bbcuk--2020-07-07--Coronavirus: Wear masks in crowded public spaces, says science body

Everyone should carry a face covering when they leave home in order to tackle coronavirus , the head of the UK 's national academy of science has said .
Prof Sir Venki Ramakrishnan , president of the Royal Society , said the coverings should then be worn `` whenever you are in crowded public spaces '' .
He said evidence shows they protect the wearer and those nearby , and the UK was `` way behind '' other countries in usage .
No 10 said the use of face masks is always kept `` under review '' .
Current guidance @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , but Public Health England previously said they did not need to be worn outdoors .
Speaking as the Royal Society published two reports on face coverings , Prof Ramakrishnan said the public remained `` sceptical '' about their benefits because `` the message has not been clear enough '' and guidelines have been inconsistent .
He added : `` What we would like for the government is to be a bit stronger and clearer about the messaging and require it whenever you are in crowded public spaces where you can not get @ @ @ @ @ @ @ next person .
`` If you 're in a crowded setting , you ought to wear a mask . ''
• Why some countries wear face masks and others don't • Who needs to wear a face covering in the UK ?
• Coronavirus : How to make your own face mask There are mixed feelings among the experts on the government 's scientific advisory group , Sage , around the use of face coverings .
Some point to evidence that indicates coverings do not seem to slow the spread of flu when @ @ @ @ @ @ @ are concerns they might give some a false sense of security .
But there is a consensus that they may reduce the risk of an infected person passing the virus on to someone else .
`` We have been very clear about the benefits of people wearing face coverings , '' said the prime minister 's official spokesman , following Prof Ramakrishnan 's comments .
`` Face coverings can help us protect others and reduce the spread of the virus if people are infected but not showing symptoms . ''
The Downing Street @ @ @ @ @ @ @ cover both the nose and mouth to reduce the spread of coronavirus droplets , helping to protect others '' .
The government has said that face coverings can be made at home from cloth , and do not need to be hospital-standard masks .
What is the current guidance on face coverings ?
Face coverings are compulsory on public transport in England , where they should also be worn in hospitals by staff , outpatients and visitors .
People visiting shops are also advised , but not required , to cover their face @ @ @ @ @ @ @ not always possible .
In Scotland , masks are also mandatory on public transport , and will be in shops from 10 July .
People in Wales are being asked to wear non-medical face coverings where social distancing is not possible - including on public transport .
But the government stopped short of making their use mandatory .
Plans to make wearing face masks on public transport compulsory in Northern Ireland have been put on hold , pending legal clarification .
You can read more on the use of face coverings in the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ only about 25 % of people in the UK wore face coverings , compared to 83.4 % in Italy , 65.8 % in the United States and 63.8 % in Spain , according to one of the reports , which examined the factors limiting the take-up .
Not wearing a face covering should be regarded as `` anti-social '' in the same way as drink driving or failing to wear a seatbelt , Prof Ramakrishnan said .
`` Not doing so increases the risk for everyone , from NHS workers to your grandmother @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Health Organization changed its advice on face coverings in June , saying they should be worn in public where social distancing is not possible to help stop the spread of coronavirus - but countries set their own guidelines and laws .
The WHO had previously argued there was not enough evidence to say that healthy people should wear masks , despite their widespread use in many countries .
• SOCIAL DISTANCING : What are the rules now ?
• BUBBLES : How do they work and who can be in yours ?
• @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and how ?
• TWO METRES : Could less than 2m work ?
• THE R NUMBER : What it means and why it matters Prof Paul Edelstein from the University of Pennsylvania , who wrote the other report which examined the effectiveness of masks and other coverings , said the evidence that they protected other people was `` clearer all the time '' , but there was also `` some evidence '' they protected the wearer .
`` There are people without symptoms going about their daily business who are unknowingly breathing @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , '' he said .
`` If they had their faces covered the majority of those droplets would be caught before they can infect other people .
Wearing face coverings can help save lives and prevent disabling illnesses . ''
• COVID-19 TESTING : Has it gone wrong ?
• CORONAVIRUS NEWSCAST : The true impact of Covid-19 on travelling abroad

He added: "What we would like for the government is to be a bit stronger and clearer about the messaging and require it whenever you are in crowded public spaces where you cannot get more than two metres away from the next person.


bbcuk--2020-07-07--Duchess of Cornwall 'can't wait to hug' her grandchildren

The Duchess of Cornwall says she `` ca n't wait to hug her grandchildren '' after only seeing them on internet calls and at a social distance since the start of lockdown .
The duchess said missing her grandchildren was `` the worst '' and she had needed to resist her instinct to give them a hug when she saw them for the first time in more than three months .
Speaking to BBC Radio 5 Live 's Emma Barnett , Camilla also talked about her husband Prince Charles ' recovery from Covid-19 .
The Prince of Wales contracted coronavirus @ @ @ @ @ @ @ He has since said he `` got away with it quite lightly '' .
The duchess , 72 , who tested negative for the virus , said Prince Charles did suffer from a loss of taste and smell , from which she said he has `` nearly '' recovered .
`` It sort of comes and goes a bit , '' she added .
• Charles : I got away lightly with coronavirus Camilla 's conversation at the royal couple 's official residence , Clarence House in London , will be broadcast as @ @ @ @ @ @ @ guest edited by the duchess on BBC Radio 5 Live on Tuesday 7 July , starting at 10:00 BST .
She has been involved in the process of organising the show , helping to frame it with her perspective on issues that matter to her .
Getting to grips with Zoom Camilla spoke about something which will be very familiar to families across the UK - the use of video calls to keep in touch .
She said that before lockdown , she `` really hated the internet ...
I did n't understand @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the point of this wretched thing ? ''
However , she said she has been using it to communicate with friends and family , and it 's been `` brilliant '' .
The duchess did admit she had not gone so far as to try a Joe Wicks PE class online , for fear of an injury .
`` I would put something out straight away , '' she said .
And she also revealed she has been `` very , very happy '' wearing her jeans for Zoom calls .
`` You @ @ @ @ @ @ @ do n't you ? ''
she said .
`` Lockdown Zoom fashion is very interesting because everybody can look very smart on the top but I think if somebody took a camera underneath , they 'd find some very interesting sights . ''
The duchess said missing her grandchildren was `` the worst '' , and even though she has been able to see them at a social distance , that in itself was hard .
`` You eventually get to meet them , you 're so excited because you have n't seen @ @ @ @ @ @ @ reaction is to run up and hug them , and you have to sort of put up your hands .
`` It 's a very odd feeling , I shall look forward to the day when I can give them a huge hug again . ''
Camilla , Duchess of Cornwall , is using her guest edit of the Emma Barnett Show to highlight the issues she really cares about .
The informality of the radio programme means you get something more intimate too .
On the big issues that matter to her @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is an obvious concern alongside loneliness and literacy levels .
But there are also personal insights .
Before her royal marriage , the Duchess of Cornwall 's life was not one of palaces and public engagements and sometimes that more normal experience shows .
She was recently reunited with her grandchildren after three months apart but social distancing rules meant she could n't give them the huge hug she said she 'd missed .
She told Emma Barnett she 'd enjoyed not dressing up and living in a pair of jeans during lockdown @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Prince of Wales , as the fittest man of his age that I know .
For the whole Royal Family , usual duties and visits have been replaced by online calls .
But as the lockdown eases , things are getting closer to normal , with Prince Charles and Camilla recently visiting Gloucestershire Royal Hospital to speak to NHS workers .
`` I wanted to go up to them and shake their hand and say you 've done such a wonderful job , '' she said .
`` But it did n't feel @ @ @ @ @ @ @ circle , do n't move left or right - you had to shout 'thank you ' and it 's very different . ''
Meetings are not the same when they happen remotely , she said .
`` It is about connecting and you know , it 's lovely talking to people , I like talking to people and sitting and looking at people 's faces , and you ca n't really on screens .
You do n't get the animated look that you get looking at a real person . ''
She revealed @ @ @ @ @ @ @ with a 90-year-old woman , Betty , via the over-65s helpline The Silver Line .
`` I saw a picture of her and she looked much younger than me , she looked incredible , '' she said , adding that the pair spoke about Betty 's teenage days working on a farm at the end of World War Two , alongside the Women 's Land Army .
The duchess urged any older people who are feeling lonely to call the helpline , adding : `` There 's so many people out there wanting @ @ @ @ @ @ @ not alone , you 're not by yourself . ''
The Duchess of Cornwall also talked about staying fit - both before lockdown and during it .
She has recently taken up ballet after a visit to the Royal Academy of Dance , where she is a patron .
She saw a `` silver swan '' class of older people dancing , and got a group of her friends together to try it .
She said `` they all howled with laughter and said 'you must be joking ' '' but gave it @ @ @ @ @ @ @ she has carried on doing remotely during lockdown .
Camilla said Prince Charles had not been tempted to join in , but he will `` walk and walk and walk… he 's like a mountain goat and leaves everybody miles behind '' .
She said the prince , who is 71 , is `` probably the fittest man of his age '' .
The duchess has two dogs , Beth and Bluebell , who came from Battersea Dogs Home , an animal rescue shelter in London .
`` Along I went to Battersea @ @ @ @ @ @ @ just been moved from pillar to post and dumped .
`` We thought it would be nice for her to have a friend .
They found [ Bluebell ] two or three weeks later wandering about in woods , no hair on her , covered in sores , virtually dead .
`` And they nursed her back to life and her hair grew again .
She 's very sweet , but a tiny bit neurotic , shall we say . ''
She said both of the dogs love children , and while they @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the sofa , they are `` not allowed to sleep on the bed '' .
In February , the duchess hosted an event for the charity SafeLives at Clarence House in London , and domestic violence is one of the issues she discusses with Emma Barnett in the programme .
Camilla said she was inspired to get involved after an earlier meeting where people shared their own experiences , and one person told a story about a woman who had been killed in front of her children as a result of domestic violence @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of us could believe what we were hearing , '' the duchess said .
`` I could feel the tears starting to drip down my face and I looked left or right and everyone was trying to cover their faces or blow their noses .
`` It was so moving and so horrific . ''
Camilla said she was worried about the impact the coronavirus lockdown would have had on domestic violence victims .
`` You ca n't run out of your house and go to your neighbours because you 're on lockdown @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 's a lot more difficult to get to the SafeLives or the refuges and all the wonderful charities that help .
`` I 've said I think we 've just seen the tip of the iceberg .
I think after lockdown the numbers are going to be so horrific . ''
You can hear the full programme with the Duchess of Cornwall on BBC Radio 5 Live on Tuesday 7 July from 10:00 BST or catch up on BBC Sounds .
If you , or someone you know , has been affected by @ @ @ @ @ @ @ organisations may be able to help .

"I wanted to go up to them and shake their hand and say you've done such a wonderful job," she said. "But it didn't feel quite the same standing in my little circle, don't move left or right - you had to shout 'thank you' and it's very different."


bbcuk--2020-07-07--Brexit: Application for border posts at ports sent to EU

The UK government has submitted applications to the EU to create Border Control Posts ( BCPs ) at Northern Ireland 's ports .
BCPs are facilities used to check animals and food arriving in the EU single market .
At the end of the Brexit transition on 1 January , Northern Ireland will stay in the EU single market for goods .
The rest of the UK will not , so some products entering NI from GB will need to be checked at the posts .
A UK government spokesperson said : 'We have always been clear that , following @ @ @ @ @ @ @ be a limited expansion of facilities at some existing entry points , where certain controls for animal and plant health already take place .
'We have submitted applications for these entry points on time and there will be no new customs infrastructure in Northern Ireland . '
Last week , Northern Ireland Agriculture Minister Edwin Poots wrote to his counterpart in Westminster saying that he was not cooperating with a full application until he got more clarity on how BCPs would be used .
In a letter to DEFRA Secretary George Eustice , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ responsibility to create the BCPs .
However , he added : `` I am currently unable to present a full application due to the lack of certainty around a number of key areas including the level of checks required . ''
• 'No border between NI and GB ' - NI secretary Mr Poots then posed a series of questions such as whether major supermarkets could be exempt from checks as `` trusted traders '' and whether a check of 1 % of non-trusted trader goods would be acceptable .
However DEFRA has @ @ @ @ @ @ @ able to do this because engagement with the EU via the UK Government - as international relations - are not a devolved matter .
The UK spokesman added : 'We are continuing to work closely with the executive on proposals to minimise requirements on the movement of food and agricultural products , in line with the approach we set out in our May command paper . '

A UK government spokesperson said: 'We have always been clear that, following the Northern Ireland Protocol, there would be a limited expansion of facilities at some existing entry points, where certain controls for animal and plant health already take place.


bbcuk--2020-07-07--Bike sales surge helps Halfords through lockdown

Surging sales of bicycles during lockdown have cushioned the trading blow from coronavirus for retailer Halfords .
It said bike sales had risen 57.1 % in the 13 weeks to 3 July as people sought to avoid public transport .
As a retailer selling goods considered essential , Halfords did not have to cease trading because of coronavirus .
However , a big fall in motoring revenues meant that quarterly same-store sales declined 6.5 % overall .
Halfords ' share price initially fell as much as 9.5 % on Tuesday before recovering some of its losses .
The latest figures @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ' trading year .
The retailer hailed the rise in like-for-like sales of bicycles , but said that at the same time , sales in its more profitable motoring division had fallen 45.4 % as the number of car journeys declined sharply .
• Mandatory MOTs to be reintroduced from August However , Halfords said it saw `` improving trends '' as the lockdown continued to ease .
`` Having responded quickly and decisively to cater for the surge in popularity of cycling during lockdown , we are now seeing increased demand for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ using their cars regularly again , having not done so for the last few months , '' said chief executive Graham Stapleton .
For the 2019-20 financial year , which covered the 12 months to 3 April , it reported an underlying pre-tax profit of £55.9m , down 4.9 % on the previous year .
Halfords said its performance in the first three months of the current financial year was `` relatively strong '' and `` better than anticipated '' , but the uncertainty over coronavirus meant it had withdrawn guidance for the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ outlined three potential scenarios for this year .
In the worst-case scenario sales fall by 9.5 % while in the most optimistic forecast sales decline by 5 % .
It also noted that its sales would remain biased towards cycling and away from motoring in the short-term , and noted that this could hit profits as the cycling business has lower profit margins .
`` Halfords has proved resilient during the coronavirus crisis , unlike many non-food retailers , '' said Amy Higginbotham , retail analyst at GlobalData .
`` But the retailer @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to decline 9.5 % and profit before tax to be in the region of -£10m-£0m , in a worst-case scenario , '' she added , attributing the share price fall to this prediction .
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"Having responded quickly and decisively to cater for the surge in popularity of cycling during lockdown, we are now seeing increased demand for motoring services and products as people start using their cars regularly again, having not done so for the last few months," said chief executive Graham Stapleton.


bbcuk--2020-07-07--Workers not eligible for furlough: "It's been very stressful'

Before lockdown , Amber Millar Chambers worked at two bar jobs to support her university studies .
One furloughed her , the other did n't .
She is among an unknown number of people in the UK who have lost out financially , because for more than three months , workers could not be part-furloughed .
Workers not on a company 's payroll are also not eligible for the scheme .
The furlough scheme , brought in to mitigate the effects of coronavirus , allows employees to receive 80 % of their monthly salary , up to £2,500 .
More @ @ @ @ @ @ @ - 9.3 million people - are now being supported by it , but there are some that have not been eligible for help .
Ms Millar Chambers says her employer did n't give her a formal contract and that because she is n't on a payroll , she has been excluded from being furloughed on one of her jobs , working at London 's Troxy music venue .
`` They offered us a goodwill gesture , '' she said , which amounted to about 40 % of her pay during April and May @ @ @ @ @ @ @ lockdown began , and nothing since .
`` I can still put food on the table , but that 's only the result of my student loan , '' she said , which has had to last since April .
Her landlord has allowed her to pay only half of her rent , but she must move soon and will eventually have to pay back the rent that 's owed , putting her in debt .
• Coronavirus : What does it mean if I 've been furloughed by work ?
She works @ @ @ @ @ @ @ more and which has put her on furlough of about £100 a month , but her rent is £750 .
`` It 's been stressful .
It 's been very stressful . ''
Troxy 's general manager Tom Sutton-Roberts told the BBC a `` legacy system '' was to blame for staff missing furlough , which arose `` from the fact we were unable to offer any kind of regular hours and work in the early days of Troxy reopening as a venue '' .
Ms Millar Chambers was paid £8.50 an hour @ @ @ @ @ @ @ central London , she says .
`` The government is doing a lot for a lot of people , '' she said , but she feels workers like her are being left out .
Mr Sutton-Roberts said the venue `` would love '' to pay the London Living Wage , `` but with our future so incredibly uncertain , it 's not something we can commit to today '' .
`` We are consulting with the entire team with how they would like to be engaged in the future , '' he said @ @ @ @ @ @ @ six part-time cleaning jobs and earns the statutory minimum of £8.72 per hour , is another worker who lost out on some government support money , because she was not able to be furloughed part-time .
On 18 March , she was told she 'd lose a 12.5-hour-a-week contract .
She could n't be furloughed because of five hours of work she does for her employer Cleanology at another site .
Cleanology 's chief executive Dominic Ponniah told the BBC his company tried to furlough as many staff as possible , and that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the firm lost contracts , it has been able to hire most back and furlough them .
However , to reallocate the work `` administratively and operationally , it would have been almost impossible to coordinate in the short amount of time we had , '' he said .
The company 's client had paid Ms Tabares ' wages up until the end of the contract on 1 June , he said , although she did n't receive the money until 10 June .
HMRC , which administers the furlough scheme , has @ @ @ @ @ @ @ July .
However , this change will not cover work and earnings lost by many workers in March , April , May or June .
Ms Tabares ' union , United Voices of the World ( UVW ) , told the BBC that `` the furlough scheme depends on the good will of employers '' .
`` In many cases where members work across multiple sites on part time contracts to make ends meet , the furlough scheme has failed them . ''
Ms Tabares says added pressures , such as having to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ do n't help .
The company says this is a deposit , and that while it encourages its clients to support the UK and London Living Wages of £9.30 and £10.75 , less than half do so .
• The national minimum wage is the minimum hourly pay covering under-25s .
It is set by the government and is £8.20 for 21 to 24-year-olds , £6.45 for 18 to 20-year-olds , £4.55 for under-18s and £4.15 for apprentices .
• The national living wage is the minimum hourly pay for over-25s .
It @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is £8.72 .
• The real living wage is £10.75 per hour for London and £9.30 per hour for the rest of the UK .
It is voluntary and calculated by the Living Wage Foundation based on living costs .
Another London-based cleaner , who did n't want to be named , tells a similar story .
Clients left her employer as their offices and restaurants closed and her hours were thus reduced .
Her bills , however , have not been .
`` I felt like an idiot in this situation , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ felt like the company would protect me . ''
After her union stepped in , she was offered fresh work , but much of it was too far away , she told the BBC in Spanish through an interpreter .
A HM Treasury spokesperson said : `` Our job retention scheme has so far protected more than nine million jobs - and has been extended until the end of October .
`` As the economy re-opens , we will continue to look at how to adjust our support in a way that ensures @ @ @ @ @ @ @ protecting both the UK economy and the livelihoods of people across the country . ''
For Ms Millar Chambers , she is hoping a deal can be struck with her employers .
`` We are hoping to be brought in-house , which will entitle us to have holiday pay and more rights as workers for the venue and sick pay , which is important , '' she says .
The Advisory , Conciliation and Arbitration Service ( ACAS ) is overseeing talks between Ms Millar Chambers and her fellow workers , with the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that she likes the flexibility , but would like at least a zero-hours contract , or one which would guarantee at least a few hours per week .

"I can still put food on the table, but that's only the result of my student loan," she said, which has had to last since April. Her landlord has allowed her to pay only half of her rent, but she must move soon and will eventually have to pay back the rent that's owed, putting her in debt.


bbcuk--2020-07-07--Arts industry welcomes £1.57bn govt support package

The arts industry has largely welcomed the government 's announcement of with a £1.57bn support package .
It followed several weeks of lobbying from theatres , music venues , art galleries and other cultural institutions , many of which said they were on the brink of collapse .
While the funding has been warmly welcomed , many venues are sounding a note of caution as they await further details on how the money will be allocated and news of when venues will be allowed to re-open .
Culture secretary Oliver Dowden said the package is all `` new money '' @ @ @ @ @ @ @ preserve `` crown jewel '' venues like the Royal Albert Hall and national galleries , while also helping local institutions across the UK .
Here 's how the arts sector has reacted to the government 's support package .
Freelance theatre director Ian Rickson said : `` First and foremost , we must ensure that this package helps the freelance community .
This is n't just famous actors , but stage managers , set builders , wig makers , in fact all the teams who put together the shows .
Artists in the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ take risks .
`` What people do n't know is that a high proportion of these freelancers live below the poverty line or at least with very unstable incomes .
Before the pandemic this was difficult enough but freelancers ca n't be furloughed and a significant proportion do n't qualify for SSEIS ( the self-employed income support scheme ) . ''
The funding was well-received by composer Lord Lloyd-Webber , who said the news is `` truly welcome at a time when so many theatres , orchestras , entertainment venues and other arts @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Theatre impresario Cameron Mackintosh said the news `` was most welcome '' but `` it is now critical that we are given immediate guidance when social distancing will be phased out so we can make firm plans to re-open as soon as practical . ''
The Royal Albert Hall 's chief executive Craig Hassall described the news as `` an absolute life saver for all of us '' .
A string of theatres have already announced plans to make staff redundant in recent weeks , after being closed since the coronavirus pandemic @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Vinken , the chief executive of the Theatre Royal in Plymouth told BBC Radio 4 's Today programme it was `` impossible to say '' if the announcement would be enough to prevent up to 100 job losses there until more detail is released .
`` Until the whole sector knows when we can reopen without social distancing and start trading again ... there is no security in the sector whatsoever but hopefully what the government is doing here is giving us that lifeline to keep going until that point is discernible .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ the National Theatre and the founder of London 's Bridge Theatre , said : `` It 's a much better plan than anyone expected .
It 's the result of joined up , tenacious and detailed lobbying going on under the radar which was listened to with great attention .
`` The only proper response is to congratulate them and thank them for the size of the package . ''
Gavin Barlow , chief executive and artistic director of the Albany performing arts centre in Deptford , London , said : `` As @ @ @ @ @ @ @ our local community in south east London , we see first-hand the difference arts and creativity make to people 's lives .
`` Although this financial support is welcome , our future remains far from certain .
As we emerge from this crisis we believe we have a big part to play in aiding the recovery of the sector as well as supporting people 's wellbeing and hope to see more details on how this announcement will support the vital work of arts centres such as the Albany . ''
Equity , the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ but its general secretary , Christine Payne , said it was important that the funding did n't just prop up venues .
`` If this investment does not reach creative workers - the actors , dancers , stage management , singers , variety artists , directors , designers , choreographers and many other highly skilled workers in our talent base , we risk the diversity and success of the wider creative industries - worth £112bn to the economy .
`` These workers have campaigned for this deal ; they ca n't be left @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the fears of a freelance worker on Twitter : Philippa Childs , head of the Bectu union which supports workers across the media and entertainment industry , said the support package was overdue .
She added : `` At long last the government have woken up to our warnings and those of the whole creative sector , that without support , we stood to lose a huge amount of our world-beating creative industries .
`` We will now be scrutinising the details of this package to make sure it lives up to the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Julian Bird , chief executive of The Society of London Theatre and UK Theatre , said it `` hugely welcomed '' the funding .
The chief executives of The National Theatre , Rufus Norris and Lisa Burger , said they `` feel very positive that this major investment will reach and sustain the vital talent and infrastructure '' .
Kwame Kwei-Armah , artistic director of The Young Vic , told Times Radio that he and his colleagues are `` relieved '' .
Julia Fawcett , chief executive of The Lowry in Salford , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of emergency investment in the UK 's culture sector is welcome news , but we are fast running out of time .
`` This lifeline will come too late for some organisations who have already been forced to close their doors for good or made valued employees redundant . ''
Jon Morgan of The Theatres Trust said : `` It remains to be seen whether this amount will be sufficient to replace the furlough scheme , as it begins to taper from August and ends in October , at a time when we @ @ @ @ @ @ @ reopening . ''
Neil Constable , CEO of Shakespeare 's Globe , said the news meant they `` now have the opportunity to plan to reopen fully by early 2021 .
We will of course be taking opportunities , if social distancing allows , to reopen earlier '' .
Fiona Allan , president of UK Theatres and the artistic director of The Birmingham Hippodrome , said the venue `` was overjoyed '' at the investment .
`` We are now able to turn our focus to rebuilding what we have lost and planning @ @ @ @ @ @ @ chairman Sir Nicholas Serota told BBC News the funding was `` a very good result '' .
He said : `` Now it 's up to the arts organisations and the Arts Council to make best use of this money and bring the arts back into communities across the county .
This announcement gives us the tools to help build a recovery . ''
The chief executive of the Arts Council of Wales said he was `` absolutely delighted '' by the announcement , adding the funding was `` an absolute lifeline '' @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Cardiff 's Chapter Arts Centre , said : `` It provides enormous security , enormous hope for the sector . ''
The Arts Council of Northern Ireland said it was `` delighted '' with the `` lifeline support '' The Tate , The Science Museum Group , The Natural History Museum and The National Gallery were among those who also welcomed the funding .
Sir Ian Blatchford , chair of the National Museums Directors Council said : `` This is welcome news for the museum sector , both in the scale of funding @ @ @ @ @ @ @ role in the life of the country . ''
Kully Thiarai , creative director & CEO of Leeds 2023 , said : `` Across Leeds and West Yorkshire , the workers and performers in our region 's great cultural institutions and the independent artists and venues embedded in communities , are waking up to some positive news .
After months of anxiety and uncertainty , the Government has thrown a much needed life-line that will help many stay afloat and plan for the future .
Music Venue Trust chief executive Mark Davyd said @ @ @ @ @ @ @ into Britain 's world class live music scene '' .
He added : `` This fund provides the opportunity to stabilise and protect our vibrant and vital network of venues and gives us the time we need to create a plan to safely reopen live music . ''
Geoff Taylor , chief executive of the BPI & Brit Awards , said : `` We are delighted that the government has recognised the special importance of the arts and creativity to our national life .
`` We look forward to further details on how @ @ @ @ @ @ @ naturally warmly welcome specific references from the PM and the Chancellor to a lifeline for our cherished music venues , and to support for the arts , which should assist our classical music sector . ''
Sir Simon Rattle , director of the London Symphony Orchestra , called for the money to be `` distributed as fast as possible '' .
The Royal Opera House said in a statement that `` the package of support will be a catalyst for unlocking the extraordinary creativity embedded in the UK 's world-renowned creative industries '' @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Hill Studios , a music rehearsal and recording facility in south London , said the support was `` very important '' , but that it does n't mention companies that support the music industry .
`` The nearest thing that would come to what we would do says 'basement venues ' , '' he said .
`` So that shows that really important grassroots venues are covered , but it does n't cover the parts of the sector that may look , on the outside , like they are commercial - the hire @ @ @ @ @ @ @ people like us , the rehearsal and recording studios .
So there is a possibility that we 'll have another fight on our hands . ''
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"The nearest thing that would come to what we would do says 'basement venues'," he said. "So that shows that really important grassroots venues are covered, but it doesn't cover the parts of the sector that may look, on the outside, like they are commercial - the hire companies and the touring travel companies and people like us, the rehearsal and recording studios. So there is a possibility that we'll have another fight on our hands."


bbcuk--2020-07-06--Rishi Sunak's summer statement: Five things he may do

Strawberries and cream , maybe even a glass of rosé : the `` summer update '' has a whiff of end-of term festivities .
But the chancellor 's summer statement on Wednesday may impact millions of livelihoods - and his own reputation .
The grants , subsidies and loans deployed to shield the British economy from the shock of lockdown did n't manage to preserve all jobs .
However , they ensured that lay-offs in the first couple of months of lockdown were in the thousands , rather than millions .
The real test for Rishi Sunak starts now .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ everyone loves the chancellor when he 's splashing the cash , and those schemes have cost tens of billions - in total he 's staring at a £300bn deficit this year .
With the furlough scheme set to be wound down , it 's clear crippling job losses in some sectors are under way .
This emergency mini-Budget on Wednesday will attempt to help minimise the pain as the economy convalesces by `` flattening the curve '' - this time of job losses - and to prevent the kind of lingering mass joblessness @ @ @ @ @ @ @ toddler , that risks blighting millions of lives .
Here are five areas to bear in mind - we already know some of what he 'll look at , but there 's more to come .
At present , some economists say unemployment could triple to over four million this year .
Rishi Sunak is expected to detail the beefing up of job centres , with more work coaches and advisers - underscoring that the government too is getting ready for an onslaught of losses .
The rise in joblessness wo n't be @ @ @ @ @ @ @ be in place until October .
There 's more money for careers advice too , and work placements .
Learning new skills will be vital - particularly for the youngest workers and lowest paid who 've been particularly badly hit .
Rishi Sunak has talked of preserving jobs where possible , and that may mean taking different approaches with different industries .
A skilled workforce is n't enough ; you need the demand for their talents - in other words , flourishing businesses .
And some of those are suffering simply because they @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
The struggling arts and heritage sector has been promised a £1.6bn bespoke package of loans and grants .
That 's a shift away from the Treasury 's previous reluctance to provide tailored help - and may raise hopes elsewhere .
But will those industries that do n't have the glamour of showbiz , with high-profile spokespeople , be as lucky ?
The package for the arts sector may signal that the chancellor remains reluctant to extend the furlough scheme , even for struggling sectors .
Some sectors - travel , for example @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in the absence of a vaccine .
Rather than prop them up , some argue it would be better to divert resources to supporting growing industries .
Rishi Sunak is expected to earmark some cash to support green jobs and to promote environmentally friendly home improvements .
Incentives for other `` new '' industries may also feature .
Even the future of businesses who have reopened may not be secure , unless customers feel safe coming back , not just physically , but financially .
Rishi Sunak has stopped short of a haircut @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the tone with visits to shops , markets and even the pub , despite being teetotal .
• Rishi Sunak urged by MPs to extend self-employed help • What does it mean if I 've been furloughed by work ?
And now he may be after our bank accounts .
A record amount of money was stashed away in May as the majority of the population saw their incomes untroubled , but their spending reduced .
An emergency short-term VAT cut of say , 2 % or 3 % , targeted at perhaps @ @ @ @ @ @ @ part with some cash .
A similar cut was tried during the financial crisis but its impact was limited .
Other ideas that have been touted include state-issued vouchers to spend on holidays , or changes to National Insurance contributions .
All would bear a cost of billions .
5 .
The Budget will remain the main event The next annual Budget is due in the autumn , which gives the chancellor time to mull over how the economy is progressing and introduce more measures , alongside the usual forecasts .
We may @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that long for rumoured temporary changes to stamp duty .
Some now expect that measure , which would boost the fortunes of homebuyers and housebuilders , to come up this Wednesday .
At that Budget , we may hear more about how he will pay for all this .
At present , the government is able to borrow cheaply via bonds on the financial markets , but there are limits .
Mr Sunak may have to find other ways of footing the bill , such as pausing the `` triple lock '' formula @ @ @ @ @ @ @ example .
That wo n't be popular .
Five months into the job , Mr Sunak is enjoying popularity ratings far in excess of that of his Cabinet colleagues , thanks to his handling of the economic crisis so far .
Hanging on to that pole position over the challenging months - or even years - ahead will be no picnic .
• JOBS : Can my boss force me to go to work ?
• FACE MASKS : When should you wear one ?
• TWO METRES : Could less than 2m @ @ @ @ @ @ @ many cases in your area ?

At that Budget, we may hear more about how he will pay for all this. At present, the government is able to borrow cheaply via bonds on the financial markets, but there are limits. Mr Sunak may have to find other ways of footing the bill, such as pausing the "triple lock" formula used to calculate pension rises, for example. That won't be popular.


bbcuk--2020-07-07--Coronavirus: They avoided hospital but they still aren't getting better

Extreme fatigue , nausea , chest tightness , severe headaches , `` brain fog '' and limb pains are among the recurring symptoms described by some sufferers of Covid-19 for weeks - and even months - after their diagnosis .
They call themselves `` long-haulers '' and their symptoms persist long after the 14-day period that 's officially said to be the average length of the illness .
There are calls for both health professionals and employers to recognise that some people will take a lot longer than two weeks to recover .
`` It 's the weirdest thing I @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , from Liverpool , told BBC health correspondent Dominic Hughes .
Nearly four months after she and her family caught the virus , she still experiences a relapse roughly every two weeks where she is hit by debilitating fatigue , nausea , headaches and limb pain .
Her doctors have diagnosed Post Viral Fatigue and she says any small over-exertion while she is feeling well can set her back for days at a time .
A very brief runaround with her young daughter during a family outing left her back in bed for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ McCulloch , from Winchester , was diagnosed by her GP on 23 March - she did not have a test - but says she was at her worst seven weeks later .
`` The whole of April and most of May were an absolute wipe-out , '' she says .
`` Everybody was saying it was 14 days , and I just did n't get better .
By week six I was panicked . ''
Concerned about a secondary infection , her doctors prescribed antibiotics , which she says made her feel even @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is on the mend : `` I 'm not where I was - but I 've done everything I can to get myself get back on track . ''
Donna and Helen are far from alone .
• Coronavirus : Why surviving the virus may be just the beginning • What does Covid-19 do to the brain ?
Thousands of people are sharing stories of their prolonged battle with Covid-19 , using hashtags and joining Facebook groups like the Long Covid Support Group , which has more than 5,200 members .
Data from @ @ @ @ @ @ @ more than three million times , suggests a `` significant number '' of people report symptoms for a month .
One in 10-20 report it for longer than that , says genetic epidemiologist Prof Tim Spector , who came up with the app idea .
`` When this started , everyone assumed it was like the flu , it would all be over in a week and a few people would end up in hospital and either recover or have problems , '' he says .
`` And we now know from people @ @ @ @ @ @ @ there is a significant proportion of people who have problems lasting not just the average ... but over a month . ''
Dr Jake Suett , an intensive-care doctor in Norfolk , who was himself ill for several weeks , wrote an open letter calling on the government to push for more research into long-haul symptoms , and also to raise awareness among not only health professionals but also employers , who may see their staff off work for longer than two weeks .
`` These patients may require financial help , and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ expectation for the time it will take them to recover , '' he wrote .
The issue has since been raised separately in parliament , and NHS England has just launched a new service to help people deal with the long-term effects of coronavirus .
The government has also announced an £8.4m study into the long-term impact on health .
But Dr Suett has not yet had a response .
So what is going on ?
Long-term consequences also affect some people who experience other chronic respiratory illnesses , including viral pneumonia in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , an epidemiologist at the University of Southampton .
It 's difficult to pin down whether there are more or less people affected in the case of Covid-19 , because existing studies into other conditions give inconsistent results .
But Dr Head says the variety of its symptoms could be more unusual .
`` What may well be different with Covid-19 is the sheer range of observed long-term health consequences . ''
The tiredness , `` brain fog '' and lingering loss of taste and smell that many long-haulers report has led some @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the brain .
`` It 's not yet fully known as to how these symptoms come about , for example whether the virus has an indirect effect on the nervous system , or whether it can pass through the blood-brain barrier and affect the brain directly , '' says Dr Head .
`` It is certainly very clear that the virus does affect many parts of the body beyond the lung . ''
Professor Paul Garner from the Liverpool School of Tropical Medicine is an epidemiologist who has been studying his own post-Covid19 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ on 19 March .
He describes his condition now as being like Chronic Fatigue Syndrome ( CFS ) or ME .
He says some sufferers think their condition must be psychological , because they ca n't believe they are experiencing such intense symptoms for such a long time .
`` They think , ' I ca n't be going through this , this is too strange .
I must be having a mental breakdown ' , '' he says .
`` I 've spoken to general practitioners who think they are undergoing a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ they 've just got symptoms of the disease . ''
Ultimately complete rest is crucial to eventual recovery , Prof Garner says - but many people will feel unable to do that , either for financial or family reasons , or both .
`` If you do n't give the body time to heal , it kicks you back , '' he says .
`` Rushing back into work because you have to is more likely to make you ill again and likely to delay your recovery , and people have n't thought @ @ @ @ @ @ @

Dr Jake Suett, an intensive-care doctor in Norfolk, who was himself ill for several weeks, wrote an open letter calling on the government to push for more research into long-haul symptoms, and also to raise awareness among not only health professionals but also employers, who may see their staff off work for longer than two weeks.


bbcuk--2020-07-07--Newspaper headlines: China's warning to UK and 'naughty Tory' on trial

Leaks from Whitehall that the Chancellor , Rishi Sunak , is to announce a stamp duty holiday for house buyers in his economic statement on Wednesday are widely reported .
But the i newspaper says the government briefings suggested the measure wo n't come in until the autumn , and economists and MPs have urged him to introduce it immediately or risk paralysing the housing market for months .
The Daily Telegraph 's property editor , Isabelle Fraser , says an autumn start means that those about to buy will now wait , eager to make a chunky saving by @ @ @ @ @ @ @ warns of an artificial short-term collapse in sales before a surge when the policy comes into force .
Criticism of Boris Johnson 's comments accusing care homes of failing to follow proper coronavirus procedures is the Guardian 's main story .
It says his remarks follow fears that ministers , mindful of a likely future inquiry into the government 's handling of the crisis , could be seeking to lay responsibility for care home deaths on outside bodies , such as Public Health England .
The Spectator website describes the comments as `` @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the Daily Mirror 's view , the prime minister 's `` shamelessness '' in blaming care-home owners for coronavirus deaths is `` gobsmacking '' .
The Daily Telegraph leads with warnings that plans to allow late-night pubs and bars to sell takeaway alcohol will spark street violence , disorder and drunkenness .
It says the government is facing criticism from senior politicians and policing chiefs over a bill that would relax licensing rules to boost the hospitality sector .
The chairman of the Metropolitan Police Federation , Ken Marsh , is quoted as @ @ @ @ @ @ @ '' .
Meanwhile there 's widespread praise for the government 's £1.5bn bailout for the arts .
The Times says Tory governments are not accustomed to hearing the sound of applause from Britain 's cultural industries ringing in their ears .
It describes the financial package as larger than anyone had dared expect .
But even with this support , the paper adds , the future of the creative industries will remain bleak unless venues are able to reopen soon .
It says other countries have already found ways to do this , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ guidelines to follow suit .
The Guardian offers three cheers for what it calls the government 's unexpected generosity .
But the paper says it should have acted sooner , pointing to the German government 's bailout more than a month ago .
The Telegraph 's parliamentary sketchwriter , Michael Deacon , notes there was more praise for another government minister in the Commons yesterday - so rare , as to be a little unsettling , he says .
One after another , MPs from opposition parties stood up to voice approval after @ @ @ @ @ @ @ individuals and organisations in Saudi Arabia , Russia , Myanmar and North Korea were to be targeted under Britain 's new independent sanctions regime .
The Financial Times says Mr Raab is now coming under intense pressure to target Chinese officials and the Hong Kong chief executive , Carrie Lam , as tensions between London and Beijing escalate .
For its main story , the Daily Mail says the diplomatic war over Huawei 's involvement in Britain 's 5G network has taken an extraordinary twist , after a dossier accused China of trying @ @ @ @ @ @ @ UK to back the telecoms giant .
It says the report , commissioned by a New York film producer , names several prominent individuals , claiming the aim was to make them China 's `` useful idiots '' .
The paper says those identified in the report have issued statements strenuously denying knowledge of or involvement in any such operation .
A Huawei spokesman is quoted as saying the company categorically rejects the unfounded allegations , which it says are the latest in a long-running American campaign against it .
Sign up for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ A number of papers step up their demands for ministers to put an end to poor working conditions at some textile factories - which have been linked to the rise in coronavirus cases in Leicester .
The Daily Mail says that when it comes to shopping for clothes , we are all too happy to snap up a bargain , but the hidden cost of fast fashion has been laid bare in Leicester 's garment factories .
For the Financial Times , the UK does n't need new laws to address sweatshops , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ has .
Finally , there are many pictures of masked visitors taking selfies with the Mona Lisa in the background , on the first day of the re-opening of the Louvre in Paris .
New safety measures have been put in place , including a limit on the number of visitors , and the Telegraph 's Mark Stratton says that on balance , the Louvre was a more enjoyable experience than usual without the crowds .
The wearing of a slightly stifling mask and traipsing around a one-way system were worth the sacrifice @ @ @ @ @ @ @ pausing over the treasures , he says - as well as being able to get close enough to the Mona Lisa to realise just how unremarkable the portrait is .

The wearing of a slightly stifling mask and traipsing around a one-way system were worth the sacrifice of being able to spend more time pausing over the treasures, he says - as well as being able to get close enough to the Mona Lisa to realise just how unremarkable the portrait is.


bbcuk--2020-07-07--London's North Circular drivers rescued as water floods route

Motorists had to be rescued from their cars after a burst water main flooded a major road in north-west London .
Eight drivers were helped to safety by firefighters after becoming trapped in half a metre of water on the North Circular road near Brent Cross .
No injuries have been reported , London Fire Brigade ( LFB ) said , but the road remains closed .
Some homes around Golders Green , Hendon and Finchley were left without water on Monday afternoon , Thames Water said .
A spokesperson for Thames Water said : `` We 're sorry to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ We know this has happened at an especially difficult time and understand the concerns our customers may have .
`` Our specialist engineers are on their way to investigate the problem , and they will be doing everything they can to resolve the issue as quickly as possible .
LFB sent four fire engines and about 25 firefighters to tackle the flooding , which began at about 15:30 BST .
The rescue took almost two hours , a spokesperson for LFB said .
Barry Gardiner , Labour MP for Brent North , shared @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of cars stranded in the floodwater .
He tweeted : `` To all my constituents travelling home this evening intending to use the North Circular .
Please be aware of the flooding at the Brent Cross intersection . ''

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bbcuk--2020-07-07--Bobby Storey funeral: Minister must recognise 'harm done'

The justice minister has said she hopes Michelle O'Neill will recognise `` the harm done to the executive 's reputation '' by her attendance at Bobby Storey 's funeral .
Naomi Long said Ms O'Neill had also damaged her own reputation .
The assembly is to debate a motion calling on the deputy first minister and the finance minister to apologise .
The claim was made by Ulster Unionist Party ( UUP ) Belfast city councillor Jim Rodgers .
On Tuesday , the council apologised over how it dealt with Mr Storey 's family at Roselawn Crematorium compared to other @ @ @ @ @ @ @ attend .
Ms O'Neill has apologised `` for grieving families experiencing more hurt '' following her attendance at Mr Storey 's funeral on 30 June .
She was part of the funeral cortege , attended the Requiem Mass and was present for an oration at Milltown Cemetery , but is not believed to have been present at Roselawn .
She has insisted that she did not break social distancing guidelines .
Mrs Long told the BBC 's Good Morning Ulster : `` We recognise and we welcome the fact that Michelle O'Neill has @ @ @ @ @ @ @ those who had to say their farewells to their loved ones in a very different manner .
`` I think she has yet to acknowledge the harm that has been done to the reputation of the executive and to her own standing .
`` I hope there will be some acknowledgement of the damage that has been done . ''
• How a republican funeral sparked a crisis at the heart of NI 's government The assembly motion acknowledges the sacrifices people have made during the Covid-19 emergency and pays tribute to those @ @ @ @ @ @ @ each other safe , particularly during times of trauma , loss and grief .
Sinn Féin 's Martina Anderson said her party will oppose the assembly motion on Tuesday and repeated Ms O'Neill 's claim that criticism of Sinn Féin 's conduct at the funeral was `` political point-scoring '' .
`` It can not be business as usual '' .
So said Arlene Foster rejecting Michelle O'Neill 's non apology .
The deputy first minister expressed her sorrow if anyone felt hurt by the TV pictures of her and the rest of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ masse to their friend and comrade , IRA veteran Bobby Storey .
But Ms O'Neill did n't admit to any breach of the coronavirus regulations .
Other Stormont leaders do n't buy that .
They continue to argue the funeral amounted to a mass gathering in defiance of the guidelines which were operable on the day it took place .
So if it is n't `` business as usual '' , how do you describe the current state of the Northern Ireland Executive ?
All sides to this row are adamant there is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ institutions .
The prevailing view is that the public would not forgive our politicians if they took a fit of pique , only six months after restoring Stormont and with the Covid-19 virus temporarily dormant but still highly dangerous .
Read more from Mark here .
In the assembly on Monday , Ms O'Neill reiterated that she did not intend to `` compound any family 's grief '' by attending the funeral .
`` I would never intentionally hurt anyone - I 'm sorry for that , '' she said , in response @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Voice ( TUV ) leader Jim Allister .
She insisted she took her responsibilities as deputy first minister very seriously .
`` I will continue to lead us through this recovery , I will certainly continue to play my role , '' she added .
Meanwhile , at Mr Storey 's funeral , a number of pallbearers were pictured carrying his coffin including former Sinn Féin President Gerry Adams and North Belfast MLA Gerry Kelly .
New guidance on funerals makes it clear that coffin lifts are not recommended unless all pallbearers are @ @ @ @ @ @ @ `` it is unlikely that pallbearers would be able to maintain a 2m distance from each other , and such practices should not be permitted '' .
The Department of Health said the advice applies to all funerals , regardless of the cause of death .

Mrs Long told the BBC's Good Morning Ulster programme: "We recognise and we welcome the fact that Michelle O'Neill has acknowledged that hurt has been caused to those who had to say their farewells to their loved ones in a very different manner.


bbcuk--2020-07-07--Wales Ineos 4x4 vehicle project 'suspended' in Bridgend

Plans to build a new 4x4 vehicle plant in Wales have been put on hold by the firm Ineos .
@ @ @ @ @ talks with Mercedes-Benz over the acquiring their Hambach site in Moselle , France .
The @ @ @ @ @ built next to the current Ford engine plant at Bridgend , which is to shut @ @ @ @ @ of 1,700 jobs .
It was expected to create about 200 jobs initially to make @ @ @ @ @

"Safety is of course paramount, but we also have an obligation to do what is right for the business - and so need to assess these new opportunities in order to maintain or improve on our timelines," said the Ineos Automotive chief.


bbcuk--2020-07-08--Coronavirus: Rishi Sunak to unveil 'kickstart jobs scheme' for young people

Chancellor Rishi Sunak will announce a £2bn `` kickstart scheme '' on Wednesday to create more jobs for young people .
The fund will subsidise six-month work placements for people on Universal Credit aged between 16 and 24 , who are at risk of long-term unemployment .
Labour welcomed the move , but said the government had failed to `` rise to the scale of the unemployment crisis '' .
Mr Sunak is also expected to announce a temporary stamp duty holiday to stimulate the property market .
This would exempt the first £500,000 of all property sales from the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Nicholas Watt said the chancellor may also introduce a temporary VAT cut to help the hospitality sector that has been hard hit in the pandemic .
The jobs pledge will form part of Mr Sunak 's speech , alongside a £3bn `` green '' fund and boosts for apprenticeships .
The government said it would lead to `` hundreds of thousands of new , high-quality government-subsidised jobs '' .
• Sunak 's summer statement : Five things he may do • Chancellor urged by MPs to extend self-employed help The Treasury said the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of a `` three-point plan for jobs ... to help Britain bounce back from coronavirus '' .
The CBI praised the first part of the plan as `` a much-needed down payment in young people 's futures '' .
The chancellor 's statement is expected at 12:30 BST ( 11:30 GMT ) , after Boris Johnson faces Sir Keir Starmer at Prime Minister 's Questions .
Mr Sunak announced he would deliver an economic update last week , after the prime minister set out his `` new deal '' to build after the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ outlined a number of measures in the build up , including : • Vouchers of up to £5,000 for energy-saving home improvements as part of a wider £3bn plan to cut emissions • A pledge to provide 30,000 new traineeships for young people in England , giving firms £1,000 for each new work experience place they offer • A £1.6bn package of loans and grants for the arts and heritage sector • The doubling of front line staff at job centres , as well as an extra £32m for recruiting extra careers advisors @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
For each `` kickstarter '' job , the government will cover the cost of the National Minimum Wage - £4.55 for under 18s , £6.45 for 18 to 20-year-olds , and £8.20 for 21 to 24-year-olds - for 25 hours a week , and employers will be able to top up the figure .
The government said it would allow young people `` the opportunity to build their skills in the workplace , and to gain experience that will improve their chances of going on to find long-term sustainable work '' .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ August , with the first jobs expected to start in the autumn , and run until December 2021 - with the option of being extended .
It will cover England , Scotland and Wales , and the government said it would provide additional funding to Northern Ireland for such a scheme .
'The focus will be on jobs , jobs , jobs' The government is looking now to the second phase of the crisis , when the worst stage of the health aspect has passed and they hope the economic recovery can begin @ @ @ @ @ @ @ with barely a day going by without an announcement from a household name they are shedding staff .
The reality is many of those who have been paid by the Treasury will find their job does n't return .
The focus of the chancellor 's statement , therefore , will be `` jobs , jobs , jobs '' , insiders say .
There will certainly be a long list of proposals from the Treasury .
It 's not a small matter to do something like cut stamp duty , cut VAT in some @ @ @ @ @ @ @ provide £2bn to subsidise jobs for young people .
But they are certainly much more orthodox actions than the kind of drastic steps the Treasury took at the start of this crisis .
Read more analysis from Laura Kuenssberg here .
Almost 500,000 people who are 24 or younger were signed up to Universal Credit in May - a rise of 250,000 since before lockdown started in March .
The chancellor has previously acknowledged young people could be the worst affected by the crisis when it comes to employment , and also be @ @ @ @ @ @ @ government 's furlough scheme - which is set to end in October .
Speaking in the Commons on Wednesday , Mr Sunak is expected to say : `` Young people bear the brunt of most economic crises , but they are at particular risk this time because they work in the sectors disproportionately hit by the pandemic .
`` We also know that youth unemployment has a long-term impact on jobs and wages and we do n't want to see that happen to this generation .
`` So we 've got a bold @ @ @ @ @ @ @ jobs - a plan for jobs . ''
• JOBS : Can my boss force me to go to work ?
• 40,000 DEATHS : Could they have been prevented ?
• FACE MASKS : When should you wear one ?
• TESTING : Who can get a test and how ?
Labour 's shadow chancellor , Anneliese Dodds , said the scheme `` should help many young people to access work '' .
But she called on the government to extended the furlough and self-employed schemes , and create `` tailored support @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in hard hit areas .
The director general of the CBI , Dame Carolyn Fairbairn , said the announcement could see the government `` lessening the potential scarring impact of the pandemic for the next generation '' .
But she called on businesses and the government to `` work to deliver the kickstarter scheme simply and at speed '' , adding : `` There can be no time lost in preparing young people who are entering one of the toughest jobs markets we 've seen in decades . ''
The national chairman of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Cherry , said a focus on jobs was `` absolutely essential to lift the country out of the economic hardship caused by the Covid crisis '' .
But he appealed to the government to ensure smaller firms could benefit from the scheme , adding : `` Small businesses must not be left waiting in line behind big corporates when they could get people to work now . ''

The chancellor has previously acknowledged young people could be the worst-affected by the crisis when it comes to employment, as they are the age group most likely to be on the government's furlough scheme - which is set to end in October.


bbcuk--2020-07-07--'I was terrified to put on weight' - the 'culture of fear' in British gymnastics

Nicole Pavier says an eating disorder still `` plagues '' her life .
A former England gymnast , she says she was weighed every day during her career .
She is one of several gymnasts to speak to BBC Sport about what they called a `` culture of fear '' within the `` mentally and emotionally abusive '' sport of gymnastics .
British Gymnastics has announced an independent review will take place following allegations of mistreatment from a number of athletes in recent days .
`` It is clear that gymnasts did not feel they could raise their concerns to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ an independent review helps us better understand why so we can remove any barriers as quickly as possible , '' said chief executive Jane Allen .
Pavier said she became `` terrified '' she would put on weight , and would find `` mechanisms '' to try to prevent her from doing so .
`` Being an adult now , you really realise how much it has affected you , from the eating disorders , the chronic pain , waking up having nightmares every night , never feeling good enough , '' Pavier @ @ @ @ @ @ @ long-term implication . ''
She alleges gymnasts were weighed twice a day sometimes , and claims her coach , Claire Barbieri , would `` discuss people 's weights in front of the whole group '' and display their weights on a whiteboard .
Barbieri told BBC Sport she has `` never , to date , ever had any formal complaint raised against me by a gymnast '' .
`` I acknowledge that the regime for training elite gymnasts can at times be a tough one , '' she said in a statement .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ have followed British Gymnastics best practice and I continue to treat the welfare of the gymnasts I coach as my top priority . ''
She added : `` In line with standard practice at the time , the club had a system of weighing and measuring the elite gymnasts daily .
Following advice from the GB medical team this was reduced to twice a week .
`` I am fully aware of the risks of eating disorders amongst gymnasts and ensured that professional advice was obtained and followed where potential issues had been @ @ @ @ @ @ @ used initially , I acknowledged some gymnasts ' concerns with this and changed the practice - introducing a system where the gymnasts had more privacy and kept their own records . ''
British Gymnastics ' independent review will be conducted by Jane Mulcahy QC .
Allen said : `` The behaviours we have heard about in recent days are completely contrary to our standards of safe coaching and have no place in our sport .
The British Gymnastics integrity unit is set up to investigate all allegations when reported or identified by our @ @ @ @ @ @ @ officers .
`` There is nothing more important for British Gymnastics than the welfare of our gymnasts at every level of our sport and we will continually strive to create a culture where people feel they can raise any concerns that they may have . ''
Pavier says she was 21 when she gained control of her eating disorder , but admits she is still `` picking up the pieces '' .
`` I still hate the way I look , I still feel like I 'm overweight , I still wake up @ @ @ @ @ @ @ some days or wo n't eat anything , '' she says .
`` There is no day where I 'll wake up and look in the mirror and be happy with what I see . ''
Athletes 'sat on and made to sit in cupboards' BBC Sport also heard testimonies from several other gymnasts - at all levels of the sport , who had several different coaches and trained at several different clubs - as well as some parents .
From their testimonies , BBC Sport has learned how some gymnasts were allegedly @ @ @ @ @ @ @ store cupboards if they cried or refused to perform a skill in training ; • None Hit by one coach on the legs with a wooden stick ; • None Sat on if they were not fully on the ground while performing the splits .
It was claimed one coach made their gymnasts do three hours of conditioning after seeing some of them eating chips .
Another coach is said to have made theirs line up and watch as they ordered cleaners to search through bins to find discarded snack wrappers .
Other @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
A parent told BBC Sport her daughter broke her wrist during training .
As soon as her daughter was out of a splint , she says she was made to use the wrist in moves , once causing her so much pain she vomited .
One gymnast says she broke a rib in training but chose not tell her coach , with the injury eventually causing a punctured lung that prevented her competing and training for a year .
Many of the gymnasts BBC Sport spoke to say they still suffer psychological @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for which some remain on medication and others are receiving therapy .
One says she continues to have night terrors , years after retiring , while a parent told of young gymnasts she knew of whose hair had fallen out because of the stress they felt .
Coaches would frequently `` scream '' at gymnasts and their parents , with one parent saying they had been `` groomed '' as well as their children , who they knew would be `` punished '' if training methods were not accepted .
Many of the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ want any children they may have in the future to do gymnastics .
British Gymnastics declined to comment on any individual cases but told BBC Sport in a statement : `` British Gymnastics condemns any behaviour which is harmful to the wellbeing of our gymnasts .
Such behaviours are completely contrary to our standards of safe coaching .
`` Our integrity unit investigates all allegations reported to us or identified by our national network of club welfare officers and takes disciplinary action to prevent recurrence .
`` We have worked particularly hard in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and coaching culture is transparent , fair and inclusive .
`` British Gymnastics is reaching out to any gymnast , either current or past , that has concerns around specific incidents or behaviours and encourages them to contact our integrity unit . ''
'We want to show support' Last week , British former gymnast Jennifer Pinches , who competed at the London 2012 Olympics , reached out to fellow gymnasts on social media .
`` We wanted to come together and just show our support for anyone that has been mistreated , '' @ @ @ @ @ @ @ It 's about gymnasts and a support network coming together .
`` Unfortunately , certain types of behaviour have become a bit normalised in gymnastics , unacceptable behaviour - and it 's not just Britain , it 's across the world .
`` There 's a better way , we know that , so we want to take a stand against any kind of damaging behaviour and support those who have experienced mistreatment .
We want a safe happy and healthy environment for gymnasts . ''

Nicole Pavier says she became "terrified" she would put on weight
Nicole Pavier says an eating disorder still "plagues" her life. A former England gymnast, she says she was weighed every day during her career.
Pavier, 24, told BBC Sport how she developed bulimia when she was 14 and that she retired three years later after becoming "a shell of a person".
She is one of several gymnasts to speak to BBC Sport about what they called a "culture of fear" within the "mentally and emotionally abusive" sport of gymnastics.
British Gymnastics has announced an independent review will take place following allegations of mistreatment from a number of athletes in recent days.
"It is clear that gymnasts did not feel they could raise their concerns to British Gymnastics and it is vital that an independent review helps us better understand why so we can remove any barriers as quickly as possible," said chief executive Jane Allen.
Pavier said she became "terrified" she would put on weight, and would find "mechanisms" to try to prevent her from doing so.
"Being an adult now, you really realise how much it has affected you, from the eating disorders, the chronic pain, waking up having nightmares every night, never feeling good enough," Pavier said.
"It has such a long-term implication."
She alleges gymnasts were weighed twice a day sometimes, and claims her coach, Claire Barbieri, would "discuss people's weights in front of the whole group" and display their weights on a whiteboard.
Barbieri told BBC Sport she has "never, to date, ever had any formal complaint raised against me by a gymnast".
"I acknowledge that the regime for training elite gymnasts can at times be a tough one," she said in a statement. "However, throughout my career I have followed British Gymnastics best practice and I continue to treat the welfare of the gymnasts I coach as my top priority."
She added: "In line with standard practice at the time, the club had a system of weighing and measuring the elite gymnasts daily. Following advice from the GB medical team this was reduced to twice a week.
"I am fully aware of the risks of eating disorders amongst gymnasts and ensured that professional advice was obtained and followed where potential issues had been flagged.
"Although a whiteboard was used initially, I acknowledged some gymnasts' concerns with this and changed the practice - introducing a system where the gymnasts had more privacy and kept their own records."
British Gymnastics' independent review will be conducted by Jane Mulcahy QC.
Allen said: "The behaviours we have heard about in recent days are completely contrary to our standards of safe coaching and have no place in our sport. The British Gymnastics integrity unit is set up to investigate all allegations when reported or identified by our national network of club and regional welfare officers.
"There is nothing more important for British Gymnastics than the welfare of our gymnasts at every level of our sport and we will continually strive to create a culture where people feel they can raise any concerns that they may have."
Pavier says she was 21 when she gained control of her eating disorder, but admits she is still "picking up the pieces".
"I still hate the way I look, I still feel like I'm overweight, I still wake up and don't want to eat breakfast some days or won't eat anything," she says.
"There is no day where I'll wake up and look in the mirror and be happy with what I see."
Athletes 'sat on and made to sit in cupboards'
BBC Sport also heard testimonies from several other gymnasts - at all levels of the sport, who had several different coaches and trained at several different clubs - as well as some parents.
From their testimonies, BBC Sport has learned how some gymnasts were allegedly:
Made to sit in store cupboards if they cried or refused to perform a skill in training;
Hit by one coach on the legs with a wooden stick;
Sat on if they were not fully on the ground while performing the splits.
It was claimed one coach made their gymnasts do three hours of conditioning after seeing some of them eating chips.
Another coach is said to have made theirs line up and watch as they ordered cleaners to search through bins to find discarded snack wrappers.
Other gymnasts also said they trained through injuries. A parent told BBC Sport her daughter broke her wrist during training. As soon as her daughter was out of a splint, she says she was made to use the wrist in moves, once causing her so much pain she vomited.
One gymnast says she broke a rib in training but chose not tell her coach, with the injury eventually causing a punctured lung that prevented her competing and training for a year.
Many of the gymnasts BBC Sport spoke to say they still suffer psychological effects, including anxiety and depression, for which some remain on medication and others are receiving therapy.
One says she continues to have night terrors, years after retiring, while a parent told of young gymnasts she knew of whose hair had fallen out because of the stress they felt.
Coaches would frequently "scream" at gymnasts and their parents, with one parent saying they had been "groomed" as well as their children, who they knew would be "punished" if training methods were not accepted.
Many of the athletes spoken to said they would not want any children they may have in the future to do gymnastics.
British Gymnastics declined to comment on any individual cases but told BBC Sport in a statement: "British Gymnastics condemns any behaviour which is harmful to the wellbeing of our gymnasts. Such behaviours are completely contrary to our standards of safe coaching.
"Our integrity unit investigates all allegations reported to us or identified by our national network of club welfare officers and takes disciplinary action to prevent recurrence.
"We have worked particularly hard in recent years to ensure that our athlete and coaching culture is transparent, fair and inclusive.
"British Gymnastics is reaching out to any gymnast, either current or past, that has concerns around specific incidents or behaviours and encourages them to contact our integrity unit."
'We want to show support'
All gymnasts need to experience a healthy and happy environment - Pinches
Last week, British former gymnast Jennifer Pinches, who competed at the London 2012 Olympics, reached out to fellow gymnasts on social media.
"We wanted to come together and just show our support for anyone that has been mistreated," the 26-year-old told BBC Sport.
"It's about gymnasts and a support network coming together.
"Unfortunately, certain types of behaviour have become a bit normalised in gymnastics, unacceptable behaviour - and it's not just Britain, it's across the world.
"There's a better way, we know that, so we want to take a stand against any kind of damaging behaviour and support those who have experienced mistreatment. We want a safe happy and healthy environment for gymnasts."


bbcuk--2020-07-07--Coronavirus: No 10 refuses to apologise for PM's 'crass' care home remark

No 10 has rejected calls for Boris Johnson to apologise after he said `` too many care homes did n't really follow procedures '' over coronavirus .
Labour called the PM 's comments `` crass '' and said government advice to care homes had been `` conflicting '' .
And one union accused the PM of blaming care workers for government `` failings '' .
But Downing Street said Mr Johnson had been pointing out that not enough was known about the virus in the early stages of the outbreak .
The PM 's official spokesman added that the care @ @ @ @ @ @ @ under very difficult circumstances '' and the government had `` put in place rigorous testing and additional funding '' .
• What guidance did care homes get ?
• Almost 30,000 more care home deaths than last year Care homes were hit particularly badly by the coronavirus with nearly 20,000 people confirmed to have died of coronavirus in care homes in England and Wales since the outbreak .
Labour 's shadow health secretary Jonathan Ashworth said people were `` insulted '' by Mr Johnson 's `` crass remarks '' .
`` Care providers @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , staff could not access testing until mid-April and are still not tested routinely , PPE supplies have been inadequate , thousands of families have lost their loved ones in care homes to this disease , care workers themselves have died on the front line , '' he told MPs .
He called on Health Secretary Matt Hancock to apologise for the PM 's remarks .
Mr Hancock said the prime minister had been `` explaining that because asymptomatic transmission was not known about , the correct procedures were therefore not known '' @ @ @ @ @ @ @ been constantly learning about this virus from the start and improving procedures all the way through and I pay tribute to the care homes in this country who have done so much to care for the most vulnerable throughout the crisis . ''
Speaking in the House of Lords another government minister , Lord Greenhalgh , admitted that guidance given to care homes during the initial stages of the pandemic was `` not as clear as it could have been '' .
Mark Adams , who runs the charity Community Integrated Care , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the prime minister 's comments were `` cowardly '' and a `` travesty of leadership '' .
And Unison , a trade union which represents workers providing public services , said : `` It 's despicable for Boris Johnson to blame incredible , dedicated care workers for his own government 's failings .
`` Care staff have kept working throughout to help the vulnerable , putting their own health at risk with little or no protective kit and without testing .
`` The prime minister should be ashamed , take responsibility and commit @ @ @ @ @ @ @ care . ''
Behind the scenes in the government , there is a frustration the care sector has escaped largely blame free from the crisis .
Care homes are not government-run .
On the whole they are owned and operated by private firms .
As you would expert in a network of more than 14,000 homes there is a variation in performances and practices .
Not all care homes have seen outbreaks - and that , of course , means questions should be asked .
But the sector is right to complain that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ was changing all the time .
The big national effort on PPE was focused on the NHS , leaving some homes severely lacking in equipment as their supply chains dried up or could not cope .
The roll-out of testing was slow - it is only now that residents and staff are to get regular testing , vital if those who are infected but do n't show symptoms are to be spotted .
This virus is very tricky to contain and the UK is not alone in struggling to protect care homes .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ mention of funding .
The overhaul of the system has been talked about for years , but nothing has been done , leaving some services in a precarious position .
The virus has certainly exploited that .
On Sunday , NHS England boss Sir Simon Stevens told the BBC that plans to adequately fund the social care sector needed to be in place within a year .
Asked on Monday about his remarks , Mr Johnson said : `` One of the things the crisis has shown is we need to think about @ @ @ @ @ @ @ better and how we make sure we look after people better who are in social care .
`` We discovered too many care homes did n't really follow the procedures in the way that they could have but we 're learning lessons the whole time . ''
During the 2019 election , the Conservatives promised an extra £1bn per year for social care in England over the next five years .
The government has given an extra £3.2bn in emergency Covid-19 funds to English councils , which can be put towards helping with @ @ @ @ @ @ @ promised an additional £600m for care homes to help with controlling infections .

Asked on Monday about his remarks, Mr Johnson said: "One of the things the crisis has shown is we need to think about how we organise our social care package better and how we make sure we look after people better who are in social care.


bbcuk--2020-07-07--Yemen: UK to resume Saudi arms sales after humanitarian review

The UK is to resume arms sales to Saudi Arabia despite concerns they could be used against civilians in Yemen , in violation of international humanitarian law .
Sales were suspended last year after a legal challenge by campaigners .
A subsequent review found `` isolated incidents '' of possible violations but no pattern of non-compliance and `` no clear risk '' of future serious breaches .
The Campaign Against the Arms Trade said it was a `` morally bankrupt '' move .
It accused the government of `` rank hypocrisy '' after , on Monday , it banned 20 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and frozen their assets in connection with the 2018 killing of the journalist Jamal Khashoggi .
Labour said the government 's `` mixed messages ... undermined the UK 's claim to be human rights defenders '' .
The UK 's support for the Saudi-led international coalition in Yemen , which is backing the country 's government in its battle against a long-running Houthi insurgency , has proved highly controversial .
• Yemen crisis : Why is there a war ?
Thousands of people , including many civilians , have been killed in the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ made homeless or left starving .
The UN has verified the deaths of at least 7,700 civilians since 2015 and said 60 % of these were due to bombing raids by the Saudi-led coalition , whose other members include the United Arab Emirates .
Monitoring groups believe the toll is far higher with the Armed Conflict Location and Event Data Project identifying 12,000 civilians killed in direct attacks .
According to campaigners , the UK has licensed £5.3bn worth of arms to Saudi Arabia since 2015 .
British officials have provided military advice @ @ @ @ @ @ @ bombing targets and tactics .
Under UK export policy , military equipment licences should not be granted if there is a `` clear risk '' that weapons might be used in a `` serious violation of international humanitarian law '' .
The UK was forced to review its policy after the Court of Appeal ruled in June 2019 that its decision-making process was unlawful as no attempt had been made to assess whether serious breaches had occurred in Yemen .
In a statement , International Trade Secretary Liz Truss said the UK had @ @ @ @ @ @ @ using new methodology , to determine whether there had been a `` historic pattern of breaches '' .
While some of these incidents were assessed as `` possible '' violations , she said they `` occurred at different times , in different circumstances and for different reasons and the conclusion is that these are isolated incidents '' .
`` In the light of all that information and analysis , I have concluded that ... Saudi Arabia has a genuine intent and the capacity to comply with international humanitarian law , '' she said @ @ @ @ @ @ @ have assessed that there is not a clear risk that the export of arms and military equipment to Saudi Arabia might be used in the commission of a serious violation . ''
She said sales could resume and the `` backlog '' of individual licences which have accumulated since last June would be cleared subject to them meeting UK and EU criteria .
The Campaign Against The Arms Trade said the government 's decision was `` disgraceful '' .
`` The Saudi-led bombardment of Yemen has created the world 's worst humanitarian crisis @ @ @ @ @ @ @ UK-made arms have played a central role on the bombing , '' it said .
`` The evidence shows a clear pattern of heinous and appalling breaches of international humanitarian law by a coalition which has repeatedly targeted civilian gatherings such as weddings , funerals , and market places .
`` The government claims that these are isolated incidents , but how many hundreds of isolated incidents would it take for the government to stop supplying the weaponry ? ''
Labour said they would be pressing Ms Truss to explain her decision to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 's standards , their decision to resume the sale of arms to Saudi Arabia for use in Yemen is morally indefensible , '' said shadow international trade secretary Emily Thornberry .
`` At a time when millions of Yemeni children are facing the mortal threat of starvation and disease , Britain should be working flat out to bring this terrible war to an end , not selling the arms that continue to fuel it . ''
The SNP 's foreign affairs spokesman , Alyn Smith , said the government had `` repeatedly and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ The UK has long sought to broker a political settlement to the conflict in Yemen while backing the government in its effort to defeat the rebels .
But it has been criticised for not taking tougher line with Saudi Arabia , which is a longstanding defence and intelligence ally of the UK .
Germany banned all arms exports to Saudi Arabia in 2018 following the murder of Jamal Khashoggi , a prominent critic of the Saudi government .

While some of these incidents were assessed as "possible" violations, she said they "occurred at different times, in different circumstances and for different reasons and the conclusion is that these are isolated incidents".


bbcuk--2020-07-07--Johnny Depp: Claims in the Sun he beat ex-wife 'complete lies', court told

Claims that Johnny Depp was violent towards ex-wife Amber Heard are `` complete lies '' , his lawyers have told the High Court .
The actor is suing the publisher of the Sun - News Group Newspapers ( NGN ) - and executive editor Dan Wootton , over an April 2018 article that referred to him as a `` wife beater '' .
Mr Depp has strenuously denied that he was violent towards Ms Heard .
But NGN lawyers said the `` wife beater '' description was `` entirely accurate '' .
Both Mr Depp and Ms Heard were in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ In a written outline of the Hollywood star 's case , his barrister , David Sherborne , said the article made `` defamatory allegations of the utmost seriousness '' against Mr Depp , accusing him of committing serious assaults on Ms Heard and `` inflicting such serious injuries that she feared for her life '' .
Mr Sherborne said : `` The articles amount to a full-scale attack on the claimant as a 'wife beater ' , guilty of the most horrendous physical abuse . ''
He added : `` The claimant 's @ @ @ @ @ @ @ allegations are complete lies .
`` The claimant was not violent towards Ms Heard , it was she who was violent to him . ''
During a day of cross-examination by Sasha Wass QC , barrister for NGN , she argued there was a `` nasty '' side to Mr Depp 's character .
She later suggested Mr Depp `` regularly engaged in destructive and violent behaviour '' , which the actor denied .
The court was shown a video , recorded by Ms Heard without Mr Depp 's knowledge , in which @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , swearing and kicking a cabinet .
Asked by Ms Wass if he would agree he was violent in the clip , Mr Depp replied : `` I was violent with some cupboards . ''
He added : `` Clearly , I was n't in the best state of mind . ''
Mr Depp was also questioned about his use of drugs and said there had been `` an internal fight in me in terms of alcohol and drugs and other numbing agents throughout my life , from the age of 11 '' @ @ @ @ @ @ @ his mother 's `` nerve pills '' .
As part of its defence , NGN alleges Mr Depp was `` controlling and verbally and physically abusive towards Ms Heard , particularly when he was under the influence of alcohol and/or drugs '' .
In witness statements filed as part of the case , Mr Depp said he has never abused Ms Heard , or any other woman , in his life and alleged Ms Heard was `` calculating '' , `` sociopathic '' and `` a narcissist '' .
`` I am now @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to take from me anything worth taking , and then destroy what remained of it , '' he said .
Mr Depp said the pair sought the help of a marriage counsellor who he says confirmed to him that Ms Heard had a `` borderline , toxic narcissistic personality disorder and is a sociopath '' .
In his witness statements he also accused Ms Heard of repeatedly punching him in the face and severing his finger by throwing a vodka bottle at him .
NGN previously tried to have the case thrown out @ @ @ @ @ @ @ week the case could go ahead .
The case arose out of the publication of an article on the Sun 's website headlined : `` Gone Potty : How can JK Rowling be 'genuinely happy ' casting wife beater Johnny Depp in the new Fantastic Beasts film ? ''
The Sun 's original article related to allegations made by the actress , who was married to the Pirates of the Caribbean star from 2015 to 2017 .
Witnesses including Mr Depp 's former partners Vanessa Paradis and Winona Ryder are expected to give @ @ @ @ @ @ @ trial is expected to last for three weeks .
Mr Depp , 57 , has been Oscar and Bafta-nominated and won a Golden Globe in 2008 for Sweeney Todd : The Demon Barber of Fleet Street .
He married the Aquaman and The Danish Girl actress , now 34 , in February 2015 , but she filed for divorce after 15 months .
A defamation action is a civil law claim and can be brought if someone publishes to other people a statement about you which has either caused your reputation serious harm @ @ @ @ @ @ @ harm .
There are four possible defences to defamation .
Firstly , that the statement about you is true .
Secondly , that it was not a statement of fact but an honest opinion .
Thirdly , that publication was justified because it was on a matter of public interest , and finally that it was protected by `` privilege '' .
However , defamation actions work differently from many civil actions such as breach of contract , where the burden of proving the `` wrong '' lies with the person bringing the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ has to show that the statement about them has a defamatory meaning - ie that it lowers them in the minds of right-thinking members of society .
`` Meaning '' is now decided by a judge at an early , pre-trial stage .
Many cases settle after the judge has ruled on meaning , but if a claim does go to trial , the burden then lies with the publisher to prove , for example , that the statement was substantially true .
This is when the gloves come off and personal reputations @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Follow us on Facebook , or on Twitter @ BBCNewsEnts .
If you have a story suggestion email us at entertainment.news @ bbc.co.uk .

"Meaning" is now decided by a judge at an early, pre-trial stage. Many cases settle after the judge has ruled on meaning, but if a claim does go to trial, the burden then lies with the publisher to prove, for example, that the statement was substantially true. This is when the gloves come off and personal reputations and behaviour come under intense scrutiny.


bbcuk--2020-07-07--TikTok algorithm promoted 'sickening' anti-Semitic meme

TikTok has deleted a collection of videos found by the BBC to be using a sickening anti-Semitic song that gained more than 6.5 million views .
The song surfaced on the app on Sunday and includes the lyrics : `` We 're going on a trip to a place called Auschwitz , it 's shower time . ''
The first video to use the song showed a giant robot scorpion with a swastika attacking and killing people .
TikTok 's algorithm ensured that video alone got more than six million views .
Other videos that made further use of the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ million views .
Auschwitz was a Nazi death camp in Poland where more than a million people died during World War Two , many of them in gas chambers after being told they were going to take a communal shower .
Nearly 100 users chose the song for their own videos .
One showed a character from the computer game Roblox that looks like Hitler .
Another used a clip of a shooter game where people are killed by green gas canisters .
Other videos used imagery from films or television documentaries about @ @ @ @ @ @ @ attracted the large audience in less than three days before they were removed .
`` It was incredibly distressing to watch this sickening TikTok video aimed at children , showing a swastika-bearing robot grabbing and incinerating Jews , as the music poked fun at Jewish men , women and children being killed with poison gas at Auschwitz , '' said Stephen Silverman , director of investigations and enforcement for the Campaign Against Antisemitism .
`` TikTok has a particular obligation to tackle this content fast because it specialises in delivering viral videos to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ most impressionable , and yet our research has shown that TikTok has become one of the fastest vectors for transmission of memes mocking the Holocaust . ''
TikTok took about eight hours to remove all the offending videos .
A spokeswoman said : `` Keeping our users safe is a top priority for TikTok , and our community guidelines make clear what is not acceptable on our platform .
`` We do not tolerate any content that includes hate speech , and the sound in question , along with all associated videos , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ will not catch every instance of inappropriate content , we are continuously improving our technologies and policies to ensure TikTok remains a safe place for positive creative expression . '
'' Some experts believe TikTok needs to do more to check the content of videos before promoting them to a wider audience .
Michael Priem , chief executive of Modern Impact said : `` TikTok is not revealing their algorithms or strategy behind content .
But it 's widely believed that it 's similar to other commonly used models that collect data on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
`` As specific videos gain momentum the algorithm then promotes them more widely across the platform .
Hence the users intuitively asking each other to 'help this go viral ' .
The problems rest then on the content filtering . ''
The user who posted the original video that started the meme appears to be a young teenager from the UK .
He did not respond to requests for comment and his account was still live at the time of writing .
He wrote on his profile that he had gained 12,000 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ A very similar version of the video was uploaded to YouTube in 2015 .
It was posted on a small channel and gained 67,000 views in the nearly five years it was live .
YouTube removed it after being contacted by the BBC .
It is not clear where the song originated , but the imagery is from a computer game called Besiege that allows players to create custom siege weapons .

The user who posted the original video that started the meme appears to be a young teenager from the UK. He did not respond to requests for comment and his account was still live at the time of writing. He wrote on his profile that he had gained 12,000 new followers after posting the video.