bbcuk--2020-05-26--Dominic Cummings: Most voters think aide broke rules, survey suggests

The number of people who believe the prime minister 's senior aide Dominic Cummings should resign after he drove 260 miles during lockdown increased following the news conference he gave on Monday , a poll has suggested .
According to snap research by polling company YouGov , 59 % of voters believe he broke coronavirus rules and should resign .
A similar poll , carried out before his press conference , found 52 % thought he should go .
Some 71 % of those surveyed said Mr Cummings had breached regulations .
The online poll of more than 1,000 people @ @ @ @ @ @ @ row over the prime minister 's aide 's decision to drive his child and ill wife from London to County Durham in March .
Boris Johnson has backed Mr Cummings , saying he acted reasonably and legally .
On Monday , Mr Cummings said at a Downing Street news conference that he did not regret his actions and believed he acted reasonably .
• Timeline : What did Dominic Cummings do ?
Separate research by polling company Savanta suggests Mr Johnson 's net approval rating has fallen from +19 % on Friday to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ increasing pressure on the prime minister , who has stood by his senior advisor .
Meanwhile , the latest wave of an attitudes survey conducted by King 's College London suggests trust and confidence in the government 's handling of the coronavirus emergency was declining even before the row over Mr Cummings broke .
The poll compares attitudes at the end of last week with opinions at the beginning of April , a week after the lockdown was introduced .
Seven weeks ago , more than two-thirds ( 69 % ) of people @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the spread of the virus .
The new poll suggests that has now fallen to 51 % .
The survey finds a similar fall in the proportion of people who think government advice about the virus is helpful or effective .
Trust in what the government is saying about the virus also appears to have fallen , the survey suggests .
In early April , 76 % of people surveyed said they trusted official information .
Now , the equivalent figure is 59 % .
When it comes to plans to ease the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ( 54 % ) thought the controls were being lifted too quickly , with just 13 % wanting lockdown lifted faster .
A significantly greater proportion of people said it was more important to control Covid-19 than restore lost freedoms .
Some 24 % thought the restrictions were doing more harm than good but more than double that proportion ( 59 % ) thought the country should adopt whatever measures were necessary to stop the virus from spreading .
Among parents of school-age children , only a third ( 33 % ) appear @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to the classroom .
More than half ( 56 % ) said they were `` uncomfortable '' about the idea .
Primary schools in England are due to start lessons for some classes on 1 June , although teachers ' unions have expressed concerns about safety , and the prime minister has accepted that not all will be ready to open as intended .
A substantial minority of working adults ( 41 % ) said they were uncomfortable about the prospect of returning to work , although a slightly greater proportion ( 44 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ surveys conducted by the Office for National Statistics in April and early May suggest 80 % of adults were worried at the effect coronavirus was having on their life .
This varied regionally , from 76 % in Scotland and the East Midlands , to 87 % in the North East of England .
One group of people with particularly high levels of anxiety were people aged 16 to 34 in the North East of England with 94 % saying they were worried or very worried .
Almost one-third of people surveyed said @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of the coronavirus pandemic during April .
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Separate surveys conducted by the Office for National Statistics in April and early May suggest 80% of adults were worried at the effect coronavirus was having on their life. This varied regionally, from 76% in Scotland and the East Midlands, to 87% in the North East of England.


bbcuk--2020-05-26--Coronavirus: Nurse and doctor wed in hospital where they work

A nurse and doctor who had to cancel their wedding due to the coronavirus outbreak have got married at the hospital where they work .
Jann Tipping , 34 , and Annalan Navaratnam , 30 , tied the knot in the Grade II listed chapel at London 's St Thomas ' Hospital .
Guests were able to enjoy their special day remotely as one of the witnesses live-streamed the service .
The couple said they decided to hold it `` while everyone was still healthy '' .
Ms Tipping and Mr Navaratnam had cancelled their original plans to wed in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ not be able to travel safely from Northern Ireland and Sri Lanka for the day .
Instead , the couple , from Tulse Hill in south London , decided to bring the wedding forward and got a special go-ahead for a private wedding ceremony .
Ms Tipping , an ambulatory emergency nurse , said they `` wanted to make sure we could celebrate while we were all still able to even if it meant our loved ones having to watch us on a screen '' .
She described the wedding on 24 April @ @ @ @ @ @ @ '' , but added it felt `` surreal '' getting married where they both work .
Mr Navaratnam , an acute medical registrar who has been working at St Thomas ' for a year , said they were `` so happy that we have been able to commit ourselves to one another '' .
A virtual drinks reception , including a first dance and speeches , was hosted by the newlyweds .
Reverend Mia Hilborn , who held the service , said she was `` thrilled to be part of it '' .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ Secretary Matt Hancock tweeted : `` This is lovely . ''
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Ms Tipping, an ambulatory emergency nurse, said they "wanted to make sure we could celebrate while we were all still able to even if it meant our loved ones having to watch us on a screen".


bbcuk--2020-05-26--Labour names David Evans as new general secretary

Labour has named David Evans as the party 's new general secretary , with its leader saying he will help `` restore trust with the British people '' .
The National Executive Committee met on Tuesday to choose its most senior official after the resignation of Jennie Formby earlier this month .
Six candidates were shortlisted for the post , but Mr Evans was thought to be favoured by the leadership .
Some unions were thought to have wanted someone from the left of the party .
One NEC source from the Labour left warned the leadership that `` members @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a hard-right general secretary to wage factional warfare '' against them .
Mr Evans - who worked for Labour under Tony Blair - said it was `` an honour and a privilege '' to be appointed , adding : `` We face a defining period in the history of our great party , with a global pandemic , an imminent recession and a mountain to climb to win the next election .
`` Through the strength of our movement , I know we can rise to this challenge . ''
• Contest to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ • Formby to stand down as Labour general secretary One of Mr Evan 's first challenges will be responding to the findings of an inquiry by the equalities watchdog into Labour 's handling of anti-Semitism cases within the party .
The Equalities and Human Rights Commission 's report is due to be published soon , with the party 's leader , Sir Keir Starmer , having already committed to accepting its recommendations and setting up an independent complaints process .
Labour Against anti-Semitism spokesman , Euan Phillips , praised the appointment for being @ @ @ @ @ @ @ but said Mr Evans `` now has a huge job to tackle institutional anti-Jewish racism in the party '' , adding : `` Actions not words will be the measurement of his success . ''
Mr Evans was regarded as the frontrunner in the contest , with his backers including Morgan McSweeney - Sir Keir 's chief of staff .
As assistant general secretary of the party between 1999 and 2001 , he played a leading role in Labour 's victory in the 2001 election .
Sir Keir said Mr Evans would bring @ @ @ @ @ @ @ crucial role and a clear understanding of the scale of the task ahead of us '' .
Deputy leader Angela Rayner said he would make `` a fantastic general secretary '' , adding : `` Last year 's election result was devastating for our movement .
`` It is now our duty to work as a team to unite our party , reconnect with the British people and offer the better future that our country deserves . ''
But ahead of his appointment , some union leaders said Mr Evans - who left @ @ @ @ @ @ @ found a political research and consulting company - is a polarising figure who has historically sought to reduce the influence of the left .
The NEC source also said Sir Keir and Ms Rayner were `` responsible for making sure [ Mr ] Evans fulfils their election promise to bring our party together , not tear it apart '' .
Ms Formby - who was a close ally of former leader Jeremy Corbyn - left the role after two years by `` mutual consent '' following Sir Keir 's election as leader in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ seen as a crucial step in the new leader 's attempts to unify the party after December 's heavy election defeat and years of factional in-fighting .
Allies of the new leader have a slim majority on the NEC after elections last month .
But the committee , which is made up of MPs and other elected officials , trade unionists and representatives of local parties , remains finely balanced , after years in which it was dominated by supporters of ex-leader Mr Corbyn .
The other candidates were Andrew Fisher , who @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Corbyn , Karin Christiansen , a former general secretary of the Co-operative Party , Andrew Byron Taylor , the former head of the Labour group on Basildon Council , former MEP Neena Gill , and Amanda Martin , president of the National Education Union .

Mr Evans - who worked for Labour under Tony Blair - said it was "an honour and a privilege" to be appointed, adding: "We face a defining period in the history of our great party, with a global pandemic, an imminent recession and a mountain to climb to win the next election.


bbcuk--2020-05-26--Coronavirus: No deaths reported in NI on Tuesday

There have been no Covid-19 related deaths reported by Northern Ireland 's Department of Health in the past 24 hours .
It is the first day since 18 March - almost 10 weeks ago - that no deaths have been reported in Northern Ireland .
The latest figures from the department state the total number of people who have died remains the same as Monday 's total of 514 deaths .
Health Minister Robin Swann said it was `` a clear sign of progress '' .
`` We all have been waiting for a day like this , '' he @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Tuesday .
Although there was a clear downward trend , there were `` no grounds for complacency '' , he added .
`` If people get it into their heads that this emergency is over , the consequences will be catastrophic , '' he said .
Complacency , said the minister , would be an `` insult to those who have lost their lives and to those mourning them '' .
`` A second wave of the virus is also expected in the months ahead so we must keep our defences up , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ fourth testing site as part of the UK 's national testing programme would be opened in Enniskillen later this week .
The minister said the easing of some lockdown restrictions meant there were now more `` legitimate reasons '' for people to be out of their homes , but said they should not forget the basic guidance .
He addressed ongoing concerns about Covid-19 in care homes and said 5,603 residents have now been tested , with more than 5,000 staff tested as well .
Deputy First Minister Michelle O'Neill said she was @ @ @ @ @ @ @ deaths .
`` Let 's keep working together to have more days like this , '' she tweeted .
In the Republic of Ireland , nine people with Covid-19 have died since Monday , a day where the country recorded no new Covid-19 linked deaths .
There have now been a total 1,615 coronavirus-related deaths in the country .
In other developments on Tuesday : • Finance Minister Conor Murphy warns some Stormont departments could run out of cash this summer • Methodist College says it can only have a `` meaningful '' @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Expiring driving licences are to be extended by seven months • The Irish government says Taoiseach Leo Varadkar was following guidelines when he was photographed with friends having a picnic The total number of confirmed cases of coronavirus in Northern Ireland now stands at 4,637 - an increase of 28 on Monday 's figures .
The Department of Health 's dashboard also says there are 69 active outbreaks of Covid-19 in NI care homes .
These figures are one of two sets published in Northern Ireland .
The other are weekly statistics from @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ( Nisra ) , which cover all fatalities where coronavirus has been recorded on the death certificate .
The latest Nisra figures show 664 deaths had occurred by Friday 15 May : • 33 at home or other and six in hospices There is a considerable difference in the death tolls in the two sets of figures : the Department of Health - which records deaths of patients who tested positive for coronavirus and therefore mostly died in hospital - had only recorded 472 deaths by 15 May .
On Monday , the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ been no Covid-19 related deaths in the past 24 hours , news welcomed by Chief Medical Officer Dr Tony Holohan as `` part of the downward trend '' .
There have been a total of 1,606 coronavirus-related deaths in the Republic of Ireland .
A further 59 new confirmed cases brings the country 's total to 24,698 .
Fewer deaths related to coronavirus were registered in the UK in the week to 15 May , than in any week since the beginning of April .
Between 11 and 15 May , there were @ @ @ @ @ @ @ from 4,426 the previous week , it is the lowest weekly figure since the 3,801 for the week ending 10 April .
Coronavirus accounted for just over 25 % of all deaths in the UK in the week to 15 May .
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There is a considerable difference in the death tolls in the two sets of figures: the Department of Health - which records deaths of patients who tested positive for coronavirus and therefore mostly died in hospital - had only recorded 472 deaths by 15 May.


bbcuk--2020-05-26--Off-road biker in Coventry with toddler on lap captured by police

A man has been pictured by a police helicopter on an off-road motorbike with his two-year-old sat on his lap .
West Midlands Police said the 28-year-old was seen in Coventry on Sunday .
The force said the man handed the toddler to family members when he realised he was being monitored overhead before `` speeding off in a failed bid '' to get away from police .
The bike was later seized and he was detained in Longford , where he was given a notice of intended prosecution .
Referrals have also been made to child services due to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to on the bike , police said .
Traffic sergeant Mitch Darby said : `` It 's hard to believe anyone would expose any child , let alone their own , to such danger .
`` The child was balanced precariously on the rider 's lap , obviously with no helmet or protective clothing , as he rode across grassland .
`` Apparently the bike was a birthday present - but we 've now seized it and will be looking to crush it . ''
West Midlands Police said a total of nine @ @ @ @ @ @ @ weekend .
Two quad bikes were stopped and seized on the A34 in Shirley on Sunday afternoon , including one being ridden the wrong way on the carriageway .
A 19-year-old was arrested for aggravated vehicle taking and dangerous driving , and has been released under investigation .
The other seven bikers have all been summoned to court for driving offences and their bikes seized .
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The force said the man handed the toddler to family members when he realised he was being monitored overhead before "speeding off in a failed bid" to get away from police.


bbcuk--2020-05-26--East Finchley big cat scare: Armed police called to garden

An exotic pet cat sparked an armed police response when it was spotted in a back garden .
The large feline , thought to be a rare Savannah breed , caused alarm when it was seen in Winnington Road , East Finchley , north London .
Scotland Yard said firearms officers and an animal expert - to assess the threat posed by the leopard-spotted interloper - were sent to the scene .
After it was deemed safe , the cat ran off .
Its owner has yet to be found .
The Met said officers rushed to the neighbourhood - @ @ @ @ @ @ @ on account of the high property prices - at 21:00 BST on Monday .
A resident 's garden was sealed off , the force said , while the animal expert assessed whether the beast was a danger to the public .
Upon viewing the cat , they concluded it was a hybrid , `` namely a cross-breed of a domestic cat and a Savannah cat '' .
There have been no reports of attacks or injuries to members of the public , according to MPS Barnet .
A Met Police spokesperson said the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ purposes '' and `` no offences were disclosed '' .
`` Police have not been able to trace the cat 's owner at this time , '' they added .
In most cases , Savannah cats , which are a cross between a domestic cat and a Serval wild African cat , are legal to own in the UK .

Scotland Yard said firearms officers and an animal expert - to assess the threat posed by the leopard-spotted interloper - were sent to the scene.


bbcuk--2020-05-26--Glastonbury: BBC to air classic sets in festival's absence

The BBC is to broadcast classic Glastonbury performances this year in the music festival 's absence .
Previous headline sets from Beyoncé , Adele , Coldplay , David Bowie and Jay-Z will be shown on BBC Two and BBC Four .
A new pop-up channel will also appear on BBC iPlayer , which will feature more than 60 historic sets .
This year 's festival , which was due to feature Taylor Swift , Kendrick Lamar and Sir Paul McCartney , was cancelled amid the coronavirus pandemic .
More than 200,000 people , including 135,000 ticket-holders , would have descended @ @ @ @ @ @ @ festival had gone ahead from 25 to 28 June .
Clara Amfo , Edith Bowman , Jo Whiley , Lauren Laverne and Mark Radcliffe will host four days of programming across the BBC .
At the centre of the BBC coverage will be three 90-minute programmes on BBC Two , broadcast on Friday 26 , Saturday 27 and Sunday 28 June .
They will feature performances from Amy Winehouse , Arctic Monkeys , Blur , Dizzee Rascal , Lady Gaga , PJ Harvey , R.E.M .
and The Rolling Stones .
Additional programming @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the most memorable acoustic performances filmed in the BBC compound at previous festivals - including Ed Sheeran , Dua Lipa , Kano , Leon Bridges , Patti Smith , Richie Havens and Youssou N'Dour .
Archive performances will also be played across BBC radio stations and available on the BBC Sounds app .
Organiser Emily Eavis will be interviewed by Lauren Laverne on her BBC 6 Music show on Friday 26 June .
Lorna Clarke , the controller of BBC Pop said : `` Even though Worthy Farm ca n't be full of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the BBC will celebrate with four days of memories and archive footage to give our audience a taste of the festival in their own homes . ''
Eavis added : `` There are so many memorable sets being played across the BBC over what would have been our 50th anniversary weekend .
`` Personally , I 'm looking forward to a weekend of reflecting on the history of our festival and going back to some classic performances from David Bowie , Adele , REM , Beyoncé , The Rolling Stones , Jay-Z , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Me and my dad will definitely be watching ! ''
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Lorna Clarke, the controller of BBC Pop said: "Even though Worthy Farm can't be full of thousands of music lovers this year, the BBC will celebrate with four days of memories and archive footage to give our audience a taste of the festival in their own homes."


bbcuk--2020-05-26--Coronavirus: Man survives Covid-19 but older brother dies

A man who was taken to hospital with his brother as they were both ill with coronavirus has returned home alone .
Don Gill lived with his brother Keith , 78 , in Beeston , Leeds , and was taken to St James 's Hospital in the city on 31 March .
Keith Gill died five days after being admitted .
Don , who turned 77 while in hospital , said : `` It was a blow losing Keith , but after that I slowly started recovering . ''
After hearing his brother had died , Don was called by @ @ @ @ @ @ @ keep fighting '' .
Don said : `` I did n't know how I was going to overcome it , I felt sure I was going to die .
`` Prior to going on the ward I ca n't remember anything but I then recall starting to eat . ''
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• A SIMPLE GUIDE : What are the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ : `` We do need to remember what a traumatic experience it is for patients too at a time when they have n't got their loved ones with them .
`` He was very ill and has done so well to pull through and we 're all very proud of him . ''
Staff on the ward gave Don a `` clap of honour '' when he was eventually discharged at the start of May , 34 days after being admitted .
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Senior Sister Faye Johnson said: "We do need to remember what a traumatic experience it is for patients too at a time when they haven't got their loved ones with them.


bbcuk--2020-05-25--Find out which masks offer the most protection and why

While paper and cloth masks may help controlling the spread of Covid-19 amongst the general public , they 're certainly not up to the mark for use in intensive care .
Here , where the risk of infection is at its greatest , medical staff need personal protective equipment of a far higher standard , capable of shielding them completely from the virus .
The simplest form of face covering is the surgical mask , generally made of three layers of paper or cloth .
They 're resistant to droplets such as those caused by coughing or sneezing , but @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , which are only around 100 nanometres in size ( a nanometre being a billionth of a metre ) .
`` A mask , which goes over your nose and mouth , but does n't fit tightly to your face , is really there to be a barrier for any particles that you might expel , '' explains Dr Nikki McCullough , head of safety for 3M , one of the world 's biggest suppliers of respiratory protection .
`` The mask is n't going to prevent you from breathing in very small @ @ @ @ @ @ @ other hand , are designed to fit tightly to the face , so that no air can leak in or out , and require a rigorous fitting process .
`` When you breathe in , all the air goes through the filter media , and that filter media has been tested to a performance standard , '' says Dr McCullough .
`` So you can be sure that if you get a good seal to your face , the respirator is reducing the number of particles that you 're going to breathe into @ @ @ @ @ @ @ various different forms , the simplest being mask-like filtering facepiece ( FFP ) respirators ; some are designed to be disposable , whereas others can be disinfected and reused .
• Get ready for the 'Holy Grail ' of computer graphics • The robot assistant that can guess what you want In the US , FFP respirators are classified by the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health ( NIOSH ) in terms of the percentage of particles they filter out .
Thus , N95 and N99 masks filter out 95 % and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ N100 devices eliminate 99.97 % .
In Europe , respirators are classified slightly differently .
Respirators rated FFP1 filter out at least 80 % of particles ; FFP2s remove at least 94 % , and FFP3 devices correspond to N100 by filtering out at least 99.97 % .
Meanwhile , similar to an FFP3 mask in effectiveness , but certainly not in appearance , are diving helmet-style powered air purifying respirators ( PAPRs ) .
`` There you have a more comprehensive solution .
There 's a hood face shield and a tube @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the belt , '' says Brian Hovey , chief marketing officer for major respirator manufacturer Honeywell .
`` That has an engine or a motor that pumps air through a filter : it 's part of a white suit , so it 's a more comprehensive protective solution . ''
At the University of Southampton , engineers have developed a PAPR that they 're supplying to University Hospital Southampton - 1,000 are already in use .
It 's currently undergoing the official rating and approval process , so it 's not yet in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ where FFP3 respirators are required .
However , two firms are making them and 5,000 have been ordered for staff in other settings .
The testing process involved both a smell test to see whether the wearer could detect outside smells , as well as a physical test of whether tiny particles are indeed filtered out .
`` We put a petri dish inside the hood and another one outside , and delivered 1,000 litres of air through the filter , '' explains Alex Dickinson , an associate professor in the university 's @ @ @ @ @ @ @ incubated them for 24 hours at 37C and then counted how many of these colony-forming units had been transmitted through the filter and hood .
On our first experiment , we saw no units of bacterial growth inside the hood , but ten formed on the control plate outside . ''
The British Standards Institute is currently evaluating the device against European standards , after which , hopes the team , it can be used more widely at Southampton and elsewhere .
`` Your vision is much better , and your communication is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ your whole face ; your efficiency is much better as you can move from patient to patient without putting on and taking off your PPE , '' says hospital consultant and professor in respiratory medicine Paul Elkington .
`` Once we started rolling it out , one of the healthcare assistants said to me ' I 've been feeling sick with nerves about coming in , but now I feel secure ' . ''
Until recently , the market for respirators was mainly industrial - manufacturing , construction and the like .
`` @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , with full-face respirators - FFP2s and FFP3s - demand from healthcare was very low , '' says Dr McCullough .
`` They really only used them for tuberculosis , maybe a measles case .
But now we see that healthcare everywhere in the world is using respirators at a much , much higher rate . ''
As a result , manufacturers have been working flat out to increase capacity to meet the new demand .
`` We 've made significant investment in both ramping up capacity at our existing facilities as well @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in the US , we 've just had our first products coming off the line in our Smithfield , Rhode Island facility , and we hit 500,000 units earlier this past week , '' says Honeywell 's Brian Hovey .
`` Similarly , we 've ramped up our build capacity and we 're starting to get product out in Phoenix .
These new facilities are adding about 20 million units per month , and we 're evaluating potential new facilities around the globe . ''
Dr McCullough says that 3M is also increasing @ @ @ @ @ @ @ efficiency .
`` We can make the same products but more quickly ; we are adding new lines and we are looking at some small changes to certain products , looking at new headbands , for example , '' she says .
So will the global supply hold up ?
`` In the immediate term , probably not , unfortunately - the uptick we 've seen has been unprecedented and depending on how people are thinking of them as a consumer product , demand far outstrips global supply , '' says Mr Hovey @ @ @ @ @ @ @ We 're having a good dialogue with governments around preparing for the future , and we make sure that strategic stockpiles are adequately supplied .
`` If - god forbid - another situation like this occurs , collectively we 'll be able to respond quickly and effectively . ''
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"When you breathe in, all the air goes through the filter media, and that filter media has been tested to a performance standard," says Dr McCullough. "So you can be sure that if you get a good seal to your face, the respirator is reducing the number of particles that you're going to breathe into your lungs."


bbcuk--2020-05-25--Coronavirus: What's the future for the office?

Before the coronavirus pandemic , the office was where millions of us spent about a third of our time .
However , since the lockdown , almost half the UK 's workforce say they have been working from home - and some companies have hinted it could become the future .
`` The notion of putting 7,000 people in a building may be a thing of the past , '' said the boss of Barclays , while Morgan Stanley 's chief said the bank will have `` much less real estate '' .
Businessman Sir Martin Sorrell said he 'd @ @ @ @ @ @ @ expensive offices in people instead .
• How the office was invented • Your pictures of working at home The game is up for the office as we know it , suggests Bruce Daisley , who is the author of The Joy of Work .
`` Unfortunately , we might get misty-eyed about it but I think the office in the form it used to be is probably now a thing of the past , '' he told BBC Radio 4 's Today programme .
`` I was chatting to someone who works @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , and he said we used to have 1,400 people coming into this office every day .
For the last eight weeks we 've had 30 people and the product has n't changed .
`` He said anyone who thinks things are going to go back to the way things were is bananas . ''
But declaring the end of the office is not clear-cut , says Prof André Spicer , from City University 's Cass Business School .
He predicts a `` radical decrease '' in the amount of time people spend @ @ @ @ @ @ @ working will not be over for good .
One reason , he suggests , is that home-workers tend not to get promoted as quickly - `` They tend to get overlooked '' .
So with a recession on the way , people may want to be visible .
`` Particularly in times of economic crisis , people will start thinking : I want to be in the workplace , the boss needs to see me , '' he adds .
Prof Spicer also suggests offices will remain as hubs where senior managers are @ @ @ @ @ @ @ or twice a week to meet with their bosses .
That seems to be similar to Twitter 's plan , allowing staff to work from home forever - although keeping offices open if people want to come in .
• Five ways to work well from home • Watched over while I worked from home Home-working is not new - it 's been on the up in recent decades - and many companies have already been trying to save money on rent by hiring co-working space .
`` I think cost is a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
`` I think a lot of companies will say we are spending all this money on rent so let 's move to more home-working .
That was already happening . ''
How will it affect us ?
Many of us have already discovered some of the perks and problems of working from home .
Some are obvious - no commute ; less chance to socialise with colleagues .
But others go to the heart of our identity .
`` I think we should all howl at what we 're losing , '' @ @ @ @ @ @ @ both fiction and non-fiction books about offices .
`` I think the most important thing about the office is it gives some sort of meaning to what we do .
Most of what we do at our laptops - let 's face it - is pretty much meaningless .
`` The best way of thinking there 's some point to it is having other people who are sitting all round you doing the same thing . ''
She adds that offices keep us sane and give us a routine .
`` And once @ @ @ @ @ @ @ different person , '' she told Today .
`` I do n't know about you but I 'm absolutely sick and tired of being the same person all day as I slouch around at home .
I want to have different clothes , go into the office , see different people who become my lifelong friends and have a complete laugh when I 'm there . ''
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Prof Spicer says studies show that people who work from home are more productive and happier - especially without the commute , one of the main factors that make people unhappy .
But among the downsides , he cites one study showing home-workers feel they are `` in exile '' and thus become `` needy towards their bosses '' .
`` Catching their boss 's eye becomes their main job .
It 's that desire to be seen to be doing stuff and when you 're not you become a bit worried @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for employees and employers . ''
Another disadvantage is the risk that home-working could `` exacerbate inequalities , '' says Prof Spicer - for example between those who have more space at home than others , and between men and women .
`` In my sector , academia , one big effect is journal submissions from women has massively gone down .
The obvious reason for that… most childcare and dealing with home tasks is still picked up by women . ''
Meanwhile , younger workers will miss out on learning from their @ @ @ @ @ @ @ conversations that lead to good ideas will be gone , adds Mr Daisley .
`` Unfortunately I think if we 're not careful a lot of companies will get rid of the magical things that made work so productive and creative , '' he says .
For now , many office workers are staying at home and when they do go back , the UK government recommends staggered shifts , one-way routes , packed lunches and two-metre distances .
But whether home-working is temporary or here to stay , the longing for office @ @ @ @ @ @ @ are very much maligned , '' says Ms Kellaway , `` but goodness I would love to sit around a real meeting table with some real people and a real plate of biscuits right now . ''
In 2015 , managers at San Francisco social media start-up Buffer decided to shut their $ 7,000-a-month office when they realised most employees were working from home .
Now , its team of 90 is scattered around the globe .
One worked every day while travelling the world .
Another did so from a cruise , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ from ideal .
Here , Buffer employees Andy Yates and Carolyn Kopprasch share their advice for successful remote working .
`` We do 'masterminds ' , which helps partly , '' Andy says .
`` They partner you up with someone else in the company and you have a bi-weekly or weekly chat .
And we have a Slack channel called 'water cooler ' for just random stuff that comes up . ''
2 .
Take time to loop people in '' That serendipitous discovery you would get over talking to someone at @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to be done really creatively and intentionally , '' Carolyn says , `` and that takes time and effort .
For example one of our team mates , Nicole , does a 'things you might not have known about ' weekly summary where she combs through all the communication of the entire company and surfaces interesting things .
`` That takes a lot of work .
But that 's the kind of thing it takes to make it work in a company of this many people who are all spread out and do @ @ @ @ @ @ @ . ''
Group video chats are also recorded then shared with colleagues in other time zones who could not join in .
`` We do a retreat every year and then we do little summits within teams that are more work-focused , '' Andy says .
Sadly , this year 's retreat in Greece for all Buffer 's employees was cancelled because of coronavirus .
Employees in the same country or neighbouring countries will also meet up , and someone goes to meet new employees in person .
`` The only thing we @ @ @ @ @ @ @ with having a truly flat structure , '' Carolyn says .
`` We pointed to this concept that if you give individuals freedom , they will do their best work .
But we learned that managers really do add a lot of value and structure .
People really liked having someone they were accountable to , someone who they talk to regularly and unblocks them with challenges .
`` When we got rid of the concept of managers and we were remote , that was kind of a disaster .
Communication just broke @ @ @

"Unfortunately, we might get misty-eyed about it but I think the office in the form it used to be is probably now a thing of the past," he told BBC Radio 4's Today programme. "I was chatting to someone who works at a major media outlet last week, and he said we used to have 1,400 people coming into this office every day. For the last eight weeks we've had 30 people and the product hasn't changed.


bbcuk--2020-05-26--Coronavirus: Possible review of UK lockdown fines for childcare-related travel

Matt Hancock has said the government may review fines which people were given for breaching lockdown rules for childcare reasons @ @ @ @ @ after the government backed Dominic Cummings ' 260-mile drive to his parents in County Durham @ @ @ @ @ The health secretary said the government understood the impact and the need for making sure @ @ @ @ @ .
He said it was “ perfectly reasonable to take away that question ” and @ @ @ @ @ with his Treasury colleagues .

Matt Hancock has said the government may review fines which people were given for breaching lockdown rules for childcare reasons.
The question was raised after the government backed Dominic Cummings' 260-mile drive to his parents in County Durham while sick with coronavirus.
The health secretary said the government understood the impact and the need for making sure that children get adequate childcare.
He said it was “perfectly reasonable to take away that question” and he would look at it with his Treasury colleagues.


bbcuk--2020-05-26--Coronavirus: Why can I shop but not visit my relatives?

A government epidemiologist has explained why people will soon be able to shop for non-essential items when it is still @ @ @ @ @ to visit other households .
Prof John Newton , leader of the government 's Covid-19 @ @ @ @ @ a question from a member of the public during the daily press conference .
He @ @ @ @ @ transmission is within households , while `` social distancing measures are being implemented well '' @ @ @ @ @ making the risk `` really quite low '' .
Health Secretary Matt Hancock acknowledged there @ @ @ @ @ see people in another household '' and said the government was `` looking at how @ @ @ @ @ in a safe way '' .

A government epidemiologist has explained why people will soon be able to shop for non-essential items when it is still not deemed safe for them to visit other households.
Prof John Newton, leader of the government's Covid-19 testing programme, was answering a question from a member of the public during the daily press conference.
He said the highest risk of transmission is within households, while "social distancing measures are being implemented well" in places like supermarkets, making the risk "really quite low".
Health Secretary Matt Hancock acknowledged there was "a yearning to see people in another household" and said the government was "looking at how we can make this happen in a safe way".


bbcuk--2020-05-26--'Unanswered questions I couldn't defend' - Ross on Cummings

Junior minister Douglas Ross has set out why he resigned following Dominic Cummings ' defence of his trip to County @ @ @ @ @ .
The Scotland Office minister said the senior aide 's view of the government guidance @ @ @ @ @ the vast majority of people '' .
No 10 said the prime minister regretted Mr @ @ @ @ @ down .
It comes as 30 Tory MPs have joined those calling on Mr Cummings @ @ @ @ @ explained on Monday why he drove 260 miles in March from his London home to @ @ @ @ @ his child and ill wife .

Junior minister Douglas Ross has set out why he resigned following Dominic Cummings' defence of his trip to County Durham during the coronavirus lockdown.
The Scotland Office minister said the senior aide's view of the government guidance was "not shared by the vast majority of people".
No 10 said the prime minister regretted Mr Ross' decision to stand down.
It comes as 30 Tory MPs have joined those calling on Mr Cummings to resign.
Mr Cummings explained on Monday why he drove 260 miles in March from his London home to his parents' farm with his child and ill wife.


bbcuk--2020-05-26--Coronavirus: Why barber shops matter to the community

Dodgy trims , shaved heads… we ’ ve seen the DIY results of being without a barber shop during lockdown @ @ @ @ @ it had on men ’ s mental health ?
For many , especially in the @ @ @ @ @ one of the few spaces where they could open up about their mental health .
@ @ @ @ @ continue when barber shops reopen - but will men feel comfortable opening up about their @ @

Dodgy trims, shaved heads… we’ve seen the DIY results of being without a barber shop during lockdown – but what impact has it had on men’s mental health?
For many, especially in the black community, it was one of the few spaces where they could open up about their mental health.
Social distancing is likely to continue when barber shops reopen - but will men feel comfortable opening up about their feelings?
Produced by Nalini Sivathasan and James Bryant


bbcuk--2020-05-26--The Papers: 'Rising Tory revolt' and families to be 'reunited'

There 's no holding back from the Daily Star - the paper mocks Mr Cummings with `` shock new advice @ @ @ @ @ '' as it carries a police warning against people driving in order to to check @ @ @ @ @ the mockery with a cut-out face mask of the aide , labelling it a `` @ @ @ @ @ want and sod everybody else mask '' .

"Tightsgate" is the Mail's verdict on claims carried in several of the papers about the reason for a row between the Duchess of Cambridge and Meghan Markle dating back to her wedding to Prince Harry. It says the rift - as detailed in Tatler - was caused by a clash over whether Princess Charlotte and the other bridesmaids should have to wear tights on a hot day.


bbcuk--2020-05-26--Coronavirus: Domestic abuse website visits up by ten-fold, charity says

The charity which runs the national domestic abuse helpline has had a ten-fold increase in visits to its website in the past two weeks .
Refuge said numbers have `` spiked again significantly '' since it started recording rises during lockdown .
The charity said the lockdown itself does not cause domestic abuse but `` can aggravate pre-existing behaviours in an abusive partner '' .
Fears that social conditions created by the coronavirus lockdown could result in a spike in domestic abuse led the government to boost funding for services by £76m .
Refuge said that over the past three @ @ @ @ @ @ @ increase in calls to its helpline and recorded a 957 % increase in web traffic over the past two weeks .
Sandra Horley , chief executive of Refuge , said the lives of women suffering with domestic abuse depend on the helpline and website , which allows them to request a safe time to be contacted .
`` The sheer numbers of women seek specialist support show just how vital Refuge 's services are , '' she added .
Data from 41 UK police forces , released to the BBC under freedom of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ calls about domestic abuse in March 2020 compared with the same month last year , while 22 recorded a fall .
The figure only includes the first full week of the lockdown , announced on 23 March .
Suffolk Police received 1,114 calls in March 2020 , 58 % up on the 703 in the same month last year .
However the force told the BBC the rise was due to a recent change in the way it records domestic abuse .
In a statement , Suffolk Police said : `` Previously we @ @ @ @ @ @ @ as a domestic but where , for example , an assault was reported and it was not an obvious domestic related incident , it may have been closed without the domestic tag being added .
`` The modification we made in January now sees those less obvious reports also being tagged as domestic incidents . ''
Domestic abuse consultant Clare Walker said the disparity was caused partly by some police forces failing to recognise coercive control as a form of abuse .
Coercive control , which was made a criminal offence in 2015 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ methods such as intimidation and humiliation to deprive their victim of independence and to regulate their everyday behaviour .
Ms Walker said : `` The police record domestic abuse wrongly - I know they do from reading their logs… name calling and the like are not logged as domestic abuse . ''
Nottinghamshire Police saw the largest proportional year-on-year drop of with 1,824 calls in March 2019 and 1,161 in the corresponding month in 2020 , a fall of 36 % .
Deputy Chief Constable Louisa Rolfe , who is the National Police @ @ @ @ @ @ @ said forces across the country were `` doing a lot of proactive , innovative work '' .
`` A lot of other crime has fallen dramatically , while domestic abuse has stayed at a level that we would expect , '' she said .
`` It is difficult , at this stage , to fully assess whether these demand surges to helplines are driven by the prevalence of domestic abuse in communities , or by increased awareness and communication , or other factors .
`` It could , at least partially , be @ @ @ @ @ @ @ broader range of services than policing , which is focused on protection and prosecution . ''
• RISK AT WORK : How exposed is your job ?
• SCHOOLS : When will children be returning ?
• LOOK-UP TOOL : How many cases in your area ?
• RECOVERY : How long does it take to get better ?
• A SIMPLE GUIDE : What are the symptoms ?

In a statement, Suffolk Police said: "Previously we would record an 'obvious' domestic incident as a domestic but where, for example, an assault was reported and it was not an obvious domestic related incident, it may have been closed without the domestic tag being added.


bbcuk--2020-05-26--Coronavirus: Bus and train passengers 'expected' to wear face coverings

Passengers are being urged to use face coverings on public transport in new guidance issued ahead of the easing of lockdown restrictions in Scotland .
Transport Secretary Michael Matheson called for more flexibility in working hours in an attempt to reduce the rush hour demand on services .
He encouraged people to walk or cycle , and to work from home where possible .
And he added : `` Please come prepared with your face covering when using public transport . ''
Mr Matheson set out the fresh guidance for bus and train passengers in a statement in Holyrood on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ with measures being put in place by transport operators , it can be difficult for people to maintain physical distances throughout their journey in some forms of public transport .
`` I know with my discussion with trade unions , operators and from the surveys of public sentiment , that these are real and live concerns . ''
Mr Matheson added : `` For that reason people should and are expected to wear face coverings as an additional measure when using public transport as a consideration to staff and to fellow passengers .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ were this was not practical and the details of that were in the guidance .
• Leaving lockdown : What can we do - and when ?
It is expected that a review of the current restrictions on Thursday will lead to the beginning of phase one of the Scottish government 's route map out of lockdown .
The main focus will be an acceleration of the `` test and protect '' strategy .
`` Although the new NHS Scotland Test and Protect strategy will offer comfort to the public , we can @ @ @ @ @ @ @ said Mr Matheson .
`` The virus is still with us , and the transport system has a vital role to play in the next stage of recovery . ''
Mr Matheson said that due to physical distancing measures , operators estimate that public transport capacity will be at 10-25 % of its normal levels .
`` I am urging employers , operators and the public to embrace these changes and help us all adapt to a new environment which has flexible and remote working at its core , for the immediate future @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and has a strong focus on active travel , '' he said .
`` We are looking to increase the frequency of public transport , but reducing the demand for transport is vitally important .
`` We are urging employers to show leadership and be as flexible as possible to allow earlier or later starting and finishing times for those that have to travel to work . ''
His guidance is being published alongside a new transport transition plan - a `` dynamic and evolving '' web-based publication which will share current guidance @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Meanwhile , the Scottish government has also published guidance for the manufacturing sector and the retail sector .
The documents look at ways in which staff can return to work safely as the lockdown is eased .
Economy Secretary Fiona Hyslop said : `` Many businesses have been adapting to new ways of working with a significant proportion of staff working from home .
`` While many people will continue with this , there are areas where it is not possible .
`` We are listening to how businesses have made changes @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to see how these changes can be safely applied to allow reopening . ''
• LOOK-UP TOOL : How many cases in your area ?
• RECOVERY : How long does it take to get better ?
• A SIMPLE GUIDE : What are the symptoms ?

"I am urging employers, operators and the public to embrace these changes and help us all adapt to a new environment which has flexible and remote working at its core, for the immediate future at least, flattens peak travel demand and has a strong focus on active travel," he said.


bbcuk--2020-05-26--Coronavirus: A-level and GCSE course changes considered

Some coursework could be removed and courses streamlined for pupils due to sit A-level and GCSE exams next year , regulator Qualifications Wales said .
Exams in schools have been cancelled this summer due to coronavirus , though there are concerns over `` forgotten '' Year 10 and 12 students .
One teenager has petitioned the Senedd Cymru - Welsh Parliament claiming arrangements for Year 12s are unfair .
Students due to complete A-level , AS and GCSE qualifications this summer will receive a grade based on teacher assessment and work already completed .
However the impact on those students @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
AS students have been told their grade - which normally counts for 40 % of the final mark - will not contribute to the final A-level result .
That has angered some pupils and parents .
Sian Williams , 17 , from Llangollen , in Denbighshire , said she felt `` frustrated and disappointed '' and set up a petition calling for the decision to be reviewed .
`` You feel that all of that work has been for nothing , '' she said .
`` The prospect for next year now @ @ @ @ @ @ @ be already full of stress… looking for universities , trying to get the grades to go to universities .
`` But for Year 12s in Wales , we ca n't go to open days for universities , we 're not going to have that assistance to create our Ucas applications , to write our personal statements , and we do n't have the 40 % of our AS grades that 's been there traditionally in Wales to carry forward . ''
Exams watchdog Qualifications Wales said while it can issue a stand-alone AS @ @ @ @ @ @ @ mark which fairly contributes to the overall A-level .
• How teachers will grade students for cancelled exams • How could social distancing work in schools ?
Sian 's mother , Susan Williams , said she was worried about the impact of the disruption on her daughter and classmates .
`` The part we object to is that Sian and lots of other students have worked tirelessly and she was ready , '' said Mrs Williams .
`` I feel Year 12 is going to be like a forgotten year and if we @ @ @ @ @ @ @ well-being , they 're going to really struggle .
It 's just going to be very , very hard for them . ''
It is a similar story for Year 10 students half way through their GCSEs who are missing out on important time with teachers .
Evan Burgess , the Welsh Youth Parliament member for Aberconwy , said he feels he has made good progress with his work but knows others are struggling .
`` Some people have found it really difficult to work at home , '' he said .
`` @ @ @ @ @ @ @ or are finding it really difficult to concentrate , perhaps there 's a lot of noise at home .
It 's important there is support . ''
The regulator Qualifications Wales said it was looking at how changes could be made to next summer 's exams .
`` The situation is a complex one and it 's almost certain that there wo n't be a one-size-fits-all solution , '' said Emyr George .
`` We need to take each qualification and look at it on its own merits .
`` Some of the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ assessment or coursework might be reduced or indeed withdrawn , so learners can focus on the examined elements of their courses .
`` Or we 're looking at whether some elements of content from courses can be taken out for this year 's Year 10 and Year 12 students , so they 've got a more manageable course to complete by the end of the year . ''
The Welsh Government has suggested that Year 10 and 12 students could be prioritised as pupils start returning to school , but it is unlikely @ @ @ @ @ @ @ immediately .
• TRANSLATOR : What do all the terms mean ?
• A SIMPLE GUIDE : How do I protect myself ?
• MAPS AND CHARTS : Visual guide to the outbreak • STRESS : How to look after your mental health

"But for Year 12s in Wales, we can't go to open days for universities, we're not going to have that assistance to create our Ucas applications, to write our personal statements, and we don't have the 40% of our AS grades that's been there traditionally in Wales to carry forward."


bbcuk--2020-05-27--Coronavirus: Schools and businesses could see 'local lockdowns'

Local lockdowns could see schools and businesses targeted in areas of England that have `` flare-ups '' of coronavirus , the communities secretary has said .
Robert Jenrick said restrictions could be introduced at `` a micro level '' to control the virus in particular communities .
The measures will be part of the test and trace system , which will be ready by next week , he said .
Mr Hancock first mentioned the `` local lockdowns '' during Tuesday 's coronavirus briefing .
Meanwhile , Prime Minister Boris Johnson will be questioned by senior MPs later amid continued @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Around 40 Tory MPs have called for Dominic Cummings to stand down or be fired after details of his 260-mile journey to County Durham during lockdown came to light .
• How many confirmed cases are there in your area ?
• What is the UK 's test and trace strategy ?
• Johnson to be questioned by MPs over Cummings row Mr Jenrick said the government 's test , track and trace system would have a `` local element '' and identify flare-ups in particular places , such as parts of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
`` That enables us then to take action in that place which will be restrictive on the individuals who live and work there ... but as a result of that we 'll be able to provide greater freedom to millions of other people across the country , enabling us to continue to ease the lockdown , ease the return to school , to work and to the daily activities that we all want to get back to , '' he told the BBC .
Under government plans to ease lockdown restrictions , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in infection rates - using testing , environmental and workplace data - and advise chief medical officers .
As a result , schools , businesses or workplaces could be closed in areas that see spikes in infection rates , the government 's plan says .
• A SIMPLE GUIDE : What are the symptoms ?
• RISK AT WORK : How exposed is your job ?
• RECOVERY : How long does it take to get better ?
Earlier this month Mr Jenrick said that it was the government 's `` strong preference @ @ @ @ @ @ @ uniformly , but some restrictions could be reintroduced locally if necessary .
But he said the local interventions that could soon be considered are `` quite different from making major changes to lockdown measures in one part of the country versus another '' .
Latest government figures show the number of people to die with coronavirus in the UK rose by 134 to 37,048 on Tuesday .
The number of people in hospital with Covid-19 has been gradually declining since the peak over Easter .
However , the picture is different across the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ numbers falling faster in some areas than others .
Cases were originally concentrated in London , the Midlands and the North West of England .
But South Wales and parts of the North West and North East also have a high proportions of cases .
Last week , Mr Johnson said England will have a `` world-beating '' test , track and trace system in place from June - with 25,000 contact tracers , able to track 10,000 new cases a day .
Scotland , Wales and Northern Ireland have set out their @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Contact tracing is a system used to slow the spread of infectious diseases by identifying people patients have been in contact with .
One method involves tracking by phone or email , while another uses a location-tracking mobile app .
• Mr Jenrick has confirmed there will not be a formal review of penalties handed out for childcare-related travel .
It came after the health secretary said the government would look at the issue when responding to a question from the public at Tuesday 's daily briefing • The charity that runs the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 10-fold increase in visits to its website in the past two weeks • Mums appear to be doing most of the housework and childcare during lockdown , according to a new study • A group representing hairdressers in the UK says politicians are taking too long to give salons permission to open • Demand from house hunters rebounded as curbs on the sector were lifted in England - but the trend may be short-lived , analysis suggests • CORONAVIRUS SPECIAL : Take a look behind the scenes of the NHS • ESCAPE WITH @ @ @ @ @ @ @ talking about

"That enables us then to take action in that place which will be restrictive on the individuals who live and work there... but as a result of that we'll be able to provide greater freedom to millions of other people across the country, enabling us to continue to ease the lockdown, ease the return to school, to work and to the daily activities that we all want to get back to," he told the BBC.


bbcuk--2020-05-27--Coronavirus: Boris Johnson to face senior MPs amid Cummings row

Boris Johnson will be questioned by senior MPs later amid continued calls for his top adviser to resign .
The prime minister will appear before the Commons Liaison Committee for 90 minutes , during which he will be asked about Dominic Cummings ' controversial lockdown trip to County Durham .
More than 35 Tory MPs have called for Mr Cummings to resign or be fired after his 260-mile journey came to light .
But cabinet minister Robert Jenrick told the BBC it was `` time to move on '' .
Wednesday 's session , due to begin at 16.00 BST @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the PM has faced questions from MPs since the allegations against Mr Cummings emerged at the end of last week .
The bulk of the hearing will be devoted to the government 's handling of the coronavirus pandemic , including testing , PPE , schools and the economy , with the section on Mr Cummings ' actions due to last less than 30 minutes .
On Wednesdays Mr Johnson would ordinarily face Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer at Prime Minister 's Questions , but MPs are currently on recess .
• What did @ @ @ @ @ @ @ PM choose his inquisitor ?
Mr Cummings ' decision in March to drive from his London home to his parents ' farm in County Durham with his wife - who had coronavirus symptoms - and his son has dominated the headlines since the story broke on Friday night .
The PM 's chief adviser gave a news conference on Monday , explaining that he decided to make the trip because he felt it would be better to self-isolate in a place where he had options for childcare if required .
He has received @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , who said that his aide had acted legally and with integrity .
But cross-party critics have called for Mr Cummings to leave No 10 , while junior minister Douglas Ross resigned in protest .
Sir Bob Neill , Tory MP for Bromley and Chislehurst , is among those calling for Mr Cummings to resign , saying the row had become a `` distraction '' .
He told BBC Radio 4 's Today programme Mr Cummings had `` real talents and abilities '' but `` no adviser is indispensable '' .
However , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Danny Kruger , former political secretary to Mr Johnson and now Tory MP for Devizes , said demanding the resignation of Mr Cummings was `` basically declaring no confidence in the PM '' .
In response , Sir Bob said he did n't accept this , adding : `` This is actually about us wanting to help the prime minister to get back to be able to focus on the key task of pulling the country together . ''
• SCHOOLS : When will children be returning ?
• EXERCISE : What are @ @ @ @ @ @ @ THE R NUMBER : What it means and why it matters • RECOVERY : How long does it take to get better ?
• A SIMPLE GUIDE : What are the symptoms ?
But Communities Secretary Robert Jenrick said Mr Cummings 's actions were `` within the law '' and he retained the backing of the cabinet .
`` It does n't look as if any of the guidelines or the rules have been broken , '' he told BBC Breakfast .
`` And so my view is that now we accept that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ many many more important issues that we need to be talking about ... .like the track and trace system , for example , that 's going to have a big impact upon millions of people 's lives . ''
Mr Jenrick also insisted that parents who have been fined for breaches of the lockdown would not have their penalties reviewed if they could prove they were acting in the best interests of their children .
Health Secretary Matt Hancock suggested on Tuesday the issue might be looked at in light of public anger @ @ @ @ @ @ @ explanation for his own actions .
But Mr Jenrick said there was not going to be a formal review , as it was up to the police to decide .
What is the liaison committee ?
The Liaison Committee - a panel of 37 MPs who chair various select committees - is the only Commons committee that can question the prime minister .
This will be Mr Johnson 's first appearance since he became PM last July .
Among those set to question the PM will be former Tory cabinet ministers Jeremy Hunt @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Benn and Yvette Cooper ; and the SNP 's Pete Wishart .
The committee 's new chairman , Conservative MP Sir Bernard Jenkin , announced the session last week - before Mr Cummings ' controversial trip came to light .
Sir Bernard was appointed to his new role last week even though he no longer chairs a committee of his own and despite a cross-party attempt to block his appointment .
The MP , who previously chaired the Public Administration Committee , was a leading member , alongside Mr Johnson , of the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the EU .
Conservative Tobias Ellwood - who chairs the defence select committee - appeared unhappy on Twitter he was not on the list of MPs asked to appear , and was retweeted by fellow Tory Tom Tugendhat , who chairs the foreign affairs committee .
But a statement from Sir Bernard said the whole Liaison Committee had `` unanimously agreed '' the members of the working group who would be joining him for the session .
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Asked whether the government's "moral authority" had been undermined by Mr Cummings' actions and his own defence of them, Mr Johnson said: "I, of course, am deeply sorry for all the hurt and pain and anxiety that people have been going through throughout this period - this country has been going through a, frankly, most difficult time.


bbcuk--2020-05-27--Coronavirus: MP says he was 200 miles away after party claims

A Conservative MP said his family had been reminded of the government 's lockdown rules amid reports police broke up a party at a house .
Rob Roberts , who represents Delyn , was not at the Flintshire home when two visitors were asked to leave .
Mr Roberts tweeted he was `` 200 miles away '' at the time but returned to Mold on Tuesday evening .
He added he had been living in London since he and his wife separated six weeks ago .
A report by the Daily Mirror said two visitors were asked to leave Mr @ @ @ @ @ @ @ it had balloons and banners outside .
• What do the new lockdown rules say ?
• Next steps for Welsh lockdown on Friday Supt Mark Pierce , from North Wales Police , said that officers visited an address in Mold on Monday `` in response to two reports of a possible breach of Covid-19 regulations '' .
`` When we called at the property , two people visiting the house left following advice and no further action was taken , '' he added .
Mr Roberts , who took the Delyn seat @ @ @ @ @ @ @ election , tweeted on Tuesday night insisting he was in London at the time of the alleged lockdown breach .
`` My family have been reminded of the guidance set out by the government , '' he said in the tweet .
The alleged incident happened on the day he and a number of Conservative MPs called for a probe into the actions of the prime minister 's chief adviser as they feared Mr Cummings ' lockdown trip to Durham undermined the government 's coronavirus message .

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bbcuk--2020-05-27--Coronavirus: Fourth weekly fall in Scottish deaths

The number of people dying with coronavirus in Scotland has fallen for a fourth consecutive week .
Figures released by National Records of Scotland ( NRS ) showed there had been 230 deaths in the week ending 24 May .
This was 105 fewer than the previous week , and brings the total number of deaths since the outbreak began to 3,779 .
First Minister Nicola Sturgeon is expected to slightly ease the country 's lockdown restrictions on Thursday .
The NRS figures showed that 46 % of the 3,779 deaths so far have happened in care homes , while @ @ @ @ @ @ @ % were at home .
Care homes continued to account for the majority of deaths recorded last week - 54 % - but the percentage has been falling in recent weeks from a high of 60 % four weeks ago .
And the number of deaths in care homes halved last week , from 124 to 62 .
Overall , three quarters of those who have died with coronavirus have been aged 75 or more .
Coronavirus was involved in 19 % of all deaths in Scotland last week , having reached a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of April .
And there were fewer deaths from respiratory diseases ( -39 ) , circulatory conditions ( -31 ) and dementia and Alzheimer 's ( -11 ) compared to the average for this time of year .

"We are not through this crisis yet - we are not even through this phase of this crisis yet - so my responsibility as first minister is that we focus on the decisions that still fall to be taken."


bbcuk--2020-05-27--Louise Smith: Man arrested on suspicion of murdering teenager

A man has been arrested on suspicion of murdering a teenager whose body was found in woodland .
Louise Smith , 16 , was found dead at Havant Thicket , Hampshire , on Thursday , 13 days after she was reported missing .
A man and a woman , both aged 29 , were previously arrested on suspicion of kidnap and released on bail .
The man has been rearrested on suspicion of murder and the woman is being held on suspicion of assisting an offender , police said .
Louise , from Leigh Park , had not been in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ being seen in Somborne Drive at about midday on 8 May , detectives previously said .
Police made the first arrests on 14 May , seven days before the teenager 's body was found .
A police cordon remains at Havant Thicket where officers are continuing a fingertip search of the area .
Detectives have also searched a flat in Somborne Drive and blacked out the property 's windows .
Neighbours previously said they believed Louise had been staying with a couple at the address .
Det Ch Supt Scott Mackechnie said : @ @ @ @ @ @ @ have been paid to Louise and we know just how much she meant to the community .
`` I want to reassure you that we are doing all we can to find out who is responsible , to bring justice for her and for her family . ''
He appealed for CCTV or dashcam footage from the afternoon of 8 May - VE Day - when the teenager was last seen alive .
Mandy Ferdinando , who laid flowers at the thicket when Louise 's death was announced , previously told reporters the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a heart of gold '' .
A post-mortem examination has taken place , but police have not yet released any of its results .

"I want to reassure you that we are doing all we can to find out who is responsible, to bring justice for her and for her family."


bbcuk--2020-05-27--Hairdressers say they want to open sooner

A group representing hairdressers in the UK says politicians are taking too long to give salons permission to open .
The Hair and Barber Council , which represents 11,000 salons , estimates most of its members would be ready by mid-June .
The Department for Business has told Radio 1 Newsbeat that 4 July remains the earliest date they can open in England .
Salons have been closed since the lockdown began on 24 March .
Keith Conniford , the CEO of the Hair and Barber Council , says many salon owners want to open on June 15 , alongside @ @ @ @ @ @ @ : `` I have spoken to a number of practitioners I know within barbering and hairdressing and resoundingly they said yes . ''
The July date applies only in England - Scotland , Wales and Northern Ireland are setting their own strategy for opening up businesses .
But Keith says if any national government in any part of the UK gives them two weeks notice then they will be ready to open .
Businesses are being asked to be `` Covid ready '' before opening .
The UK government told Newsbeat they are @ @ @ @ @ @ @ more specific advice , but have set out some initial guidance for situations where people can not work 2m apart .
These include : • Keep the activity time involved as short as possible • Use screens or barriers to separate each other Baz Rifat 's salon in north London has spent thousands of pounds getting Covid-ready .
The owner has created booths and knocked down walls and introduced a text system with customers to confirm they have had no symptoms .
`` We 've been spacing it out so we 've got @ @ @ @ @ @ @ customers will be asked to wear face coverings , while she will wear a shield .
There will be no waiting area and staff will work in teams so if someone gets ill one team will isolate while the other keeps the salon open .
Fewer staff will make contact with people 's hair when they come in .
`` Normally we have assistants washing our clients hair but I will be doing everything '' .
The Hair and Barber Council lobby MPs to promote industry-wide standards but the group is concerned any @ @ @ @ @ @ @ there will stop hairdressers being able to do their job .
A Department for Business spokesperson told us : `` The Government has set up taskforces to work with industry representatives to develop safe ways for businesses such as hairdressers to open at the earliest point at which it is safe to do so . ''
There is pressure to get the economy moving by allowing businesses to reopen so the government can stop paying the wages of tens of thousands of workers under the furlough scheme .
Listen to Newsbeat live at @ @ @ @ @ @ @ back here .

A Department for Business spokesperson told us: "The Government has set up taskforces to work with industry representatives to develop safe ways for businesses such as hairdressers to open at the earliest point at which it is safe to do so."


bbcuk--2020-05-27--Coronavirus: Paramedics assaulted after mask requests

Paramedics have been assaulted after asking patients to wear masks to protect them from coronavirus , the ambulance service has said .
Crews have asked some people showing potential symptoms to wear surgical masks , according to the Welsh Ambulance Service Trust ( Wast ) .
But it reported a `` growing number '' of patients had become aggressive when asked to wear the equipment .
A `` small number '' of staff had been victims of assault , it added .
Crews are attending all incidents wearing personal protective equipment and may also ask patients to wear the masks @ @ @ @ @ @ @ executive director of quality and nursing .
`` The reason they do this is to not only protect you but also for the protection of the people around you , '' she said .
`` If we do ask you to put on a mask , please do not be alarmed and follow the instructions of our staff .
`` We understand how distressing this situation may be and we also understand that putting on a mask while having shortness of breath may seem counter-intuitive , but it is the right thing to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ past few weeks , our staff have reported a growing number of instances in which patients have been aggressive and have even been the subject of an assault after asking a patient to put on a mask . ''
Ms Roche added : `` Assaulting our staff is never acceptable , no matter the circumstances . ''
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"We understand how distressing this situation may be and we also understand that putting on a mask while having shortness of breath may seem counter-intuitive, but it is the right thing to do.


bbcuk--2020-05-27--Coronavirus: Call for Welsh Government borrowing limits to be loosened

The Welsh Government has urged UK ministers to allow it to borrow more money to help deal with coronavirus .
@ @ @ @ @ the UK Treasury should ease the rules that govern Welsh public sector finances .
Later @ @ @ @ @ spending plans to deal with the pandemic .
Around £2.4bn is being allocated to help @ @ @ @ @ following extra cash from the UK Treasury .
Currently the Welsh Government is able to @ @ @ @ @ infrastructure , up to a limit of £1bn , and £200m a year for day-to-day @ @

Responding to the minister, a UK Government spokesperson said: "An unprecedented level of financial support for Wales - more than £2.2 billion extra - has been provided by the UK Government during the coronavirus pandemic and we continue to work more closely than ever with the Welsh Government."


bbcuk--2020-05-27--Baby given cannabis-based drug in medical first in Norfolk

A baby has become the first to get a cannabis-derived medicine in a trial to help those born with a condition that can lead to brain damage .
Oscar Parodi was born at Norfolk and Norwich University Hospital with neonatal hypoxic-ischemic encephalopathy ( HIE ) .
This is a lack of oxygen or blood flow from the placenta to the baby .
As part of his treatment he will be given a dose of the study 's cannabis-based drug .
• Coronavirus : Latest updates from the East of England The drug is already being used to help treat children @ @ @ @ @ @ @ this is the first time it has been used to try to prevent seizures in a baby with HIE .
Researchers involved in the study , led by Guy 's and St Thomas ' NHS Foundation Trust in London , hope the drug could one day be used routinely in neonatal care to help babies at risk of seizures and brain injury .
The trial is looking to see if the medicine is safe and effective in lessening the degree of brain injury for those born with HIE .
Oscar 's 17-year-old mother @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Watton , Norfolk , said she agreed for her son to be part of the study as she said : `` I wanted to do everything I could to help my baby boy . ''
Oscar was born by emergency Caesarean on 11 March when he was three days overdue .
He was transferred to the hospital 's Neonatal Intensive Care Unit ( Nicu ) and put into 72 hours of cooling treatment to protect his brain .
His whole body temperature was reduced to 33.5 degrees using a special jacket like a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a single intravenous dose of the drug , less than 12 hours after he was born .
The drug 's therapeutic ingredient , which occurs naturally in the cannabis plant , is extracted under highly controlled conditions .
This ensures that the THC ( tetrahydrocannabinol ) component - the chemical in cannabis that gives users a high - is minimal .
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The drug is already being used to help treat children with rare forms of epilepsy, and this is the first time it has been used to try to prevent seizures in a baby with HIE.


bbcuk--2020-05-26--COP26: UK proposes new date for delayed climate change summit

The UK Government has proposed delaying the UN climate change conference COP26 by a year .
It is understood ministers have put forward new dates for the talks to begin on 1 - 12 November 2021 .
The event , at Glasgow 's SEC , has been postponed from this November because of the coronavirus pandemic .
A meeting of the UN 's climate body , the UNFCCC , is being held later this week where the proposal for the rescheduled conference will be discussed .
In a letter to UN member states , seen by the PA news agency @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the new date .
Although the letter does not specifically mention Glasgow as the venue , a commitment was made to the city to retain the location .
• Government insists COP26 summit will be in Glasgow Dozens of world leaders were due to attend the gathering - the most important round of talks since the global Paris Agreement to tackle climate change was secured in 2015 .
This has come as no surprise to those who understand how UN climate conferences work .
Since the Paris agreement , the annual gathering has @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to limit global temperature rises .
But that work does n't just happen in the scheduled two weeks where delegates gather at cities around the world , in this case Glasgow .
International diplomacy by the next host nation - the UK for COP26 - begins the moment the gavel comes down on the previous COP .
Without it , there would be very little progress and with minds so heavily focused on tackling Covid-19 this other crisis - the climate one - has taken a bit of a back seat .
Plus @ @ @ @ @ @ @ their starting position is with economies being crushed by the pandemic .
Many world leaders are talking of a `` green recovery '' and so allowing this breathing space might be beneficial to the long term climate cause .
This year marks the date by which countries are expected to come forward with stronger emissions cuts to meet the goals of the deal .
Plans submitted so far put the world on a pathway towards more than 3C of warming , though the Paris Agreement commits countries to curb temperatures to 1.5C or @ @ @ @ @ @ @ worst impacts of climate change .
But with countries around the world grappling with coronavirus , and many putting citizens in lockdown , governments have prioritised the immediate global health crisis .
Since the pandemic took hold , greenhouse gas emissions have dropped sharply as industry and transport have been curtailed , but experts have warned that pollution will soon bounce back without climate action .
There have been warnings that the climate crisis has not gone away in the face of Covid-19 .
And there have been widespread calls on governments to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is `` green '' , investing in areas such as renewables , home insulation , public transport and cycling and tree planting to boost jobs and improve lives .
Richard Black , director of the Energy and Climate Intelligence Unit ( ECIU ) , said : `` The UK 's proposed new dates for COP26 probably make sense given the realities of how Covid-19 is unfolding across the world , but what will surprise some is that despite saying 'ambition must continue ' , the proposal does n't specify sticking to the schedule @ @ @ @ @ @ @ specifically committed in the Paris Agreement to deliver enhanced carbon-cutting pledges , long-term decarbonisation strategies and 100 billion US dollars ( £81 bn ) per year in financial assistance 'by 2020 ' , not 'by COP26 ' , and that remains the ambition of the poorest and most vulnerable nations ; so we 'll see if this omission in the UK proposal becomes a bone of contention during this week 's discussions . ''

Richard Black, director of the Energy and Climate Intelligence Unit (ECIU), said: "The UK's proposed new dates for COP26 probably make sense given the realities of how Covid-19 is unfolding across the world, but what will surprise some is that despite saying 'ambition must continue', the proposal doesn't specify sticking to the schedule of the Paris Agreement.


bbcuk--2020-05-27--Letter from Dunkirk soldier arrives 80 years later

The family of a soldier who died at Dunkirk during World War Two have finally received his last letter 80 years after he wrote it .
Pte Harry Cole , of the Suffolk Regiment , wrote the letter just before he was killed but it never left France .
The letter to his mother was found with a collection of other post by a German soldier who handed them to the British embassy in 1968 .
His surviving brothers Derek and Clemmie Cole have now been found .
They were tracked down by Suffolk County Council 's assistant archivist Heidi @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the same village where Clemmie still lives - Hasketon , near Woodbridge in Suffolk .
In the letter , Pte Cole , 29 , wrote : `` Well Mother , Dad and boys , I guess I must close once again , hoping you all keep well , roll on when this do is over so we can get back to rest peace and quietness once again .
`` Do n't worry if you have to wait a long while for a letter or card sometimes Mother , as we ca n't always @ @ @ @ @ @ @ also there is delay in getting it away . ''
Clemmie Cole , 87 , said it was amazing to receive the letter after all that time had passed .
`` It 's unbelievable that such a thing could happen , '' he said .
Suffolk Archives has produced a new online display showcasing extracts from undelivered letters written by soldiers from the Suffolk Regiment , including Pte Cole 's .
The letters spent almost 30 years tucked away in a German soldier 's attic , before he took them to his local @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in 1968 .
From there they were returned to the Suffolk Regiment Museum but , following an attempt to resend , many remained undelivered .
Councillor Paul West , portfolio holder for heritage , said : `` These letters are so very poignant , one can only imagine the hardship and anguish these soldiers and their families must have endured . ''
Claire Wallace , curator of the Suffolk Regiment Museum , said : `` It is striking that their personalities and humour shine through these letters . ''

In the letter, Pte Cole, 29, wrote: "Well Mother, Dad and boys, I guess I must close once again, hoping you all keep well, roll on when this do is over so we can get back to rest peace and quietness once again.


bbcuk--2020-05-27--Thirsk woman, 99, to stand 100 times for son's hospice

A woman who struggles to stand up will aim to do it 100 times before her 100th birthday in June to raise money for the hospice which cared for her dying son .
Joyce Richardson , who served in the Women 's Land Army during World War Two , nearly lost the use of her legs after developing sepsis last year .
She set herself the challenge to raise money for Herriot Hospice Homecare .
The great-great grandmother said she wanted to thank the charity for `` the wonderful support '' her family received .
Mrs Richardson , from Thirsk @ @ @ @ @ @ @ It may not seem much to most people but , believe you me , hauling myself up out of the chair is a huge struggle every time . ''
Shortly after her 99th birthday , Mrs Richardson developed sepsis and had to be treated in hospital .
Since then she has struggled with the use of her legs and can not stand for any length of time .
However , ahead of her milestone birthday next month , Mrs Richardson aims to stand 100 times for 10 seconds each time .
She is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ where she shared a picture of herself as a 21-year-old in the Women 's Land Army in 1941 .
Mrs Richardson added : `` The challenge would have been easy for me too , in those days . ''
Herriot Hospice Homecare looks after patients with life-limiting illnesses in the Hambleton and Richmondshire areas .
Mrs Richardson 's eldest son Gill , 74 , was cared for by the charity before his death in October last year .
The 99-year-old set out to raise £1,000 for the charity and has already received more @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Tony Collins said : `` We 'd like to wish Joyce a wonderful and very happy 100th birthday , and send lots of good luck for the remainder of her challenge . ''
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Mrs Richardson, from Thirsk, North Yorkshire, said: "It may not seem much to most people but, believe you me, hauling myself up out of the chair is a huge struggle every time."


bbcuk--2020-05-26--Coronavirus: One week in one hospital

Coronavirus: One week in one hospital

As the UK begins the slow process of reopening some businesses and returning to work , the BBC has been @ @ @ @ @ hospital in the heart of London , for one week .
Medical staff at the @ @ @ @ @ rise in cases is inevitable as members of the public have more contact with each @ @ @ @ @ the densely-populated area of Tower Hamlets , which has seen hundreds of deaths due to @ @ @ @ @ but with the Asian population being hardest hit .

As the UK begins the slow process of reopening some businesses and returning to work, the BBC has been given unprecedented access to a hospital in the heart of London, for one week.
Medical staff at the Royal London Hospital say a rise in cases is inevitable as members of the public have more contact with each other.
The hospital serves the densely-populated area of Tower Hamlets, which has seen hundreds of deaths due to coronavirus across all communities, but with the Asian population being hardest hit.
Clive Myrie reports.
Cameraman: Dave McIlveen, Producer: Sam Piranty


bbcuk--2020-05-27--Coronavirus: How childminders are caring for children in their own home

Of all the groups affected by government moves to get schools and childcare settings fully open , the stakes are probably highest for childminders .
No-one else potentially invites infection into their own homes while they work .
Just like schools , many childminders never closed , instead staying open throughout the crisis to look after the children of key workers and children classed as vulnerable .
Childminders are `` the unsung heroes of the pandemic '' , according to Liz Bayram , chief executive of their professional association , PACEY .
So what 's it been like ?
How @ @ @ @ @ @ @ social distancing and hygiene with the tiniest of children , and what are their thoughts about taking on more children as the lockdown eases ?
• Some childminders in England told they can reopen • ' I had no clue what to do with my little boy' '' You take each day at a time and use lots and lots of soap , '' says Sara , a childminder from Lincolnshire .
Before lockdown started in March she had a thriving business , making at least £2,000 a month - but she 's @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that .
She still looks after four children of NHS workers , including one with a parent whose job is in intensive care .
Pausing to think of what she might be inviting into her own home is `` terrifying '' , she says , but with four children of her own either at - or heading for - university , she feels she has no choice .
In line with government guidance , she is spending a fortune on soap and disinfectant , and insists key worker parents , when they come @ @ @ @ @ @ @ showered and in fresh clothes .
She 's washed and put away all the soft toys , replacing them with rubberised or plastic dolls which can go in the dishwasher every night , along with the Lego .
The government recognises that some measures are impossible to fulfil in a family home , she says .
For example , the two metre rule : `` That 's just not happening at all - you have to look at the space you 've got and decide '' .
On top of that , removing @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in the official advice , will be impossible on her current household budget , and it will likewise be impossible to avoid the children she looks after using the same spaces as her family .
No-one is suggesting that childminders should use PPE in the general course of their work - masks are ruled out as children might find them frightening , and in any case they need to see people 's mouths move for speech and language development .
But the guidance suggests childcare settings should have PPE available in case of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and according to Sara it 's impossible to get locally .
`` Even hospitals and nursing homes are struggling , '' she says .
Sara is planning to reopen her business gradually , aiming to have it back to full capacity by September , maybe adding one new child each month .
`` With every new child there comes a new set of germs , '' she says .
`` So you have to work out how many children you can safely allow back . ''
She is torn about whether it 's @ @ @ @ @ @ @ understands businesses need to get back up to speed or risk going bust , and some parents will need to get back to work sooner than others , but she adds : `` If they can stay at home , I 'm going to say that they should . ''
PACEY has warned many childminders have been hit so hard by the pandemic they might close for good and a lack of affordable and flexible childcare could blight the chances of a post-lockdown economic recovery .
Earlier this month a survey of members @ @ @ @ @ @ @ were still open , but on much reduced incomes .
In Sheffield , Claire has lost most of her clientele .
She usually has 25 children on her books , but since March it 's been down to four , among them three siblings whose parents are both nurses .
`` Yes I 'm worried , '' she says .
`` It 's always on your mind , I 'm not going to lie . ''
It 's particularly hard as Claire is a single mother of two children , one of whom @ @ @ @ @ @ @ nearby and has chronic lung disease - so she has been leaving food at his door .
She has lost sleep over the risks to her family , but the parents she works with `` really trust you and you do n't want to let them down '' .
She tries to guarantee hygiene with extra hand-washing and cleaning - and she drops the children home to avoid their parents coming to her house .
With such young children , she says social distancing is hard and asking them not to share toys @ @ @ @ @ @ @ It goes against everything we try to teach them about good sharing . ''
Claire is confused by inconsistencies in the policy : `` I ca n't have my mum round , yet I can open up my home to potentially 12 different families . ''
She says opening up to more children will be `` a real balancing act '' .
`` I have sent an email to my families , saying that until we get further reassurance , I wo n't be opening up any further .
`` I will try @ @ @ @ @ @ @ currently provide to key worker families .
`` They really need my support and it will be a greater risk to them if I have other children in my setting . ''
Claire hopes her business will survive the summer , and wants to reopen fully in September .
But other local childminders have given up , she says , and even though she loves the job , half of her wonders whether - under current circumstances with `` the low pay and the stress '' - it 's actually worth it .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ your job ?
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She is torn about whether it's the right thing to do. She understands businesses need to get back up to speed or risk going bust, and some parents will need to get back to work sooner than others, but she adds: "If they can stay at home, I'm going to say that they should."


bbcuk--2020-05-26--Lockdown update: All you need to know about new measures

Lockdown measures have been eased across England after more than seven weeks of restrictions - but how is everyday life changing ?
You can meet one other person from another household , outdoors .
The government scientific advice is that you remain 2m ( 6ft ) apart .
You ca n't visit friends or relatives in their houses or indoors .
Nor can you gather in a larger group with people who are not from your household ( apart from a few exceptions , such as funerals ) .
Higher fines will be imposed for anyone who breaks these rules @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to the amount of exercise , or `` open-air recreation '' ( such as sunbathing ) you can do outside in England .
You can play outdoor sports such as golf or tennis with members of your household or with one other person from another household ( while maintaining social distance ) .
Households can also drive any distance in England to destinations such as parks and beaches .
But they should not travel to Wales , Scotland or Northern Ireland , where the rules are different .
Why are rules different in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Decisions on easing lockdown in Wales , Scotland and Northern Ireland are the responsibility of each national government .
However , Scotland 's First Minister Nicola Sturgeon has announced the lifting of some lockdown measures in the country from 28 May .
People will be able to sit or sunbathe in parks and open areas , and meet people from one other household - although only outside and in small numbers .
Some outdoor activities such as golf and tennis will also be allowed .
It will also be possible to travel - @ @ @ @ @ @ @ recreation , although people will be asked to remain `` where possible '' within or close to their own local area .
You can read more details about Wales and Northern Ireland here : Should I go back to work ( and how will I get there ) ?
People who can work from home in England should continue to do so `` for the foreseeable future '' .
But the government says those who ca n't , should travel to their workplace if it is open - and walk , cycle or @ @ @ @ @ @ @ prevent overcrowding on public transport .
Those who do use buses or trains are being told to expect social-distance queuing and to wear face coverings .
Workplaces should be made safe for staff , with more cleaning , staggered working shifts and , for office workers , no hot-desking .
• How will transport need to change ?
What if I go into other people 's homes to work ?
If you 're a cleaner or plumber , and need to enter someone else 's home for your job , you are allowed @ @ @ @ @ @ @ should be carried out in the home of someone shielding or isolating because of Covid-19 symptoms , unless it 's a household emergency .
In homes where someone is clinically vulnerable - for example , where a person is aged over 70 - face-to-face contact should be avoided , and strict hygiene rules followed .
House moves and viewings can resume again in England .
Potential buyers and renters will be able to visit show homes and view houses on the market to let or buy .
Anyone who has already bought a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for moving in .
What about childminders , nannies and nurseries ?
Childminders and nannies in England have now been told they can return to work - but only if they 're caring for youngsters who come from the same household .
During lockdown , registered childminders have either been closed or providing care for vulnerable children or children of key workers .
The government has said it would like pre-school nurseries in England to start reopening from 1 June .
When will schools and universities return ?
The government 's ambition is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to return to school before the summer for a month if feasible .
It hopes that pupils in Reception and Years 1 and 6 will return from 1 June , but teachers ' unions are calling for scientific evidence that schools will be safe to reopen .
Class sizes are expected to be no more than 15 pupils , with staggered breaks and frequent hand washing .
The government says secondary schools and further education colleges should prepare for face-to-face contact with Year 10 and 12 pupils who have key exams next year @ @ @ @ @ @ @ remote , home learning '' .
Meanwhile , there is uncertainty over whether students will be able to go to university in person in September or whether they will be taught partially or completely online .
The university watchdog says new students must be told with `` absolute clarity '' how they will be taught before accepting a place .
• The government in Wales has ruled out schools reopening on 1 June • Scotland 's First Minister Nicola Sturgeon has said that children will return to school on 11 August .
• @ @ @ @ @ @ @ said it was unlikely schools would return before the new academic year When can I go High Street shopping again ?
All non-essential retailers - from department stores to small independent shops - can reopen in England from 15 June , if they put in place social distancing measures .
And outdoor markets and car showrooms can reopen from 1 June , if they are `` Covid secure '' .
But the government has said these dates could change if coronavirus infection rates increase .
Garden centres have already reopened in England , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ decision is still awaited in Scotland .
DIY chains - some of which stayed open throughout the lockdown - have also reopened many of their shops .
• THE R NUMBER : What it means and why it matters • LOOK-UP TOOL : How many cases in your area ?
• RECOVERY : How long does it take to get better ?
What about hairdressers , pubs and cafes ?
Pubs , restaurants , hairdressers , hotels , cinemas and places of worship will open from 4 July at the earliest , as @ @ @ @ @ @ @ measures .
However , indoor public spaces such as beauty salons , where social distancing may be difficult , could reopen `` significantly later '' , depending on when the rate of infection goes down .
What about flying into and out of the UK ?
The Foreign Office currently advises against all but essential journeys , and the government has now said a two-week quarantine period for people arriving in the UK will be introduced `` as soon as possible '' .
There will be some exemptions for people arriving from the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Common Travel Area .
• What are the new quarantine rules ?
If international travellers can not say where they plan to self-isolate for 14 days , they will have to do so in accommodation arranged by the government .
All passengers are advised to remain 2m ( 6ft ) apart wherever possible .
They should also consider wearing gloves and a face covering - which some UK airports and airlines have made compulsory .
• CORONAVIRUS NEWSCAST : All of the latest updates on the pandemic • MINDFUL MIX : Calming tracks @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in the UK

If you test positive for Covid you are no longer legally required to self-isolate, but you are advised to stay at home and avoid contact with others for at least five full days.