bbcuk--2020-09-28--Window pain: Isolating university students send a message

Most people will remember their first year of university for the nights out , missed lectures and questionable takeaway choices .
But for this year 's group of freshers , life is extremely different .
Students across the UK have been forced to self-isolate in their halls or private accommodation because of Covid-19 outbreaks .
But some have chosen humour as the best way to cope and are using sticky notes and posters in windows to communicate with the outside world .
`` Help !
`` , `` Refund '' , and `` I 'm claustrophobic , Darren ! ''
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ popping up ( and yes , that last one is a Gemma Collins in Big Brother reference ) .
Manchester Metropolitan University and Dundee University are among those who have made students stay inside because of an outbreak on campus .
Lucy , a student at MMU , told Radio 1 Life Hacks she 's been `` unable to get food '' .
`` We 're completely locked in .
We 're not allowed to leave the accommodation unless it 's a medical emergency , '' she said .
`` We ca n't @ @ @ @ @ @ @ '' About 40 universities across the UK have reported cases of coronavirus , meaning thousands of students are having to self-isolate .
Health minister Helen Whately said `` it must be really tough '' for students , but they wanted outbreaks `` under control '' .
But there 's concern from students when it comes to whether they are getting value for money .
Students pay £9,250 a year in fees to go to UK universities , with rent and living costs on top .
Most learning is being done online , making @ @ @ @ @ @ @ redundant for some .
Dan , a first year student at MMU , is currently self-isolating with six of his flatmates .
Speaking to Greg James on the Radio 1 Breakfast show , he said he had tested positive for coronavirus and was n't experiencing any symptoms , but that some of his other flatmates were .
`` We 're all just sat in my room , locked in our halls , '' he said .
`` I 've been in for one actual lecture but they 've all been moved online now @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
`` On the first night [ of lockdown ] everyone was getting takeaway but now Asda are working with the uni so there 's slots just for us . ''
Listen to Newsbeat live at 12:45 and 17:45 weekdays - or listen back here .

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bbcuk--2020-09-28--NHS app: 10m downloads and many questions

Why ca n't I log out of a location after I 've logged in ?
One feature of the app is its ability to scan a QR barcode to log in at a pub , restaurant or other location - an alternative to actually handing over your contact details to that business on a paper log , website or alternative system ( though in Wales you still need to do both ) .
But people have noticed that while you can log in you can not log out , and even if you soon leave the app thinks you are @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in somewhere else .
If the location is later identified as a virus hotspot then an alert may be sent out to anyone who scanned a QR code there - not to self-isolate , but to be on the lookout for any symptoms of the virus .
But you can not be alerted that somebody arrived in the pub hours after you left , and they later tested positive , because your phones could not have been physically close to each other at the same time .
There seem to be a couple @ @ @ @ @ @ @ told to self-isolate because you have been in contact with an infected person , then you are supposed to do so regardless of whether you test negative yourself .
If you are the potentially infected person , then nobody will be notified via the app without a positive result .
However , it does mean you have to live with the timer as it can not be de-activated - but as we said , adhering to this is not legally enforceable .
Then there 's the fact that the intention is that you @ @ @ @ @ @ @ after reporting symptoms .
In this case , the results - positive , negative or void , ( which means a retest is needed ) - will be registered automatically in the app without any need to enter a code .
Why does n't the location change when I move around ?
Why does n't it work on my phone ?
This is not due to a decision by the app 's developers but is a limitation imposed by Apple and Google .
They have designed the toolkit on which this and many @ @ @ @ @ @ @ based - and they have determined that older phones would not be suitable for running the technology behind the app .
I get notifications which then disappear - what 's going on ?

NHS Covid-19 app: 12m downloads - and lots of questions Published 28 September 2020
Image source, Getty Images
The Health Secretary Matt Hancock has said the NHS Covid-19 app had been downloaded 12.4 million times as of noon.
The contact-tracing app - covering England and Wales - launched on 24 September.
The Department for Health and Social Care has emphasised that using it is voluntary.
It also says the guidance the app issues about whether to self-isolate or get a test is not enforceable by law.
The app itself may look simple, but it has thrown up lots of questions about how it works and what its limits are.
Here's our attempt to answer some of your queries:
Why can't I log out of a location after I've logged in?
One feature of the app is its ability to scan a QR barcode to log in at a pub, restaurant or other location - an alternative to actually handing over your contact details to that business on a paper log, website or alternative system (though in Wales you still need to do both).
Image caption, Restaurants and other leisure facilities are supposed to display a unique QR code at the entrance to each of their properties
But people have noticed that while you can log in you cannot log out, and even if you soon leave the app thinks you are still there until midnight unless you log in somewhere else.
The point however of the QR scan is just to register your presence at that location rather than your proximity to someone infectious, which is registered via the Bluetooth contact-tracing feature.
If the location is later identified as a virus hotspot then an alert may be sent out to anyone who scanned a QR code there - not to self-isolate, but to be on the lookout for any symptoms of the virus.
But you cannot be alerted that somebody arrived in the pub hours after you left, and they later tested positive, because your phones could not have been physically close to each other at the same time.
Why can't I input a negative test result?
On Friday it emerged that some test results were arriving without the code needed to register them in the app. By Saturday evening the Department of Health said codes would now be provided with all positive test results, via a phone call from the contact tracing team.
Image source, Getty Images
But some are asking why there isn't a code for a negative result, especially as a self-isolation countdown begins as soon as someone registers that they have symptoms.
There seem to be a couple of answers. If you've been told to self-isolate because you have been in contact with an infected person, then you are supposed to do so regardless of whether you test negative yourself.
If you are the potentially infected person, then nobody will be notified via the app without a positive result. However, it does mean you have to live with the timer as it cannot be de-activated - but as we said, adhering to this is not legally enforceable.
Then there's the fact that the intention is that you now arrange your test via the app after reporting symptoms. In this case, the results - positive, negative or void, (which means a retest is needed) - will be registered automatically in the app without any need to enter a code.
Why doesn't the location change when I move around?
When you first download the app it asks for part of your postcode. You then get a message on the homescreen telling you what the risk level in your area is.
Why doesn't this change when you move somewhere - for instance when a student leaves home to go to university?
Right at the beginning of the app's development, privacy campaigners expressed concern about the government tracking people - and a promise was made that location tracking would not be a feature of this app.
There is however a way of changing that postcode without reinstalling the app. Go to "About this app", then "Manage my data" and you will then be able to edit your postcode.
Image source, NHS
Why doesn't it work on my phone?
A number of people - in particular those with iPhones earlier than the 6S which went on sale in 2015 - are finding that they are unable to install the app on their phone.
This is not due to a decision by the app's developers but is a limitation imposed by Apple and Google. They have designed the toolkit on which this and many other contact-tracing apps around the world are based - and they have determined that older phones would not be suitable for running the technology behind the app.
The tech companies say that older phones cannot run the Bluetooth technology required by the app effectively.
I get notifications which then disappear - what's going on?
A number of people have reported getting notifications about exposure to the virus and then not being able to find out what they need to do next.
Some are confused because of the way they are written - including the phrase "exposure date, duration and signal strength have been saved".
It appears that this again may be connected to the Apple-Google system, which sometimes sends out what are called exposure notifications. Here's what the FAQ from the app team says about this issue:
"These are default messages from Apple and Google. There is no need to be concerned if you miss or overlook them, they are just visible to remind you that the functionality is on and working. You're currently not able to turn off these default Apple and Google notifications.
"Important messages from the NHS Covid-19 app will always be visible to you from inside the app."


bbcuk--2020-09-28--Employment: Seven ways the young have been hit by Covid

Hannah Slaughter , economist at the Resolution Foundation think tank , says hard-hit sectors like retail and hospitality - where many jobs can not be done from home - have a disproportionately young workforce .
They were also the age group also most likely to lose their job , with the youth unemployment rate rising to 13.1 % , compared with 4.1 % for the whole UK .
2 .
Under-25s now make up a third of new universal credit claims By July , just under one in three first-time universal credit claimants was under 25 , up from one @ @ @ @ @ @ @ are more likely to be in sectors which still are n't up to the levels of activity before the pandemic '' she said .
These changes have not been evenly felt across the country , with more deprived areas seeing a quicker uptake in work-related benefits by young people .
Using data on the uptake of universal credit and jobseeker 's allowance , BBC analysis found that the proportion of young people on the benefits had doubled between March and June .
In Liverpool 's Walton area , for example , one in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ universal credit or jobseeker 's allowance - up from 7 % in January 2020 .
Applications only fell by 33 % , meaning considerable extra competition for many roles .
Twice as many people applied for public sector roles than the year before , and five times as many for IT vacancies .
The fall in vacancies is borne out across the UK .
Positions on online platform Adzuna were 45 % lower in mid-September than in 2019 , according to Office for National Statistics analysis .
Unsurprisingly , the sectors which saw @ @ @ @ @ @ @ were retail and tourism , which both declined by 75 % .
However , education placements only declined by a quarter .
6 .
Young people 's pay could be lower for three years after the pandemic If this happens , young people who do find employment will face lower average wages for several years , Resolution Foundation analysis suggests , as they `` trade down '' to the best job available .
As happened after the 2008 recession , lower-skilled workers are likely to take the biggest hit .
But the effect @ @ @ @ @ @ @ workers , who may end up in sectors with less opportunity for a pay rise than offered by traditional graduate jobs .
7 .
Young people are more likely to stay in education ''There 's an incentive to staying on in education because of how terrible the economy is , which means that people may receive more and better education . ''

Employment: Seven ways the young have been hit by Covid Published 28 September 2020
Image source, Getty Images
Young people have been particularly hard hit by the pandemic's disruption to the jobs market.
The under-25s saw the biggest rise in unemployment during lockdown, and some graduate or entry level roles attracted thousands more applications than usual.
1. Young people left the workplace first
Under-25s were more likely to be furloughed than any other age group.
Hannah Slaughter, economist at the Resolution Foundation think tank, says hard-hit sectors like retail and hospitality - where many jobs cannot be done from home - have a disproportionately young workforce.
They were also the age group also most likely to lose their job, with the youth unemployment rate rising to 13.1%, compared with 4.1% for the whole UK.
About 7% of 18-24 year-olds reported they had been made redundant because of the pandemic, compared with 4% of 50-65 year-olds.
The government hopes to address this with its Kickstart scheme, which will pay employers £1,500 for every 16 to 24-year-old to whom they offer a ''high quality'' work placement.
2. Under-25s now make up a third of new universal credit claims
As youth unemployment rose, so too did the number of young people claiming universal credit.
By July, just under one in three first-time universal credit claimants was under 25, up from one in five in March.
But Ms Slaughter expects youth unemployment to get worse when the furlough scheme ends in October.
''Young people are more likely to be in sectors which still aren't up to the levels of activity before the pandemic" she said.
''When businesses start making difficult decisions about redundancies, young people are likely to be disproportionately affected.''
3. Young adults in northern England were worst affected
These changes have not been evenly felt across the country, with more deprived areas seeing a quicker uptake in work-related benefits by young people.
Using data on the uptake of universal credit and jobseeker's allowance, BBC analysis found that the proportion of young people on the benefits had doubled between March and June.
The worst-hit areas were generally in the north of England, with parts of Liverpool and Blackpool most affected.
In Liverpool's Walton area, for example, one in five 16-24 year olds is now claiming universal credit or jobseeker's allowance - up from 7% in January 2020.
In total, 50 constituencies across the UK now have more than 15% of young adults claiming one of the benefits.
4. Online graduate job vacancies fell by 60%
Those looking for a job fresh from university are facing a tough time
The number of graduate jobs advertised fell 60.3% in the first half of 2020 on one online recruitment website, compared with a 35.5% overall fall in adverts.
About 5,000 jobs were listed on the CV-Library platform in January-July in the ''graduate'' jobs category, compared with 2,000 a year earlier.
Within that, graduate jobs advertised in marketing fell by 84%, while roles in construction and administration both dropped by more than 70%.
Applications only fell by 33%, meaning considerable extra competition for many roles. Twice as many people applied for public sector roles than the year before, and five times as many for IT vacancies.
One positive was the average graduate salary on the platform increased by 7.1% year-on-year to £24,626.
The fall in vacancies is borne out across the UK. Positions on online platform Adzuna were 45% lower in mid-September than in 2019, according to Office for National Statistics analysis.
5. Apprenticeships have stalled
Companies have taken on fewer apprenticeships over lockdown.
From 23 March to 30 June, apprenticeship starts halved compared with the previous year, but this fall was not evenly split between age groups.
Unsurprisingly, the sectors which saw the sharpest drop across all age groups were retail and tourism, which both declined by 75%. However, education placements only declined by a quarter.
6. Young people's pay could be lower for three years after the pandemic
The UK's financial watchdog, the Office for Budget Responsibility (OBR) estimates unemployment will hit 10% by the end of 2020, up from 4.1% last year.
If this happens, young people who do find employment will face lower average wages for several years, Resolution Foundation analysis suggests, as they ''trade down'' to the best job available.
Two years after leaving full-time education, it expects new education leavers' hourly pay, after inflation, compared with pre-pandemic times, to be:
8% lower for highly qualified leavers (degree and above)
6% lower for mid-qualified leavers (A-level or equivalent)
13% lower for lower-qualified leavers (GCSE and below)
As happened after the 2008 recession, lower-skilled workers are likely to take the biggest hit. But the effect will last longer for mid and high-skilled workers, who may end up in sectors with less opportunity for a pay rise than offered by traditional graduate jobs.
That assumes lower-skilled workers can actually get a job. The think tank predicts they are a third less likely to be in employment three years after entering the jobs market, than if the pandemic had never happened.
7. Young people are more likely to stay in education
One positive outcome of the crisis is that younger people may remain in education. This would shield them from the worst of the downturn, and lead to higher productivity and a better-skilled workforce.
GETTY Young people are keen to stay on in education 40.5% of 18 year-olds applied to university by June, a record high
17% spike in new applications between March and June
1 year extra study could halve a low-skilled worker's unemployment chances
10%rise in postgraduate applications in the 2008-9 recession Source: UCAS, Resolution Foundation
To an extent, this happened in the 2008 recession. The effect may be much larger this time around, says Xiaowei Xu of the Institute for Fiscal Studies, as sectors like hospitality and retail are also where many people first start working.
''There's an incentive to staying on in education because of how terrible the economy is, which means that people may receive more and better education."


bbcuk--2020-09-28--Little Mix's The Search - what did the critics think?

UK pop stars Little Mix began their search for the next big thing this weekend .
The girl band , who made their name on ex-manager Simon Cowell 's show , The X Factor , are looking to find and create their own arena-filling pop group on their new BBC One show , The Search .
The programme received positive reviews and was praised for modernising and freshening up the age-old format .
Despite that , it also received relatively low early viewing figures .
Around 1.9m people tuned into episode one on Saturday night , giving the show an @ @ @ @ @ @ @ audience at that point .
On Sunday , that figure was 1.8m - an 11.3 % share .
The task for Leigh-Anne Pinnock , Perrie Edwards , Jesy Nelson and Jade Thirlwall is to create six bands from thousands of wannabes - a boy band , girl vocal , girl dance group , mixed , vocal and instrument , and rap and R & B .
The winners will support the band on their next tour ( which could be a while off sadly , due to Covid-19 ) .
Considering its primetime @ @ @ @ @ @ @ with the significant amount of promotion it had ahead of its launch , the viewing figures of 1.94m on Saturday and 1.85m on Sunday are incredibly low .
But it 's not all bad news .
Unsurprisingly , it did particularly well with younger viewers and was one of the BBC 's most watched shows of the entire week in the 16-34 age bracket .
The BBC will be pleased with the relatively large youth audience , which also indicates the show could perform strongly on catch-up .
But it will also have @ @ @ @ @ @ @ audience with older viewers as well .
Saturday and Sunday night primetime shows are aimed at a family audience of all ages .
And while overnight audiences are gradually becoming less significant , they still carry a large degree of importance .
However well a show might do on catch-up , no channel would be happy with a show that sees large numbers of viewers switching off or over when it comes on - viewers who might not return to the channel again that night .
The Independent described the show as `` @ @ @ @ @ @ @ '' , awarding four out of five stars .
`` The X Factor 's stock-in-trade has too often been the humiliation of its auditionees , many of whom are invited on the show precisely because they ca n't sing , '' wrote Roisin O'Connor .
`` But Little Mix are clear from the off that they 're looking for real talent .
While each episode involves a mixed bag of singing abilities , the show never feels cruel for airing them . ''
The first episode on Saturday saw them focus on the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ on to the mixed group on Sunday night .
O'Connor noticed that `` a lot of the boys seem to have auditioned for the sole purpose of flirting with the members of Little Mix ... '' According to The Mirror , `` Little Mix made light work '' of pulling the lads together .
The publication believes the show could `` signal the demise of elder X-Factor '' .
`` Chatty and relaxed , the girls lounge on a massive plush , pink sofa with carefully placed cushions and jars of retro sweets @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
`` It would be easy to dismiss them as out of their depth .
But they 've been at the top of their game for nearly a decade , selling 50 million records .
They know their stuff and they 're not afraid to say it . ''
She added : `` They are actually very funny , constantly breaking into voices , impressions and one-liners .
They 're bound to win over even more fans - and those fans ' mums and dads . ''
Last week , the stars of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ least ) told the BBC they insisted on aftercare for contestants , after seeing how the music industry treats young artists .
`` We did n't have that , really , on the show that we came from , '' said Leigh-Anne Pinnock , referring to the band 's experiences on The X Factor .
• Little Mix demanded aftercare on their talent show • Little Mix 's Perrie Edwards on pop , panic attacks and knitting The Telegraph felt they were able to use their experiences to `` breathe life into a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to their roots , Little Mix go in hunt of a new pop group in this singing contest which should prove a hit with their fans , '' penned Michael Hogan , who opted for three stars .
Meanwhile , the Radio Times gave another four-star review , labelling the new show - which is hosted by comic actor Chris Ramsey - as `` fun , fresh and innovative '' .
`` It 's impressive to see just how far the girls have come , turning the tables so they 're now are @ @ @ @ @ @ @ criticisms and general life advice , '' wrote Helen Daly .
`` It works - they all have their unique takes on things , with Perrie Edwards focusing on vocals , Jade Thirlwall on the bigger picture , Jesy Nelson on the vibe and energy , while Leigh-Anne Pinnock offers her heart and soul to every contestant .
It works , and it 's very genuine . ''
Follow us on Facebook , or on Twitter @ BBCNewsEnts .
If you have a story suggestion email entertainment.news @ bbc.co.uk .

And while overnight audiences are gradually becoming less significant, they still carry a large degree of importance. However well a show might do on catch-up, no channel would be happy with a show that sees large numbers of viewers switching off or over when it comes on - viewers who might not return to the channel again that night.


bbcuk--2020-09-28--Fashion brands design 'waist-up' clothing for video calls

`` Fashion is about reacting to reality , '' said Miuccia Prada , head designer of Prada , at its virtual Milan fashion show .
`` During lockdown , I realised how important technology is and how it is impactful for us , and in some ways , an extension of ourselves . ''
`` The tunic tops and roll necks , with the brand 's famous triangle logo blown up and placed directly below the neckline , will certainly catch the eye of your fellow Zoomers , '' Jane McFarland , fashion director at The Sunday Times , said @ @ @ @ @ @ @ has been all about 'waist-up dressing ' .
Having spent a lot of time on video conference calls , the top half of our outfit has become significantly more important than our bottom half . ''
`` Designers are thinking about how we are living our lives .
That 's why you see logos appearing in places you have n't seen before , '' she added .
`` Moving the logo up to the neck is a good way of keeping your brand out there and making a fashion statement , '' said @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Finest , which represents emerging designer labels during London Fashion Week , '' People still want to appear professional , when working from home especially , but now we see a shift towards a more casual relaxed look . ''
`` I 've never seen so many elastic and drawstring waists in my life , '' said Lauren Indvik , fashion editor at the Financial Times .
`` All the stylists are talking about 'waist-up ' dressing , because that 's all everyone sees these days .
`` They have to inspire people @ @ @ @ @ @ @ n't social occasions to dress up for , so maybe luxury at home is the new focus . ''
`` I realised over the pandemic a lot more people were doing a lot more self-care , but still wanted to be stylish for their work or social calls . ''
`` Clothing has always been used to signify status and social standing , which is difficult to manifest now that we have moved much of our interaction online , '' said Sonal Keay , founder of fashion brand This Is Silk .

"Fashion is about reacting to reality," said Miuccia Prada, head designer of Prada, at its virtual Milan fashion show. "During lockdown, I realised how important technology is and how it is impactful for us, and in some ways, an extension of ourselves."


bbcuk--2020-09-28--Sir David Attenborough gets quizzed by kids after plea to world leaders to save nature

Sir David Attenborough may have just addressed a virtual United Nations event made up of world leaders , but he @ @ @ @ @ face up to a remote audience of smaller VIPs : kids .
After telling BBC @ @ @ @ @ future of this planet lies in the hands of children , some were given the @ @ @ @ @ questions .
It 's ahead of his new documentary , A Life on Our Planet @ @ @ @ @ his 94 years exploring planet Earth 's wildest places .

Sir David Attenborough may have just addressed a virtual United Nations event made up of world leaders, but he's also found time to face up to a remote audience of smaller VIPs: kids.
After telling BBC Breakfast his hope for the future of this planet lies in the hands of children, some were given the chance to ask their burning questions.
It's ahead of his new documentary, A Life on Our Planet, which looks back at his 94 years exploring planet Earth's wildest places.
Read more: Attenborough warns leaders over extinction crisis


bbcuk--2020-09-28--Walcott: Coastal village engulfed in sand after high winds

A village has begun a clean-up operation after hundreds of tonnes of sand blew off a beach in high winds @ @ @ @ @ roads in Walcott , Norfolk , were left concealed by the storm on Friday and @ @ @ @ @ Council recently pumped 1.8m cubic metres of sand on to Bacton and Walcott beaches as @ @ @ @ @ scheme - enough to half-fill Wembley Stadium .
The council said a clean-up started immediately @ @ @ @ @ and coastal manager visited the village to speak to residents and assess damage to properties @

A village has begun a clean-up operation after hundreds of tonnes of sand blew off a beach in high winds.
Cars, gardens and roads in Walcott, Norfolk, were left concealed by the storm on Friday and Saturday.
North Norfolk District Council recently pumped 1.8m cubic metres of sand on to Bacton and Walcott beaches as part of a coastal management scheme - enough to half-fill Wembley Stadium.
The council said a clean-up started immediately and the authority's leader and coastal manager visited the village to speak to residents and assess damage to properties.


bbcuk--2020-09-28--Newspaper headlines: 'Tory rebels' virus revolt' amid 'deadly chaos'

© 2020 BBC .
The BBC is not responsible for the content of external sites .
Read about our approach @ @ @ @

Even if the government placates its backbenchers in the short term, it is unlikely to quell broader anxiety about its coronavirus strategy, according to the Spectator. The magazine detects growing unease about the direction in which ministers are going with lockdowns. It says usually supportive MPs have made it clear the government needs to subject itself to more scrutiny if it is to maintain the backing of its MPs.


bbcuk--2020-09-28--Kirsten Richards walks for hours to deal with her grief

Former police inspector Mark Richards had retired two years before he was diagnosed with a terminal brain tumour .
Following @ @ @ @ @ his wife Kirsten spent two weeks in bed .
But she then discovered how long @ @ @ @ @ her to deal with her grief .

Former police inspector Mark Richards had retired two years before he was diagnosed with a terminal brain tumour.
Following his death in 2019, his wife Kirsten spent two weeks in bed.
But she then discovered how long walks in the countryside helped her to deal with her grief.
Reporter: Miles Davis. Camera/Edit: Chris Quevatre


bbcuk--2020-09-28--Island economy "scarred" by Covid-19 restrictions

The loss of visitors and reduced ferry capacity to Arran during the Covid pandemic could have `` long-term scarring effects '' on the island 's labour market .
A new study has highlighted a third of Arran 's economy is reliant on the tourism and hospitality sector .
The report , by the the Fraser of Allander Institute , said island communities had been hit `` disproportionately hard '' .
The Arran Recovery Group ( ARG ) said it wanted only tourists staying multiple nights to be allowed on the ferry .
Local councillor Alex Gallagher described the new report @ @ @ @ @ @ @ pushed for support from the Scottish and UK governments .
He said : `` Nowhere has escaped the economic impact of Covid-19 , but some areas have felt it far more sharply than others - areas such as Arran .
`` The report highlights that Arran 's labour market has been more severely affected than surrounding areas and Scotland as a whole .
`` Even as restrictions have eased , the report shows Arran is still struggling to recover and that there will be longer-term impacts on Arran 's businesses and communities .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ GVA ) - the measure of the value of goods and services produced on the island - was estimated to be more than £77m in 2018 .
In the first half of 2020 , GVA fell by 33 % as a result of a lower number of ferry passengers .
Mairi Spowage , deputy director of the Fraser of Allander Institute , said there were `` challenging times ahead '' for island communities .
She added : `` Arran 's dominant hospitality sector has made it particularly exposed to the initial lockdown restrictions @ @ @ @ @ @ @ regulations as the economy began to open back up .
`` Like most island economies , Arran is constrained by its infrastructure and is reliant on its ferries to transport commuters and tourists .
`` National policy must recognise the unique challenges that island economies are facing in the months and years ahead as we recover from this economic crisis . ''
It said it would `` help businesses recover from the impacts of the pandemic and create new , quality jobs '' .
A spokesman added : `` We are also doing @ @ @ @ @ @ @ available to us to support the tourism sector . ''

He said: "Nowhere has escaped the economic impact of Covid-19, but some areas have felt it far more sharply than others - areas such as Arran.


bbcuk--2020-09-28--Bangor primary first to close completely after Covid cases

A primary school in Bangor is the first to close completely in Northern Ireland after `` several '' cases of coronavirus were identified , its principal said .
St Comgall 's Primary said the decision to shut for 14 days was approved `` at a higher level '' .
Principal Cathy Hunter said she had `` no other option '' but said there was `` no need to panic '' .
Pupils from two classes have been told to self-isolate and the school will reopen on 12 October , it is understood .
In a message to parents , Mrs @ @ @ @ @ @ @ protect the health and safety of the whole school community '' after a further case was identified within the school community .
`` Please reassure your child that all is well , '' she said .
`` I sincerely apologise for the inconvenience caused but know that you will want to support this decision in order to return out school community safely as soon as we can . ''
The school did not explain why it needed to close entirely for two weeks .
In a statement , Mrs Hunter said : `` @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the staff and pupils at this time for the premises to remain closed for two weeks but the school remains very much open with online learning commencing from tomorrow morning .
`` The safety of all at the school is paramount to the staff and the Board of Governors and this decision has not been taken lightly .
`` The education of the 309 pupils will remain our priority . ''
At three o'clock - the last pupils from St Comgall 's Primary School were picked up .
All children left at their @ @ @ @ @ @ @ other day , but this time they wo n't be back for two weeks .
Many parents wondered how they 'd arrange childcare with such short notice .
There was confusion too as to why the whole school is closing for two weeks , rather than just a few days , as we 've seen at other schools with Covid cases .
But after just a few weeks back in the classroom , it 's back to home schooling for the parents and pupils of St Comgall 's .
It 's hoped they @ @ @ @ @ @ @ October .
All learning will now take place online .
Gerry Campbell , chief executive of the Council for Catholic Maintained Schools ( CCMS ) said : `` Everything is being done to ensure the welfare of the pupils and staff .
While the school building may be closed the switch to remote learning will be seamless . ''
Education Minister Peter Weir told the BBC 's Evening Extra programme that he would not comment on individual schools .
`` The advice that is given is that where there is someone who has @ @ @ @ @ @ @ draw up a list of close contacts - those who have been within 2m for 15 minutes or more - and for those individuals , in correspondence with the Public Health Agency , to self-isolate , '' he said .
`` In the vast majority of cases , it should n't be a whole school or for a very lengthy period . ''
• Schools to get new guidance on Covid cases • Face visors not recommended for routine school use A number of schools in NI have reported positive Covid-19 cases among @ @ @ @ @ @ @ reopen on 24 August .
In the vast majority of cases , specific classes of pupils have been told to self-isolate following advice from the Public Health Agency .
A number of schools have closed for deep cleans after positive tests but only for a short period .
Last week , Holy Cross College in Strabane and Malone College in Belfast closed for a number of days after positive cases were reported .
Earlier , Fleming Fulton , a special school in Belfast , closed after two members of staff tested positive .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ St Comgall 's Primary School had given `` good advice to parents '' not to panic .
`` I would encourage our children to continue their studies as best they can from home , with the support of their teachers , '' he added .
He said employers should be `` as flexible as possible with parents '' .
But one parent , who did not wish to be named , said : `` I 'm disappointed and angry that this is the first school in NI to close completely [ for two @ @ @ @ @ @ @ lack of resilience .
`` Parents are now faced again with the unrelenting challenge of homeschooling while juggling work and other commitments .
`` Yet again it is our children who will suffer most .
`` Schools must ensure they have adequate systems in place to avoid school-wide closures for minimal cases . ''
Justin McCamphill , from teaching union NASUWT , said it was `` inundated with staff asking what their school should do because either teachers , pupils or support staff have tested positive '' .
He said that the Department @ @ @ @ @ @ @ handle on this '' .
`` We have a very strange situation here where we have guidance but it 's being interpreted in its own way in each school .
It 's an intolerable situation , it should be a clear instruction on what schools should do . ''
He added that he was aware of some other schools that `` are on the brink '' of closing over staffing issues .
At the start of September , Stormont 's education committee was told there had been `` 88 reports into schools of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ '' , however , there has been no update since then .
Meanwhile , the number of coronavirus-related deaths in Northern Ireland remains at 578 , according to the latest Department of Health statistics .
There were no further deaths reported by the department on Monday .
The total number of cases in the past 24 hours increased by 220 , with the total number of people testing positive now 10,949 - with 999 of those being recorded in the past four days .

"The advice that is given is that where there is someone who has tested positive, the school is to draw up a list of close contacts - those who have been within 2m for 15 minutes or more - and for those individuals, in correspondence with the Public Health Agency, to self-isolate," he said.


bbcuk--2020-09-28--Tackling Covid down to every one of us, Baroness Finlay says

One of Wales 's most eminent doctors has said we are in `` a precarious position '' with almost two million people subject to new Covid restrictions .
Baroness Ilora Finlay said people needed to take personal responsibility to stop the spread of the virus .
She told BBC Wales that without quick action the NHS would become `` completely overwhelmed '' .
Eleven of Wales ' 22 council areas , including Cardiff and Swansea , are in local lockdown with tighter rules .
`` I think that the Welsh Government have got a very difficult job , '' said @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Commissioner , a member of a group of independent experts that provides advice on health and care in Wales .
`` We have to get the message across to everybody in the population that they have personal responsibility for breaking the chain of transmission , '' she said .
`` It is n't that the government can do it , it is n't that some other body can do it - it 's down to each and every one of us . ''
• SOCIAL DISTANCING : What are the rules now ?
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ and who can be in yours ?
• SYMPTOMS : What are they and how to guard against them ?
• LOOK-UP TOOL : How many cases in your area ?
On Monday evening , Neath Port Talbot , Torfaen and Vale of Glamorgan joined eight other areas in lockdown in Wales .
Restrictions mean no travel outside council boundaries other than for work , education or medical emergencies , with no indoor mixing allowed and no alcohol sales after 22:00 .
`` This is n't about breaking rules , '' said Baroness @ @ @ @ @ @ @ about the people who you love , who matter to you and realising that if you take that virus home , or you give it to somebody who you 're fond of and love , and they are desperately sick , you live with that guilt for the rest of your life .
`` This is n't transient .
People who are bereaved will live with this for the rest of their lives . ''
• Has Covid-19 changed the way we talk about death ?
• My neighbours are breaking the rules @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Finlay also said testing was `` not a panacea '' and following rules around social distancing and hand-washing were more important .
`` I think that the problem with the message around testing is that bizarrely it can give you a false sense of security .
`` People think if they 've got a negative test , they 're okay .
It does n't mean that .
`` A negative test maybe means that you 're at the beginning and you 're just not producing enough virus for it to be picked up @ @ @ @ @ @ @ you a free pass , '' she said .
Baroness Finlay said she was concerned NHS staff were `` exhausted '' after responding to the first wave of the pandemic .
`` It is n't about paying them all , or going out and clapping , or whatever .
It 's about recognising that we must do all we can to flatten that curve , to not have that pressure , '' she said .
And as one of Wales ' leading end-of-life care specialists she is calling for health organisations not to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ due to coronavirus restrictions going forward .
During the peak it was not uncommon for next of kin be prevented from spending their final hours with their loved ones .
`` I think we need to have a much more nuanced , gentle , compassionate approach to how we manage people who are dying and those who love them , '' she said .
`` They want to be with them [ at the end ] , they want to sit with them , of course they do .
`` And I worry @ @ @ @ @ @ @ wrong and we need to get it right . ''

"This is about caring about the people who you love, who matter to you and realising that if you take that virus home, or you give it to somebody who you're fond of and love, and they are desperately sick, you live with that guilt for the rest of your life.


bbcuk--2020-09-28--Arena attack families query emergency response

Families of the victims of the Manchester Arena bomb want to know why emergency services were slow to respond and whether the delay had cost lives .
The inquiry heard John Atkinson was not treated for nearly 50 minutes and his relatives want to know whether he could have been saved by a quicker response .
The inquiry at Manchester Magistrates ' Court was hearing the opening statements from legal teams representing some of the families of the victims .
John Cooper QC representing 11 families said they also wanted answers about why security services did not do more to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ He said the UK threat level at the time of the attack was `` severe '' so it should have come as `` no surprise '' to the emergency services when something happened .
The families need to know why then there was only one paramedic in the foyer of the arena assessing the dead and injured for 40 minutes after the explosion , he said .
There were no stretchers and the inquiry heard he was carried away conscious and `` desperately '' hanging on to a `` pathetically inadequate '' makeshift @ @ @ @ @ @ @ him to fall on to a metal barrier .
Mr Cooper also demanded to know why the fire service played no meaningful role in the response for two hours , despite being told about the attack within three minutes .
`` It is vitally important lessons which need to be learned are learned and well learned , '' he said .
`` Because the track record of many organisations we may hear from ... charged with keeping us safe do not learn lessons and do not heed warnings . ''
Pete Weatherby QC @ @ @ @ @ @ @ also said : `` The arena is one of the largest indoor arenas in the world therefore its potential as a target was obvious . ''
He said families need to know whether `` lives were lost unnecessarily '' and if the security services could and should have done more to stop Abedi , saying he `` did not come out of nowhere '' .
He said there was a `` mosaic of evidence '' which should have triggered scrutiny against Abedi ; he had `` a radicalised family '' , links with @ @ @ @ @ @ @ from Libya , had sourced a large amount of chemicals online and an email with an Isis slogan .
Mr Weatherby also criticised the arena 's security , saying Abedi `` wandered around for almost an hour unchallenged '' and `` had worked out the raised area was not covered by CCTV and it was not patrolled '' which were `` catastrophic failures '' .

He said families need to know whether "lives were lost unnecessarily" and if the security services could and should have done more to stop Abedi, saying he "did not come out of nowhere".


bbcuk--2020-09-29--Covid-19: North East households mixing ban 'confusing'

The government has been accused of creating `` doubt and uncertainty '' with its announcement of tighter lockdown restrictions in north-east England .
People who break a new law , which comes into force on Wednesday amid a spike in Covid-19 cases , will be fined .
Mixing between households in indoor settings , such as pubs and restaurants , will be illegal .
A council leader said a lack of detail about the restrictions had led to people spreading half truths and myths .
Education minister Gillian Keegan said the new measures would `` be laid out and it @ @ @ @ @ @ @ areas '' .
`` I 'm not disputing that they need to act quickly but one of the things that undermines this is the principle of community consent , '' Newcastle City Council leader Nick Forbes said .
`` The sense that we 're all collectively buying into these measures because we can see that they protect us all - is if there 's a gap between what 's announced in headlines and the details that people can understand .
`` What that does is sow confusion , it creates doubt , it @ @ @ @ @ @ @ : What are the rules now ?
• SUPPORT BUBBLES : What are they and who can be in yours ?
• FACE MASKS : When do I need to wear one ?
• SCHOOLS : What will happen if children catch coronavirus ?
• TESTING : What tests are available ?
Households in the region had already been advised to avoid mixing but the new ban will be enforced with fines .
Gateshead Council leader Martin Gannon accepted the rules were `` necessary '' but said the authority had been `` inundated @ @ @ @ @ @ @ `` It is a bit chaotic how these things happen , '' he said .
On Radio 4 's Today programme Ms Keegan was unable to clarify whether the new restrictions stopped people meeting outside in pub and restaurant gardens , as well as inside .
She was pressed on how people were supposed to keep up to date with the latest restrictions when ministers could not and said : `` I 'm sorry I ca n't answer that question .
`` I 'm sure there are many people who could - I @ @ @ @ @ @ @ `` It 'll be laid out and it will be clear to people in those areas , it will be communicated very clearly what they are . ''
The BBC has been told that mixing with other households in pub gardens or outdoor restaurant spaces in the North East is not being made illegal but goes against advice .
The new laws on household mixing send a strong message - even though there has been some initial confusion about exactly how they will be applied .
But questions are also naturally being asked @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
The North West has areas with higher rates of infection .
In the North East , only Newcastle is in the top 10 worst affected places currently , whereas several Greater Manchester and Merseyside areas feature .
The reason for this anomaly appears to be down to North East leaders being more enthusiastic for tougher measures .
Talks over the weekend between the government and officials in the region showed an appetite to go further .
Discussions are being held behind the scenes with North West officials .
An announcement could come @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in Newcastle , Northumberland , Gateshead , North Tyneside , South Tyneside , Sunderland and the County Durham council area had already been advised to avoid mixing but the new ban will be enforced with fines .
People aged over 18 taking part in an illegal gathering could be fined £200 for their first offence , which would be halved if paid within 14 days .
Second offences would incur a £400 fine , which would then double for each subsequent offence up to a maximum of £6,400 .
Police had not been @ @ @ @ @ @ @ new restrictions were to be announced , Mr Forbes said .
Health Secretary Matt Hancock told the House of Commons on Monday that cases in the region had `` risen sharply '' and the rate of infections was now more than 100 cases per 100,000 .
Data updated on Monday showed that for the week to 25 September Newcastle recorded 721 new cases of coronavirus - about 238 per 100,000 population - while South Tyneside had almost 197 cases per 100,000 .
The lowest rate in the region was in Redcar and Cleveland @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , Mr Forbes criticised the health secretary for announcing the changes in Parliament `` without telling us he was about to do so '' .
Stuart Henderson , a project manager from County Durham , said people were suffering `` all because many 20-45 year olds are selfish and unable to take their civic responsibility seriously '' .
`` We have already endured six months of lockdowns and restrictions , but now the only thing that was keeping me and my friends going - each other - is gone , '' he added @ @ @ @ @ @ @ way to target them , not punish us . ''
World Health Organization special envoy David Nabarro has warned against imposing stricter rules to control behaviour .
The `` war '' against this virus `` is not going to be won by creating tougher and tougher rules '' , he told the Today programme .
`` The only way that we will come out ahead of this virus is if we 're all able to do the right thing in the right place at the right time because we choose to do it @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for Health and Social Care ( DHSC ) has been approached for comment and asked when the new rules will be published .
It has made clear informal childcare from family members , such as grandparents , will still be permitted but be on `` an exclusive basis - always the same two households '' .
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Send your story ideas to northeastandcumbria @ bbc.co.uk .

When he was asked about the new regulations, Prime Minister Boris Johnson said: "In the North East and other areas where extra measures have been brought in, you should follow the guidance of local authorities but it is six in a home, six in hospitality but as I understand it, not six outside."


bbcuk--2020-09-29--Covid: PM promises 'radical' shake-up of adult education

Boris Johnson has vowed `` radical '' changes to the education system in England to help boost the post-Covid economy .
The prime minister said the pandemic had `` massively accelerated '' changes to the world of work , and made training gaps `` painfully apparent '' .
He said funding changes could help end the `` bogus distinction '' between academic and practical learning .
Labour said the plans would not reverse the impact of `` a decade of cuts '' .
Speaking in Exeter , Mr Johnson said there was not `` anywhere near enough '' support for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ He added that the government can not `` save every job '' amid the Covid-19 pandemic , but wants to help people find new work .
• How many people could become unemployed ?
The prime minister announced that adults in England without an A-level or equivalent qualification will be offered a fully funded college course .
Funding for courses offering `` skills valued by employers '' will be made available from next April , and a full list of the courses will be announced next month .
The announcement comes amid fears @ @ @ @ @ @ @ as the economy slumps in the wake of the pandemic .
Mr Johnson said the pandemic had `` compressed '' a `` revolution '' to the jobs market caused by trends such as online shopping .
He added that although some jobs would fall away after the pandemic , he wanted people to take advantage of `` new opportunities are opening up with dizzying speed '' .
The PM 's speech comes as : • It will be illegal from midnight for people in large parts of north-east England to mix with other @ @ @ @ @ @ @ coronavirus restrictions announced by Health Secretary Matt Hancock .
• The number of people worldwide who have died from Covid-19 passes one million , researchers say , with many regions still reporting surging numbers of new infections .
• Conservative backbenchers demanding votes in Parliament before any further coronavirus restrictions are introduced in England say they are hopeful an agreement can be reached with the government .
Some MPs were invited to meet Matt Hancock on Tuesday , and said last night that progress was being made .
• Education Secretary Gavin Williamson @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the House of Commons later as thousands of students have been told to self-isolate following a surge in cases at universities .
• Retail union Usdaw says shop workers are being put at greater risk of violence , verbal abuse and coronavirus infection as a result of pubs shutting at 10pm .
This shows how much the Covid outbreak has changed everything around it .
This plan to give further education students a fairer share of funding goes all the way back to a report from Theresa May 's time in office .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ vocational education and reversing a lack of financial support .
But now - when this appears as a White Paper - expect it to be re-framed as a battle to retrain millions of adults whose jobs have been threatened by the pandemic .
Further education colleges will be put on the frontline of providing the type of modern skills that will be durable enough to withstand the changes that Covid-19 is making to the jobs market .
This could mean funding for digital skills , for instance , for those whose livelihoods are @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of uncertainty about what happens next for many jobs - access to retraining for adults of all ages will be important as never before .
The offer of courses to adults without an A-level will be paid for from England 's National Skills Fund , which the Conservatives pledged to boost by £2.5bn during last year 's general election .
The government also says it wants to make higher education loans more flexible , with the aim of letting people `` space out '' their learning throughout their lives rather than in three- @ @ @ @ @ @ @ study .
It said the changes would be backed by investment in college buildings and facilities , including more than £1.5bn in capital funding .
Further details will be set out in an education white paper later in the year .
• THE R NUMBER : What it means and why it matters • SOCIAL DISTANCING : What are the rules now ?
• LOOK-UP TOOL : How many cases in your area ?
• SOCIAL LIFE : Is it safe to go to the pub ?
In other plans , small businesses @ @ @ @ @ @ @ on apprentices and £8m will be spent on skills `` boot camps '' in West Yorkshire , south-west England , Derbyshire and Nottinghamshire to cover sectors like construction and engineering .
This follows pilots in Greater Manchester and the West Midlands that focused on digital skills .
And the government 's online Skills Toolkit , a collection of training resources launched in the spring to help people acquire jobs skills ahead of businesses reopening , will be expanded to include 62 additional courses .
• How many people could become unemployed ?
Responding @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 's shadow education secretary Kate Green said : `` A week ago Labour called for a National Retraining Strategy fit for the crisis Britain faces , but what the government proposes is simply a mix of reheated old policies and funding that wo n't be available until April .
`` By then many workers could have been out of work for nearly a year , and the Tories still think that they will need to take out loans to get the training they will need to get back in work . ''
She @ @ @ @ @ @ @ `` the skills and support they need in the months ahead '' .
CBI director general Dame Carolyn Fairbairn said the `` significant '' unemployment coronavirus is leaving in its wake `` only accelerates the need for people to develop new skills and adapt to new ways of working '' .
`` The lifetime skills guarantee and flexible loans to support bitesize learning are a strong start but to really shift gears , this must be backed up by meaningful progress on evolving the apprenticeship levy into a flexible skills levy , '' @ @ @ @ @ @ @ introduced in 2017 - takes 0.5 % of the salary bill from major employers that have an annual pay bill over £3m , with the intention of using the money to improve skills and provide training .
How would you benefit from this offer to do free courses ?
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 get in touch in the following ways : • Please read our terms & conditions and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Is there a silver lining to a Covid Christmas ?
• CRAFT BEER AND COVID-19 : How is the brewing industry coping during the pandemic ?

"By then many workers could have been out of work for nearly a year, and the Tories still think that they will need to take out loans to get the training they will need to get back in work."


bbcuk--2020-09-29--Flu jab waits and delays amid high demand

Some GPs and pharmacies have run out of flu jabs and are asking people to wait until more stock can be delivered .
Boots says it has seen very high demand for the vaccine and has now had to suspend bookings .
Government officials say there is no national shortage and there will be enough doses in the coming weeks and months to vaccinate the 30 million people deemed most vulnerable to flu .
Available stocks are being given to the over-65s and high risk groups .
Once those groups have been immunised , healthy 50 to 64-year-olds in England @ @ @ @ @ @ @ be eligible for a free flu jab on the NHS .
This is to help protect against the double threat of flu and coronavirus this winter - research shows people can catch both diseases at the same time , with serious and sometimes deadly consequences .
There is currently no vaccine for coronavirus .
• How can I get a flu jab ?
• Flu jab 'more important than ever ' this winter • Covid symptoms : Is it a cold , flu or coronavirus ?
• Flu : Why we still need @ @ @ @ @ @ @ How bad will winter really be ?
Boots pharmacy said it had increased its order of flu jabs by around a fifth in anticipation of a very busy period , but the level of demand it had seen in the last few weeks was unprecedented .
Flu vaccine ordering is done many months in advance of the flu season and the delivery is phased over the autumn and into winter .
Head of the Royal College of GPs Prof Martin Marshall urged people to `` sit tight '' and stressed it was important @ @ @ @ @ @ @ jab came forward when told to do so .
Dr Mary Ramsay , head of immunisation at Public Health England , said : `` It is usual for manufacturers to stagger deliveries of the vaccine .
Every year , there is a phased roll-out and vaccinations continue throughout the autumn .
Some GP practices and pharmacies may ask people to wait until they receive further deliveries . ''
Helen Concilia from Seqirus , the company that supplies the type of flu vaccine used to immunise over 65s , said : `` We can @ @ @ @ @ @ @ . ''
Jessica Kirby , Head of Health Advice at Asthma UK and the British Lung Foundation , said : `` We 'd urge people who are unable to book via their pharmacy or GP at this stage not to give up and to keep trying .
Flu season lasts until spring , so whilst we 'd encourage vaccination as early as possible , there is still time . ''
This year , the free vaccination is being offered in England to : • people who were required to shield from coronavirus and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ some medical conditions including diabetes , heart failure and asthma • pre-school children over the age of two • all primary school children , as last year , and , for the first time , Year 7 pupils • initially all people over 65 , before the programme is extended to the over-50s • people who are the main carer for an elderly or disabled person The NHS will get in contact with those who are eligible .
Flu , like coronavirus , is a viral infection that is passed on through coughs @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and hand-washing should help reduce the spread .
Most people with flu recover at home in a week , but people with chronic conditions or who are over 65 should call NHS 111 .
Anyone who thinks they have either flu or Covid-19 should stay at home and self-isolate .
People should book a coronavirus test if they have : • a loss of , or a change to their sense of smell or taste

Once those groups have been immunised, healthy 50 to 64-year-olds in England will, for the first time, be eligible for a free flu jab on the NHS. This is to help protect against the double threat of flu and coronavirus this winter - research shows people can catch both diseases at the same time, with serious and sometimes deadly consequences. There is currently no vaccine for coronavirus.


bbcuk--2020-09-29--Pubs and restaurants must shut in NI at 23:00

Pubs , hotel bars and restaurants will have to shut at 23:00 in Northern Ireland under new rules for the hospitality sector .
They will come into force from midnight on Wednesday .
Stormont ministers gave details of the decision in the assembly on Tuesday .
No alcohol or food will be served after 22:30 and all customers must leave by 23:00 , said First Minister Arlene Foster .
She said there could be `` no exceptions '' to the rule , and it would also apply to weddings and other social events .
No late licences will be permitted @ @ @ @ @ @ @ closing time for Northern Ireland than in the rest of the UK , where it is 22:00 .
Colin Neill , from Hospitality Ulster , said the announcement was `` another blow to our industry '' .
`` The sector is going to lose hours , its losing staff and it has lost live music and needs to be given a fighting chance , '' said Mr Neill .
`` A curfew is not ideal , but we in the hospitality sector will do all we can to make this work , which @ @ @ @ @ @ @ . ''
He said the measure must be kept under continuous review .
Mr Neill said his organisation had lobbied the government for a 23:30 closing time , in line with the Republic of Ireland .
`` My biggest fear is that they 'll just bypass my industry altogether , '' he said .
`` They 'll bypass the pub and go straight to a house party . ''
Mrs Foster said the executive recognised the risk , but stressed gatherings in homes were currently illegal , following new restrictions imposed last week @ @ @ @ @ @ @ was a `` priority '' for ministers .
`` We do not want to go there , we 'd prefer that everyone works with us , but enforcement has a role , '' she added .
`` We will be looking at the levels of fines we have . ''
The first minister said she regrets the time limit had to be imposed , but medical evidence showed `` people socialising later in the evening is considered to increase the risk of the virus spreading '' .
`` People adhere to rules less @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to less strict social distancing , '' she added .
In Northern Ireland , off-licences and supermarkets can sell alcohol until 23:00 most days .
The cut-off is 22:00 on Sundays .
The executive said it had taken the decision to impose a 23:00 hospitality closing time in order to ensure a `` consistent approach '' .
In England , there have been calls for a review of the 22:00 limit , which has led to scenes of crowds forming after closing time in cities including Liverpool and York .
Mrs Foster said @ @ @ @ @ @ @ experience in other parts of the UK with closing times , and that she hoped it would not be replicated in NI .
`` There is the allegation that people will leave the pub and go to a house party , but they can not go to an off-licence or supermarket to buy alcohol after 23:00 so we felt it was a good idea , '' she told the assembly .
`` We were conscious it 's later in the Republic of Ireland , but we felt people will not travel across the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ time . ''
The Department of Health is expected to publish the regulations on Wednesday and they will take effect that evening .
There is still confusion about so-called beer bikes , which operate in parts of Northern Ireland , and whether they will be allowed .
Earlier this month , the executive said new hospitality restrictions would ban them , but Mrs Foster said it had not been resolved yet .
`` Beer bikes are a particular problem , we are currently considering how to deal with it , '' said the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ engaging with operators of those bikes but still needs to be dealt with , I hope we can deal with it sooner rather than later . ''

"There is the allegation that people will leave the pub and go to a house party, but they cannot go to an off-licence or supermarket to buy alcohol after 23:00 so we felt it was a good idea," she told the assembly.


bbcuk--2020-09-29--Coronavirus: Early pub closing 'putting shop workers at risk'

Shop workers are being put at greater risk of violence , verbal abuse and coronavirus infection by pubs shutting at 10pm , a retail union has warned .
Usdaw said stores remaining open until later in England were likely to become `` very busy '' with people buying alcohol , `` triggering '' antisocial behaviour .
Early pub closing was brought in last week in an effort to curb increasing rates of coronavirus .
The government said it had taken `` immediate action '' to `` save lives '' .
Under the restrictions , which also apply in Scotland , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ no later than 10pm .
Shops in England can continue selling alcohol until later .
On Monday , Greater Manchester 's Labour mayor Andy Burnham said supermarkets , convenience stores and off-licences were now `` packed out to the rafters '' after closing time .
Usdaw general secretary Paddy Lillis told the BBC the situation had left him `` deeply concerned '' for staff .
He added : `` Sale of alcohol has always been a major flashpoint for violence , threats and abuse against shop workers , whether it 's age-identification or @ @ @ @ @ @ @ already drunk , which are both legal requirements .
`` Additional problems arise when licensing laws are not the same as shop opening hours or off-sales licensing hours are longer than on-sales . ''
In Wales , under current rules , pubs must stop serving by 10pm and close 20 minutes after that .
Shops also have to stop selling alcohol by 10pm .
Mr Lillis urged the government and councils in England to `` ensure that when they bring in new rules they consider the impact on retail and the staff '' @ @ @ @ @ @ @ centres are particularly at risk of becoming very busy late at night and that could make it more difficult for our members to enforce social distancing , which is essential for keeping staff and customers safe , '' he said .
Restricting coronavirus transmission would `` not be achieved by filling shops with late-night revellers '' , Mr Lillis added .
Labour has questioned whether closing pubs earlier will help contain the spread of coronavirus .
But a government spokesperson said : `` These measures strike a balance between saving lives by protecting @ @ @ @ @ @ @ minimising the wider impact on the economy and schools .
`` The latest data suggests a considerable rise in the infection rate from within the hospitality sector in recent weeks , so we have taken immediate action to cut the transmission rate and save lives .
As with all measures , we will keep them under constant review . ''
Last week , Prime Minister Boris Johnson said : `` What we 've seen from the evidence is that the spread of the disease does tend to happen later at night after more @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Wednesday , pubs in Northern Ireland will have to close by 11pm , with no alcohol being served after 10.30pm .

"Stores in town and city centres are particularly at risk of becoming very busy late at night and that could make it more difficult for our members to enforce social distancing, which is essential for keeping staff and customers safe," he said.


bbcuk--2020-09-29--James Bulger killer Jon Venables denied parole over child abuse images

One of the killers of toddler James Bulger has been refused parole for possessing child abuse images .
Jon Venables had applied for parole after being jailed for having child abuse images on his computer in 2017 .
He served eight years for the murder of James Bulger in 1993 and was freed on licence , along with Robert Thompson , and given lifelong anonymity in 2001 .
His parole bid can be reviewed within two years , the Parole Board said .
James Bulger was tortured and killed by Venables and Thompson , both aged 10 at the time @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a shopping centre in Bootle , Merseyside .
In 2010 , under his new name , Venables was jailed for having child abuse images on his laptop .
He was released after serving three years and given a second new identity .
In 2017 he was sent back to prison for 40 months after more abuse photographs were discovered on his computer .
His application to be freed has been rejected by the Parole Board following an assessment of his case .
The date of the next review will be set by the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ said .

In 2010, under his new name, Venables was jailed for having child abuse images on his laptop. He was released after serving three years and given a second new identity.


bbcuk--2020-09-29--Bloody Sunday: No further charges against former soldiers

The Public Prosecution Service ( PPS ) has stuck to its original decision to bring charges against no more than one soldier in relation to Bloody Sunday .
It followed a review of the cases of 15 veterans it determined there should be no action against last year .
Thirteen people were killed and 15 were wounded when the Army opened fire on civil rights demonstrators in Londonderry in January 1972 .
The reviews were requested by the families of some of the victims .
No new evidence was submitted for the reviews and solicitors for the families sent detailed @ @ @ @ @ @ @ they believed the decisions were wrong .
They believe about 10 other soldiers should be facing prosecution for murder and attempted murder .
The PPS said the reviews were undertaken by its senior assistant director , Marianne O'Kane , who was not previously involved in the cases .
She looked at the deaths of 10 victims who died on Bloody Sunday , as well as 10 others wounded .
She said : `` I have concluded that the available evidence is insufficient to provide a reasonable prospect of conviction of any of the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the reviews .
`` Accordingly , the decisions not to prosecute these 15 individuals all stand , '' she continued .
`` I know that today 's outcome will cause further upset to those who have pursued a long and determined journey for justice over almost five decades .
`` I can only offer reassurance to all of the families and victims of Bloody Sunday , and the wider community , that my decisions were conducted wholly independently and impartially , and in accordance with the Code for Prosecutors . ''
The families @ @ @ @ @ @ @ was known at the Bloody Sunday public inquiry , should be facing more charges .
He is to stand trial accused of murdering James Wray and William McKinney in Derry in 1972 and is further charged with five counts of attempted murder .
Four of the attempted murder charges relate to the wounding of Joseph Friel , Michael Quinn , Joe Mahon and Patrick O'Donnell .
The fifth relates to persons unknown .

"The issue of joint enterprise and conspiracy remains entirely up in the air and a decision has allowed to be taken premised on the actions of individuals and soldiers falling between the gaps of the grey area as to who actually fired the fatal shot," he said.


bbcuk--2020-09-29--Tim Davie: BBC boss 'prepared to fire stars who break impartiality rules'

BBC director general Tim Davie has said he would be prepared to sack presenters who make major breaches of impartiality guidelines on social media .
Mr Davie , who became DG earlier this month , said new social media rules would be announced in the coming weeks , and would apply to all staff .
`` I am prepared to take the appropriate disciplinary action , all the way to termination , '' Mr Davie said .
He said he would also be able `` to take people off Twitter '' if necessary .
His comments come after criticism of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ has courted controversy in the past for sharing his political views on Twitter .
`` Enforcement actions will be very clear , we will be able to take disciplinary action , we 'll be able to take people off Twitter .
I know people want to see hard action on this , '' Mr Davie told MPs on the House of Commons Digital , Culture , Media and Sport select committee .
Pressed on how people could be removed from Twitter , he clarified that in some cases he would ask staff to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to continue working for the BBC .
He told the MPs he would n't rush into far-reaching action .
`` I know some people would like me to fire [ people ] immediately [ when ] there is a foot fault , '' he said .
`` I 'm sure over your career and my career , sometimes we have not acted perfectly .
So there will be a range of enforcements .
Sometimes someone just needs a talking to .
Other times there will be more serious matters . ''
The action @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of the star involved , but there would be a distinction between occasional contributors and those who are `` the face of the BBC '' , he said .
`` Social media guidelines will make clear where the lines are .
If someone is a face of the BBC , I think entering into party politics seems to me not the right place to be . ''
Asked specifically about Lineker , Mr Davie said the Match of the Day host had `` always got a flavoursome turn of phrase '' , but @ @ @ @ @ @ @ within the BBC '' .
He said : `` We will issue the social media guidelines which will be clear .
I would note that Gary Lineker has been very clear in his statements recently , saying , ' I understand I have responsibilities while working at the BBC ' .
`` Those responsibilities will be clearly laid out .
I am the director general so I am now running the show , and in my view , party political statements are not the right thing for people to be making if they @ @ @ @ @ @ @ . ''
In the past , there have been `` a few tweets and a few incidents '' from BBC staff and presenters that `` in my mind have not furthered the BBC 's reputation for impartiality '' , Mr Davie said .
The new social media guidelines will cover people working in all areas of BBC programming , Mr Davie said .
`` The bar will be higher for news and current affairs , but there will also be a bar for those people working as BBC talent across the organisation , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ `` I do n't think this is about banning people on social media , by the way .
We must be up there .
I passionately believe that impartial reporting can be flavoursome .
The idea that it 's dull is wrong . ''
Lineker topped the BBC 's most recent `` star salaries '' list with £1.75m in the 2019-20 financial year , but has announced he will take a 23 % pay cut , amounting to £400,000 .
The second highest earner was Zoe Ball , who was paid £1.36m to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ MPs asked Mr Davie why Ball is paid more than triple the salary of the station 's mid-morning presenter Ken Bruce , despite attracting fewer listeners than him .
Ball has lost around a million listeners since taking over from her predecessor Chris Evans , who was paid around £240,000 more than her .
Mr Davie referred to `` the historical rate for the Radio 2 breakfast show '' and said such leading presenters were able to look at `` entertainment options across television and radio '' .
`` Do n't get me @ @ @ @ @ @ @ I 've inherited some of this .
You 've seen what we 've done with Gary .
I want to make sure that we are getting as best value as we can in the market , and better value where we can .
`` I 've spent a lot of the last few years working in the international market , fighting for talent .
There is an element of hyper-inflation , as all these services pile in , and people with TV personality and profile will be difficult to get .
`` I @ @ @ @ @ @ @ taking more risk or opportunity with developing talent coming through .
But I absolutely think that with a few people , and it is a very small number of people , we are in a bit of a market . ''
Recent media reports have suggested Ball will request a pay cut when renegotiating her current contract in the coming weeks .
`` With Zoe in particular , she 's an outstanding broadcaster , we are in a renegotiation and we 'll be looking where we go forward , '' Mr Davie said @ @ @ @ @ @ @ on Twitter @ BBCNewsEnts .
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"Don't get me wrong," he added. "I've inherited some of this. You've seen what we've done with Gary. I want to make sure that we are getting as best value as we can in the market, and better value where we can.


bbcuk--2020-09-29--Chadwick Boseman gave some of his 21 Bridges salary to co-star Sienna Miller

Sienna Miller has praised late Hollywood star Chadwick Boseman for donating part of his own salary to boost her pay packet on 21 Bridges .
The pair starred as detectives in the thriller , which was released last year .
Miller told Empire : `` Everybody understands about the pay disparity in Hollywood , but I asked for a number that the studio would n't get to .
`` And Chadwick ended up donating some of his salary to get me to the number I had asked for . ''
She added : `` He said that that was what @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Black Panther star Boseman , who died of cancer earlier this year , was also one of the film 's producers and had pursued Miller for the role of Frankie Burns .
`` He was a fan of my work , which was thrilling , because it was reciprocated from me to him , tenfold .
`` So he approached me to do it , he offered me this film , and it was at a time when I really did n't want to work anymore .
I 'd been working non-stop and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ wanted to work with him .
`` And because I was hesitant to go back to work and my daughter was starting school and it was an inconvenient time , I said , ' I 'll do it if I 'm compensated in the right way . '
'' Miller said Boseman 's action was unheard of in the film industry .
`` It was about the most astounding thing that I 've experienced , '' she said .
`` That kind of thing just does n't happen .
He said , 'You @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and what you 're worth . '
It 's just unfathomable to imagine another man in that town behaving that graciously or respectfully .
`` In the aftermath of this I 've told other male actor friends of mine that story and they all go very , very quiet and go home and probably have to sit and think about things for a while .
But there was no showiness , it was , 'Of course I 'll get you to that number , because that 's what you should be paid .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ sure whether to tell the story at first but then decided she would `` because I think it 's a testament to who he was '' .
The interview appears in a special commemorative issue of Empire Magazine .
Journalist Alex Godfrey , who spoke to Miller , noted on Twitter that `` this is a story she particularly wanted to tell '' .
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"In the aftermath of this I've told other male actor friends of mine that story and they all go very, very quiet and go home and probably have to sit and think about things for a while. But there was no showiness, it was, 'Of course I'll get you to that number, because that's what you should be paid.'"


bbcuk--2020-09-29--Jet suit paramedic tested in the Lake District 'could save lives'

A jet suit for paramedics which would see patients reached in minutes by a `` flying '' medic has been tested by the Great North Air Ambulance Service .
After a year of talks between GNAAS and Gravity Industries , a first test flight was carried out in the Lake District .
Andy Mawson , director of operations at GNAAS , came up with the idea and described seeing it as `` awesome '' .
He said it meant a paramedic could `` fly '' to a fell top in 90 seconds rather than taking 30 minutes on foot .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ dozens of patients every month within the complex but relatively small geographical footprint of the Lakes .
`` We could see the need .
What we did n't know for sure is how this would work in practice .
Well we 've seen it now and it is , quite honestly , awesome . ''
Mr Mawson said the exercise had demonstrated the huge potential of using jet suits to deliver critical care services .
The test flight was carried out by Richard Browning , founder of Gravity Industries .
He said the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ arm and one on the back allowing the paramedic to control their movement just by moving their hands .
`` The biggest advantage is its speed , '' Mr Mawson said .
`` If the idea takes off , the flying paramedic will be armed with a medical kit , with strong pain relief for walkers who may have suffered fractures , and a defibrillator for those who may have suffered a heart attack .
`` In a jet pack , what might have taken up to an hour to reach the patient @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and that could mean the difference between life and death . ''

"We could see the need. What we didn't know for sure is how this would work in practice. Well we've seen it now and it is, quite honestly, awesome."


bbcuk--2020-09-29--Greggs hints at job cuts as furlough scheme ends

Bakery chain Greggs has hinted at possible job cuts as the government 's furlough scheme ends .
The company , which employs 25,000 workers , expects business activity to `` remain below normal for the foreseeable future '' .
It said it had reviewed staff costs and was currently consulting with unions and employee representatives .
Greggs said it wanted to reduce the risk of job cuts by putting people on reduced hours .
However , it is not clear if the company will use the government 's new Job Support Scheme where employers and the state top up workers @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
The scheme will replace the existing furlough programme which is coming to an end on 31 October .
The vast majority of Greggs 25,000 workforce had been placed on furlough during lockdown and a quarter remained on the scheme when the company announced its interim results in July .
In a trading statement , Greggs said : `` With the Job Retention Scheme planned to end in October we are taking steps to ensure that our employment costs reflect the estimated level of demand from November onwards . ''
The company said @ @ @ @ @ @ @ July , like-for-like sales in the three months to 26 September have averaged 71.2 % of the levels recorded in the same period last year .
Greggs said sales in September were above that average , with a recovery in customer visits .
However , it said August was a difficult month because of high temperatures and it was unable to take part in the government 's Eat Out to Help Out scheme because its shops with seating were closed .
In addition , average sales remain below the 80 % level which @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the company to break even .
Nevertheless , Greggs is moving ahead with opening a net 20 new shops this year , which it said will be `` predominantly in locations accessed by car '' .
The company said it had increased its digital investment during lockdown and `` click & collect '' - which allows customers pre-order and pay online before picking up food at a shop - has now been rolled out at all its stores .
It has also launched food deliveries with delivery app Just East and said it @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
The company has more than 2,000 outlets in the UK across city centres , high streets and travel locations such as train stations and airports .
The coronavirus pandemic has meant that the number of people using public transport or flying has drastically fallen , while a change in government guidance on workers returning to offices will affect footfall for retailers .
Greggs is facing a dilemma that many businesses are currently grappling with .
Act now to deal with the current trading environment ?
Or hang on to see if the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ as the accelerated shift to online - become permanent ?
It is little wonder that the bakery chain has n't given any figures on how many jobs it may cut or how many workers will be placed on reduced hours .
When it began consultations with its staff , the government 's Job Support Scheme had n't even been announced .
Greggs was still working on the assumption that the furlough scheme would end on 31 October .
Throw in the government 's changed stance on people working from home and the spectre @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and it is nearly impossible for companies to get a steady enough footing on which to make long-term decisions .
Hotel Chocolat 's boss Angus Thirlwell says the pandemic has simply sped up changes in the way that people are shopping .
But that does n't mean running a company at the moment is any less precarious .
For Hotel Chocolat , that means avoiding knee-jerk reactions .
For businesses everywhere , it will mean navigating a minefield .
`` Greggs will undoubtedly survive and be able to thrive once again , '' @ @ @ @ @ @ @ consultancy Begbies Traynor .
`` But its struggles tell the story of every business in the UK .
`` What worked before the pandemic may not work during it .
It , like many others , must adapt and change to the way that the world now works . ''
Separately , confectioner Hotel Chocolat announced that after a strong first half , sales and profits tumbled in the second six months of its financial year as lockdown was imposed .
Overall annual sales for the year to 28 June rose by 3 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ % in the first six months before sinking by 14 % in the second half .
Lockdown meant Hotel Chocolat 's physical shops were closed for Easter , one of its key trading periods .
It reported a £6.4m pre-tax loss compared with a £10.9m profit in the previous year .
The company said that it had been able to react quickly to the changing circumstances .
When its shops - which typically generate 70 % of sales in the second half of its financial year - were closed two weeks before Easter @ @ @ @ @ @ @ distribution centres and was able to grow sales online and through partners who sell its goods .
But Angus Thirlwell , Hotel Chocolat 's co-founder and chief executive , said that since reopening its shops , `` we are seeing a very patchy picture '' .
He told the BBC 's Today programme that while tourist spots such as Shrewsbury , Hitchin , Truro and Chichester were doing well , `` the places that are tougher are city centres , transit and tourist-based locations ... which is no surprise '' .
`` All @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the very short-term kind of impact from the more longer-term shift towards online , '' he added .
Asked whether the shift from High Street shops to online was permanent or not , and whether retailers should be changing their business models , Mr Thirlwell said : `` I think there is going to be a lasting legacy from this which is that five years of what was going to happen anyway has just happened in five months . ''
He said it could have implications on `` where we should have our @ @ @ @ @ @ @ company was also trying to `` avoid doing knee-jerk reactions '' .
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Asked whether the shift from High Street shops to online was permanent or not, and whether retailers should be changing their business models, Mr Thirlwell said: "I think there is going to be a lasting legacy from this which is that five years of what was going to happen anyway has just happened in five months."


bbcuk--2020-09-29--Rescue bid for cat stuck up Tredegar tree in fourth day

An operation to rescue a cat which is stuck up a tree has entered its fourth day , with help from a scaffolding company .
The cat was spotted up a tree in Tredegar , Blaenau Gwent , on Saturday , and the fire service tried to get it down on Sunday without success .
Crews appealed for help and a local firm has built a structure around the tree to try to get the cat down .
However , the animal has so far resisted all attempts to lure it out with food .
The cat has provisionally been @ @ @ @ @ @ @ went missing from home .
Company director Paul Ratledge said his firm had got involved after being contacted by South Wales Fire and Rescue Service .
He told BBC Wales : `` We had a phone call from the local fire service .
`` They 'd tried with cherry pickers , they 'd had a tree surgeon but they could n't get it . ''
The firm agreed to help and constructed scaffolding around the tree , near the Rhyd Hall pub on The Rhyd .
But despite their best efforts to tempt @ @ @ @ @ @ @ proving hard to help .
Speaking on Tuesday morning , Mr Ratledge said : `` We 've been there this morning , taking food to it .
`` We 've set up scaffolding boards on angles now so the cat will be able to get down by itself .
`` We got right by it but it went up higher again .
It was crying a bit . ''
He hopes the newly-placed boards will allow the shy creature to come down alone .
`` We 'll go to do our day 's @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , '' he said .
Leanne Skinner , who has been coordinating efforts to try to get Cookie down , said on Facebook the scaffolding team had been `` amazing '' .
She said : `` Fingers crossed this will be the day !
There really is nothing else we can do after the RSPCA , fire service , two cherry pickers and scaffolding .
Silly cat ! ''
Ms Skinner said Cookie had managed to get to the top tier of the scaffolding but `` could n't work her way down '' @

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bbcuk--2020-09-25--Your tributes to those who died as toll passes 1m

From nurses to shopkeepers , doctors to bus drivers , more than 40,000 people have died with coronavirus across the UK .
People who were dearly loved , people who may have had many more years ahead of them had the pandemic not engulfed the world .
Every day , BBC News reports the statistics , and our teams seek out the stories .
Here we have gathered tributes from family , friends and colleagues to some of those who have died .
The tributes are displayed at random , which means that you will see different faces each time @ @ @ @ @ @ @ included is available here .
For more on NHS and healthcare workers , please see this page dedicated to 100 people who died while helping to look after others .
For more on how it has affected people 's lives , from tragedy to everyday difficulties , we have a collection of personal stories about life in lockdown .
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bbcuk--2020-09-28--Covid: Public spending rise could last longer

The government must choose this autumn between more austerity and permanently higher spending , experts warn .
Although the Autumn Budget has been cancelled , the Treasury is still set to publish a Spending Review containing government expenditure plans .
Because of Covid-19 , public spending is likely to rise to the highest share of national income in more than a decade , says the Institute for Fiscal Studies .
If not , another bout of austerity will hit many public services , it warns .
A Treasury spokesperson said : `` The Spending Review will proceed this autumn , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ confirmed that departmental spending will increase above inflation - both for day-to-day spending and longer-term investment . ''
The IFS forecasts come in a newly published advance chapter of its Green Budget 2020 , which will be released in full next month .
`` Plans will depend crucially on how much of the additional £70bn of public service spending - that 's an increase of 20 % on original plans - allocated this year to deal with the Covid-19 pandemic will need to be repeated in future years , '' the IFS said @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of it is needed , for example to maintain purchases of personal protective equipment ( PPE ) and to keep a track-and-trace system going , then overall spending would have to rise well ahead of the plans set out in the last Budget , or another bout of austerity will be visited upon many public services . ''
The think tank said there would be other financial pressures , including on working-age social security spending and adult social care , while the economy was likely to be smaller than expected for a long @ @ @ @ @ @ @ spending decisions is likely therefore to result in public spending settling at a higher share of national income than it was after 10 years of Labour government back in 2007-08 , '' it added .
The IFS said the UK had been through the longest sustained squeeze in public spending on record , but despite this , on the eve of the pandemic , public spending was at 39.8 % of national income , much the same as it was in 2007−08 .
Measures in Mr Sunak 's Budget announced in March would @ @ @ @ @ @ @ over the next four years , but those plans had already been rendered obsolete by the coronavirus crisis , the think tank said .
Ben Zaranko , a research economist at IFS and the author of the research , said the pandemic and the looming end of the Brexit transition period made it an `` extraordinarily difficult time '' for the chancellor to be formulating public spending plans .
Some programmes brought in to fight the pandemic could `` swallow up huge amounts of money '' and leave some public services facing another @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that scenario would require the chancellor to find billions of extra funding , paid for at some point through higher taxes , '' he added .
Governments normally set spending priorities for several years ahead , but given `` the huge amount of economic uncertainty '' , the IFS said Chancellor Rishi Sunak would be `` ill-advised '' to embark on a multi-year Spending Review .
`` Instead , it would be sensible to limit this year 's Spending Review to a single year ( 2021−22 ) , and delay decisions on spending @ @ @ @ @ @ @ some of the uncertainty over Covid-19 , Brexit and the future of the economy has dissipated , '' it added .

"Even if only a quarter of it is needed, for example to maintain purchases of personal protective equipment (PPE) and to keep a track-and-trace system going, then overall spending would have to rise well ahead of the plans set out in the last Budget, or another bout of austerity will be visited upon many public services."