-on-day rise in cases in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ number of cases jumped from 51 to 87 .
• Three days more sick pay for self-isolating workers The UK 's early response to the virus , which causes Covid-19 , was based on the spread being controlled in China , with some minor outbreaks in other countries , Prof Whitty said .
But he added : `` The chances of that happening are now very slim .
Slim to zero . ''
Prof Whitty said there was `` no need '' for members of the public to stockpile food or medicine .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ a marathon not a sprint , '' he said .
The government has said it has a stockpile of important medicines and protective equipment , to counter any impact to global supply chains .
`` There is nothing in the current environment that would rationally lead someone to want to go out and stock up on stuff , '' Prof Whitty added .
Prof Whitty added that access to critical care beds would be `` under pressure at quite an early stage '' in the worst case scenario of an epidemic in the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ gone into administration and says coronavirus is partly to blame • England 's Six Nations games against Italy in Rome on 14 and 15 March are expected to be postponed - rather than taking place behind closed doors - as a response to the outbreak • Iran will close schools and universities until 20 March in an attempt to curb the spread • Switzerland has reported its first death from the virus - a 74-year-old woman who died in hospital in Lausanne • California has declared a state of emergency after announcing its @ @ @ @ @ @ @ death toll from the disease to 11 • And the world 's biggest dog show , Crufts , has begun in Birmingham , despite two major sponsors pulling out of the event amid fears over the virus Prime Minister Boris Johnson said measures such as closing schools and banning big events `` do n't work as well perhaps as people think '' .
He told ITV 's This Morning programme another way of responding to the virus would be to `` take it on the chin '' and allow it to `` move @ @ @ @ @ @ @ many draconian measures '' .
`` I think we need to strike a balance , '' he added .
Mr Johnson said it would be `` business as usual '' for the `` overwhelming majority '' of people in the UK .
About 90,000 people have been infected globally since the outbreak of coronavirus in Hubei province , China , in December , with cases in more than 50 countries and more than 3,000 deaths .
Last week , a British man who was infected on the Diamond Princess cruise ship quarantined in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ die from the virus .
How have you been affected by coronavirus ?
Share your experiences by emailing haveyoursay @ bbc.co.uk .
Please include a contact number if you are willing to speak to a BBC journalist .
You can also contact us in the following ways : • Please read our terms & conditions and privacy policy

He told ITV's This Morning programme: "One of the theories is perhaps you could take it on the chin, take it all in one go and allow the disease to move through the population without really taking as many draconian measures. I think we need to strike a balance."


bbcuk--2020-03-05--Collapsed Flybe tells passengers not to travel to airports

UK airline Flybe has gone into administration , putting 2,000 jobs at risk , after a bid for fresh financial support failed .
The Exeter-based carrier said the impact of the coronavirus outbreak on demand for air travel was partly to blame for its collapse .
Its website now advises customers to `` not travel to the airport '' unless they have arranged an alternative flight .
Flybe boss Mark Anderson said he was `` very sorry '' for the firm 's collapse .
In a letter to the airline 's staff , chief executive Mark Anderson said : `` @ @ @ @ @ @ @ no alternative - having failed to find a feasible solution to allow us to keep trading . ''
In response to the collapse , the UK government said it was ready to help Flybe 's workers find new jobs and would work with other airlines to replace services : `` We are working closely with industry to minimise any disruption to routes operated by Flybe , including by looking urgently at how routes not already covered by other airlines can be re-established by the industry.
`` • Five things that went wrong for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ was `` gutted '' about the news but added : `` We really tried to do everything we could back at the turn of the year .
`` Unfortunately , with the situation that has developed with [ coronavirus ] , an already weak company , I 'm afraid , just has n't been able to survive . ''
David Manners arrived at Exeter Airport this morning to find his Flybe flight to Paris had been cancelled .
The trip had been planned as a surprise Christmas present for his wife and he @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Mr Manners , who lives in Lyme Regis , said Flybe 's collapse would also be bad for the area .
`` We use this airport quite a lot because it 's so convenient , '' he said .
`` We know some of the staff very well… I feel for them . ''
Jessica , Abby and Robyn work for a recruitment agency and were due to return to Jersey via Exeter Airport after a business trip .
They described the airport as a `` ghost town '' on arrival .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ maybe once a month , and not having it now will be such a nightmare . ''
The group said that other airlines such as EasyJet or British Airways did operate flights from Jersey , but they typically only flew into larger airports such as London Gatwick .
Ryanair has launched `` rescue '' fares for March and April on five routes following Flybe 's collapse .
They include flights between Bournemouth and Dublin , Belfast and Stansted and Belfast and Manchester .
Train operators across Britain are also providing free travel to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to travel over the next week , according to the Rail Delivery Group .
What are your rights as a passenger ?
Flybe customers who bought tickets directly from the company will not be protected by Atol , the travel industry insurance fund However , if you bought through a travel agent or other third party you might be covered .
Some people might be able to get their money back if they paid by credit card or with some debit cards .
What does it mean for staff ?
Thousands of jobs @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 's collapse .
Katherine Densham , a Flybe cabin crew member , had been due to fly to London City Airport from Exeter on Thursday .
She has worked for the airline for 13 years after joining the firm straight from college .
She told the BBC that staff were feeling `` really sad '' and that she was not sure what to do next .
Balpa , the pilots ' union , said that pilots , cabin crew and ground staff `` have done their jobs brilliantly '' throughout its struggle .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ going to find new jobs in the current climate '' , although companies such as South Western Railway have already been calling out for job applications from Flybe staff on social media .
What went wrong at the airline ?
Flybe ran into difficulties last year and was bought by a consortium that includes Virgin Atlantic .
But its troubles persisted , and it narrowly avoided going bust in January this year .
The new owners said they would pump £30m into the business to keep it afloat , but appealed to the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ which served destinations from the Channel Islands to Aberdeen , had also been hoping for a £100m lifeline from the government and changes to Air Passenger Duty taxes .
But the news that it may benefit from government help sparked a backlash from its rivals .
British Airways-owner IAG filed a complaint to the EU arguing Flybe 's rescue breached state aid rules .
Virgin Atlantic said it was `` deeply disappointed '' that Flybe had gone bust , adding that the consortium had invested more than £135m in keeping the airline flying @ @ @ @ @ @ @ financial problems were already apparent , a Flybe insider told the BBC the impact of the coronavirus on the travel industry had `` made a bad situation much worse '' .
Air transport expert John Strickland added that the regional market was extremely challenging for any airline , but that Flybe had made matters worse some years ago through over-ambitious expansion .
`` It 's really too big for what it 's trying to do , '' he said .
What does Flybe 's collapse mean for the regions ?
Although Flybe is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Airways , Ryanair or EasyJet , the loss of the operator has been described as `` disastrous '' for UK regions .
Mr Strickland said Flybe is `` small in the scale of the UK market as a whole , but if you 're flying out of Exeter , Newquay or specifically Southampton it really is one of the only airline choices ... so a number of regional groups will risk not being served '' .
Following last December 's general election , Prime Minister Boris Johnson pledged to `` level up '' @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Conservatives won seats in previous Labour strongholds .
He appeared ready to intervene to prop up the airline , considered a key transport link to many parts of the country .
• Cardiff Flybe passengers warned not to go to airport Shadow transport secretary Andy Macdonald said the airline had provided `` critical connectivity for many locations '' and its collapse would be `` disastrous news for passengers and employees alike . ''
`` The government has to answer how those vital links will be maintained following Flybe 's collapse .
Communities will @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for their local economies and the Secretary of State has to come up with answers to these questions as a matter of urgency , '' he said .
Tim Jeans , chairman of Cornwall Airport , said that he `` very much hoped '' that other airlines would take up the routes .
He said discussions with other airlines would `` begin in earnest '' soon and he hoped to reinstate services `` on those routes hopefully within weeks rather than months '' .
For the past 15 years Flybe has been trying @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , and failing .
The serious push came 10 years ago when it raised money with a stock market float , and set out a plan to become Europe 's biggest regional airline , flying mid-sized planes between secondary cities .
The model works brilliantly in America , where regional airlines , often flying as franchises of the larger network carriers , are a large and thriving business .
It did not work - or at least Flybe did not make it work - in Europe .
It retrenched , and was left @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a fleet of Embraer aircraft that it could not fly .
The remaining network was still too big , and cash resources dwindled .
The airline came close to going under at the start of last year , but was bought by consortium of Virgin Atlantic , Stobart , and a financial investor Cyrus Capital .
They had conflicting objectives .
Virgin was eager to preserve feed to its long-haul flights at Heathrow , and perhaps snaffle along the way some of Flybe 's valuable Heathrow slots .
Stobart was eager to keep @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Airport .
And Cyrus thought it might make money if the business was resuscitated .
The trio were slow to act - a rebranding to Virgin Connect never happened , and losses continued to rise .
A cold shoulder from the government and a rapid drop in bookings thanks to the coronavirus sealed the airline 's fate .
For the airports most affected - Southampton , Exeter and Belfast City - this will be a worrying moment .
There is not a queue of airlines wanting to pick up UK regional routes - @ @ @ @ @ @ @ plunged the entire industry into uncertainty .
Have you been affected by the collapse of Flybe ?
Share your experiences by emailing haveyoursay @ bbc.co.uk .
Please include a contact number if you are willing to speak to a BBC journalist .
You can also contact us in the following ways : • Please read our terms & conditions and privacy policy

In response to the collapse, the UK government said it was ready to help Flybe's workers find new jobs and would work with other airlines to replace services: "We are working closely with industry to minimise any disruption to routes operated by Flybe, including by looking urgently at how routes not already covered by other airlines can be re-established by the industry. "


bbcuk--2020-03-05--Coronavirus: England's Six Nations games against Italy set to be postponed

England 's Six Nations games against Italy in Rome on 14 and 15 March are expected to be postponed because of the coronavirus outbreak .
The men 's and women 's contests were initially set to take place behind closed doors in order to curb the spread of the virus .
Italy is the worst-hit European country with more than 3,000 cases .
Ireland 's Six Nations games at home to Italy on 7 and 8 March were postponed last week .
Six Nations officials will meet on Thursday after the Italian government ordered all sporting fixtures in the country @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 3 April as part of measures to contain the outbreak .
The decree , announced by Italian Prime Minister Giuseppe Conte , affects all areas of the country , including those places were the virus has not been found .
• All Italian sport to be be played behind closed doors Playing the men 's match behind closed doors would have meant the Italian Rugby Federation missing out on the ticket revenues from the 73,000-capacity Stadio Olimpico .
The women 's match was due to be played at the Stadio Plebiscito , a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
With their away match against Ireland this weekend already postponed , Italy 's Six Nations campaign is now effectively over until their final two fixtures can be rearranged .
Sergio Parisse , their talismanic captain and winner of 142 caps , had planned to mark his international retirement with a farewell appearance against England .
The 36-year-old 's previous plans to bow out of Test rugby in his country 's final Rugby World Cup match against the All Blacks in October were wrecked by Typhoon Hagibis , which caused that pool game @ @ @ @

Last updated on .From the section Rugby Union
England's matches are set to be put back after Italy's away trip to Ireland was also postponed
England's Six Nations games against Italy on 14 and 15 March have been postponed because of the coronavirus outbreak.
The men's, women's and under-20s contests will be played at "a later date" say organisers.
"Six Nations fully intends to complete all 15 games in all three championships when time allows," they added.
Ireland's Six Nations games at home to Italy on 7 and 8 March were postponed last week.
Italy is the worst-hit European country with more than 3,000 cases.
Six Nations officials made the decision to reschedule the fixture on Thursday after the Italian government ordered all sporting fixtures in the country to be held behind closed doors until 3 April as part of measures to contain the outbreak.
The decree, announced by Italian Prime Minister Giuseppe Conte, affects all areas of the country, including those places were the virus has not been found.
Playing the men's match behind closed doors would have meant the Italian Rugby Federation missing out on the ticket revenues from the 73,000-capacity Stadio Olimpico. The women's match was due to be played at the Stadio Plebiscito, a venue in Padua which holds about 10,000.
"We will refrain from making any rescheduling announcements while we keep assessing the situation," added organisers.
"Based on the information that is currently available, all other Six Nations matches are set to go ahead as scheduled."
Remaining Six Nations fixtures 7-8 March England v Wales Scotland v France Ireland v Italy Postponed 14 -15 March Wales v Scotland Italy v England Postponed France v Ireland
With their away match against Ireland this weekend already postponed, Italy's Six Nations campaign is now effectively over until their final two fixtures can be rearranged.
If France, who have three victories from three games so far in the championship, beat Scotland and Ireland in their final two games, they will clinch the men's title before Italy play their postponed games.
However any slip-up from the French could open the door for England and Ireland and mean the champions cannot be determined until Italy's rescheduled matches have been played.
Sergio Parisse, Italy's talismanic captain and winner of 142 caps, had planned to mark his international retirement with a farewell appearance against England.
The 36-year-old's previous plans to bow out of Test rugby in his country's final Rugby World Cup match against the All Blacks in October were wrecked by Typhoon Hagibis, which caused that pool game to be cancelled.
When could the match be replayed?
England lifted the title in 2001 but were denied a Grand Slam as Ireland won their rescheduled match 20-14 in Dublin
Space is scarce in the rugby calendar.
The first Saturday free of domestic and European action is 27 June, but playing Tests then would affect planned departures for summer tours with England heading to Japan and Italy due to play in the United States, Canada and Argentina.
When an outbreak of foot-and-mouth disease caused three of Ireland's games to be postponed during the 2001 Championship, the remaining fixtures were played in September and October, almost six months after the rest of the matches were completed.
Spectators who had been planning to head to Italy for this month's fixtures have three options if they booked through England's official travel company.
Fans are being offered the choice of rescheduling their booking for the revised date, an alternative fixture in the autumn or next year's Six Nations or a full refund.


bbcuk--2020-03-05--Save the Children 'let down' staff and public over harassment claims

Save the Children UK `` let down '' complainants , employees and the public over its handling of harassment claims against senior staff , according to a report by the Charity Commission .
The watchdog found `` serious failures '' in how the charity dealt with claims .
An investigation was launched following allegations of inappropriate behaviour between 2012 and 2015 , including by the charity 's former chief executive .
Save the Children UK has apologised `` unreservedly '' to the women affected .
The charity said it had `` accepted in full '' the report 's findings .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ , faced three complaints of inappropriate behaviour towards female members of staff , which came to public attention in 2018 .
He said he `` apologised unreservedly '' to the three employees in 2015 and quit his role as deputy chief executive director of Unicef when the allegations resurfaced in 2018 .
The charity 's former chief strategist , Brendan Cox - the husband of the murdered Labour MP Jo Cox - was at the centre of sexual harassment complaints in 2015 .
He admitted he made `` mistakes '' and behaved in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ hurt and offence '' while working for Save the Children UK .
Mr Cox resigned from the charity in September 2015 amid the allegations but at the time denied that was the reason he quit .
The report said there were 13 complaints of general bullying and five complaints categorised as sexual harassment in the charity between 2016 and June 2018 .
The report found `` serious weaknesses '' in the charity 's workplace culture .
Among the wide range of failings included the charity not identifying its chief executive as the subject @ @ @ @ @ @ @ incident report to the regulator in 2015 .
Trustees were also not made aware of allegations against Mr Forsyth until 2015 , the report found .
The commission said this amounted to the omission of `` material facts '' and to `` mismanagement in the administration of the charity '' .
It also said one of the charity 's public statements in February 2018 was `` not wholly accurate '' , and described its overall approach to reports in the media as `` unduly defensive '' .
The charity 's actions created the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the seriousness of the allegations '' , the commission added .
These allegations , and the way in which the charity responded , had a `` corrosive impact on its internal culture '' , the report said .
Since October 2018 , the charity has `` made significant progress in implementing changes '' , the commission added .
The watchdog said the charity recognised the seriousness of the complaints and it had found no evidence of deliberate attempts to brush these under the carpet .
The charity instigated two reviews into culture and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to respond to the external reviews ' findings .
Helen Stephenson , chief executive of the Charity Commission , said charities should have `` a workplace culture that is healthy , supportive and safe '' .
`` This responsibility is especially pronounced in large , household name charities : their leaders are powerful , and highly respected , '' she said .
`` The impact of failures in leadership in such charities can also have implications for public trust and confidence beyond the charity itself . ''
Alexia Pepper de Caires , who @ @ @ @ @ @ @ said she raised concerns about harassment at the charity .
The former employee said the trustees `` must be held accountable '' and the position of current CEO , Kevin Watkins , who was a trustee when the allegations were made , was `` untenable '' .
`` We can not expect people who were part of the problem to reform an organisation , '' she told BBC Radio 4 's Today programme .
In response , Mr Watkins , who became CEO of the charity in 2016 , said it was `` @ @ @ @ @ @ @ discharge his responsibilities as a trustee and that he endorsed and acted on an independent review into workplace culture at the time .
He apologised `` unreservedly '' to the women affected by the behaviour of the two senior executives .
`` The harm they suffered was compounded by a failure to respond appropriately to complaints and then by our defensive handling of media inquiries about the cases , '' he said .
He added that he was determined to work with staff to `` build an organisational culture that reflects our values @ @

In response, Mr Watkins, who became CEO of the charity in 2016, said it was "unfair" to say he failed to discharge his responsibilities as a trustee and that he endorsed and acted on an independent review into workplace culture at the time.


bbcuk--2020-03-05--John Lewis warns stores could close as bonuses cut

John Lewis has warned it could close shops as a plunge in profits forced it to cut staff bonuses to their lowest level in almost 70 years .
The retailer , which also owns Waitrose , has launched a review of the business which it said would involve `` right sizing '' its stores across both brands .
The review would involve store closures `` where necessary '' as well as space reduction in existing stores , it said .
The conclusions of the review are expected to be announced in September .
New chair Sharon White - who took @ @ @ @ @ @ @ would kick-start a `` vital new phase '' for the partnership , and said she had `` no doubt '' the business would be stronger as a result .
`` We need to reverse our profit decline and return to growth so that we can invest more in our customers and in our partners .
`` This will require a transformation in how we operate as a partnership and could take three to five years to show results . ''
The group announced that three Waitrose stores would close later this year at @ @ @ @ @ @ @ part of the overhaul .
The John Lewis Partnership is owned by its staff - known as partners - who usually receive a bonus each year .
This year , staff bonuses have been set at 2 % , the lowest since 1953 when it paid no bonus .
Profits at the partnership dived by 23 % last year to £123m - the third year in a row that profits have fallen - as it continued to struggle with the slowdown in consumer spending .
The John Lewis department stores saw `` significantly @ @ @ @ @ @ @ home and electrical goods , although profits rose at Waitrose after a `` solid performance '' , the company said .
• John Lewis axes third of top jobs in restructuring Julie Palmer , partner at Begbies Traynor , said the fall from grace for John Lewis had been `` spectacular '' , and warned that if Ms White could not turn around the business `` the fallout could be much worse '' .
`` Once the envy of the retail industry , the company has suffered dismal trading performances over the past @ @ @ @ @ @ @ race is so fast that even those seemingly on an unstoppable march one year can be vulnerable the next .
`` This goes to show that no retailer is safe . ''
Catherine Shuttleworth , the chief executive of retail analysts Savvy , said store closures appeared inevitable .
`` I think the business is going to have to be slimmed down , '' she told the BBC .
`` It 's very difficult to close some of the department stores down because they 're on really long leases , but certainly I @ @ @ @ @ @ @ stores that are n't performing they will look at that . ''
She added that Ms White did not have much time to turn the business around .
`` She 's talking about changes taking three-to-five years , I do n't think there are three-to-five years in retail at the minute where there is n't going to be an enormous amount of change .
She has n't got that much time on her side .
John Lewis have been 'strategically reviewing ' things for quite a while - we need some action .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ BBC the firm 's staff bonus scheme was an `` absolutely fundamental '' part of its ethos .
`` The key competitive edge John Lewis has is customer service , that is delivered by its staff .
If you take away part of their remuneration then your customer service levels are likely to be impacted .
`` And I think that over the past few years as that bonus has gone down we 've been seeing a bit of that .
It 's a really difficult dilemma they have . ''

"She's talking about changes taking three-to-five years, I don't think there are three-to-five years in retail at the minute where there isn't going to be an enormous amount of change. She hasn't got that much time on her side. John Lewis have been 'strategically reviewing' things for quite a while - we need some action."


bbcuk--2020-03-05--Commons spends more than £800,000 on paying off former staff

The House of Commons has paid out hundreds of thousands of pounds in non-disclosure and settlement agreements with former employees , according to official figures .
Since January 2017 , more than £808,000 has been paid out on 15 settlement agreements with departing staff .
A Commons spokesman said such clauses had not been used in settlement agreements since 2018 .
Over the same period , the House of Lords paid £18,421 in four non-disclosure agreements .
The figures were obtained through Freedom of Information ( FOI ) requests by the PA Media news agency .
Non-disclosure agreements , or @ @ @ @ @ @ @ prevent the release of sensitive or confidential information .
MPs have called for Parliament to `` outlaw '' the use of NDAs in cases of harassment or discrimination .
Labour MP Jess Phillips welcomed that the Commons has not used confidentiality clauses since 2018 , but she said the new figures were `` very worrying '' .
`` Parliamentary inquiries and recent high-profile cases such as Harvey Weinstein have shown how toxic these agreements can be and how they hide the need for institutional change , '' she said .
`` Parliament should @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in any case of harassment or discrimination and show the leadership needed to end the culture of power and money silencing people . ''
An independent complaints scheme was introduced in Parliament in 2018 , after allegations of bullying and harassment in Parliament were first made public .
A damning report by High Court judge Dame Laura Cox found lewd , aggressive and intimidating behaviour by MPs and senior staff had been `` tolerated and concealed '' for years .
Former Conservative women and equalities minister Maria Miller said : `` Allegations of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ staff have seriously brought into question its management culture .
`` With new leadership of the House of Commons management now in place , it is important that secrecy and cover-up has no place in the running of our Parliament .
`` With almost 3,000 people employed directly by the House of Commons , quite separate from MPs ' own office staff , this FOI request demonstrates the need for transparency and accountability in the way such payments are being used . ''
A Commons spokesman said : `` The House of Commons @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of settlement agreements ( commonly referred to as NDAs ) since 2018 .
`` In line with many other organisations , the House of Commons - which employs over 2,500 members of staff - has and continues to follow best practice guidance on employment matters as specified by Acas and the Cabinet Office . ''
In 2018 , BBC Newsnight revealed that the House of Commons spent £2.4m on so-called `` gagging clauses '' with former staff in the five years from 2013 .

"With almost 3,000 people employed directly by the House of Commons, quite separate from MPs' own office staff, this FOI request demonstrates the need for transparency and accountability in the way such payments are being used."


bbcuk--2020-03-05--BBC 'must reflect nation' says new culture secretary Oliver Dowden

New UK Culture Secretary Oliver Dowden has said the BBC needs to do more to reflect the country 's `` genuine diversity of thought and experience '' .
Mr Dowden , who recently succeeded Nicky Morgan , made the comments in his first speech in the role on Thursday .
He also warned that the broadcaster must `` guard its unique selling point of impartiality in all of its output '' .
And he questioned whether the BBC is `` ready to embrace proper reform to ensure its long-term sustainability '' .
His comments come amid a debate about the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ government is currently consulting on proposals to decriminalise TV licence fee evasion , while negotiations for the next licence fee settlement are due to take place .
Mr Dowden told Thursday 's Media and Telecoms 2020 & Beyond conference that audiences should `` cherish '' the unique contribution made by public service broadcasters .
• What is the TV licence ?
• Tory MPs warn No 10 against conflict with BBC The 41-year-old compared the BBC to the NHS in terms of its national cultural importance , but point out the need for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ relevant .
`` If we 're honest , some of our biggest institutions missed , or were slow to pick up , key political and social trends in recent years , '' Mr Dowden he said .
`` The BBC needs to be closer to , and understand the perspectives of , the whole of the United Kingdom and avoid providing a narrow urban outlook .
`` By this , I do n't just mean getting authentic and diverse voices on and off screen - although this is important , '' he added @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is genuine diversity of thought and experience . ''
Mr Dowden pointed out the importance of safeguarding impartiality , citing research that suggested some viewers trust other broadcasters such as Sky and CNN more than the BBC .
`` Ultimately , if people do n't perceive impartiality , then they wo n't believe what they see and read and they 'll feel it is not relevant to them .
`` In an age of fake news and self reinforcing algorithms , the need for genuine impartiality is greater than ever . ''
While @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in the age of streaming and subscription sites like YouTube and Netflix , he will conclude that `` the BBC is an institution to be cherished '' .
`` We would be crazy to throw it away but it must reflect all of our nation , and all perspectives . ''
BBC News announced in January it will cut around 450 jobs in line with its £80m savings target by 2022 .
The BBC had no direct response to Mr Dowden 's comments , but writing in the Daily Mail on Tuesday , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ BBC has always been the first to embrace change '' .
He pointed out that the BBC attempted to launch a Netflix-style model a decade ago .
`` More than 10 years ago , back when Netflix was still delivering DVDs through the front door , the BBC joined forces with other public service broadcasters to set up a British video-on-demand service , '' wrote Lord Hall .
`` It was blocked by the regulators , opening up a gap that Netflix and others were only too happy to exploit . ''
He @ @ @ @ @ @ @ hard to modernise our organisation '' .
He said the organisation had been : `` Driving down efficiencies to industry-leading levels .
Cutting jobs and management layers .
Streamlining our news operation .
Reshaping what we do to meet the needs of today 's audiences .
`` We know we have to do more to serve young people in particular . ''
Follow us on Facebook or on Twitter @ BBCNewsEnts .
If you have a story suggestion email entertainment.news @ bbc.co.uk .

While saying it needs to re-find its place in the age of streaming and subscription sites like YouTube and Netflix, he will conclude that "the BBC is an institution to be cherished".


bbcuk--2020-03-05--Aston Villa and Leicester City settle sexual-abuse claims

Aston Villa and Leicester City have paid damages to five victims of a football scout convicted of child sex abuse , the BBC 's Victoria Derbyshire programme has learned .
Ted Langford was jailed in 2007 for the sexual abuse of four other young boys between 1976 and 1989 .
He died in 2012 .
Both clubs settled a civil case for compensation weeks before it was due to be heard in the High Court .
They expressed their `` deepest sympathies '' to the survivors .
Ted Langford worked as a part-time football scout in the Midlands in the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for both Aston Villa and Leicester City .
Former professional footballer Tony Brien - who says he was abused by Langford from age 12 and has waived his right to anonymity - said he felt let down neither club had accepted responsibility for the abuse or apologised to the young boys involved .
`` Saying sorry wo n't make things right but it would help and it would help the other four lads as well , '' he said .
It was Mr Brien 's interview on the BBC 's Victoria Derbyshire programme @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of being abused while playing for a local youth team , that led four other former players to come forward alleging abuse while playing for youth teams linked to Leicester and Aston Villa .
None was involved in the criminal case against Langford .
Both clubs reached an out-of-court settlement for damages in January .
The amounts involved have not been disclosed .
In 1985 , four years after he says the abuse began , Mr Brien was signed for Leicester City , aged 16 , by youth team manager Dave Richardson , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ part-time scout for the club .
Two years later , Mr Richardson joined Aston Villa as assistant manager and Langford moved with him .
Later that season , Mr Brien says , he called Mr Richardson to warn him about Langford .
But he claims that , after a number of conversations with Mr Richardson and one with then-manager Graham Taylor , he was dissuaded from going public with his allegations .
Taylor , who went on to manage England , died of a heart attack in January 2017 .
Mr Brien told @ @ @ @ @ @ @ him : `` Look , you 're a young lad starting out in the game .
I know you 've just made your debut .
Could you really be dealing with all the obscenities from the terraces ?
So I just suggest you sweep it under the carpet . ''
The Football Association later set up an independent inquiry into historical sexual abuse across the sport , which is continuing .
Mr Brien has told the inquiry : `` They discouraged me from going forward and never offered me a chance to go @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
`` I went into the kitchen at my mum 's and my mum said , 'Well ? '
And I just said 'they just told me to sweep it underneath the carpet ' .
And I burst into tears . ''
The inquiry has also heard from a former Aston Villa player involved in the civil case who said Taylor and another unidentified member of staff had visited him and he had been discouraged from taking his abuse allegations further .
Mr Richardson has previously told BBC News he could not recall @ @ @ @ @ @ @ strongly denied he would have advised the player he should not go public .
He said he had first been made aware of `` alarming allegations '' against Langford from other parents shortly after he had joined Aston Villa , in 1987 , and an internal investigation had followed .
The parents involved had not wanted the matter reported to the police and , after consulting with Taylor and then chairman Doug Ellis , Langford had been `` rapidly '' sacked .
Then , as now , there was no legal requirement for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ concerns about Langford to the authorities .
But BBC News has seen a document showing Langford was still acting as Aston Villa 's official representative until at least March 1989 .
Mr Richardson said he did not consider it appropriate to comment further while the FA inquiry was continuing .
At least two of those who were paid damages as part of the settlement said Langford had abused them after Mr Brien , according to him , had raised concerns about the scout .
`` It could have definitely been prevented if they @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Brien .
`` I know it 's a different era we live in now .
But if someone came to me and [ said ] , 'This is what 's happened , ' then I 'd march down to the police station and make a statement .
`` That 's what I would do . ''
Leicester City said in a statement it wished to express `` its deepest sympathies with all victims of abuse and its admiration for those survivors who , in coming forward , have helped to reinforce the game @ @ @ @ @ @ @ added : `` All reports of abuse made to the club , non-recent or otherwise , are treated seriously , investigated thoroughly and pursued to an appropriate conclusion that is satisfactory to all associated parties '' .
Aston Villa said in a statement it `` wishes to express its deepest sympathies with all those who have suffered abuse , and is appalled by any form of historic abuse .
`` Safeguarding standards are of paramount importance to the club and any reports of abuse made to the club , both historic or current @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to the appropriate authorities '' .
Both clubs said the claims , settled by their respective insurers , were on terms `` acceptable to all parties '' and without admissions of liability .
Follow the BBC 's Victoria Derbyshire programme on Facebook and Twitter - and see more of our stories here .

Mr Brien told Victoria Derbyshire that Taylor had said to him: "Look, you're a young lad starting out in the game. I know you've just made your debut. Could you really be dealing with all the obscenities from the terraces? So I just suggest you sweep it under the carpet."


bbcuk--2020-03-05--Greg James and Dotty win big at radio's Arias awards

Greg James has won the Radio Academy award for best new show - after 18 months of entertaining listeners on BBC Radio 1 's Breakfast show .
He lost out on the award for best music breakfast show to his BBC Radio 1Xtra counterpart , Dotty .
James , 34 , who hosted the Arias awards in London , congratulated her on Twitter , calling her the `` absolute best '' .
The pair co-presented BBC One 's music show Sounds Like Friday Night .
Around 4.81m listeners tuned in to James ' Breakfast Show in the last three months @ @ @ @ @ @ @ figures .
The programme moved from five to four days a week when he took over from fellow Radio 1 presenter Nick Grimshaw in August 2018 .
Dotty , 31 - a former rapper also known as Amplify Dot or A .
Dot , but whose real name is Ashley Charles - has presented 1Xtra 's Breakfast Show since 2016 .
BBC Radio 2 was named station of the year , while BBC Radio 5 Live 's Emma Barnett received the award for best speech presenter .
Barnett thanked her listeners on Twitter @ @ @ @ @ @ @ '' .
Toby Foster , who presents BBC Radio Sheffield 's Breakfast , picked up the award for best speech breakfast show .
The award for `` moment of the year '' was given to Iain Lee of Talk Radio , who helped rescue a man who called his show claiming to have taken a drug overdose in December 2018 .
In his acceptance speech , Lee urged people to `` be kinder '' .
`` I 've been suicidal .
I 've plotted to kill myself a couple of times and I @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of the Samaritans , partly because of my mates , '' he said .
Lee , who appeared on ITV 's I 'm A Celebrity in 2017 , went on to criticise a tendency to `` create fear and division '' in radio .
`` We do n't need to do that , '' he said .
`` We have a bigger responsibility to help people . ''
BBC programmes and presenters won 17 out of 23 awards .
Other non-BBC winners included Bauer Media 's local station Forth 1 and podcast Passenger @ @ @ @ @ @ @ BBC Radio 1 's The Reality Tea • Best new show : Radio 1 Breakfast Show with Greg James • Best sports show : Super G : How Geraint Won the Yellow Jersey , BBC Radio Wales • Best coverage of an event : Mental Health Awareness Week , Absolute Radio • Best music breakfast show : The 1xtra Breakfast Show with Dotty , BBC Radio 1Xtra • Best factual single programme : Kane Walker : Life and Death on the Streets • Best factual series : Ladder to Nowhere , BBC Radio @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Boogie in the Morning , Forth 1

The award for "moment of the year" was given to Iain Lee of Talk Radio, who helped rescue a man who called his show claiming to have taken a drug overdose in December 2018.


bbcuk--2020-03-05--Shropshire Bronze Age pendant bought by British Museum

A 3,000-year-old Bronze Age gold pendant will go on public display after it was bought by the British Museum .
The pendant has been described as one of the most significant pieces of Bronze Age gold metalwork ever discovered in Britain .
It was found by a local metal detectorist in Shropshire in May 2018 and was later declared treasure .
The British Museum , which bought the item for £250,000 , will lend it to the Shrewsbury Museum and Art Gallery .
The well-preserved piece of jewellery is decorated on all its surfaces with semi-circles and geometric motifs .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ significant discoveries from this period - the Bronze Age or first age of metal - to be made in Britain for more than a century , '' said Neil Wilkin , Bronze Age curator at the British Museum .
`` It tells us how important the sun and its path through the sky during the course of the day and the year was to people 's beliefs during this period .
`` Its preservation is such that is difficult to believe that 3,000 years have passed between leaving its maker 's hand and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ '' The contents of the hollow pendant are still unknown and are the subject of ongoing analysis by experts at the British Museum .
The museum acquired the item with support from the Art Fund and the American Friends of the British Museum and will lend the pendant to Shrewsbury Museum for its first public display in November .
Follow BBC West Midlands on Facebook , on Twitter , and sign up for local news updates direct to your phone .

"This is one of the most significant discoveries from this period - the Bronze Age or first age of metal - to be made in Britain for more than a century," said Neil Wilkin, Bronze Age curator at the British Museum.


bbcuk--2020-03-05--What are the symptoms?

What are the symptoms?

Coronavirus has spread to more than 60 countries , including the UK .
So , what is the disease and what can you do to protect yourself ?
What are the coronavirus symptoms ?
Coronavirus is a respiratory disease which seems to start with a fever , followed by a dry cough .
After a week , it leads to shortness of breath and some patients require hospital treatment .
These symptoms do not necessarily mean you have the illness .
They are similar to those for much more common viruses , such as colds and flu .
In more @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , severe acute respiratory syndrome , multiple organ failure and even death .
Older people , and people with pre-existing medical conditions ( such as asthma , diabetes , heart disease ) , are more likely to become severely ill .
The incubation period - between infection and showing any symptoms - lasts up to 14 days , the World Health Organization ( WHO ) says .
But some researchers say it may be up to 24 days .
• How is the UK planning for an outbreak ?
• Coronavirus : Can @ @ @ @ @ @ @ questions How do I protect myself ?
Regular and thorough hand washing is crucial in the fight to avoid picking up the disease , health agencies say .
It is not yet known exactly how coronavirus spreads from person to person .
However , similar viruses are spread via droplets , such as those produced when an infected person coughs or sneezes .
So , coughing and sneezing into tissues , not touching your face with unwashed hands , and trying to avoid close contact with infected people are important .
What should @ @ @ @ @ @ @ coronavirus ?
The NHS says the risk to individuals in the UK remains low .
But people who think they may be affected by coronavirus need to call the NHS 111 phone service for further advice .
They should not go to their GP , or A & E .
If you have come into contact with somebody who may be infected , you may be told to self-isolate .
People needing to do so should take `` common-sense '' steps to avoid close contact with other people , says Public Health England @ @ @ @ @ @ @ back to the UK from the main affected areas and some other countries has been issued by the government .
Full details of the countries concerned and whether you need to self-isolate are available here .
Other countries have their own measures in place .
For example , the US Centre for Disease Control and Prevention advises people showing symptoms to call their healthcare provider , and those who are mildly ill to self-isolate .
The World Health Organization has also issued advice for the public .
What do I need to know @ @ @ @ @ @ @ : What can I do ?
• PROTECTION : Where are we with a vaccine ?
• GETTING READY : How prepared is the UK ?
How fast is it spreading ?
Hundreds of new cases are being reported worldwide each day .
However , it is thought health agencies may be unaware of many cases .
After starting in China , coronavirus is now spreading fast in countries like South Korea , Italy and Iran .
How deadly is coronavirus and will I get better ?
Four out of five people who @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , a WHO examination of data from 56,000 patients says .
It suggests : The proportion dying from the disease appears low ( between 1 % and 2 % ) - but the figures are unreliable .
Thousands are still being treated but may go on to die - so the death rate could be higher .
But it is also unclear how many mild cases remain unreported - so the death rate could also be lower .
To put this into context , about one billion people catch influenza every year , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ The severity of flu changes every year .
Right now , treatment relies on the basics - keeping the patient 's body going , including breathing support , until their immune system can fight off the virus .
However , the work to develop a vaccine is under way and it is hoped there will be human trials before the end of the year .
Hospitals are also testing anti-viral drugs to see if they have an impact .
This explainer will be regularly updated to reflect the audience 's questions about coronavirus @ @ @ @ @ @ @ touch are below .
What questions do you have about the coronavirus ?
In some cases your question will be published , displaying your name , age and location as you provide it , unless you state otherwise .
Your contact details will never be published .
Please ensure you have read our terms & conditions and privacy policy .
Use this form to ask your question :

Older people, and those with pre-existing medical conditions (such as asthma, diabetes, heart disease, high blood pressure), are more likely to become severely ill. Men are at slightly higher risk of dying from the virus than women.


bbcuk--2020-03-05--Noughts & Crosses: Why the new TV series felt 'vital'

There 's a scene in the first episode of Noughts & Crosses where a young man is beaten up by a police officer because of the colour of his skin .
The boy and his friends are n't breaking the law as they are stopped and questioned , but that does n't stop the situation escalating into a violent altercation .
It 's an issue often debated in the news and depicted in films - but here , there is a twist .
The young man is white , and the police officer is black .
It 's one of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ adaptation of Malorie Blackman 's hugely successful 2001 novel , which imagines a world where white people are oppressed .
White characters ' names are mispronounced , the word `` blanca '' is used as a racist insult , and white people work as catering staff serving people of colour at parties .
It might have taken 19 years for Noughts & Crosses to make it to television , but actor Patterson Joseph , who plays Kamal Hadley , thinks the themes will have particular resonance in 2020 .
`` I do n't @ @ @ @ @ @ @ think this issue is always there , but I think we 're particularly living in a time where the volume has been turned up on all that , '' he says .
`` When you 're shooting , you know it 's significant because you know it 's going to upset some people , maybe a lot of people , on both sides of the ethnic lines . ''
In this world , white people are known as the `` Noughts '' while black people are the `` Crosses '' .
The situation @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of Europe , and the Crosses are now the ruling class .
In the series , black people treat white people with disdain , and the interracial relationship at the centre of the plot is controversial among the two families involved - leading some fans of the book to describe it as a modern day Romeo and Juliet .
Joseph points out that this is just one interpretation of what things might be like if society had been this way around , adding that some viewers may object to certain suggestions .
`` @ @ @ @ @ @ @ gosh , you 're painting us as villains , we would n't be like that ' , but I beg to differ , '' he says .
`` I think all human beings who are isolated are going to make themselves dictators over time , and be pretty draconian in the apartheid sense .
`` And white people might be going 'this is unfair ' , or be angry about being shown as oppressed in this way .
So we knew that it had controversy laced all the way through it . ''
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ particularly timely .
Last month , the UK 's biggest retailer , Tesco , announced it would be stocking plasters in a variety of skin tones as it tries to give a better reflection of the UK 's racial diversity .
`` That felt massively coincidental , '' laughs Joseph , referring to the fact this very idea is presented in Noughts & Crosses , which had already been filmed at the point Tesco made the announcement .
While the theme of reversing the races remains central to the TV series , a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 's novel for the small screen .
The two lead characters , Sephy and Callum , have been aged up , and are 19 instead of 14 , giving them a better understanding of the politics of the world around them .
[ It conveniently also helps the BBC avoid any potential controversy over presenting an underage romance on TV . ]
Blackman has been involved in the creative process of the TV series and welcomed the changes , according to actor Josh Dylan , who plays Jude .
`` We 've hung @ @ @ @ @ @ @ think she is the most wonderful person , and she 's been so brilliant about this adaptation , '' he says .
`` She could be so precious about her work and try and cling on to things , but she 's bought into this spirit of the evolution of it .
`` I think she 's all up for it evolving into something that 's relevant today , and the characters are aged up a bit , and I love that , what an artist to have the generosity of spirit and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and keep making it relevant . ''
One tricky element is dramatising the way in which the novel is told , where chapters switch between first-person accounts of various characters .
`` I love her perspectives and how she captured it from Callum and Sephy 's point of view , she 'd sometimes jump to Minerva or Jude and have their own chapters and that 's great , '' says director Koby Adom .
`` But as filmmakers obviously we have to translate that on to TV , and it is all about @ @ @ @ @ @ @ `` As a team , we decided to tell the story from the inside out .
And the central vehicle of this show is the love between Callum and Sephy .
So we told the story from their perspective , individually and together . ''
Blackman hopes Noughts & Crosses is seen as part of a wider trend in black stories being made for the screen .
`` Now , there 's the realisation that diverse stories do make money , '' she said last month .
`` Like the films Black Panther @ @ @ @ @ @ @ have been much harder to get them off the ground .
`` There 's an audience desperate for new content and new voices and I think a lot of people are waking up to that . ''
Adom says he hopes audiences take away the message of love at the centre of the story .
`` It 's talking about race , class , all these different departments of life that we face every day , and trying to put love about all of that , give that message that if everybody did @ @ @ @ @ @ @ more unity , '' he says .
`` I 'm a big believer of divide and conquer , you can only conquer people if they 're divided , you can never conquer anyone who 's united .
So I think this is a good sort of commentary on that , and how to try and combat division . ''
Dylan adds that playing Jude , a young character angry with the way society treats him , felt different to some of the other roles he 's taken on as an actor .
`` @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of course , but this felt very different , it felt very vital .
I was really up for it , it 's a huge world to establish and it 's a tricky story , '' he says .
`` As a young white middle-class actor , to play a role like this is really interesting , and to be on the front foot of something really important and not just the same stories you see on TV about the same kind of people , I sincerely care about this and hope it @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the TV show to make people think .
And it 's not prescriptive , it 's not saying , 'This is what would happen if X , Y or Z happened .
It 's not a definitive answer to anything .
`` The TV show is just offering a possible world , and with that , comes a whole load of questions . ''
In addition to being eye-opening , Joseph hopes it will provoke empathy with many viewers .
`` Black people , we know how we live .
It would be @ @ @ @ @ @ @ know what it might be like to be treated in that particular way could see through our eyes what it feels like . ''
Noughts & Crosses is broadcast on BBC One on Thursday 5 March at 21:00 GMT .

"I think she's all up for it evolving into something that's relevant today, and the characters are aged up a bit, and I love that, what an artist to have the generosity of spirit and the awareness to want to keep learning and keep making it relevant."


bbcuk--2020-03-05--Is the new passport really blue or black?

Is the new UK passport blue ?
Or is the colour really closer to black ?
The Home Office has issued pictures of the post-Brexit passport , describing it as a return to the `` iconic blue '' used for UK passports before 1988 .
Experts in the science of colour - and instant experts on social media - are unconvinced , saying they look more like black .
But a Home Office spokesman says the colours of both the old and new passports are shades of blue .
`` I 'd say it 's black , '' says Stephen @ @ @ @ @ @ @ technology at the University of Leeds .
`` If most people looked at this , they 'd say it 's black . ''
But he says describing colours in terms of names can be imprecise - and individuals will have their own different perspectives .
• New passports rolling out from this month • Global online debate about the colour of a dress • Is this dress white and gold or blue and black ?
• Couple get different passports with Brexit changes If enough blue is added to black , he says @ @ @ @ @ @ @ people will begin to see the colour as blue .
`` But that point varies for different people , '' he says .
That means that some might see a colour as an extremely dark shade of blue , while others would see it as black .
Perhaps allowing the Home Office not to be entirely painted into a corner , he suggests the colour might be `` bluish black '' .
But in essence , Prof Westland says , `` this is closer to black '' .
However he says the perception @ @ @ @ @ @ @ context - and by calling it a `` blue passport '' people might be more likely to see it as leaning towards blue .
Replacing the burgundy-coloured European Union document , the new UK passport has been described as a return to the `` traditional colour '' .
Home Secretary Priti Patel has said the return to this `` iconic blue '' was `` entwined with our national identity and I can not wait to travel on one '' .
The Home Office would not specify the shade of this blue , although @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , if not exactly , a blue numbered as 5395C in the Pantone classification .
But Craig Burston , senior lecturer in graphic design at the London College of Communication , which incorporates what was the London College of Printing , says there is nothing to suggest the `` dominant colour '' of the new passport is blue .
He suggests the colour is charcoal , maybe with a hint of blue .
But if it is blue , `` it must be the most apologetic shade of blue they could find '' @ @ @ @ @ @ @ blue gets '' .
`` You 'd be hard pushed to get something that is darker that would be defined as blue , '' Mr Burston says .
`` It 's as near as damn it black . ''
There could be differences depending on printing processes , lighting and the `` sheen '' , he says .
But the question of the colour seems to have been mixed up with the politics of `` blue passports '' .
And the social-media debate seems to be about Brexit as much as colour charts @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and Ball says `` pure '' black would have no other colours added .
But in practice , blacks used in the `` everyday world would have a slight colour to them '' , such as blue , grey or red .
This could make the passport a very dark blue although `` some people may perceive it as black '' .
It is `` probably black blue , '' said the paint firm 's spokesman .
There have been other internet debates over identifying colours - such as whether a dress was @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Westland says this reflects how people tend to see colours in quite definite ways , coming down on one side or the other , even though we know there are all kinds of shades and ambiguities .
`` People tend to make a decision about colours , '' he says .

Allow Twitter content?
This article contains content provided by Twitter. We ask for your permission before anything is loaded, as they may be using cookies and other technologies. You may want to read Twitter’s cookie policy, external and privacy policy, external before accepting. To view this content choose ‘accept and continue’.


bbcuk--2020-03-05--Crufts goes ahead in Birmingham amid coronavirus outbreak

The world 's biggest dog show , Crufts , gets under way at Birmingham 's National Exhibition Centre ( NEC @ @ @ @ @ has some restrictions in place due to the coronavirus outbreak but is still expected to @ @ @ @ @ more than 160,000 people .
The contest is split over four days into the gundog @ @ @ @ @ terrier and hound and toy and utility categories .
• Dog found in church to @ @ @ @ @ BBC West Midlands on Facebook , on Twitter , and sign up for local news @ @ @ @ @ .

The annual event has some restrictions in place due to the coronavirus outbreak but is still expected to attract about 26,000 dogs and more than 160,000 people.


bbcuk--2020-03-05--Coronavirus 'community transmission highly likely'

Prof Chris Whitty , the country 's chief medical adviser , has updated MPs on latest coronavirus developments and said @ @ @ @ @ '' the Coronavirus is being transmitted between people within the UK .
Read more : @ @ @ @ @ part two of virus plan as cases hit 90

Prof Chris Whitty, the country's chief medical adviser, has updated MPs on latest coronavirus developments and said it's "highly likely" the Coronavirus is being transmitted between people within the UK.
Read more: Coronavirus: UK moves to part two of virus plan as cases hit 90


bbcuk--2020-03-05--Newspaper headlines: Fears for MPs as UK nears 'point of no return'

Many of today 's papers respond to the accelerating spread of coronavirus in the UK with ominous headlines .
The Daily Mail 's is `` the point of no return '' , and for the Daily Mirror it 's `` the wave is coming '' .
The Daily Express goes with `` 'nothing can stop ' virus sweeping Britain '' .
The paper has images of what it calls the `` rudimentary protection '' adopted by commuters .
One woman is pictured wearing a plastic box on her head , another a shopping bag .
In its editorial , the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ serious .
`` We may need more draconian steps sooner rather than later '' , it says .
The Daily Telegraph details what one of those steps might be , reporting that funerals of coronavirus victims could be `` transmitted to mourners over the internet to prevent the spread of the disease if it becomes a pandemic '' .
The paper says government documents also suggest crematoria might have to stay open 24 hours a day , with shorter funeral services , to cope with up to 50,000 extra deaths a week .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ Parliament could be suspended for five months from the end of March to prevent MPs from spreading coronavirus .
The plans amount to `` the longest summer recess we have known '' , a senior parliamentary source tells the paper .
Explaining the rationale behind the proposal , the source says : `` We 've got 650 people who spend half the week across the country ... it 's 650 superspreaders . ''
The Independent focuses on how prepared the NHS is for that eventuality .
It 's conclusion : not very .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ senior doctors and nurses that the health service `` lacks the beds , staffing and resources '' to cope with a serious outbreak .
`` On Monday the hospital was full , and patients were waiting over 12 hours in A & E for admission , '' one doctor tells the website , anonymously .
`` And this is before we 've even contemplated dealing with a single coronavirus case . ''
Chairwoman of Association of Critical Care Nurses , Nicki Credland says : `` There simply are n't enough beds .
We @ @ @ @ @ @ @ which patients are admitted .
The general public have a right to the truth . ''
The Guardian , meanwhile , says there 's a `` backlash '' against the government deciding to issue weekly rather than daily information about the locations of new cases .
Prof Paul Ashford , a former director at Public Health England , criticises the move , telling the paper : `` They should be sharing the data as much as possible , to make the public equal partners . ''
Meanwhile , there appears to be trouble @ @ @ @ @ @ @ us £5bn a year more , schools warn chancellor '' is the headline in the Guardian .
It reports that what it calls an `` unprecedented alliance of headteachers , school governors , councils and unions '' are to lobby Mr Sunak ahead of next week 's budget , saying the extra cash is needed in order to avoid further cuts .
The Sun , on the other hand , warns the chancellor against trying to raise extra money from trying to increase fuel duty - saying the government would face a revolt @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Tory MPs have signed a letter urging Mr Sunak to ditch plans .
The Daily Telegraph previews a speech the new Culture Secretary , Oliver Dowden , is to give today about the BBC , in which he 's to accuse the corporation of a `` narrow urban outlook '' .
The paper says his remarks will be seen as an attack on the BBC over its perceived left-wing bias .
The Guardian , meanwhile , highlights that Mr Dowden is to also call the BBC an `` institution to be cherished '' @ @ @ @ @ @ @ crazy to throw it away '' .
The Guardian 's assessment is that this represents a `` partial climbdown from government briefings against the broadcaster in recent weeks . ''
Get news from the BBC in your inbox , each weekday morning And in light of the recent Taliban-US peace deal , how will the government `` honour the dedication '' of the nearly 500 British soldiers killed and the 4,500 wounded in Afghanistan ?
That is the question posed by a number of former military chiefs in a letter to the Times @ @ @ @ @ @ @ must not be in vain '' .
In its editorial , the paper agrees .
The `` top brass rightly fear the terms '' of the agreement , it says .
Prime Minister Boris Johnson should say whether he thinks it respects the Afghanistan veterans ' `` hard-earned achievements '' .
And finally , what are `` Dollface '' , `` Sweet Angel '' , `` Girly Girl '' and `` Ladylike '' ?
Somewhat improbably , the answer is the names of various shades of pink paint currently sold by the Valspar @ @ @ @ @ @ @ informs its readers - they are soon to be painted out of decorating history .
The company has admitted the names are `` old fashioned '' and `` gender stereotyping . ''
They are to be replaced , the Mail says , with more `` empowering '' names .
Meaning , from next month , customers will instead be able to paint rooms a fetching shade of `` Woke Up Like This '' , `` Fearless '' or `` Like a Boss '' .

The Daily Telegraph details what one of those steps might be, reporting that funerals of coronavirus victims could be "transmitted to mourners over the internet to prevent the spread of the disease if it becomes a pandemic". The paper says government documents also suggest crematoria might have to stay open 24 hours a day, with shorter funeral services, to cope with up to 50,000 extra deaths a week.


bbcuk--2020-03-05--Liverpool police chief wants to catch 'scum' who burgled woman, 93

A 93-year-old woman was battered in her own home by masked burglars described as `` scum '' by police .
@ @ @ @ @ a black eye and taken to hospital after the `` horrendous '' break-in in Liverpool @ @ @ @ @ Wednesday .
Merseyside Police called on people to ignore `` no-grass culture nonsense '' and @ @ @ @ @ Chief Constable Andy Cooke said : `` Please help us catch the scum who did @ @ @ @ @ the burglars had put his hand over the woman 's mouth in her bed to @ @ @ @ @ police said .
Cash was also stolen from the home .
Tweeting about the incident @ @ @ @ @ `` Do n't give me any of that no grass culture nonsense .
`` This @ @ @ @ @ her own house who should be afforded respect and dignity .
Someone knows who did @ @ @

"This is a 93-year-old woman in her own house who should be afforded respect and dignity. Someone knows who did this."


bbcuk--2020-03-05--Coronavirus: Positive cases in Scotland total six

Three more patients have tested positive for coronavirus in Scotland .
Chief Medical Officer for Scotland Dr Catherine Calderwood has confirmed the new cases of COVID-19 , bring the total number of cases to six .
The patients are currently clinically well and are receiving appropriate clinical care .
They are from the Forth Valley , Greater Glasgow & Clyde and Grampian areas .
All three new cases are contacts of known cases .
The latest cases have effectively doubled the number of confirmed infections .
The announcement comes a day after cases were confirmed in Grampian and Ayrshire .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ the Tayside area .
Dr Calderwood said : `` With all these cases , our thoughts are with those diagnosed and their families .
Scotland is well equipped to deal with this kind of infection and we are doing everything we can to contain the virus at this stage and minimise the risk to the public .
`` Clinicians are now conducting contact tracing , the process of gathering details of the places those who have tested positive visited and the people they have been in contact with . ''
Close contact involves @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 15 minutes within 2m ( 6.5ft ) of an infected person .
Medics say the risk is very low in situations where someone may have passed a patient on the street or in a shop .
Dr Calderwood said health protection teams would contact those at risk from the current cases - those who are not contacted are not at risk .
It is believed the positive samples have been sent to Public Health England 's WHO designated Colindale laboratory in London for confirmatory testing .
These three new cases bring the UK @ @ @ @ @ @ @ There are currently 80 cases in England , six in Scotland , one in Wales and three in Northern Ireland .
England 's chief medical officer , Professor Chris Whitty , warned that community transmission of the virus appeared to be happening in the UK and an epidemic was looking `` likely '' .
He told MPs access to critical care beds could be under the most pressure in the NHS as the virus escalates .
He said the UK had now moved from a `` containment phase '' to the `` delay @ @ @ @ @ @ @ coronavirus are ramped up to delay its spread .
The UK government 's battle plan says : `` Action that would be considered could include population distancing strategies ( such as school closures , encouraging greater home working , reducing the number of large-scale gatherings ) to slow the spread of the disease throughout the population , while ensuring the country 's ability to continue to run as normally as possible . ''
What do I need to know about the coronavirus ?
• EASY STEPS : What can I do ?
• @ @ @ @ @ @ @ symptoms ?
• GETTING READY : How prepared is the UK ?
• MAPS AND CHARTS : Visual guide to the outbreak Health Secretary Jeane Freeman said the advice to people who thought they had symptoms was to stay at home and contact NHS24 or their GP .
Evidence from around the world has suggested that for the vast majority of those infected the symptoms will be `` very mild '' .
Dr Calderwood has previously said that 80 % of people in Scotland would have a mild form of the illness but @ @ @ @ @ @ @

Coronavirus: Scottish cases total six with 'rapid rise' likely Published 5 March 2020
Image source, Getty Images Image caption, The total number of coronavirus cases in Scotland is six
Scotland's First Minister Nicola Sturgeon has said she expects coronavirus numbers to rise "possibly very rapidly" in the days to come.
She was speaking in parliament following confirmation of six positive cases in Scotland.
It is understood that these patients are currently clinically well and are receiving appropriate care.
However, a patient in England has become the first in the UK to die after contracting coronavirus.
The Royal Berkshire NHS Trust said they were an "older patient" with underlying health conditions.
Ms Sturgeon stressed that Scotland was currently in the containment phase of the outbreak.
However, she accepted that it "looks increasingly unlikely that we will be able to contain this outbreak indefinitely".
This video can not be played To play this video you need to enable JavaScript in your browser. Media caption, First Minister Nicola Sturgeon said containment of the virus was increasingly unlikely
Her comments during First Minister's Questions came as UK health officials said they were moving towards the second phase of their response to the coronavirus outbreak.
England's chief medical adviser Prof Chris Whitty told MPs at Westminster that the "delay" phase measures would be ramped up to slow the spread of the virus.
What do we know about the Scottish cases?
The first case in Scotland was confirmed on Sunday evening, a further two were confirmed on Wednesday morning and the latest three were confirmed on Thursday morning.
The patients are from the Forth Valley, Greater Glasgow & Clyde and Grampian areas.
PA Coronavirus in Scotland 1,256 Negative test results
6Positive test results 115 Positive cases in UK
1 Death in the UK
97,000 Approximate positive cases globally
3,500 Approximate deaths globally Source: WHO figures
Chief Medical Officer for Scotland Dr Catherine Calderwood said clinicians were in the process of finding out more about who the infected patients had been in contact with.
It is understood the positive samples have been sent to Public Health England's WHO designated Colindale laboratory in London for confirmatory testing.
The six Scottish cases takes the total UK number to 115 with 105 in England, one in Wales and three in Northern Ireland.
What do I need to know about the coronavirus?
The advice to people who believe they have symptoms is to stay at home and contact NHS24 or their GP.
Evidence from around the world has suggested that for the vast majority of those infected the symptoms will be "very mild".
Dr Calderwood had previously said that 80% of people in Scotland would have a mild form of the illness but 4% could require hospital treatment.
In the Scottish Parliament on Thursday, Ms Sturgeon said: "There will be difficult decisions potentially involved in this. Ministers will not take them lightly, equally we will not hesitate in doing exactly what is required to protect the public for as long and as best as we possibly can."
The Scottish scientist developing a coronavirus vaccine
This video can not be played To play this video you need to enable JavaScript in your browser. Media caption, Inside the US laboratory developing a coronavirus vaccine
Scientist Kate Broderick hopes to have a vaccine ready to test on humans by the beginning of April.
The Fife-born scientist, of US-based Inovio Pharmaceuticals, told BBC Radio Scotland's Drivetime with John Beattie she wants to have one million doses ready by the end of 2020.
"The entire scientific community is working so incredibly diligently to find a solution here," she said.


bbcuk--2020-03-05--Belfast City Airport says talks to replace Flybe under way

Belfast City Airport has said `` a number of airlines '' have expressed interest in taking over all of its routes affected by the collapse of Flybe .
Flybe operated 14 routes from the airport , making up about 80 % of all scheduled flights .
All Flybe flights have been cancelled and its passengers have been advised not to go to the airport .
The airport 's chief executive said it was a `` difficult day '' but he was confident of rebuilding its network .
`` In the last 24 hours , we 've had an interest in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Ambrose told the BBC 's Good Morning Ulster programme .
`` For some of the larger routes , we 've had multiple interest from a number of airlines .
• Five things that went wrong for Flybe '' So I 'm confident that within the next days and weeks we will be announcing backfill on a number of those routes and it 's a matter of how quickly airlines can get aircraft available . ''
Mr Ambrose admitted it was a `` challenging time '' for both staff and customers .
`` The @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the region , carrying 1.6 million passengers to and from Belfast in 2019 , '' he explained .
But he said that Flybe had operated `` a strong and profitable base '' from Belfast to destinations across the UK , which would prove attractive to other carriers .
The airport 's chief executive also said he was also hopeful that some of the airlines might considering hiring Flybe staff .
`` We were talking to a number of staff last night when they came off shift and they 're going home to let @ @ @ @ @ @ @ jobs , '' Mr Ambrose said .
`` As we secure these routes , we will be certainly telling the incoming airlines - if they need staff , if the need engineers and pilots and crew - they have quality staff who have been working here for many years and hopefully some of them will pick up jobs in the process . ''
In a statement , Flybe said it has been unable to overcome significant funding challenges .
The carrier said the impact of the coronavirus outbreak on demand for air travel @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Flybe CEO Mark Anderson said the UK had lost one of its `` greatest regional assets '' .
Economy Minister Diane Dodds said she deeply regrets the closure of Flybe .
`` Maintaining air connectivity is absolutely vital to Northern Ireland - to enable access to the economic market in Great Britain and for tourists arriving to our airports from Great Britain and beyond , '' she said .
She added : `` My department will work closely with [ the Department for Transport ] to assist , as required , with @ @ @ @ @ @ @ '' BBC Sport presenter Holly Hamilton was onboard the last Flybe flight from Manchester to Belfast where passengers remained on the plane while deliberations were made over the flight , which eventually took off .
Many passengers took to social media reacting to the news of the airline closure .
The collapse of Flybe has also caused concerns for staff and students at Queen 's University , Belfast , ( QUB ) many of whom relied on the routes for academic collaboration with other UK universities .
`` This is very challenging for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Vice-Chancellor , Prof Stuart Elborn .
`` We 've students and staff who commute using the Flybe airline very frequently for research , for education .
`` We 've a number of joint post-graduate programmes - for example one with Aberdeen which is very important to us and the only flight to Aberdeen to Belfast and back is Flybe .
`` So this will have an impact for sure and we will have to seek ways to mitigate that . ''
Have you been affected by the collapse of Flybe ?
Share your @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Please include a contact number if you are willing to speak to a BBC journalist .
You can also contact us in the following ways : • Please read our terms & conditions and privacy policy

"As we secure these routes, we will be certainly telling the incoming airlines - if they need staff, if they need engineers and pilots and crew - they have quality staff who have been working here for many years and hopefully some of them will pick up jobs in the process."


bbcuk--2020-03-05--Flybe: Cardiff passengers warned not to go to airport

Flybe passengers flying from Cardiff are being warned not to travel to the airport after the airline collapsed .
The airline went into administration on Wednesday , putting 2,000 jobs at risk .
About 330,000 passengers a year flew with the airline from Cardiff Airport to destinations in the UK and Europe .
Cardiff Airport said all Flybe flights were cancelled and people should not travel to the airport unless they had booked alternative flights .
The airline operated to cities including Edinburgh , Belfast , Dublin and Cork .
Flights to Anglesey , Teesside , and Aberdeen will continue @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Airways , which had been a franchise of Flybe .
In a letter to the airline 's staff , Flybe chief executive Mark Anderson said : `` Despite every effort , we now have no alternative - having failed to find a feasible solution to allow us to keep trading .
`` I am very sorry that we have not been able to secure the funding needed to continue to deliver our turnaround , '' he added .
Cardiff Airport 's chief executive Deb Bowen Rees said the loss of the airline would @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the business , but the airport was in a strong position to deal with the loss .
She said the airport was `` actively talking to a number of airlines '' about taking over core domestic routes .
The Welsh Government bought the struggling airport in 2013 for £52m and while passenger numbers have increased , in December 2019 the airport posted a pre-tax loss of £18.5m .
• 'Do not travel to the airport' '' Really we are in a much stronger position to address this now and Flybe have played a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ get to this position , '' Ms Bowen Rees told Claire Summers on BBC Radio Wales .
`` The advice for passengers booked on Flybe-operated flights is not to come to the airport today or over the next few days , but to check the Civil Aviation Authority website - all our other flights are continuing to operate as normal . ''
Transport for Wales said any stranded passengers would be able to use their trains for free to get to their destination for the next seven days , providing they had a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , which runs Great Western Railway and Avanti West Coast , said people could have free travel to their final destination by `` any reasonable route '' if they show a valid Flybe boarding pass on Thursday .
What are your rights as a passenger ?
Flybe customers who bought tickets directly from the company will not be protected by the Atol scheme .
However , if you went through a travel agent or other third party you might be covered .
Some people may be able to get their money back if @ @ @ @ @ @ @ some debit cards .
The Welsh Government said : `` We are working closely with the UK government and the management team at Cardiff Airport on the impact of the Flybe news . ''
Ministers had been considering giving the airport a further £6.8m , after approving a loan of £21.2m last year , to invest in buildings and infrastructure , route development , and security .
Plaid Cymru said the collapse of the airline , which attracted between 320,000 to 340,000 passengers to Cardiff a year , was `` deeply concerning '' @ @ @ @ @ @ @ about the Welsh Government 's handling of the airport 's loan .
• Flybe loss 'would be catastrophic ' for Cardiff The Welsh Conservatives urged the Welsh Government to work fast to replace the routes and secure jobs .
Masterchef winner Gary Maclean was due to fly from Glasgow to Cardiff for an event on Thursday , and is now driving nearly 400 miles to get there .
`` We woke up to a text saying the flight was n't happening , '' he said .
`` We had to be up at @ @ @ @ @ @ @ any other plans to get there . ''
`` It 's just one of those things , '' he said .
A woman who used Flybe to visit her son and granddaughter in Jersey said her `` lifeline had just been broken '' .
Jacquie Morgan from Cardiff told Dot Davies on BBC Radio Wales : `` We regularly fly back and forth , every holiday , and they obviously come over here for holidays .
`` What is the alternative ?
It 'll cost us a lot .
It 's time as @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Johnson from Cardiff was on holiday with her husband and four-year-old daughter when she got a text saying the airline had gone into administration .
The family were due to fly home at 12:15 on Thursday .
`` It 's been a stressful morning sorting things .
The ATOL advice line was useless and the number the Civil Aviation Authority gave was n't taking calls , '' she said .
After spending almost two hours on the phone to her travel company , she was told the family could fly to Bristol Airport @ @ @ @ @ @ @ was ATOL protected .
`` The travel company in fairness have been good .
Thank goodness we had a package holiday , '' she said .
Flybe had been hoping for a £100m lifeline and changes to Air Passenger Duty taxes .
The carrier ran into difficulties last year and was bought by a consortium which includes Virgin Atlantic .
In January , the new owners said they would pump £30m into the business to keep it afloat , but appealed to the UK government for additional support .
Simon Calder , travel @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 's departure board would be looking `` very very thin '' .
`` Because Flybe was losing so much money we can conclude that most of its routes were loss-making , '' he said .
`` Now that does n't necessarily mean they were all loss-making , and if you look , for instance , at the flights from Cardiff to Edinburgh , you have basically three a day .
`` It might be that Ryanair or EasyJet would come in and offer one or two a day .
`` But other routes @ @ @ @ @ @ @ not going to be much of an appetite for , for example , putting on a flight to Jersey , '' he said .
The collapse of Flybe is a huge blow for Cardiff Airport , with about 340,000 of the 1.6m passengers flying from the airport every year using the airline .
That is a huge proportion , but not as much as it used to be .
It is a serious blow not just for the number of passengers , but for those using the shops and other services provided by @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the past that when airlines have pulled out , Cardiff Airport has found replacements for some busy routes fairly quickly , such as Glasgow , but it is a very difficult time for airlines , and it has not just been Flybe who have been struggling .
Cardiff Airport had been trying to get a loan from the Welsh Government and it had been said that a catastrophic event , like the collapse of an airline , would be taken into account as part of the decision making process .

We have seen in the past that when airlines have pulled out, Cardiff Airport has found replacements for some busy routes fairly quickly, such as Glasgow, but it is a very difficult time for airlines, and it has not just been Flybe who have been struggling.


bbcuk--2020-03-05--Leeds Crowne Plaza: Man arrested in hotel raid

Armed police have arrested a man after swooping on a hotel in Leeds city centre .
Officers carried out a @ @ @ @ @ the Crowne Plaza Hotel on Wellington Street at about 06:30 GMT .
A man , @ @ @ @ @ was arrested on suspicion of firearms offences and taken into custody , West Yorkshire Police @ @ @ @ @ officers were carrying out an extensive search of the room he was staying in .

A man, aged in his 40s, was arrested on suspicion of firearms offences and taken into custody, West Yorkshire Police said.


bbcuk--2020-03-05--Coronavirus: Woman in 70s becomes first virus fatality in UK

A woman with underlying health conditions has become the first person in the UK to die after testing positive for coronavirus .
The Royal Berkshire NHS Trust said the patient , understood to be in her 70s , had been `` in and out of hospital for non-coronavirus reasons '' .
She was admitted and tested positive for coronavirus on Wednesday .
It comes as the number of UK people diagnosed with the virus reached 116 , a rise of more than 30 in 24 hours .
Meanwhile , the prime minister 's official spokesman said it was `` highly @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in a significant way '' .
What do I need to know about the coronavirus ?
• EASY STEPS : What can I do ?
• GETTING READY : How prepared is the UK ?
• MAPS AND CHARTS : Visual guide to the outbreak The woman , who was being treated at the Royal Berkshire Hospital in Reading , is believed to have caught the virus in the UK , said the country 's chief medical adviser Prof Chris Whitty .
She is not thought to have been abroad recently , BBC @ @ @ @ @ @ @ are now trying to trace the people she was in contact with .
Prof Whitty offered his sincere condolences to her family and friends and asked that their request for privacy is respected .
Prime Minister Boris Johnson also said `` his sympathies are with the victim and their family '' .
Mr Johnson reiterated that the UK was `` still in the contain phase '' - the first stage of the government 's response to the outbreak .
He said scientists and medical staff are making preparations for the next phase - @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to the latest government figures , as of 9:00 GMT on Thursday there were 115 cases across the UK .
Another case was later confirmed in Wales .
The UK cases include 105 patients in England as well as six in Scotland , three in Northern Ireland and two in Wales .
Alder Hey Hospital in Liverpool confirmed a child there had tested positive for coronavirus .
It is not known how old the child is .
Around 45 of the confirmed cases have been self-isolating at home , while 18 people have @ @ @ @ @ @ @ where the authorities do not know how the individual was infected , said our health correspondent .
They have no links with foreign travel , he added .
Mr Johnson said the UK was still in the first phase of its four-part plan to tackle the virus outbreak , which is made up of : contain , delay , research and mitigate .
The government is still deciding what measures will be taken in the delay phase , but has previously said this could include banning big events , closing schools , encouraging @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the use of public transport .
Last week , a British man in Japan became the first UK citizen to die from the virus after being infected on the Diamond Princess cruise ship .
Meanwhile , a 33-year-old British woman who works for the United Nations is one of four people who have been diagnosed with the virus in Senegal , after travelling there from London .
And in California , more than 140 British nationals are stranded on board a Princess Cruises ship as officials test passengers for Covid-19 .
The government @ @ @ @ @ @ @ arriving in the UK from Italy - the country in Europe that has been hit worst by the virus , with more than 3,000 cases .
On Thursday , the government said the whole of Italy - not just the north of the country - is now classed as a recognised area of concern , meaning if people develop symptoms after returning from the country they should self-isolate .
For those returning from the quarantined towns in Italy , people should self-isolate even if they do not show symptoms .
• Bank HSBC @ @ @ @ @ @ @ offices in London has been diagnosed and it is `` deep-cleaning the floor where our colleague worked and shared areas of the building '' • UK airline Flybe has gone into administration and says coronavirus is partly to blame • Starbucks says it is `` pausing the use of personal cups '' and washable ceramic cups in their UK , US and Canadian stores because of fears of the virus • Pupils at a school in south Devon are receiving lessons online , after the school shut when a pupil was diagnosed with @ @ @ @ @ @ @ warned retailers and traders they could be prosecuted for trying to `` exploit '' the coronavirus outbreak by selling protective products at inflated prices • ITV say travel companies are deferring their TV advertising , with advertising revenue due to drop 10 % in April • England 's Six Nations games against Italy in Rome on 14 and 15 March have been postponed - rather than taking place behind closed doors - as a response to the outbreak • Ireland records another seven cases , bringing its total up to 13 • Iran @ @ @ @ @ @ @ March in an attempt to curb the spread Worldwide , authorities have confirmed more than 92,000 cases of coronavirus - of which more than 80,000 are in China , where the virus began .
More than 3,000 people have died globally , with the vast majority in China .
Earlier , Prof Whitty told MPs on the health and social care committee that half of all coronavirus cases in the UK are most likely to occur in just a three-week period , with 95 % of them over a nine-week period .
He @ @ @ @ @ @ @ by people needing oxygen and some `` things may be considerably less well done '' during the peak of an epidemic .
But he said neither elderly people nor people with asthma should self-isolate yet , adding there was no evidence of `` deep harm '' in children with asthma .
Have you been affected by coronavirus ?
You can get in touch by emailing haveyoursay @ bbc.co.uk .
Please include a contact number if you are willing to speak to a BBC journalist .
You can also contact us in the following @ @ @ @ @ @ @ here • Please read our terms & conditions and privacy policy

On Thursday, the government said the whole of Italy - not just the north of the country - is now classed as a recognised area of concern, meaning if people develop symptoms after returning from the country they should self-isolate.


bbcuk--2020-03-05--Coronavirus: Retailers warned not to 'exploit' consumers' fears

The competition watchdog has warned retailers not to `` exploit '' fears about coronavirus by jacking up the price of protective goods like hand gels .
The Competition and Markets Authority ( CMA ) said it had been monitoring sales and pricing practices and would take action against those who break the law .
It follows reports of steep price rises for items such as face masks and `` misleading '' advertising claims .
`` We also remind members of the public that these obligations may apply to them too if they resell goods , for example on online marketplaces @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , Amazon said it had banned more than one million products which claimed to protect against the coronavirus - or even cure it .
The online retailer said it had also removed `` tens of thousands '' of overpriced health products from unscrupulous sellers .
In one example , a 50-piece stack of surgical masks from one seller cost more than £170 , while a popular alternative of the same product is on sale for approximately £36 .
Even that cheaper product had still risen dramatically in price since early January , when @ @ @ @ @ @ @ do I need to know about the coronavirus ?
• EASY STEPS : What can I do ?
• A SIMPLE GUIDE : What are the symptoms ?
• GETTING READY : How prepared is the UK ?
• MAPS AND CHARTS : Visual guide to the outbreak This week adverts from two UK companies were also banned because they falsely claimed that their face masks could prevent the spread of coronavirus .
The Advertising Standards Authority ruled the ads were `` misleading , irresponsible and likely to cause fear without justifiable reason @ @ @ @ @ @ @ effective protection against coronavirus , according to medical experts .
The CMA said it would consider any evidence that companies may have broken competition or consumer protection law , for example by charging excessive prices or making misleading claims about the efficacy of protective equipment .
It added that it would take `` direct enforcement action '' if necessary .
It also said it would consider asking the government to introduce price controls for some goods if needed .

"We also remind members of the public that these obligations may apply to them too if they resell goods, for example on online marketplaces," she said.


bbcuk--2020-03-05--Harry and Meghan attend London awards ceremony

The Duke and Duchess of Sussex have taken part in one of their last official engagements together before they quit royal life later this month .
Prince Harry and Meghan attended an awards ceremony to celebrate the sporting and adventure achievements of sick and injured service personnel .
It was their first official appearance together since announcing in January they would step down as senior royals .
The London event was also Meghan 's first public royal duty since then .
The couple , who will formally step down as senior royals from 31 March , attended the Endeavour Fund @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of the Armed Forces - at Mansion House in central London .
Harry , who had a 10-year military career , is will retain the ranks of Major , Lieutenant Commander , and Squadron Leader when he steps down , but his honorary military positions will be suspended .
• How might Harry and Meghan make money ?
• Harry arrives in Canada ahead of new chapter A crowd of people braved the rain under umbrellas to catch a glimpse of them as they arrived .
The couple presented awards at the ceremony @ @ @ @ @ @ @ by later proposing to his partner .
Danny Holland , who won the Recognising Achievement Award , got down on one knee and asked his girlfriend to marry him .
In a speech at the reception , Prince Harry said he was `` proud to serve Queen and country '' .
`` [ It ] is something we all are rightly proud of , and it never leaves us .
Once served , always serving !
`` , he said .
The duke added that many servicemen and women had told him they @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in turn offered them his own support .
He said : `` I feel lucky to be able to count myself as one of you ; and am deeply proud to have served among you as Captain Wales .
`` A lot of you tonight have told me you have my back , well I 'm also here to tell you , I 've always got yours . ''
The engagement is part of a final run of royal duties for the couple .
Prince Harry is joining Formula One world champion Lewis @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Silverstone Experience , a museum about British motor racing , on Friday .
The duke and duchess will then attend the Mountbatten Festival of Music at the Royal Albert Hall on 7 March , and Meghan will mark International Women 's Day .
The couple will then join the Queen and other royals at the Commonwealth Day service in Westminster Abbey on 9 March - their last official appearance as HRHs .
Earlier , the pair were spotted at Buckingham Palace and then photographed outside the Goring Hotel in Westminster after a private @ @ @ @ @ @ @ said in addition to their official engagements over the next few days , the duke and duchess would be meeting privately with several of their patronages .

A spokeswoman for the couple said in addition to their official engagements over the next few days, the duke and duchess would be meeting privately with several of their patronages.