Patience with the Government is 'wearing thin' among those under local lockdown, councils warn

Cat Neilan
·41-min read
Patience with the Government is 'wearing thin' among those under local lockdown, councils have warned - AFP
Patience with the Government is 'wearing thin' among those under local lockdown, councils have warned - AFP

Patience among people living under local lockdown is "wearing thin" because of  "confused and bungled" messaging, the Government has been warned.

Matt Hancock is expected to set on the next steps for the partial lockdown in place across much of the North, after a 'gold' Joint Biosecurity Centre meeting today.

Ahead of that, Susan Hinchcliffe, Tim Swift and Shabir Pandor, the leaders of Bradford, Calderdale and Kirklees respectively, have issued a statement taking aim at central Government's failure to get to grips with the local issues.

They said: "Our infection rates have come down significantly this week, although they are still high.

"Over the last few months and weeks we, as leaders, have taken difficult decisions and directed significant resource in our councils to make this happen. However, throughout this time Government messaging has been confused and bungled."

Last week Mr Hancock suggested he wanted to see more localised restrictions, which councillors are worried could see them imposed "ward by ward rather than by local authority areas". These could be changed weekly "leading to inconsistency in restrictions across the North", the statement added.

"People's patience is wearing thin with the confusion. They need to know that the restrictions are fair otherwise they won't keep to them."

The councillors added that deciding where to introduce restrictions from recommendations made by Tory backbench MPs "undermines local council leadership".

Follow the latest updates below.

03:11 PM

And that's it for another day...

Matt Hancock is chairing the 'gold' meeting of the Joint Biosecurity Centre this afternoon, at which the fates of millions of people currently living under local lockdown will be decided. It seems likely that most areas will remain under restrictions, with cases not dropping sufficiently, although easements could be seen in some parts. 

The Health Secretary was presumably hoping his promise of additional financial support would soften the blow for those still unable to see their friends and family several weeks on. But it's clear from several council leaders that far from having the desired effect, it is in fact a "slap in the face". 

However, the majority of you back Mr Hancock's move, with 61 per cent saying the £13-a-day scheme is "more than enough". A further 20 per cent said a decision should be taken based on feedback from the pilot scheme.

Overnight we are expecting more news on the UK's list of travel corridors - which seems to be reduced on a weekly basis. We may get one last push on schools before the bank holiday weekend, with the PM on a mission to convince parents it is safe for their children to step back in the classroom.

Hopefully his aides will check the background if there are any more photo ops (2:37pm). 

As ever, I'll be back from 8am to bring you all the news from Westminster and beyond. 

03:02 PM

Majority of Britons call for extension to Eat Out to Help Out

Nearly six in 10 Britons would like to see the Chancellor extend his Eat Out to Help Out scheme, which is due to come to an end on Monday. 

Some 59 per cent of Britons want the discount dining initiative to run until the end of September, new YouGov research shows. 

This includes 77 per cent of those who made use of the discounted offer over the course of August, and even those who didn’t are in favour by 43 per cent to 28 per cent. Overall, just 21 per cent oppose extending the scheme.

The proposal has cross party support, with 59-62 per cent of Conservative, Labour and Lib Dem voters all giving it their backing.

Fears that it could lead to a drop in eating out seem to be backed by the poll, which found that 43 per cent of people will eat out less (36 per cent) or not at all (seven per cent).

02:58 PM

The New Normal: Consumers stay closer to home after bruising year for retail

Boris Johnson might be banging the drum to get the cities back up and running - but it's clear that when it comes to dramatic ramifications for the world of economics and business coronavirus has particularly wreaked havoc on the high street.

As the latest installment of our New Normal series explores, fundamental changes in working patterns and lifestyles are having a big impact on the beleaguered retail sector.

02:41 PM

Government 'failing' Windrush victims as just one in 10 receive compensation

The Government has been accused of further failing Windrush victims after it emerged that less than one in 10 had received compensation. 

Official figures indicate that, as of July, a total of £1,053,223.17 had been paid out in response to 143 claims. However, a total of 1,480 total claims have been made by Windrush victims since the scheme was launched in April last year.

Priti Patel, the Home Secretary, said she was "determined to go further and faster".

She added: "It is my unwavering commitment to ensure that those whose lives were blighted and shattered receive the compensation that they deserve."

But shadow home secretary Nick Thomas-Symonds it was "yet more damning evidence that Government ministers are failing the many victims of the Windrush scandal". 

He added: "The time for words from the Government is over - ministers need to get on and deliver for those who have been so badly treated."

02:28 PM

Proms conductor says she 'had no role' over Rule, Britannia! decision

Conductor Dalia Stasevska has issued a statement saying she "played no role in deciding the traditional elements of the programme" after she received "abuse and threats" over planned changes to Rule, Britannia! during the Last Night of the Proms.

In her statement, issued by management company HarrisonParrott, she said she was "honoured to be part of this year's BBC Proms and its iconic Last Night".

But she added: "In recent days there has been a good deal of inaccurate speculation about my role in determining the format of this year's Last Night Of The Proms.

"This false speculation has led to abuse and threats towards me and my family which is why I am speaking out. For the record I have played no role in deciding the traditional elements of the programme, I recognise these are an important part of the event.

"I've been wrongly portrayed as a person who tries to influence political debates - this is not true. I am an artist, I want to be able to speak through my work to bring people together and build solidarity."

02:16 PM

Have your say on: The 'pay to stay' support

The Government has announced a new support scheme for people on low incomes who are not able to work from home, in a bid to push up the levels of compliance when people are asked to self-isolate. 

Matt Hancock confirmed this morning that the 'pay to stay' support will be rolled out in select parts of the country from next week. 

However critics have dubbed the amount on offer - up to £182 over a two-week period - "a slap in the face". 

Others have called on ministers to go further and ensure wages are covered in full, so that no one loses out for "doing the right thing". 

So should the Government increase its pay out, and with it the chances that everyone will stay at home when asked? Or should people accept a loss of earnings for the greater good?

Have your say in the poll below.

02:05 PM

Teachers like me aren’t lazy or cowardly. Covid 19 is a deadly disease and we are right to be scared

Please don’t tell me how desperately children need to get back to school. I know. I know that Barney, a 15-year-old boy who is excellent at creative writing, will have been beaten through lockdown. Samira, a quiet 12-year-old whose illustrations impress the whole class, will have fed herself on pot noodles and crisps – as long as her single father has been shopping. And 14-year-old Mohammed, whose father has recently left the marital home, hides in his room to escape his mother’s crying. 

Our anonymous writer is a teacher who has been in constant contact with these children throughout lockdown -  exchanging emails with them, discussing their experiences with our safeguarding team, maintaining close contact with their families.

These children, and many others like them, are the reasons why teachers are desperate to get back into the classroom next week.

But they want to do it safely, and why are they being vilified for that? 

01:42 PM

One more person dies with coronavirus in Wales, authorities confirm

Public Health Wales said another person has died having tested positive for coronavirus, bringing its total number of deaths since the beginning of the pandemic to 1,595.

The number of cases of Covid-19 in Wales increased by 35, bringing the revised confirmed total to 17,843.

01:37 PM

Pointed book display not meant for Boris Johnson but a 'weird twist of fate', says librarian

A display of books apparently making veiled comments about the Government's handling of the pandemic was never intended for the Prime Minister, but was just a "weird twist of fate", the librarian behind it has said. 

Eagle-eyed members of the public noted that Boris Johnson was standing in front of a selection of seemingly pointed titles including Betrayed, Crisis Point, Glass Houses, The Twits when he spoke to school children yesterday. 

But according to Huff Post the display has been in place for more than six months, and was left by the outgoing librarian as a message to the school’s senior leadership team.

“It’s so bizarre, I actually feel a little bit sorry for the Prime Minister because it wasn’t ever intended for him – I did it as a message for the school management before I left in February,” she said. “The reality is actually a bit of a sadder story. If someone had done it for Boris Johnson that would have been amazing but it’s just a weird twist of fate."

01:27 PM

Labour attacks 'staggering' failure on Test and Trace

Labour has said it is "staggering" that the Government still has not hit its Test and Trace target, nine weeks into the programme. 

Three-quarters of close contacts of people who tested positive for Covid-19 were reached through the NHS Test and Trace system, once again falling short of the Government's target, of 80 per cent. 

Some 75.5 per cent of close contacts in England were reached in the week ending August 19.

“It’s staggering that Matt Hancock has still not sorted this out," said Justin Madders MP, Labour’s shadow health minister.

“The Government seems to have taken its eye off the ball in ensuring tests are readily available and quickly administered, with the latest figures showing its taking longer for people to get their results and the private sector companies still not reaching over half of the contacts of those who test positive.

“As children return to school next week it is vital Ministers show they have a grip on test and tracing.”

01:24 PM

Climate activists Extinction Rebellion to target airports and roads in bank holiday protests

Environmental protest group Extinction Rebellion (XR) plans to target airports and impose roadblocks during the bank holiday weekend as it kicks off a new programme of climate change demonstrations.

Beginning on Friday, a "regional rebellion" over four days will see protests staged across the country, including in London, Manchester, Bristol, Cardiff and Leeds.

The protests are being held ahead of larger-scale demonstrations planned for London, Manchester and Cardiff on September 1.

XR supporters will also be encouraged to protest digitally, and urged to phone their MPs and "institutions of power".

The protests will coincide with the Government introducing hefty fines for anyone organising gatherings that breach social distancing rules from Friday.

The Home Office said earlier this month: "Those facilitating or organising illegal raves, unlicensed music events, or any other unlawful gathering of 30 people or more may face a £10,000 fine."

01:21 PM

Further seven people die with coronavirus in English hospitals

A further seven people who tested positive for coronavirus have died, bringing the total number of confirmed reported deaths in hospitals in England to 29,531.

The patients were between 77 and 90 years old and all had known underlying health conditions.

Date of death ranges from 15 May to 26 August 2020, with the majority on or after 24 August.

There were two deaths in London, four in the North West and one in the North East & Yorkshire. 

01:11 PM

Russia launches probe into Navalny poisoning

Russia has launched a police investigation into opposition leader Alexei Navalny's illness and asked German medics treating him to share his medical records while the Kremlin continued to insist there were no grounds for a criminal probe.

Mr Navalny fell ill on a plane to Moscow from the Siberian city of Tomsk on Thursday. He spent two days in a Russian clinic in a coma, where doctors insisted he had not been poisoned, before being transferred to Berlin's Charite hospital.

The German doctors have said tests on the 44-year-old politician and anti-corruption campaigner indicate that he was poisoned, and his allies have pointed the finger of blame at President Vladimir Putin.

In an interview on state-controlled television earlier today, he made no mention of the case.

Prosecutors said they had "no evidence" of a deliberate crime committed against Navalny and requested that German medics hand over "the evidence for the initial diagnoses they gave" including test results.

12:59 PM

The dystopian technology that awaits kids going back to school

Students around the world will start to return to school next week but all may not be as it once was. 

From thermal imaging cameras and makeshift apps to robots and human contact tracing efforts, schools around the world and in the UK are racing to install new rules and systems they believe will keep students and staff safe while preventing the spread of Covid-19. 

12:41 PM

Just 38 fines issued for people not wearing face masks on transport

Police have issued just 38 fines to people for not wearing an appropriate face covering on public transport, despite previous claims from the Transport Secretary that one-in-10 passengers were breaking the rules.

Passengers in England and Wales caught not complying with the regulations, which aim to slow the spread of coronavirus, risk being fined £100 and removed from services.

Some 32 of the 38 Fixed Penalty Notices (FPNs) were issued by the British Transport Police (BTP), with four issued by West Midlands Police, and one each by Lancashire and Cumbria constabularies.

At the beginning of the month, Grant Shapps wrote on Twitter that the face covering compliance rates on public transport was 90 per cent, although BTP said that has since risen to around 97 per cent. 

12:27 PM

Matt Hancock defends 'pay to stay' as £13-a-day branded a 'slap in the face'

Matt Hancock has defended the Government's new 'pay to stay' support for people who have to self-isolate, as a council leader in one of the pilot areas has branded them "a slap in the face".

People on Universal Credit or Working Tax Credit will receive up to £182 a week if they are asked to quarantine, with a trial beginning in Blackburn with Darwen and Pendle in Lancashire, as well as Oldham in Greater Manchester.

Mr Hancock said the extra financial support was "set at the level of statutory sick pay".

Asked if payments representing £13 a day were enough, Mr Hancock said they were "in addition" to other benefits that people on low incomes receive.

But Pendle Borough Council leader Mohammed Iqbal said the level of financial support is "not acceptable".

The Labour councillor told BBC Radio Four's Today programme: "The figures that the Government have introduced are really a slap in the face for those people who sadly test positive and there is no incentive in my opinion for those people to self-isolate.

"If you're a manual worker who's not able to do their job from home, normally getting paid the living wage or the minimum wage, the Government are now going to say to you we'll pay you £4.55 an hour. Not acceptable."

Greater Manchester Mayor Andy Burnham agreed, saying the payment "goes nowhere near far enough", adding people need "full pay".

12:26 PM

Watch: All the U-turns the Government has made during the pandemic

Yesterday the Government made yet another U-turn, this time on advice about wearing face masks in schools. 

These are unprecedented times - but even allowing for the challenges presented by the pandemic, it's not gone unnoticed how many times ministers have changed their minds the last few months.

In the last fortnight, over A Level/GCSE results and face coverings in schools, the position has changed significantly in a matter of hours.

That's led to real concern among some Tory MPs that some ministers just don't have a grip at the moment.

Watch the video below to see just how many changes there have been. 

 

 

12:18 PM

Local lockdown messaging 'confused and bungled', say council leaders

The Government's messaging on local coronavirus restrictions has been "confused and bungled", council leaders in West Yorkshire have said.

Ahead of an announcement by Matt Hancock on the next steps for the partial lockdown in place across much of the North, councillors Susan Hinchcliffe, Tim Swift and Shabir Pandor, the leaders of Bradford, Calderdale and Kirklees respectively, said: "Our infection rates have come down significantly this week, although they are still high.

"Over the last few months and weeks we, as leaders, have taken difficult decisions and directed significant resource in our councils to make this happen. However, throughout this time Government messaging has been confused and bungled."

Last week Mr Hancock suggested he wanted to see more localised restrictions, which councillors are worried could see them imposed "ward by ward rather than by local authority areas". These could be changed weekly "leading to inconsistency in restrictions across the North", the statement added. 

"People's patience is wearing thin with the confusion. They need to know that the restrictions are fair otherwise they won't keep to them."

The councillors added that deciding where to introduce restrictions from recommendations made by Tory backbench MPs "undermines local council leadership".

12:12 PM

Sherelle Jacobs: Europe is at last waking up to its lockdown folly

Did you hear it? Beyond the second wave sirens and the schools debate, the sound of the penny dropping on the global stage. In recent days, world leaders have hinted at an extraordinary admission: lockdowns are a disaster, and we can’t afford to repeat the mistake.

Still, when that spiritless reverend of the global order Angela Merkel delivered this confession a few days ago, she was so officiously ambiguous that the world paid no attention. “Politically, we want to avoid closing borders again at any cost, but that assumes that we act in coordination,” she droned at a summit in the Mediterranean.

And with that, an earthquake: saving lives “at any cost” has been excised from the lexicon of liberal internationalism. Instead, writes Sherelle Jacob, the aim is to save the economy.  

11:52 AM

New Lib Dem leader 'does not share values of British people', says Tory co-chairman

Ed Davey has received congratulations from his leadership rival and MPs from other parties - but not from Conservative Party co-chairman Amanda Milling

Commenting on his election as Liberal Demoract leader, the MP for Cannock Chase said: "At the election last year, the British people decided to move on from years of division and deadlock.

"But the Liberal Democrats want to keep on playing the same old politics.

"They have a new leader in place, but he has shown time and again he does not share the values of the British people."

11:39 AM

Watch: Ed Davey admits Lib Dems have 'lost touch' with voters

The Liberal Democrats have "lost touch" with voters, Sir Ed Davey admitted as he set himself the goal of turning the party around as its new leader.

The former Cabinet minister said the Lib Dems have to "wake up and smell the coffee" after a series of disappointing general election results.

The Kingston and Surbiton MP, who has been acting leader since Jo Swinson lost her seat in the 2019 general election, defeated Layla Moran to win the leadership by 42,756 votes to 24,564.

See what he had to say in his acceptance speech below.

11:31 AM

Air bridge between London and New York under discussion

Could quarantine-free travel between the UK and US be on the horizon?

An “air bridge” between London and New York to enable travellers to sidestep quarantine is being discussed in top-level UK-US Government talks, The Telegraph understands.

So far the Government has insisted quarantine rules must apply to countries as a whole - causing much gnashing of teeth from likes of Spain, where tourism-reliant islands have been included despite having a lower rate than parts of the UK. 

However ministers are now studying plans for regional “air bridges”, which would open up “low-risk” areas like New York city within countries like the US which are “red listed” because of their continued overall high coronavirus rates.

Read the full details here. 

11:19 AM

Have your say on: The 'pay to stay' support

The Government has announced a new support scheme for people on low incomes who are not able to work from home, in a bid to push up the levels of compliance when people are asked to self-isolate. 

Matt Hancock confirmed this morning that the 'pay to stay' support will be rolled out in select parts of the country from next week. 

However critics have dubbed the amount on offer - up to £182 over a two-week period - "a slap in the face". 

Others have called on ministers to go further and ensure wages are covered in full, so that no one loses out for "doing the right thing". 

So should the Government increase its pay out, and with it the chances that everyone will stay at home when asked? Or should people accept a loss of earnings for the greater good?

Have your say in the poll below.

11:01 AM

Layla Moran congratulates Ed Davey as he is named Lib Dem leader

Sir Ed Davey's rival has congratulated him on winning the vote to lead the Liberal Democrats. 

Layla Moran said she would "look forward to working with him to campaign for a better future for Britain".

Other Lib Dem MPs including Christine Jardine and Daisy Cooper were among those to congratulate the new leader.

Meanwhile Green Party MP Caroline Lucas tweeted: "Congratulations to new Libdem leader @EdwardJDavey - look forward to working together & with all opposition parties to hold this appalling government to account & to reform our archaic undemocratic electoral system for good."

10:58 AM

Government fails to hit Test and Trace target for ninth week in a row

The Government has failed to reach its target for reaching contacts through Test and Trace for the ninth week in a row, figures show. 

Some 75.5 per cent of close contacts in England were reached in the week ending August 19.

While this is up from 71.6% in the previous week, it falls short of Government's Scientific Advisory Group for Emergencies (Sage) target of isolating 80 per cent of contacts of coronavirus cases.

Since the launch of Test and Trace, 246,262 close contacts of people who have tested positive for Covid-19 have now been reached through the tracing system and asked to self-isolate.

This is 80.6 per cent out of a total of 305,725 people identified as close contacts.

The remaining 59,463 people (19.4 per cent) were identified as close contacts, but were not reached.

This morning Matt Hancock said the new 'pay to stay' scheme, in which the Government will give people on low incomes up to £182 to self-isolate, would "strengthen" the Test and Trace system and improve overall compliance. 

10:48 AM

Sir Ed Davey promises leadership rival Layla Moran 'big role in my team'

Sir Ed Davey has thanked his leadership competitor Layla Moran for fighting "a passionate campaign full of energy" - and promised her a "big role in my team".

Making his acceptance speech, the new leader of the Liberal Democrats said: "I'd like to start by thanking my friend Layla Moran.

"Layla, you've fought a passionate campaign full of energy and since becoming MP you've inspired so many people, particularly young people.

"Your future is bright and I look forward to you playing a big role in my team.

"To members of the Liberal Democrats, thank you for putting your faith in me and giving me the honour of leading a party I joined 30 years ago."

10:41 AM

Lib Dems must 'wake up and smell the coffee' after electoral defeats, says new leader Ed Davey

The Liberal Democrats must "wake up and smell the coffee" after their electoral near-annihilation in December, the new party leader has said. 

Sir Ed Davey, MP for Kingston and Surbiton, was announced the leader just moments ago, easily beating rival Layla Moran. 

In his acceptance speech, the former frontbencher said: "I’m determined our Party backs a Britain that works with other countries across the world for peace and prosperity. But it is my love of our party that makes me recognise that we have to change.

"We have to wake up and smell the coffee. Nationally, our party has lost touch with too many voters.

"Yes, we are powerful advocates locally. Our campaigners listen to local people, work hard for communities and deliver results. But at the national level, we have to face the facts of three disappointing general election results.

"Nationally, voters have been sending us a message. But we have not been listening. It is time for us to start listening. As leader I am telling you: I have got that message. I am listening now."

10:36 AM

Breaking: Ed Davey named new Liberal Democrat leader

Sir Ed Davey has been named the new leader of the Liberal Democrats, scooping up nearly half of the vote. 

Some 42,756  people voted for the former minister, with his leadership rival Layla Moran securing 24, 564 votes.  

Sir Ed was energy and climate change secretary during the coalition government under David Cameron. 

10:23 AM

Home Office criticised over migrant crossings video

The Home Office has been accused of "painting lawyers as villains" amid a row over migrant crossings.

The Home Office attacked "activist lawyers", which it says are hindering their efforts to deport migrants, in a video posted on its Twitter account.

But the post has been criticised by several prominent figures. Former chief prosecutor Nazir Afzal tweeted: "'Activist lawyers' ensure that humans have rights. They ensure OUR laws are followed. This is scandalous."

 Labour MP Stella Creasey said: "The UK Government attacking 'activist lawyers', dehumanising people fleeing persecution and boasting about deportations as if that will stop the traffickers - Trump isn't their inspiration, this IS Trump. Not only shameful, ultimately futile as the boats keep coming..."

Barrister Richard Booth QC tweeted: "This is utterly disgraceful from the Home Office, painting lawyers as villains. A very slippery and dangerous slope."

10:03 AM

Young people urged to follow social distancing, following rise in Liverpool cases

Liverpool City Council has appealed to adults under 40 to follow social distancing guidelines following a rise in cases across the city.

The authority said there had been a steady increase in the rolling weekly total over the last fortnight, with those aged 40 and under accounting for half of the cases.

Director of public health Matt Ashton said: "It is really important that as schools start to reopen and more workplaces are getting back to normal, we all take responsibility and follow the guidance to limit the spread of cases as far as possible."

He urged people to stick to the two-metre social distancing rule, wear masks in confined spaces, wash their hands regularly and get tested if they had symptoms.

09:48 AM

Non-EU nationals drive net migration, ONS says

Net migration in the UK was around 313,000 in the year to March, the Office for National Statistics (ONS) has said.

In the 12-month period around 715,000 people moved to the UK and around 403,000 people left the country, a report published on Thursday said.

There is a rise in immigration and net migration, driven by an increase in non-EU nationals arriving in the UK to study. 

Jay Lindop, director of the Centre for International Migration at the ONS, said: "After a period of stability, we were seeing migration levels begin to increase in the past 12 months leading up to the coronavirus pandemic.

"This was being driven by increases in non-EU student arrivals, mainly from China and India."

The figures, to the end of March, "do not take into account the significant impact the pandemic has had on international migration since then", she added.

09:21 AM

Von der Leyen thanks Phil Hogan for work as he quits over 'golfgate'

President of the European Commission Ursula von der Leyen said she respects the resignation of Phil Hogan, who stood down last night in the wake of the ongoing row over 'golfgate'.

The trade commissioner is the latest senior Irish politician to leave his role after having attended an indoor golfing event with more than 80 other people. 

Ms von der Leyen said she was "very grateful" to Mr Hogan for his "tireless and successful work" as a commissioner and as a member of the College.

"I thank him warmly for his valuable contribution to the work of the Commission, not only in this mandate, but also in the previous mandate where he was the commissioner in charge of Agriculture and Rural Development," she added.

"Over the past days, I discussed with Phil Hogan about his movements in Ireland in light of information that emerged regarding respect of public health guidelines in Ireland.

"In the current circumstances, as Europe fights to reduce the spread of the coronavirus and Europeans make sacrifices and accept painful restrictions, I expect the members of the College to be particularly vigilant about compliance with applicable national or regional rules or recommendations."

09:19 AM

Risk of insolvency 'moderate or severe' for nearly a quarter of hospitality and entertainment firms, says ONS

Almost a quarter of businesses in sectors including hospitality, entertainment and recreation have said they are at moderate or severe risk of going under, the Office for National Statistics has said. 

Some 13 per cent of the country's workforce remain on furlough, with 70 per cent of furloughed employees receiving top ups from employers to their pay, according to the latest Business Impact of Coronavirus Survey.

09:09 AM

Nearly half of Britons want Government to extend furlough scheme, poll finds

Nearly half of Britons want the Government to extend the furlough scheme for an extra year, a poll carried out on behalf of Unite the union has found. 

Support for extending the scheme, which is due to wind up in October, was greatest in the South (49 per cent) and London (57 per cent).  Among 18-54 year olds, 60 per cent want the Government to extend the scheme.

Unite general secretary Len McCluskey said: “This poll is a clear indicator of the public’s fear for the near future...Tens of thousands of jobs have gone over the summer, and as the end of the job retention scheme grows ever closer, we're extremely worried that UK employers will shed even more.    

"The extension of the scheme would calm nerves and put a solid floor under an economy that is braced for a certain storm this autumn.  

"Despite Germany’s relatively optimistic economic outlook, Angela Merkel has extended her country’s version of the job retention scheme to further boost economic growth. Other European countries including France, Spain and Italy have or are going to do the same. We urge Boris Johnston to show support for Britain's workers and follow suit."

08:51 AM

Allister Heath: Can Boris rescue London from this nightmarish Corbynite death spiral?

London is Boris Johnson’s true political love. His greatest achievement to date has been Brexit, a bitter, bloody and heroic contest, but it is his time as mayor that he recalls with the most fondness. Those were his “Heineken politician” days, when, almost uniquely, he was cheered wherever he went for embodying an uplifting, apolitical, unifying Britishness, a far cry from the polarising, sombre leader that circumstances have turned him into today.

With London facing its most severe crisis since the Eighties, Johnson is going to have to start being a lot more hands-on with his beloved city again if he wants to save it. The Blairite devolution settlement of 2000, as in Scotland, has failed disastrously: London’s finances are bankrupt, and, argues Allister Heath, the city is about to shift even further to the cultural Left.

08:31 AM

Have your say on: The 'pay to stay' support

The Government has announced a new support scheme for people on low incomes who are not able to work from home, in a bid to push up the levels of compliance when people are asked to self-isolate. 

Matt Hancock confirmed this morning that the 'pay to stay' support will be rolled out in select parts of the country from next week. 

However critics have dubbed the amount on offer - up to £182 over a two-week period - "a slap in the face". 

Others have called on ministers to go further and ensure wages are covered in full, so that no one loses out for "doing the right thing". 

So should the Government increase its pay out, and with it the chances that everyone will stay at home when asked? Or should people accept a loss of earnings for the greater good?

Have your say in the poll below.

08:24 AM

Cover lost wages in full, says Oldham Council leader

A second council leader has said the support announced by the Government overnight does not go far enough, and urged ministers to "do their bit" by covering lost wages in full. 

Oldham Council leader Sean Fielding said: "I am pleased that the Government have agreed to at least provide some financial help for those being asked to self-isolate in Oldham.

"Sadly this offer is nowhere near enough to provide real support, and it shows how out of touch with ordinary people this Government is.

"I stand with the Time Out To Help Out campaign in asking Government to support people across the country to self-isolate on full pay. People should not have to worry about loss of income whilst being asked to self-isolate.

"Oldham residents have pulled together to face this crisis; we now need Government do to their bit.

"We need a real and meaningful offer of support for Oldham residents, who deserve better."

08:23 AM

Red tape and coral spacesuits: Helena Morrissey visits Planet Normal

City boss Helena Morrissey joins Telegraph columnists, Allison Pearson and Liam Halligan in this week's episode of Planet Normal

The founder of The 30% Club talks about the pandemic's ambiguous effect on women in the workplace, why staying silent over Brexit wasn't an option, and why we need a "burning of the red tape" to save the economy. Plus, she tells us why you won't catch her in a "fashionable" face mask.

Also on the show: Liam and Allison weigh in on face covering in schools and take part in a rousing sing-a-long (brace yourselves). 

08:20 AM

'Pay to stay' support branded 'slap in the face' by local councillor

The Government's move to give people on low incomes further financial support has been branded "a slap in the face" by one council leader. 

The scheme, which will allow those who are on Universal Credit to claim up to £182 if they are asked to self-isolate, will be rolled out in parts of Greater Manchester from next week. 

But Pendle Borough Council leader Mohammed Iqbal said the level of financial support is "not acceptable".

The Labour councillor told BBC Radio Four's Today programme: "The figures that the Government have introduced are really a slap in the face for those people who sadly test positive and there is no incentive in my opinion for those people to self-isolate.

"If you're a manual worker who's not able to do their job from home, normally getting paid the living wage or the minimum wage, the Government are now going to say to you we'll pay you £4.55 an hour. Not acceptable."

08:16 AM

Over-50s will only get flu jab 'if we have enough', Matt Hancock admits

People aged between 50 and 64 will be able to receive the flu jab this year "if we have enough", Matt Hancock has said.

Last month, the government announced plans to double the amount of people who receive the seasonal flu jab to include all over-50s, people shielding and those who live with them and children in their first year of secondary school.

But today the Health Secretary conceded that those under the usual cut-off point of 65 will go to the back of the queue because of "a global increase in demand".

Speaking to BBC Breakfast, he said: "The most important group to get the flu jab are those who are the most vulnerable if they get the flu.

"So we absolutely are targeting efforts at getting as many of the over-65s as possible, and those with underlying health conditions which mean that they really need the flu jab, in the first instance.

"We will then extend the pre-flu jab to the over-50s, so those between aged 50 and 64, if we have enough."

08:13 AM

Matt Hancock: I got my tan on 'staycation'

Health Secretary Matt Hancock said his tanned complexion is thanks to a week's "staycation" holiday in Britain this summer.

Asked "Where did you get that tan?" on LBC radio, he replied: "Cornwall."

Mr Hancock added: "You can't beat a holiday in Cornwall. I went surfing in Cornwall.

"It was absolutely fantastic, glorious - holiday at home, you can't beat Cornwall in the summer."

He continued: "I've had one week of holiday this year; I think everybody deserves a break."

08:11 AM

Matt Hancock rubbishes 'spurious' report on growing NHS waiting list

Matt Hancock has rubbished a "spurious" report claiming that the NHS has a "hidden waiting list" of 15.3 million patients who need follow-up appointments for health problems following the Covid-19 pandemic.

The Health Secretary told LBC radio: "I've looked into this research since it arrived in the Times overnight, and it is total rubbish.

"It is actually a count of the total number of appointments that there are ... what they've done is counted all the appointments that there are in the NHS.

"If you have an appointment, that is not because you're on a waiting list, it is because you are going to go and see someone in the NHS.

"We measure waiting lists very rigorously and obviously a really important part of the recovery of the country post-coronavirus is getting those treatments that had to be delayed, getting them dealt with.

"But let's deal with the facts rather than a spurious survey."

07:27 AM

More important that civil servants 'deliver' than where they work, says Matt Hancock

Matt Hancock has said he is more concerned about how effective people in his team are than whether they are in the office, as he defends the work civil servants do. 

The Prime Minister has said he wants more civil servants back in Whitehall, as part of efforts to encourage white collar workers back in the office. It also comes as the relationship between ministers and officials appears particularly strained, after yet another permanent secretary was sacked yesterday. 

But the Health Secretary told Times Radio: "What I care about is that people perform.

"And so the people I work with, some of them have been working from home, some come in sometimes, some are in full time.

"And what matters to me is that they deliver. And frankly, they've been delivering at an unbelievable rate. There's sometimes this caricature that the people who work in the civil service work nine to five days, it's just completely untrue in my experience.

"People are working incredibly hard because ultimately it's a mission driven job."

07:19 AM

Quarantine cash to be 'rolled out further', Matt Hancock confirms

The Health Secretary said there was potential for the new self-isolation support payments to be rolled out beyond initial pilot areas of Oldham and Blackburn with Darwen and Pendle, which have local lockdowns.

Asked on BBC Breakfast why people outside these areas were not entitled to the money, Matt Hancock said: "This is where we're doing it in the first instance, firstly to make sure that the systems work, that we can get the money fast to people, because obviously if you're asking somebody to self-isolate for a fortnight we want to try to get the money to them at the start of that rather than afterwards."

He said the payments were being introduced in areas which have "the most acute need".

Mr Hancock added: "We'll see how that goes and we'll get the feedback, with the potential to roll it out further.

07:18 AM

Quarantine cash levels sufficient, Health Secretary insists

The Health Secretary has insisted that the new support for people on low incomes in lockdown areas required to self-isolate is set at a level that is sufficient. 

Matt Hancock said the extra financial support announced overnight was "set at the level of statutory sick pay".

Asked during an appearance on BBC Breakfast if £13 a day was enough, Mr Hancock said the payments were "in addition" to other benefits that people on low incomes receive.

When it was put to him that people self-isolating would be losing income from their jobs, Mr Hancock said: "Only in some cases, but absolutely we acknowledge that.

"It's set at the level of statutory sick pay in order to make sure that people don't lose out from doing the right thing."

07:15 AM

Sacking education official 'complete disgrace' says former head of the civil service

The decision to sack the Department for Education's permanent secretary Jonathan Slater yesterday has been attacked by a peer and former head of the civil service. 

Mr Slater will leave Whitehall on September 1, after the Prime Minister decided "fresh leadership" was needed. Sources said the move had been long planned, however it has been widely interpreted as a reaction to the exams row. 

Bob Kerslake told BBC Radio 4’s The World Tonight last night it was a "complete disgrace".

He added: “I know Jonathan Slater and he’s a very capable, experienced, conscientious senior civil servant. I’m afraid what’s happened is they’ve decided that someone has got to take the rap here, and it’s going to be the civil servant."

He claimed the problem was "the quality of the ministers".

Baron Kerslake added: "We can’t get into a situation where the buck is passed every time something goes wrong. It’s corrosive for the relationship between ministers and the civil service … Officials advise, ministers decide.”

07:10 AM

Social distancing will prevent supply teachers spreading coronavirus between schools, says Matt Hancock

Social distancing will ensure supply teachers do not spread coronavirus between schools as happened in the care home sector, Matt Hancock has insisted. 

The Health Secretary told Sky News: "The principle is that we want to keep certain teachers socially distanced from the pupils because there are all sorts of circumstances where a teacher might need to teach classes that are in different bubbles within the school.

"The pupils are put within bubbles and the bubbles shouldn't meet.

"The goal is to keep the teachers socially distanced," he added. "This is just one example of how challenging it is for all sorts of parts of society to minimise the impact of Covid.

"My answer to you is that it is the social distancing between the teacher and pupils which is the goal here, but our total focus is on getting the schools back."

07:07 AM

Pay to stay cash will address 'challenges' of self-isolation, says Matt Hancock

Matt Hancock said the additional financial support for those on lower incomes in local lockdown areas who are asked to self-isolate was about addressing some of the "challenges" with the NHS Test and Trace programme.

The Health Secretary told Sky News: "The big picture is we have to make sure we get as many people as possible successfully going through that NHS Test and Trace system and one of the challenges that has come back on the ground is to get that figure even higher for people on low incomes to make sure they get extra support if they're going into self-isolation."

He denied that the development was evidence that Universal Credit was not enough to live on, arguing that "in fact the levels of Universal Credit were increased from the previous rates that were in place under the old system".

06:57 AM

Air bridge between London and New York possible with top level talks held

An “air bridge” between London and New York to enable travellers to sidestep quarantine is being discussed in top-level UK-US Government talks, The Telegraph understands.

Ministers are studying plans for regional “air bridges” which would enable business and other travellers to come to the UK from “low-risk” areas like New York city within countries like the US which are “red listed” because of their continued overall high coronavirus rates.

New York, which introduced one of the toughest lockdowns, has brought its seven-day infection rate down to just 7.2 cases per 100,000, which is below England’s 11.3 yet remains “red listed” forcing any American visitors to the UK to automatically quarantine for 14 days.

“There are discussions going on at a very senior level around opening up London and New York. They are at a very early stage but it is vital to get business going with a major trading partner especially as we near Brexit,” said a source.

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