Corbyn ally in testy exchange with Kay Burley
Kay Burley tells Shadow Transport Secretary Andy McDonald to "get real" after he insists the Labour party is not "on the brink" after their defeat in the election.
There is a "real danger" that schools could remain closed until the summer, the Children's Commissioner warned as she blamed ministers for a "lack of planning". Downing Street needs to "think creatively" about how to get youngsters back to the classroom and must "ultimately make something happen", Anne Longfield said. Her intervention came as the Government came under mounting pressure from Tory MPs to explain why schools in their constituencies could not reopen after the February half-term. In a new policy briefing on schools, Ms Longfield said: "Everyone recognises the necessity of reopening schools as soon as possible, but hope alone will not make it happen. What is lacking is a clear roadmap towards this. There is a real danger that schools will remain closed until Easter at the earliest, or even into the summer – not because the virus makes this inevitable, but because of a lack of planning." She said that while the Scientific Advisory Group for Emergencies (Sage) could provide modelling of different options, it was the role of ministers to "think creatively about what those different options might be, explore all possibilities, come up with a plan and ultimately make something happen". Ms Longfield set out a number of options for the gradual reopening of schools, including certain year groups returning sooner than others and children returning on a rota basis, meaning they take it in turns to come in on certain days. She said reopening is "not a simple on/off switch", and that while it may not be possible for all schools to open before Easter, that "does not mean it is impossible" for some children to go back in some areas on a smaller scale. On Tuesday, Gavin Williamson, the Education Secretary, came under fire for failing to appear in the Commons to answer Labour's urgent question on schools reopening. Instead, the schools minister Nick Gibb was pressed by MPs on what the Government's plan to reopen schools is.
AstraZeneca vaccines meant for and paid for by the EU could have ended up in Britain, diplomatic sources in Brussels claimed today. The suspicion is that the British-Swedish pharmaceutical company supplied the UK from the EU vaccine stock because Britain paid a higher price for the dose and approved it sooner. On Monday, Brussels threatened to block EU vaccine exports to non-EU countries, after AstraZeneca revealed that it would not be able to fulfil its contractual obligations as originally hoped. Ursula von der Leyen, the European Commission president, said on Tuesday that the EU would press on with the export mechanism that would force companies to ask for permission before vaccines could leave the bloc. In a speech to the World Economic Forum in Davos, Mrs von der Leyen said, “Europe invested billions to help develop the world's first Covid-19 vaccines to create a truly global common good. Europe is determined to contribute to this global common good but it also means business.” She added: “And now, the companies must deliver. They must honour their obligations and this is why we will set up a vaccine export to transparency mechanism.” A European Commission spokesman said: "How worried are we about the state of vaccinations? Well, we are worried that is for sure. We are dealing with a very important pandemic and vaccination is very important." The UK is dependent on the Pfizer vaccine, which is produced in Belgium, and is expecting almost 3.5million doses to be delivered in the next three weeks. That supply could be jeopardised if the EU decided to block the exports after the AstraZeneca controversy.
Piers Morgan speaks about Derek Draper's "heartbreaking" condition.
Only five Senate Republicans join Democrats to reject effort to declare trial is unconstitutional
The UK has one of the most stringent lockdowns in Europe but there are several countries who have imposed even tighter restrictions.
Rishi Sunak has insisted further economic support is coming in response to Covid-19. The Chancellor urged MPs to wait until the upcoming budget to learn of the detail regarding extending support to businesses and individuals. .
Jac Schaeffer reveals Marvel suggested a ‘larger list’ of possible MCU characters to bring in
Company chief confirms UK will have first claim on jabs, as it got order in three months earlier than Brussels
The SNP’s islands minister has been accused of arrogance and complacency after he rejected the findings of a major investigation which branded the building of two new super-ferries a “catastrophic failure”. Opposition MSPs said that ministers “had their hands over their eyes and their fingers in their ears” and branded Paul Wheelhouse’s response to a Holyrood rural affairs committee report, unanimously agreed by its members, “appalling”. In damning findings published last month, a catalogue of failures was highlighted in the process for building two new CalMac ferries, which are to serve Arran and the Hebrides on Scotland's publicly-owned ferry network. The ferries are four years late and will cost twice the original price of £97m. However, in his response to the probe, the findings of which were agreed by the committee's SNP members, Mr Wheelhouse insisted a procurement process found to be "not fit for purpose" was in fact completed “fastidiously, in good faith and following appropriate due diligence.”
While physical ‘Trump’ signs have been gone since last year, the latest move would fully remove the ex-president’s name from the condo’s official title
The total for the number of deaths within 28 days of a positive test has doubled since November 11.
The list reflects a brutal 12 months marred by the pandemic.
AstraZeneca vaccine may not go to older people, EU medicines chief suggestsEuropean Medicines Agency approval could stipulate age range, says Emer CookeCoronavirus – latest updatesSee all our coronavirus coverage Emer Cooke of the EMA, who is Irish, said the regulatory body is examining the ‘totality of the data’. Photograph: AP
Total of 100,162 people have now died within 28 days of testing positive for Covid-19
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UK diplomats told to cut up to 70% from overseas aid budget. Officials have just weeks to slash costs, prompting fears that speed of cuts could cost lives
About 1,000 people are staying in makeshift camps along the French coast, with many intending to try to cross to Britain.
The YouTube personality will don the gloves for his third pro bout on 17 April
Britain’s “head start” over the EU in rolling out coronavirus vaccines means almost all over-50s in the UK will get their jab by March, the chief of AstraZeneca has said. Mr Soriot’s response to the ongoing vaccine supply row with Brussels came as the UK hit a sobering milestone.
Technology company described the Capitol riots as ‘disturbing’