bbcuk--2020-09-02--Lifting Greater Manchester lockdown 'illogical' as cases rise

Greater Manchester Mayor Andy Burnham has blasted the easing of coronavirus restrictions in parts of northern England as `` completely illogical '' .
Measures were lifted overnight in Bolton , Stockport and Trafford despite concerns from some local councils .
Mr Burnham said it meant boroughs with rising cases were restriction-free but others with lower numbers were not .
The government said it was working closely with local authorities `` in response to the changing situation '' .
Mr Burnham urged people in Bolton and Trafford to `` continue to follow the guidance '' not to have social gatherings at @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a completely unsustainable position , '' he said .
Mr Burnham said the restrictions were `` always hard to explain to the public but they 're completely illogical now '' .
`` Overnight we 've had restrictions released from two boroughs where we 've got a rising number of cases - in one case in the red zone - and neighbouring boroughs are still under restrictions but with much lower numbers of cases , '' he said .
'Are we in or out ? '
Mr Burnham said people across the whole of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ mixing in the home '' , saying it was safer `` for your family to do that '' .
`` Whether your borough is under restrictions or not I just think that 's a good guiding principle '' .
A Covid-19 spike in Bolton and Trafford prompted council bosses to ask for restrictions to remain in place a day before they were due to be lifted .
Bolton currently has one of the highest rates of new virus cases per 100,000 residents in England .
The measures have also been eased in Burnley @ @ @ @ @ @ @ excluding Bradford city and Keighley town , parts of Calderdale , excluding Halifax , and parts of Kirklees , excluding Dewsbury and Batley .
According to government rules , people living in these areas can now : • Socialise in groups of up to two households indoors or private gardens • Stay overnight at somebody else 's home but must try to social distance • Book close contact services such as facials and brow or eyelash treatments Measures were imposed at the end of July amid a rise in cases .
Bolton , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ being allowed to have two households socialise indoors .
In Manchester , Salford , Rochdale , Bury and Tameside it is still banned .
In Oldham people are advised not to meet up with other households outdoors as well .
The rise in cases in Trafford and Bolton shows how quickly the situation with coronavirus can change .
On Friday the government announced it was easing the localised lockdown restrictions in parts of Greater Manchester from Wednesday .
Pointing to data for the week to 20 August , it said `` cases in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ per 100,000 residents ) to 18.9 , and 23 to 15.1 respectively , and Trafford fell from 27.1 to 17.8 . ''
Yet even then , there was concern that the rate was rising .
The Labour leader of Trafford Council , Andrew Western , said the more recent data had shown a `` slight increase '' .
And based on data released on Tuesday evening , Trafford 's rate for the week to 29 August was more than 35 cases per 100,000 .
In Bolton it was 59 cases per 100,000 , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ cases on 27 , 28 and 29 August .
Yet the easing of restrictions has gone ahead and different parts of Greater Manchester have different rules .
Catalina Sastra , who runs the Party and Play , funhouse in Bolton was planning to re-open next week but said the changes were confusing .
`` We 're teetering on the edge ... we are due to open with an online booking system , temperature reading , we 've had all the screens put up ... but it 's just if it 's on or @ @ @ @ @ @ @ said .
`` It 's a bit like playing hokey-cokey .
Are we in or are we out ? ''
Lauren Barlow , who runs a beauty parlour in Great Lever , said she was `` very happy '' restrictions had lifted as about 40 % of her business was facial treatments .
She said she had been `` very worried '' and her customers had been disappointed at the limited services with `` most of Bolton pretty fed up with it all now '' .
Mr Burnham said he was asking the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ about an exit strategy from this '' .
He said blanket restrictions had become less effective so `` targeted interventions at a community level '' need to be introduced , particularly `` door-to-door interventions to do testing , tracing and messaging '' .
He also requested financial support to help people self-isolating .
`` We are confident that would be much more effective than poorly targeted blanket restrictions , '' he said .
A Department of Health and Social Care spokeswoman said : `` We are working closely with leaders and local authorities @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to the changing situation and we keep all local restrictions under constant consideration . ''
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bbcuk--2020-09-02--Millions of pupils return after historic shutdown

Millions of pupils in England and Wales are returning to school after the unprecedented shutdown during the coronavirus pandemic .
Schools will look different , with one-way systems , screens keeping pupils apart and staggered start times .
Many pupils will be given inductions so they understand the new rules , such as staying in their `` bubble '' groups and where to use social distancing .
Teachers will assess how much pupils need to catch up after a long absence .
Schools are beginning to return in England Wales this week - although there will be a mix of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ training days as staff prepare for new safety measures .
In Scotland and Northern Ireland schools have already opened for the new academic year .
Godsway Dzoboku , principal of Outwood Academy Portland , in Worksop , Nottinghamshire , has re-organised classroom desks into rows , with each child being given a personalised pack of rulers , pens and other classroom equipment .
`` The only way we can make bubbles work is to keep them [ the pupils ] in year groups - so we have a bubble of 300 , '' @ @ @ @ @ @ @ advice for first-day nerves at school • I 'm back at school - can I hug my friends ?
• What your children will see when they return to school • In pictures : Mixed feelings as pupils go back Each bubble will stick together , go to a staggered lunch and a staggered break together , he added , and each group has been allocated a corridor within the school in which they will stay and be taught .
The view from the first day back There 's something of a party @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in Barking , east London .
Nervous Year 7s say goodbye to their parents who have accompanied them to their first day at their new secondary school .
Parents are not allowed inside and the children line up in the playground in single file and in silence .
Year 11s and Year 13s greet each other and then head inside to begin two days of diagnostic exams .
`` It may sound a bit cruel but we need to know where we 're at , '' says head Andrew Roberts .
The exam @ @ @ @ @ @ @ concerned about , he says .
`` Today we 're assessing them , '' he says .
`` To get an idea of the impact on each individual . ''
He says they have missed three months of learning since the lockdown began - and they need to be ready for crucial GCSEs and A-levels in less than a year 's time .
Delani , aged 11 says he is feeling `` pretty OK '' about his first day .
`` I was quite scared but I 've seen a lot of familiar @ @ @ @ @ @ @ has a face mask in his pocket but the school has decided they 're not needed .
His mum , Heather , a university administrator says she 's fairly confident that the benefits of being back at school outweigh the risks .
From what she has read , she says the pandemic could go on for a very long time .
So the children need to be back in school and the parents need to get back to work .
Imole , aged 11 , says coronavirus `` messed everything up '' .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ his last year in primary school , even the end of year SATs tests .
He 's standing at the gates of his new secondary school - a bit apprehensive .
`` A lot of stuff is going to change , '' he says .
Aisha , also 11 , is `` nervous and excited '' .
`` It 's scary moving from a school where I knew everyone to a school where I do n't , '' she says .
Mum Rasheedat says she 's `` confident '' her daughter will be @ @ @ @ @ @ @ school : `` I 'm not really worried '' .
• PPE at lunch and one-way systems – the new school term • What are the risks that schools will spread coronavirus ?
• Portable loos and PPE : Teachers on the return to school It has been almost six months since schools were closed by the lockdown .
They soon reopened to vulnerable pupils and key worker children , but only a fraction of the national school population returned to any form of face-to-face lessons over the summer term .
The rest @ @ @ @ @ @ @ home , but levels of support and interactive teaching have been very different from place to place .
It is not clear how many parents will have sent their children back , with no official figures yet , although attendance is compulsory .
Mary Bousted , joint general secretary of the National Education Union said that , thanks to the preparations by school staff , `` the signs are at the moment that it 's a very calm and managed and positive return '' .
`` There will be lots of nervous children @ @ @ @ @ @ @ she said .
`` I 'm sure when they get into school they will be reassured by the routines and be really glad to be back with their teachers and their friends . ''
But teachers and head teachers have criticised the lack of funding for safety measures , such as hand-washing stations , sanitiser , and screens .
Association of School and College Leaders general secretary Geoff Barton said it was `` hugely disappointing '' that these changes had to be paid for out of `` hard-pressed budgets '' .
England 's @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for safety measures is `` under review '' , although Ms Bousted said the government was acting too slowly .
Mr Gibb has also urged parents to send their children back to catch up on missed lesssons , saying : `` Schools are doing everything they can to make sure that their pupils and their staff are safe . ''
Some recent polls suggest families are keen to see children back in class , but others have not been so positive .
In Scotland , where pupils returned several weeks ago , official @ @ @ @ @ @ @ absent , although ministers and teachers have suggested cold and flu viruses are mostly to blame .
But there are parents who are worried .
Mother of two , Sally , has a chronic form of blood cancer and has been shielding since March .
She told BBC Radio 4 's Today Programme she was keen for her children to get back to school to continue their education and see their friends .
`` But I do have concerns that it 's exposing me to additional risks . ''
When they return home @ @ @ @ @ @ @ wo n't be giving them a hug , unfortunately - I 'll be keeping my distance as much as I can , otherwise it will be life as normal , hopefully . ''
Pupils returning to secondary schools will find whole sections of school buildings cordoned off to some groups , but open to others as head teachers strive to keep groups apart .
And there will be reduced movement of pupils around schools , with classes and year groups staying in a small number of rooms , while their individual subject teachers @ @ @ @ @ @ @ can be required to wear face coverings in busy areas , such as corridors , and lessons like physical education will be very different , with all contact sports still banned .
Many will already be wearing face coverings on public transport to school .
And there are concerns about the impact on schools if there are further local outbreaks .
If a school has a positive case it will work with local health officials to assess how many other pupils should go home and isolate .
It could be just those who @ @ @ @ @ @ @ pupil , or an entire `` bubble '' group , which could be an entire year group in secondary schools .
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"There will be lots of nervous children and young people this morning," she said. "I'm sure when they get into school they will be reassured by the routines and be really glad to be back with their teachers and their friends."


bbcuk--2020-09-02--Coronavirus: Boris Johnson 'heartless' for not meeting bereaved families

Campaigners representing families whose loved ones have died from coronavirus have accused Prime Minister Boris Johnson of being `` heartless '' in declining to meet them .
Covid-19 Bereaved Families for Justice said it wrote to Mr Johnson five times to request a meeting .
Asked by reporters about the letters , the PM said he would `` of course '' meet anyone bereaved by Covid-19 .
But days later he wrote to the group to say he was `` unable '' to meet them .
The group , which says it represents 1,600 families , said it was `` @ @ @ @ @ @ @ which it has made public .
• Bereaved Covid families ask for meeting with PM Jo Goodman , co-founder of Covid-19 Bereaved Families for Justice , said : `` The prime minister has done a 360 - dodging five letters , then agreeing on live TV to meet with us , and now quietly telling us he 's too busy .
It 's heartless .
`` Of course we know the prime minister ca n't meet every bereaved person , but we really feel he should be meeting one of the largest groups @ @ @ @ @ @ @ '' Ms Goodman , who lost her father Stuart to the virus , added : `` It feels like we 're the wrong type of bereaved people - like the prime minister only wants to meet with people who will smile and not ask difficult questions . ''
Labour said refusing to meet the group was `` a new low '' for Mr Johnson .
A Downing Street spokesperson said the PM remained committed to meeting people who have been bereaved as a result of Covid-19 , and that he was `` resolute @ @ @ @ @ @ @ '' to prevent further `` dreadful loss '' .
Covid-19 Bereaved Families for Justice is calling for an independent , judge-led , statutory public inquiry into coronavirus deaths , which it wants to begin imminently .
Unlike other inquiries , a statutory public inquiry has the power to subpoena people and take evidence under oath .
In a TV interview on 26 August , Mr Johnson was asked about the group 's claim to have written to him five times to request a meeting .
Mr Johnson said he was not aware of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ with `` anybody '' who has lost a loved one to the virus .
`` I will write back to every letter we get and of course I will meet anybody… the bereaved who 've suffered from Covid .
Of course I 'll do that , '' he said .
In a letter from 29 August , published by the group , the prime minister offered his `` sincere condolences to all the families who have lost loved ones '' .
But he added : `` As much as I would wish to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ person to all those who have suffered loss , that is regrettably not possible and so I am unable to meet with you and members of Bereaved Families for Justice . ''
Mr Johnson went on to say there would be an `` independent inquiry at the appropriate time '' , and that as the campaign group has instructed solicitors , any further correspondence relating to an inquiry `` should pass through the respective legal teams . ''
In July the prime minister committed to an independent inquiry into the pandemic , but @ @ @ @ @ @ @ right time .
Labour 's shadow cabinet minister , Rachel Reeves , condemned the PM for not meeting the family , saying : `` For him to privately go back on his public word and refuse [ is ] astounding , and upsetting for so many whose families and lives have been impacted by Covid in this way .
`` 41,504 people have tragically lost their lives to this virus .
The very least the prime minister could do is respond truthfully to their families , and have the heart to meet some @ @ @ @ @ @ @ What could an inquiry look like ?
Independent inquiries can take many forms - from full public inquiries that can take years , or in some cases decades , and cost millions of pounds ; to smaller scale , more fleet-footed investigations .
The idea is to hold the powerful to account and try to learn lessons from decisions that have gone wrong , and how to avoid repeating scandals and tragic events in the future .
Recent examples of judge-led inquiries include the Leveson inquiry into media standards , or the ongoing @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Other inquiries , such as 2009 Iraq inquiry , headed by a retired senior civil servant Sir John Chilcot , do not take evidence under oath .
The government of the day is normally expected to adopt many , if not all , of the recommendations of an official inquiry , although it does not always work out like that in practice .
• WILL COVID-19 CHANGE THE WORLD OF WORK FOR GOOD ?
: Is working from home a long-term solution ?
• `` WE 'RE ALL STRONGER THAN WE THINK '' @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ?

But he added: "As much as I would wish to be able to offer my condolences in person to all those who have suffered loss, that is regrettably not possible and so I am unable to meet with you and members of Bereaved Families for Justice."


bbcuk--2020-09-02--Strictly Come Dancing: Ex-boxer Nicola Adams to have same-sex dance partner

Olympic boxer Nicola Adams will make Strictly Come Dancing history by becoming the first contestant to be part of a same-sex pairing .
She told BBC Breakfast she was the one who suggested having a female partner when producers asked her to take part .
`` I think it 's really important , '' she said .
`` It 's definitely time for change .
`` It 's definitely time to move on and be more diverse , and this is a brilliant step in the right direction . ''
Her dance partner has not yet been revealed .
Adams @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 's paired up with , but added : `` I 'd only be wanting somebody who 's maybe a little bit on the short side because I 'm a little bit small . ''
• Strictly 2020 : Who else will be on the dancefloor ?
• 'We do n't see the other side of boxing' She told Breakfast : `` It will be nice for the LGBT community to be able to see there are same-sex couples on the show as well . ''
Adams won a gold medal for Great Britain @ @ @ @ @ @ @ again in Rio in 2016 .
She retired from the sport last year .
Asked whether the idea to have a female partner came from her or the show 's producers , she explained : `` I asked the show about it .
They wanted to know if I wanted to be on the show and I said , 'Yeah , I 'll do it , but I want to dance with another female dance partner . '
'' Strictly has previously featured two male professionals dancing together in a one-off routine , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ performed to Emeli Sande 's Shine last year .
Some applauded the show for the routine , but the BBC received 189 complaints from viewers who found it offensive .
Adams will be the first celebrity to be part of a same-sex couple in the BBC One show 's 16-year history .
Singer Will Young , who took part in Strictly in 2016 , welcomed the news .
`` I think it 's fantastic , as long as it 's done in the right way and it 's not done in a sensationalised @ @ @ @ @ @ @ way , which I 'm sure it wo n't be , '' he told Breakfast .
Those applauding the move on Twitter included 2018 Strictly champion Stacey Dooley , fellow former contestant Dr Ranj Singh , and ice skater Matt Evers .
Earlier this year , Evers was part of the first same-sex couple on ITV 's Dancing On Ice , along with pop star Ian Watkins - better known as H from Steps .
In July , there were reports that Westlife star Mark Feehily would be part of a same-sex pairing @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , six celebrities have been confirmed .
Adams will join Clara Amfo , Max George , Ranvir Singh , Caroline Quentin and Jason Bell on the dancefloor .
`` I ca n't dance at all , so this is going to be a totally new challenge for me , '' Adams said .
`` The only thing I 've been doing is TikToks , and that 's about as far as my dancing goes . ''
The 18th series of Strictly will begin in October but will be shorter than usual , and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ role amid coronavirus restrictions .
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Asked whether the idea to have a female partner came from her or the show's producers, she explained: "I asked the show about it. They wanted to know if I wanted to be on the show and I said, 'Yeah, I'll do it, but I want to dance with another female dance partner.'"


bbcuk--2020-09-02--Police safety: Four in 10 officers say they were assaulted last year

A survey of more than 40,000 police officers in England and Wales found that almost four in ten said they had been assaulted in the last year .
The research by the National Police Chiefs Council ( NPCC ) also found 88 % of officers said they had been assaulted during their career .
A third of officers said they were unhappy with the personal safety training they received .
NPCC chairman Martin Hewitt said he was shocked by the scale of the assaults .
Police chiefs are calling for a new offence of targeting police officers with a vehicle @ @ @ @ @ @ @ hate crimes to be considered as aggravating factors when suspects are brought to court .
• 'We are not punch bags' Coughing and spitting incidents during the pandemic , protests and illegal raves have driven a rise in attacks in recent months , with provisional data showing attacks up 24 % year-on-year in the four weeks to 7 June .
In 2018-19 , there were 328 assaults per 1,000 constables , up from 284 per 1,000 the previous year .
Che Donald , vice-chairman of the Police Federation of England and Wales , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ public were `` appalled by the atrocious levels of violence colleagues have faced recently '' and police chiefs must take `` swift action '' .

The research also found that white suspects were in fact more likely to end up injured. The upshot is that the data doesn't answer all the questions about the apparent racial disparities - as it also indicates that other factors may be influencing decisions to use force, such as mental illness.


bbcuk--2020-09-02--Coronavirus in Scotland: Minister says virus driven by home visits not pubs

Scotland 's deputy first minister has defended a decision to keep pubs open in greater Glasgow despite new limits on social contact .
Restrictions on visiting other households were reintroduced in Glasgow and two neighbouring areas on Tuesday .
John Swinney said a rise in Covid cases was driven by household contacts and not the hospitality sector .
The new rules affect more than 800,000 people in Glasgow City , West Dunbartonshire and East Renfrewshire .
Mr Swinney told BBC Radio Scotland 's Good Morning Scotland programme that it was important to take `` early action '' in the three @ @ @ @ @ @ @ more significant action '' later which could affect the economy and schools .
• Can my builder work during the indoor visits ban ?
He explained : `` It 's necessary because we feel we have to nip this particular problem in the bud in the west of Scotland .
`` Across the whole of the country the number of positive cases per 100,000 is 9.2 .
In West Dunbartonshire it 's 32.6 , in Glasgow it 's 21.8 and in East Renfrewshire it 's 18.8 - so we 've got sizeably different @ @ @ @ @ @ @ . ''
These figures compare to a rate of 67.8 in Pendle , Lancashire , which was top of Public Health England 's watchlist in its latest surveillance report .
The weekly rate of 32.6 in West Dunbartonshire is similar to the rates in Salford and Bury in Greater Manchester , which sit in the top third of the watchlist .
The restrictions are different to ones introduced in Aberdeen in August , which included a five-mile travel limit for leisure and holidays , as well as the closure of pubs and restaurants @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Douglas Lumsden , the co-leader of Aberdeen City Council and Conservative group leader .
In a series of tweets , he said : I hope that @ NicolaSturgeon will explain to businesses in Aberdeen that were forced to close , why Glasgow businesses are not being forced to close .
`` Aberdeen was locked down for 3 weeks , no hospitality , no travel , no visiting .
Glasgow lockdown = no visiting . ''
He added : `` Glasgow lockdown .
No household gatherings so meet your pals in the pub instead @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Dunbartonshire and East Renfrewshire people are being told not to host people from other households in their own homes or visit another person 's home .
The restrictions came into effect from midnight .
They will last for two weeks , but will be reviewed after a week .
People living in those areas should also not visit someone else 's home , no matter where it is .
Mr Swinney said he understood Mr Lumsden 's frustration , but said the councillor should be `` careful with some of his language '' @ @ @ @ @ @ @ from the hospitality sector , so we had to focus on the hospitality sector , '' he said .
`` Here in Glasgow , we do n't have evidence of that taking its course , so it would be inappropriate and disproportionate to take that action .
`` We have got evidence from the contact tracing that has been undertaken on an extensive basis that this is predominantly emanating from household contacts . ''
Mr Swinney said the Scottish government needed to get on top of the rise in cases before it led @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in the west of Scotland and the whole country .
Announcing the restrictions on Tuesday , First Minister Nicola Sturgeon , said they should be a `` wake-up call '' for the whole country to stick to government guidelines on preventing the spread of Covid-19 .
She had raised concerns earlier after the latest daily figures showed 66 of the 154 new cases recorded in Scotland had been in the NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde area .
The first minister added that Covid-19 continued to be a dangerous and potentially deadly virus which @ @ @ @ @ @ @ primarily as a result of household gatherings '' .
• SYMPTOMS : What are they and how to guard against them ?
• CASES : Covid-19 in Scotland : Where are the latest cases ?
• RULES : Coronavirus : What 's still closed , and why ?


bbcuk--2020-09-02--House prices at all-time high, says Nationwide

House prices continued their post-lockdown recovery in August , notching up their highest monthly rise in more than 16 years , says the Nationwide .
`` House prices have now reversed the losses recorded in May and June and are at a new all-time high , '' said its chief economist , Robert Gardner .
Prices rose by 2 % last month , it said , taking the average price to £224,123 .
However , forecasters expect a drop in prices again when the economic impact of the virus is felt on jobs .
This is likely to coincide with @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , which is part of the reason for the latest rise in prices .
The Nationwide said the recovery in housing market activity had been `` unexpectedly rapid '' .
It said the increase in August was the highest since February 2004 , when house prices rose by 2.7 % .
As a result , annual house price growth accelerated to 3.7 % , from 1.5 % in July .
Rival mortgage lender , the Halifax , had already suggested a similar rise in prices over the summer .
The recent increase in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ range of factors , including demand carried over from lockdown or brought forward owing to the temporary suspension of stamp duty for some homes in England and Northern Ireland .
In addition , the number of sales is still comparatively low , making prices more volatile .
First-time buyers will not welcome any rise in prices , and many will struggle with securing a mortgage as lenders tighten their criteria for offering a loan .
Anyone unable to offer a relatively large deposit and whose job is a risk amid the economic effects @ @ @ @ @ @ @ it harder to get a home loan than before the outbreak .
• First-time buyers : Four ways the property market 'will be tougher' '' This rebound reflects a number of factors .
Pent-up demand is coming through , where decisions taken to move before lockdown are progressing , '' said Mr Gardner .
He added that `` behavioural shifts '' could be boosting activity , with people reassessing their housing needs after life in lockdown .
`` These trends look set to continue in the near term , further boosted by the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ will serve to bring some activity forward .
`` However , most forecasters expect labour market conditions to weaken significantly in the quarters ahead as a result of the after-effects of the pandemic and as government support schemes wind down .
`` If this comes to pass , it would likely dampen housing activity once again in the quarters ahead . ''
The government 's official forecaster , the Office for Budget Responsibility , has predicted house price falls , particularly next year .
The Resolution Foundation think tank has warned that these @ @ @ @ @ @ @ existing owners becoming trapped by negative equity - when the property is worth less than the mortgage secured on it .
Market commentators said the short-term boom in the market had been surprising , but many do not expect it to last .
Lucy Pendleton , director of estate agents James Pendleton , said : `` Buyers emboldened by the stamp duty holiday have been engaged in a pitched battle for property , delivering a barnstorming recovery for the market .
`` A stunning proportion of properties are now going for asking price @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in .
It 's like lockdown was a bad dream . ''
But Andrew Montlake , managing director of mortgage broker Coreco , said : `` Two words : reality check .
As strong as the property market is right now , it will not last .
`` Demand is understandably strong after lockdown and the added bonus of the stamp duty holiday , but unemployment is rising by the day and the economic outlook is highly uncertain as the furlough scheme ends .
`` In the final months of the year we @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the current rate of house price growth . ''
The figures were published as the UK 's biggest housebuilder , Barratt , said its pre-tax profit fell 46 % to £491.8m in the year to the end of June .
It completed 5,252 fewer homes than the previous year , a drop of 29 % , as building sites were forced to close for weeks during the pandemic .
However , it said forward sales were more positive .

The recent increase in prices has been the result of a range of factors, including demand carried over from lockdown or brought forward owing to the temporary suspension of stamp duty for some homes in England and Northern Ireland. In addition, the number of sales is still comparatively low, making prices more volatile.


bbcuk--2020-09-02--City of London school changes name 'due to slavery links'

The only primary school in the City of London is to be renamed because of its links with a 17th Century merchant and proponent of slavery .
Sir John Cass 's Foundation Primary School will change its name to The Aldgate School for the new school year .
A bust and statue of Sir John Cass will also be removed .
It comes as the City of London Corporation launched a consultation to review landmarks with historic links to racism and slavery .
Sir John Cass 's Foundation was set up as an educational charity in 1748 and funds work @ @ @ @ @ @ @ young people .
On the foundation 's website Sir John Cass is described as `` a merchant and politician , whose wealth posthumously was used to create the Foundation to deliver educational benefits to disadvantaged children '' .
But he was also a major figure in The Royal African Company , which was heavily involved in the Atlantic slave economy .
A statement from the school 's governing board said it was `` incompatible '' with the school 's values to be `` celebrating '' Sir John Cass .
`` Our school is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ full opportunity to flourish , irrespective of their background .
`` Governors further proposed that the new school name should be one which is geographical rather than biographical , should retain a sense of the long history of the school and its links to the Sir John Cass 's Foundation and the Church of England , and should celebrate its unique position as the only state-maintained school in the City of London . ''
The school said the new name will be adopted as soon as legal approval is granted by the City @ @ @ @ @ @ @ which looks after the Square Mile in the capital , said there are a number of statues and road names with links to the slave trade and the public are being asked to consult on renaming them .
The online consultation will run until 24 November .
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"Governors further proposed that the new school name should be one which is geographical rather than biographical, should retain a sense of the long history of the school and its links to the Sir John Cass's Foundation and the Church of England, and should celebrate its unique position as the only state-maintained school in the City of London."


bbcuk--2020-09-02--Claire Glatman: British woman 'killed by speedboat' in Corfu named

A British woman who died when she was reportedly hit by a speedboat towing a water skier in Corfu has been named .
Claire Glatman , 60 , who lived near Bedale , North Yorkshire , was injured at Avlaki Beach , on the north-east of the Greek island on Monday .
Local media reported the speedboat did not stop at the scene and it was later found abandoned .
The Greek Coastguard said Mrs Glatman 's body `` bore obvious signs of being hit by a boat propeller '' .
Further unconfirmed reports said three British men whose families @ @ @ @ @ @ @ over the death .
A post-mortem examination revealed Mrs Glatman , originally from Amersham , Buckinghamshire , died from bleeding and multiple injuries .
A spokeswoman for the Foreign and Commonwealth Office said on Tuesday : `` We are supporting the family of a British woman following her death in Corfu and our staff are in contact with the Greek police .
`` Our thoughts are with her family at this difficult time . ''
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Send your story ideas to yorkslincs.news @ bbc.co.uk @ @ @ @ @

"For those who knew this great, special, woman, our dear Claire, we are shocked by this event," he said. "We want to express our warmest condolences to her entire, dear, family.


bbcuk--2020-09-02--MSPs call for Scottish Labour leader Richard Leonard to quit

Three Scottish Labour MSPs have called on the party 's leader , Richard Leonard , to quit ahead of next year 's Scottish Parliament election .
James Kelly has resigned as the party 's justice spokesman , saying he had no confidence in Mr Leonard 's leadership .
His colleagues Jenny Marra and Daniel Johnson have also voiced their opposition to the current leadership .
Mr Leonard is determined to stay in his post , and accused the MSPs of waging an `` internal war '' against him .
He insisted that he would be leading the party into the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a National Care Service , establishing a quality Jobs Guarantee scheme and reviving Scotland 's economy with a Green New Deal '' .
Mr Leonard added : `` If any party representative thinks an internal faction fight is more important than this agenda , then they will have to answer to party members and the voters whom we serve '' .
He took over the leadership from Kezia Dugdale in 2017 - but there have been concerns about his performance from some senior party figures ever since .
Opinion polls suggest Scottish Labour @ @ @ @ @ @ @ SNP and Scottish Conservatives ahead of the election next May .
The party slumped to fifth in last year 's European elections after winning just 9.3 % of the votes - down from 26 % in the previous election in 2014 .
In his resignation statement , Mr Kelly said that Mr Leonard 's personal polling ratings were particularly low - even among the party 's own supporters .
He added : `` Such poor ratings would produce a catastrophic result from which the party would struggle to recover .
`` I have @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the party 's message , strategy and organisation .
I know that this is a view shared by other parliamentarians , party members and indeed many members of the public .
`` It is clear that after nearly three years in charge you are not able to take the party forward .
I firmly and sincerely believe that it is in the best interests of the party that you stand down as leader . ''
His views were echoed by Ms Marra , who told The Times that the party risked `` catastrophe @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
She described Mr Leonard , who was seen as being a close ally of former Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn , as being `` utterly committed to the party , the cause and is liked by everyone '' .
But she added : `` Richard is a stalwart of our party but he can not lead us .
That 's the unavoidable truth and change is our best hope .
`` Richard 's leadership was tied from the start to the disaster of Jeremy Corbyn 's project .
It remains so in the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ not give the party a hearing as things stand .
`` We need new energy , a new approach and to turn a new page . ''
A third MSP , Daniel Johnson , tweeted his support for Ms Marra and Mr Kelly - saying : `` It is time to recognise the situation we are in and for Richard to step down . ''
Mr Johnson said he had attempted to raise his concerns and make constructive suggestions but claimed that these had gone unheeded , and there had been no change @ @ @ @ @ @ @ : `` Continuing like this will be disastrous for our party and is why I no longer have confidence in Richard Leonard 's leadership . ''
However , Mr Leonard was backed by Scottish Labour MSP Neil Findlay , who is also on the left of the party .
Mr Findlay tweeted that the colleagues who were calling for Mr Leonard 's head were `` pathetic '' and guilty of `` treachery with a snarl '' .

"It is clear that after nearly three years in charge you are not able to take the party forward. I firmly and sincerely believe that it is in the best interests of the party that you stand down as leader."


bbcuk--2020-09-02--Coronavirus: How it feels to be back at school

' I did n't want to send them back' '' It 's scary but we do n't have a choice really , '' says Iram Kanwal .
`` You have to pay your fine or bring them to school .
I would 've been happy not sending them back right now because it 's too soon , but [ I 'm ] hoping for the best I guess . ''
He says he 's excited to meet his friends again , but his mother , Sabia , says he was a little nervous in the car on his way to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ what work I 'm going to be doing .
It might be hard , it might be easy , but I 'm going to have to just learn it , '' he explains .
Sabia says she 's relieved home-schooling is over .
`` At the beginning of lockdown it was fine , home schooling was OK , but as time went on he lost his motivation .
I am just so glad he is going back to school .
I just want him to get back to education again . ''
`` @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , the carer says , adding : `` I am a key worker , so she has been at school a while in the summer so we have n't been at home for too long . ''
`` I am a bit nervous , '' Viorica says , `` but I know that they will take care about sanitiser and the hands and everything , so I ca n't say I am am really too nervous .
I am just excited that she is happy . ''
`` I 'm happy to be @ @ @ @ @ @ @ back , '' says teaching assistant Gemma Twining as she starts back at work .
Her own children are aged three and eight - and also returned to nursery and school respectively .
`` Obviously she has had a big break over the summer and when schools closed , so getting back into education for her I think will be really good and in that sense I am happy that it 's happening .
'Keeping them at home is risky '

He says he's excited to meet his friends again, but his mother, Sabia, says he was a little nervous in the car on his way to school. "I don't know what work I'm going to be doing. It might be hard, it might be easy, but I'm going to have to just learn it," he explains.


bbcuk--2020-09-02--UK travel restrictions: Are Portugal or Greece on the quarantine list?

Travellers from Greece to Scotland are being asked to self-isolate for 14 days , and Wales has asked people arriving from the Greek island of Zante to quarantine .
There are also concerns Portugal could be put back on UK quarantine lists , because of an increase in the rate of cases there .
How is the quarantine list decided ?
Each UK nation sets its own quarantine list , although - aside from Greece - these lists have been almost always been identical .
The Joint Biosecurity Centre ( JBS ) - set up by the government to monitor @ @ @ @ @ @ @ officers of each UK nation and advises which countries should be on its list .
The decision is generally made when 20 or more people out of every 100,000 in a country are infected over seven days .
Other factors are also considered .
These include : Why is Greece under the spotlight ?
Greece has seen an increase in cases in recent weeks , although this has stabilised at a rate of 13.7 per 100,000 people .
Although this falls comfortably below the trigger level , Scottish ministers have said that a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Scotland have been traced back to travel from Greece .
Justice Secretary Humza Yousaf said it posed a `` significant risk to public health '' .
Meanwhile , Portugal , which was only added to the exemption list in August , has seen cases rise to 21.1 cases per 100,000 ( as of 31 August ) .
Which countries are now on the quarantine list ?
Where can I go without quarantining when I get back ?
Antigua and Barbuda , Australia , Barbados , BES Islands , Cuba , Curaçao , Cyprus @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Faroe Islands , Fiji , Finland , French Polynesia , Germany , Greece , Greenland , Grenada , Guadeloupe , Hong Kong , Hungary , Iceland , Italy , Japan , Latvia , Liechtenstein , Lithuania , Macau , Malaysia , Mauritius , New Caledonia , New Zealand , Norway , Poland , Portugal , Réunion , San Marino , Seychelles , South Korea , St Barthélemy , St Kitts and Nevis , St Lucia , St Pierre and Miquelon , Slovakia , Slovenia , St Vincent and the Grenadine , Taiwan , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ entering the UK from the common travel area - the Republic of Ireland , the Channel Islands , or the Isle of Man - are exempt , as are the 14 British Overseas Territories .
What about restrictions at my destination ?

On 24 December, the UK banned travel from South Africa amid concerns over another new strain of the virus linked to that country. People who have transited through South Africa in the past 10 days will also be banned. However, UK and Irish nationals as well as the UK visa holders and permanent residents are exempt, but they will have to self-isolate for 10 days on arrival.


bbcuk--2020-09-02--Nicola Adams: Same-sex partner 'big step' for Strictly Come Dancing

Olympic boxer Nicola Adams will make Strictly Come Dancing history by becoming the first contestant to be part of a @ @ @ @ @ BBC Breakfast she was the one who suggested having a female partner when producers asked @ @ @ @ @ Adams said she did n't mind who she 's paired up with , but added @ @ @ @ @ be wanting somebody who 's maybe a little bit on the short side because I @ @ @ @ @ . ''
She won a gold medal for Great Britain at the London 2012 Olympics @ @ @ @ @ in 2016 .
She retired from the sport last year .

Olympic boxer Nicola Adams will make Strictly Come Dancing history by becoming the first contestant to be part of a same-sex pairing.
She told BBC Breakfast she was the one who suggested having a female partner when producers asked her to take part.
Adams said she didn't mind who she's paired up with, but added: "I'd only be wanting somebody who's maybe a little bit on the short side because I'm a little bit small."
She won a gold medal for Great Britain at the London 2012 Olympics, and again in Rio in 2016. She retired from from the sport last year.


bbcuk--2020-09-02--Newspaper headlines: Back-to-office 'falls flat' and a Strictly same-sex pair?

More than 80 % of both employers and employees see remote working becoming a core part of their operation .
@ @ @ @ @ government of a `` lacklustre campaign to reassure commuters '' and warns that the country @ @ @ @ @ sleepwalking into economic catastrophe '' .
The columnists are quick to grade the government 's @ @ @ @ @ day of term '' after the parliamentary recess .
Others speculate about how much longer @ @ @ @ @ his job .
That 's a view shared by the Guardian 's John Crace , @ @ @ @ @ the `` classic useful idiot '' .
He adds : `` Sack him now and @ @ @ @ @ left to take the hit . ''
Upper class members of society , it says @ @ @ @ @ noses at careless kissing , homemade face masks and hugging their parents - preferring instead @ @ @ @ @ Britain and paying for a new hospital wing .

Isabel Hardman of the Spectator says Education Secretary Gavin Williamson was castigated by opposition MPs after he "failed to hand his homework in on time", giving them very late advance notice of his statement to the House. But she says he escaped a "public dressing down" from Conservative MPs, despite many being annoyed by his handling of the exams "fiasco".


bbcuk--2020-09-02--Transfer tests: Exams put back until January 2021

The providers of post-primary transfer tests in Northern Ireland have agreed to hold this year 's exams in January .
The proposed two month postponement to the AQE and PPTC exams follows disruption to schoolwork due to Covid-19 .
The suggested date for the first test is Saturday 9 January , the High Court heard on Wednesday .
The Department of Education previously postponed the exams , which normally take place in November , by two weeks .
However lawyers representing two pupils due to sit the tests challenged that decision in the High Court .
They contended the decision @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of weeks amid so much disruption to children 's education was unlawful .
On Wednesday the High Court heard Education Minister Peter Weir had offered the two test providers a preference of dates .
A lawyer for PPTC told the court they believed it was best to keep all tests together .
`` It 's clear that the minister has taken very careful consideration of the issue and worked hard to achieve a resolution of the issue , '' he said .
The mother of one of the two children who challenged the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ My daughter and I are delighted with the result we achieved today , '' she said in a statement issued through her lawyers .
`` We hope that this will go some way to address the educational disadvantages experienced by some children during lockdown .
`` We are both frustrated and disappointed that it took to the very last minute for this decision to be made and that we had to take legal action in the first place .
`` This decision demonstrates that those involved could have taken action on this sooner @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the heart of the decisions made . ''

In a statement, the board of AQE said it "acknowledges the diversity of views on the desirability of moving the dates of the assessment" and that it is "committed to work with the minister of education to provide the maximum possible teaching time for pupils".


bbcuk--2020-09-02--Coronavirus: False information 'hampering' contact tracing

It is `` impossible '' to immediately contact 100 % of people returning to Wales from coronavirus hot-spots abroad , the Welsh Government has said .
Health Minister Vaughan Gething said tracing can not reach everyone because of people providing false information .
It follows criticism that some passengers returning to Cardiff from Zante , Greece , were not informed for a week that they had to self-isolate .
Testing passengers at Cardiff Airport is now being considered .
Travel company Tui has cancelled all holidays to the resort of Laganas , on Zante , because of customers failing to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Wales from Zante are being asked to self-isolate for 14 days , following six clusters of cases , amounting to 30 infections , linked to flights from the Greek island .
They will also be offered two Covid tests - one in 48 hours and another in eight days .
However some passengers on board a Zante to Cardiff last week have complained they were not told to self-isolate straight away .
Lee Evans said an email telling him and his family to self-isolate came almost a week after the flight .
`` @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , '' he said .
Another passenger , Victoria Webb , said she only became aware of the outbreak when her mother sent her a link to the BBC News story as she travelled home to London from Cardiff .
Mr Gething said the contact tracing system was reaching more than 90 % of contacts .
`` The reason we 're never going to have 100 % contact tracing over the whole service is because some people do n't want to be contacted and have given deliberately misleading information to the service , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ test and trace work ?
• Why is n't the UK testing travellers on arrival ?
`` The contact tracing service does rely on people being responsible and giving honest information .
`` If they do n't , then those people are risking their health and the health of those around them and in their community .
`` There is a back-stop and anyone we do n't speak to on the phone within a couple of days is written to .
But people need to do the right thing if we 're going @ @ @ @ @ @ @ saw in the spring . ''
Cardiff Airport has asked the UK government for clarity on testing at airports and has backed calls for a `` robust testing system ... to help give airline passengers confidence to travel again '' .
The Welsh Government said it was now considering testing all passengers at Cardiff Airport .
`` It would add to the time it takes people to get through the airport but it could protect passengers , their families and communities in the best way , '' said Mr Gething .
The health @ @ @ @ @ @ @ further travel restrictions on Greece with the Scottish government imposing quarantine restrictions on people arriving from the country from Thursday .
However the Welsh Government 's approach of targeting specific outbreak areas , rather than blanket bans on entire countries , could set the benchmark for the rest of the UK , travel expert Simon Calder said .
`` The Welsh health minister has done exactly what the travel industry has been calling for and that 's to have targeted measures aimed at specific hot spots rather than whole countries being written off @ @ @ @ @ @ @ It 's extraordinarily confusing for travellers because we have the bizarre situation where everything is fragmented between the four home nations .
`` The UK government has been trying to hold things together but the move by Wales last night took everyone by surprise and could become the model of what we see in the future . ''
Lucy Griffiths , of Cardiff , had just arrived in Zante with her children when the announcement was made .
`` We discovered that [ the rules had changed ] when we landed and turned @ @ @ @ @ @ @ everyone had sent us messages , '' she said .
`` Covid is everywhere , so I could contract it going to the supermarket at home .
I do n't see the difference being in another country .
`` Sadly I was made redundant during the lockdown , so I have n't actually got a job to go home to , but my children are going to miss more of school than we had originally planned . ''

"We would make a direct appeal to young people to remember that even if they feel that they would not be badly affected by Covid-19 were they to test positive, should they pass it on to older or more vulnerable family members, friends or colleagues it could be extremely serious, and even fatal," a statement said.


bbcuk--2020-09-02--Thetford Forest rave: Police helicopter footage released

Footage shot from a police helicopter has been released showing more than 500 people at a forest rave .
More @ @ @ @ @ to Thetford Forest in Norfolk over the August bank holiday weekend .
Five people were @ @ @ @ @ in connection with the event .
Police are now trying to identify the organisers of @ @ @ @ @ have named suspects .
Since Friday , police in England have been able to fine @ @ @ @ @ more than 30 people - such as raves - up to £10,000 .
The Thetford @ @ @ @ @ , Norfolk police said .

Footage shot from a police helicopter has been released showing more than 500 people at a forest rave.
More than 100 officers were sent to Thetford Forest in Norfolk over the August bank holiday weekend.
Five people were arrested and fined £100 each in connection with the event. Police are now trying to identify the organisers of the gathering and said they have named suspects.
Since Friday, police in England have been able to fine organisers of illegal gatherings of more than 30 people - such as raves - up to £10,000. The Thetford Forest operation cost about £25,000, Norfolk police said.


bbcuk--2020-09-02--Greater Manchester lockdown easing U-turn after cases rise

Parts of Greater Manchester will not have lockdown restrictions eased as planned following a government U-turn .
Measures in Bolton and Trafford were due to be eased overnight after a fall in cases earlier in August .
But they will `` now remain under existing restrictions '' following `` a significant change in the level of infection rates over the last few days '' , the government announced .
The region 's mayor Andy Burnham said the U-turn had been `` complete chaos '' .
The boroughs had been due to allow people from different households to meet indoors and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ as facials , but that has now been halted .
Health and Social Care Secretary Matt Hancock said the decision was made `` in collaboration with local leaders after reviewing the latest data '' which showed infection rates had more than trebled in Bolton in under a week and doubled in Trafford since the last review .
`` We have always been clear we will take swift and decisive action where needed to contain outbreaks , '' he added .
A spokesman for Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer described the U-turn as `` @ @ @ @ @ @ @ `` no confidence in the government 's approach '' .
• What are the new local lockdown rules ?
Greater Manchester Mayor Mr Burnham compared the government 's weekly announcements on local coronavirus restrictions as `` like waiting for the white smoke out of the Vatican '' .
`` It 's not working , it 's confusing people , it 's causing anger and resentment , '' he added .
`` In my view , it 's local councils that need to be in the driving seat here , working then in consultation @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Labour council leader Andrew Western tweeted : `` We should never have been put in this mess in the first place ; this has massively damaged public confidence in measures . ''
Bolton Council leader David Greenhalgh said it would have been `` irresponsible not to recognise the unpredicted spike we have seen in Bolton '' .
He said he recognised `` many people will be extremely frustrated and annoyed by this decision '' but the borough had recorded the second highest increase in positive cases in the country .
A Covid-19 spike @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to ask for restrictions to remain in place a day before they were due to be lifted .
Bolton currently has one of the highest rates of new virus cases per 100,000 residents in England .
Chris Green , Conservative MP for Bolton West , had argued that restrictions should be eased in his constituency .
But , following the U-turn , he said the government had based its decision on recent data which he had n't seen .
He has since tweeted to say he was `` disappointed at how this important @ @ @ @ @ @ @ impact this will have on people 's lives '' .
Lockdown restrictions were eased on Wednesday in Stockport , Burnley , Hyndburn , parts of Bradford , excluding Bradford city and Keighley town , parts of Calderdale , excluding Halifax , and parts of Kirklees , excluding Dewsbury and Batley .
According to government rules , people living in these areas can now : • Socialise in groups of up to two households indoors or in private gardens • Stay overnight at somebody else 's home but must try to social distance • @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and brow or eyelash treatments Measures were imposed at the end of July amid a rise in cases .
Stockport has joined Wigan in being allowed to have two households socialise indoors .
But in Bolton , Trafford , Manchester , Salford , Rochdale , Bury and Tameside it is still banned .
In Oldham people are advised not to meet up with other households outdoors as well .
The rise in cases in Trafford and Bolton shows how quickly the situation with coronavirus can change .
On Friday the government announced it @ @ @ @ @ @ @ parts of Greater Manchester from Wednesday - a decision it has now reversed in those two areas .
Pointing to data for the week to 20 August , it said `` cases in Bolton and Stockport fell from 25.6 ( per 100,000 residents ) to 18.9 , and 23 to 15.1 respectively , and Trafford fell from 27.1 to 17.8 . ''
Yet even then , there was concern that the rate was rising .
The Labour leader of Trafford Council , Andrew Western , said the more recent data had shown a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , the spike in Bolton had also become apparent and council leaders in both areas were calling for the easing of restrictions to not go ahead .
According to data released on Tuesday evening , Trafford 's rate for the week to 29 August was more than 35 cases per 100,000 .
In Bolton it was 59 cases per 100,000 , driven in particular by high numbers of cases on 27 , 28 and 29 August .
Catalina Sastra , who runs the Party and Play , funhouse in Bolton was planning to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ were confusing .
`` We 're teetering on the edge ... we are due to open with an online booking system , temperature reading , we 've had all the screens put up ... but it 's just if it 's on or if it 's off '' , she said .
`` It 's a bit like playing hokey-cokey .
Are we in or are we out ? ''
A Department of Health and Social Care spokeswoman said : `` We are working closely with leaders and local authorities across Greater Manchester @ @ @ @ @ @ @ situation and we keep all local restrictions under constant consideration . ''
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You can also send story ideas to northwest.newsonline @ bbc.co.uk


bbcuk--2020-09-02--Ofqual warned grades system would not win public support

England 's exams regulator , Ofqual , says it was a `` fundamental mistake '' to think the public would accept an emergency grading system instead of exam results .
Chairman Roger Taylor said Ofqual advised ministers to hold socially-distanced exams or delay them .
If these two options were unworkable , then calculated grades could be used , he said Ofqual had advised .
Mr Taylor said Education Secretary Gavin Williamson cancelled exams without further reference to Ofqual .
Labour said it was `` now clear '' that Mr Williamson was responsible for the exams chaos and that he @ @ @ @ @ @ @ spokesman for the Department for Education said that the decision to cancel exams had been a `` necessary step to fight the spread of coronavirus '' .
When did problems appear ?
Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer used Prime Minister 's Questions to challenge Boris Johnson over when he first knew there was a problem with the algorithm for deciding grades .
Mr Johnson defended his government 's record , accusing Sir Keir of being `` Captain Hindsight '' .
• How did the algorithm decide exam grades ?
`` We did institute @ @ @ @ @ @ @ '' and students did get their grades , said the prime minister .
But Mr Taylor told MPs on the Commons education select committee : `` The fundamental mistake was to believe this [ system ] would ever be acceptable to the public . ''
Mr Williamson took the decision to cancel exams when schools were closed by the coronavirus and increasing number of teachers were shielding .
Ofqual had to develop a system to award grades for exams which pupils could no longer take .
This produced a moderation process that saw @ @ @ @ @ @ @ than the grades estimated by their schools .
But Mr Taylor defended Ofqual 's approach to calculating grades , saying it was trying to carry out ministerial guidelines .
He argued that the system of standardising grades , the so-called `` algorithm '' , would on the whole have helped disadvantaged pupils .
The Ofqual chairman said that in March the regulator had been consulted by the Department for Education about the implications of cancelling exams .
At this point , Ofqual said there were four options : • to delay exams until @ @ @ @ @ @ @ form of teacher and school-assessed certificates • or to combine school-based assessments with the standardisation model to produce estimated grades Mr Taylor said that he and his officials had repeatedly warned the Department for Education of the risks of using estimated grades .
Julie Swann , Ofqual 's executive director for general qualifications , said a paper on May 1 `` highlighted the risk of widespread dissatisfaction '' from students , schools and colleges .
But after problems and inconsistencies emerged with grades , the moderation process was ditched in a U-turn , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
The chief regulator , Sally Collier , resigned and the Department for Education 's most senior civil servant , Jonathan Slater , stepped down following the exams chaos .
Mr Taylor , also revealed Ofqual guidance on using `` valid mock '' exam results to widen the appeals process , was removed from the Ofqual website after an intervention from England 's education secretary .
Mr Williamson had decided to allow mock exam results to be used as evidence in appeals over grades .
Mr Taylor said Mr Williamson telephoned the chief @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a Saturday night , August 15 , after Ofqual published new appeals guidance , saying it was not consistent with the education secretary 's policy .
Ofqual , which is independent from government , had been trying to formulate a way for such appeals to work , while meeting its statutory duty to ensure exams were fair .
Mr Taylor said the board then met in emergency session to try to find a way through a situation which was rapidly `` spinning out of control '' .
`` We advised the Secretary of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ not be confident that this could be delivered within the statutory duties of Ofqual to ensure that valid and trustworthy grades were being issued . ''
Discussions followed throughout Sunday , in which it became clear that a move to `` centre assessed grades '' , which had been submitted by schools and colleges , was all but inevitable .
Mr Williamson went on to announce that results would use these centre assessed grades in a major U-turn .
A Department for Education spokesman said the `` government never wanted to cancel exams @ @ @ @ @ @ @ form of assessment .
`` We listened to views from a range of parties , including Ofqual , and given the public health requirements at the time , made what was a very difficult decision on the basis that it was a necessary step to fight the spread of coronavirus . ''
• BACK TO SCHOOL : BBC Bitesize is here to help • AUTUMN TERM : What are this term 's topics ?

"We advised the Secretary of State at this point that we could not be confident that this could be delivered within the statutory duties of Ofqual to ensure that valid and trustworthy grades were being issued."


bbcuk--2020-09-02--Coronavirus: No tax rise 'horror show', Rishi Sunak tells Tory MPs

Chancellor Rishi Sunak has reassured recently-elected Tory MPs there will not be a `` horror show of tax rises with no end in sight '' , as the government deals with the costs of coronavirus .
He urged the 2019 Conservative intake to show trust to overcome the `` short-term challenges '' the party faces .
Some MPs have expressed fears U-turns are hurting the government 's standing .
Mr Sunak accidentally revealed the wording of his statement while holding his notes outside 11 Downing Street .
• What tasks lie ahead on the return to Westminster ?
The Conservative @ @ @ @ @ @ @ at December 's general election , has seen its opinion poll lead over Labour cut in recent weeks .
This has led to concerns among some MPs who won seats in traditional Labour heartlands in the Midlands and northern England , known previously as its `` red wall '' .
An unnamed `` red wall '' Conservative told the Press Association MPs in these areas , and others in marginal seats , were `` jittery '' following a series of U-turns on subjects including exam results , the wearing of face coverings and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ situation as a `` megadisaster '' .
And Sir Geoffrey Clifton-Brown , treasurer of the 1922 Committee of Tory MPs , warned against `` own goals '' , saying : `` We may have a big majority but that still does n't mean to say that we should n't be as competent as possible as a government . ''
It was reported at the weekend that substantial corporation tax rises and capital gains tax changes are being considered by the Treasury to deal with the enormous costs of coronavirus .
But the government @ @ @ @ @ @ @ The wording of Mr Sunak 's statement , read out during a meeting in Parliament on Wednesday with Tory MPs first elected in 2019 , which the prime minister also attended , was revealed when a photographer noticed the chancellor holding a script sheet while leaving 11 Downing Street .
It read : `` We will need to do some difficult things , but I promise you , if we trust one another we will be able to overcome the short-term challenges . ''
Referring to the reports that there could be tax @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the pandemic , including the furlough scheme , it added : `` Now this does n't mean a horror show of tax rises with no end in sight . ''
It continued : `` But it does mean treating the British people with respect , being honest with them about the challenges we face and showing them how we plan to correct our public finances and give our country the dynamic , low-tax economy we all want to see . ''
With more MPs back at Westminster , the prime minister and his @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Tory backbenchers about the government 's strategy .
How to pay for the huge package of interventions to deal with the pandemic and its effects is at the forefront of Rishi Sunak 's mind ahead of the Budget later this autumn .
Borrowing has ballooned and the prime minister has already promised there will be no return to austerity .
But there is nervousness among Tory MPs about rumours of tax rises and about the government 's decision-making and messaging more broadly .
Mr Sunak told his Conservative colleagues that ministers needed to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ finances .
He faces difficult choices while devising it .
Government sources denied the revelation of the chancellor 's words in this way was `` embarrassing '' , adding that they would have become a matter of public record anyway .
Discussing the coronavirus crisis , Boris Johnson told the MPs : `` I know it 's been tough .
I 've got to warn you , it 's about to get tougher .
The waters are about to get choppier .
But we are going to deal with it . ''
The @ @ @ @ @ @ @ all backbench Conservative MPs , with the 1922 Committee getting together for the first time since Parliament 's summer recess .
One MP present said he had been `` full of beans '' , while a minister added that both the day 's meetings had been about `` calming the troops '' .

It continued: "But it does mean treating the British people with respect, being honest with them about the challenges we face and showing them how we plan to correct our public finances and give our country the dynamic, low-tax economy we all want to see."


bbcuk--2020-09-02--Record 400-plus migrants cross Channel in one day

More than 400 migrants have crossed the English Channel in small boats - a record for a single day .
Border Force has intercepted 409 people , including young children , on board 27 boats , with several further vessels still being dealt with .
Some of the migrants were carrying children too young to walk .
Prime Minister Boris Johnson earlier on Wednesday said the UK had become `` a target and a magnet for those who would exploit vulnerable people in this way '' .
A further 53 people were rescued by French authorities after getting into difficulties @ @ @ @ @ @ @ people had crossed the Channel in 18 small boats on Tuesday .
Rough seas brought on by Storm Francis made crossings impossible at the end of August , but conditions have improved in the first two days of September .
Speaking in the Commons during Prime Minister 's Questions , Mr Johnson said : `` I have a great deal of sympathy with those who are desperate as to put their children in dinghies or in children 's paddling pools and try to cross the channel .
`` But I have to say @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to criminal gangs and they are breaking the law . ''
He added : `` It also undermines the legitimate claims of others who seek asylum in this country .
`` We will address the rigidities in our laws that make this country , I 'm afraid , a target and a magnet for those who would exploit vulnerable people in this way . ''
More than 1,468 migrants made the crossing by small boat in August despite a vow from Home Secretary Priti Patel to make the dangerous route `` unviable '' @ @ @ @ @ @ @ information on how many children are making the crossing on small boats .
Home Office minister Chris Philp told the Commons on Wednesday the government was attempting to return 1,000 people who had arrived in the UK , having `` previously claimed asylum in European countries , and under the regulations legally should be returned there '' .
More than 7,400 migrants have crossed the Channel in small boats since January 2019 .
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Speaking in the Commons during Prime Minister's Questions, Mr Johnson said: "I have a great deal of sympathy with those who are desperate as to put their children in dinghies or in children's paddling pools and try to cross the channel.


bbcuk--2020-09-02--Coronavirus: Cheap steroids save lives from severe Covid

Cheap steroids can save the lives of patients who are critically ill with Covid-19 , studies show .
The findings confirm the results of an earlier trial , which has already led to steroids being used widely for Covid patients in intensive care .
The new results , published in JAMA , show eight lives would be saved for every 100 patients treated .
The researchers said the findings were impressive , but stressed steroids were not a coronavirus cure .
• What progress are we making on treatments ?
In June , the UK 's Recovery trial found the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ - that could save the lives of people with severe Covid .
The latest study brings together all clinical trials involving steroids on coronavirus patients around the world .
It confirms dexamethasone works and that another steroid , hydrocortisone , is equally effective .
`` At the beginning of the year , at times it felt almost hopeless knowing that we had no specific treatments , '' said Prof Anthony Gordon , from Imperial College London .
`` It was a very worrying time , yet less than six months later we 've @ @ @ @ @ @ @ quality clinical trials of how we can tackle this devastating disease . ''
• 40 % died when given only standard treatment The studies were on only the sickest hospital patients .
Most people recover having only experienced mild symptoms .
• RISK AT WORK : How exposed is your job ?
• VIRUS FATIGUE : Is it time to move on ?
• THE R NUMBER : What it means and why it matters • COMPARING COUNTRIES : The pitfalls of doing so • RECOVERY : How long does it take to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and the immune system , which is why they are already used in conditions like arthritis and asthma , as well as in some severe infections .
The drugs are not thought to be helpful in the early stages of a coronavirus infection - when symptoms include a cough , fever or a sudden loss of taste or smell .
But as the disease develops , the immune system can go into overdrive , damaging the lungs and other organs .
It is this stage of Covid that steroids are thought to help @ @ @ @ @ @ @ which you reach for an oxygen cylinder for a patient with Covid , you probably should be reaching for the prescription for corticosteroids , '' said Prof Martin Landray , from the University of Oxford .
`` These results are instantly useable ; they are widely available , cheap , well-understood drugs that reduce mortality . ''
Doctors are already using dexamethasone after the results earlier in the year , but the hope is that having the choice of different drugs will increase access to the treatment around the world .
The drugs @ @ @ @ @ @ @ given via intravenous drip .
The research so far has focused on low doses of steroids .
There is no evidence that higher doses would be more effective .
New guidelines for doctors are expected to be released by the World Health Organization .
In the UK , NHS chief executive Sir Simon Stevens said : `` Just as we did with dexamethasone , the NHS will now take immediate action to ensure that patients who could benefit from treatment with hydrocortisone do so , adding a further weapon in the armoury in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ • SURVIVING THE VIRUS : 'Medical science is struggling to catch up' • COVID-19 AND FOOD : How has lockdown changed what we eat ?

In the UK, NHS chief executive Sir Simon Stevens said: "Just as we did with dexamethasone, the NHS will now take immediate action to ensure that patients who could benefit from treatment with hydrocortisone do so, adding a further weapon in the armoury in the worldwide fight against Covid-19."


bbcuk--2020-09-02--Harry and Meghan to make shows with Netflix

The Duke and Duchess of Sussex have reached a deal with streaming giant Netflix to make a range of programmes , some of which they may appear in .
`` Our focus will be on creating content that informs but also gives hope , '' said Prince Harry and wife Meghan .
`` As new parents , making inspirational family programming is also important to us , '' they continued .
Netflix chief Ted Sarandos said he was `` incredibly proud '' the royal couple had made the company `` their creative home '' .
The multi-year deal will encompass @ @ @ @ @ @ @ scripted shows and children 's programming .
It comes six months on from the couple stepping down from royal life and moving to California to live away from the media spotlight .
`` Our lives , both independent of each other , and as a couple have allowed us to understand the power of the human spirit : of courage , resilience , and the need for connection , '' said the couple in a statement .
`` Through our work with diverse communities and their environments , to shining a light on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ our focus will be on creating content that informs but also gives hope .
`` As new parents , making inspirational family programming is also important to us , as is powerful storytelling through a truthful and relatable lens . ''
The pair said they were `` pleased to work with Netflix , saying its `` unprecedented reach '' would `` help us share impactful content that unlocks action '' .
Sarandos said Netflix was `` excited about telling stories '' with the couple `` that can help build resilience and increase understanding @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Deadline , projects already in development include `` an innovative nature docu-series and an animated series that celebrates inspiring women '' .
The royal couple will make their shows for Netflix under the banner of an as yet unnamed production company .
The Duke of Sussex can currently be seen on the streaming service in Rising Phoenix , a documentary about the Paralympic Games .
Meghan previously partnered with Disney to narrate Elephant , a documentary about the species for its Disneynature outlet .
This week 's announcement follows the recent publication of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ couple 's life in the Royal Family .
A spokesman for the Sussexes said they had not been interviewed for the book , which describes a culture of increasing tension between the Sussexes and other family members .
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"Our lives, both independent of each other, and as a couple have allowed us to understand the power of the human spirit: of courage, resilience, and the need for connection," said the couple in a statement.


bbcuk--2020-09-02--Heathrow seeks staff pay cuts with jobs warning

London 's Heathrow Airport has told unions it will seek pay cuts for thousands of workers due to the coronavirus collapse in air travel .
The airport is looking for pay cuts of 15 % to 20 % , affecting about half of the 4,700 staff in engineering , air-side operations and security .
It warns job cuts could be implemented if no agreement is reached .
Heathrow said in a statement that Covid-19 has decimated the industry and had cost the airport £1bn since March .
The airport has informed union officials that it was triggering a 45-day consultation @ @ @ @ @ @ @ voluntary severance schemes as well as pay and recruitment freezes and salary reductions for management .
However , the west London airport said its proposals `` guarantee a job '' for anyone who wants to remain with the business .
• One in three firms 'expect to make redundancies' Heathrow has already reduced its managerial roles by a third , and in June launched a voluntary redundancy scheme .
`` Provisional traffic figures for August show passenger numbers remain 82 % down on last year and we must urgently adapt to this new @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a statement on Wednesday .
It continued : `` Discussions with our unions have taken place over four months and our final offer is informed by feedback we have received from them .
`` But with air travel showing little sign of recovery , these discussions can not go on indefinitely and we must act now to prevent our situation from worsening .
`` We have now started a period of formal consultation with our unions on our offer , which still guarantees a job at the airport for anyone who wishes to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ King , an official at the union Unite , said the plans would `` further undermine confidence in the industry '' .
It comes after airlines and tour firms announced thousands of job cuts .
Mr King added : `` Our members have worked tirelessly throughout the Covid-19 pandemic .
To conduct industrial relations via the media in such a brutish manner is designed to create fear and panic in a group of key workers . ''
He said `` it should not be forgotten that Heathrow is an incredibly wealthy company '' @ @ @ @ @ @ @ pay and job was about boosting future profits .

"We have now started a period of formal consultation with our unions on our offer, which still guarantees a job at the airport for anyone who wishes to stay with our business."


bbcuk--2020-09-02--Series of failings in terror supervision condemned

A catalogue of failings have been found in the way people convicted of terror-related offences are monitored by the authorities in England and Wales .
An independent review found `` gaps '' in the powers used to check up on such offenders .
And it highlighted an `` unreliable '' flow of information about their behaviour , such as remarks `` glorifying '' terrorism .
The review was launched after convicted terrorist Usman Khan killed two people in an attack in London in November .
Khan had been on licence from prison when he fatally stabbed Saskia Jones and Jack @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Bridge on 29 November last year .
Justice Minister Chris Philp said the government was legislating to require terrorism offenders to take lie detector tests - a measure the report endorses - and said other proposals were being considered .
• London Bridge : What we know Jonathan Hall QC , who conducted the review , said the authorities tended to `` over-focus '' on the impact of restrictions on offenders when they were let out - rather than considering the `` overall risk '' they posed .
He said meetings involving different @ @ @ @ @ @ @ police , the prison service and probation officers , were `` dominated by information exchange rather than active management '' , with a single case taking two hours to discuss .
Mr Hall criticised a risk assessment tool used by the Prison and Probation Service in England and Wales , which he said `` seriously minimised '' the severity of terrorism offences and `` accepted the offender 's characterisation ( and in some cases denials ) '' of their crimes .
`` It was suggested to me that one possible reason was that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ often completed by a prison psychologist , in a therapeutic context in which the offender 's 'buy-in ' to the process is deemed to be particularly important , '' he said .
Among other problems the report found a `` significant gap '' in the authorities ' ability to monitor the risk of terrorism posed by `` dangerous '' offenders convicted of non-terror related offences .
It also said opportunities to reduce the risk offenders posed was `` lost '' because of an `` unreliable '' flow of information about their behaviour in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ '' terrorism , overheard by jail staff .
Mr Hall added that there was a `` surprisingly limited '' circle of knowledge about terrorism offenders in the community , with police borough commanders in London `` not always aware '' of the identity of such individuals in their area .
He called for a `` cultural shift '' so that information was shared more widely .
The report , which makes 45 recommendations , was completed in May - three months after a second attack involving a released terrorism prisoner .
Sudesh Amman @ @ @ @ @ @ @ when he stabbed two people on Streatham High Road , in south London in February .

"It was suggested to me that one possible reason was that [the risk assessment tool] is often completed by a prison psychologist, in a therapeutic context in which the offender's 'buy-in' to the process is deemed to be particularly important," he said.


bbcuk--2020-09-02--Ruben Bousquet: Boy died after allergic reaction to Odeon popcorn

A 14-year-old boy died after suffering an allergic reaction to popcorn he ate at a cinema , a coroner has ruled .
Ruben Bousquet was with his parents at the Odeon in Greenwich , south east London , on 18 April 2019 , when he became unwell .
He was `` exquisitely sensitive to food allergies '' including cow 's milk , raw egg and soya , the inquest heard .
Coroner Andrew Harris said the popcorn had been cross-contaminated with milk , triggering Ruben 's fatal reaction .
On the evening Ruben fell ill his family rushed home to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ left behind , but they were too late , the inquest heard .
Southwark Coroner 's Court was told Ruben had regularly visited the same IMAX cinema and had eaten the same brand of sweet popcorn before .
Mr Harris said the cinema 's food supplier Thomas Tucker Ltd had failed to carry out risk assessments when changing factory locations .
In September 2019 the company went into administration after the Food Standards Agency launched an allergy alert when it was revealed the firm 's popcorn products may have contained undeclared milk .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ Thomas Tucker Ltd in the same month , the court heard .
In his ruling , Mr Harris said he could not be sure whether the cross-contamination happened in the production process or at the kiosk where it was bought .
Ruben 's mum , Judith Bousquet , said the family were `` disappointed '' the coroner was unable to determine when the popcorn had been contaminated .
Mr Harris said : `` He ate some sweet unpackaged popcorn purchased from a cinema in Greenwich and began to feel unwell .
`` He @ @ @ @ @ @ @ treatment for anaphylaxis and became distressed about 15 minutes after consumption , about three minutes from home .
`` Ruben then collapsed and was given adrenaline injections twice and effective CPR . ''
Ruben was taken to Evelina Children 's Hospital and found to `` have irretrievable brain damage '' .
Mr Harris gave Ruben 's cause of death as `` an acute anaphylaxis to cow 's milk allergen from cross contamination of popcorn '' .
He added : `` The popcorn manufactured and was free from milk protein but had become cross @ @ @ @ @ @ @ was under the impression it was free of allergens and had he asked staff then that is what they would have believed too . ''
Mr Harris said he will decide whether to make a report to prevent future deaths later this month .
Speaking after the ruling , Mrs Bousquet said : `` To not put food labels as an advisory for the public to make a choice would seem to put profit before consumers .
`` Ruben was in that 1 % bracket of being affected - are they waiting for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ '' • Can lessons be learned from Pret baguette death ?
Odeon said : `` The popcorn ordered from our supplier , Thomas Tucker Ltd , was specified as 'allergen-free ' .
`` Once we were informed in June 2019 that certain popcorn samples sourced from this supplier tested positive for milk proteins , we immediately opened an investigation and introduced additional allergen advice to all of our cinemas .
`` We have confidence in the robust procedures we have in place concerning food safety and the sourcing of products , and our @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and all other products from cross contamination in our cinemas . ''
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"We have confidence in the robust procedures we have in place concerning food safety and the sourcing of products, and our teams use careful processes to protect popcorn and all other products from cross contamination in our cinemas."


bbcuk--2020-09-02--Rule, Britannia! will be sung on Last Night of the Proms after BBC U-turn

The BBC has reversed its decision not to have Rule , Britannia !
and Land of Hope and Glory sung at The Last Night of the Proms .
The U-turn follows fierce criticism sparked by reports that the lyrics were being dropped due to associations with colonialism and slavery .
Last week , the BBC said the decision to perform orchestral-only versions was prompted by Covid-19 restrictions .
However , a `` select '' group of singers will now perform the songs after all .
`` The pandemic means a different Proms this year and one of the consequences , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ not able to bring together massed voices , '' the BBC said in a new statement .
`` For that reason we took the artistic decision not to sing Rule , Britannia !
and Land of Hope and Glory in the Hall . ''
But , the statement added , the BBC had been `` looking hard at what else might be possible '' and had found `` a solution '' .
`` Both pieces will now include a select group of BBC Singers .
This means the words will be sung in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ always made clear , audiences will be free to sing along at home . ''
At The First Night of the Proms , 18 socially-distanced members of the BBC Singers performed in the Royal Albert Hall 's otherwise empty stalls , with the orchestra on stage .
The BBC 's original decision to play instrumental versions on the Last Night on 12 September prompted Prime Minister Boris Johnson to intervene .
`` I can not believe ... that the BBC is saying that they will not sing the words of Land of Hope @ @ @ @ @ @ @ they traditionally do at the end of The Last Night of The Proms , '' he told reporters last week .
`` I think it 's time we stopped our cringing embarrassment about our history , about our traditions , and about our culture , and we stopped this general bout of self-recrimination and wetness . ''
Culture Secretary Oliver Dowden said : `` Confident forward-looking nations do n't erase their history , they add to it . ''
On Wednesday , a Number 10 spokesman said the prime minister `` welcomes the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Conservative MPs , Mr Johnson said : `` I do think this country is going through an orgy of national embarrassment about some of the things that other people around the world love most about us .
`` People love our traditions and our history with all its imperfections .
It 's crazy for us to go around trying to censor it .
It 's absolutely absurd and I think we should speak out loud and proud for the UK and our history . ''
A spokesman for Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer @ @ @ @ @ @ @ '' , but added : `` Enjoying patriotic songs does not and should not be a barrier to examining our past and learning lessons from it . ''
Last week , the BBC said the move to drop the lyrics was down to the fact fewer performers could appear on stage because of social distancing rules .
The songs would be performed as usual next year , the corporation pledged .
Outgoing director general Tony Hall defended the `` creative conclusion '' that was reached , but admitted the question of dropping songs @ @ @ @ @ @ @ over to new director general Tim Davie on Tuesday .
Those arguing that songs like Land of Hope and Glory should n't be performed included Chi-chi Nwanoku , who runs the Chineke !
Orchestra , which performed at the Proms in 2017 and 2019 .
She told the BBC : `` We find it offensive .
For any conscious black person who is aware of their history , the empire and colonialism , for example , they will struggle to enjoy the patriotic jingoism of these songs . ''
Broadcaster and choirmaster Gareth @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , tweeting : `` It 's time for Rule Britannia !
to go . ''

"I cannot believe... that the BBC is saying that they will not sing the words of Land of Hope And Glory or Rule Britannia! as they traditionally do at the end of The Last Night of The Proms," he told reporters last week.


bbcuk--2020-09-02--Teacher Kandice Barber denies sex offences against pupil

A teacher accused of having sex with a pupil has told a court the boy was not the father of the baby she miscarried .
Kandice Barber , 35 , of Wendover , Buckinghamshire , denies child sex offences , including having sex with a child under 16 .
The boy , who was 15 at the time , told Aylesbury Crown Court she had told him she might be pregnant with his baby .
In a statement , Ms Barber said her husband was the father of the baby she miscarried .
Earlier the court heard an investigation began @ @ @ @ @ @ @ school found out about a topless picture of the teacher which had been shared among pupils .
Ms Barber , of London Road , is alleged to have sent the photo to the boy .
She told police her Snapchat account must have been hacked .
In a police interview the teenager , who is now 17 , said he had had sex with the teacher in a field , and she had performed sexual acts on him in a car and in woodland .
Giving evidence by videolink , he said : @ @ @ @ @ @ @ at first because she told me she was pregnant with my child . ''
He agreed with barrister Nadia Chabat that he said he did not want his child growing up in prison .
Ms Chabat said Ms Barber had had a miscarriage before Christmas , so he would have known she was not pregnant .
He said that he did not know that , and agreed he told the school 's head that nothing had gone on between them and he did not have any photos .
The boy said he had @ @ @ @ @ @ @ nervous '' .
Ms Barber has denied causing a child under 16 to engage in sexual activity ; sexual communication with a child ; causing a child to engage in sexual activities while in a position of trust ; and making a child watch a sexual act by a person in a position of trust .

He said that he did not know that, and agreed he told the school's head that nothing had gone on between them and he did not have any photos.


bbcuk--2020-09-02--Cambridge anorexic woman who died 'wanted to be assessed'

A woman with anorexia died after asking to be regularly assessed as it would make her `` happier '' , an inquest has heard .
Amanda Bowles , 45 , was found at her Cambridge home in September 2017 .
The inquest heard Ms Bowles was not monitored for about four months after she was discharged from the eating disorder service .
The inquest is the latest to be heard of a cluster of five deaths of people with anorexia between 2012 and 2018 .
Sean Horstead , assistant coroner for Cambridgeshire , is overseeing the investigations into the deaths @ @ @ @ @ @ @ local NHS mental health teams .
The hearing was told that Ms Bowles telephoned her GP surgery on 13 April 2017 and told them she had not been monitored since her discharge from the service in December 2016 .
On 25 May Dr Mark Dourish visited Ms Bowles at her home to carry out an assessment before regular monitoring by district nurses could take place .
He said he took her temperature and blood pressure - both of which produced readings normal for the patient .
Ms Bowles was also `` able to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , he said .
The inquest heard Ms Bowles should have also been weighed during the home visit , but she had told Dr Dourish she had no scales .
A representative for Ms Bowles family said she had two sets of scales at home .
`` I took her at her word , '' Dr Dourish said .
Dr Dourish said he did not think Ms Bowles was trying to hide her weight since she had asked for monitoring to take place .
The inquest had heard Ms Bowles had said she @ @ @ @ @ @ @ took place .
Dr Dourish said : `` I took it as a positive and reassuring sign that she was trying to get us back involved again . ''
The inquest heard Ms Bowles was registered for `` assisted technology '' which meant she was responsible for measuring her own weight and reporting this to the GP surgery .
Dr Dourish said it would not have been a system he would have recommended for Ms Bowles .
The recorded cause of Ms Bowles ' death was pneumonia .
A pathology report said her @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .

He said he took her temperature and blood pressure - both of which produced readings normal for the patient. Ms Bowles was also "able to perform the squat test without difficulty", he said.


bbcuk--2020-09-02--Coronavirus: Greater Manchester lockdown easing U-turn and steroids saving lives

We have another five things you need to know about the coronavirus outbreak this Wednesday evening .
We 'll be back on Thursday morning with another update .
Lockdown restrictions in Bolton and Trafford were due to be eased overnight after virus cases dropped last month .
But that lockdown easing has now been halted by the government due to a `` significant '' rise in cases .
Before the U-turn was announced , Greater Manchester mayor Andy Burnham had called the proposed easing `` illogical '' and urged the boroughs ' residents to ignore it .
Bolton currently has @ @ @ @ @ @ @ virus cases per 100,000 residents in England .
Studies show cheap steroids can save the lives of patients who are critically ill with Covid-19 .
The findings confirm the results of an earlier trial , which has already led to steroids being used widely for Covid patients in intensive care .
The new results show eight lives would be saved for every 100 patients treated .
The researchers said the findings were impressive , but stressed steroids were not a coronavirus cure .
Read about the progress on treatments here .
England 's @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of the risk of widespread dissatisfaction with the emergency grading system it used when exams were cancelled due to the pandemic .
Ofqual chairman Roger Taylor told MPs there were good reasons to attempt it , including fairness between schools , but he said there were other options , such as delaying exams .
Many A-level results were downgraded when Ofqual used a controversial algorithm based on schools ' prior grades .
After an uproar , the government U-turned and used teachers ' estimated grades instead .
Chancellor Rishi Sunak has reassured recently @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a `` horror show of tax rises with no end in sight '' , as the government deals with the costs of coronavirus .
Mr Sunak seemingly accidentally revealed the wording of his statement while holding his notes outside 11 Downing Street .
It read : `` We will need to do some difficult things , but I promise you , if we trust one another we will be able to overcome the short-term challenges . ''
The party 's poll lead has been cut in recent weeks , leading to concerns among @ @ @ @ @ @ @ heartlands at the 2019 election .
5 .
New Nolan film gives shot in arm to cinemas Christopher Nolan 's latest sci-fi movie Tenet has made £5.33m in its first week on release in the UK and Ireland .
It 's seen as a welcome shot in the arm as takings have been modest since cinemas began reopening in July .
Only one other title - Russell Crowe road rage thriller Unhinged - has made more than £1m over the period since they reopened .
Cinemas in Ireland and the UK are operating @ @ @ @ @ @ @ distancing guidelines and masks are mandatory while you watch a film .
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Chancellor Rishi Sunak has reassured recently elected Tory MPs there will not be a "horror show of tax rises with no end in sight", as the government deals with the costs of coronavirus. Mr Sunak seemingly accidentally revealed the wording of his statement while holding his notes outside 11 Downing Street. It read: "We will need to do some difficult things, but I promise you, if we trust one another we will be able to overcome the short-term challenges." The party's poll lead has been cut in recent weeks, leading to concerns among MPs who seized constituencies in traditional Labour heartlands at the 2019 election.