bbcuk--2020-04-27--TV in lockdown: How shows are coping without a studio audience

If somebody tells a joke , and nobody is around to hear it , was it actually funny ?
That 's the question facing TV producers at the moment as they try to keep their shows as lively as possible , despite not having a studio audience .
Lockdown restrictions have forced all programmes to film without their usual crowd - and there have been decidedly mixed results so far .
Some shows have been taken by surprise at how much more popular they are without an audience .
But others are struggling to keep up their usual momentum .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ of energy and pace , and they 're also markers for how we should be feeling at home , '' says Frances Taylor , commissioning editor for comedy and entertainment at The Radio Times .
`` Without them , a lot of programmes have a very different atmosphere . ''
Which , she adds , is n't necessarily a bad thing .
`` Question Time probably is serving better without an audience , because it feels less gladiatorial , less combative .
`` So it 's a calmer arena without the booing and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ measured programme .
And for the factual political programmes , that 's arguably an improvement . ''
Question Time 's new format sees the socially-distanced panel take questions from viewers at home , rather than its studio audience .
The fact the panellist can then deliver their answer without heckling arguably removes some element of scrutiny - the audience 's reaction often has the effect of holding an individual to account , as the speaker is forced to respond to it .
But many viewers and panellists feel not having an audience has @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Today editor Roger Mosey said the show had been `` revitalised '' , adding the speakers `` no longer have to face a baying crowd of people seeking their own minute of fame '' .
After Question Time 's first audience-free episode aired , Piers Morgan said : `` I actually preferred it , it did n't have the bear pit element that it 's become .
I 've done Question Time more than 20 times and instinctively you kind of treat it like theatre , you play to the audience , you @ @ @ @ @ @ @ `` But when they 're not there , you actually have to be different , you ca n't play to the gallery .
You have to only play to the people there .
I learned more from [ watching ] that Question Time than any of the recent shows for a few years , it was interesting . ''
The BBC said live studio interaction and hearing from the general public are key parts of Question Time , but added it 's pleased the programme has been able to make the new format @ @ @ @ @ @ @ other hand , are finding things tougher .
When the success of a programme depends on good jokes , the lack of an audience to laugh at them suddenly makes witty one-liners lose their zing .
Helen Lewis , who recently appeared on the first audience-free episode of Have I Got News For You , acknowledged the difficulties in an article for The Atlantic .
`` Comedy without an audience is , by definition , less funny , '' she said .
`` Laughter is heightened when it 's a collective experience .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ an arena than we do watching the same comedian 's Netflix special from our sofa .
`` Nothing teaches you how to generate a laugh - or makes you more keen to get one - than ending a sentence and being greeted with the howling sound of absolute silence .
As you perform , you begin to understand the underlying grammar of comedy - the order in which to reveal information , for example .
`` Good stand-ups will use the audience as an editor , which helps them refine their material .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ the audience also provides an instant judgment on each joke . ''
TV producers must be applauded for keeping such programmes on the air during such difficult circumstances .
The writing , too , is just as strong as it 's ever been .
But without anyone to encourage laughter , the jokes can fall flat to the viewer at home .
Last year , researchers at University College London found viewers felt jokes were funnier when they were accompanied by the sound of others laughing .
`` The laughter is influencing how @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that 's because laughter is a very important signal for humans .
It always means something , '' said Sophie Scott , a professor of cognitive neuroscience , who led the research .
Some shows are thriving , others are struggling - but most seem to fall somewhere in the middle .
Channel 4 's new lunchtime programme The Steph Show , fronted by Steph McGovern , has been largely praised by viewers and critics , even though it had been initially intended to feature a studio audience .
Instead , it launched @ @ @ @ @ @ @ room , with automatically controlled cameras .
`` This is not what we had planned , '' McGovern said in the opening episode .
`` It could be a bit rough round the edges but that 's how I 've been described for most of my career . ''
While recording without a studio audience may not be ideal , the series seems to be coping well under the circumstances .
Similarly , The Graham Norton Show on BBC One is able to survive without its audience because it is n't exclusively a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a straightforward interview programme if it has to , with its celebrity guests in their own homes .
It does , however , arguably lose some of its life and energy without a crowd - and it puts more pressure on the host .
`` Graham Norton , in its normal format , thrives on that sparky punchiness of the dynamic between the guests , and there 's a laughter and energy with that that comes from the audience , '' Taylor says .
`` The new show is a lot calmer , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ days are generally quick quick quick , edits , noises , and actually , it 's forced programmes like that to be innovative and different .
I 'm actually enjoying some elements of the new Graham Norton Show , but you 've just got to see it as a different sort of programme . ''
Taylor notes : `` It often depends on the skill of the presenter , and [ Norton ] is one of the best broadcasters in the country , same with Ant and Dec , they can make it @ @ @ @ @ @ @ '' It 's difficult to quantify how audience-free formats are affecting viewing figures .
Question Time 's ratings have significantly increased , but that will have been influenced by other factors too - not least the show 's earlier timeslot , the busy news agenda , and the fact most of us are stuck at home .
A captive audience has meant improved viewing figures across the board - a recent episode of Ant and Dec 's Saturday Night Takeaway which filmed without an audience actually recorded the show 's highest ever ratings @ @ @ @ @ @ @ this be the new normal ?
It 's difficult to say , because even if lockdown measures were eased somewhat in the coming weeks , some form of social distancing could well remain in place - which presents problems for producers .
`` If it lasts to the end of the year , then you think about programmes like Strictly , '' says Taylor .
`` In Germany they 've been filming that without an audience , but would they do that here ?
There are a lot of questions that actually not @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the answers to , but TV producers do n't have the answer to . ''

"But when they're not there, you actually have to be different, you can't play to the gallery. You have to only play to the people there. I learned more from [watching] that Question Time than any of the recent shows for a few years, it was interesting."


bbcuk--2020-04-27--Stressed firms look for better ways to source products

Maxime Firth 's business is complicated to manage , even in good times .
His company , Onduline , turns recycled fibres into roofing material , after dousing them with bitumen to make them waterproof , and sells products in 100 countries .
Its eight production plants span from Nizhny Novgorod in Russia and Penang in Malaysia , to Juiz de Fora in Brazil .
Further complicating his supply chain , Mr Firth 's business is strongly seasonal .
People install roofs in the summer , so products are made from January to March , to sell from April to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is how much demand there will be from important markets like China and the US .
`` Instead of manufacturing something that you are forced to sell , it is better to know what the market wants to buy , '' he says .
The impact of coronavirus makes it difficult for businessmen like him to make the right decisions .
To manage demand Mr Firth 's company used to work with `` homemade '' IT tools mainly based on Excel spreadsheets .
But now he is using software accessible over the internet @ @ @ @ @ @ @ can model his situation every week .
It allows the firm to use the latest data to explore how demand might start returning in different markets .
`` In terms of profitability , and also production , it 's changing every week , '' he says .
• The stealthy drones that fly like insects • Coronavirus threatens the next generation of smartphones • 'The phone slipped into the bath ' : Conference call tales Coronavirus `` puts supply chain planning under the spotlight , '' says Frank Calderoni , chief executive of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ using .
Some companies have seen sales dry up : like Mr Firth 's roofing material purchases , which he says are down 70 % .
But demand for some goods has rocketed , including groceries , books , coffee , and toys for children .
Supply chain chaos could last at least another 18 months , and probably longer , says Len Pannett , president of the UK roundtable of the Council of Supply Chain Management Professionals .
Businesses trying to get back to work may find their overseas suppliers are still @ @ @ @ @ @ @ about every firm in the chain , the better .
`` Being in touch with a customer 's customer 's customer , you can see ahead of time what 's coming your way '' and start finding alternative suppliers if you need to , Mr Pannett says .
Most businesses had been monitoring supply chains , finance , and sales with different tools .
Joining these silos into one cloud platform lets finance teams peek into supply chains and sales , and be more efficient with money , he says .
And with @ @ @ @ @ @ @ need to make better decisions .
More accurate real-time information will help them do this , and keep better track of their decisions ' effects , according to Mr Calderoni .
Supply chains were already trickling onto the cloud and he says coronavirus will accelerate that move , with technologies like blockchain and artificial intelligence ( AI ) becoming commonplace .
For the Gulf state of Bahrain - an island - all its ventilators , facemasks , medicines , and 99.5 % of the goods in its market come through its only port @ @ @ @ @ @ @ change its procedures , says Susan Hunter , who as head of APM Terminals Bahrain is in charge of Khalifa Bin Salman Port 's day-to-day running .
The port had to quickly arrange for lorry drivers to apply for gate passes , do security checks , and make payments online .
It has also set up a critical cargo programme , to identify containers carrying medical supplies , to allow these to swiftly pass these through customs and put them where they can be accessed quickly .
Ms Hunter would like to move @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
`` There 's no resistance , just 'How are we going to make that happen ? '
'' she says .
`` We 're just a couple of steps away from being able to put a lot of our documents onto a blockchain platform , we are seeing the industry changing that way , '' she says .
Blockchain keeps a record of transactions in a ledger , stored across a number of computers linked in a peer-to-peer network .
This lets firms share information about a container just once , but @ @ @ @ @ @ @ see that information .
It allows `` the right person to have the right information at the right time , in a permissioned way , '' says Richard Stockley , blockchain executive at IBM Europe .
Blockchain has made headway in areas like tracing food through a supply chain .
As an experiment , Walmart 's chief executive pulled out a packet of mangoes , imagined they were toxic and asked how long it would take to find out where they came from , and where the other mangoes in that shipment were @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to find the answer .
But using blockchain `` we 've got that down to about two seconds , '' says Mr Stockley .
The biggest challenge in introducing blockchain to supply chains is getting different organisations to collaborate .
But Mr Stockley says blockchain can make supply chains `` a lot more resilient , more transparent , and proactive , '' and will get much more attention as we emerge from coronavirus .
Amazon has changed forever how quickly we expect products to arrive , and how visible their movements should be @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Adam Compain , chief executive of San Francisco-based ClearMetal , an AI supply chains startup .
But outside Jeff Bezos 's company , big corporate supply chains are still pretty static .
Typically , every six months , a company will look at how long it takes products to go from China to a warehouse and on to a store shelf , he says .
Getting more up-to-date information means making sense of thousands of pieces of information each day about where products are .
Much of that information can be poor or @ @ @ @ @ @ @ company might tell you twice that the same shipment has been delivered , or is out for delivery .
But machine learning algorithms can spot patterns in this messy data .
Maybe the same delivery company always sends two messages , but the first is generally more accurate .
AI is now much better than humans at spotting whether there 's a storm brewing now that will delay your shipping container next week , Mr Pannett says .
For thousands of businesses like Mr Firth 's in France , the coming year will @ @ @ @ @ @ @ until May we are okay , '' he says .
After that , `` we do n't know if the customers will pay us . ''
So each week his company , like many others , will make high-stakes decisions using a combination of luck and the best tools technology can offer .
• A SIMPLE GUIDE : How do I protect myself ?
• AVOIDING CONTACT : The rules on self-isolation and exercise • MAPS AND CHARTS : Visual guide to the outbreak • STRESS : How to look after your mental @

As an experiment, Walmart's chief executive pulled out a packet of mangoes, imagined they were toxic and asked how long it would take to find out where they came from, and where the other mangoes in that shipment were.


bbcuk--2020-04-27--Coronavirus: 'I returned my suits and spent £100 on loungewear’

A few weeks ago , London-based lawyer Samantha Hewitt decided to refresh her office wardrobe , going online to buy new suits and dresses .
Then the coronavirus lockdown hit and suddenly much of Britain was forced to become a nation of home workers .
Ms Hewitt immediately sent her sober corporate gear back , and spent £100 on trendy loungewear instead .
Now the erstwhile smart dresser admits she is pretty much living in casual clothes suitable for relaxing at home , be it hoodies , joggers or pyjamas .
`` I 've found myself saying to my housemates @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , 'oh it does n't matter , does it ?
It 's lockdown . '
`` Usually , I 'd be quite sensitive about going out without my make-up done and wearing normal clothes , even if it 's just jeans and a t-shirt .
Now it is some variation of a jumper and loungewear bottoms , '' she says .
The 26-year-old is not the only one making the swap .
Since the lockdown a month ago , online demand for loungewear - defined as a hybrid between pyjamas and tracksuits - @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , according to LoveTheSales.com , a shopping website that aggregates sale items from 850 retailers .
Online fashion retailer Boohoo says it is so popular that sales in April are higher than a year ago .
`` People are n't really buying going-out items , but they are buying homewear - hoodies , joggers , tracksuit bottoms , '' the firm said .
Even fashion doyenne Dame Anna Wintour has been photographed working from home in her joggers .
Though , admittedly , the editor-in-chief of US Vogue looks infinitely more chic than @ @ @ @ @ @ @ If you 're sat in the same room for 18 hours a day , like a lot of people will be doing , then comfort becomes quite important , '' says LoveTheSales co-founder Stuart McClure .
`` Normally , people are up and about but now you 're sort of hovering around at home even though you 're working .
So I think it is about that psychology of comfort and happiness . ''
Many retailers such as Asos and Missguided are now advertising comfort wear instead of spring dresses .
For struggling @ @ @ @ @ @ @ trend , with loungewear one of the few categories currently growing .
LoveTheSales says the number of discounts on this type of clothing has dropped dramatically .
This time last year , people spent just over £1bn on clothes for parties and socialising and a further £855m on gear for their holidays , according to market researcher Kantar .
`` Obviously , that need has been removed from the market at the moment , '' says Glen Tooke , a consumer insight director at Kantar .
While he does n't think demand for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that many retailers ' stores - which account for 70 % of consumer spend - are shut , Mr Tooke thinks it will allow them to retain a link with their customers .
`` The smaller or more niche categories should allow retailers to be engaged with their customers and to keep that buying habit going , '' he says .
The so-called `` influencers '' who frequent social media are also playing a part in the lockdown loungewear trend .
Search # loungewear on Instagram and watch it return hundreds of thousands @ @ @ @ @ @ @ such as Kylie Jenner publish pictures of themselves in their matching tops and bottoms .
`` Suddenly you ca n't go out and take a photo of your cool dinner or the great restaurant you 're in or whatever it is , '' says Mr McClure .
`` Everything 's got to be taken at home . ''
But now that many in Britain are adjusting to working in more relaxed attire , will it be tough to transition back to traditional work clothing ?
Or were we already heading that way ?
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ at Mintel , says : `` Prior to the coronavirus outbreak , we had already seen that loungewear and nightwear had benefitted from a shift towards more flexible working over the last two years . ''
Michael Solomon , a consumer psychologist and professor of marketing at St Joseph 's University in the US , agrees .
It is now common , for example , to see men not wearing ties in the office and sporting more casual suits .
He says : `` What happens in a crisis like this is you @ @ @ @ @ @ @ society that are happening and it tends to accelerate those . ''
While it is understandable that people put comfort over smartness when working from home , could it make us less effective ?
Studies have shown that people are more likely to describe themselves as neat and strategic when wearing smart attire , and as easygoing or clumsy when dressed casually .
`` I do n't think it is necessary to have a full business suit on , but there is a lot to be said for the notion that we are @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Solomon .
As for Ms Hewitt , part of her misses dressing up for work .
`` When I 've had online court hearings or a meeting with an external client and I 've put on something smarter , it 's quite nice to feel more human again .
`` I sort of feel like I 've got a bit more of a purpose I guess . ''

"Usually, I'd be quite sensitive about going out without my make-up done and wearing normal clothes, even if it's just jeans and a t-shirt. Now it is some variation of a jumper and loungewear bottoms," she says.


bbcuk--2020-04-27--The Uber driver evicted from home and left to die of coronavirus

The last time Mary Jayaseelan spoke to her husband Rajesh , he was about to be hooked up to a ventilator in a Covid ward .
Rajesh was being treated in Northwick Park Hospital in London , the city where he worked as an Uber driver for most of the year .
Mary was 5,000 miles away in their family home in Bangalore , India , with their two young sons .
Until that point he had repeatedly told her he would be fine , that he was feeling ill but she was not to worry , he 'd get @ @ @ @ @ @ @ he was young and otherwise healthy .
But on that call , he broke down and admitted : `` Mary , I 'm feeling a bit scared . ''
Rajesh and Mary got married on 24 February 2014 , and rented a home in Hulimavu , south Bangalore , that they shared with his 66-year-old mum .
For most of the year , Rajesh rented a room in Harrow , north London and drove an Uber vehicle in the city .
He 'd work from late in the evening to the early hours @ @ @ @ @ @ @ - so he could save enough money to spend a few months with his family in India .
He enjoyed working as a driver , although he did n't realise that his precarious gig economy job would leave him vulnerable in the global health crisis that would later emerge .
`` He 'd been living in London on-and-off for 22 years , and would come back to India for a few months at a time , '' Mary says .
`` He loved London .
He always used to talk to me about @ @ @ @ @ @ @ clean .
I 've never been to London , so he would describe it to me . ''
They were very happy .
Rajesh loved his wife , and playing with their two sons , aged six and four .
When he was n't in India he would video-call them every day .
`` He was also a really good singer , '' Mary says , full of pride .
`` He sang a lot of Hindi songs . ''
He was also a `` humble , gentle person '' his close friend @ @ @ @ @ @ @ first met in 2011 - they were both from Bangalore , so mutual friends there put them in touch when Sunil moved to the UK .
They would help each other navigate the UK 's various bureaucratic systems , loaned each other small amounts of money when needed , and Sunil and his wife would have Rajesh over for meals at their home in Hertfordshire - sending him back with several days ' worth of leftovers of delicious South Indian food .
Although Rajesh loved London , he did n't plan to stay @ @ @ @ @ @ @ with his family in India .
Renting their home in Hulimavu was relatively expensive , so during his last stay in Bangalore at the end of 2019 , he and his wife took out a loan and bought land to build their own home .
The loan was no problem , they thought - Rajesh would go back to London and put enough money aside to pay it off .
The next time he travelled to Bangalore , he told his wife , it would be for good .
He came back to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ two weeks later , the first cases of coronavirus were reported in the UK .
Although the virus had reached Britain , at this point Rajesh was n't too worried .
Shops and restaurants were still open , people were still going into work and then going out .
For everyone , including Uber drivers , it was business as usual , and not much changed for another month .
Then March came around , and the virus was passing from person to person within the UK .
The number of cases - @ @ @ @ @ @ @ was increasing every day .
People were told to self-isolate for seven days if they had any symptoms - even mild ones , such as a fever or a persistent cough .
On 23 March , Prime Minister Boris Johnson announced a nationwide lockdown lasting an initial three weeks , meaning that most businesses would close , and people would only be allowed outside for one form of exercise a day and for essential trips to the shops , unless they were considered `` essential '' workers .
Like many Uber drivers , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ but he quickly developed flu-like symptoms and had to stop .
His last job was on 25 March - a drop-off at Heathrow Airport .
His symptoms became much worse , and he was admitted to the hospital with dehydration .
While there , he was tested for the coronavirus .
Staff told Rajesh to go home , self-isolate , and to come back if his symptoms got worse .
He did as he was told , and went home to his room .
But things were about to get even worse .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ the house for something , and when he came back the landlord had changed the locks , so he could n't get in , '' Mary says .
`` He tried knocking on the door and asking the landlord to speak to him , but he would n't open the door . ''
His landlord did n't know about his positive diagnosis - but he told him that , as an Uber driver , he might bring the coronavirus back into the house , and that it was n't a risk he was @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to turn , Rajesh was forced to sleep in his car for several nights .
`` He had no food in there , nothing to eat at all , '' Mary says .
At this point he called his friend Sunil for advice .
`` That was the last call he made to me , '' Sunil says .
`` He did n't go into details about what was happening to him , but because I work in the NHS , he was asking me questions like 'How safe are we ' , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ things like that .
He was asking me if I knew any routes , if there was any possible way he could go - he wanted to go to India and be with his family .
But by that time there was a complete lockdown in India too . ''
Sunil told him the best thing to do would be to stay at home , not to work , and to look into the financial support for self-employed workers the government had just announced , or the 14 days ' assistance offered by @ @ @ @ @ @ @ he needed to find a new place to live because his landlord said he was high risk .
But , Sunil says , he did n't say that he 'd already been kicked out : `` He may have been embarrassed . ''
Rajesh then went back to trying to call his landlord to plead with him to let him stay .
There was no answer .
After days of searching , he eventually found another room in a shared house in Harrow .
The new landlord made him pay £4,000 upfront - @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Mary says he had to borrow .
What if this happens to me ?
If your landlord kicks you out of your home without giving you notice , or locks you out of your home , it is likely to be an illegal eviction - a criminal offence in all UK nations .
This is still the case during the coronavirus pandemic .
Under the Coronavirus Act , notice periods for evictions have been extended to three months .
`` This means that for most private and social tenants , even if they @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to have the legal right to stay in their home , '' Andy Parnell , helpline adviser for housing charity Shelter , tells the BBC .
But , he says , `` sadly there are some groups not protected by the recent changes to the evictions law , including lodgers with live-in landlords '' .
`` Lodgers have fewer rights than private renters with live-out landlords and landlords do n't need to go to court to evict a lodger .
But they are required to provide reasonable notice before asking them to leave @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 's situation should call the local council 's homelessness team as soon as possible and all councils have an emergency out-of-hours number .
If you do n't have anywhere to sleep , you should go to the council 's office in person , bringing ID and any proof of immigration status with you .
Earlier this month , Shelter also told renters in this situation to `` stay put '' .
Once Rajesh was back indoors , he did n't want to risk being evicted again .
He hid himself away and avoided @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the other tenants , not even daring to try and cook a meal for himself .
His health became worse with every passing day .
The only social interaction he had were daily phone calls with his wife , where he would alternate between reassuring her that he would be fine , and crying .
It was during one of these calls that Mary noticed he was struggling to breathe .
`` He was wheezing a lot in that room , and every day it was getting worse , '' she says .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ go to the hospital .
He did n't want to call an ambulance because he did n't want others there to know he was ill , in case he was evicted again . ''
Rajesh drove himself to the hospital , despite being severely out of breath .
When he got there he was diagnosed with pneumonia .
`` The next morning he called me from the hospital for a video call - but when the children saw him they started crying because of how ill he was , '' Mary says .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ and told me he did n't want them to remember him looking so unwell . ''
They would speak only a few more times .
On 11 April , the doctors caring for Rajesh called Mary and explained that he was in a critical state , and they did n't think his condition would improve .
They arranged a video call for her and the children to see him one final time ; he was unconscious .
He died two hours later .
While `` coronavirus does n't discriminate '' has been repeated @ @ @ @ @ @ @ evident that the virus is worse for some than others .
One group hit particularly hard are gig economy workers .
The gig economy is where people take on short-term or freelance work instead of permanent jobs .
These include private-hire cab drivers like Rajesh as well as food delivery workers and couriers .
Last year about 4.7 million people in the UK worked in gig economy jobs while , according to a 2018 study , 60 % of the global population is in insecure work .
Research by the World Economic Forum @ @ @ @ @ @ @ disproportionately affected by the pandemic - a combination of being classified as `` essential '' workers , requiring them to continue interacting with strangers ; a lack of guaranteed paid sick leave that makes it harder to self-isolate ; low and insecure pay , making it more likely for them to be living in dangerous and insecure housing situations ; and no entitlement to risk assessments or protective equipment .
Ayako Ebata , from the Institute of Development Studies , says because people in insecure work `` heavily rely on their daily wages @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of pressure not to lose their jobs or take time off , even when there are significant health risks .
`` It 's not because they 're ignorant or uninformed , it 's because the whole system is forcing them to make decisions that eventually prove detrimental to their livelihoods and health , '' she says .
Dr Alex Wood , a sociologist at Oxford University focusing on the gig economy and insecure work , agrees - and says a lack of workplace protection makes the problem much worse .
`` People have @ @ @ @ @ @ @ do n't need to worry about [ rights and protections ] because when the economy 's fine , there is n't really any risk , '' he says .
`` In reality , when you have these crises , it 's the workers who pay - despite many of them now being classified as 'essential ' . ''
Now , drivers in the UK are calling for greater protection from the government .
United Private Hire Drivers ( UPHD ) , an independent trade body for private-hire drivers , has this week called @ @ @ @ @ @ @ matter .
`` What the government is saying now is that it 's not safe for you to go to a barbershop , but it 's somehow safe for you to ride around in an Uber , '' James Farrar from the UPHD says .
Race is a risk factor , too .
According to multiple recent studies , BAME people in the UK like Rajesh are disproportionately more likely to be in insecure work than their white counterparts .
Research from the Trade Union Congress ( TUC ) last year found that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ likely to be in insecure work .
A report released last month by Carnegie UK Trust , UCL and Operation Black Vote also found that BAME millennials in particular were 47 % more likely to be on `` zero-hours '' contracts - another notoriously unstable form of work .
At the same time , recent studies show that BAME people in the UK are disproportionately more likely to become critically ill and to die from coronavirus .
Ethnic minority patients make up 34 % of those in intensive care , despite making up @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Early research suggests this is down to a combination of risk factors - an increased incidence of high-risk underlying health conditions , such as diabetes and hypertension , as well as social factors and systemic inequality .
`` Coronavirus is making a lot of the inequalities in our society that we had previously turned a blind eye to , very clear , '' Dr Wood says .
After learning that her son had died , Rajesh 's mother became ill. She suffered hypertension and a spike in her blood sugar level , and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ `` She 's been inconsolable since , '' Mary says .
Faced with a loan for the house , upcoming medical bills and children 's school fees , Mary is trying to find work as a cleaner in their area but the lockdown is making it much more difficult to get on top of their finances .
Sunil is helping them with money where he can , and has set up an online fundraiser for them .
He 's also looking into whether he can pursue legal action against Rajesh 's first landlord @ @ @ @ @ @ @ also set up a fundraiser for her in India .
But more than anything , Mary is struggling to come to terms with how quickly everything has changed for her family .
`` Now that Rajesh is gone , our life has become very difficult , '' she says .
`` I do n't know what we 'll do without him . ''

"That was the last call he made to me," Sunil says. "He didn't go into details about what was happening to him, but because I work in the NHS, he was asking me questions like 'How safe are we', 'Is it better to go to India'… things like that. He was asking me if I knew any routes, if there was any possible way he could go - he wanted to go to India and be with his family. But by that time there was a complete lockdown in India too."


bbcuk--2020-04-27--Coronavirus: Why are people still flying into the UK? And other questions

On 15 April the Health Secretary Matt Hancock said that 15,000 people were still flying into the UK every day @ @ @ @ @ tested at airports , he explained , because there was little scientific evidence that it @ @ @ @ @ Covid-19 in the UK .
What ’ s more , testing people who are not @ @ @ @ @ identify those with the virus .
The number of flights arriving in the UK has @ @ @ @ @ Airlines say that nearly all of those on flights into the UK tend to be @ @ @ @ @ or else travellers changing planes en route to another destination .
Nevertheless , there are @ @ @ @ @ tougher measures before they can enter the UK .
Heathrow ’ s chief executive asked @ @ @ @ @ checks at airports .

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


bbcuk--2020-04-27--Coronavirus: How close is the UK to 100,000 tests a day?

The UK government has pledged to do 100,000 coronavirus tests a day by the end of April , but was managing about 20,000 with a week to go .
It has now said that up to 10 million key workers and their households in England can ask for a test .
Who can get tested ?
Hospital patients , NHS and care staff , emergency services , care home residents and now all essential workers and their families should be able to get tested .
The list of key workers includes teachers , police officers and transport workers .
Testing @ @ @ @ @ @ @ public .
How are the tests being offered ?
The tests are done by taking a swab of the nose or throat , which is sent off to a lab to look for signs of the virus 's genetic material .
They show whether someone is currently infected with coronavirus .
Key workers in England and Scotland who are self-isolating because they or a family member have coronavirus symptoms can be referred for a test by their employer .
They can also book online themselves and choose whether to attend a regional test @ @ @ @ @ @ @ test kit .
However , with thousands of people using the site since its launch , many have found that tests are no longer available .
If a test is negative , the key worker can return to work if they are well enough , have not had a high temperature for 48 hours , and those living with them test negative .
Wales is adopting a needs-based approach to testing for NHS and `` critical '' non-NHS workers .
In Northern Ireland , key workers can be tested at one of three @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to get tested ?
The government hopes to have up to 50 test sites by the end of April .
At the moment there are about 30 .
But there has been criticism that getting tested is not always simple once a test has been arranged .
The British Medical Association has said the accessibility of centres is a major problem .
And a Dorset residential care home operator said its staff faced a 240-mile round trip to Gatwick for testing .
People are tested to diagnose them individually , and to work @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
It helps people , including NHS workers , know whether they are safe to be at work .
It can also help the health service plan for extra demand , including in intensive care units .
Testing could also inform decisions around social distancing and lockdowns .
A total of 20,000 households in England will take part in a study to track coronavirus in the general population .
It will help the government identify how much the virus is circulating and whether the rate of infection is increasing .
The findings will @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the lockdown .
Has the UK been too slow in testing for coronavirus ?
There have been suggestions the UK government did not act quickly enough .
The UK did not start with the resources to do mass testing , unlike some other countries .
Countries like Germany and South Korea - which have tested far more widely than the UK - rapidly stockpiled kits and made the test available to a larger number of labs .
As of 19 April , the UK had carried out 6.2 tests per 1,000 people , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , Italy 19.93 and South Korea 10.46 , according to data collated by online scientific publication Our World in Data from official sources .
Public Health England started with its own eight laboratories , later expanding to a further 40 NHS labs .
Then the government said it would involve more laboratories from universities , research institutes and private companies .
UK testing efforts have also been held back by challenges in getting hold of swabs , testing kits and chemical reagents .
However , on 22 April , Dominic Raab , standing @ @ @ @ @ @ @ said : `` I 've set the goal of 100,000 tests a day by the end of this month and I 'm delighted to say that the expansion of capacity is ahead of plans , even though demand has , thus far , been lower than expected . ''
An antibody test shows whether someone has already had the virus .
They work by looking for signs of immunity , by using a drop of blood on a device that works a bit like a pregnancy test .
Mr Hancock has said that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ had been tested , but none was good enough .
Tests bought from China identified antibodies in patients who had been seriously ill with coronavirus , but did not pick up the milder cases , according to head of the UK testing regime , Prof John Newton .
The World Health Organization 's head of emerging diseases , Dr Maria Van Kerkhove , said there is no evidence tests can show `` that an individual is immune or is protected against reinfection '' .
Correction 25 April 2020 : An earlier version of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ conducted just under 140,000 tests a day by 21 April .
The figure of just under 140,000 refers instead to the number of tests it had carried out weekly .
What do I need to know about the coronavirus ?
• EASY STEPS : What can I do ?
• CONTAINMENT : What it means to self-isolate • MAPS AND CHARTS : Visual guide to the outbreak

The government says it will be able to expand the testing system again in the future if necessary, such as if a new variant of concern emerges.


bbcuk--2020-04-27--Coronavirus: 'I'm just happy to do my small bit to help'

A businessman is deep-cleaning hundreds of park benches , bins and bus stops in a bid to stop the spread of coronavirus .
Bruce Ogilvie normally uses the cleaning equipment after fitting fire protection systems in schools , offices and hospitals .
With this work suspended , Mr Ogilvie has been putting the equipment to use in the public spaces of Ayrshire .
The 50-year-old is concentrating on the busiest spots around his base in Ayr .
This has included cleaning the street furniture along the sea front at Troon , public parks in Ayr and most of the bus @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ' I 'm just happy to do my small bit to help , '' Mr Ogilvie said .
`` We have this deep-cleaning equipment and supplies just sitting there not doing anything right now , and I 'm not really one for sitting still , so I just thought I would put it to good use .
`` As the weather has improved , the benches are being used more as people get out and about so hopefully it makes a difference . ''
Mr Ogilvie said he had contacted local bus companies @ @ @ @ @ @ @ busiest so he could concentrate his cleaning efforts on them .
• A SIMPLE GUIDE : How do I protect myself ?
• AVOIDING CONTACT : The rules on self-isolation and exercise • MAPS AND CHARTS : Visual guide to the outbreak

"We have this deep-cleaning equipment and supplies just sitting there not doing anything right now, and I'm not really one for sitting still, so I just thought I would put it to good use.


bbcuk--2020-04-27--Boris Johnson speech: PM warns we are at 'moment of maximum risk'

Boris Johnson gave a speech in Downing Street as he returned to work after his recovery from coronavirus .
The @ @ @ @ @ now had the opportunity to overcome Covid-19 , but was at the `` moment of @ @ @ @

Boris Johnson gave a speech in Downing Street as he returned to work after his recovery from coronavirus.
The prime minister said the country now had the opportunity to overcome Covid-19, but was at the "moment of maximum risk".


bbcuk--2020-04-27--Coronavirus: 'My dad called me to say he was dying'

The daughter of a coronavirus victim has told the BBC about the phone call he made to her on his @ @ @ @ @ who died on 31 March , was a former paramedic who co-ordinated the ambulance response @ @ @ @ @ Cathy Khan said the family had said goodbye to her father by waving for `` @ @ @ @ @ a pane of glass and that it was `` incredibly distressing '' .

The daughter of a coronavirus victim has told the BBC about the phone call he made to her on his deathbed.
Douglas Mayne, who died on 31 March, was a former paramedic who co-ordinated the ambulance response to the Brighton bombing.
Cathy Khan said the family had said goodbye to her father by waving for "about 60 seconds" through a pane of glass and that it was "incredibly distressing".


bbcuk--2020-04-27--Coronavirus: 'I ran the London Marathon on my treadmill'

The 2020 London Marathon was postponed because of the UK ’ s coronavirus lockdown .
Lots of people who were @ @ @ @ @ 2.6 miles of the race instead , but Alice Jefferies , from Waterlooville in Hampshire @ @ @ @ @ .
She made a fake London landmarks , set up her treadmill and did the @ @ @ @ @ garden , cheered on by family , friends and Radio 1 ’ s Greg James @ @ @ @ @ was even commentated on by legendary voice of the marathon Steve Cram .
Listen to @ @ @ @ @ 17:45 weekdays - or listen back here .

The 2020 London Marathon was postponed because of the UK’s coronavirus lockdown.
Lots of people who were due to take part did 2.6 miles of the race instead, but Alice Jefferies, from Waterlooville in Hampshire, went one step further.
She made a fake London landmarks, set up her treadmill and did the full 26.2 miles in her garden, cheered on by family, friends and Radio 1’s Greg James.
Alice’s race was even commentated on by legendary voice of the marathon Steve Cram.
Video producer: Jimmy Blake
Follow Newsbeat on Instagram, Facebook, Twitter and YouTube.
Listen to Newsbeat live at 12:45 and 17:45 weekdays - or listen back here.


bbcuk--2020-04-27--Coronavirus: NHS front-line staff to get life assurance scheme

Health Secretary Matt Hancock has announced details of a new life assurance scheme for NHS and social care front-line workers @ @ @ @ @ Speaking at the UK government 's daily coronavirus briefing , he said families would receive @ @

Health Secretary Matt Hancock has announced details of a new life assurance scheme for NHS and social care front-line workers who die from coronavirus.
Speaking at the UK government's daily coronavirus briefing, he said families would receive £60,000.


bbcuk--2020-04-27--Coronavirus survivor, 98, thanks Kettering General Hospital staff

A 98-year-old man who survived coronavirus after a week in hospital has thanked its `` excellent '' staff , saying @ @ @ @ @ jolly good time '' in their care .
Doug Moore from Wellingborough , Northamptonshire , @ @ @ @ @ Hospital earlier this month after having a fall and suffering with Covid-19 symptoms .
He @ @ @ @ @ eventually discharged in a wheelchair , with staff lining the corridors and clapping as he @ @ @ @ @ at the hospital , the World War Two veteran said : `` It was in @ @ @ @ @ I met a number of people that one would n't possibly meet .
Staff were @ @ @ @ @ good time , really , if that 's a strange thing to say , but @ @ @ @

A 98-year-old man who survived coronavirus after a week in hospital has thanked its "excellent" staff, saying he even had a "jolly good time" in their care.
Doug Moore from Wellingborough, Northamptonshire, was taken to Kettering General Hospital earlier this month after having a fall and suffering with Covid-19 symptoms.
He avoided intensive care and was eventually discharged in a wheelchair, with staff lining the corridors and clapping as he left.
Describing his time at the hospital, the World War Two veteran said: "It was in fact quite enjoyable.
"I met a number of people that one wouldn't possibly meet. Staff were absolutely excellent. A jolly good time, really, if that's a strange thing to say, but it was."


bbcuk--2020-04-27--Coronavirus: How the lockdown is affecting 5 Live callers

BBC Radio 5 Live Breakfast listeners have been explaining how the coronavirus lockdown is affecting them , including worries about @ @ @ @ @ able to see new nieces and nephews .
They also talk to presenter Nicky Campbell @ @ @ @ @ people flouting , or `` pushing '' , the government guidelines on social distancing .
@ @ @ @ @ Radio 5 Live on Monday 27 April 2020 - catch up on BBC Sounds .

BBC Radio 5 Live Breakfast listeners have been explaining how the coronavirus lockdown is affecting them, including worries about elderly parents and not being able to see new nieces and nephews.
They also talk to presenter Nicky Campbell about how they feel about people flouting, or "pushing", the government guidelines on social distancing.
This clip is from BBC Radio 5 Live on Monday 27 April 2020 - catch up on BBC Sounds.


bbcuk--2020-04-27--Newspaper headlines: 'Hope in sight' as UK nears 'second phase' of lockdown

The Guardian claims ministers have already held a series of high-level meetings to try and address fears that millions of @ @ @ @ @ fearful '' to return to work .
It says Business Secretary Alok Sharma has met @ @ @ @ @ leaders amid concerns in Whitehall that many employees may be reluctant to return to the @ @ @ @ @ government gives the go-ahead .

In the Sun's words, Britain will have been mightily relieved to see him back in command with his optimism undimmed. For Macer Hall in the Daily Express, he glowed with renewed vim and vigour and was back to his oratorical best.


bbcuk--2020-04-27--Coronavirus: London's NHS Nightingale 'treated 51 patients'

London 's NHS Nightingale hospital treated 51 patients in its first three weeks , sources have told the BBC .
The temporary field hospital was built in east London 's ExCel centre to hold as many as 4,000 Covid-19 patients .
The NHS would not confirm the figures , though the BBC believes 13 people have died at the hospital .
An NHS Nightingale spokesperson said it would be a `` mark of success '' if the hospital `` continues not to operate at full capacity '' .
`` That will mean that the rest of the NHS has managed @ @ @ @ @ @ @ slow the spread of the virus , meaning fewer people needing care and ultimately few fewer people losing their lives , '' they added .
The NHS confirmed that on 24 April there were 26 patients at NHS Nightingale , with plans to take about 250 more in the coming weeks .
The hospital was built in nine days and opened on 3 April to care for patients with the virus in intensive care who have been transferred from other London hospitals .
Critics may look at these figures and say the NHS @ @ @ @ @ @ @ We were told it would treat the expected surge of Covid-19 patients in the capital .
It 's probably truer to say it 's a victim of the rest of the NHS in London , where local hospitals have stepped up and increased their intensive care capacity .
At the weekend there were just over 2,500 Covid-19 patients in hospital in London , around a third in intensive care .
The exhibition halls were fitted out with the framework for about 80 hospital wards and some 500 beds were equipped with oxygen and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ director of the NHS , has said the Nightingale hospitals would continue to treat coronavirus patients .
`` Although the peak is reducing we still feel we need to have them there as the insurance policy for Covid patients , but as we go forward we will be keeping them under review , '' he said .
• A SIMPLE GUIDE : How do I protect myself ?
• AVOIDING CONTACT : The rules on self-isolation and exercise

"Although the peak is reducing we still feel we need to have them there as the insurance policy for Covid patients, but as we go forward we will be keeping them under review," he said.


bbcuk--2020-04-27--Coronavirus: 'Thousands' of North Sea oil and gas jobs under threat

The UK 's oil and gas industry is warning that 30,000 jobs could be lost as a result of the coronavirus pandemic and the low oil price .
A global oversupply of oil has pushed prices to their lowest level in 20 years .
In a survey of its members , Oil and Gas UK ( OGUK ) said many firms would struggle to survive .
It has called for the transition to net-zero greenhouse gas emissions to be at the heart of its recovery plan .
At its peak , a barrel of Brent Crude oil sold for about @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , that has fallen as low as $ 16 with no real sign of it recovering .
The industry fears the problems will last much longer than the Covid-19 pandemic , and that has meant many workers are being laid off rather than furloughed .
The predicted job losses represent about one in five of the 151,000 people employed directly or indirectly by the sector .
Some job losses have already been announced with `` many more '' expected to be confirmed in the coming months .
OGUK chief executive Deirdre Michie said @ @ @ @ @ @ @ gas prices coming so soon after one of the most severe downturns our sector has experienced , these findings confirm an especially bleak outlook for the UK 's oil and industry .
`` If the UK is to maintain its supply of domestic energy , protect jobs and build the critical infrastructure it needs to transition to a net-zero future , ours is an industry worth fighting for . ''
The industry body has outlined a three-stage plan which it hopes will minimise the longer-term impact .
It calls for the addressing of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ by its industrial recovery and then an accelerated transition to net-zero greenhouse gas emissions .
Who wins and who loses when oil prices fall ?
A slump in oil prices is normally a cause for celebration in gas-guzzling nations .
The average American burns through 10 litres of oil or oil products per day in normal times .
But for oil producing countries - the `` global petropolis '' - such a drop in the cost of crude can spell disaster , and hardship for millions .
It 's easy to see why @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
When the price was riding high , oil revenues filled the coffers of companies and governments in the countries that produce it .
That kept people fed and public services flourishing .
But now , having oil can be a curse rather than a blessing .
But green groups say any government support for oil and gas has to come with strings attached .
Ryan Morrison , from Friends of the Earth Scotland , said : `` Any measures of support that seek to return the industry back to 'business as usual @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in another crisis further down the line without regard for the workers and communities that will face that the hardest .
`` We 've already seen the industry accused of treating its workforce like a tap that can be turned on and off and a continuation of this approach where workers are hit first by any potential trouble to the industry can not continue . ''
About 30 % of companies said they had been successful in securing funding as part of the government 's Covid-19 packages .
A further 40 % said @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Capital expenditure is expected to fall to about £3.5bn - which would be one of the lowest figures since the discovery of oil in the North Sea .
Drilling activity is expected to be down 50 % on 2019 , which pushes it to record low levels .

Ryan Morrison, from Friends of the Earth Scotland, said: "Any measures of support that seek to return the industry back to 'business as usual' from before coronavirus will be locking in another crisis further down the line without regard for the workers and communities that will face that the hardest.


bbcuk--2020-04-27--Coronavirus: Warning to traders overcharging during pandemic

Trading Standards has issued a number of enforcement notices to traders engaged in profiteering during the coronavirus outbreak .
The body says it has received a high volume of reports of price gouging - when traders increase the price of goods or services unreasonably .
People have reported small bottles of hand sanitiser being sold for £13 and eight kitchen rolls for £15 in NI .
Other complaints include liquid paracetamol rising from £3.69 to £7.49 .
Some customers have raised concerns about meat packs doubling in price and individual toilet rolls being sold from a multi-pack .
There is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ - businesses are free to set their own prices - but the Competition and Markets Authority is working to ensure consumers are not being exploited .
Damien Doherty , chief inspector of the Trading Standards Service , said while the vast majority of NI businesses had responded responsibly , a minority had engaged in profiteering .
`` Those inflating prices to profit off the backs of their communities are adding to their distress and may be severely damaging their reputation , '' he said .
`` Consumers in Northern Ireland are likely to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and may well vote with their wallets once this crisis ends .
`` I would encourage anyone who feels that business has unfairly inflated the price of goods or services to contact us on 0300 123 6262 . ''
Trading Standards is working alongside the Consumer Council , which called on retailers to ensure they are giving consumers a fair price .
The Competition and Markets Authority has launched a taskforce to crack down on businesses that may be engaging in price gouging and to consider whether there have been any breaches of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is also asking consumers to report businesses which are behaving unfairly .

He added that if the CMA feels that this problem "is getting out of control" then it can advise the government on the need for emergency legislation to introduce maximum price caps for goods and services, which has been done in the past.


bbcuk--2020-04-27--Coronavirus: North Yorkshire day-trippers 'ignore' rules

People are `` blatantly ignoring '' lockdown rules by visiting beauty spots and no longer staying at home , police have said .
North Yorkshire Police issued 61 fines over the weekend to people travelling to the area from West Yorkshire , Lancashire , Cumbria and Kent .
Day-trippers to the Yorkshire Dales accounted for the majority of fines .
The force said people should not be trying to find `` loopholes '' to justify having a day out .
Seventeen fines were issued in Malham , with 13 written in an hour , police said .
One officer posted @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Cove over the weekend .
`` Politely engaging with folk to go back to where they came from ( Kent , Barnsley , Bradford , Dewsbury , Accrington ) their sense of entitlement kicked in , and I endured more abuse than I ever have dealing with drunken idiots outside nightclubs , '' she wrote .
She said one group had spat on the ground in front of her , another man had hurled abuse at her in front of his children , and she had to break-up one group who decided to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the top of Malham Cove .
Chris Wildman , chair of Kirkby Malham Parish Council , said the good weather had brought more visitors to the area and it was quite disturbing for residents .
`` It 's our home and so people are genuinely frightened if they start seeing an increase in visitors .
`` Everybody here is trying really hard to social distance and are staying away from towns and cities . ''
North Yorkshire Police said 31 fines were issued on Saturday and 30 on Sunday .
Assistant Chief Constable @ @ @ @ @ @ @ majority of residents and visitors had acted responsibly and abided by the rules .
`` However , we are definitely starting to see a turning of the tide in some areas , with some blatantly ignoring the reason why we have been in a lockdown situation for the past five weeks and making a decision to no longer stay home and save lives , '' he said .
`` As I have previously mentioned , this is not about finding loopholes in the guidance to justify having a day out .
`` This @ @ @ @ @ @ @ grandmother safe , your asthmatic child safe or your diabetic father safe . ''
• A SIMPLE GUIDE : How do I protect myself ?
• AVOIDING CONTACT : The rules on self-isolation and exercise

She said one group had spat on the ground in front of her, another man had hurled abuse at her in front of his children, and she had to break-up one group who decided to have a barbecue on parched ground at the top of Malham Cove.


bbcuk--2020-04-28--Coronavirus: Care home deaths up as hospital cases fall

A third of all coronavirus deaths in England and Wales are now happening in care homes , figures show .
Office for National Statistics data showed there were 2,000 coronavirus care home deaths in the week ending 17 April - double the previous week .
Projections for the following week - up to last Friday - suggested the numbers have since continued to rise .
It comes as coronavirus hospital deaths have started falling after peaking on 8 April .
Mike Padgham , of the Independent Care Group , which represents care homes , said care homes were now the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ fight against coronavirus .
He said it was taking a `` terrible toll '' .
`` These are our lived ones - mothers , fathers , brothers , sisters , aunts , uncles and friends who have been taken from us early .
They deserve better . ''
He said the sector needed more testing , protective equipment and money to tackle the outbreaks .
The daily updates provided by government do not include care home deaths .
The ONS has been able to track these by looking at deaths certificates - but @ @ @ @ @ @ @ hospital deaths provided by the government .
Up until 10 April just over 1,000 coronavirus-related deaths had been recorded in care homes so far .
A week later this had increased by another 2,000 to top 3,000 in England and Wales .
Projections for the following week - up to last Friday - suggest they rose again .
Similar trends are being seen in Northern Ireland and Scotland .
But these figures may be an under-estimate .
The overall number of people dying in care homes is now three times higher than it @ @ @ @ @ @ @ than half of these extra deaths are being attributed to coronavirus .
Hospital deaths appear to have peaked At the weekend the government announced hospital coronavirus deaths had topped 20,000 in the UK since the start of pandemic .
But data from the NHS suggested they peaked on 8 April - in England at least .
The ONS data for England and Wales shows a similar trend in hospitals .
What does this mean for excess deaths ?
Official figures show the total number of people dying in the UK from all causes @ @ @ @ @ @ @ what we would expect for this time of year .
Government advisers say this is important to track as it reveals the indirect impact of the pandemic , from factors such as people missing out on care and dying from other conditions , as well as coronavirus deaths .
In the week to 17 April the total number of deaths in England and Wales topped 22,000 - the highest since records began in 1993 .
Once you include Northern Ireland and Scotland the figures are nearly 25,000 .

The health secretary also announced that the government would begin including the number of deaths in care homes and the community in its daily figures from Wednesday, in an effort to "bring as much transparency as possible" to the data.


bbcuk--2020-04-28--Coronavirus: UK holds minute's silence for key workers who died

A minute 's silence has been held across the UK to commemorate the key workers who have died with coronavirus .
Prime Minister Boris Johnson , who returned to work on Monday , joined the tribute at 11:00 BST .
More than 100 NHS and care staff have died with the virus , as have many transport and other key workers .
Meanwhile , the son of a doctor who died has called on the government to issue a public apology for issues with personal protective equipment ( PPE ) .
Intisar Chowdhury , 18 , told BBC Radio 4 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to accept their mistakes and let their mistakes become improvement rather than just ignore them and completely move on '' .
Intisar 's father , Dr Abdul Mabud Chowdhury , 53 , who died earlier this month , had warned Prime Minister Boris Johnson about a lack of PPE five days before being hospitalised .
Health Secretary Matt Hancock was also asked by Mr Chowdhury to apologise on LBC , and said `` listening to the voices on the front line is a very , very important part of how we improve '' @ @ @ @ @ @ @ country paused to join the minute 's silence .
Dame Donna Kinnair , head of the Royal College of Nursing , said she was `` heartened to hear how many people took part '' .
In Northern Ireland , assembly members halted business to observe the silence , in Wales First Minister Mark Drakeford and other Welsh ministers were among those paying respects in Wales , and in Scotland , First Minister Nicola Sturgeon led the tribute in Edinburgh .
The latest daily figures on Monday show a further 360 people died with @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the total number of deaths to 21,092 .
This number includes 82 NHS staff and 16 care workers who were confirmed to have died in hospital in England .
A separate BBC News analysis of published figures found that at least 114 health workers have died with the virus across the UK .
It is not known where they contracted Covid-19 .
Latest statistics released on Tuesday from the Office for National Statistics - which count all deaths , not just those in hospitals - found the number of people who died in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in the week ending 17 April .
More than 22,000 people died - the highest since records began in 1993 .
Across the whole of the UK there were 24,686 deaths registered in the week after Easter - more than twice as many as normal .
The rise is partly driven by an increasing number of deaths in care homes , which accounted for a third of all deaths .
The figures show deaths in care homes were continuing to rise , compared with the number of deaths in hospitals which appears to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ BBC head of statistics Robert Cuffe said the data `` showed the epidemic certainly has n't reached its peak in care homes '' .
• Nurse , 84 , 'gave her life to the NHS' Meanwhile , it comes as a BBC Panorama investigation found the government failed to buy enough PPE to cope with a pandemic .
There were no gowns , visors , swabs or body bags in the government 's pandemic stockpile when Covid-19 reached the UK , the programme reported .
Government minister Victoria Atkins told BBC Breakfast she @ @ @ @ @ @ @ hear '' of the Panorama report .
`` Like every other country in the world , [ the virus ] is unprecedented and the requirements for PPE have risen exponentially and we 're doing our absolute best to address those needs and will continue to do so , '' she said .
She added that , since the outbreak began , `` a billion pieces of PPE '' have been distributed across the UK .
The Archbishop of York John Sentanu was among those inviting people to take part in the minute 's @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Memorial Day .
`` Workers should not be sent into danger without the correct PPE , '' he said and called for those on the front line to be `` given all the safety equipment they need '' .
NHS England medical director Stephen Powis said the silence ensured the health workers ' `` contribution is remembered and appreciated '' .
Chief nursing officer Ruth May added : `` Every death is a tragedy but we feel the loss of fellow health and care workers particularly keenly . ''
• A SIMPLE GUIDE @ @ @ @ @ @ @ • AVOIDING CONTACT : The rules on self-isolation and exercise • IMMUNITY : Can you catch the virus twice ?
A flag was flown at half mast at Lancashire Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust , which was among many medical venues around the country where staff will pause to pay their respects to their colleagues .
Labour Party leader Sir Keir Starmer - who also joined the silence - said too many front-line workers had lost their lives , adding : `` We owe it to them to make sure they 've got @ @ @ @ @ @ @ place , at the right time . ''
On Monday , the government announced that families of front-line NHS and social care staff who died with the virus in England would receive a £60,000 compensation payment .
Prerana Issar , NHS chief people officer , said that NHS England was considering how to formally commemorate all those who had died while working to care for others once the health service was through the peak of the virus .
• Home test kits for essential workers have run out for the day on the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ have found that tests are no longer available • Health Secretary Matt Hancock said treatments including cancer care and mental health support were being prioritised • MPs heard a phone app designed to help contain the spread of Covid-19 when lockdown measures are eased is `` two to three weeks '' away from being rolled out • There has been a rise in the number of people applying to work for the NHS , with 407,000 applications submitted last month - an increase of 13,500 on the same month last year • Ministers @ @ @ @ @ @ @ England for a £1.6bn emergency coronavirus fund • The number of prisoners believed to have been infected with coronavirus may be up to six times as many as the published figure , according to a Public Health England report

"Like every other country in the world, [the virus] is unprecedented and the requirements for PPE have risen exponentially and we're doing our absolute best to address those needs and will continue to do so," she said.


bbcuk--2020-04-28--Coronavirus: NHS doctor's son asks Matt Hancock for public apology

The son of an NHS doctor who died with coronavirus has called on Health Secretary Matt Hancock to say sorry for mistakes in the government 's response .
Intisar 's father Dr Abdul Mabud Chowdhury , 53 , warned about a lack of protection before he died .
Mr Hancock later told LBC that listening to front-line staff would help the government improve .
He added that he did not want to `` play down '' the efforts of those working to get personal protective equipment ( PPE ) to the front line .
Mr Hancock said : `` A @ @ @ @ @ @ @ they can and have done since the start of this crisis .
I do n't want to play down the enormous efforts of many thousands of people who are working every hour that there is to try to solve the problem . ''
Speaking directly to the health secretary on an LBC phone-in on Tuesday , Intisar said : `` The public is not expecting the government to handle this perfectly .
We just want you to openly acknowledge there have been mistakes in handling this virus .
`` Openly acknowledging a mistake @ @ @ @ @ @ @ it is genuinely just making you seem more human .
So can you please do that for me at the press conference today - make the public apology ? ''
Mr Hancock responded : `` It is very important that we are constantly learning about how to do things better and I think listening to the voices on the front line will be a very important part of how we improve . ''
Intisar had earlier told BBC Radio 4 's Today programme earlier that ministers should consider giving families a private apology @ @ @ @ @ @ @ but that a public apology now would help improve public trust .
`` I definitely do want a public apology because I feel like the government 's response in not only handling the PPE crisis but the whole virus in itself was n't the best , '' he said .
`` I think we can forgive that as a country because it is such an unprecedented thing it is hard to know what to do .
`` But they need to hold themselves accountable for that , learn from that and move on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ . ''
Dr Chowdhury , a consultant urologist , died at Queen 's Hospital in Romford , east London , earlier this month .
At least 82 NHS staff and 16 care workers who were confirmed to have died in hospital in England , according to official figures .
A separate BBC News analysis of published figures found that at least 114 health workers have died with the virus across the UK .
It is not known where they contracted Covid-19 .
Mr Chowdhury 's appeal comes after a BBC Panorama investigation found @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to cope with a pandemic .
There were no gowns , visors , swabs or body bags in the government 's pandemic stockpile when Covid-19 reached the UK , the programme found .
• A SIMPLE GUIDE : How do I protect myself ?
• AVOIDING CONTACT : The rules on self-isolation and exercise • TESTING : Can I get tested for coronavirus ?

Mr Hancock said: "A huge amount of people are doing everything they can and have done since the start of this crisis. I don't want to play down the enormous efforts of many thousands of people who are working every hour that there is to try to solve the problem."


bbcuk--2020-04-28--Coronavirus: The weekly shop is back in fashion, says Tesco boss

People have reverted to shopping the way they did a decade ago by making one big weekly trip to the supermarket , according to the boss of Tesco .
Chief executive Dave Lewis said Covid-19 social distancing measures mean consumers are shopping less frequently .
He said that the number of transactions in April nearly halved , but the size of the average basket had doubled .
Mr Lewis added Tesco has now broken through the one million online delivery slots a week for the first time .
He expects the supermarket will add a further 200,000 slots over the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ vulnerable customers .
Tesco has achieved an increase in online capacity of 103 % in the space of a few weeks , growth which would normally take years to achieve .
The other supermarkets have also ramped up delivery slots .
Before the crisis , only about 7 % of all groceries were bought online .
`` We 're trying to help as many people as we can .
And the single biggest thing has been the change in online shopping , '' he said .
`` The issue that we have is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ customers , it has very specific guidelines and they had about 400,000 that they wanted the retail industry to help .
They gave us 350,000 of those names and we got to 260,000 .
• Tesco tells people to visit stores to get food '' We will want to do more , but there 's still more demand than we 're able to supply , '' Mr Lewis said .
The Tesco boss 's comments about the weekly shop were backed up by data from retail consultant Kantar , which said households made @ @ @ @ @ @ @ trips to the supermarket in the 12 weeks to 19 April .
However , average basket sizes had `` hit their highest levels ever '' , it added .
`` Grocery sales were £524m higher in the past four weeks than they were in April 2019 , as British consumers adapted to life under lockdown , '' Kantar said .
Online sales now account for 10.2 % of the grocery market .
`` On average , households shopped only 14 times for groceries over the past month , a record low and down @ @ @ @ @ @ @ '' Kantar said .
`` A drop in frequency was matched by a corresponding uplift in the amount spent on each trip to £26.02 - easily the highest figure ever recorded by Kantar and £7 greater than last year . ''
Tesco remains the UK 's biggest supermarket , with a 26.8 % share of the market , with shoppers spending 7.2 % more than in the same period last year .
Other supermarkets saw even bigger rises in spending , with the Co-op up 20 % and online-only Ocado rising 19.4 % @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the outbreak of coronavirus , Mr Lewis spoke about how Britain 's biggest retailer had adapted and how shopping habits have changed during lockdown .
`` People are shopping once a week , a little like they did 10 or 15 years ago , rather than two , three or four times a week that was happening before the crisis . ''
He added that during the surge in panic buying - when customers stripped supermarket shelves of goods like liquid soap , toilet roll and pasta - Tesco `` had seen seven @ @ @ @ @ @ @ two days '' .
`` The food supply chain is now back in good shape , '' he believes .
Flour , though , is still in short supply .
Mr Lewis described the last six weeks as `` incredible '' adding that `` just about everything in the business had changed '' .
For instance , Tesco has taken on 45 , 000 temporary workers to help cover for the 51,000 staff who were absent because of Covid-19 and cope with the increase in online deliveries .
Mr Lewis said the company @ @ @ @ @ @ @ employer with more than 300,000 workers , is now in the process of welcoming back staff who have been away while those temporary hires leave .
`` We still have probably 35,000 to 40,000 double cover at the moment , '' he said .
`` I think what was really quite humbling was the willingness of people to come and work in a supermarket and help us feed the nation .
We 've had some very interesting new colleagues - from BA pilots , West End theatre , to racing drivers ... and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ '' .
The priority is to keep his staff and shoppers safe .
`` I 've been really quite amazed how well 99 % of our customers have adapted to the changes in stores , `` he said .
`` But we have to recognise that until the advice of the government changes , then we need to maintain social distance .
So , we will , for the foreseeable future have to keep those measures in place . ''
The challenge will be keeping the discipline in smaller stores , especially in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ work .
Mr Lewis was asked about the impact of coronavirus on retail and High Streets more broadly .
He said a lot depended on how customers behave once the crisis is over but he hoped it would encourage the country to think about its future food strategy .
`` I think the food chain has done really very well .
Two weeks after such a big demand spike everything did recover , so there is resilience .
`` I think what this crisis has shown is the importance of food retail .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ , a little bit we may have taken that for granted .
So I hope that as a nation , we 'll think carefully about food , food strategy and distribution . ''

The priority is to keep his staff and shoppers safe. "I've been really quite amazed how well 99% of our customers have adapted to the changes in stores, " he said. "But we have to recognise that until the advice of the government changes, then we need to maintain social distance. So, we will, for the foreseeable future have to keep those measures in place."


bbcuk--2020-04-28--Coronavirus: UK failed to stockpile crucial PPE

The government failed to buy crucial protective equipment to cope with a pandemic , a BBC investigation has found .
There were no gowns , visors , swabs or body bags in the government 's pandemic stockpile when Covid-19 reached the UK .
NHS staff say they are being put at risk because of the shortage of personal protective equipment ( PPE ) .
The government said it has taken the right steps and is doing everything it can to increase stocks .
The investigation by BBC Panorama found that vital items were left out of the stockpile when it @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the government subsequently ignored a warning from its own advisers to buy missing equipment .
• Why some NHS workers are wearing bin bags • Are NHS staff getting enough protective gear ?
The expert committee that advises the government on pandemics , the New and Emerging Respiratory Virus Threats Advisory Group ( Nervtag ) , recommended the purchase of gowns last June .
Gowns are currently one of the items in shortest supply in the UK and they are now difficult to source because of the global shortage of PPE .
Doctors @ @ @ @ @ @ @ also shortages of the life-saving FFP3 respirator masks .
Panorama has discovered that millions of FFP3 respirator masks are unaccounted for .
There were 33 million on the original 2009 procurement list for the stockpile , but only 12 million have been handed out .
The government refuses to explain where the other masks have gone .
A government spokesperson said there was `` limited demand '' for the masks coming through the Supply Disruption Line , `` which is one reason why they have n't all been distributed '' .
They added @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the advisory group and would be procured for the `` future stockpile build up alongside all other necessary equipment '' .
Panorama has spoken to a number of NHS insiders about PPE who wish to remain anonymous .
`` There is a complete lack of transparency from the government .
They are creating panic , as we do n't know if they can supply us so we are scrambling to get it elsewhere , '' a head of procurement told the programme .
The government also failed to stockpile visors , the swabs @ @ @ @ @ @ @ needed for the dead .
Professor John Ashton , a public health expert and long-standing critic of the government , told the programme the lack of preparation was breathtaking .
`` The consequence of not planning ; not ordering kit ; not having stockpiles is that we are sending into the front line doctors , nurses , other health workers and social care workers without the equipment to keep them safe , '' he said .
A government spokesperson said the stockpile was designed for a flu pandemic and that Covid-19 is a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
They said swabs and body bags were not recommended by Nervtag historically , but eye protection was , so the stockpile contains safety glasses .
Government minister Victoria Atkins told BBC Breakfast she was `` very , very sorry to hear '' of the Panorama report .
`` Like every other country in the world , [ the virus ] is unprecedented and the requirements for PPE have risen exponentially and we are doing our absolute best to address those needs and will continue to do so throughout this crisis , '' @ @ @ @ @ @ @ How to keep safe • A SIMPLE GUIDE : What are the symptoms ?
• CONTAINMENT : What it means to self-isolate • HEALTH MYTHS : The fake advice you should ignore • MAPS AND CHARTS : Visual guide to the outbreak Panorama also investigated changes to the government guidance on what PPE NHS staff should wear .
In January this year , Covid-19 was officially designated a High Consequence Infectious Disease ( HCID ) .
The decision was made in consultation with a group of British experts .
A Health and Safety @ @ @ @ @ @ @ had already recommended that all healthcare workers should wear a gown , FFP3 respirator mask and visor when dealing with HCIDs .
Those recommendations were in line with existing UK guidance .
But on 13 March this year , the government downgraded its guidance on PPE and told NHS staff they were safe to wear less protective aprons and basic surgical masks in all but the most high risk circumstances .
Panorama understands that on the same day , the government took steps to remove Covid-19 from the list of HCIDs .
But @ @ @ @ @ @ @ be put on the list in the first place were not consulted .
Instead , the government asked its Advisory Committee on Dangerous Pathogens ( ACDP ) .
Panorama has discovered that the ACDP was only asked to consider the matter on the morning of its 13 March meeting .
It was added to the committee 's agenda under `` any other business '' .
The committee backed the decision to remove Covid-19 from the HCID list , but sources on that committee have told Panorama that it had to be , in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the availability of PPE .
It was another six days before Public Health England announced that the coronavirus was no longer considered an HCID .
A government spokesperson said Covid-19 was taken off the list because it has a low overall mortality rate and there is now greater clinical awareness and a specific laboratory test for the virus .
They added the committee 's advice that Covid-19 no longer be considered an HCID was based entirely on scientific considerations .
`` The HCID classification is used for serious infections where there are limited @ @ @ @ @ @ @ facilities , '' the spokesperson said .
`` This is an unprecedented global pandemic and we have taken the right steps at the right time to combat it , guided at all times by the best scientific advice .
`` The government has been working day and night to battle against coronavirus , delivering a strategy designed at all times to protect our NHS and save lives . ''
You can watch the full Panorama programme , Has the Government Failed the NHS ?
on iPlayer here .

"Like every other country in the world, [the virus] is unprecedented and the requirements for PPE have risen exponentially and we are doing our absolute best to address those needs and will continue to do so throughout this crisis," she said.


bbcuk--2020-04-28--Virgin Media goes offline for thousands

Virgin Media goes offline for thousands

Virgin Media , one of the UK 's largest broadband providers , has gone offline for thousands of users .
Intermittent outages began just after 17:00 BST on Monday , coinciding with the government daily coronavirus press briefing .
The Downdetector service recorded more than 30,000 reports - some said service resumed quickly but others reported ongoing issues hours later .
Virgin said the problem was fixed as of Tuesday morning .
A Virgin Media spokesman told the BBC on Tuesday the issue `` saw broadband drop for a minute or so every hour or two and then restore '' @ @ @ @ @ @ @ it 's now fixed as of earlier this morning .
This was n't a constant loss of service , it was intermittent , '' he added .
Some users had reported brief outages continuing into the early hours , causing problems for services - such as customer service chats and online video games - which require a persistent connection .
Virgin Media 's website had estimated problems would not be fixed until Tuesday morning for some UK postcodes .
Downdetector indicates that other UK broadband providers - including Sky , BT , TalkTalk @ @ @ @ @ @ @ brief time shortly after midnight , but it is not known whether this was related to Virgin 's problem .

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bbcuk--2020-04-28--Smethwick shopping centre murder police arrest eight

Eight people have been arrested over the knife murder of a man at a shopping centre in the West Midlands .
The 31-year-old victim has been named as Karl Gallagher , who died at Smethwick 's West Cross Shopping Centre .
Emergency crews , including an air ambulance , were called on Sunday at 16:40 BST after the attack .
Mr Gallagher was pronounced dead at the scene .
Four men , aged between 19 and 21 , are now being held on suspicion of murder , West Midlands Police said .
Three others aged , 20 , 21 and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of assisting an offender , while another man , 24 , is being held on suspicion of obstructing police .
Mr Gallagher was a `` proud and loving father '' , and `` his friends and family are devastated '' , his family said .
Police said they raided six properties overnight , and continue to examine CCTV and mobile phone footage from the scene of the stabbing .
Det Ch Insp Jim Munro said the force had made `` significant progress over the past 24 hours '' and are `` building up @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Sunday afternoon '' .
`` We 're very much aware that video showing the murder of Karl has been widely shared on Twitter , '' he explained .
`` We have contacted them and have asked them to remove it , but to date we know that the footage remains publically visible .
`` It 's very distressing for Karl 's family to know that his final moments have been viewed hundreds of thousands of times . ''
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Three others aged, 20, 21 and 22, have been arrested on suspicion of assisting an offender, while another man, 24, is being held on suspicion of obstructing police.


bbcuk--2020-04-28--Coronavirus: Government pledges £3.1m for children abused in lockdown

The government is to spend £3.1 million on services supporting children who witness `` appalling abuse '' at home during the coronavirus lockdown .
The funding will be given to councils , charities , and police and crime commissioners in England and Wales .
Labour has put forward a plan for a fund of £75 million for domestic abuse services as part of charity funding .
MPs will debate the Domestic Abuse Bill later , amid evidence it is rising during the coronavirus lockdown .
There has been a `` surge '' in violence in the weeks since the lockdown @ @ @ @ @ @ @ said , with a rise in killings and the number of calls to the National Domestic Abuse helpline run by Refuge up 49 % after three weeks .
The home affairs select committee said that without a comprehensive government strategy to cope with the consequences of the violence , `` we will be dealing with serious consequences for a generation '' .
• ' I 'm in coronavirus lockdown with my abuser' The new funding for children 's services will `` ensure that children receive the immediate care they need '' , safeguarding @ @ @ @ @ @ @ It will go towards services such as one-to-one and group counselling sessions and early intervention schemes , the Home Office said .
Speaking about domestic abuse more broadly , Ms Atkins said ministers were working with refuge providers to mitigate the impact of Covid-19 on the availability of places .
The Domestic Abuse Bill would also focus on `` stopping the perpetrator 's behaviour in the first place '' , she said .
`` I would also like for us to be looking at perhaps kicking the perpetrator out , rather than the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ her home safely ... and the perpetrator has his behaviour addressed to stop this cycle of abuse , '' she said .
The funding follows an announcement of £2 million to bolster domestic abuse helplines and online support .
• A SIMPLE GUIDE : How do I protect myself ?
• AVOIDING CONTACT : The rules on self-isolation and exercise • IMMUNITY : Can you catch the virus twice ?
But shadow home secretary Nick Thomas-Symonds said the £3.1 million `` falls woefully short '' of what is needed to `` support vital @ @ @ @ @ @ @ amendments to the Domestic Abuse Bill would see 10 % of the £750 million charity support package announced this month ring-fenced for domestic abuse charities .
He said the government must `` act urgently '' to help those affected .
`` Our society must not turn its back on some of the most at-risk people in this crisis , too much time has already been lost and action is needed now , '' he said .
The Domestic Abuse Bill has been postponed since before the general election .
It brings in new @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Protection Orders and Protection Notices , which can be used to impose long-term bans on perpetrators making contact with the victim .
The government has always stressed that its Domestic Abuse Bill is proof of its determination to tackle a problem that has been described as an epidemic in the UK .
The bill - drafted before the lockdown - creates a statutory definition of domestic abuse , emphasising it 's not just physical : it can also involve coercive or controlling behaviour and financial constraints .
These provisions go to the heart @ @ @ @ @ @ @ homes up and down the country .
Domestic abuse charities have seen a huge increase in calls and online requests for help during the lockdown .
Victims are suffering both physically and emotionally in homes that are not places of safety .
Many of the traditional escape routes have been cut off .
A pandemic on top of an epidemic , as one victim described it .
Measures include requiring councils in England to provide support for victims and their children in refuges and other safe accommodation .
However , Barnardo 's chief @ @ @ @ @ @ @ broadened out .
`` With the majority of victims remaining in the family home , especially in BAME communities , it 's vital that Parliament extends this duty to cover all victims and children - no matter where they live , '' he said .
There are also calls for a new offence of `` non-fatal strangulation '' to be included in the bill , and for authorities to start collecting data on domestic abuse among the over-74s .

"I would also like for us to be looking at perhaps kicking the perpetrator out, rather than the victim, so that she stays in her home safely... and the perpetrator has his behaviour addressed to stop this cycle of abuse," she said.


bbcuk--2020-04-28--Coronavirus: Property sales worth £82bn 'on hold'

Some 373,000 property sales are on hold owing to the coronavirus lockdown , analysis of the housing market in UK cities suggests .
The value of held sales totals a collective £82bn , researchers at property portal Zoopla have estimated .
Agreed sales were running at a tenth of the normal level for the time of year , and were akin to the activity seen in late December , they said .
Spring is usually a busy time for the housing and mortgage markets .
It is known in the trade as the `` spring bounce '' .
However , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ meant that people are only moving to new homes in rare circumstances , such as entering a vacant property .
Government advice is for sellers and buyers to come to an amicable arrangement over delaying a moving date .
• Banks to allow customers to defer mortgage payments Zoopla researchers said the rate of sales falling through peaked on 23 March - the day the UK lockdown began .
It added that demand for housing was down 60 % on levels recorded at the start of March .
However , the picture varied @ @ @ @ @ @ @ an 80 % drop in demand from buyers , and Newcastle a 48 % fall .
Zoopla said people had been browsing for homes less on the internet , but this had recovered slightly in the last couple of weeks , perhaps in response to the fact people are living and working from home and yearning for more room on the domestic front .
`` Some may feel the urge to move and find more space or consider the potential for remote working , '' said Richard Donnell , director of research and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ boost activity in the second half of 2020 , but this all depends upon how much the economy is impacted over the rest of the year and the impact on levels of unemployment . ''
Overall , Zoopla expects the number of completed sales across the UK this year to be around half that seen in 2019 .
• A SIMPLE GUIDE : How do I protect myself ?
• AVOIDING CONTACT : The rules on self-isolation and exercise

Zoopla said people had been browsing for homes less on the internet, but this had recovered slightly in the last couple of weeks, perhaps in response to the fact people are living and working from home and yearning for more room on the domestic front.


bbcuk--2020-04-28--Man jailed for Blackburn Town Hall 'Isis' bomb hoax

A man who planted a fake bomb outside the town hall in Blackburn , Lancashire , has been jailed for three years .
Craig Slee , 50 , of Logwood Street , Blackburn , left an open laptop with a mobile phone taped to its screen and a record box with `` ISIS '' written on its front outside the building in May 2019 .
A detonation team were called and the area was evacuated for three hours .
On Friday at Preston Crown Court he was convicted of placing an article with intent .
He was given a restraining @ @ @ @ @ @ @ area of Blackburn town centre for five years .
Lancashire Police said members of the public who found the items left by Slee on King William Street had raised the alarm .
Police said the the devices were seized but were found to be not `` viable '' .
Det Con Fiona Hall , of Lancashire Police , said : `` This incident had a significant impact and I welcome the sentence which reflects the gravity of the offending .
`` His actions and complete lack of regard for other people caused widespread @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and concerning subject . ''

Craig Slee, 50, of Logwood Street, Blackburn, left an open laptop with a mobile phone taped to its screen and a record box with "ISIS" written on its front outside the building in May 2019.


bbcuk--2020-04-28--Coronavirus: More than 2,000 prisoners may have been infected, says PHE

The number of prisoners believed to have been infected with coronavirus may be up to six times as many as the published figure , it has emerged .
Public Health England ( PHE ) says it has found 1,783 `` possible/probable '' cases - on top of 304 confirmed infections across jails in England and Wales .
PHE 's report says there have been no `` explosive outbreaks '' in prisons , but `` significant threat levels '' remain .
Measures to quarantine new and at-risk inmates are needed for a year , it adds .
The report , published @ @ @ @ @ @ @ access to testing for prisoners has been `` limited and variable '' .
`` Therefore , the number of laboratory confirmed cases reported does not represent the true burden of infection in the prison system , '' it said .
`` During outbreaks , where a number of positive laboratory samples have been received ( usually around five or more ) on prisoners who have been swabbed , then subsequent cases who meet the clinical case definition are included as 'possible/probable cases ' . ''
Of the 1,783 `` possible/probable '' cases by @ @ @ @ @ @ @ also had more confirmed cases ( 77 ) than anywhere else .
PHE said officials had responded to outbreaks in 75 different `` custodial institutions '' , with 35 inmates treated in hospital and 15 deaths .
But the report says the frequency of outbreaks and the number of cases is reducing , indicating that the initial wave of infections is being `` contained effectively '' - which it says is a `` cause for cautious optimism '' .
Previous modelling suggested there could be between 1,800 and 2,300 deaths , depending on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ report goes on to warn , however , that restrictions will be needed until the `` end of the financial year '' , that is April 2021 .
`` In the absence of a vaccine or effective treatment , risks of large outbreaks in the prison estate will remain .
`` These risks may be escalated later in the year relating to relaxation of wider community restrictions , some return of normal police and court activities . ''
With measures in place , the report estimates there will be 2,800 infections and 100 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ How do I protect myself ?
• CORONAVIRUS IMMUNITY : Can you catch it twice ?
• PUBLIC TRANSPORT : Is it safe to travel ?
• WILL I GET PAID IF I CA N'T WORK ?
The rules on sick pay , wages and time off One of the measures involves restricting movements of prisoners between jails - known as `` compartmentalisation '' - in order to stop the `` seeding '' of infections .
But the report notes that it has been achieved in only a limited way .
It said @ @ @ @ @ @ @ compartmentalisation is single-cell accommodation but it was recognised that this would require significant reductions in prisoner population to achieve across the prison estate ( about 15,000 people was the estimate at the time the original advice was provided ) . ''
Earlier , the Commons heard that less than 1 % of prisoners eligible for the government 's emergency release programme had been freed .
The Justice Secretary , Robert Buckland , told MPs that 33 inmates had been let out , including a number of pregnant prisoners and mothers with babies .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ offenders could be released , to create space in jails to help social distancing during the coronavirus outbreak .

It said: "The most effective form of compartmentalisation is single-cell accommodation but it was recognised that this would require significant reductions in prisoner population to achieve across the prison estate (about 15,000 people was the estimate at the time the original advice was provided)."