bbcuk--2020-09-27--Strictly Come Dancing: How do you film during a pandemic?

How will things be different this year ?
He is also a judge on the show 's US version , @ @ @ @ @ but can not travel between the two because of quarantine rules .
Instead he will @ @ @ @ @ results shows via video link , before returning full-time `` towards the end of the @ @ @ @ @ have to stay 2m ( 6ft ) apart from each other ?
What about the @ @ @ @ @ However , as the musicians must socially distance from each other , they can not @ @ @ @ @ , so some parts will have to be pre-recorded before each show .
Will there @ @ @ @ @ Audiences for live performances are currently permitted if people attend in groups of no more @ @ @ @ @ interact with anyone else .
The audience size also depends on the venue capacity .
@ @ @ @ @ do their own hair and make-up ?

Strictly Come Dancing: How do you film during a pandemic? Published 28 September 2020
Image source, Getty Images Image caption, [L-R] Bill Bailey, Clara Amfo, HRVY and Jacqui Smith will all hit the dancefloor this year
Strictly Come Dancing will be back on our screens this autumn, and this year's celebrity contestants have been unveiled.
But how do you stage a dance competition under social distancing guidelines, and what changes might viewers notice?
How will things be different this year?
Strictly will start later this year, in October rather than September, and the series will be slightly shorter.
There will be themed weeks for films and musicals as in previous years, but not for Halloween, because it falls too early in the run.
The judges are the same as last year but Bruno Tonioli will be taking part remotely initially.
He is also a judge on the show's US version, Dancing with the Stars, but cannot travel between the two because of quarantine rules. Instead he will take part in Strictly's results shows via video link, before returning full-time "towards the end of the series".
Will dancers have to stay 2m (6ft) apart from each other?
Ballroom dancing cannot be performed at a distance, so the couples must form a support bubble with each other.
One dancer in each pair will live alone for the duration of the series.
The show is also following the broadcasting industry's guidelines on "close contact cohorts", which are used when pairs or small groups are unable to maintain social distancing.
Image caption, Oti Mabuse and Kelvin Fletcher were crowned the winners of the 2019 series
Producers are advised to keep cohorts as small as possible - each Strictly couple will count as one - and to have regular coronavirus testing.
If anyone tests positive during the series, they will have to self-isolate for two weeks, so will be unable to continue in the competition.
The professional dancers stayed in a hotel for four weeks, so that their group dances could be filmed before the series.
What about the live band and singers?
The studio band, led by Dave Arch, will be on Strictly again this year.
However, as the musicians must socially distance from each other, they cannot all be in the studio, so some parts will have to be pre-recorded before each show.
Image caption, Live music is a big part of Strictly
There will also be guest music acts for the results shows, accompanied by dancers.
Restrictions around singing, wind and brass instruments which previously required "extended social distancing" have been relaxed.
The government now advises that "venues, performers and audiences should ensure 2m distancing applies wherever possible".
Will there be a studio audience?
This remains unclear but the show is planning for a range of different scenarios - from having no audience at all to a full studio.
Audiences for live performances are currently permitted if people attend in groups of no more than six and don't interact with anyone else. The audience size also depends on the venue capacity.
Image caption, Strictly presenters Claudia Winkleman and Tess Daly
Dancers will no longer gather around presenter Claudia Winkleman as she interviews them. Instead they will sit in the audience at tables.
The size of the studio crew will also be reduced.
Will the celebrities have to do their own hair and make-up?
No they won't, but things will still be different backstage.
Hair and make-up artists will follow government guidance on "close contact services", and will make use of personal protective equipment. Artists will also be assigned to specific couples to reduce unnecessary mixing.
Government guidance suggests:
putting screens between stations
limiting the amount of time people spend in hair and make-up
allocating each performer their own make-up kit, brushes and hair products
For costume departments, advice includes:
separating costumes in plastic bags
using changing cubicles
reducing the number of quick changes
avoiding sharing equipment by giving everyone their own sewing machine
What's happening to other shows?
Image source, C4/Love Productions/Mark Bourdillon Image caption, New GBBO host Matt Lucas with Paul Hollywood, Prue Leith and contestants Hermine (left) and Marc (behind)
A new series of The Great British Bake Off has just started on Channel 4. To ensure the safety of contestants, producers and crew, everyone involved in the show spent six weeks isolating together in a hotel during filming.
Filming on soaps like EastEnders and Coronation Street has also resumed with new episodes now being broadcast.
Louisa Lytton, who plays Ruby Allen in EastEnders, explained to BBC Radio 5 Live how social distancing is maintained on set at all times: "I'm 2m away from everybody at work the moment I walk through the door".
The actors' real-life partners have been brought in to help film kissing scenes, and invisible perspex screens used to avoid any physical contact between people.


bbcuk--2020-09-27--Covid: Culture Secretary Oliver Dowden defends students' university return

The culture secretary has defended students going back to university in England after a union labelled the situation `` shambolic '' .
Oliver Dowden told the Andrew Marr Show it was important students did not `` give up a year of their life '' by not going .
Labour has called on the government to consider pausing the return after Covid outbreaks meant thousands of students had to isolate in their accommodation .
A scientist who advises the government said the situation was `` inevitable '' .
Mr Dowden said : `` Young people have paid a huge price during @ @ @ @ @ @ @ only fair to try and get them back - we have got clear guidelines for them to follow . ''
It comes as the UK recorded a further 5,693 cases and 17 deaths within 28 days of a positive test .
The number of deaths recorded over the weekend tends to be lower than during the week because of reporting delays .
Prof Mark Woolhouse , who sits on the government 's pandemic modelling group SPI-M , said the situation was `` entirely predictable '' and had been modelled .
He said students @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and with students converging from around the country it was `` inevitable there would be some spread '' .
Modelling showed the risk areas were first-year halls of residence and face-to-face teaching , he said .
Meanwhile , three more Welsh counties are to face tighter coronavirus restrictions on Monday - which will mean almost two-thirds of the Welsh population will be under local lockdowns .
• People 'bubbling out of pubs ' since curfew • Tips for coping at uni in a pandemic Students have been told to isolate in their accommodation @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , including around 1,700 students at Manchester Metropolitan University - where students said they were being prevented from leaving by security guards and police .
Ellie Jackson , a first-year at Manchester Met , said : `` We knew it would be different but we did n't think it would be this different .
`` We 've been told , if we leave , we ca n't come back . ''
Fellow student Jaimick Shah said his flatmates had all tested negative but still had to isolate .
`` We 're struggling to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ order it at the same time , '' he said .
Manchester Met said it had communicated with students `` as soon as we could but it was not possible to give significant advanced notice due to the requirement to implement the isolation almost immediately '' .
The university said it was `` urgently preparing a care package '' and financial support for affected students to ensure they had the essentials they needed .
The local University and College Union branch said it had raised concerns that `` the mass return of students @ @ @ @ @ @ @ '' - but it said these warnings went unheeded .
In Scotland there are outbreaks at the University of Glasgow , where 600 students have been isolating , as well as at universities in Dundee , Edinburgh and Aberdeen .
Coronavirus restrictions in Scotland currently ban people from visiting other households in their home - meaning students can not return home to another address in Scotland from university accommodation for a short stay without a reasonable excuse , such as a family emergency .
However , new guidance issued by the Scottish government @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a long-term basis .
Students who have been told to self-isolate can return home if they need support to do so , including physical , financial or mental health support .
Some students have questioned why they were told to return to their university accommodation when most of their teaching is being done remotely - and why they are still required to pay full tuition fees .
Mr Dowden said students ' experience at the start of this term was `` not as it would be '' due to the crisis , but @ @ @ @ @ @ @ as they were being taught .
Asked by Andrew Marr if students should get their fees back , Mr Lammy said : `` It 's clear that there are actually lots of universities struggling financially so there 's a balance here to be struck .
Many of us have gone online , the key now is to get students online successfully and for them to have face-to-face [ tuition ] where it is safe to do so . ''
Labour 's shadow education secretary Kate Green told BBC Breakfast the government should consider @ @ @ @ @ @ @ `` effective , efficient testing system '' was put in place , with students given a choice of learning from home if they felt safer there .
Larissa Kennedy , president of the National Union of Students , said the union had `` long called for online learning to be the default '' .
`` If [ students ' ] quality of learning is severely impacted then we also need to see tuition fees reimbursed , '' she said .
She said students should be able to be released from rental contracts at @ @ @ @ @ @ @ so they could remain at home if they wished .
`` We must remember this is happening because the government and universities told students to return to campus and this shambolic situation now demands flexibility , '' the union said .
Thousands more students in England are turning up for the new university term this weekend - but the big question is whether they should be heading in the opposite direction and studying from home .
Is it wise or fair for universities to bring students back if they 're at increasing risk @ @ @ @ @ @ @ having to self-isolate ?
Accommodation blocks , with shared facilities and filled with young people wanting to socialise , have already seen a wave of outbreaks .
So should the brakes be applied to stop this pattern repeating itself ?
After recruiting record numbers of students and promising them a mix of online and face-to-face teaching , it would be a very awkward U-turn for universities to switch back to the academic equivalent of working from home .
And would that mean refunds on accommodation and tuition fees ?
There are likely to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ some big decisions to be made about whether to cut numbers on campus .
And students must wonder how they 've gone from being cooped up at home all summer to now being cooped up in university .
Meanwhile , it has emerged that Education Secretary Gavin Williamson and Health Secretary Matt Hancock wrote to directors of public health on Wednesday about the return of universities .
In the letter , tweeted by Sheffield 's director of public health Greg Fell , ministers said they should formulate `` a robust outbreak plan '' @ @ @ @ @ @ @ In the case of local restrictions , they said public health directors should ensure measures in response , such as closing some or all face-to-face learning `` do not lead to a migration of students away from their term-time accommodation back to their family homes '' .
• THE R NUMBER : What it means and why it matters • SOCIAL DISTANCING : What are the rules now ?
• LOOK-UP TOOL : How many cases in your area ?
• SOCIAL LIFE : Is it safe to go to the pub ?
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ the rules affecting you ?
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Asked by Andrew Marr if students should get their fees back, Mr Lammy said: "It's clear that there are actually lots of universities struggling financially so there's a balance here to be struck. Many of us have gone online, the key now is to get students online successfully and for them to have face-to-face [tuition] where it is safe to do so."


bbcuk--2020-09-27--Covid-19 in the UK: How many coronavirus cases are there in your area?

There have been more than 400,000 confirmed cases of coronavirus so far in the UK and more than 40,000 people have died , government figures show .
However , these figures include only people who have died within 28 days of testing positive for coronavirus and other measures suggest the number of deaths is higher .
Find out how the pandemic has affected your area and how it compares with the national average .
Last updated 25 September .
If you ca n't see the look-up click here .
The postcode search has been updated to replace data for health @ @ @ @ @ @ @ councils .
In England , data for county councils has been replaced with data for district councils .
Figures for boroughs and unitary authorities remain unchanged .
After falling from their April peak , confirmed new coronavirus cases in the UK have been rising again since July .
On Sunday , the country recorded 5,693 new cases .
The official number of cases during the peak underestimated the true level of infection at the time , as widespread testing was not available until mid-May .
Before then , testing was targeted - mainly @ @ @ @ @ @ @ settings .
Yvonne Doyle , medical director at Public Health England , has warned that rising number of new cases was a `` stark warning for us all '' .
`` The signals are clear .
Positivity rates are rising across all age groups and we 're continuing to see spikes in rates of admission to hospital and critical care . ''
People needed to follow measures bought in to control the virus , she said , as well as download the new NHS contact-tracing app .
• Why ca n't I download @ @ @ @ @ @ @ questions The rising number of confirmed cases has prompted tighter restrictions on social activity to be brought in across the UK , including a 22:00 BST closing time for pubs in England and Scotland .
In Wales , pubs must stop serving alcohol at 22:00 BST and close by 22:20 BST .
People in England have also been told to work from home if they can and in Scotland people will no longer be allowed to visit friends or family at home .
The government 's chief scientific adviser Sir Patrick Vallance has @ @ @ @ @ @ @ coronavirus cases a day by mid-October without further action .
This could then lead to about `` 200-plus deaths per day '' a month after that , he said .
The BBC 's health correspondent Nick Triggle says what matters now is how the rise in cases translates into hospitalisations and deaths , both of which are increasing .
An estimate from the Office for National Statistics ( ONS ) , released on Friday , suggested that roughly one in 500 people in England had coronavirus in the week ending 19 September .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ reported the previous week .
Based on tests in households for current infection , the ONS survey is thought to give one of the most accurate pictures of whether or not new cases are increasing .
Where are the current hotspots ?
There are several local hotspots in the UK that have seen spikes in cases in recent weeks .
The orange areas on the map below are those currently seeing the highest number of cases per 100,000 people .
Extra restrictions have been introduced in many areas of the UK - including @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Ireland .
In addition to these national measures , parts of Wales , areas in the Midlands , Lancashire , Merseyside and West Yorkshire have seen additional rules imposed .
You can see a full breakdown of the areas under extra restrictions and the types of rules in place here .
While the number of new cases has been rising again recently , daily deaths have remained low - although there are now signs of a small increase .
The government announced 17 new deaths on Sunday .
There were 16 deaths in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ new deaths were reported in Wales or Northern Ireland .
In August , the government 's death toll in England was reduced by 5,340 following a review of the way coronavirus deaths are counted .
New rules mean deaths anywhere in the UK are included in the coronavirus total only if they occurred within 28 days of a positive test .
Previously in England , all deaths after a positive test were included .
England has seen the majority of UK deaths from Covid-19 .
Using the 28-day cut-off , there have been @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the stats tell us in Wales ?
• TESTING : What tests are available ?
• JOBS : What is the job support scheme ?
• SYMPTOMS : What are they and how to guard against them ?
• GLOBAL TRACKER : Where are the virus hotspots ?
• YOUR QUESTIONS : We answer your queries Overall death toll could be more than 60,000 When looking at the overall death toll from coronavirus , official figures count deaths in three different ways .
Government figures count people who tested positive for coronavirus and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ are two other measures .
The first includes all deaths where coronavirus was mentioned on the death certificate , even if the person had not been tested for the virus .
The most recent figures suggest there had been nearly 57,000 deaths by 11 September .
The third method looks at all UK deaths over and above the number usually expected for the time of year - known as excess deaths .
This measure shows the death toll was above 64,000 by 11 September .
There were just under 11,145 deaths registered in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ September , higher than the five-year average .
But it is thought this was caused by a delay in reporting some deaths over the August Bank Holiday .
These figures from the ONS also show that , for the second time since March , there were fewer than 100 deaths in a week in the UK mentioning Covid-19 on the death certificate .
What is the R number in the UK ?
The `` R number '' is the average number of people an infected person will pass the disease on to .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ the number of people contracting the disease will fall ; if it is above one , the number will grow .
On Friday , the government raised its estimate for the R number across the whole of the UK to between 1.2 and 1.5 .
The estimate for England is 1.2-1.5 , while for Scotland it is 1.2-1.6 .
The estimate for Wales is 0.7-1.2 and in Northern Ireland it is 1.5 .
The government has said in the past that the R number is one of the most important factors in making @ @ @

Based on the survey, the estimated peak of the pandemic, in cases if not in deaths, was in late March 2022, where at one point about 4.9 million people were thought to have the virus. However, the survey did not capture the first wave of the pandemic, with trials only beginning in England in April 2020.


bbcuk--2020-09-25--Covid symptoms: What are they and how do I protect myself?

There are three main symptoms of coronavirus .
If you get just one of them , you should get a test .
What are the symptoms ?
• New and continuous cough - coughing a lot for more than an hour , or having three or more coughing episodes in 24 hours • Change in smell or taste - either you can not taste or smell anything , or these senses are different to normal .
Public Health England says about 85 % of people with Covid will have at least one .
If you have any of these symptoms @ @ @ @ @ @ @ as possible and not leave home for any other reason .
Anyone you live with , or who is in your support bubble , should also self-isolate until the test result arrives .
It takes five days on average from the moment you are infected to start showing the symptoms , but the World Health Organization says it can take up to 14 days .
If the test is positive , your whole household must all continue to follow self-isolation rules .
Is Covid the same in everyone ?
No .
The coronavirus @ @ @ @ @ @ @ less common symptoms .
Scientists using data on the health of four million people say Covid has six sub-types .
• Flu-like with no fever : Headache , loss of smell , muscle pains , cough , sore throat , chest pain , no fever • Flu-like with fever : Headache , loss of smell , cough , sore throat , hoarseness , fever , loss of appetite • Gastrointestinal : Headache , loss of smell , loss of appetite , diarrhoea , sore throat , chest pain , no cough • Confusion @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , loss of smell , loss of appetite , cough , fever , hoarseness , sore throat , chest pain , fatigue , confusion , muscle pain • Abdominal and respiratory ( severe level three ) : Headache , loss of smell , loss of appetite , cough , fever , hoarseness , sore throat , chest pain , fatigue , confusion , muscle pain , shortness of breath , diarrhoea , abdominal pain And researchers think that vomiting , diarrhoea and abdominal cramps could be a sign of coronavirus infection in children @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is it definitely Covid ?
Lots of other viruses have similar symptoms to Covid , including flu and other infections .
This will be a particular problem over winter when these bugs are more common .
Public Health England says just under half of people who have one of the three main Covid symptoms will not have it .
However , they should still get a test .
What should I do if I have Covid ?
If you have a positive test result you should self-isolate at home for at least 10 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ You must stay away from other members of your household , who must self-isolate for at least 14 days .
Most people will have only mild symptoms , which can be managed with pain relief ( like paracetamol ) , bed rest and plenty of fluids .
You should not even go to a GP surgery , pharmacy or hospital .
When should people go to hospital ?
If you are seriously unwell and you have a medical emergency you should call 999 - this includes feeling so breathless that you are can @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
If you are concerned your symptoms are getting worse , use the NHS 111 website England , NHS Inform in Scotland or the equivalents in Wales and Northern Ireland .
The main reason people need hospital care is for difficulty breathing where they may be given oxygen .
The most seriously ill patients may require ventilation where the patient is sedated and air is pushed into their lungs .
• How to get a covid test • What is an intensive care unit ?
Older people , and those with pre-existing medical @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , heart disease , high blood pressure ) , are more likely to become severely ill. Men are at slightly higher risk of dying from the virus than women .
• Coronavirus vaccine : When will we have one ?
How do I protect myself ?
The best thing is regular and thorough hand washing , preferably with soap and water .
Coronavirus spreads when an infected person coughs or sneezes small droplets - packed with the virus - into the air .
These can be breathed in , or cause an infection @ @ @ @ @ @ @ landed on , then your eyes , nose or mouth .
So , coughing and sneezing into tissues , not touching your face with unwashed hands , and avoiding close contact with infected people are important .
People will be most infectious when they have symptoms , but some may spread the virus even before they are sick .
Face coverings are also compulsory in many indoor settings across the UK .
This explainer will be regularly updated to reflect the audience 's questions about coronavirus .
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Older people, and those with pre-existing medical conditions (such as asthma, diabetes, heart disease, high blood pressure), are more likely to become severely ill. Men are at slightly higher risk of dying from the virus than women.


bbcuk--2020-09-27--Covid-19 pandemic: Where are the global coronavirus hotspots?

Coronavirus is continuing its spread across the world , with more than 32 million confirmed cases in 188 countries and a death toll fast approaching one million .
The virus is surging in many regions and some countries that had apparent success in suppressing initial outbreaks are also seeing infections rise again .
But the number of confirmed cases during the spring peak is likely to be an underestimate of the true level of infection , as widespread testing was not available in many countries earlier in the year .
Note : The map , table and animated bar chart @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for figures for France from that used by Johns Hopkins University , which results in a slightly lower overall total .
US figures do not include Puerto Rico , Guam or the US Virgin Islands .
Where are cases and deaths rising ?
As the global death toll nears one million , the World Health Organization ( WHO ) has warned it could hit two million before an effective vaccine is widely used .
A number of regions have seen new coronavirus cases rise over the last few months , with India driving @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of confirmed infections in India has almost reached six million , the second-highest in the world after the US .
The virus appears to be spreading much faster in India than elsewhere , with the country recording about 90,000 cases a day during September .
The rise in infections comes as the government continues to lift restrictions to try to boost an economy , but the surge is also a reflection of increased testing .
India has maintained a relatively low death rate , however , given the size of its population .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ be bigger than we think In Latin America , Brazil has the highest number of deaths , with more than 140,000 so far .
It has also recorded more than 4.7 million cases , the third highest in the world .
Newly confirmed cases in the region are also rising quickly in Argentina , which now has almost 700,000 infections .
In the Middle East , Iran has been badly affected by the virus , and in the past week has confirmed its highest number of new cases since early June .
Neighbouring @ @ @ @ @ @ @ cases .
Cases are also continuing to rise in Indonesia and the country has recorded more than 10,000 deaths - the highest number in South East Asia .
Africa has recorded more than 1.4 million confirmed cases , although the true extent of the pandemic in the continent is not known .
Testing rates are reported to be low , which could distort official estimates .
South Africa and Egypt have seen the largest recorded outbreaks so far on the continent .
Several European countries are recording a rising number of daily cases @ @ @ @ @ @ @ virus .
A number of European countries have re-imposed lockdowns and other restrictions in their worst-affected regions , and there have been fresh appeals for people to wear face coverings and follow social distancing rules .
The pattern of rising infections following the loosening of lockdown restrictions is not limited to Europe , though .
Israel has imposed a new national lockdown after recording a record number of daily cases in recent days .
Other countries that have seen a resurgence of the virus include Russia , Peru , South Korea , Canada @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of tougher restrictions some of these are now seeing cases fall again .
In the table below , countries can be reordered by deaths , death rate and total cases .
In the coloured bars on the right-hand side , countries in which cases have risen to more than 5,000 per day are those with black bars on the relevant date .
US cases slow after second surge The US has recorded around seven million cases of coronavirus , more than a fifth of the world 's total .
Following a second rise @ @ @ @ @ @ @ back in August , but appear to be on the rise again now .
With more than 200,000 deaths , the US also has the world 's highest death toll .
A projection from the University of Washington suggests there could be about 370,000 deaths by the end of the year , though it says this could be reduced to about 273,000 if 95 % of Americans wear masks in public .
The outbreak has had a devastating impact on the US economy , with GDP falling by a record rate of 33 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to June .
The virus , which causes the respiratory infection Covid-19 , was first detected in the city of Wuhan , China , in late 2019 .
The outbreak spread quickly across the globe in the first months of 2020 and declared a global pandemic by the WHO on 11 March .
A pandemic is when an infectious disease is passing easily from person to person in many parts of the world at the same time .
Europe and North America saw their first major outbreaks in April but as they began @ @ @ @ @ @ @ started seeing cases spike .
Governments across the world have been forced to limit public movement and close businesses and venues in a bid to slow the spread of the virus .
This has had a devastating impact on the global economy .
Damage to the world 's major economies is four times worse than the 2009 global financial crisis , according to the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development ( OECD ) .
Meanwhile , the United Nations has said that up to 265 million people could face starvation by the end @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of Covid-19 .
• LOOK-UP TOOL : How many cases in your area ?
• TESTING : What tests are available ?
• JOBS : How will I be kept safe at work ?
• SYMPTOMS : What are they and how to guard against them ?
• HOLIDAYS : Where can I go away in the UK ?
The data used on this page comes from a variety of sources .
It includes figures collated by Johns Hopkins University , data from the European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control , national @ @ @ @ @ @ @ as UN data on populations .
When comparing figures from different countries it is important to bear in mind that not all governments are recording coronavirus cases and deaths in the same way .
This makes like for like comparisons between countries difficult .
Other factors to consider include : different population sizes , the size of a country 's elderly population or whether a particular country has a large amount of its people living in densely-populated areas .
In addition , countries may be in different stages of the pandemic .

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This information is regularly updated but may not reflect the latest totals for each country.
** The past data for new cases is a three day rolling average. Due to revisions in the number of cases, an average cannot be calculated for this date.
Source: Johns Hopkins University and national public health agencies


bbcuk--2020-09-27--Test and Trace: 'I spoke to one person in four months'

`` I 'm pretty ashamed to say to people this is what I 'm doing , because the whole point of me setting out to do this was to make a turnaround , to make a contribution . ''
Alex Lee , a former BBC journalist who retrained as a healthcare professional , is one of thousands who signed up to work for England 's coronavirus test-and-trace system .
Scotland , Wales and Northern Ireland have their own systems .
Alex was hired as a clinical contact caseworker to call people who had tested positive to tell them to self-isolate @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
During the four months she was working for the service , she spent most of her time in her front room , doing very little , clicking a button labelled `` start tracing '' .
In the end , she spoke to just one person who had tested positive for the virus .
Tobin Stonelake was also hired by NHS Test and Trace .
His job was to call the contacts of positive cases .
He says he made no successful contact tracing calls for the 10 weeks he was working for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ than 20,000 tracers was recruited by England 's test-and-trace service .
But from the beginning , there were complaints that some had little or nothing to do .
An unofficial Facebook support group , which later shut down , featured similar complaints from other clinical contact caseworkers .
Alex , who kept a video diary of her time with NHS Test and Trace , recorded herself looking at the group in June and reading out comments including : `` Have n't had a case in days . ''
Others wrote : `` Something @ @ @ @ @ @ @ properly '' , and `` surely there have been positive results for the country '' , and another said : `` there must be ... the mind boggles . ''
During the time she worked for NHS Test and Trace , Alex also encountered system errors which prevented her from logging in , booking shifts , reviewing her training and following up cases .
She regularly called team leaders and was told that the issues were widespread and affecting other tracers .
Those technical problems have continued into September .
Panorama spoke to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a similar lack of work , or technical problems .
However , these are not the only criticisms levelled at the system .
NHS Test and Trace is the government 's flagship programme for fighting coronavirus as we go into the autumn .
But it has come under fire for how long it takes to reach positive cases and tell their close contacts to isolate .
Latest figures show that just over one in five people who have tested positive for coronavirus are not being reached by the system .
• Coronavirus : @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Hopson , chief executive of NHS Providers - which represents all NHS Trusts in England - said people having too little to do over the summer was acceptable , as long as the system could cope with a rise in cases .
`` It would n't seem to me to be a massive error or failure to create a test-and-trace system in which you 've got more people than you need , particularly in the summer months when we know the transmission rate may be lower .
`` What you do need to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ increase , which they might do in winter . ''
NHS Providers has come up with a list of `` key needs '' to ensure the test-and-trace service works effectively over the coming months , including : • A better balance between the national and local test-and-trace systems • Improved end-to-end contact tracing - from the amount of positive cases being transferred to the system , through to the percentage of contacts reached who actually self-isolate • Tailored support for different cultures and communities • Improved data flows , so the NHS and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ need • Better communication to improve public confidence in the system The NHS Test and Trace system in England cut 6,000 staff at the end of August .
There are plans for some tracers to work alongside local public health teams to reach more infected people , and their contacts , in communities .
`` Those contacts need to be rung up quickly and they need to be persuaded to self-isolate quickly , '' said Mr Hopson .
`` And , to be frank , if you 've not really done that within @ @ @ @ @ @ @ n't say it 's useless , but certainly you 're reducing the effectiveness .
`` Every step of the way , we 're probably losing too many people .
It potentially has an impact in terms of how many people are infected .
And ultimately , if we do n't get it right , it means potentially more people dying . ''
Joe Saxton , a father of three living in Cumbria , was contacted by NHS Test and Trace in late August - but only after his period of isolation should have @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to tell me on the 23rd of August that I should be self-isolating until the 16th of August , '' he said .
`` You could hear the sort of embarrassment and exasperation in this woman 's voice that she 's asking me to do something that is patently bonkers . ''
Many local authorities are critical of the government 's decision to make tracing a centralised programme , rather than one led by local directors of public health .
Leaders in Leicester say that if information had been shared earlier , it @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 's first local lockdown in June . '
A lot of work to do' Local authorities like Leicester are now conducting their own contact tracing for coronavirus alongside the national service .
If the national service fails to reach someone who has tested positive , local teams can use the council databases to find alternative contact details .
But they only receive details of positive tests in their area a day after the national system , and they want to be involved far earlier .
Sir Peter Soulsby , Labour mayor of Leicester @ @ @ @ @ @ @ had fed through details of where it was spotting positive cases , it would have been possible to intervene much earlier .
`` That is something we ought to be allowed to do . ''
Leicester City Council says it successfully contacts 90 % of the cases , but complains it can take up to 10 days after a person has tested positive before the case reaches them , meaning the self-isolation period is almost finished .
A spokesman for the Department of Health and Social Care said : `` NHS Test and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and contact tracing systems in the world .
`` The service is working hard to break chains of transmission , with almost half a million people who may otherwise have unknowingly spreading coronavirus contacted and told to isolate .
`` We are also providing tests at an unprecedented scale - over 225,000 a day on average over the last week - and expanding capacity further to provide 500,000 tests a day by the end of October . ''
The DHSC also said initial technical issues were resolved quickly , and that it keeps @ @ @ @ @ @ @ says it 's given local authorities £300m for the outbreak control plans , is providing dedicated contact tracing teams and that the majority of people who test positive for the virus are contacted by NHS Test and Trace within 24 hours .
Experts hope that the system can be improved in time for the pressures of the coming months .
`` There 's a lot of work to do to make it fit for purpose for winter , '' says Chris Hopson .
`` It 's not world class yet . ''
Watch @ @ @ @ @ @ @ at 19:30 GMT on BBC One , or afterwards on BBC iPlayer .

"Those contacts need to be rung up quickly and they need to be persuaded to self-isolate quickly," said Mr Hopson. "And, to be frank, if you've not really done that within 24 to 48 hours - I wouldn't say it's useless, but certainly you're reducing the effectiveness.


bbcuk--2020-09-27--Voicemail from prison: How a mum and daughter rebuilt their relationship

Oh my God , I did n't realise I could get messages .
I just listened to yours they 're amazing .
It 's so , so good to hear your voice .
I did n't even know I had this [ voicemail ] until today , when they gave me the letter .
But all your news is amazing !
Your job , your tattoo , you 're in a circus metal band ?
And you 're coming to see me - oh my good God I 'm so so so so damn excited .
Um , it 's @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to hear your voice is just the best thing ever… My money 's going to run out but I miss you and I love you and I 'll see you soon .
Bye !
`` If she 's listening to music that she remembers from her childhood , she leaves me little song clips on it , '' she told me , speaking from inside the prison .
`` And she 'll always leave me a message saying that she loves me or just a little funny joke or something , just so @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and she was thinking of me .
It will just cheer me up . ''
You may also be interested in :

Oh my God, I didn't realise I could get messages. I just listened to yours they're amazing. It's so, so good to hear your voice. I didn't even know I had this [voicemail] until today, when they gave me the letter. But all your news is amazing! Your job, your tattoo, you're in a circus metal band? And you're coming to see me - oh my good God I'm so so so so damn excited. Um, it's really not that bad here, but to hear your voice is just the best thing ever… My money's going to run out but I miss you and I love you and I'll see you soon. Bye!


bbcuk--2020-09-27--Coronavirus tales from Tom's Bench on Clapham Common

Martin and Maria are friends .
Martin has been coming to Honest Tom 's for 20 years and knew Tom .
Maria has only been coming for six months but now comes a couple of times a week .
She 's currently not currently working but was previously a NHS receptionist .
Martin is a carpenter , although he is not doing so much at the moment having recently lost his wife to cancer .
Maria : `` Again , not at the beginning , but now it 's all the uncertainty and the illegal raves going on on the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
We were here late last night at 10 o'clock and there were two raves going on .
There was no social distancing , the police had no-one to send . ''
Junior ( left ) has been coming to Honest Tom 's for more than 10 years .
He rides over from Bromley on his motorbike as often as he can , mainly to meet up with his friend Emin .
For 27 years , Junior ran his own car body repair business , before being injured in an accident which has @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is a local black-cab driver , he 's come for breakfast after a night shift .
He can remember Tom 's opening 30 years ago , and has been a regular for the last 15 years or so , stopping to grab a cup of tea or a bite to eat .
He now comes most days if he 's working , attracted by a decent cup of tea and the sense of community amongst the regulars .
He 's made many friends here .
`` He just could n't walk , he @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and then he caught this virus there and he died .
And my two daughters and I… we could n't see him… no contact… we could n't even say goodbye .

Maria: "Again, not at the beginning, but now it's all the uncertainty and the illegal raves going on on the Common. I'm worried about that. We were here late last night at 10 o'clock and there were two raves going on. There was no social distancing, the police had no-one to send."


bbcuk--2020-09-27--TV news last and firsts for BBC in Cardiff

It is a landmark day for BBC Cymru Wales as TV news teams say farewell to their old home , and hello to a new HQ .
The flagship Wales Today delivers its final breakfast bulletin at 09:00 BST from studios in Llandaff .
The Welsh language Newyddion team then takes to the air from Central Square on Monday afternoon , before Wales Today settles in for its evening programme .
BBC Cymru Wales Director Rhodri Talfan Davies said it was an `` exciting new chapter '' for broadcasting in Wales .
`` Llandaff has been at the heart of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ century - a crucible for writers , performers , journalists and some of the most gifted programme-makers this nation has produced , '' he said .
`` But , as they say , to everything there is a time .
`` And the time is right to open an exciting new chapter at our new home in Central Square - a centre that will bring us closer to audiences and provide an extraordinary stage for Welsh broadcasting for decades to come . ''
The very last evening news programmes came from Broadcasting House @ @ @ @ @ @ @ home to BBC Wales since 1966 .
It was officially opened by Princess Margaret in 1967 and has been home to BBC Wales 's radio stations - BBC Radio Cymru , BBC Radio Cymru 2 and BBC Radio Wales - as well as TV news programmes BBC Wales Today and Newyddion , along with digital services .
The Llandaff building has seen the stars of stage and screen tread its famous corridors ; including Sir Anthony Hopkins , Catherine Zeta Jones , Sian Phillips , Ryan and Ronnie , Joan Collins and even @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to the BBC 's longest running television soap opera , Pobol y Cwm , and was where Doctor Who was regenerated , bringing the Time Lord back to life for a new generation .
But its age - and ageing technology - meant it had become `` entirely unfit '' for modern broadcasting , according to the BBC Wales director .
The new base in Central Square is the first in the UK to use IP [ internet protocol ] technology , and is considered to be the most advanced broadcast building in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ internet technology into different aspects of production , including allowing different devices dotted around the building to recognise and `` talk '' to each other .
It is already responsible for transmitting BBC One Wales and BBC Two Wales , while BBC Radio Wales and BBC Radio Cymru began broadcasting from the site in July .
• 'Haunted house ' which made way for a dream factory The first TV programme to be broadcast from the site a week ago was coverage of Wales women 's football match against Norway , presented from @ @ @ @ @ @ @ It 's an incredibly exciting time to be part of the move to our new studios , '' said Nick Servini , who becomes the first Wales Today presenter to broadcast the programme from Central Square .
`` Obviously it 's all happening at an unprecedented time for news , but we believe we will be able to keep people better informed about all the latest developments on the biggest stories with the new technology available to us in Central Square . ''
Bethan Rhys Roberts will present the first full new Newyddion @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the new HQ on Monday evening .
`` The team is so excited about going on-air in our new home , '' she said .
`` At such a crucial time , we will be using the latest resources to present and analyse facts and its impact on our day-to-day lives .
`` As well as sport , we will also welcome the S4C weather team to the studio - I ca n't wait and cross fingers everything will be working on Monday night . ''

"Obviously it's all happening at an unprecedented time for news, but we believe we will be able to keep people better informed about all the latest developments on the biggest stories with the new technology available to us in Central Square."


bbcuk--2020-09-27--Covid: Dementia patient's wife describes 'torture' of lack of visits

A woman has described her pain at not being able to see her husband regularly at his care home during @ @ @ @ @ a `` torture of the heart '' .
Jean Haste , 70 , says she @ @ @ @ @ see Trevor , 75 , who has dementia , once a week for 30 minutes @ @ @ @ @ due to visiting restrictions .
She said the lack of interaction had affected her husband @ @ @ @ @ , saying he hunches in his wheelchair and barely makes eye contact when she does @ @ @ @ @ it torture of the heart .
I took a vow and that was to have @ @ @ @ @ I ca n't be with him , '' said Mrs Haste .
The Department of @ @ @ @ @ its `` first priority '' was to prevent infections in care homes , but local @ @ @ @ @ responsible for the policy on visits '' .

A woman has described her pain at not being able to see her husband regularly at his care home during the pandemic, calling it a "torture of the heart".
Jean Haste, 70, says she has only been able to see Trevor, 75, who has dementia, once a week for 30 minutes at his home in Suffolk due to visiting restrictions.
She said the lack of interaction had affected her husband's illness "grossly", saying he hunches in his wheelchair and barely makes eye contact when she does visit.
"I call it torture of the heart. I took a vow and that was to have and to hold. And I can't be with him," said Mrs Haste.
The Department of Health and Social Care said its "first priority" was to prevent infections in care homes, but local public health officials were "responsible for the policy on visits".


bbcuk--2020-09-27--Local food heroes: Tesco teams up with Olio

Supermarket chain Tesco has teamed up with the food-sharing app Olio in a bid to reduce food waste .

'Bankers and people on benefits come to my door' Video, 00:03:34'Bankers and people on benefits come to my door'


bbcuk--2020-09-27--The Papers: Crackdown on isolation cheats, and vaccine warning

© 2020 BBC .
The BBC is not responsible for the content of external sites .
Read about our approach @ @ @ @

Meanwhile, the Guardian reports that Mr Johnson, the French President Emmanuel Macron and Germany's Chancellor Angela Merkel are among more than 60 leaders from five continents who have pledged to clamp down on pollution, to embrace sustainable economic development, and to eliminate the dumping of plastic waste in oceans by the middle of the century.


bbcuk--2020-09-27--Jason Liversidge sets mobility vehicle world speed record

A terminally ill man who is paralysed from the neck down has set a world speed record in a custom-made electric wheelchair .
Jason Liversidge , who has motor neurone disease , reached nearly 67mph ( 108km/h ) at Elvington Airfield , near York .
The father of two , from Rise in East Yorkshire , had been aiming for the record for about three years .
The world speed record for an electric all-terrain mobility vehicle was previously 62mph .
Mr Liversidge - who once hit the headlines for trialling a synthetic voice with a Yorkshire accent - was @ @ @ @ @ @ @ certificate at the airfield after setting the new mark earlier on Sunday .
His wife Liz said : `` I think it is safe to say he feels amazing .
We just want to thank everyone who has been involved - it 's been a long road , but here 's finally got there .
Mr Liversidge , who was diagnosed with motor neurone disease in 2013 when he was 37 , previously said he wanted `` to leave a legacy for his little girls '' and raise money for the Motor Neurone @ @ @ @ @ @ @ `` Jason has always been a bit of an adrenaline junkie .
He loved fast motorbikes when he was well .
He 's skied all his life .
`` He ca n't ride motorbikes now and he ca n't drive a car , so for him it seems a practical solution . ''

His wife Liz said: "I think it is safe to say he feels amazing. We just want to thank everyone who has been involved - it's been a long road, but here's finally got there.


bbcuk--2020-09-27--Covid: New guidance issued for students wanting to go home

New guidance has been issued by the Scottish government for students affected by coronavirus restrictions .
It says students can visit their parents if there is a `` reasonable excuse '' such as a family emergency .
Those who have been advised to self-isolate can return home if they require help to do so .
And students wanting to return home on a permanent basis can do so under existing rules which allow the formation of a new household .
The guidelines were issued after a flood of complaints from students who felt they were trapped in university or college @ @ @ @ @ @ @ say The move has been welcomed by the students ' union NUS Scotland .
Its president Matt Crilly said : `` Today 's guidance provides welcome clarity to the students in halls , who will be considering their next steps .
`` We welcome that students will be able to return home on a permanent basis .
However , we are disappointed that the government continues to talk up in-person teaching , which may keep students on campus and increase risks unnecessarily .
`` We continue to call on the Scottish government to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the default , and a reality for as many students as possible . ''
Education minister Richard Lochhead said the guidance still encourages students to remain on campus if they are able to do so .
He said : `` We would encourage students to remain living in their current accommodation where they are able to , so they can continue to benefit from both a blend of digital and in-person learning , where that is possible and the opportunity to engage with others , within the restrictions , to build new networks @ @ @ @ @ @ @ However , we know that many students may be struggling with the prospect of not being able to return home to visit family and other support networks , especially if is the first time in their life they have been away from home .
`` Knowing what to consider in deciding whether to return home will help support wellbeing and enable students to make informed choices , but it is important to stress that adjusting to life away from home is always challenging . ''
The body representing Scottish universities said student welfare @ @ @ @ @ @ @ McCormac , Convener of Universities Scotland , said : `` With the support of their universities , students need to choose what is right for their own physical and mental health .
`` Unfortunately the current situation with this pandemic means these choices do need to be balanced within the wider public health context .
`` There is a real benefit , we believe , in staying at university this semester and benefiting from the blend of both digital and in-person learning and the wider range of services and support that is available @ @ @ @ @ @ @ It has been a very difficult start to the new academic year for the entire student community , both those returning to university and in particular , those attending for the first time . ''

He told BBC Radio's Good Morning Scotland: "On one hand students are being told they can go home, then they are being told they can go home if there are certain circumstances and I think there are still questions over what those circumstances are."


bbcuk--2020-09-27--Brexit: Mick Mulvaney says UK and EU can reach a trade deal

The US special envoy to Northern Ireland has said he believes the UK and EU can still reach a trade deal and has urged optimism from both sides .
Mick Mulvaney met with NI Secretary of State Brandon Lewis at Hillsborough Castle .
He arrived in NI on Sunday as part of a week-long visit to the UK and Republic of Ireland .
It is his first trip here since he was appointed to the role of special envoy by President Trump in April .
This week sees the latest round of talks get under way between the UK and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the 15 October deadline , set out by Prime Minister Boris Johnson .
Democratic presidential candidate and former vice-president Joe Biden has warned that he will not allow NI to become a `` casualty of Brexit '' , if he is elected in November .
But Mr Mulvaney , who is a former chief of staff to President Trump , said the US government had `` confidence '' the UK and EU would reach agreement .
Speaking to BBC News NI after holding talks with the NI secretary , he said : `` @ @ @ @ @ @ @ tend to put things off to the last minute but at end of the day usually they are able to get things that work for everybody .
`` Is it clean , is it efficient , does it look good ?
Probably not but that 's politics .
`` What the attitude of my government is - is that we are confident the EU and UK will be able to work this out in a way that 's acceptable to everybody . ''
He also said the US government would continue to view @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Good Friday Agreement '' .
Asked did he have concerns about the British government 's Internal Market Bill - the legislation that would override parts of the Brexit deal relating to NI and would breach international law - Mr Mulvaney said it was a `` fail safe '' .
`` It only comes into play if something else does n't happen - it 's gotten the attention it deserves but I do n't want my country to jump to conclusions - we need to look rationally , calmly and coolly at it , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , First Minister Arlene Foster met with Mr Mulvaney and Northern Ireland Secretary Brandon Lewis in Hillsborough Castle .
Mrs Foster is due to meet with Mr Mulvaney again later in the week and said she was looking forward `` to further positive discussions '' .
Mr Mulvaney will spend time in Dublin , holding meetings with the Taoiseach ( Irish PM ) Micheál Martin , Irish Foreign Affairs Minister Simon Coveney as well as Sinn Féin President Mary-Lou McDonald on Monday .
On Tuesday he will hold talks with the five main @ @ @ @ @ @ @ London later this week for further engagements .
The US official said he was pleased to be able to visit NI and `` do some good old-fashioned face-to-face diplomacy '' .
`` I do n't know if I 'm here to steady the ship , if I have a message it 's that things are good when they are steady , and if I can be a calming influence that would be great , '' he said .
Mr Mulvaney added that he wanted to focus some of his conversations on the `` @ @ @ @ @ @ @ '' following the coronavirus pandemic .
He also praised the NI Executive 's handling of the first wave of the virus - but said he was concerned about the recent rise in cases .
`` I do n't think it changes the message - the message is that it 's been helpful to me to use the manner in which the devolved government has handled Covid-19 well , as why it 's a good place to do business , '' he added .

Speaking to BBC News NI after holding talks with the NI secretary, he said: "Generally speaking, politicians and politics do tend to put things off to the last minute but at end of the day usually they are able to get things that work for everybody.


bbcuk--2020-09-27--Covid lockdown: Two-thirds of Wales' population affected

Nearly two thirds of Wales ' population will be under lockdown when new restrictions are imposed in three more areas on Monday .
From 18:00 BST , they will be in force in Neath Port Talbot , Torfaen and Vale of Glamorgan .
This will mean half of Wales ' 22 local authorities will be under lockdowns , affecting almost two million people .
The country 's two biggest cities - Cardiff and Swansea - had restrictions applied Sunday evening .
• Cardiff and Swansea get ready for lockdown Vale of Glamorgan council leader Neil Moore said it had not @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the rate of infection rising to 34.4 people per 100,000 in the county borough .
Blaenau Gwent on 202 per 100,000 and Merthyr Tydfil at 169 per 100,000 currently have the highest rates of infection .
Neath Port Talbot council leader Rob Jones said : `` Rates are much higher in local authority areas which border our county borough but we are now seeing rising rates here in Neath Port Talbot .
`` We need the help of everyone across Neath Port Talbot to prevent the increasing spread of coronavirus and to bring @ @ @ @ @ @ @ He urged people not to panic buy , adding : `` There is no need to be concerned about stocks running low . ''
Torfaen council leader Anthony Hunt said : `` We have already seen this strategy work effectively in Caerphilly and Newport where numbers have dropped dramatically due to people adhering to the new rules . ''
Welsh local lockdown rules mean extended households are not allowed and people are barred from leaving or entering the council boundaries without a reasonable excuse .
People are allowed to travel outside the area @ @ @ @ @ @ @ going to work if they are not able to work from home , to go to school , give care or buy food or medical supplies .
Blaenau Gwent , Bridgend , Caerphilly , Merthyr Tydfil , Newport and Rhondda Cynon Taf were already under lockdown , while Llanelli in Carmarthenshire , became the first town to have restrictions imposed which do not apply to the wider county .
Cardiff and Swansea both went into lockdown at 18:00 BST on Sunday .
First Minister Mark Drakeford said the position in the `` north @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
A meeting with the leaders of all six councils in the area will take place in the next week .
`` If we need to take action , we will , but the position is n't as clear there yet as it has been in the south and I want to make sure that we look at it with the detail it deserves , '' Mr Drakeford said .

Plaid Cymru's Rhun ap Iorwerth said: "With restrictions now impacting on two thirds of the population of Wales, I appeal to Welsh Government to give careful consideration to using more hyper-local measures where possible, focusing on specific clusters. "This would be far more effective with a properly functioning and robust testing system of course, which highlights why this needs to be achieved with real urgency."


bbcuk--2020-09-27--Woman charged with murder after Cradley stabbing

A woman has been charged with the murder of another woman who was found stabbed in a village in Herefordshire @ @ @ @ @ reports a 69-year-old had been stabbed in Cradley at about 02:00 BST on Saturday .
@ @ @ @ @ , of no fixed address , has been charged with the murder of Susanna van @ @ @ @ @ She is also accused of causing grievous bodily harm to a 73-year-old man during the @ @ @ @ @ Insp Leighton Harding said : `` Our thoughts are with Susanna 's friends and loved @ @ @ @ @ .
`` The family are being supported by specially trained officers and have asked for @ @ @ @ @ . ''

A woman has been charged with the murder of another woman who was found stabbed in a village in Herefordshire.


bbcuk--2020-09-28--Scottish students can go home on long-term basis

Students who are struggling at university accommodation following a spate of Covid outbreaks have been told they can return home .
But Education Minister Richard Lochhead said he does not expect a `` mass exodus '' after updated guidance was published by the Scottish government .
The guidance also says students can visit parents if there is a `` reasonable excuse '' such as a family emergency .
But short stays without one are still deemed an `` offence '' .
The guidelines were issued after a flood of complaints from students who felt they were trapped in university or @ @ @ @ @ @ @ guidelines say Speaking on BBC 's Good Morning Scotland programme , Mr Lochhead said : `` I know many students are struggling at the moment but I also know many students accept that they want to be at university .
`` It is challenging at the moment , especially if they are self-isolating , but they are enjoying the opportunity of making new connections , of at least meeting their tutors , albeit a lot of their learning is online .
`` So I do n't expect a mass exodus from Scotland 's @ @ @ @ @ @ @ those that are struggling . ''
The guidelines say that students can move to another home permanently which means they would have to change household .
Students who decide to do this have been asked to follow self-isolating rules and not use public transport - as well as to `` consider how you may benefit from in person learning '' .
Notice periods have also been introduced for those permanently leaving student halls - either seven days ' notice or 28 days if the tenancy began after 28 September .
The new guidelines @ @ @ @ @ @ @ union NUS Scotland .
Its president Matt Crilly said : `` Today 's guidance provides welcome clarity to the students in halls , who will be considering their next steps .
`` We welcome that students will be able to return home on a permanent basis .
However , we are disappointed that the government continues to talk up in-person teaching , which may keep students on campus and increase risks unnecessarily .
`` We continue to call on the Scottish government to strengthen teaching guidance so remote learning is the default , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ as possible . ''
But Scottish Conservative leader Douglas Ross said the picture was still one of `` confusion '' and criticised the fact the guidance was published so late on Sunday .
He told BBC Radio 's Good Morning Scotland : `` On one hand students are being told they can go home , then they are being told they can go home if there are certain circumstances and I think there are still questions over what those circumstances are . ''
Mr Ross also said ministers should have anticipated the problems @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the US when colleges and universities returned for the new academic year .
He added : `` This guidance should have been absolutely crystal clear before these young people left home and certainly before they got to university and were , in many cases , locked up in halls of horror . ''
Scottish Liberal Democrat leader Willie Rennie said the guidance had provided some clarity for students but called on ministers to go further .
Speaking on the programme , he said : `` We do need to have that asymptomatic routine @ @ @ @ @ @ @ if they are negative so they can home and continue their studies . ''
Mr Rennie also called for rent rebates and mental health support for students after a spate of outbreaks across the country , which he claimed were predictable He added : `` This was the biggest movement of people since the start of the lockdown so it was inevitable that we would have this . ''
The body representing Scottish universities said student welfare must be a priority .
Prof Gerry McCormac , Convener of Universities Scotland , said : @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , students need to choose what is right for their own physical and mental health .
`` Unfortunately the current situation with this pandemic means these choices do need to be balanced within the wider public health context .
`` There is a real benefit , we believe , in staying at university this semester and benefiting from the blend of both digital and in-person learning and the wider range of services and support that is available . ''
Prof McCormac added : `` It has been a very difficult start to the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ community , both those returning to university and in particular , those attending for the first time . ''
• 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 to watch out for


bbcuk--2020-09-28--Covid: About 40 universities report coronavirus cases

About 40 universities around the UK have now reported coronavirus cases and thousands of students are self-isolating as the new term begins .
Health minister Helen Whately said `` it must be really tough '' for students , but they wanted outbreaks `` under control '' .
Universities were working hard to be able to resume some face-to-face learning , the health minister said .
But some students have questioned why they were told to leave home when most teaching is being done remotely .
• Tips and tricks for coping at uni in a pandemic • Can students get @ @ @ @ @ @ @ whether students could return home for Christmas at the end of term , Ms Whately said talk about this was `` some time off '' , she said , adding : `` It 's down to all of us to get this under control so can spend Christmas with our families . ''
Labour has called on the government to consider pausing the return to universities after Covid outbreaks meant thousands of students had to isolate in their accommodation .
Meanwhile , more than 10 million people have downloaded the NHS Covid-19 app @ @ @ @ @ @ @ health secretary says .
• Manchester Metropolitan University - where about 1,700 students have been told to isolate for a fortnight after 127 tested positive for the virus • Glasgow University - where 600 students were told to self-isolate after 172 tested positive • Queen 's University Belfast - some students have been told to self-isolate after a `` small number '' tested positive • The University of Exeter , which has also reported a `` small '' number of cases Labour shadow education secretary Kate Green said the option of student fee @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the table '' .
She told the BBC she understood that students might feel that if they are not using their accommodation or `` getting the education they expected , that they 've paid quite substantial fees for this '' , but accepted that many universities were `` in very difficult financial circumstances . ''
Ms Green said there were lots of factors to look at to ensure students got the best-quality education possible , `` including keeping the option of rebates absolutely on the table '' .
Nicola Dandridge , of the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ have legal rights '' but tuition fee refunds are `` a question for the government '' .
`` If students feel they are not getting what was offered to them then they absolutely should raise that with their university and they also have the right to complain to the university ombudsman , '' she told BBC Radio 4 Today .
Joe Ward is a student at Manchester Metropolitan University - where students have said they were being prevented from leaving their accommodation by security guards and police .
Now all first year and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ two weeks .
`` If I was made aware that this is how things would be and things would only be online then I definitely would have reconsidered going to university this year , '' Joe , who shares a flat with seven others , told BBC News .
`` I would definitely like to think that there might be some sort of compensation , but at the same time I understand that for the university it is also quite difficult for them , it is all very new for them as well @ @ @ @ @ @ @ parties but we would definitely appreciate a bit more communication , which is starting to come through now but it 's still early days . ''
His flatmate Natasha Kutscheruk said the initial lockdown `` caused a lot of panic '' , saying the university `` should have been prepared and organised before sending out an email saying we are locked down '' .
There have been Covid outbreaks in about 40 universities across the UK so far - and there 's every chance that number will rise as more universities get the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ exactly the university experience that students imagined .
First years might be worried about going away from home , but they might now also be worried about not being able to get back , if they end up in an outbreak and are forced to self-isolate .
They were promised a mix of face-to-face and online teaching - but the balance seems to be shifting more towards online lessons .
This means even less in-person time with other students and staff and more hours cooped up in their room with online recordings and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ are stuck in their own tight corner .
They 're under pressure from lecturers to switch to all online teaching and get students home , rather than create a loop-tape of Covid outbreaks .
But that would provoke angry demands for refunds over accommodation and fees .
Universities cherish their autonomy , but in this case it might feel as though they 're waiting for someone else to make a decision for them .
Larissa Kennedy , president of the National Union of Students , has said the union had `` long called @ @ @ @ @ @ @ '' .
`` If [ students ' ] quality of learning is severely impacted then we also need to see tuition fees reimbursed , '' she said .
Minister Ms Whatley said universities were `` working very hard '' so students could go `` back to combination '' of online and face-to-face learning and socially distanced socialising .
• THE R NUMBER : What it means and why it matters • SOCIAL DISTANCING : What are the rules now ?
• LOOK-UP TOOL : How many cases in your area ?
• SOCIAL @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to the pub ?
In Scotland in addition to the University of Glasgow , students have been affected in Dundee , Edinburgh and Aberdeen .
Coronavirus restrictions in Scotland currently ban people from visiting other households in their home - meaning students can not return home to another address in Scotland from university accommodation for a short stay without a reasonable excuse , such as a family emergency .
However , new guidance issued by the Scottish government clarifies that students can return home on a long-term basis .
Students who have been @ @ @ @ @ @ @ they need support to do so , including physical , financial or mental health support .
Are you a student ?
How are the rules affecting you ?
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bbcuk--2020-09-28--Coronavirus: Government warned football structure at risk of collapse

Last updated on .From the section Football Football is now at risk of `` the collapse of the national league structure that we have known for over 100 years '' , the government has been warned .
Signatories include former Football Association chairmen Greg Dyke and Lord Triesman , Sunderland shareholder Charlie Methven and broadcaster Robbie Savage .
They say many EFL and National League clubs are now preparing to `` cease playing ... and put their business into administration '' .
`` We would ask that the government now make clear what financial support it 's prepared to give @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the group writes .
`` In order for clubs to sustain themselves over the winter and keep playing , they would need to be compensated for the loss of match ticket sales .
`` There is still time to act , but not long left . ''
Sports have been told to prepare for several more months without gate receipts after plans for some fans to return to grounds from 1 October were scrapped last week because of the rising number of coronavirus cases .
EFL chairman Rick Parry told BBC Radio 5 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ are on the brink '' .
Culture Secretary Oliver Dowden told the BBC on Sunday he was `` hopeful '' the Premier League would confirm it would help lower-league clubs this week .
But the government has now been told it can not rely on the top flight , and must also provide emergency funding to cover clubs ' loss of matchday revenue .
`` The absence of this income is not a result of their actions , but the policies that have been put in place by the government , '' the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ be the Premier League 's sole responsibility to sort out issues arising from government policy .
`` The government itself needs to take responsibility or many already embattled towns - often in areas of the country which have suffered many hardships in recent decades - will lose their last focal point . ''
Sent to both Dowden and the Sports Minister Nigel Huddleston , the letter is also endorsed by chair of the Football Supporters ' Association Malcolm Clarke , Damian Collins - former chairman of the Department for Digital , Culture , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a number of other MPs .
`` Without any plans being made to rescue football clubs , many in the EFL and others in the National League as well , are now actively preparing to make all but essential staff redundant , cease playing , close down their youth academies and community foundations , and put their business into administration , '' Dowden and Huddleston are told .
`` This could lead not only to the failure of many historic community clubs , but the collapse of the national league structure that we @ @ @ @ @ @ @ '' `` These are decisions that will be made in the coming weeks , with many clubs unable to meet their payroll obligations for next month . ''
The group refers to the £1.5bn bailout that the government gave to arts and cultural organisations in July .
`` We believe that football , like other well-loved professional sports in this country , is also a cultural activity , '' the signatories add .
• None Highlights from another dramatic weekend in the Premier League • None Could one date with someone new save @ @ @

Last updated on .From the section Football
How long can football clubs survive without the return of fans in the stadium?
Football is now at risk of "the collapse of the national league structure that we have known for over 100 years", the government has been warned.
A group of prominent figures has written a joint letter urging ministers to help with a coronavirus crisis rescue package.
Signatories include former Football Association chairmen Greg Dyke and Lord Triesman, Sunderland shareholder Charlie Methven and broadcaster Robbie Savage.
They say many EFL and National League clubs are now preparing to "cease playing... and put their business into administration".
"We would ask that the government now make clear what financial support it's prepared to give before it is too late," the group writes.
"In order for clubs to sustain themselves over the winter and keep playing, they would need to be compensated for the loss of match ticket sales.
"There is still time to act, but not long left."
Sports have been told to prepare for several more months without gate receipts after plans for some fans to return to grounds from 1 October were scrapped last week because of the rising number of coronavirus cases.
EFL chairman Rick Parry told BBC Radio 5 Live on Saturday that some clubs "are on the brink".
Culture Secretary Oliver Dowden told the BBC on Sunday he was "hopeful" the Premier League would confirm it would help lower-league clubs this week.
But it is now unlikely a rescue package will be agreed this week.
A meeting of the top-flight clubs will take place on Tuesday, but Premier League sources have suggested such a timeframe is unrealistic.
Sports governing bodies have been asked to tell the government what they estimate they will lose in gate receipts over the next six months by Wednesday this week.
The government has been told it cannot rely on the top flight, and must also provide emergency funding to cover clubs' loss of matchday revenue.
"The absence of this income is not a result of their actions, but the policies that have been put in place by the government," the group writes.
"It cannot be the Premier League's sole responsibility to sort out issues arising from government policy.
"The government itself needs to take responsibility or many already embattled towns - often in areas of the country which have suffered many hardships in recent decades - will lose their last focal point."
Sent to both Dowden and the Sports Minister Nigel Huddleston, the letter is also endorsed by chair of the Football Supporters' Association Malcolm Clarke, Damian Collins - former chairman of the Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport select committee - and a number of other MPs.
"Without any plans being made to rescue football clubs, many in the EFL and others in the National League as well, are now actively preparing to make all but essential staff redundant, cease playing, close down their youth academies and community foundations, and put their business into administration," Dowden and Huddleston are told.
"This could lead not only to the failure of many historic community clubs, but the collapse of the national league structure that we have known for over 100 years."
"These are decisions that will be made in the coming weeks, with many clubs unable to meet their payroll obligations for next month."
The group refers to the £1.5bn bailout that the government gave to arts and cultural organisations in July.
"We believe that football, like other well-loved professional sports in this country, is also a cultural activity," the signatories add.


bbcuk--2020-09-28--Brexit: Gove in Brussels as EU trade talks resume

Cabinet Office minister Michael Gove is in Brussels at the start of a week of talks about the UK 's future relationship with the European Union .
Mr Gove is meeting European Commission Vice President Maros Sefcovic to discuss implementation of the Brexit divorce deal .
And on Tuesday formal negotiations will resume as the two sides attempt to agree a post-Brexit trade deal .
Last week the UK said a lot of work remains before a deal can be reached .
An EU spokesman said their chief negotiator Michel Barnier was neither optimistic nor pessimistic but determined to reach @ @ @ @ @ @ @ UK need another Brexit deal ?
• What are the sticking points in Brexit trade talks ?
• Seven things that will change on 1 January The Brexit transition period , in which the UK has kept to EU trading rules , ends on 31 December .
The UK and EU are yet to agree a deal that will govern their future trade .
The last set of talks between the two sides ended acrimoniously when the UK government introduced the Internal Market Bill , which would allow the UK to override parts @ @ @ @ @ @ @ known as the withdrawal agreement .
Mr Sefcovic said that if the bill were to be adopted , it would constitute an `` extremely serious violation '' of the withdrawal agreement and of international law .
He urged the government to withdraw the bill `` by the end of the month '' , adding that the withdrawal agreement `` contains a number of mechanisms and legal remedies to address violations of the legal obligations contained in the text - which the European Union will not be shy in using '' .
The UK @ @ @ @ @ @ @ treaty obligations in good faith '' , but added that `` it is important to remember the fundamental principle of parliamentary sovereignty . ''
The bill has not been withdrawn and is set to be debated by MPs on Tuesday .
Other long-running sticking points that could stymie negotiations include state aid and fishing access .
During this week 's talks , negotiators will also discuss law enforcement and transport .
The two chief negotiators - the EU 's Mr Barnier and the UK 's David Frost will meet on Friday morning .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ in government say that while progress is being made , there are `` fundamental gaps '' between the two sides and talk of `` optimism '' in recent days has been overstated .
Time is tight and there is no breakthrough ... yet .
A sentence you may just have heard before in these Brexit negotiations .
The chief negotiators on both sides - Lord Frost for the UK , Michel Barnier for the EU - will oversee this week 's discussions , before meeting formally on Friday morning .
Whatever happens , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ The deadline for a deal is two and a half weeks away .
Like lots of Brexit deadlines it could slip a bit ... but not by much .
If the sides fail to reach a deal by the end of the year , the UK would trade with the EU on World Trade Organization ( WTO ) rules .
This would mean tariffs would be applied to most goods which UK businesses send to the EU , making UK goods more expensive and harder to sell in Europe .
The UK could @ @ @ @ @ @ @

He added: "We want to reach agreement in the joint committee, we want to make sure position of Northern Ireland is secure in UK, we want to make sure the withdrawal agreement is implemented in full. But those clauses are there, they are in legislation, supported by the House of Commons...and those clauses will remain in that bill."


bbcuk--2020-09-28--Lib Dems: Ed Davey promises 'to be the voice of carers'

Sir Ed Davey will promise to be `` the voice of nine million carers '' when he makes his first speech at the Liberal Democrat conference as party leader .
Speaking via video link , he will draw on his experience of caring for his mother and later for his disabled son .
Sir Ed will also acknowledge the party 's `` three deeply disappointing elections '' and say that voters think `` we 're out of touch '' .
The Kingston and Surbiton MP was elected party leader in August .
• Who is new Lib Dem leader Ed @ @ @ @ @ @ @ lead Lib Dems out of wilderness ?
In a speech delivered online due to social distancing restrictions , Sir Ed will pledge to `` stand up for carers '' .
He is expected to recall his own time as a teenager , nursing his mother when she had bone cancer and `` taking her tumblers of morphine '' before going to school .
He will also tell the audience about looking after his own severely disabled son .
`` John is 12 , he ca n't walk by himself , he was nine @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ' , '' he will say .
`` John needs 24/7 care - and probably always will .
`` So let me say this , to all of you who need care ...
I understand what you 're going through and I promise you this : I will be your voice .
I will be the voice of the nine million carers in our country . ''
On Brexit , Sir Ed will say that his party will `` always be European '' but needs to listen to voters following poor election results @ @ @ @ @ @ @ least , too many people think we 're out of touch with what they want .
The answer is to listen to what people are really telling us , and to change . ''
During the 2019 election , the party adopted a strong anti-Brexit message , but an internal report later argued the stance had `` alienated large chunks of the population '' .
Looking ahead to Scottish Parliament elections next year , Sir Ed will say it is `` imperative '' that Liberal Democrats are elected to Holyrood .
The SNP @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to hold a referendum on independence as soon as possible .
Sir Ed will warn that the Scottish elections `` could well determine if our country has a future '' , adding : `` Once again , the forces of nationalism threaten to tear our family of nations apart . ''
The Liberal Democrat leader will also use his speech to attack the government over its handling of coronavirus , accusing the prime minister of `` not rising to this challenge '' .
He will set out how he thinks the UK economy @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , but also climate change and Brexit .
`` So if there 's less demand for office space , let 's work with businesses to turn those buildings into sustainable , affordable homes to help solve the housing crisis , '' he will say .
`` If there 's less demand for oil and gas , let 's work with industry to transition the UK into the world leader in clean energy technologies - from hydrogen for heating to tidal for power . ''
Sir Ed became leader of the Liberal Democrats in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the resignation of Jo Swinson .
She stepped down as leader following disappointing results in the 2019 election , in which she lost her own parliamentary seat .
The party currently has 11 MPs in Westminster , five MSPs in Scottish Parliament and one assembly member in the Senedd .

"So let me say this, to all of you who need care... I understand what you're going through and I promise you this: I will be your voice. I will be the voice of the nine million carers in our country."


bbcuk--2020-09-28--Tate Modern fall: Boy thrown from balcony 'can stand unaided'

A young boy who suffered life-changing injuries when he was thrown from the Tate Modern can now stand unaided , his family has said .
The boy , aged six at the time , fell 100ft ( 30m ) from the viewing platform in August last year .
Jonty Bravery , 18 , who threw the boy , was convicted of his attempted murder and jailed for 15 years in June .
During his sentencing , the court heard the boy would require round-the-clock care until at least 2022 .
His injuries included a bleed to the brain and fractures @ @ @ @ @ @ @ been left needing the use of a wheelchair .
The victim , who can not be named for legal reasons , spent time at Royal London Hospital before moving to a hospital in France in August this year .
He had been visiting London on holiday with his family at the time of the attack .
In a statement updating well-wishers on his progress , his family said : `` We are already seeing new progress : he can at last stand on his legs without any help or support !
`` Furthermore @ @ @ @ @ @ @ he can now remember activities he has done the same day or the day before ! ''
The statement added he could now eat almost alone once the food had been cut and prepared for him , and he can drink `` slightly thickened liquids '' .
The boy spends his weekdays at the rehabilitation centre and stays with his family at the weekends .
`` At the moment , we are still far from home , but we have come close enough that our son 's friends can come and visit him @ @ @ @ @ @ @ family .
`` The lockdown had isolated us so much : it was really , really hard .

"At the moment, we are still far from home, but we have come close enough that our son's friends can come and visit him more often, as well as our family.


bbcuk--2020-09-28--Covid: Manchester mayor calls for 'urgent review' of 10pm closures

The mayor of Greater Manchester has called for an `` urgent review '' of 10pm closure times for pubs and restaurants .
Andy Burnham said it meant people were gathering in homes and supermarkets that were `` packed out to the rafters '' once the bars closed .
`` My gut feeling is that this curfew is doing more harm than good , '' he told BBC Radio 4 's Today programme .
He said : `` It creates an incentive for people to gather in the street or more probably to gather in the home . ''
Under the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ on Thursday , all pubs , bars and restaurants in England are to provide table service only and must shut no later than 10pm .
Mr Burnham said people gathering after closures was `` the opposite of what local restrictions here are trying to do '' .
`` I think there needs to be an urgent review of the emerging evidence from police forces across the country , '' he added .
He suggested one option could be to impose a 9pm cut-off on alcohol sales in shops to prevent the rush to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Burnham has also called for more financial support for areas under greater restrictions and tougher powers for local areas to close businesses not observing the rules .
Liverpool 's mayor Joe Anderson has also spoken out about the 10pm closures , saying they are `` making things more dangerous '' after crowds gathered in the city as the pubs turned out drinkers on Saturday night .
Extra restrictions on socialising between households were introduced in Greater Manchester , as well as parts of Lancashire and Yorkshire , at the end of July following @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , national chairman of the Police Federation , said : `` My colleagues will do the best they can to encourage and coerce people to move on but it is really difficult .
`` All that you need is a hostile group that turns against those officers and the resources for that city centre are swallowed up dealing with that one incident . ''

Former minister Mark Harper said laws that exposed employers and directors to serious criminal penalties should not be imposed "by decree". And Wycombe MP Steve Baker said the measures had been briefed to the media eight days in advance, suggesting there had been time for a debate.


bbcuk--2020-09-28--Uber spared from London ban despite 'historical failings'

Uber has secured its right to continue operating in London after a judge upheld its appeal against Transport for London ( TfL ) .
The ride-hailing giant has been granted a new licence to work in the capital , nearly a year after TfL rejected its application over safety concerns .
It ends uncertainty for the 45,000 drivers who use the taxi app in London .
Westminster Magistrates ' Court said Uber was now a `` fit and proper '' operator `` despite historical failings '' .
One of the main concerns raised by TfL was a flaw in Uber @ @ @ @ @ @ @ upload their photographs to legitimate drivers ' accounts , which then allowed them to pick up passengers .
Westminster Magistrates ' Court heard that 24 drivers shared their accounts with 20 others which led to 14,788 rides .
• Want an Uber ?
Send a selfie proving you are wearing a mask Uber 's regional general manager for Northern and Eastern Europe , Jamie Heywood , said : `` It was not what we would do now .
It was inadequate , we could have done better . ''
Mayor of London Sadiq @ @ @ @ @ @ @ '' not to renew Uber licence last year but acknowledged the company had `` made improvements '' .
However , he added : `` I can assure Londoners that TfL will continue to closely monitor Uber and will not hesitate to take swift action should they fail to meet the strict standards required to protect passengers . ''
Deputy chief magistrate Tan Ikram said he took Uber 's `` track-record of regulation breaches '' into account but said it had made efforts to address failings and had improved standards .
`` Despite their @ @ @ @ @ @ @ now , to be a fit and proper person to hold a London PHV [ private hire vehicle ] operator 's licence , '' he said .
The judge said Uber `` does not have a perfect record but it has been an improving picture '' .
`` The test as to whether [ Uber ] are a 'fit and proper person ' does not require perfection .
I am satisfied that they are doing what a reasonable business in their sector could be expected to do , perhaps even more . ''
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ months , said the judge .
It is not clear yet if any conditions have been imposed .
Uber 's Mr Heywood said : `` This decision is a recognition of Uber 's commitment to safety and we will continue to work constructively with TfL . ''
TfL originally refused to renew Uber 's licence in September 2017 .
The company then won a 15-month licence by a judge in June 2018 after taking the case to court .
Uber was granted a two-month extension to its licence in September last year , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ grant it a new licence .
At the time , TfL said it had `` identified a pattern of failures by the company including several breaches that placed passengers and their safety at risk '' .
Uber appealed against the decision and was allowed to keep operating throughout the process .
Business campaign group London First said Monday 's decision was `` good news for millions of Londoners and visitors who rely on Uber to get around the capital '' .
However , the Licensed Taxi Drivers ' Association said it was a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Uber has demonstrated time and time again that it simply ca n't be trusted to put the safety of Londoners , its drivers and other road users above profit , '' it said .
`` Sadly , it seems that Uber is too big to regulate effectively but too big to fail . ''

Uber was granted a two-month extension to its licence in September last year, but in November TfL decided not to grant it a new licence. At the time, TfL said it had "identified a pattern of failures by the company including several breaches that placed passengers and their safety at risk".


bbcuk--2020-09-28--NI to debate 'no body, no parole' law

NI to debate 'no body, no parole' law

Stormont is to debate a motion whereby killers who refuse to disclose the location of their victim 's body should be denied parole .
The proposal is based on Helen 's Law , which was passed by MPs in March .
It will also apply to those convicted of manslaughter and child sex offenders who do not reveal a victim 's identity .
The motion has been supported by the families of Lisa Dorrian and Charlotte Murray whose bodies have not been found .
Lisa Dorrian , from Bangor , was last seen at a caravan site in Ballyhalbert in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ she was murdered by someone she knew , but no-one has been convicted .
Her sister Joanne , speaking on the 15th anniversary of her disappearance in February , said her family 's lives have been `` ruined '' by what happened .
Her ex-fiance Johnny Miller was found guilty of her murder in 2019 .
Speaking in February 2020 , after Miller was told he must serve a minimum 16 years of his life sentence , Charlotte Murray 's sister Denise said the family wanted to say its goodbyes `` in peace @ @ @ @ @ @ @ suffering that he has put upon us , '' she said .
The Prisoners ( Disclosure of Information About Victims ) Bill , known as Helen 's Law , followed the murder of Helen McCourt in Merseyside in 1988 .
Her killer Ian Simms was released from prison without disclosing the location of her remains .
That legislation places a statutory obligation on the Parole Board to take into account an offender 's non-disclosure of certain information when making a decision about their release from prison .
Monday 's motion , put forward @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for the Justice Minister Naomi Long to `` introduce urgently equivalent legislation '' and `` recognises the ongoing pain and trauma experienced by families in Northern Ireland '' .
The law being proposed goes further than Helen 's Law , whereby the Parole Board would be unable to grant parole to a convicted murder where the location of their victim 's missing body remains undisclosed .

"We must not forget as we discuss this motion that these tragic losses are a personal tragedy for them and will affect their lives forever," she said.


bbcuk--2020-09-28--Covid: U-turn over post-curfew alcohol sales in Parliament

The Houses of Parliament has said none of its bars will serve alcohol after 10pm after it emerged it was not subject to England 's Covid-19 curfew .
Bars and restaurants in the Palace of Westminster are not bound by the early closing time because of exemptions for `` workplace canteens '' in the rules .
While most are shut anyway , MPs said it was a `` ridiculous '' situation .
A Parliamentary spokesman confirmed `` alcohol will not be sold after 10pm anywhere on the parliamentary estate '' .
But food will still be available in the Palace @ @ @ @ @ @ @ sitting .
The parliamentary authorities said catering facilities would remain open `` in line with the government 's industry guidance… to serve food for those still working and to support social distancing . ''
Since 24 September , all pubs , bars , restaurants and other hospitality venues in England selling food and drink have been required to close at 22:00 BST , except for takeaways , to help curb the spread of coronavirus .
A small number of venues are exempt from the rules , including canteens at hospitals , prisons , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the rules , `` workplace canteens '' can also stay open if it is deemed `` there is no practical alternative for staff at that workplace to obtain food '' .
News that Parliament was not legally bound by the same rules as hospitality businesses across England , first reported by The Times Red Box , was met by criticism from MPs .
Labour 's Wes Streeting said the situation `` had to change immediately '' while Health Minister Helen Whately said the apparent anomaly was `` wrong '' But Conservative MP Tim @ @ @ @ @ @ @ had been shut since the outbreak began in March , tweeting that `` we have more restrictions than the public at large '' .
There are multiple bars and restaurants in the Palace of Westminster , which is situated in central London , for the use of MPs , peers , staff and other passholders .
These have traditionally stayed open late to accommodate evening parliamentary sittings .

It said no alcohol had been served on the Parliamentary estate since the guidelines came in but that Monday would be the first day that it would take practical effect, with the Commons likely to sit after 10pm.


bbcuk--2020-09-28--Teenage boy dies in York after taking drugs

A 15-year-old boy has died after taking illegal drugs , police have said .
Paramedics were called after he was @ @ @ @ @ the public in an alley off Hospital Fields Road in York at 04:00 BST on @ @ @ @ @ from the New Earswick area of the city , was later pronounced dead in hospital @ @ @ @ @ six people aged between 14 and 37 had been arrested on suspicion of drugs supply @ @ @ @ @ who were arrested have now been released under investigation .
A 15-year-old girl , a @ @ @ @ @ woman and a 37-year-old man all remain in police custody .
Det Ch Insp Jim @ @ @ @ @ boy was with a group of others who were also taking illegal drugs .
He @ @ @ @ @ as an `` extremely tragic incident '' and said specially trained officers were supporting his @ @ @ @ @ appealed for witnesses or anyone with information to come forward .

Josh Reeson, from the New Earswick area of York, was found by a member of the public in an alley off Hospital Fields Road, in the city, at 04:00 BST on Sunday.