bbcuk--2020-06-12--Coronavirus: Single person seeks best bubble options

When Boris Johnson announced the new rules allowing single people who live alone in England the option of creating a bubble with one other household from this weekend , he created a real dilemma for some - who to share a bubble with ?
I 'm in the category that is permitted to make that choice as I live alone .
Single parents with children under 18 are also given the option of `` bubbling up '' with someone else .
The new rule allows unlimited visits , and even overnight stays , between the two homes without the need @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in the bubble gets coronavirus symptoms , everyone in those households will be forced into self-isolation for 14 days - even if they had limited themselves to brief bubble visits rather than staying over .
Once you make your choice you have to stick with it .
You can not bounce from one bubble to another .
Some families are facing yet more heart-breaking decisions .
But as a single man without children , I can be more relaxed about choosing my bubble - so what are my options ?
The sensible choice @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 'm part of a close Irish family and the chance of my first proper visit in months to my parents ' home in time for Father 's Day is the choice that truly warms my heart .
But they also have a lovely garden so I 'm already able to go and spend time with them ( on any day that the weather holds ) .
And given they are both in their 70s and I am a key worker going to and from work each day , I feel that I might @ @ @ @ @ @ @ stick to those outdoor gatherings .
Sorry mum .
The besties bubble - to get an overdue hug Now I must admit I did feel a lump in my throat when a colleague 's words prompted me to conclude that , due to living alone and the strict social distancing guidelines , I 'd not had a hug since mid-March .
Nor a pat on the back , a kiss on the cheek or any other form of direct human contact .
My best friend gives the warmest hugs , the soundest life @ @ @ @ @ @ @ alone , it seems like a beautiful bubble option .
But ... As Jane Austen so nearly said , it is a truth universally acknowledged that a single man in possession of his own home must be in want of a person to share his bubble .
The government is quick to stress that people who happen to be single but live in a shared house ( eg with flatmates ) will not get the opportunity to mingle - unless they have a partner who happens to live alone .
So I am @ @ @ @ @ @ @ dream woman was to walk into my life this summer , surely it is a better prospect to our chances of romance if I can invite her for dinner a deux .
Explaining that I am already in a bubble with my parents would NOT be a good look .
'Bubble barber ' ?
Who is handy with scissors/clippers ?
I 've seen the damage being done to certain people close to me after they handed over their hair maintenance to those they live with .
But I have been so impressed by @ @ @ @ @ @ @ have clearly found their inner Lee Stafford .
With barbers and hairdressers still firmly closed , is it a vanity overload to base your bubble choice on who can best tend to your tresses ?
To be honest , the thing that I 've missed the most over the past three months is my football fix - but televised matches are back with a vengeance from next week .
Every Premier League match is to be televised live .
I 'm a Liverpool fan desperate to see every moment of my club 's @ @ @ @ @ @ @ two unexpected extra months ) of hurt and seal a Premier League title .
But I suspect many of the key matches will be claimed by Sky Sports and BT Sport - and I only have a subscription to the first of those .
All I need is to choose a mate with BT Sport for our own transfer deal and a superb summer lies ahead .
Dreaming of beers on the couch as we watch up to four live matches a day makes me nostalgic for the days when Frank Skinner and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ real-life as well as in the TV studio .
Mine 's a bubble - the friend who happens to run a pub Or the supersized version of the above option .
My favourite bar is managed by a friend on a live-in basis - and from what I can tell , she and her boyfriend have the run of the place right now .
Is it too cheeky to propose a bubble link-up so I can pop in and legally enjoy their big-screen football , pool table and jukebox ?
I pledge to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the beer taps as we patiently wait for the day all pubs can reopen .
Come dine with me - feasting with a foodie friend Those who like to cook love to have people to cook for .
I 'm lucky enough to have a really talented chef among my friends but just having anyone who loves food to share a dinner table with after so many months of living alone is such an attractive choice .
And , yes , if you do the cooking , I can bring dessert .
After @ @ @ @ @ @ @ home , I 'm genuinely undecided - and I suspect so are many other single people ( at least those who do n't have a pressing family issue to consider ) .
And of course , you can only make any of these arrangements if someone agrees for you to join them - and no firm invitations have arrived so far .
Let 's just hope my bubble dreams do n't burst ... • 40,000 DEATHS : Could they have been prevented ?
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• THE R NUMBER : What it means and why it matters

My favourite bar is managed by a friend on a live-in basis - and from what I can tell, she and her boyfriend have the run of the place right now. Is it too cheeky to propose a bubble link-up so I can pop in and legally enjoy their big-screen football, pool table and jukebox? I pledge to do no more than stare longingly at the beer taps as we patiently wait for the day all pubs can reopen.


bbcuk--2020-06-12--Coronavirus: Five ways shopping will be different from now on

On Monday , non-essential shops in England will be allowed to reopen for the first time since the coronavirus lockdown was imposed .
For many people stuck indoors for weeks , it will be a welcome change of scene .
But with hundreds of thousands of confirmed cases of coronavirus in the UK , shopping will not be like it was before 23 March .
Here are five ways it will be different from next week .
1 .
Shops will look very different We 've all seen the 2m markings and arrows on the floor in supermarkets showing customers @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and which way to walk , and this will now be the case in other non-essential stores too .
People will also be asked to keep a set distance between each other on escalators .
At John Lewis , for example , shoppers will be required to stand eight steps behind each other .
And only one person at a time will be allowed to use a lift at the department store , unless they are from the same household .
At Primark , two people can use a lift but only if @ @ @ @ @ @ @ When will shops open and what will the rules be ?
There will be hand sanitising stations throughout shops and people will be encouraged to use hand gel when they enter a shop .
Shop assistants will look different as well .
At Next , employees will wear a protective visor and have the option of wearing an additional mouth and nose mask .
Many retailers are also fitting plastic screens at tills .
And there will be a lot more cleaning going on - of shopping baskets , door handles , counters @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of the few retailers that will allow people to try clothes on but each fitting room will be sanitised by steaming and antibacterial cleaning after each customer use .
Government guidelines recommend people should shop alone where possible so hopes of hitting the stores with friends will have to wait .
Some retailers , such as Primark , will allow a group of people into their shops from Monday but they must be from the same household .
They will also have to follow social distancing rules once they are inside the branch @ @ @ @ @ @ @ UK retail agency team at Colliers International , reckons `` the younger demographic will take advantage of the lifting of restrictions to socialise and visit retail destinations '' .
But that is not expected to happen immediately from Monday as at the moment six people from different households are only allowed to meet outside .
And some shopping malls , such as Manchester 's Trafford Centre and others owned by Intu , have removed indoor seating areas to `` support social distancing '' and `` to discourage people from gathering '' .
Meanwhile @ @ @ @ @ @ @ friend or sitting down for a bite to eat will be limited because some stores will not reopen their in-house cafes or restaurants .
3 .
To touch or not to touch ?
The British Retail Consortium 's guidance is that customers should be discouraged from handling products that they 're not going to buy .
But the policy very much varies from retailer to retailer .
At Selfridges , shoppers can try on shoes and the footwear will be sanitised afterwards .
Kurt Geiger will also allow people to try on shoes @ @ @ @ @ @ @ first as well as a pop sock - but then the footwear will be placed in quarantine for 12 hours .
But at H & M , people will not be allowed to try on footwear at all .
It is the same for clothing .
At Next , for example , customers can handle clothes but at Selfridges , shoppers will be asked not to touch items unless they intend to buy them .
If they do , the garment will be quarantined for 72 hours .
This is based on government @ @ @ @ @ @ @ coronavirus on a surface is likely to be `` reduced significantly '' after a three-day period .
The majority of retailers will close their changing rooms and goods returned will be quarantined for 72 hours .
Some shops will also offer contactless returns .
At Primark , customers will present the item they want to return to a staff member at a till , complete with their receipt which will be scanned .
People will receive their refund and take their item to a returns section where it will be held for 72 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ floor .
At Waterstone 's , that three-day rule will also apply to books that customers browse through in store , which will allow them to `` self-heal '' , according to chief executive James Daunt .
Perhaps unsurprisingly , people will not be allowed to handle makeup or sniff a perfume bottle .
But picking things up in a shop might be a hard habit to break for some , says consumer psychologist Kate Nightingale .
`` There will be this almost automatic behaviour of your muscles where you want to touch @ @ @ @ @ @ @ But then you 're in the middle of the flow of your hand to the counter [ and ] you will remind yourself , 'No , I ca n't . '
'' And this can create other problems .
Conventional wisdom suggests everyone will be delighted to get out of the house and treat themselves to a day 's shopping from Monday .
Not quite , says Ms Nightingale .
Restrictions in shops , such as not touching items or being told which direction to walk in is likely to frustrate people already @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 23 March .
`` We are basically living in a constant state of fear and anxiety - do n't leave the house , do n't touch anyone , do n't do exactly what you were doing before - this is not a normal way of human behaviour , '' says Ms Nightingale .
That means people will be going back to shops after more than three months `` with a pre-existing huge ball of negativity in our head , whether we want it or not '' .
Even the smallest things can cause @ @ @ @ @ @ @ already reopened stores in Canada and the US , shoppers are asked to sanitise their hands before handling any merchandise .
`` There are confrontations in stores about it , '' Doug Putman , the owner of HMV , told the BBC .
`` For some customers , they are very comfortable , for [ others ] , they are a little less comfortable .
And I think it just comes down to your personality type . ''
On the whole , though , he expects people will do their bit .
`` @ @ @ @ @ @ @ public sentiment that even if you do n't believe that you should have to sanitise and this and that , you 're going to do it because it is the right thing . ''
Much like supermarkets , retailers will ask shoppers to queue to prevent overcrowding in stores and allow people to maintain 2m social distancing .
To relieve the tedium , some department store Selfridges will employ DJs to help make it a more `` joyful experience '' .
It may also take longer to pay for your shopping as some @ @ @ @ @ @ @ prevent people being in close proximity to each other .
People may also have to wait for their favourite shop to even open in the first place .
While retailers like Primark will open 153 stores in England on Monday , John Lewis is initially only reopening two sites , at Poole and Kingston-upon-Thames .
It intends to reopen 11 more stores the following week .
Stores are being chosen on the proviso they are easily accessible by car , `` therefore reducing the reliance on public transport for partners and customers '' @

Kurt Geiger will also allow people to try on shoes - provided they use anti-bacterial hand gel first as well as a pop sock - but then the footwear will be placed in quarantine for 12 hours. But at H&M, people will not be allowed to try on footwear at all.


bbcuk--2020-06-12--Can I stay with my boyfriend now? And other questions

When will people be allowed to resume physical contact with a loved one in a bubble scenario ?
I miss my boyfriend of 18 months as we live apart .
If you and your boyfriend both live alone and in England , the good news is that from 13 June , you can form a support bubble , which means that you can spend as much as time as you want in each other ’ s company , inside or outside a house .
You don ’ t have to keep a 2m distance from one another , and you @ @ @ @ @ @ @ s house .
If you are living alone , and your partner is in a shared household ( or vice versa ) , matters get complicated .
You can still form a support bubble with your boyfriend but it will also be with his household , and it would be the only bubble allowed to that household .
What this means is that if one of your boyfriend ’ s housemates has a partner who is - like you - living elsewhere and alone , that couple will be prevented from meeting up @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of people who are living alone ( or alone with children ) .
If both you and your boyfriend are living in shared households , you are not allowed to form one and you are restricted to meeting outdoors and at a distance of 2m from each other .
You can not form a support bubble with your boyfriend if he lives in Scotland or Wales , although Northern Ireland has announced that it is also introducing support bubbles from 13 June..

How is the government going to protect vulnerable children who remain unvaccinated? My son has cystic fibrosis and will now be forced to mix - he has not had any access to vaccination.
Because your son is in a clinical risk group - and as long as he is over five - he should soon be offered two doses of the Pfizer vaccine. You should be contacted by your GP or specialist team to arrange this.
With regard to the dangers of mixing, the UK has also recommended that Covid vaccines are offered to all children aged 5 to 11, not just those at high clinical risk. This is likely to start in England in April. Children are generally at much lower risk of becoming seriously ill from a Covid infection, although some do still get sick and need hospital care. Over-12s can already be vaccinated, and it's hoped that extending the rollout to younger age groups will help protect even more children from the risk of catching and spreading Covid.
Schools are expected to work with and support families who have concerns about a pupil returning to the classroom. It is compulsory for school-age children to attend, even if they were previously shielding - the only exception is a small number of children whose clinician or GP has advised them not to attend. If you have concerns about this, you should talk to your doctor.


bbcuk--2020-06-12--Coronavirus: London bus driver on working during pandemic

In London , at least 29 bus drivers have died from Covid-19 .
BBC News Arabic followed British Iraqi bus @ @ @ @ @ the early days of lockdown , as she navigated her fears of working on the @ @ @ @ @ her 16-year-old daughter .

At least 29 bus drivers in London have died from Covid-19.
BBC News Arabic followed British Iraqi bus driver Susan from the early days of lockdown, as she navigated her fears of working on the front line and worries about her 16-year-old daughter.


bbcuk--2020-06-12--Coronavirus: How GPs are changing the way they work

Covid-19 has transformed how GPs work - from having to wear full PPE instead of ordinary clothes , to seeing a huge decline in the number of patients they are seeing .
Here 's how one practice in Liverpool has adapted .
Dr Debbie Noland is living with a new reality .
A few months ago , the Liverpool GP would have dressed relatively casually for a day seeing patients at the Ropewalks Practice in the city centre .
Now she is in medical scrubs and full protective clothing - face mask , visor , gloves and apron .
`` @ @ @ @ @ @ @ look like I did when I was a medical student working in the hospital in surgery , '' says Dr Noland .
`` It 's definitely far more challenging - and the job is challenging enough without the extra stress .
`` Having to go home and put your scrubs into a 60-degree wash , so you do n't pass it on to your family .
It 's a completely different world than pre-Covid , that 's for sure . ''
Even when she is seeing patients with no Covid symptoms , Dr @ @ @ @ @ @ @ infection while , simultaneously , being able to check out potentially dangerous conditions .
• How GPs have stopped seeing most patients in person • GPs not told when patients removed from 'shielding lists' • GPs use donated PPE after 'nothing received since March' '' If you need to listen to somebody 's chest or you need to listen to somebody 's heart - you need to do that .
`` I feel like I am as covered and protected as I possibly can be .
I would much prefer to make sure @ @ @ @ @ @ @ miss something . ''
Patients are assessed in advance over the phone , including questions on whether or not they have coronavirus symptoms .
But since chest pain is exactly the type of thing that might indicate the development of another serious condition , some patients have to attend the surgery for an examination .
In between each appointment , Dr Noland must clean the room and change her personal protective equipment ( PPE ) .
`` When the patient has left , I 'll clean down the room before anyone else comes @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ) so it is as safe as it possible can be .
It may not be as approachable , but we are doing our best to make sure everyone can feel safe coming into a GP surgery . ''
All this means a much slower trickle of patients .
This time last year the surgery was seeing around 130 patients a day for GP appointments , blood tests or just to pick up a prescription .
But on the day we visited , just 24 patients attended the surgery , all by appointment @ @ @ @ @ @ @ an online booking and assessment system last September , so most patients were accustomed to a more remote way of working .
But still , the change is stark : a normally busy waiting room now has just one patient at a time .
Some patients are happy to come to the surgery .
But Dr Noland says there are growing fears over those who are too worried about the risk of infection to come in .
`` The amount of people I have spoken to on the phone with anxiety and depression @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , but it 's the last straw that broke the camel 's back .
`` They ca n't cope now .
It has been a massive impact .
`` People are still having heart attacks , they are still having strokes , they are still having cancer , unfortunately .
`` And there are a lot of other people that are dying of other things that seem to have been forgotten a little bit .
`` It 's a massive hidden cost of lockdown and that is really worrying for all of us @ @ @ @ @ @ @ epidemic [ of non-Covid illnesses ] and we are just waiting for it to come. ''
. ''
The surgery is divided into two zones , with Dr Noland seeing her Covid-free patients in the 'green zone ' on the first floor of the building .
Downstairs is the 'red zone , for those patients who are displaying Covid-19 symptoms , with a separate entrance to the rest of the surgery .
The receptionist , as well as the GP , wears full PPE .
Tina Atkins , the practice management partner , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ exposure to infected patients .
`` We do n't have anything other than an examination couch and a chair - we do n't use any of the IT equipment .
`` We also say to patients if they arrive early : 'please stay in your car outside ' because the slots are timed , so we do n't cross-contaminate patients . ''
Ropewalks is a `` hub '' for nine practices in Liverpool .
Each one directs coronavirus patients to the Ropewalks General Practice so the surrounding practices can maintain a Covid-free environment @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , the surgery saw around 5-8 cases a day , but on the day we visited , no-one needed to be seen .
Phone consultations are part of the new norm , especially when checking up on those who are shielding .
Practice nurse Moira Cain says : `` With not going out at all , you 're worried about people 's mental health and their wellbeing .
So the fact they 're getting a phone call from someone who cares must be some reassurance .
`` It 's reassuring for us to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ are having food taken into them , they are sleeping ok - they have n't got any other symptoms . ''
But she adds : `` What we have found is the footfall to primary care , as well as A & E , is really reduced .
`` Are people sitting at home with chest pain ?
With shortness of breath ?
Have they got swollen ankles ?
Because if they have , they should really come in . ''
Social distancing , PPE , the fear of infection - all are @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
But GPs want their patients to know that , despite appearances - the empty waiting rooms , the 'red zone ' , they are still very much open for business .
• RISK AT WORK : How exposed is your job ?
• SCHOOLS : When will children be returning ?
• THE R NUMBER : What it means and why it matters • LOOK-UP TOOL : How many cases in your area ?

"When the patient has left, I'll clean down the room before anyone else comes in and change all my(PPE) so it is as safe as it possible can be. It may not be as approachable, but we are doing our best to make sure everyone can feel safe coming into a GP surgery."


bbcuk--2020-06-12--Coronavirus: What a shrinking economy means for Luton

The UK economy shrank by a record 20.4 % in April as England spent its first full month in lockdown because of the coronavirus pandemic .
What does this number mean for a town such as Luton , which largely relies on the movement of people ? '
I ca n't wait to get back to normality' Nakotey Jackson Odjidja was made redundant from a footwear company when lockdown began .
`` For me personally I 'm losing my spirit a little bit with not working and being forced to stay home , '' the 39-year-old , from Luton , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to get back to normality . ''
Mr Odjidja has signed up with a recruitment agency to help him find work , but he lives in a town that his council says is one of the most vulnerable to the financial impact of coronavirus .
`` Most people here work in warehouses or factories in the town .
When I moved here from London in 2012 I was shocked just how many of the people here work in those kind of jobs .
`` Things are gradually starting to open up in the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ open in The Mall [ shopping centre ] now , so the mood is starting to pick up but I think there will be a lot of suffering after all of this . ''
What is the jobs market like in Luton ?
In normal circumstances , April would have seen countless holidaymakers flock to the town as a gateway to their Easter break destination of choice .
Luton Airport is the UK 's fifth busiest airport - with more than 18 million users in 2019 - and any loss of travellers inevitably @ @ @ @ @ @ @ local economy .
About 40 % of the area 's employment relies on a fully functioning airport , says Luton Borough Council .
Travel firm Tui , which has a base in Luton , has warned 8,000 jobs would go as it tries to cut costs by 30 % in a major restructuring .
The airline EasyJet has its headquarters in the town , and has said it will cut up to 30 % of its workforce - about 4,500 jobs - as it struggles with a collapse in air travel caused by @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the airline , who was furloughed at the start of lockdown , said it had been a `` difficult time '' with `` reduced pay on furlough and then redundancies '' .
`` Friends and colleagues are affected and we are all going through some pain , '' he said .
The employee said despite the situation , EasyJet have been `` very good '' and `` tried to support as much as they can through furlough top up payments and enhanced voluntary redundancy options '' .
In 2017 , Luton lost another @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Last year the airline 's engineering arm , which was based at London Luton Airport , went into administration - leading to the loss of 408 jobs .
The EasyJet worker , who wanted to remain anonymous , said : `` We lost Monarch recently and whilst I am confident EasyJet and Tui will survive there will be some short term damage to people .
`` I hope the desire to sit on a beach and go on holiday helps the industry to recover quickly , although projections are not as optimistic @ @ @ @ @ @ @ airport in security and operations `` making sure the whole airport runs smoothly '' .
The 51-year-old said that his team have gone down from having 50-70 staff on each shift to a `` skeletal staff '' of about 20 .
He has also seen jobs within the airport being lost including baggage handlers , aircraft cleaners and check-in staff .
• What happens when there is a recession ?
Mr Pulandaran said the whole situation has left him feeling `` very , very sad '' and he likened it to when planes @ @ @ @ @ @ @ volcanic eruption in Iceland .
`` I 've been in love with the airline industry since a young age .
`` The industry taking a hit like this is very surreal , looking up to the sky and not hearing a plane flying or taking off from Luton was very unreal . ''
In what could be seen as a further blow to the airline economy , from Monday , people travelling to the UK have faced a fine of up to £1,000 if they do not quarantine for 14 days .
Airlines @ @ @ @ @ @ @ launched legal action against what they call a `` flawed '' policy , claiming it would have a `` devastating effect on British tourism and the wider economy '' .
What has been the wider impact ?
Recent analysis by the Centre for Cities found that Luton , with a population of more than 200,000 , was in the top 10 in the UK for places where jobs are most at risk of furloughing .
Government figures show that more than 25,000 people in Luton have been placed on the furlough scheme .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ the airline business that have been affected .
Vehicle company Vauxhall halted production at its Luton plant - which employs 1,600 - for about two months before restrictions imposed to tackle the coronavirus pandemic were loosened .
The Recruitment and Employment Confederation has also found the number of active job postings in Luton has been decreasing steadily for the past few weeks , by about 1-2 % per week .
What will happen next ?
To help fund its local services , Luton Borough Council uses profits from the airport , which it @ @ @ @ @ @ @ drop in airport revenue amid a `` catastrophic '' drop in passenger numbers .
That has contributed to what the council calls a `` massive '' £49m shortfall in its finances , leaving it needing to make £22m in cuts in an emergency budget .
Finance portfolio holder Andy Malcolm called the position `` stark '' and acknowledged the cuts were `` not going to be pleasant '' .
The council 's Labour leader , Hazel Simmons MBE , has said the authority have lobbied the government `` relentlessly to understand the dire @ @ @ @ @ @ @ She pleaded with government to `` give us the support we need to avert catastrophe in Luton '' .
A Ministry of Housing , Communities and Local Government spokesman said : `` Luton Council has received £11.26m of emergency funding to tackle the pressures they have told us they 're facing while their core spending power rose by over £8.9m this financial year even before the additional funding was announced .
`` We recognise some councils with strategic investments , such as airports , are put in an exceptional position by this crisis @ @ @ @ @ @ @ closely with Luton Council to help them navigate through this difficult situation , so they can continue to serve their local community . ''

"Things are gradually starting to open up in the town and there are a few shops open in The Mall [shopping centre] now, so the mood is starting to pick up but I think there will be a lot of suffering after all of this."


bbcuk--2020-06-12--How many statues of black people are there?

The killing of George Floyd has sparked weeks of protests in the UK and a debate about history and diversity .
Monuments to those involved in the slave trade are being scrutinised , with many calling for them to be removed .
The Mayor of London Sadiq Khan has said that , rather than simply removing statues , new monuments should be erected to commemorate the role minorities have had on British history , including the Windrush Generation and murdered schoolboy Stephen Lawrence .
How many statues are there of black individuals ?
The short answer is we do n't @ @ @ @ @ @ @ approved at a local level , there is no one central place for listing them .
However , the Public Monuments & Sculpture Association ( PMSA ) has recorded thousands of statues across England , Wales and Scotland .
These are statues or sculptures publicly available ( very few are on private estates ) and almost all are located outside .
• Reality Check : Where are all the female statues ?
We looked at 968 public statues or sculptures in the database , of which 610 were identifiable as named people .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ black individuals - two of Nelson Mandela and one of Desmond Tutu ( although the latter is placed inside Lewisham Town Hall ) .
But while this list gives some insight , it is incomplete .
Much of it is based on volunteer work and some newer statues will not have been added to the database .
In the past decade , there appears to have been a more concerted effort to reflect the UK 's current and historical diversity .
Using online news clippings , we found 175 named statues built since @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , 21 were of black and minority ethnic ( BAME ) individuals , including 11 of black individuals .
Of these , just six of the statues were of black Britons .
• A statue of West Bromwich Albion players Cyrille Regis , Brendon Batson and Laurie Cunningham ( the last of whom has another statue at Leyton Orient ) • Footballer and soldier Walter Tull , who became the first black officer to lead white British soldiers into battle We also found a few other outdoor , clearly-named statues from before 2007 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ list .
These include a statue in Bristol of the poet and playwright Alfred Fagon .
Historic England , a charity which manages monuments and buildings , notes that just two of its listed statues are of black individuals - a bust of Nelson Mandela in London 's South Bank and 'Platforms Piece ' in Brixton .
The latter is not included in our analysis , as the statues - created in 1986 and thought to be the first statues of black British people - are not named historical figures .
Taking all @ @ @ @ @ @ @ believe that there are a total of 15 outdoor statues of named black individuals in the UK .
Avril Nanton runs tours focussing on black history in London .
She says she has identified more than 30 statues , busts and carvings representing black people in the city but not all of these are of named individuals .
Those which are include boxer Nicola Adams , musician Jazzie B and Spurs footballer Ledley King , who are captured in walking and cycling charity Sustran 's portrait bench project , but might not be @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that in her experience the representation across London varies .
`` You know an area like east London which has a lot of Asian , black people , has practically nil representation and an area like Westminster which is basically full of the mainstream people , has a lot of black statues which is interesting , '' she says .
Historic England is also responsible for London 's 950 blue plaques , which identify buildings with connections to notable figures .
It says that less than 4 % of the plaques are dedicated @ @ @ @ @ @ @ charity says one of the issues in the past has been a lack of public nominations of ethnic minority figures , although they are working to improve representation .
However , they added they are not aware of plaques recognising figures directly involved in the slave trade .
Of Historic Environment Scotland 's 88 plaques , one is dedicated to African-American anti-slavery campaigner Frederick Douglass .
In Northern Ireland , the Ulster History Circle manages a similar scheme , of which one plaque commemorates Dr Ernest Grail Armattoe , a black physician .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ in the slave trade ?
Looking at the Historic England and PSMA 's listings of statues and monuments , we identified at least 15 statues of individuals who directly profited from and personally invested in the slave trade , excluding memorials in churches or graveyards .
• Three of Sir Robert Clayton , a merchant banker who invested in the Royal African Company ( RAC ) , a trading company which shipped African slaves to the Americas .
• Thomas Guy , who invested in the South Seas Company , which attempted to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ • Edward Colston , another member of the RAC , whose statue has been removed in Bristol .
• Sir John Cass , also involved with the RAC and slavery who previously lent his name to Cass Business School in London .
• Robert Milligan , merchant and slave owner , whose statue was removed in east London .
Again , this is not a complete list , given that the databases are incomplete and some contributions to the slave trade are clearer than others .
Many others will have profited from or @ @ @ @ @ @ @ For example , prime minister William Gladstone has at least six statues .
He was the son of a slave owner and helped his father secure compensation when the practice was abolished .
The great-great-grandson of William Gladstone has said he will not oppose removing a statue of the statesman from the family 's home village .
But while there are statues of individuals who supported slavery , there are also ones of people - often the contemporaries of those profiting from slavery - who vigorously condemned the practice .
In total , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of individuals who campaigned against the slave trade , including Joseph Priestly and William Wilberforce .
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Historic England, a charity which manages monuments and buildings, notes that just two of its listed statues are of black individuals - a bust of Nelson Mandela in London's South Bank and 'Platforms Piece' in Brixton. The latter is not included in our analysis, as the statues - created in 1986 and thought to be the first statues of black British people - are not named historical figures.


bbcuk--2020-06-12--Candice Brathwaite: 'I've never been more aware of my blackness'

Candice Brathwaite is an author , blogger and Instagram influencer whose writing about the challenges faced by black mothers has helped open people 's eyes .
In her debut book , I Am Not Your Baby Mother , which was published last month , she examines issues such as unconscious bias , microaggression and white privilege .
Here , in her own words , she talks about how racism has affected her life - and of her hopes for the future . '
I had to provide a receipt for my champagne' On the day my book was published , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ A bundle of customers were exiting the supermarket and of course only I got stopped .
Of course , I 'm asked to produce a receipt .
I 'm in a proper whizz-bang outfit , I 'm dressed to the nines , but it just goes to show dressing - the class I 'm in , the school my kid goes to - does not negate the fact that I 'm a black woman , usually in very white situations , and that is always seen as something of a problem .
That @ @ @ @ @ @ @ means I 'm waking up every day with a heaviness , with an expectance of having to prove myself , of being judged .
Every time my husband drives his car and the music is a bit too loud and he pulls up next to the police ; his body 's instinct is to turn the music down .
I see 19-year-old white boys joyriding - not a care in the world .
So there is a distinct heaviness that a black person wears because we know when we 're in a space @ @ @ @ @ @ @ we know we have to adjust and conform and not be seen as problematic , and that in itself is exhausting .
'How long is it going to take ? '
Martin Luther King had this dream , Obama had this dream and we 've been dreaming .
The dream - the absolute utopia - is a post-racial society .
But how long is it going to take ?
Writer and activist James Baldwin said in the 1980s : `` You had my father 's time , my mother 's time , my @ @ @ @ @ @ @ do you want for your progress ?
Because in the interim , black people are still dying . ''
The Black Lives Matter movement is not new ; police brutality in the UK and the US is not new .
These conversations have been happening since before I was born .
The New Cross fire was before I was born .
I do n't think people who are n't black comprehend how this has an effect on our mental health .
The emotional labour of trying to teach or change minds or raise @ @ @ @ @ @ @ so , exhausting .
I also think within the black community itself we do n't speak about it enough , because mental health is still very much a taboo for the black community .
I do think there is room for discussion where you do n't need to die like George [ Floyd ] did , you do n't need to be living through a situation like the Stephen Lawrence family ; this is impacting black people in a way that you ca n't see .
Every black person has their two days @ @ @ @ @ @ @ realise you 're black , the second one is when you 're ostracised for it .
The dream is to eradicate that .
The thing with racism , especially in the UK , is it 's always like `` prove it then , go on , prove your pain , prove the situation '' . '
I 've never been more aware of my blackness' I grew up in London but the decision to move to Milton Keynes felt really simple .
We found out we were having a son , and knife @ @ @ @ @ @ @ steady rise - I see knife crime as an epidemic - so it was n't a risk I was prepared to take .
The country to us is Milton Keynes ; you 're in the green and you 're not in the hustle and bustle .
But it has come at a grave cost because never before since being born in the UK have I been more aware of my blackness in a space , especially when we first moved here , in a little village .
I 've never been more aware @ @ @ @ @ @ @ we are now one of one .
And then in the school my daughter first attended , a child refused to play with her because she was black .
That would never have happened in London , ever .
It 's such a melting pot of multi-cultural diversity .
So I 'm constantly stuck between a rock and a hard place because I moved to potentially save my future son , but , in the interim , we now have a long list of microaggressions to deal with .
We now have a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ us a little too long .
I 've not lived here long enough yet to say if it was worth it .
I do know that violent crime is lower here .
In the two years that we 've lived in Milton Keynes I only know of one violent stabbing where two young people died .
And when you compare that to London , it is not a comparison .
But what a rubbish situation to be in .
I 'm going to choose between my son being stabbed to death or racism @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in times of trauma' When people say they do n't see colour , that writes off centuries of historical pain and it 's really unfair .
I think it 's a bit of a cop-out to say `` I do n't see colour '' .
In order to even say you `` do n't see colour and we treat everyone equally '' , we 've all got to be on an equal footing .
And black people in the UK and around the world just are n't yet .
So the change from @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to actively being anti-racist , to actively teaching children about white supremacy and their place in privilege and power and what they can do , to help their black peers or their minority peers , is where it needs to be .
Even though I do this work , this is n't my 24/7 lived experience .
Sometimes I get dressed up to go out and now I sit in my living room and have a good time .
I like fashion , I like beauty , I like nails , I watch @ @ @ @ @ @ @ our names are never in the hat for day-to-day joyful content , for day-to-day joyful work ; we are only ever called upon in times of trauma .
And the fact that I 'm not included in the day-to-day softness of the world , that in itself is racism .
That in itself is exclusion .
'The noise around the world is getting louder' I know myself and my peers do feel like sometimes 'is it worth it ? '
because we genuinely feel like we wo n't live to embrace the moment @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
I genuinely feel that .
But also I 've never seen anything like this universal protest in my life .
So like the Obamas say about their time in the White House , progress is n't just this uphill trajectory , there will be dips .
But right now I see , ooh we 've gone a step up .
The noise around the world is getting louder and so even though I might not get to see the day , I 'm committed to my kids ' kids seeing the day @ @ @ @ @ @ @ now , I think it 's just the timing .
Everyone 's at home , everyone is glued to their screens .
Before , people may have perhaps seen that video and gone 'gosh this is really bad , like what are they going to do to solve that problem ? '
But with lockdown and everyone being in their homes , they can reckon with and understand that 'no , we 're a part of the problem and this responsibility is on us ' .
In this time of silence and stillness @ @ @ @ @ @ @ can we be doing to make sure this never happens again ?
I want people to learn , especially white people , that being an ally does n't always have to be a grand gesture .
It certainly does n't always have to be public .
Maybe it 's you mentoring a black person , or helping them to climb that career ladder - all those things add up .
Not all change is going to happen through protesting .
We need protesting , we need social media , but this is a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ just have to do one thing .
Find out what you 're good at and comfortable with because once you find out what you 're most comfortable with , that 's what you 're going to do all the time .

Candice Brathwaite: 'We are only ever called upon in times of trauma' Published 13 June 2020
Image source, Papa B Image caption, Candice Brathwaite: "The first day is when you realise you're black - the second one is when you're ostracised for it"
Candice Brathwaite is an author, blogger and Instagram influencer whose writing about the challenges faced by black mothers has helped open people's eyes.
In her debut book, I Am Not Your Baby Mother, which was published last month, she examines issues such as unconscious bias, microaggression and white privilege.
Here, in her own words, she talks about how racism has affected her life - and of her hopes for the future.
'I had to provide a receipt for my champagne'
Image source, Zoe Timmers Image caption, Brathwaite has more than 150,000 followers on Instagram - a number that is steadily climbing
On the day my book was published, I went out to buy champagne. A bundle of customers were exiting the supermarket and of course only I got stopped. Of course, I'm asked to produce a receipt.
I'm in a proper whizz-bang outfit, I'm dressed to the nines, but it just goes to show dressing - the class I'm in, the school my kid goes to - does not negate the fact that I'm a black woman, usually in very white situations, and that is always seen as something of a problem.
That in itself is a microaggression because that means I'm waking up every day with a heaviness, with an expectance of having to prove myself, of being judged.
Every time my husband drives his car and the music is a bit too loud and he pulls up next to the police; his body's instinct is to turn the music down. I see 19-year-old white boys joyriding - not a care in the world.
So there is a distinct heaviness that a black person wears because we know when we're in a space where we're in the minority, we know we have to adjust and conform and not be seen as problematic, and that in itself is exhausting.
This Instagram post cannot be displayed in your browser. Please enable Javascript or try a different browser. View original content on Instagram The BBC is not responsible for the content of external sites. Skip instagram post by candicebrathwaite Allow Instagram content? This article contains content provided by Instagram. We ask for your permission before anything is loaded, as they may be using cookies and other technologies. You may want to read Meta’s Instagram cookie policy, external and privacy policy, external before accepting. To view this content choose ‘accept and continue’. Accept and continue The BBC is not responsible for the content of external sites. End of instagram post by candicebrathwaite
'How long is it going to take?'
Martin Luther King had this dream, Obama had this dream and we've been dreaming. The dream - the absolute utopia - is a post-racial society.
But how long is it going to take? Writer and activist James Baldwin said in the 1980s: "You had my father's time, my mother's time, my sister's time - how much time do you want for your progress? Because in the interim, black people are still dying."
The Black Lives Matter movement is not new; police brutality in the UK and the US is not new. These conversations have been happening since before I was born. The New Cross fire was before I was born.
Image source, Getty Images Image caption, Author James Baldwin was a prominent activist in the mid-20th Century
I don't think people who aren't black comprehend how this has an effect on our mental health. The emotional labour of trying to teach or change minds or raise awareness about racial injustice is so, so, exhausting.
I also think within the black community itself we don't speak about it enough, because mental health is still very much a taboo for the black community.
I do think there is room for discussion where you don't need to die like George [Floyd] did, you don't need to be living through a situation like the Stephen Lawrence family; this is impacting black people in a way that you can't see.
Every black person has their two days. The first one is when you realise you're black, the second one is when you're ostracised for it. The dream is to eradicate that.
The thing with racism, especially in the UK, is it's always like "prove it then, go on, prove your pain, prove the situation".
'I've never been more aware of my blackness'
Image source, Candice Brathwaite Image caption, Brathwaite has helped raise awareness that black mothers are much more likely to die than white mothers
I grew up in London but the decision to move to Milton Keynes felt really simple. We found out we were having a son, and knife crime is on such a steep and steady rise - I see knife crime as an epidemic - so it wasn't a risk I was prepared to take.
The country to us is Milton Keynes; you're in the green and you're not in the hustle and bustle.
But it has come at a grave cost because never before since being born in the UK have I been more aware of my blackness in a space, especially when we first moved here, in a little village. I've never been more aware of my blackness, ever, because we are now one of one.
And then in the school my daughter first attended, a child refused to play with her because she was black. That would never have happened in London, ever. It's such a melting pot of multi-cultural diversity.
So I'm constantly stuck between a rock and a hard place because I moved to potentially save my future son, but, in the interim, we now have a long list of microaggressions to deal with. We now have a long list of people who look at us a little too long.
I've not lived here long enough yet to say if it was worth it. I do know that violent crime is lower here. In the two years that we've lived in Milton Keynes I only know of one violent stabbing where two young people died. And when you compare that to London, it is not a comparison.
But what a rubbish situation to be in. I'm going to choose between my son being stabbed to death or racism.
'We are only ever called upon in times of trauma'
Image source, Candice Brathwaite Image caption, "I'm not included in the day-to-day softness of the world," the author says
When people say they don't see colour, that writes off centuries of historical pain and it's really unfair. I think it's a bit of a cop-out to say "I don't see colour". In order to even say you "don't see colour and we treat everyone equally", we've all got to be on an equal footing.
And black people in the UK and around the world just aren't yet.
So the change from "I don't see colour" to actively being anti-racist, to actively teaching children about white supremacy and their place in privilege and power and what they can do, to help their black peers or their minority peers, is where it needs to be.
Even though I do this work, this isn't my 24/7 lived experience. Sometimes I get dressed up to go out and now I sit in my living room and have a good time.
I like fashion, I like beauty, I like nails, I watch TV, I read books. But our names are never in the hat for day-to-day joyful content, for day-to-day joyful work; we are only ever called upon in times of trauma.
And the fact that I'm not included in the day-to-day softness of the world, that in itself is racism. That in itself is exclusion.
'The noise around the world is getting louder'
Image source, Getty Images Image caption, Thousands of people have attended recent protests held in London
I know myself and my peers do feel like sometimes 'is it worth it?' because we genuinely feel like we won't live to embrace the moment when we're in a post-racial society. I genuinely feel that.
But also I've never seen anything like this universal protest in my life. So like the Obamas say about their time in the White House, progress isn't just this uphill trajectory, there will be dips. But right now I see, ooh we've gone a step up.
The noise around the world is getting louder and so even though I might not get to see the day, I'm committed to my kids' kids seeing the day.
This Instagram post cannot be displayed in your browser. Please enable Javascript or try a different browser. View original content on Instagram The BBC is not responsible for the content of external sites. Skip instagram post 2 by candicebrathwaite Allow Instagram content? This article contains content provided by Instagram. We ask for your permission before anything is loaded, as they may be using cookies and other technologies. You may want to read Meta’s Instagram cookie policy, external and privacy policy, external before accepting. To view this content choose ‘accept and continue’. Accept and continue The BBC is not responsible for the content of external sites. End of instagram post 2 by candicebrathwaite
As for why this is happening now, I think it's just the timing. Everyone's at home, everyone is glued to their screens. Before, people may have perhaps seen that video and gone 'gosh this is really bad, like what are they going to do to solve that problem?'
But with lockdown and everyone being in their homes, they can reckon with and understand that 'no, we're a part of the problem and this responsibility is on us'. In this time of silence and stillness for a lot of us, what can we be doing to make sure this never happens again?
I want people to learn, especially white people, that being an ally doesn't always have to be a grand gesture. It certainly doesn't always have to be public.
Maybe it's you mentoring a black person, or helping them to climb that career ladder - all those things add up.
Not all change is going to happen through protesting. We need protesting, we need social media, but this is a multi-pronged attack here; you don't just have to do one thing.
Find out what you're good at and comfortable with because once you find out what you're most comfortable with, that's what you're going to do all the time.
As told to Rebecca Cafe


bbcuk--2020-06-12--Rapper Piers James urges Black Lives Matter to 'keep up pressure'

One of the UK 's rising hip-hop artists said the Black Lives Matter movement should `` not slow down the pressure '' for change .
Like many artists , Piers James delayed the release of his latest single to support the anti-racism protests across the world .
Ca n't Be My Girl debuted on BBC 1Xtra earlier this week .
James said it was important to `` keep having these difficult conversations with people '' .
Last week , radio stations and TV channels changed their programmes to mark `` Blackout Tuesday '' , reflecting on George Floyd 's death @ @ @ @ @ @ @ labels and music stars stopped work to observe the initiative .
Protests were also held around the UK , including about 1,000 people in James ' hometown of Ipswich .
James said : `` I think it 's sparked something around the world that me as black man , and we as a people we will no longer stand for .
`` But I 'm so glad looking around and seeing my friends , seeing my family and seeing all people on social media coming together in such a unified form , it @ @ @ @ @ @ @ The musician , who has been described as Britain 's hottest up-and-coming hip hop star , was chosen by Ed Sheeran to open his 45,000 capacity homecoming show in Ipswich 's Chantry Park last summer .
James , now based in London , said : `` Every single time one of my songs goes on national radio I think back to when my Mum would put on the radio and the songs I would hear . ''
The 30-year-old said he hoped the recent Black Lives Matter protests were not `` just a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ It 's important to not slow down the pressure and to keep applying these processes and keep having these difficult conversations with people so we can really go about change , '' he said .
`` Not just go and do a protest and that 's it done for the year . ''
James added : `` We as a whole need the mentality of 'we can go about change ' .
`` But not until we all get everyone on board with wanting to educate themselves can we go forward . ''
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ on Facebook , Instagram and Twitter .
If you have a story suggestion email eastofenglandnews @ bbc.co.uk

"It's important to not slow down the pressure and to keep applying these processes and keep having these difficult conversations with people so we can really go about change," he said.


Profile: Robert Jenrick

Among his tasks are some of Whitehall 's most intractable : dealing with councils whose budgets have been cut substantially since 2010 ; encouraging businesses - hit badly by coronavirus - to invest and grow ; and tackling the housing crisis .
As well as these largely behind-the-scenes roles , the smartly turned-out 38-year-old has become a familiar figure to teatime TV audiences in recent weeks .
The housing , communities and local government secretary for England is one of a select few cabinet ministers chosen to front daily Downing Street briefings on the pandemic .
But the father-of-three has @ @ @ @ @ @ @ his own .
With lockdown in place , it emerged he had driven 150 miles from London to his Herefordshire home , and then another 40 miles to deliver food and medicine , he said , to his self-isolating parents .
And now he faces questions from Labour , the Liberal Democrats and the SNP over his decision in January to approve a £1bn building project in east London - two weeks before developer Richard Desmond gave £12,000 to the Conservatives .
It also transpired that Mr Jenrick and Mr Desmond had sat @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Party fundraising dinner last November .
Mr Jenrick has admitted his decision could have looked like an example of `` bias '' , but insists there was no `` actual bias '' and that he did not act improperly .
Coverage of the issue has been swamped by coronavirus and its economic effects , but his political opponents , scenting possible damage to the government 's reputation , are unlikely to let up any time soon .
Robert Edward Jenrick was born in Wolverhampton on 9 January , 1982 .
He grew up @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Grammar School .
He then studied history at St John 's College , Cambridge , where he gained a first-class degree and wrote for the Varsity student newspaper .
After university , Mr Jenrick worked as a solicitor for the Skadden Apps and Sullivan and Cromwell firms , in London and Moscow .
He moved into business , becoming an international managing director of the auction house Christie 's .
But politics beckoned and , in 2010 , he stood as the Conservative candidate for Newcastle-under-Lyme , Staffordshire , losing to Labour incumbent @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of the vote .
Mr Jenrick did n't have to wait long for a second chance at becoming an MP .
He contested the by-election in Newark , Nottinghamshire , in 2014 , prompted by the resignation of Conservative Patrick Mercer over a cash-for-questions scandal .
He won , seeing off a UKIP challenge at a time when that party was polling strongly , delighting the then PM , David Cameron .
It was the first Conservative hold in Parliamentary by-election while in government since 1989 , when future leader William Hague took @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Hague - leader of the Tories at 36 - Mr Jenrick has not hung about in reaching the upper echelons of politics since coming to Westminster .
He served briefly on the health select committee before working as an aide to ministers including Home Secretary Amber Rudd and Justice Secretary Michael Gove .
In January 2018 he became a minister , when then Prime Minister Theresa May appointed him Exchequer Secretary to the Treasury .
Just 18 months later , when he took over from Mrs May , Boris Johnson promoted Mr Jenrick @ @ @ @ @ @ @ state for housing , development and local government .
This made him the youngest member of the cabinet .
Mr Jenrick 's in-tray is full of enormous and difficult issues , with planning and housing among the most difficult .
The job and his TV appearances have increased his public profile , with some pundits suggesting he could go higher still in government .
But with all the attention , as he is discovering , comes a great deal more scrutiny .

Coverage of the issue has been swamped by coronavirus and its economic effects, but his political opponents, scenting possible damage to the government's reputation, are unlikely to let up any time soon.


bbcuk--2020-06-12--The Royal Opera House chorus reunites online for Queen's official birthday

Fifty-two members of the Royal Opera House 's chorus have reunited online to wish the Queen a happy official birthday @ @ @ @ @ trying to find ways of coming together since being furloughed in March due to the @ @ @ @ @ to record a re-worked version of the National Anthem , with the whole project taking @ @ @ @ @

Fifty-two members of the Royal Opera House's chorus have reunited online to wish the Queen a happy official birthday.
The chorus has been trying to find ways of coming together since being furloughed in March due to the coronavirus pandemic.
So they decided to record a reworked version of the national anthem, with the whole project taking two weeks to complete.
Read more: Queen's birthday to be marked with new ceremony


bbcuk--2020-06-12--Kiara Fox started a virtual pride to support the LGBT community during coronavirus

Last month , seventeen-year-old Kiara Fox came up with an idea to run a Virtual Pride on social media .
@ @ @ @ @ had her 18th birthday , 300,000 new followers and a Virtual Pride that ’ s @ @ @ @ @ ’ s also providing vital learning resources and support to queer people of colour too @ @ @ @ @ the murder of George Floyd .

Teenager Kiara Fox came up with the idea to run a Virtual Pride on social media last month. Since then, she’s had her 18th birthday, 300,000 new followers and an event that’s reaching millions.
It’s now also providing vital learning resources and support to queer people of colour, as the world reacts to the death of George Floyd.
Producer: Sophia Smith Galer
Montage of Virtual Pride courtesy of Kiara Fox


bbcuk--2020-06-12--Black Lives Matter: Boris Johnson says protests have been hijacked

It is `` absurd and wrong '' that a statue of Winston Churchill has been covered up to prevent it @ @ @ @ @ prime minister has suggested .
Boris Johnson said he understood why people felt outraged by @ @ @ @ @ , but that protests had been hijacked by a minority `` using them as a @ @ @ @ @ , to cause violence and to cause damage to public property '' .
A number @ @ @ @ @ been removed or boarded up to protect them during Black Lives Matter protests .

It is "absurd and wrong" that a statue of Winston Churchill has been covered up to prevent it from being damaged, the prime minister has suggested.
Boris Johnson said he understood why people felt outraged by the death of George Floyd, but that protests had been hijacked by a minority "using them as a pretext to attack the police, to cause violence and to cause damage to public property".
A number of statues and monuments have been removed or boarded up to protect them during Black Lives Matter protests.
Read more:Johnson: Protests threat to Churchill statue shameful


bbcuk--2020-06-12--Newspaper headlines: Churchill statue 'entombed' and future of the 2m rule

Sir Winston 's grandson , the MP Sir Nicholas Soames , has condemned the protesters who defaced the statue , @ @ @ @ @ But the paper 's top story is on the social distancing rule requiring people to @ @ @ @ @ reports that after a `` widespread political backlash '' , government scientists have said the @ @ @ @ @ businesses as long as they bring in other measures .
The paper says a No @ @ @ @ @ rule could come `` within days '' .

In a swipe at Sadiq Khan, she says the situation is "a sad reflection on the Mayor of London, because had he stood up for the right thing, called out the minority who were subversive, pulled up the thuggery in the right way, we would not be seeing the boarding up of our national hero".


bbcuk--2020-06-12--Grenfell Tower fire: Lockdown makes third anniversary 'difficult'

Survivors of the Grenfell Tower fire have said social distancing has meant this year 's anniversary of the disaster will be even more difficult .
Seventy-two people were killed in the blaze in Kensington , west London , on 14 June 2017 .
A series of memorial events are set to be broadcast online on Sunday to comply with lockdown guidelines .
`` You really want to give someone a hug , it 's going to be very weird , '' survivor Nicholas Burton said .
Mr Burton , who lost his wife Pily in the fire , said it @ @ @ @ @ @ @ survivors on the anniversary .
He told the Local Democracy Reporting Service : `` We are a kind of family .
The pain and the healing are still very raw . ''
Mr Burton said he would hold a memorial at the site of the gutted 24 storey tower , which still stands in North Kensington , along with survivors and families who lost loved ones .
On Sunday three virtual events will be held to mark the third anniversary of the disaster .
All Saints Church in Notting Hill will broadcast an @ @ @ @ @ @ @ The service will feature a pre-recorded performance by Grenfell survivor and Britain 's Got Talent finalist , Leanne Mya .
The service has been arranged by Clarrie Mendy , from Humanity for Grenfell , who lost her niece Khadija Saye and cousin Mary Mendy in the fire .
At 18:00 BST bells will ring out across several London churches and the names of the 72 who died will be read out at a multi-faith vigil , followed by a two-minute silence .
Grenfell United , the group for survivors and the bereaved , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
In the evening buildings across London will be lit up green - the colour that has become associated with Grenfell .
The Bishop of Kensington , Graham Tomlin , said commemorating the fire has been `` quite a challenge '' because of coronavirus .
`` Remembering is crucial because if we forget then we repeat the mistakes of the past , '' he said .
`` The sense of inequality in our society has been revealed by coronavirus .
The spotlight was also shone on that by Grenfell as well . ''
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ of Grenfell United , said staying at home during the pandemic had been `` very difficult '' .
`` People are forced to be staying at home , when people are scared to be staying at home due to fire risks , '' Mr Alves said .
`` One of the more difficult aspects is not being able to be with the rest of the survivors , bereaved and wider community .
`` One of things that allowed us to fight the fights we 're fighting is our community '' .
Zoë Dainton @ @ @ @ @ @ @ triggering '' .
She said : `` The uncertainty has brought up a lot of memories of how we felt after the fire .
`` I dwell on the fact that three years down the line not a lot has changed .
`` It makes me feel really frustrated that we are still having to fight for the rest of the UK living in dangerous homes . ''
The government has launched a £1bn fund to replace dangerous cladding from buildings across the UK .
Before the coronavirus pandemic ministers told those living @ @ @ @ @ @ @ it would be replaced by June this year .
Thousands of homes are still covered in aluminium composite material ( ACM ) deemed to be dangerous .
Housing Secretary Robert Jenrick and the mayor of London pledged to allow safety improvements to continue as long as social distancing rules were being followed .
Mr Alves said : `` It has been three years and there 's still hundreds of buildings that have n't had the flammable cladding removed .
`` That is over a thousand days of no work being done to make @ @ @ @ @ @ @ needs to be asked : Do they care about the safety of their own citizens ? ''
• Dangerous tower blocks should be taken over - MPs • Grenfell Tower Inquiry on hold until at least July The Ministry of Housing , Communities and Local Government said : `` The Grenfell Tower fire was a devastating tragedy .
`` We are as determined as ever to ensure this can never happen again .
`` That 's why we 're providing £1.6bn to ensure unsafe cladding is removed from high-rise buildings as soon as @ @ @ @ @ @ @ biggest legislative changes to building safety in a generation .
`` We will ensure everyone affected by the Grenfell Tower tragedy continues to receive the support they need with over £158m committed to supporting the community so far . ''
But the National Fire Chiefs Council has called for `` a fundamental reform of building safety '' , with chairman Roy Wilsher saying `` everyone has a right to feel safe in their homes '' .
He called for ministers to speed up changes `` to make sure we do not see another @ @ @ @ @ @ @

At 18:00 BST bells will ring out across several London churches and the names of the 72 who died will be read out at a multi-faith vigil, followed by a two-minute silence.


bbcuk--2020-06-12--Coronavirus: Nicola Sturgeon warns of 'significant impact' on jobs

First Minister Nicola Sturgeon has warned of a rise in jobless figures due to the coronavirus lockdown .
She said statistics are likely to show a `` significant impact '' on the number of people in work in Scotland .
Ms Sturgeon also called for more support from the UK Treasury to avoid further damage to the economy and jobs .
She was speaking at her daily briefing after the latest figures showed the UK economy had contracted by 20 % in the first month of lockdown .
The first minister said the figures confirmed that the health crisis had @ @ @ @ @ @ @ said the latest Scottish unemployment figures , to be released on Tuesday , would cover February to April - the first full month of lockdown .
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She said she expected to see `` a significant impact on employment and a rise in unemployment .
`` Sadly , despite all our best efforts , that situation is likely to remain challenging in the period ahead . ''
The latest figures from the Office for National Statistics ( ONS ) show that the UK 's @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , the largest monthly contraction on record .
The contraction in the UK economy is three times greater than the decline seen during the whole of the 2008 to 2009 economic downturn .
Ms Sturgeon said she had previously welcomed the UK government 's interventions such as the furlough scheme , which has paid people whose businesses were unable to operate during the lockdown .
But she said now was the time for a further extension of support , like had happened in countries such as France - perhaps for as long as @ @ @ @ @ @ @ extended support being put in place is either that businesses are forced to reopen before it is safe to do so , and that could damage health and cost lives , or businesses have to take an even bigger hit - and that will cost jobs , '' she said .
Ms Sturgeon also repeated her call for an extension to the Brexit transition period so businesses are able to concentrate on the post-Covid recovery .
The first minister told the briefing that the Scottish government was looking to do `` everything we @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , announcing a £62m energy transition fund for the sector .
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She said there had been three deaths in the past 24 hours of people who had tested positive for Covid-19 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ by the Scottish government showed that the `` vast majority '' of Scottish people supported a gradual easing of restrictions .
She said the research found that 90 % of respondents would be willing to isolate for 14 days if asked , 90 % would be willing to undergo testing , and 88 % were happy to provide details of their contacts if they had symptoms of Covid-19 .
Ms Sturgeon described the research as `` encouraging '' .
She said : `` Test and Protect is going to be a vital tool @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Test and Protect can only work if all of us across the country are willing to comply with the measures that it sets out . ''

"The alternative to extended support being put in place is either that businesses are forced to reopen before it is safe to do so, and that could damage health and cost lives, or businesses have to take an even bigger hit - and that will cost jobs," she said.


bbcuk--2020-06-13--Coronavirus: Litter as takeaways reopen 'disappointing'

An increase in littering since fast food outlets began to reopen is `` disappointing '' , some councils and Keep Wales Tidy have said .
It follows a `` wonderful '' few weeks of `` no rubbish anywhere '' , Keep Wales Tidy said .
But it added public anger at littering had also increased after people spent time getting to know their local area during their daily exercise .
The charity said that anger could be used to fuel a permanent change .
`` For the first few weeks of lockdown everything was wonderful .
There was no rubbish @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Keep Wales Tidy 's deputy chief executive .
`` Unfortunately , as we 've been allowed to come out for longer and to stay out , some people have begun leaving litter everywhere .
`` We 've had a lot more complaints ... about litter being left in our parks and beaches . ''
• Britain goes coal free as fossil fuels edged out • Car owners could be fined for roadside litter Ms Tambini said she hoped anger on social media at piles of rubbish on beaches and beauty spots could result @ @ @ @ @ @ @ picking up litter if they saw it .
`` Hopefully , if nothing else , it 's made people talk about it more , to be angry about it and not accept it . ''
'Fast food and littering go hand in hand' A petition has been started by the Blaenau Gwent branch of Plaid Cymru to print vehicle registration numbers on takeaway packaging to discourage littering - and has received about 3,000 signatures .
Llyr Gruffydd MS said : `` The recent increase in littering across Wales has been a concern and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ across Wales , including for many of my own constituents .
`` It seems that fast food and littering tends to go hand in hand , and we need long-term solutions to tackling this issue . ''
Jemma Bere , Keep Wales Tidy 's policy and research manager , said enforcement was complex and can take up a lot of time and resources - and must be done in conjunction with educating people .
`` Research shows us that people are more likely to act responsibly if there is a visible connection to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ she added .
The Welsh Government said littering was not acceptable , and it was developing a new prevention plan which included enforcement measures .
Traffic Wales tweeted a warning after photographing some litter on the side of the road , saying : `` Takeaway packaging makes up a significant amount of litter on our roads .
`` With more drive-thrus starting to re-open across Wales , please remember to give your litter a lift and take it home with you . ''
While some councils said they had not seen any increase @ @ @ @ @ @ @ extra cleaners - even if they had not sealed any bins as part of lockdown .
Powys council said there had been a significant reduction in litter during lockdown but just four hours after the McDonalds in Newtown reopened , bins were already overflowing and the council issued a fixed penalty notice to one offender .
In Blaenau Gwent , an increase was noticed particularly in roadside litter and car parks , and the council had to deploy extra cleaning crews at weekends .
`` This is disappointing and creates additional work for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ delivering priority services and supporting our most vulnerable residents at this time , '' a spokesman said .
Flintshire council said : `` Our cleansing teams are starting to see increases in litter across the county as more and more people are out and about and more businesses open .
Monmouthshire council had also seen an increase since drive through facilities re-opened last week , but added that it was `` too early to see if this is a blip or a return to how things were prior to lockdown . ''
Meanwhile @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Since the reopening of fast food outlets , disappointingly , we have seen an increase in litter , to the detriment of our environment . ''
And in Merthyr Tydfil , problems at the leisure village were being addressed by the land owner and the McDonald 's manager is sending his team out to litter pick daily .
Conwy council said there had been an increase there too .
Dr Christian Dunn , an expert in micro-plastics from Bangor University , said even small changes to littering stretched far beyond it being an @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of as just anti-social problem could have larger , bigger problems than you can actually even imagine , '' he said .
`` If you throw your plastic water bottle away then ultimately that piece of plastic could break up into smaller and smaller pieces .
`` And the issue is we do n't know the full effects of those micro plastics .
Research is being done to show that a little piece of plastic can leak certain chemicals which can be harmful . ''
What do litter pickers say ?
Sarah Pratt @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Reduction steering group , said : `` I borrowed a litter picker from Mold Town Council and picked up half a bin bag of rubbish by the River Alyn .
`` Most prevalent was poo bags , both full and empty .
Quite a few polystyrene cups .
McDonalds was the most frequent brand . ''
And Laura Fielding , a member of a litter pick group in Llanfairfechan , Conwy county , said some litter bins being sealed up during lockdown has contributed to the issue .
`` People ca n't be @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a different bin , '' she said .

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bbcuk--2020-06-12--New evidence could solve 1990 Oxfordshire taxi murder

Detectives hope new forensic evidence could find the killer in the `` brutal unsolved murder '' of a taxi driver in Oxfordshire three decades on .
Lennie Gomm , 75 , was stabbed directly through his heart in Hampton Gay Lane , near Bletchingdon , after he had picked up a fare on 13 June 1990 .
The motive for his killing remains unclear and the case 's prime suspect , the passenger , remains undetected .
Officers said the new evidence could `` link a suspect to the scene '' .
Peter Beirne , head of Thames Valley Police @ @ @ @ @ @ @ said `` advancements in forensic science '' had allowed fresh evidence to be gathered from Mr Gomm 's taxi and clothing .
He appealed for members of the public with `` information or suspicions '' about the attack to contact officers , who he said would be able to track down and investigate new suspects in the cold case .
`` You might know someone who acts strangely when Lennie 's murder is mentioned ... or perhaps you know someone who has an obsession with the case , '' Mr Beirne said .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ decades the killer has `` confided in somebody '' who may now be able to come forward .
Although there is no certainty over the motive for Mr Gomm 's stabbing , Mr Beirne said the attack was `` probably '' as a result of `` an argument that escalated '' .
The body of father-of-three Mr Gomm , from Forest Hill near Wheatley , was found by a truck driver at 10:50 BST on 13 June 1990 , close to his blue Ford Granada .
He had picked up a man , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Banbury Road in Oxford at about 06:30 and told the ABC Taxi control room he was heading to Bicester .
The last sighting of his taxi was at 07:00 and evidence suggests Mr Gomm and the passenger `` were in heated discussions as though they were arguing as to where to go '' near the Bletchingdon area .
Post-mortem examinations established Mr Gomm died from a stab wound to the chest that passed through his heart , though he had a second minor wound to the left of his chest and marks around @ @ @ @ @ @ @ not been robbed and no murder weapon has been found .
Several arrests were made during the initial investigation but no charges were brought .
Mr Gomm 's daughters urged anyone with information to contact the police `` so that we can hopefully find the person responsible for ending our father 's life so brutally '' .

The last sighting of his taxi was at 07:00 and evidence suggests Mr Gomm and the passenger "were in heated discussions as though they were arguing as to where to go" near the Bletchingdon area.


bbcuk--2020-06-13--Black Lives Matter: Police impose restrictions on London protests

Restrictions have been placed by police on several groups ahead of planned protests in London this weekend .
The Metropolitan Police said several protests are scheduled in the capital on Saturday , including demonstrations by Black Lives Matter as well as left and right-wing groups .
Measures including requiring the events to end at 17:00 BST are in place following violent scenes last weekend .
Several thousand protesters are currently gathering in Westminster .
Many are centred around the Cenotaph war memorial in Whitehall , while others are gathered around the boarded-up statue of Winston Churchill in Parliament Square .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ including right-wing activists and groups formed of football supporters , said they had come to London to protect symbols of British history .
Among the demonstrators , who are largely white men , was Paul Golding , leader of the far-right group Britain First , who said they had turned out to `` guard our monuments '' .
The statue of Churchill was boxed up to protect it from potential damage , after protesters daubed `` was a racist '' on it last weekend .
Protesters sang the national anthem and chanted `` @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and heavy police presence .
One large group moved to barricades outside Downing Street and a number of objects were thrown towards police .
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• Churchill statue 'may have to be put in museum' Police urged protesters not to attend demonstrations in the capital due to the coronavirus pandemic .
`` We are asking you not to come to London , and let your voices be heard in other ways , '' Met Commander @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in the wake of violence and serious disorder in Westminster at the end of protests last weekend .
While police said those demonstrations were on the whole peaceful , there were dozens of arrests and 27 police officers were injured .
The new conditions , set out on the Met 's website , apply to Black Lives Matter , and to left and right-wing groups that have notified the force of their intention to demonstrate on Saturday .
Restrictions mean Black Lives Matter demonstrators must stick to a specific route between Hyde Park @ @ @ @ @ @ @ be permitted to assemble until 17:00 .
Similar regulations applied to right-wing groups require them to assemble in Parliament Square and some parts of Whitehall , again until 17:00 .
Denise Richards , who is involved in the Black Lives Matter movement in Derbyshire , said her chapter had decided not to protest in London on Saturday , and she believed other groups across the UK felt similarly .
She told BBC Radio 4 's Today programme that peaceful protesters feared they would be caught up in violent clashes with far-right demonstrators and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of Black Lives Matter .
However , she said smaller protests would still be taking place in towns across the UK .
Nick Lowles , chief executive of campaign group Hope Not Hate , said there was a `` very serious '' threat of trouble from far-right activists and commended Black Lives Matter for standing down their plans to protest in London on Saturday .
`` There are some people who are genuinely concerned about the protection of their statues and monuments but many people are coming for a fight and they are @ @ @ @ @ @ @ media accounts , '' he told the programme .
A Black Lives Matter demonstration took place in central London on Friday evening with leaders of the march urging those in attendance to keep the demonstration `` peaceful '' and not to join any anti-racism rallies planned for the weekend .
Mayor of London Sadiq Khan urged people to stay away from central London on Saturday , saying there was a risk of violence and disorder from extreme far-right groups planning to travel to the capital .
He told BBC Radio 4 's Today @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to keep social distance '' at large protests and there was evidence from around the world that people who had attended demonstrations had caught Covid-19 .
Home Secretary Priti Patel echoed that call , saying gathering in large numbers was illegal and `` doing so puts everyone 's lives at risk '' .
Earlier , a statue of war-time leader Winston Churchill in Parliament Square was boarded up to protect it from potential damage .
The move was branded `` absurd and shameful '' by Prime Minister Boris Johnson .
Mr Johnson said @ @ @ @ @ @ @ which were `` unacceptable to us today '' but remained a hero for saving the country from `` fascist and racist tyranny '' .
Protesters daubed `` was a racist '' on Churchill 's statue last weekend .
• The stories behind the statues targeted in protests In a series of tweets , Mr Johnson urged people to `` stay away '' from demonstrations amid the coronavirus pandemic .
`` We can not try to edit or censor our past , '' he wrote of moves to remove tributes to historical figures .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ a different history . ''
Other monuments have been removed ahead of separate protests planned over the weekend , while the Cenotaph war memorial , in Whitehall , has also been covered .
In Poole , Dorset , a statue of Scouts movement founder Robert Baden-Powell is to be cladded instead of removed .
Mr Khan said other `` key statues '' , including one of Nelson Mandela , would be protected , saying there was a risk statues could become a `` flashpoint for violence '' .
He told the BBC he @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a huge distraction '' , adding that it was more important to tackle structural inequalities and racism in society .
It comes after the statue of slave trader Edward Colston was thrown into the harbour in Bristol during a Black Lives Matter protest on Sunday .
Demonstrations have been taking place across the world following the death in police custody of George Floyd in Minneapolis last month .
Mr Johnson said that , while he understood `` legitimate feelings of outrage '' at Mr Floyd 's death , the `` only responsible course @ @ @ @ @ @ @ away from these protests '' .
The prime minister said the demonstrations had been `` hijacked by extremists intent on violence '' .
He added that whatever people 's feelings about the cause they should not support a demonstration which `` in all probability '' would `` end in deliberate and calculated violence '' .

Speaking before the clashes in the capital, the leader of the far-right group Britain First, Paul Golding - convicted last month of an offence under the Terrorism Act - said they had turned out to "guard our monuments".


bbcuk--2020-06-13--Churchill statue 'may have to be put in museum', says granddaughter

A statue of Winston Churchill may have to be put in a museum to protect it if demonstrations continue , his granddaughter has said .
Emma Soames told the BBC the war-time prime minister was a `` complex man '' but he was considered a hero by millions .
She said she was `` shocked '' to see the monument in London 's Parliament Square boarded up , although she said she understood why this was necessary .
It came after protesters daubed `` was a racist '' on the statue last weekend .
Ms Soames said it was `` @ @ @ @ @ @ @ was such a unifying figure in this country , appears to have become a sort of icon through being controversial . ''
`` We 've come to this place where history is viewed only entirely through the prism of the present , '' she told BBC Radio 4 's Today programme .
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Ms Soames acknowledged her grandfather had often held views which `` particularly now are regarded as unacceptable but were n't @ @ @ @ @ @ @ : `` He was a powerful , complex man , with infinitely more good than bad in the ledger of his life . ''
She said if people were `` so infuriated '' by seeing the statue it may be `` safer '' in a museum .
`` But I think Parliament Square would be a poorer place without him , '' she added .
Churchill 's grandson Sir Nicholas Soames said he was `` deeply upset '' after the statue was vandalised and then boarded up .
`` I find it extraordinary @ @ @ @ @ @ @ over the world who look up to Britain will be astonished that a statue of Churchill and the Cenotaph , our national war memorial , could have been defaced in this disgusting way , '' he told the Daily Telegraph .
However , author Shrabani Basu , who has written books about the British Empire , said there were `` two sides of Churchill '' and `` we need to know his darkest hour as well as his finest hour '' .
She argued that in India , Churchill is not seen as @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the 1943 Bengal famine , during which at least three million people are believed to have died .
While Ms Basu said she did not want to see the statue removed from Parliament Square , she said people should be taught `` the whole story '' about the war-time figure .
Black Lives Matter activist Imarn Ayton said statues of slave traders and people who had spoken negatively towards black people were `` extremely offensive '' and should be moved to museums .
`` I think it 's a win-win to everyone so @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and we also get to keep our history , '' she told the BBC .
On Friday , Prime Minister Boris Johnson branded the boarding up of the statue to protect it from potential vandalism as `` absurd and shameful '' .
Mr Johnson said the former prime minister had expressed opinions which were `` unacceptable to us today '' but remained a hero for saving the country from `` fascist and racist tyranny '' .
`` We can not try to edit or censor our past , '' he wrote of moves @ @ @ @ @ @ @ `` We can not pretend to have a different history . ''
Winston Churchill , who lived between 30 November 1874 and 24 January 1965 , is often named among Britain 's greatest-ever people but for some he remains an intensely controversial figure .
Despite his leading the country through the darkest hours of World War Two and being prime minister twice , critics point to his comments on race and some of his actions during both world wars .
Churchill told the Palestine Royal Commission that he did not admit wrong had @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Australians as `` a stronger race , a higher-grade race , a more worldly wise race to put it that way , has come in and taken their place '' .
His supporters argue that he was by no means the only person to hold these sorts of views during the period .
He also advocated the use of chemical weapons , `` I am strongly in favour of using poisoned gas against uncivilised tribes , '' he wrote in a memo .
Another criticism is for his part in the Bengal famine @ @ @ @ @ @ @ at least three million people are believed to have died after Allied forces halted the movement of food in the region - including through British-run India - following the Japanese occupation of Burma .
• Read more : The 10 greatest controversies of Winston Churchill 's career The statue in London 's Parliament Square was boxed up ahead of a Black Lives Matter protest in Westminster on Friday evening .
A demonstration planned for Saturday was brought forward by a day because of fears there could be violent clashes with far-right groups .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ several groups intending to protest on Saturday , including requiring demonstrations to end at 17:00 BST .
Several hundred people gathered in Westminster on Saturday morning , including around the Cenotaph war memorial in Whitehall and the nearby Churchill statue .
Among the demonstrators , who were largely white men , was Paul Golding , leader of far-right group Britain First , who said they had turned out to `` guard our monuments '' .
Other monuments have been removed ahead of separate protests planned over the weekend , while the Cenotaph has @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Sadiq Khan said other `` key statues '' , including one of Nelson Mandela , would be protected , saying there was a risk statues could become a `` flashpoint for violence '' .
It comes after the statue of slave trader Edward Colston was thrown into the harbour in Bristol during a Black Lives Matter protest on Sunday .
Demonstrations have been taking place across the world following the death in police custody of African American George Floyd in Minneapolis last month .

"I find it extraordinary that millions and millions of people all over the world who look up to Britain will be astonished that a statue of Churchill and the Cenotaph, our national war memorial, could have been defaced in this disgusting way," he told the Daily Telegraph.


bbcuk--2020-06-13--Coronavirus: Queen's official birthday marked with new ceremony

The Queen 's official birthday has been marked with a unique ceremony performed by the Welsh Guard at Windsor Castle .
It comes after the traditional Trooping the Colour parade was cancelled because of the coronavirus pandemic .
It is only the second time in her 68-year reign that the parade in London has not gone ahead .
The Queen , flanked by military personnel , sat alone on a dais for the ceremony .
It was her first official public appearance since lockdown began .
The Queen celebrated her 94th birthday in April , but it is officially - @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Saturday of June every year .
The ceremonial tribute , dubbed a mini-Trooping , was performed by a small number of Welsh Guardsmen and military musicians .
The Queen received a royal salute followed by a display of precision marching - with the military maintaining strict social distancing measures , in keeping with government guidelines .
With fewer people on parade because of social distancing rules , `` there is no hiding place '' said Garrison Sgt Maj Warrant Officer Class 1 Andrew Stokes , who created the display .
`` But more @ @ @ @ @ @ @ also no room for errors and so the soldier has to really concentrate on their own personal drill , reaction to orders , dressing and social distancing , '' he said .
Normally , Guardsmen stand shoulder-to-shoulder during their drills or when formed up on the parade ground , but on Saturday they stood 2.2m apart .
Guardsman Lance Corporal Chusa Siwale , 29 , originally from Zambia , had a central role in the ceremony , performing the Drummer 's Call .
`` Only four weeks ago I was involved with testing @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of the Welsh Guards ' contribution to the battle against the virus .
Now I am on parade performing in front of Her Majesty .
`` This is a very proud day for me . ''
It was the first time the Queen has celebrated her official birthday at Windsor Castle .
An event for a sovereign 's birthday has not been staged there since 1895 , during the reign of Queen Victoria .
The Queen and the Duke of Edinburgh have spent the lockdown at Windsor Castle , and were photographed there @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 's 99th birthday .
The Trooping the Colour parade in Whitehall is usually watched by thousands of spectators and senior members of the Royal Family .
The last time the event was cancelled was in 1955 , three years after the Queen 's coronation , due to a national rail strike .
Maj Gen Christopher Ghika , who commands the Household Division , said the circumstances surrounding the decision to host the tribute in Windsor were `` clouded in tragedy '' .
`` The effects of Covid-19 have been devastating in terms of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ livelihoods of so many across the country , '' he said .
`` People have had to endure separation from loved ones , great uncertainty and the suspension of so much of what is special about our national life . ''
Gen Ghika added : `` The Welsh Guards and many of those on parade have recently been deployed within the United Kingdom as part of the nation 's response to the virus and so the context of the ceremony is particularly poignant . ''
The Welsh Guards , along with the rest @ @ @ @ @ @ @ among the soldiers helping with the coronavirus response , for example at test centres .

In a statement last month, Prime Minister Boris Johnson said the delay "will allow us to ensure that the list, agreed before this public health emergency developed, reflects the Covid-19 effort, and comes at a time when we can properly celebrate the achievements of all those included".