bbcuk--2020-10-06--Coronavirus: Further Covid-19 restrictions to be announced

Further restrictions are coming in NI and the executive will discuss the timing when it meets on Thursday , the deputy first minister has said .
Michelle O'Neill said ministers face tough decisions over Covid-19 and `` all options '' are on the table .
Along with First Minister Arlene Foster , she has written an open letter urging people in the north west to stick to tougher Covid-19 rules .
On Tuesday , one further death was recorded by the Department of Health .
According to the department 's statistics , 585 people in Northern Ireland have now died @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a further 669 cases of Covid-19 since Monday .
In the last seven days , 4,005 people have tested positive in Northern Ireland .
Speaking at Stormont , the Sinn Féin deputy leader said : `` I want to avoid a circuit breaker , I want to avoid additional restrictions but unfortunately it appears they are going to be necessary and as for the timing that again will be discussed on Thursday and we 'll hopefully be able to say a lot more after that . ''
A circuit breaker is a short @ @ @ @ @ @ @ spread of Covid-19 .
Ms O'Neill added that the situation in Newry , Mourne and Down was worrying and said the executive would have to consider whether it was appropriate to move to the same situation as Derry and Strabane , but that had yet to be called .
In their letter , Northern Ireland 's first and deputy first ministers said they were worried about the high levels of infection in the Derry and Strabane council area .
The new restrictions , imposed on Monday , `` will be tough for many @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , they said .
The council area has the highest rate of cases per 100,000 in NI .
The new measures introduced in the area include pubs , cafes , restaurants and hotels being limited to opening for takeaway , delivery and outdoor dining .
All museums , galleries and cultural attractions are closed and people are being asked to avoid unnecessary travel .
In their letter , the leaders also said : `` We are already seeing hospital admissions increasing rapidly and we must do everything we can to get on top @ @ @ @ @ @ @ asking you to work with us to save lives . ''
They repeated the need for people to limit social contacts , wash hands well and often , keep a safe distance , wear a face covering and download the StopCovid NI app .
The chief medical officer has said people need to `` work diligently '' to make sure Christmas can be a safe period , but that it is fair to say `` it will be very different '' .
Dr Michael McBride said while he could not predict what would @ @ @ @ @ @ @ depends on the actions taken in the next few weeks .
The Chief Scientific Adviser Professor Ian Young said Christmas was a good example of a time when the benefits of allowing societal interaction were clear , and that it would be his wish to be able to allow as normal a Christmas that could be achieved in the context of a global pandemic .
Professor Young said it was critical that the measures already taken are seen to slow the rate of increase in the numbers of cases of the virus in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Swann said the health service was facing what was expected to be the `` most challenging period in its history '' .
The health minister said the `` daunting challenge '' included rebuilding services , managing the ongoing pandemic and addressing winter pressures .
A new Covid-19 surge plan for the coming months has been published by the Department of Health .
Each of the individual trusts have also published their local plans .
But three-month plans for rebuilding services at trust level , after the first Covid-19 response , have been paused @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in case numbers .
The plan is aimed at limiting the impact of Covid-19 on wider health service provision .
It aims to enable services to continue to meet demand apart from dealing with the virus .
• Call for hospital surgery beds to be 'ring-fenced' The Surge Planning Framework includes the establishment of what the minister is calling a regional cancer `` reset cell '' .
It will allow rapid screening , diagnosis and treatment of cancer patients in a clinically-safe setting .
A statement about rebuilding and stabilising cancer services will @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Block at Belfast City Hospital , which is home to Northern Ireland 's first Nightingale facility , will remain a protected site for cancer and other specialist surgery for as long as possible .
The minister said the additional intensive care capacity at the Tower Block would only be needed if there was an extreme surge in demand for Covid-19 patients .
As previously announced , there will be a second Nightingale facility at Whiteabbey Hospital which will be a step-down facility for Covid-19 patients who no longer require intensive critical support but @ @ @ @ @ @ @ also feature in the framework , to mitigate future transmission in those settings .
The minister told the assembly the rolling programme of testing of care home residents and staff had detected two out of the 28 outbreaks in care facilities currently being overseen by the Public Health Agency .

Speaking at Stormont, the Sinn Féin deputy leader said: "I want to avoid a circuit breaker, I want to avoid additional restrictions but unfortunately it appears they are going to be necessary and as for the timing that again will be discussed on Thursday and we'll hopefully be able to say a lot more after that."


bbcuk--2020-10-06--Abergwyngregyn: Man's body found after river search

A man 's body has been recovered following a major search of a river in north Wales .
Emergency services had searched the river at Abergwyngregyn , Gwynedd , after reports a man had fallen in at about 16:00 BST on Tuesday .
A body was found just before 19:15 , North Wales Police said .
Det Ch Insp Alun Oldfield said the man 's next of kin had been informed and his family were being supported .
`` Our heartfelt sympathies are with the man 's family and friends at this incredibly difficult time , '' he said .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ to establish what happened . ''
A major search was launched with police , firefighters and the coastguard , and search and rescue volunteers .
Two specialist water rescue teams and three fire crews from North Wales Fire and Rescue Service searched the river , along with members of Ogwen Valley Search and Rescue Team .
The coastguard helicopter attended and two coastguard rescue teams were sent from Bangor and Llandudno to assist in the search .
Earlier this week homes in the village were flooded after the River Aber burst its banks @ @ @ @

Det Ch Insp Alun Oldfield said the man's next of kin had been informed and his family were being supported.


bbcuk--2020-10-06--Rapist Olawale Hassan jailed after trapping woman in locked car

`` She blamed herself for getting in Hassan 's car , but has now recognised just how dangerous this man @ @ @ @ @ this is her fault , '' said Det Con De'ath .

"She blamed herself for getting in Hassan's car, but has now recognised just how dangerous this man is and that none of this is her fault," said Det Con De'ath.


bbcuk--2020-10-07--Covid in Scotland: Nicola Sturgeon to announce new restrictions

The Scottish Conservatives have also called on the Scottish government to offer more than `` empty words '' to businesses @ @ @ @ @ time for it to `` stop passing the buck back to the UK government '' @

Figures released on Wednesday showed that Scotland recorded more than 1,000 new confirmed cases of the virus in a single day for the first time - although the country is doing far more testing now than at the height of the pandemic earlier in the year.


bbcuk--2020-10-07--Patients' access to vital NHS tests delayed by warehouse failure

Key NHS tests for conditions from cancer to coronavirus are under threat , after a supply chain failure at a major diagnostics company .
Swiss pharmaceutical firm Roche said problems with a move to a new warehouse had led to a `` very significant '' drop in its processing capacity .
A spokesman said Covid-19 tests would be prioritised , but it could take two weeks to fix the issue .
But the backlog could affect tests including for cancer and heart disease .
One NHS trust has already advised its GPs to stop all non-urgent blood tests .
In @ @ @ @ @ @ @ We deeply regret that there has been a delay in the dispatch of some products .
`` We are prioritising the dispatch of Covid-19 PCR [ diagnostic ] and antibody tests and doing everything we can to ensure there is no impact on the supply of these to the NHS . ''
It did not comment on the impact on other specific tests including for kidney , liver and thyroid function , sepsis and infection .
The company is one of the main suppliers of diagnostic testing equipment and materials in the UK @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is Roche 's only distribution centre in the UK and covers the whole country .
Dr Tom Lewis , lead clinician for pathology at North Devon District Hospital , said his hospital 's trust had sent out communications that all non-urgent blood tests in the community should be stopped .
Without rationing these non-urgent tests , he said , they would run out of swabs in `` three to four days '' .
Even with rationing , essential equipment could run short by next week , he said .
President of the Institute @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the problem continued for `` days it probably will have minimal impact , but if it 's weeks then yes it could have a considerable impact on our ability to deliver tests , '' across a whole range of conditions in the UK .
Roche said it could take more than a fortnight to resolve the problem .
Dr Lewis said perhaps most concerning was the shortage of electrolyte tests supplied by Roche , since these were `` the key test '' for critically ill patients , as well as being extremely commonly @ @ @ @ @ @ @ medications were safe .
One virologist in the Midlands tweeted that her service had not received Hepatitis C testing kits , and was now running short .
Materials used in cancer diagnostics could also be affected .
In a letter sent to NHS trusts , seen by the BBC , Roche said : `` In September we moved from our old warehouse to a new automated warehouse capable of much higher volumes .
`` However , during the transition we encountered some unforeseen issues and a very significant drop in our processing capacity @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the clock to prioritise and manage orders as well as increase this capacity '' .
The letter went on to advise local NHS services to `` activate [ their ] local contingency plans '' and `` look to prioritise essential services only '' .
Have you been affected by any issues around testing ?
Share your experiences by emailing haveyoursay @ bbc.co.uk .
Please include a contact number if you are willing to speak to a BBC journalist .
You can also get in touch in the following ways : • Please read @ @ @ @ @ @ @

Allan Wilson, president of the Institute of Biomedical Science, said if the problem continued for days "it probably will have minimal impact, but if it's weeks then yes it could have a considerable impact on our ability to deliver tests," across a whole range of conditions in the UK.


bbcuk--2020-10-07--Unexplained Wealth Orders: Suspected money launderer gives up £10m of property

Around £10m of property has been surrendered in a major victory against some of northern England 's most dangerous criminals .
The apartments and homes were given up to the National Crime Agency by a Leeds businessman who investigators suspect of being a major money-launderer .
The NCA says Mansoor Mahmood Hussain acted for gangsters , including a murderer and drug trafficker .
The agency believes he laundered their profits through a property empire .
Over two decades , Mr Hussain , known as Manni , developed his portfolio across West Yorkshire , Cheshire and London while posing as a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ show him living a luxury lifestyle involving high-performance cars , executive jets , super-yachts and appearances at VIP events attended by celebrities .
He filled his timeline with pictures of the famous - although there is no suggestion that any of VIPs he posed with knew who he was .
While the 40-year-old has never been convicted of a crime , investigators say they had intelligence linking him to serious gangsters - but could not obtain the detailed evidence needed for charges of money laundering .
Instead , in 2019 , they turned @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Unexplained Wealth Order which required the businessman to open his books and show how his wealth had come from legitimate sources .
The NCA has now announced that Mr Hussain has given up fighting the case against him and has agreed a settlement in which he has handed over the vast majority of his empire - 45 properties , apartments , offices and homes .
The settlement also includes the brand name Poundworld , which Mr Hussain bought after the original chain 's demise .
As part of the settlement , the NCA @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that are still mortgaged , and cash in a bank account that was not part of the original investigation .
Graeme Biggar , head of economic crime at the NCA , said : `` This case is a milestone , demonstrating the power of Unexplained Wealth Orders , with significant implications for how we pursue illicit finance in the UK .
`` This ground-breaking investigation has recovered millions of pounds worth of criminally-obtained property .
`` It is crucial for the economic health of local communities such as Leeds , and for the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ensure property and other assets are held legitimately . ''
The biggest single property handed over to the NCA is a high-specification apartment and office development , Cubic , on the outskirts of Leeds , which Mr Hussain wholly owned through one of his many companies .
The other properties include a home on one of the city 's most expensive roads , an apartment opposite Harrods in London and terraced housing in Leeds and Bradford .
In High Court legal papers , the NCA said it believed the seed money for Cubic @ @ @ @ @ @ @ have come from Mr Hussain 's criminal associates because they could find no legitimate source for his wealth .
He had paid virtually no income tax in some years and many of his 77 companies were dormant .
The court was told Mr Hussain was thought to be a `` clean skin '' - a businessman free of convictions , acting as a professional money-launderer .
Today the NCA said one of the developer 's closest associates was Bradford gangster Mohammed Nisar Khan , known on the street as `` Meggy '' .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ for murder - and investigators have long considered him one of the most significant organised crime bosses in northern England , involved in drug and firearms trafficking operations .
Mr Hussain has been close to Mohammed Khan since 2005 and frequently drove him to and from court , according to evidence gathered by investigators .
He also paid a £134,000 confiscation order for Khan 's brother , Shamsher , who had been separately convicted of money laundering .
The NCA also said that Dennis Slade , who once headed an armed robbery gang @ @ @ @ @ @ @ seven-bedroom Leeds home - one of the properties he 's now surrendered .
The highly unusual outcome of the investigation - including the settlement leaving the target with some property - comes after the future of the UWO powers was in doubt .
Of the four cases launched since the orders were created , two are still being fought through the courts while the NCA lost the third after the High Court ruled the individuals being targeted had no case to answer .
The NCA today defended the decision to settle the Hussain @ @ @ @ @ @ @ left with virtually nothing other than heavily mortgaged properties - and it had saved the taxpayer time and money by discouraging him from launching a potentially long and expensive legal battle .
Investigators say that the settlement included no promise to Mr Hussain that he would not be investigated again in the future .
Duncan Hames of Transparency International , an anti-corruption and white collar crime campaign group that lobbied for the introduction of UWOs , welcomed the outcome of the case .
`` What 's important is that there is a high @ @ @ @ @ @ @ justice being done , '' said Mr Hames .
`` Given the challenges on the court system , we need to be grateful when cases are brought to a conclusion - but we need to see many more of them . ''
The BBC has attempted to contact Mr Hussain for comment .

The NCA today defended the decision to settle the Hussain case, saying Manni Hussain had been left with virtually nothing other than heavily mortgaged properties - and it had saved the taxpayer time and money by discouraging him from launching a potentially long and expensive legal battle. Investigators say that the settlement included no promise to Mr Hussain that he would not be investigated again in the future.


bbcuk--2020-10-07--Justin Welby: Church to do 'whatever it takes' over child abuse

`` Nothing must get in the way '' of changes needed to protect children from sexual abuse in the Church of England , the Archbishop of Canterbury has said .
It comes after the Independent Inquiry into Child Sexual Abuse said the Church had failed to protect children and had a culture where abusers `` could hide '' .
Justin Welby said the Church `` must do whatever it takes '' to rectify its failings , saying the IICSA report 's findings were a `` big wake-up call '' .
`` We 've got to do better , '' he @ @ @ @ @ @ @ show that I can do better . ''
The IICSA report said 390 clergy and other Church leaders were convicted of abuse between the 1940s and 2018 .
The Church of England defended alleged perpetrators instead of protecting children and young people from sexual predators , the report said .
It also found examples of clergy being ordained despite having a history of child sexual offences .
The report conceded there had been `` a number of important improvements '' in child protection practices in the Church of England in recent years , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Alexis Jay , added it was `` vital '' that it improved how it responded to allegations of child sexual abuse .
Speaking to BBC Radio 4 's Today programme , Mr Welby said the findings of the IICSA report were `` deeply shameful '' and `` disgraceful '' .
`` I think the whole system has been broken , the way we deal with this , and it needs to move towards , as the report suggests , a much more independent oversight of safeguarding , '' he said .
`` ( @ @ @ @ @ @ @ clearly assigned and it is not in the hands of those who are , in a phrase that was used in the inquiry , seeking to mark their own homework . ''
He said he believed the Church had been `` very bad at supporting those who are most deeply affected by the allegations of abuse '' , saying : `` The whole lack of care in this is shocking . ''
`` We need to focus and put at the centre of our attention now victims and survivors , '' he said @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in place very soon - we 've begun a pilot scheme already and nothing must get in the way , we must do whatever it takes to get that in place now and this report is a big wake-up call . ''
He added : `` We 've got to do better and I want to show that I can do better . ''
In 2018 there were 2,504 safeguarding concerns reported to dioceses in England about either children or vulnerable adults .
The IICSA 's report is based on the inquiry 's @ @ @ @ @ @ @ investigated safeguarding issues in the Church of England and the Church in Wales - each of which sit within the worldwide Anglican Communion .
After the publication of the report on Tuesday , one victim of abuse , who says he was raped by a clergyman in London more than 40 years ago , told the BBC it would take `` courage '' from the Church and its leaders to `` salvage itself and redeem itself '' .
Gilo - who asked us not to use his surname - previously told the BBC @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to contact senior members of the Church after his decision to report the assaults , but often received no reply .
The Church eventually agreed it was at fault and reached a financial settlement with him .
On Tuesday , Gilo said many survivors still felt a `` tremendous sense of anger and lack of trust '' in the Church .
Gilo , whose abuser has since died , said he believed the Church 's recently-appointed lead safeguarding bishop , Dr Jonathan Gibbs , was keen to make a difference - but that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ turnaround '' in the Church 's culture .
`` Once survivors see real help , and real support beginning to reach them from a Church that has mouthed support for a long time but not delivered it ... there could be a turning point . ''
What is the child sexual abuse inquiry ?
The Independent Inquiry into Child Sexual Abuse ( IICSA ) in England and Wales is investigating claims against local authorities , religious organisations , the armed forces and public and private institutions - as well as people in the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ BBC presenter Jimmy Savile in 2011 , hundreds of people came forward to say he had abused them as children .
The spotlight has also fallen on sexual assaults carried out in schools , children 's homes and at NHS sites .
At the same time , there have been claims of past failures by police and prosecutors to properly investigate allegations .
The IICSA was established in 2015 , with the then-Home Secretary Theresa May saying it would `` expose those failures and learn the lessons '' from the past .
In @ @ @ @ @ @ @ with 18 recommendations - some of which have been acted upon .
Its other regular publications include overarching investigation reports and statistics .

After the publication of the report on Tuesday, one victim of abuse, who says he was raped by a clergyman in London more than 40 years ago, told the BBC it would take "courage" from the Church and its leaders to "salvage itself and redeem itself".


bbcuk--2020-10-07--Essex lorry deaths: Gheorghe Nica admits people-smuggling plot role

An inquest heard their medical cause of death was asphyxia and hyperthermia ( over-heating ) as the refrigeration unit in @ @ @ @ @ at the time .

He told jurors: "Obviously, any time you fill an airtight container with a large number of people, where they will be left for hours and hours, with no means of escape and no means of communication with the outside world - well, it is fraught with danger."


bbcuk--2020-10-07--Nicola Sturgeon's evidence to Alex Salmond inquiry published

Nicola Sturgeon 's written evidence to the inquiry into her government 's botched handling of complaints against Alex Salmond has been published .
The first minister said the probe into her predecessor had caused her `` a great deal of personal anguish '' .
However she insisted that she `` tried to do the right thing '' and `` did not seek to influence '' the investigation .
Opposition parties have accused the Scottish government of `` obstructing '' the work of the Holyrood inquiry .
Ms Sturgeon said it was `` outrageous '' that she was being accused of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ had not been published by the committee for more than two months after she submitted it .
The committee of MSPs was set up to investigate the government 's handling of two harassment claims against the former first minister , after he successfully challenged the complaints process in court .
In her written submission - which is dated 4 August but has only now been published - Ms Sturgeon insisted that `` in what was a very difficult situation - personally , politically and professionally - I tried to do the right thing @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Mr Salmond about the complaints on five occasions through the spring and summer of 2018 , but said she had not spoken to her former mentor since .
She insisted that she `` did not seek to prevent or influence the proper consideration of the complaints '' .
And she said she had `` acted in a way that I judged would best protect the independence and confidentiality of the investigation '' .
Ms Sturgeon also said she wanted to `` reject in the strongest possible terms '' any suggestions that she had @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , saying the government had a duty to look in to any complaints , regardless of who was involved .
Ms Sturgeon had previously insisted that the first she had learned of the complaints was at a meeting at her home in Glasgow on 2 April , 2018 .
However during Mr Salmond 's criminal trial in March 2020 - which saw him acquitted of 13 charges of sexual assault - his former chief of staff Geoff Aberdein testified that he had met Ms Sturgeon at Holyrood days earlier , on 29 March @ @ @ @ @ @ @ first minister confirmed that this was correct - but said she had `` forgotten that this encounter had taken place '' .
She said : `` The discussion covered the fact that Alex Salmond wanted to see me urgently about a serious matter , and I think it did cover the suggestion that the matter might relate to allegations of a sexual nature '' .
Ms Sturgeon said she agreed to meet her predecessor as she had the impression that `` Mr Salmond was in a state of considerable distress '' and might @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
However she insisted that `` while I suspected the nature of what he wanted to tell me , it was Alex Salmond who told me on 2 April that he was being investigated , and what the detail of the complaints was '' .
Ms Sturgeon said that while `` Mr Salmond could be challenging to work for '' and had been involved in `` tense situations '' , she had previously had `` no general concerns '' about the culture of the government he ran and `` certainly not about sexual @ @ @ @ @ @ @ had spoken to her predecessor about a media inquiry about `` allegations of sexual misconduct '' in November 2017 , and that while this ultimately came to nothing it `` left me with a lingering concern that allegations about Mr Salmond could materialise at some stage '' .
The convener of the inquiry committee , SNP MSP Linda Fabiani , has previously complained that it was being `` completely frustrated '' by the lack of evidence and what she described as `` obstruction '' from the government , the SNP and Mr Salmond @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of going back on a pledge to provide `` whatever material '' the committee asked for , with a Conservative MSP being ejected from the Holyrood chamber for saying the first minister had `` lied to parliament '' .
In angry exchanges in the parliamentary chamber last week , Ms Sturgeon hit out at suggestions she was not cooperating with the probe , saying the inquiry `` can call me any time it likes '' .
The committee also received a fresh submission from SNP Chief Executive Peter Murrell , who is also @ @ @ @ @ @ @ has been under fire from some in the SNP over text messages he sent in January 2019 - one suggesting that `` folk should be asking the police questions '' and that it was a `` good time to be pressurising them '' , and one saying that `` the more fronts he [ Mr Salmond ] is having to firefight on the better '' .
Mr Murrell said that he `` did not express myself well '' , but insisted that `` the messages have been presented in a way that suggests @ @ @ @ @ @ @ reality have '' .
He said the texts had been `` sent the day after Mr Salmond had been charged with a number of serious offences '' , and reflected `` the shock , hurt and upset '' felt by himself and others in the SNP .
The SNP chief said the first text was intended to `` advise that questions be addressed to the police and not the SNP '' , while the second was `` that any and all complaints should be appropriately investigated '' .

Mr Murrell has been under fire from some in the SNP over text messages he sent in January 2019 - one suggesting that "folk should be asking the police questions" and that it was a "good time to be pressurising them", and one saying that "the more fronts he [Mr Salmond] is having to firefight on the better".


bbcuk--2020-10-07--Woman's car stolen in Leeds with three daughters inside

The sisters , aged four , five and seven , were in the Ford Kuga when it was stolen on @ @ @ @ @ , at about 09:00 BST on Saturday .

The sisters, aged four, five and seven, were in the Ford Kuga when it was stolen on Armley Ridge Road, Leeds, at about 09:00 BST on Saturday.


bbcuk--2020-10-06--Phone bill charges of £1,200 added 'without permission'

`` I was absolutely horrified and I actually felt quite violated '' .
That 's how Sally Giles describes the moment she discovered she 'd been charged £4.50 each week , every week for more than five years `` without [ her ] knowledge or permission '' .
The charge - which totalled more than £1,200 - was added to her phone bill by her provider , EE , allowing her to take part in a competition run by Xinion , owned by BMCM Group .
Xinion says Sally signed up to their service in July 2015 .
`` They @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that I signed up .
They insist I must have gone onto a website and entered my phone number .
I have never , ever done that .
I would never do something like that . ''
Sally says she only found out about the charge when she called her provider about a different query in September 2020 - and the adviser asked her if she knew about this weekly charge she 'd been paying for so many years .
`` I do n't gamble , I do n't even buy a lottery @ @ @ @ @ @ @ n't sign up ] , '' she says .
`` The proof is I have never played the game , why would I pay £4.50 a week and never play the game ? ''
Sally says she did occasionally check her phone bill , but the extra charges were n't clearly defined so she assumed they were charity donations she made or when she bought more data .
Xinion did send Sally a text each week though asking her a competition question which also explained she was being charged , but she just @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
`` You have to open the text to see you 're being charged , '' she says .
`` I do n't open texts from unknown sources for obvious reasons because that 's what you 're told all the time .
'Do not click on links you do n't recognise , just delete it straight away ' .
`` When I realised what was happening I opened [ the text ] and at the bottom , right at the bottom , if you scroll down it says you are being charged £4.50 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to open the text to see it . ''
Paul Muggleton , founder of the Phone-paid Services Consumer Group says it 's irrelevant whether or not people technically sign up - what matters is whether or not people have knowingly signed up for a service .
`` People who are tricked into , or who unwittingly sign up to a contract , are not bound by the terms of that contract .
That 's basic consumer law .
People have to know what they 're getting into .
`` The burden of proof @ @ @ @ @ @ @ provider to show that consumers knowingly signed up .
`` For example , if someone has never once taken part in one of these text message competitions but has been charged , the likelihood is if it ever got to court they would be able to get their money back by showing they did n't even know they 'd been signed up . ''
After finding out what happened Sally got in touch with the company involved , Xinion , explained her situation and asked for her money back .
It refused .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ regulator , the Phone Paid Services Authority , or PSA .
`` When I rang them originally I got a very lackadaisical reply saying we 'll look into it saying it might take months or even a year .
I personally do n't think that 's good enough .
It 's time the PSA got their act together . ''
The next step was the small claims court , but before that Sally got in touch with Money Box .
We started digging and discovered there have been thousands of complaints to the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the last few years .
We also heard from Sally 's mobile phone provider , EE .
It told us it had been in touch with Xinion and that as a gesture of goodwill Xinion had changed its mind and decided to refund Sally after all .
The PSA said no-one was available for an interview but instead told us how it tightened up regulations on these subscription services last November and since then the number of complaints has dramatically reduced .
However , the new regulations do not apply retrospectively , so @ @ @ @ @ @ @ up to similar `` competitions '' before the changes came into effect have n't got that extra protection .
We never heard back from Xinion , but EE said it 's toughened up its own procedures on these subscription services including making customers ' bills clearer , going above and beyond what the regulator requires .
You can hear more on BBC Radio 4 's Money Box programme by listening again here .

"For example, if someone has never once taken part in one of these text message competitions but has been charged, the likelihood is if it ever got to court they would be able to get their money back by showing they didn't even know they'd been signed up."


bbcuk--2020-10-07--Tesco profits surge as online orders double

Supermarket giant Tesco has seen first-half profits rise by more than a quarter as customers bought more food during the pandemic and online orders doubled .
Pre-tax profit for the 26 weeks to 29 August was £551m , 28.7 % up on 2019 .
It is Tesco 's first set of results under its new chief executive , Ken Murphy , who started last week .
He replaces Dave Lewis , who had been running the UK 's biggest retailer since 2014 .
With more customers turning to online shopping , Tesco more than doubled delivery capacity to 1.5 million @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , including serving 674,000 vulnerable customers .
While demand for food rose , clothing fared less well , with sales down 17.2 % .
Like many of its rivals , Tesco was forced to overhaul its strategy in-store and online amid the coronavirus lockdown .
Mr Murphy told a conference call with journalists the first half of this year had `` tested our business in ways we had never imagined '' , but employees had `` risen brilliantly to every challenge '' .
He said he felt `` very comfortable in my own @ @ @ @ @ @ @ business '' .
`` I 'm really happy with the strategy and direction of the company , '' he added .
`` My job is to maintain momentum in the business and deliver a fantastic Christmas . ''
Tesco is in the process of selling its businesses in Thailand , Malaysia and Poland , but Mr Murphy said there was currently `` no plan for further retrenchment '' .
When Dave Lewis was parachuted into the top job in Tesco in 2014 , the business was in crisis .
Now Ken Murphy is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and Britain 's biggest retailer is doing rather well .
The business , he says , is in `` great shape '' .
But his job is going to be far from easy .
He 's got to steer Tesco through the ongoing Covid-19 crisis during the key festive trading period .
Then there 's the impact of a potential no-deal Brexit looming on the horizon .
And as the job losses start to mount , shoppers ' budgets will be coming under increasing pressure .
The battle for our wallets is set @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , now that Tesco 's turnaround is complete , Mr Murphy will have to focus in the longer term on how to grow the business .
A new chapter begins .
Operating profit figures told a different story , however , falling 15.6 % to £1.037bn .
One of the items dragging down the balance sheet was Tesco Bank , which made a loss of £155m .
Tesco said sales in the UK and Ireland rose 8.6 % to £24.3bn , with overall revenue of £28.7bn .
But it added that coronavirus-related costs @ @ @ @ @ @ @ went up 9.2 % during the period , the retailer said .
The supermarket said it was increasing its interim dividend by 21 % to 3.2p a share .
It also named a new chief financial officer , Imran Nawaz , who is joining from Tate & Lyle .
He will succeed Alan Stewart , who is retiring in April .
`` In spite of these positive results , Tesco will still have concerns after its valuation dropped below Ocado , '' said Julie Palmer , partner at Begbies Traynor .
And even @ @ @ @ @ @ @ well-oiled machine '' behind him , it would not be an easy ride for Mr Murphy as the new chief executive , she added .
`` Facing a pandemic , an economic recession and an exit from the EU all at once is not the ideal recipe for success in anyone 's book .
`` However , add in growing competition from challenger brands such as Aldi with a new click-and-collect service , the M & S partnership with Ocado and the looming juggernaut of Amazon entering the field of play , and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ intact will be no mean feat . ''

"However, add in growing competition from challenger brands such as Aldi with a new click-and-collect service, the M&S partnership with Ocado and the looming juggernaut of Amazon entering the field of play, and getting through this period with its position intact will be no mean feat."


bbcuk--2020-10-07--East London burst pipe leaves homes without water

@ thameswater no water in East London and no way to buy it .
We have a 3 week old @ @ @ @ @ deal with this situation during this “ unprecedented times ” ?
How is it possible @ @ @ @ @ tell people about this ?
I literally have no words .
@ BorisJohnson @ SadiqKhan

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bbcuk--2020-10-07--Pure Gym personal trainer sorry for 'very ill-judged' slavery post

`` Where the post came from was not a place of malice , it was me as an individual trying @ @ @ @ @ I 'm a part of , as a person of colour , with my passion @ @ @ @ @

"Where the post came from was not a place of malice, it was me as an individual trying to bind my history that I'm a part of, as a person of colour, with my passion which is fitness."


bbcuk--2020-10-07--Local lockdown UK: Do city-wide curbs work? It's not clear

In many areas under local lockdown , cases and hospital admissions have continued to soar .
Does that mean restrictions do n't work ?
Consider the national lockdown in the spring .
While it feels like it was one single policy , it was in fact a package of different measures .
Schools , universities and offices shut .
Pubs , restaurants and non-essential shops closed .
No-one could mix with people from outside their household .
People were advised not to use public transport and to limit the number of times they visited essential shops .
Together these had @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the number of coronavirus patients in hospital plummeted from 20,000 to about 800 .
• Postcode lookup : Check the rules in your area How much each part of that lockdown contributed is hard to say .
The rules were relaxed but then , at the end of June , Leicester became the first place to go into a local lockdown .
Other cities , and whole regions , have followed .
But so far , Leicester 's lockdown is the only one to have come close to the strictness of the national @ @ @ @ @ @ @ from opening .
Households were barred from mixing indoors .
And new cases of the virus dropped by 60 % during July .
People in hospital beds with coronavirus fell from 88 to 18 .
Since Leicester , local lockdowns have multiplied .
More than 15 million people - very roughly , a quarter of the UK population - have come under new curbs , in some form .
And it 's become harder to see whether they are working or not .
• At the end of July , households were banned @ @ @ @ @ @ @ leisure and entertainment venues were prevented from opening , as they reopened nationally • In September , all food outlets became takeaways and a curfew was introduced After the first changes , cases continued to rise , throughout August .
Then , after pub and restaurant closures , case rates dropped sharply .
It is , however , too soon to say for sure that the stricter measures led directly to the decline .
In the rest of Greater Manchester , gatherings with other households were banned but shops , pubs and restaurants @ @ @ @ @ @ @ climbing throughout these local restrictions .
However , the latest week 's data will be welcome news - suggesting the sharp increases might be levelling off .
The rise in cases in many areas under local lockdown appears to be slowing , in line with the national picture .
This may be a sign that the England-wide `` rule of six '' is working .
A large national study , published last week , confirmed the growth in cases was slowing across England , although overall levels remained high .
But restrictions on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ at a local level - do n't always lead to a slowing case rate .
And this change in impact highlights the many factors involved which make it difficult to isolate the precise effect of local lockdowns .
People do n't necessarily change their behaviour exactly in line with rule changes .
When concerns about cases rising begin to be reported , some people alter their behaviour before any law change .
Other people , even when the rules come into place , do n't obey them .
So it may be a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ready to restrict their movements now than they were in August ?
To complicate the figures further , other things have been going on at the same time as local lockdowns were being introduced , including summer holiday season and schools reopening .
In Leicester , cases fell when restrictions were introduced .
When they were progressively eased in August and September , cases started to rise .
But this rise coincided with more people travelling abroad .
And with children going back to school .
In Greater Manchester , cases also rose @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in lockdown - albeit a looser version than Leicester 's had been .
Unpicking these different factors is a big challenge .
Looking at `` positivity rates '' - the proportion of all tests that are positive , adjusting for different levels of testing - shows there have been increases in cases across England , with particularly sharp spikes in the North West and North East between the end of August and the end of September .
Restrictions in those regions were only introduced between the middle of September and the beginning of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ see the impact of these rules .
But in Blackburn , which has been in lockdown long enough for an effect to be seen , there was also a rise in cases - though this has come back down in recent weeks .
Recent increases in hospitalisations from coronavirus have highlighted the extent of the challenge facing the north of England .
Though without up-to-date localised data , it is difficult to judge whether the impact on a local level - such as those in Blackburn - have helped prevent serious cases .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ had a considerable impact on cases .
Fundamentally , the virus needs people to be in close contact and mixing between circles to spread through the population .
How tight the restrictions are makes a difference - look at the experience of Leicester , compared with Oldham or Blackburn .
But so do the crucial issues of timing and compliance .
A lockdown only works if people stick to it .
The data also indicates that any impact lockdowns do have is far from permanent - relax the restrictions and allow more contact @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to spread again .
Unless and until a viable vaccine becomes available , government will be faced with the same choice : shut down large chunks of society or allow the virus to tear through communities , with little idea of the true toll that either will exact .
In many areas under local lockdown , cases and hospital admissions have continued to soar .
• SOCIAL DISTANCING : How have rules on meeting friends changed ?
• SYMPTOMS : What are they and how to guard against them ?
• LOOK-UP TOOL @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ?
• SOCIAL LIFE : The rules when I go to the pub ?

The rules were relaxed but then, at the end of June, Leicester became the first place to go into a local lockdown. Other cities, and whole regions, have followed. But so far, Leicester's lockdown is the only one to have come close to the strictness of the national policy. Shops and pubs were stopped from opening. Households were barred from mixing indoors. And new cases of the virus dropped by 60% during July. People in hospital beds with coronavirus fell from 88 to 18.


bbcuk--2020-10-07--East Kent Hospitals Trust: Covid-19 practice failings revealed by inspection

The report revealed staff did not always wear PPE or face coverings correctly in medical wards .
One member of @ @ @ @ @ to be wearing a mask incorrectly in the ward where there had been an outbreak @ @ @ @

The report revealed staff did not always wear PPE or face coverings correctly in medical wards. One member of the nursing team was seen to be wearing a mask incorrectly in the ward where there had been an outbreak of the coronavirus.


bbcuk--2020-10-07--Coronavirus: Nottingham post box 'filled to brim' with test kits

It added : `` It has not been possible to contain the infection within the student community , and it @ @ @ @ @ consistently provide a student experience that meets the most basic of expectations . ''

It added: "It has not been possible to contain the infection within the student community, and it has not been possible to consistently provide a student experience that meets the most basic of expectations."


bbcuk--2020-10-07--Premiership: Sale Sharks v Worcester Warriors off after eight more positive Covid-19 results

Last updated on .From the section Rugby Union Sale 's match with Worcester Warriors has been called off after Premiership Rugby reported six more Sharks players have tested positive for Covid-19 .
It means Worcester are awarded a 20-0 win and Sale miss out on the play-offs .
Bath will now travel to leaders Exeter in the semi-finals on Saturday , while Bristol go to Wasps .
Two members of Sale rugby staff have also returned positive results from the latest round of testing , bringing the number of infections at the club to 27 in the past seven days @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the fixture , calling it `` the right outcome for the safety of all players , staff and officials involved '' .
The club also extended it sympathies to Sale that a match with such significance for their play-off hopes had to be forfeited .
While Sale admitted the cancellation is `` devastating '' , denying them the chance to win the Premiership title , it wholly understands `` the welfare of players , staff and officials is the most important factor '' .
The Sharks are the subject of a Rugby Football @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the initial 19 positive results were confirmed on Saturday .
The club once again denied reports players and staff had broken any guidelines and protocols given to them by the RFU and Premiership Rugby .
It also labelled claims players had gone out partying and socialising in Manchester following their Premiership Rugby Cup victory over Harlequins on 21 September as `` completely inaccurate and untrue '' .
Sale are also confident the RFU 's audit will confirm there have been no protocol breaches by the club , but the game 's governing body @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the situation at Sale has developed .
`` The RFU is undertaking a full and thorough investigation and is working closely with Public Health England , '' said an RFU statement .
`` A summary of findings will be published in due course and we will consider if there are any learnings for all clubs .
`` The RFU has concerns about how this situation has developed and will be making recommendations to PRL [ Premiership Rugby ] and the PGB [ Professional Game Board ] to avoid future uncertainty for clubs and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of the game . ''
The cancellation of Wednesday 's final round Premiership fixture , which was due to be held at Sale 's AJ Bell Stadium , means Worcester are also awarded five points as well as the 20-0 scoreline .
The final league table sees Sharks finish fifth , three points behind Bath in fourth , while Worcester narrowly miss out on European Champions Cup qualification in ninth , finishing level on points with eighth-placed Northampton .
• None England star talks to Headliners about his battle with bulimia

Last updated on .From the section Rugby Union
Sale Sharks' game against Worcester Warriors was due to take place at AJ Bell Stadium
Sale's match with Worcester Warriors has been called off after Premiership Rugby reported six more Sharks players have tested positive for Covid-19.
The game was originally due to take place on Sunday, but it was rearranged for Wednesday after 19 cases of coronavirus in the Sharks camp.
It means Worcester are awarded a 20-0 win and Sale miss out on the play-offs.
Bath will now travel to leaders Exeter in the semi-finals on Saturday, while Bristol go to Wasps.
Two members of Sale rugby staff have also returned positive results from the latest round of testing, bringing the number of infections at the club to 27 in the past seven days.
Worcester welcomed the decision to cancel the fixture, calling it "the right outcome for the safety of all players, staff and officials involved".
The club also extended it sympathies to Sale that a match with such significance for their play-off hopes had to be forfeited.
While Sale admitted the cancellation is "devastating", denying them the chance to win the Premiership title, it wholly understands "the welfare of players, staff and officials is the most important factor".
The Sharks are the subject of a Rugby Football Union investigation into their Covid management after the initial 19 positive results were confirmed on Saturday.
The club once again denied reports players and staff had broken any guidelines and protocols given to them by the RFU and Premiership Rugby.
It also labelled claims players had gone out partying and socialising in Manchester following their Premiership Rugby Cup victory over Harlequins on 21 September as "completely inaccurate and untrue".
Premiership play-off semi-final line-up
Wasps v Bristol Bears (Saturday, 10 October at 13:30 BST)
Exeter Chiefs v Bath (Saturday, 10 October at 16:30 BST)
RFU 'remains concerned'
Sale are also confident the RFU's audit will confirm there have been no protocol breaches by the club, but the game's governing body is maintaining "concerns" over how the situation at Sale has developed.
"The RFU is undertaking a full and thorough investigation and is working closely with Public Health England," said an RFU statement.
"A summary of findings will be published in due course and we will consider if there are any learnings for all clubs.
"The RFU has concerns about how this situation has developed and will be making recommendations to PRL [Premiership Rugby] and the PGB [Professional Game Board] to avoid future uncertainty for clubs and players as well as protecting the reputation of the game."
The cancellation of Wednesday's final round Premiership fixture, which was due to be held at Sale's AJ Bell Stadium, means Worcester are also awarded five points as well as the 20-0 scoreline.
The final league table sees Sharks finish fifth, three points behind Bath in fourth, while Worcester narrowly miss out on European Champions Cup qualification in ninth, finishing level on points with eighth-placed Northampton.


bbcuk--2020-10-07--Black History Month: Images of strength and beauty

This picture of the British Olympic medal-winning sprinter Dina Asher-Smith sees her in a glorious Oscar de la Renta dress @ @ @ @ @ several pictures he took of the athlete for Harrods magazine , which called her a @ @ @ @ @ Century '' .
The picture is set up to show her physical ability and how @ @ @ @ @ on her sporting goals .

This picture of the British Olympic medal-winning sprinter Dina Asher-Smith sees her in a glorious Oscar de la Renta dress. It was one of several pictures he took of the athlete for Harrods magazine, which called her a "hero for the 21st Century". The picture is set up to show her physical ability and how her sights are firmly set on her sporting goals.


bbcuk--2020-10-07--Monty Don on why we should put our phones down and go outside

We all need a bit of soothing from time to time , and the chances are that mid-pandemic , many of us are feeling the strain .
Monty Don , the dulcet-toned presenter of BBC Two 's Gardeners ' World , has a simple suggestion .
He wants us to look up , look outside and put our phones down .
`` I live in the middle of the country , but whenever I 'm in a city , the thing I notice most - and which shocks me most - is how many people are walking along with headphones @ @ @ @ @ @ @ '' he tells BBC News .
`` They 're not noticing anything at all - the weather , the sky , any other sounds .
And that has to be bad for you .
It has to be .
`` I think the great lesson to be learned is opening ourselves up , pay attention to what is actually going on . ''
Don , who has been broadcasting and writing about gardens since the 1980s , thinks we are `` becoming divorced from nature '' .
`` We 'd see these fabulous @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of the snow leopard , or the melting glaciers .
`` And because they 're so good , and so interesting , it becomes fixed - it becomes something that 's happening elsewhere .
`` What I want to stress is that wildlife and nature and the environment is here , on your back door , now - outside your window . ''
• Can nature help improve our mood during lockdown ?
• Joining the lockdown veg-growing boom with no garden • How gardening could help in the fight against obesity Don @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , is a homage to the Herefordshire countryside on his doorstep and his farm on the Welsh borders .
He writes about his changing surroundings month by month , from spiders to sparrows , worms to wood sorrel .
Written in the present tense , it is a mindful journey through the beauty of his surroundings , interspersed with nuggets of information .
You learn that grass snakes ' survival technique is to give off a repulsive smell rather than attack you , which is a blessing of sorts .
He thinks it @ @ @ @ @ @ @ saying : `` One of our modern evils is that knowledge is so accessible that we tend to have a little learning and not much depth .
`` What took time in writing the book was research .
So I 'd go and read a book about voles or read two or three books about migration .
I figured , if I understood it , the reader would understand it . ''
But if we follow his advice to put down our phones , step outside and sniff the air , what will @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Don , it 's all about the sense of wellbeing that comes from establishing a connection with nature .
His journey with depression is well-documented , and he tends to find it tougher as the daylight recedes .
`` I have for many years , suffered from depression , which comes and goes but tends to be something that is worse in winter , '' he explains .
`` And , touch wood , it 's been much better for the last few years .
`` But for me , the benefits of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ with the rhythm of the natural world .
`` Some of that rhythm is bleak - winter is cold .
And yet even if inside you are bleak and grey and cold , if you believe that spring will blossom inside you , as well as outside in the garden , that 's powerful .
`` So that 's how it works for me . ''
Not everyone has a garden , though , something Don is quick to acknowledge .
`` I think the latest figure I saw is that 83 % @ @ @ @ @ @ @ access to one .
But that actually means that millions do n't .
And so that 's a big number , but the vast majority do . ''
For anyone unable to access their own small patch of green , Don says just look out of the window .
`` We 've all got windows , and the sky is fascinating , as much part of the garden as the ground .
So notice what birds are in the sky .
Also be curious , name them , find out .
It 's @ @ @ @ @ @ @ `` The more you find out , the more you realise there is to know .
And then that becomes fascinating .
And then you start looking and then you 'll start recognising . ''
He also suggests exploring local streets and parks , saying : `` For some it 's easier than for others .
But our streets have trees in them , you do n't have to go to the far flung corners of the world to engage with the natural world . ''
Many people 's pets , especially dogs @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , for walks or in their garden .
Don 's much-loved dog Nigel , known to millions of BBC Two 's Gardeners ' World viewers for his appearances on the show , sadly died earlier this year .
He is sanguine about his loss , saying it 's important to `` allow yourself to grieve and do n't be ashamed of that , you know , they 're loved '' .
`` A pet is part of your family , so a member of your family has died , '' he says .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ lifespan is generally between about nine and 14 years , `` in the case of Nigel , he had a long and good life '' .
`` So allow yourself to feel sad , but at the same time , rejoice .
You had this lovely relationship .
It enriched you and it 's never going to go away , no one can take it from you . ''
During lockdown , some people spent much more time not only with pets , family or housemates , but also with nature , during @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Many commented on how much they noticed birdsong .
• How lockdown birds sang to a different tune '' One of the side effects of the pandemic , which was very noticeable in my own garden , was for the first time you could really hear the birds - there were no planes or cars .
And for a couple of months , it was quiet .
And that was extraordinary , '' he says .
`` That was an unexpected silver lining for what was an extremely stressful time for everybody .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ together , whether it was clapping for the NHS , helping each other with food parcels or family Zoom sessions .
Gardeners ' World was no exception , and more than 10,000 people sent in videos of themselves in their gardens , in the hope of being included on the show .
Why is it such a popular slot ?
`` Well , we all love seeing other people 's lives .
In Britain , back gardens are fiercely private , or we 'd like them to be - sometimes they 're overlooked @ @ @ @ @ @ @ `` But we are a nation of gardeners , and our gardens are our castles .
So to be invited into someone 's garden is an act of hospitality .
It 's quite an intimate thing to do .
But it 's quite a generous thing to do .
And so immediately you feel welcomed and privileged . ''
He says the videos are always `` positive stories '' and adds : `` I think these short little films , no longer than two minutes , are just touches of life , that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ `` And maybe people say , ' I feel those things too ' , and it 's shared humanity .
And it 's that feeling that we all long for , that fundamentally people are good and decent and doing their best .
And we 're all in this together .
`` And that 's how we get by . ''
Monty Don 's My Garden World is published by Two Roads and is out now .

"One of the side effects of the pandemic, which was very noticeable in my own garden, was for the first time you could really hear the birds - there were no planes or cars. And for a couple of months, it was quiet. And that was extraordinary," he says.


bbcuk--2020-10-07--Sarah Forbes Bonetta: Portrait of Queen Victoria's goddaughter on show

Curatorial director Anna Eavis said : `` There are a number of black figures from the past who have played @ @ @ @ @ the historic sites in our care but their stories are not very well known .

"Victoria was so affected by this little girl arriving she wrote about it in her diary and took her under her wing, paid for her education and took an interest in her and her daughter for the rest of their lives."


bbcuk--2020-10-06--CEO Secrets: The graduates launching start-ups in lockdown

As part of our CEO Secrets series , which invites entrepreneurs to share their advice , we are focusing on businesses that have launched during lockdown .
Each week we will look at a different type of lockdown entrepreneur .
We begin with recent graduates .
Student friends Joshua Barley , Sonny Drinkwater and Kieran Fitzgerald , all aged 22 , realised the job market would be tough for new graduates , as the huge impact of coronavirus became clear in March and April .
Joshua and Sonny are old school friends .
Joshua met Kieran at the University of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ who studied at Bristol .
The three final-year students saw work placements and graduate scheme opportunities disappear in the spring .
Job interview processes would draw to an early close , says Sonny .
So they decided to take matters into their own hands and started a company , pooling their abilities and expertise .
Both Joshua and Sonny had studied nutrition , while Kieran had been working on the benefits of gift exchange in the workplace as part of his end-of-year project .
They combined these interests to focus on what was @ @ @ @ @ @ @ life : working from home .
The trio created the company Snackcess , to provide gift boxes of healthy snacks for businesses to post to employees working at home .
The box contains high-end , healthy , branded snacks , the kind that you might find in organic food stores .
The team negotiate lower prices by buying directly from the manufacturers .
When they started in July they sold five boxes .
That increased tenfold in August and in September they sold 800 boxes , with a turnover of more than £9,000 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in Sonny ’ s parents ' garage in Kent .
They have now hired their first employee , a “ chief packer ” .
The success has resulted in a dilemma for the team .
It was never meant to be a permanent venture , rather they thought of it as a stop-gap , until the economy picked up again and they could find other jobs , explains Sonny .
“ That ’ s all changed now , ” he says .
“ We 've had such a big growth , we 're @ @ @ @ @ @ @ . ''
Joshua adds : `` We see this as a long-term opportunity for us now . ''
Kieran , meanwhile , has found a graduate placement with HSBC – but reluctant to completely leave the company he helped to found , he is remaining involved in a lesser capacity .
For all three , it ’ s been a massive learning curve .
“ My advice is just do one small thing every day that makes your business idea more real , whether that 's setting up a meeting , or building @ @ @ @ @ @ @ “ And don ’ t be afraid to network , ” adds Kieran .
“ Just message people on LinkedIn , you ’ ll be surprised who gets back to you . ''
Despite the uncertainty of lockdown , many people have taken the opportunity to start their own company .
Almost 50 % more businesses were created in June 2020 than in June 2019 , according to the Centre for Entrepreneurs .
July set a new record with more than 81,000 businesses registered .
There is no hard data on how many @ @ @ @ @ @ @ new graduates .
But anecdotally , many final-year students faced with fewer opportunities like entry schemes and internships , have decided to be their own boss instead .
• The women who started businesses in lockdown • How to survive a pandemic as a young entrepreneur Josephine Philips , 23 , says she always had “ an entrepreneurial gene ” .
She showed it from her first year of university , studying physics and philosophy at King ’ s College London .
She made a tidy sum selling second-hand clothes on the popular @ @ @ @ @ @ @ she nurtured the idea of creating her very own digital fashion platform .
She envisioned a “ Deliveroo-like service , but for altering vintage clothes ” .
The concept stemmed from her own experience .
She would often spy a piece of clothing she adored in a vintage shop , but wished it could have a small alteration either to mend it , or give it a more fashionable twist , and didn ’ t have good enough sewing skills to do this herself .
When lockdown struck in March , she initially @ @ @ @ @ @ @ but then she realised something .
“ All the restaurants were shutting down , but the thing that was keeping them alive was Deliveroo .
What I proposed would allow seamsters to keep getting orders in a contact-free way.
” Her business is called Sojo and employs a team of cyclists to collect clothes from people ’ s homes and take them to and from sewing shops for alterations .
It is focusing on west London for now .
Judging by beta testing and a huge social media response , Josephine believes the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ all the interested parties on board has not been easy , Josephine says , because there are credibility problems for young graduates .
“ I remember my first pitch .
I wore a suit and everything , but [ the tailor 's ] reaction was : ‘ How old are you ?
You look like my 14-year-old daughter.
’ ” She won him over by using him for a trial period and bringing him 20 new customers and hundreds of pounds in work , she says .
Her business officially launches this month @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , “ just incredibly overwhelmed ” with optimism .
She thought she would struggle to recruit the cyclists to collect the clothes , but more than 60 applied for 20 positions .
Her advice to other budding entrepreneurs is this : “ Young females like me can struggle with confidence , but you just need to educate yourself in your market .
I went to lots of events both online and in person , about things like marketing and pitching to investors , which really helped me.
” “ If it really took @ @ @ @ @ @ @ '' says Sehrish Ahmed , 22 .
“ I ’ ve always wanted to be a business owner.
” The entrepreneurial graduate is now running an online jewellery business called Rose Eclipse , but this wasn ’ t the original plan .
While studying international fashion branding at Glasgow Caledonian University for the past three years , Sehrish ’ s mind was set on a career in fashion retail .
To earn some money while studying , and gain experience , she worked on a diverse range of shop floors , including Oxfam @ @ @ @ @ @ @ s Secret – in the latter dressing mannequins .
But then Covid struck .
“ The first thing that went through my mind was that I wouldn ’ t have a graduation , I wouldn ’ t walk on that stage , that ’ s the thing I ’ d been looking forward to , ” says Sehrish .
Then the implications for her future career became clear .
Her graduate placements and internships were cancelled .
So she decided to start her jewellery business , which until then had been just a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , she sources her products from China , which are then posted to Glasgow .
Sehrish ’ s advice to others in her situation is this : “ I think with the majority of graduates being Gen Z , we are very aware of how social media works and we need to use that to our advantage.
” Her sales have been driven by her Instagram and TikTok accounts .
She used her knowledge of the platforms to create compelling posts and plug into the latest trends .
“ What surprised me was @ @ @ @ @ @ @ people who weren ’ t just friends and family , ” says Sehrish .
She ’ s now getting dozens of sales a month – not enough to make a living yet , but she wants to see if she can grow the business beyond a side hustle , something she hadn ’ t considered before .
The coronavirus has thrown many graduates ’ plans for the future up in the air .
By starting their own businesses , some feel they are taking back control .
You can follow CEO Secrets series @ @ @ @ @ @ @

Her advice to other budding entrepreneurs is this: “Young females like me can struggle with confidence, but you just need to educate yourself in your market. I went to lots of events both online and in person, about things like marketing and pitching to investors, which really helped me.”


bbcuk--2020-10-07--Pensions: How much should I pay while I'm young?

If you have just left college or you 're starting out in a new career , a pension might seem like one of the last things you have to sort .
I finally got round to paying into my work pension at 28 .
I did n't know how much a month I should be putting in but people kept telling me about this simple magic formula .
Apparently you halve the age you are on the day you start paying in and that 's the percentage of your wages you need to pay every month , until you retire @ @ @ @ @ @ @ % of what I earn every month until retirement .
That 's a workplace pension , and financial experts say small differences at the beginning of our careers can make a huge difference at the end .
Matt Wain from Manchester started paying into his pension when he was 20 and hopes his financial forward-planning will help him to retire at 55 .
So how much should people save ?
The state pension comes from the government and is based on your national insurance ( NI ) contributions .
The age you 'd @ @ @ @ @ @ @ just increased to 66 years old , and that will go up gradually over the next two decades .
You need to make ten full years worth of national insurance contributions to get some money from a state pension .
To get the full state amount , currently £175.20 a week , you will need 35 years worth of NI contributions .
Your workplace pension is what you pay through your employer , which they top up .
So in theory when you look at your wage slip , there are two pensions @ @ @ @ @ @ @ calculator to find out your state pension age Matt , 23 , says he started paying into his workplace pension three years ago because he did n't want to miss out on the `` free money '' from the top-up .
He plans on upping his contributions every year .
`` I like taking responsibility for my financial future , '' Matt tells Newsbeat .
`` I 've got my spreadsheets for how much I need [ to retire ] for when I 'm 55 . ''
He 's gone a step further @ @ @ @ @ @ @ account - something his employer has agreed to pay into - so when he changes jobs keeping track of his savings is easier .
What do his mates think of his attention to detail ?
`` It 's important to do it young , '' he says .
Since 2018 , employers have to put their staff into a pension scheme .
You can opt out if you like but , as well as the long-term benefits you 'd get , you 're unlikely to pay tax on the money you put in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ your employer puts in the equivalent of 3 % of your salary and you put in 5 % , that 's much better than nothing but by no means enough . ''
She thinks if you want a comfortable retirement you need to up the amount you put in .
How much should I pay in ?
Sarah agrees that the magic formula I mentioned earlier is a strong starting point .
She knows that when you are starting out there are a lot of costs , and housing is often thought of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ saving for .
`` Try to stick to between 12 % and 15 % throughout most of your career '' says Sarah .
`` Even going up by 1 or 2 % is going to make a major difference over the long run . ''
Sade Taiwo from Essex runs a money advice service for millennials called The Penny Pal .
She tells Newsbeat : `` I started paying into my pension at the age of 22 , so basically as soon as I could.
`` `` What many people do n't understand @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a workplace pension you are literally missing out on free money . ''
Sade wishes people would look to the long term , especially with interest rates so low at the moment - meaning you do n't get so much for keeping your cash in savings accounts .
`` With our generation 's average house deposit being £46k , I am really investing in my pension this early out of fear that I wo n't be able to afford retirement . ''
It 's so far off - I want the money now @ @ @ @ @ @ @ your financial to-do list ?
Sarah Coles says you need to think of pensions as `` money for you '' .
She hopes this helps people balance access to money for a rainy day with money for your pension .
Sarah thinks people should n't rely on their state pension alone .
Anyone born after 1977 wo n't get their state pension till they are 68 and many reckon the age will be over 70 by 2035 .
What happens when you move job ?
It 's thought people have an average of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ it 's important to take your work pensions with you .
`` When you leave , talk to your [ old ] employer about what 's in there , and make sure there is nothing really valuable like tax-free cash '' , Sarah says .
`` [ Then you might ] keep that were it is .
Otherwise look at consolidating it .
`` You might be able to move it to your current employers or to a personal pension where it is all in one place . ''
Listen to Newsbeat live @ @ @ @ @ @ @ listen back here .

She tell us: "If your employer puts in the equivalent of 3% of your salary and you put in 5%, that's much better than nothing but by no means enough."


bbcuk--2020-10-07--Newspaper headlines: Let life 'return to normal' and lockdown 'row'

Meanwhile , the Daily Mail reports that more than 4,000 doctors and scientists from around the world are calling for @ @ @ @ @ for everyone but the elderly and vulnerable , because of the damage caused by prevailing @ @ @

Meanwhile, the Daily Mail reports that more than 4,000 doctors and scientists from around the world are calling for life to return to normal for everyone but the elderly and vulnerable, because of the damage caused by prevailing coronavirus policies.


bbcuk--2020-10-07--Sheffield shooting: Stephen Dunford jailed for shooting boy

Jailing him for a minimum of 19 years , Judge Jeremy Richardson QC said Dunford posed an `` immense danger @ @ @ @ @ warned : `` I have no idea when or if it will ever be safe @ @ @ @ @

However, the CPS said Dunford's clear intention that day was to kill someone nearby and he was later recorded in prison rapping about the shooting, saying: "Have you ever had gun smoke go in your face. Swear I can't forget that taste."


bbcuk--2020-10-07--Coronavirus: NI circuit breaker 'only viable' with Treasury support

Imposing a circuit breaker lockdown will only be `` viable '' if extra financial support is provided from Westminster , Diane Dodds has said .
The executive has not ruled out bringing in the move in NI to coincide with the half-term holiday for schools .
Mrs Dodds , Stormont 's economy minister , said attention needed paid to the impact it would have on jobs .
Ministers will meet on Thursday to discuss imposing more restrictions to curb the spread of Covid-19 .
There is speculation localised measures could be introduced in other parts of NI where cases are @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Mrs Dodds said she welcomed the interventions from the British government to aid the economy during the first wave of the pandemic , but that it was no longer enough .
`` We need to see our national government in London step up and offer help across the United Kingdom to make sure unemployment does not increase and that we are supporting jobs and people through this , '' she told BBC Radio Ulster 's Good Morning Ulster programme .
She insisted that the government 's furlough scheme , due to end @ @ @ @ @ @ @ extended to stave off job losses in Northern Ireland .
The minister also said any further restrictions imposed must be `` proportionate '' and be backed up by public health advice , but that she would not pre-empt any discussions ahead of Thursday 's executive meeting .
`` I 'm perfectly at one with the fact that when it comes to health and the economy , we need to have a balanced view of where we are , '' she added .
Meanwhile , Finance Minister Conor Murphy is expected to announce details @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to help the north west 's hospitality industry .
Pubs , restaurants and hotels in the Derry City and Strabane council area have been operating under tighter coronavirus restrictions since Monday .
The minister is seeking approval from the executive to provide small and medium firms with a grant for the two-week closure .
The BBC understands Mr Murphy 's proposal will go through urgent procedure for sign-off from the first and deputy first ministers .
If approved , it will see grants of £800 for smaller firms and £1200 for medium-size businesses @ @ @ @ @ @ @ It is not clear how much the Department of Finance estimates the scheme could cost in total .
SDLP leader and Foyle MP Colum Eastwood said that `` small grants wo n't cut it '' , as he called for a wider support package .
Last week businesses leaders in the north west said there were serious concerns about the impact of the new measures on the hospitality industry in the region .
They were introduced to help curb the surge in coronavirus cases in the region over recent weeks .
The council @ @ @ @ @ @ @ per 100,000 in NI .
There have been 1,813 confirmed cases in the Derry and Strabane council area since March - 876 diagnosed in the past seven days .


bbcuk--2020-10-07--Unite decides to cut Labour affiliation money amid frustrations

A meeting of the Unite union executive has decided to cut its affiliation money to the Labour Party by about 10 % , BBC Newsnight understands .
Unite is the Labour Party 's single biggest donor , providing the party with millions in funding every year .
But there is anger in the union about Labour 's direction under Sir Keir Starmer with a source saying he and his inner team were `` just not listening '' .
The Labour Party has so far not commented on the decision .
Len McCluskey , general secretary of Unite , was a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , Jeremy Corbyn , and is a stalwart of the party 's Left .
He is due to stand down as general secretary in 2022 .
Ahead of the meeting of Unite 's executive , he told Newsnight another cut in funding might happen if the party changed course too drastically under its new leader .
He said : `` I have no doubt if things start to move in different directions and ordinary working people start saying , 'well , I 'm not sure what Labour stand for ' , then my @ @ @ @ @ @ @ we giving so much money ' ? ''
He went on to express dismay that Unite funds had been spent by Labour paying damages to whistle-blowers who contributed to a Panorama programme about Labour 's handling of the anti-Semitism crisis .
Mr McCluskey said his executive was angry about the decision `` because they thought it was an absolute mistake and wrong to pay out huge sums of money to individuals who were suing the Labour Party based on the Panorama programme , when Labour 's own legal people were saying that they @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to court .
`` So we should n't have paid them anything . ''
But , when the payout was announced , Labour 's deputy leader Angela Rayner said it was a `` prudent move '' which was `` part of that healing process '' that the party needed .
And , in a statement read out in the High Court , Labour said it unreservedly apologised and was determined to root out anti-Semitism in the party and the wider Labour movement .
There is some frustration on the Labour left that Sir @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the party 's left but has quickly tacked to the centre since winning the contest in April this year .
A Unite source said : `` Keir and his inner circle are just not listening .
`` There 's a lot of anger from the people who knock on the doors and man the phones .
They do n't want to be taken for granted . ''
The source went on to say that Mr McCluskey was likely to redirect the money to left-wing grassroots organisations to support a socialist programme , `` @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a Labour victory in 2024 '' .
Addressing the TUC Congress last month , Sir Keir said : `` Labour and the trade union movement need to stand together like never before , to show the British people that we 've got their back and their future too .
`` We 'll fight to protect jobs , incomes and working conditions at this time of national crisis , and show that there is a better , fairer society to come .
That is our mission . ''
Ahead of the event , TUC @ @ @ @ @ @ @ : `` Keir has had a really strong start .
You only have to look at the opinion polls to see that .
`` I hear Keir talking about decency , dignity .
Those are really important values , along with people looking after each other . ''
The campaign to choose Mr McCluskey 's successor begins next year .

Mr McCluskey said his executive was angry about the decision "because they thought it was an absolute mistake and wrong to pay out huge sums of money to individuals who were suing the Labour Party based on the Panorama programme, when Labour's own legal people were saying that they would lose that case if it went to court. So we shouldn't have paid them anything."


bbcuk--2020-10-07--Covid: Pubs and restaurants in central Scotland to close

All pubs and restaurants across central Scotland are to be closed under new measures aimed at tackling a surge in coronavirus cases .
The new rules will apply to licensed premises across the central belt , including Glasgow and Edinburgh .
Pubs and restaurants will be able to open in other parts of Scotland - but can only serve alcohol outdoors .
The new rules , which will be in force from 18:00 on Friday until 25 October , apply to about 3.4 million people .
They cover people living in the Greater Glasgow and Clyde , Lanarkshire , Forth @ @ @ @ @ @ @ health board areas .
• What are Scotland 's new lockdown rules ?
• Check the Covid rules where you live First Minister Nicola Sturgeon said the restrictions were `` intended to be short , sharp action to arrest a worrying increase in infection '' .
She warned that without taking action , the country risks `` returning to the peak level of infection by the end of the month '' .
But she admitted that the new rules would be disruptive to many businesses and would be unwelcome to many people .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ many of the the country 's best known pubs and restaurants , accused the first minister of `` effectively signing a death sentence '' for many businesses .
And the Federation of Small Businesses said the move would have a major knock on impact across other parts of the economy , including tourism .
Opposition parties have called for more detail on a £40m support package for affected business that was announced by Ms Sturgeon , and have questioned the need for the blanket closure of pubs and restaurants .
The new rules @ @ @ @ @ @ @ : • all licensed premises - with the exception of hotels for residents - will be required to close indoors and outdoors , although takeaways will be permitted • cafes which do not have an alcohol licence will be able to stay open until 18:00 • snooker and pool halls , indoor bowling alleys , casinos and bingo halls will also close in the five health board areas for two weeks from 10 October • contact sports for people aged 18 and over will be suspended for the next two weeks - with @ @ @ @ @ @ @ group exercise activities will not be allowed , although the current rules will remain in place for under 18s and gyms can remain open for individual exercise • outdoor live events will not be permitted for the next fortnight .
There will be no travel ban in any of the areas , but people in the central belt have been urged to avoid public transport unless it is `` absolutely necessary '' .
And they have also been advised not to travel outside of the health board area they live in if they @ @ @ @ @ @ @ pandemic Scotland has tended to adopt a slightly more cautious approach than England .
It has imposed more restrictions and lifted them more slowly in general .
The latest move is in line with that trend .
There is little difference in overall infection rates .
Scotland has seen 85 cases per 100,000 in the past week , compared to England 's 109 .
The measures imposed by the Scottish government are focussed on areas with the highest infection rates .
But those places are some way below the levels seen in England @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , Manchester and Newcastle have seen around 500 cases per 100,000 people over the past week - that is more than twice the level of infection in Glasgow for example .
But the differences between the two nations should not mask the growing concern there is in England about the infection rates , particularly in the north of country .
Senior ministers and their advisers are today discussing whether extra steps are needed south of the border .
The problem is action to supress the virus has negative consequences too .
This much @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of scientists and health experts who are signing the Great Barrington Declaration warning about the impact of Covid lockdown policies .
In other parts of the country , pubs , bars , restaurants and cafes will be able to open indoors until 18:00 - but only to serve food and non-alcoholic drinks .
However , they will be able to serve alcohol in outdoor settings such as beer gardens until 22:00 , with the current rules on no more than six people from two households remaining in place .
And the existing rules @ @ @ @ @ @ @ have already been booked , and funerals , in all parts of Scotland .
Ms Sturgeon said regulations would be introduced to extend the mandatory use of face coverings in indoor communal settings such as staff canteens and workplace corridors .
Shops across Scotland will be asked to return to 2m physical distancing from this weekend , and to reintroduce measures such as one-way systems .
It comes as Scotland recorded more than 1,000 new confirmed cases of the virus in a single day for the first time - although the country is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the height of the pandemic earlier in the year .
The R number is currently believed to be higher in Scotland than in other UK nations , and the number of people dying or in hospital with the virus has increased over the past week .
The number of UK cases rose by 14,162 on Wednesday .
This was a slight drop on Tuesday 's figure , but the seven-day rolling average is still pointing upwards .
Speaking in the Scottish Parliament , Ms Sturgeon said the `` vast majority '' of pubs @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the safety of their staff and customers .
But she added : `` Indoor environments , where different households from different age groups can mix , inevitably present a risk of transmission .
`` That risk can be increased in some hospitality premises if good ventilation is difficult , and if it is hard to control the movement of people .
`` And the presence of alcohol can of course affect people 's willingness to physically distance . ''
Scottish Conservative group leader Ruth Davidson criticised a lack of detail over the £40m @ @ @ @ @ @ @ first minister .
Ms Davidson said : `` These businesses deserve better .
They need to know how much they can apply for , when they can apply for it and how long they will have to wait before support reaches them .
`` Those answers could have been provided today , but Nicola Sturgeon failed to do that . ''
And Scottish Labour leader Richard Leonard said the government should target premises which break the rules `` instead of shutting down every single business '' .
The temporary shutdown of pubs and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 6pm curfew elsewhere are significant new restrictions .
Together with the existing Scotland-wide ban on visiting other households , these add up to the toughest combination of measures in place across any of the four UK nations .
The Scottish government has decided to take further action because it fears case numbers are rising so fast that without further action , spread would be back to March/April levels by the end of this month .
The hospitality industry is not convinced there is sufficient evidence to justify pubs and restaurants being so heavily @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , partly because the Scottish government has limited scope to compensate businesses .
It hopes the UK government can be persuaded to offer additional support for hard hit sectors in the coming weeks and that all four nations can agree a new system for assessing and responding to the coronavirus threat on a more localised basis .
• RULES : What are the restrictions in Scotland ?
• LOCKDOWN : Six months that changed our lives • CASES : Where are the latest cases in Scotland ?
• NUMBERS : Four key figures @ @ @ @ @ @ @ pub or restaurant worker in central Scotland ?
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bbcuk--2020-10-07--Covid: New restrictions for England likely next week

Coronavirus restrictions are to be further tightened in parts of England early next week with the closure of bars and restaurants a possibility , the BBC has been told .
The changes will be introduced as part of a new three tier system for local lockdowns - which will grade areas according to the number of infections .
Ministers are still discussing how restrictive the top tier should be .
It comes as significant new measures are introduced in Scotland .
From Friday , all pubs and restaurants across central Scotland , including Glasgow and Edinburgh , are to be @ @ @ @ @ @ @ hospitality venues must close at 6pm and alcohol can only be served outdoors .
Meanwhile , the number of UK cases rose by 14,162 on Wednesday , with a further 70 deaths announced .
• Check the Covid rules where you live • What is the risk of Covid overwhelming the NHS ?
• Do local lockdowns stop the spread of Covid ?
No final decision has been made on the extent of the potential closures in England , but schools are not expected to close .
There are already tighter restrictions in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ north-west of England , Birmingham and Leicester , where the rate of infection has been rising .
The Treasury is looking at providing financial support to the hospitality industry in the worst hit areas .
BBC political editor Laura Kuenssberg says this support could also be distributed across the country if there were widespread closures .
It 's a complicated equation .
The Department of Health is worried about the spread of the disease , as well as other patients losing out on other treatments because of the focus on Covid .
No @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the economy , which has already had a profound shock .
And it 's No 10 's job to worry about all of it , then reach a conclusion .
But Boris Johnson also knows that his own MPs and the opposition parties are more and more sceptical as each day passes about what the government proposes .
It 's clear that shutting pubs and restaurants is a possibility - the `` circuit breaker '' that we have talked about on here lots of times .
But there are many questions still to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ here .
The changes would come as areas across the country are seeing their level of positive Covid cases rise .
A spike in Nottingham saw it become the area with the fourth-highest infection rate in England , with 496.8 per 100,000 of population .
Local authorities across the county of Nottinghamshire have asked residents to avoid mixing with other households , but official restrictions have yet to be put in place .
In Scotland , licensed premises across the central belt , including Glasgow and Edinburgh , will have to close from @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and restaurants will be able to open in other parts of Scotland - but can only serve alcohol outdoors .
The government confirmed last month it was looking at introducing a new three-tier system for local lockdowns , as a way of simplifying the rules .
It is now understood a system of `` local Covid alert levels '' will be introduced early next week , possibly on Monday .
A memo seen by the BBC shows plans for additional money for local authorities placed into tiers two or three .
Local authorities @ @ @ @ @ @ @ if placed into tier two and £2 per head for tier three .
Millions of people across the UK are already affected by extra local restrictions .
In several parts of north-east England , it is illegal to mix with another household in any indoor setting .
People are also advised against all but essential travel .
In some areas in Wales , nobody is able to enter or leave without a `` reasonable excuse '' .
• People arriving in the UK from abroad may soon be able to end their 14-day @ @ @ @ @ @ @ testing system being considered by a new taskforce • NHS England has announced that people with `` long Covid '' symptoms will be offered specialist help at clinics • National 5 exams are to be cancelled in Scotland in 2021 and replaced with teacher assessments and coursework

The Treasury is looking at providing financial support to the industry in the worst-hit areas, and a memo seen by the BBC shows plans for additional money for local authorities. They would get £1 per head of population if placed into tier two, and £2 per head for tier three.


bbcuk--2020-10-07--Scottish National 5 exams to be cancelled in 2021

National 5 exams are to be cancelled in Scotland in 2021 and replaced with teacher assessments and coursework .
Education Secretary John Swinney said going ahead with all exams during the continuing Covid pandemic was `` too big a risk '' .
Higher and Advanced Higher exams will go ahead as usual - but will start on 13 May , two weeks later than planned .
The move came as new restrictions were imposed across Scotland in response to a sharp rise in new coronavirus cases .
Schools are to remain open but Mr Swinney said it was likely students @ @ @ @ @ @ @ `` alternative approach '' was needed .
He said National 5 qualifications - which account for about half of all exams sat in Scotland and are roughly equivalent to GCSEs in England - would be judged on `` teacher judgement supported by assessment '' .
Opposition parties have been split on whether exams should go ahead , with the Greens calling for them to be axed entirely - but the Scottish Conservatives saying Mr Swinney had `` thrown in the towel '' .
• Scottish exams cancelled for first time in history Scotland @ @ @ @ @ @ @ first time ever in 2020 , with the country locked down due to the coronavirus pandemic .
The Scottish Qualifications Authority initially drew up results using a system which took teacher estimates for each pupil , then moderated them based on results from previous years .
However , this sparked an outcry after 125,000 results were downgraded , with claims the moderation system unfairly penalised children at schools which had historically not performed as well .
The government subsequently agreed to accept the original teacher estimates of grades , and commissioned an independent @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Priestly recommended the new approach to National 5 exams and the development of a new approach to assessments , and this was accepted by ministers .
Results will again be moderated to `` maintain standards '' , but Mr Swinney stressed that `` awards will not be given or taken away on the basis of a statistical model or on the basis of a school 's past performance '' .
We are already eight weeks in to this academic year and teachers , pupils and parents had been calling for clarity about what @ @ @ @ @ @ @ If they planned for `` normality '' next summer it risked last-minute changes close to exam time and a repeat of the problems of this summer .
The decision to scrap the final exams for National 5 students , which are usually taken by 15 and 16-year-olds , means their grades will be decided by continuous assessment throughout the year .
Teachers and pupils can now prepare for this .
The decision to scrap the largest group of exams means there will be more space and time for Highers and Advanced Higher to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ close a way to normal as possible .
They will be pushed back slightly later to allow for extra teaching time , but will still be completed before the end of the school term .
This will allow papers to be graded and marks sent to pupils at the beginning of August , meaning applications for university and college places can continue as they normally would .
The education secretary said : `` The risk remains that there may be further disruptions for individual pupils , schools , college , or more widely @ @ @ @ @ @ @ this academic year .
`` Due to the level of disruption already caused by Covid , and due to the likely disruption faced by some or all pupils and students this academic year , a full exam diet is simply too big a risk - it would not be fair . ''
He added that a `` contingency plan '' was in place should Highers and Advanced Highers need to be called off , which could see grades again being awarded on teacher judgement .
The Scottish Conservatives said a full exam diet @ @ @ @ @ @ @ place , with MSP Jamie Greene saying `` it does feel like the towel has been thrown in '' .
Labour 's Iain Gray said the decision had come late , with staff `` months in to teaching courses already '' .
The Scottish Greens have backed calls for all exams to be cancelled , asking why the same approach could not be applied to Highers and Advanced Highers .
Mr Swinney replied that the `` significant weight '' attached to Highers in university admissions meant they should be maintained if at all @ @

The decision to scrap the final exams for National 5 students, which are usually taken by 15 and 16-year-olds, means their grades will be decided by continuous assessment throughout the year. Teachers and pupils can now prepare for this.