Gavin Williamson has said he is "confident" the necessary preparations are in place to ensure a "successful return" for all schools pupils in England, after around 40 per cent of schools went back on Tuesday morning.
The Education Secretary said welcoming pupils back will be a "massive milestone" for schools and highlighted a letter from the four UK chief medical officers about the "low-risk of long-term harm from Covid-19 due solely from attending school in comparison to the higher risk of long-term from not attending school".
Mr Williamson said pupils are returning to a "safe environment", telling the Commons: "I know that these past few months have been some of the most challenging that schools, parents and, most of all, children have faced."
He thanked education staff for their "incredible efforts", adding: "I'm confident we have the necessary preparations in hand to ensure a successful return for all of our pupils."
Kate Green, the shadow education secretary, said: "I'm welcoming the Secretary of State back to his place after a summer of chaos, incompetence and confusion that has caused enormous stress to children, young people, their families and their teachers.
"Ministers must now learn from their mistakes and ensure that keeping schools open and pupils learning is a national priority."
Follow the latest updates below.
04:47 PM
Lib Dems: Publish equality assessment of exams algorithm
Daisy Cooper, a Liberal Democrat MP, pressed the Government to publish details of its equality impact assessment on the exams grading system used.
She said: "It is truly shocking that the Government either didn't ask to see the A-level algorithm applied to real-world results, or it did and it didn't notice that it had hit pupils from the disadvantaged schools the hardest.
"So, to understand what happened, will the Government publish details of the equality impact assessment, which I'm sure it conducted, during the process that led to the original grading approach?"
Gavin Williamson responded: "One of the key reasons as to why we took the approach of moving to moderated grades, and that was a decision that was taken in March, is that many of the studies that have been previously carried out show that going to purely predicted grades was most likely to disadvantage those from the most disadvantaged communities and those from ethnic minority communities."
04:36 PM
'Continuity of education' must be maintained in local lockdowns, says Williamson
Gavin Williamson has been asked about schools being put on rotas because of local Covid-19 lockdowns.
MPs are worried that schools could close if local areas are locked down.
Ministers have previously said everything possible will be done to keep schools open.
Mr Williamson says there is a clear expectation that there should be a continuity of education where lockdowns are imposed.
04:08 PM
Williamson goes head to head with Kate Green over schools
Mr Williamson is admonished by the shadow Education Secretary, Kate Green, for not providing a copy of his statement earlier.
She says he must not preside over an "autumn of disaster and dismay".
Gavin Williamson apologises to Kate Green for giving her a copy of his statement late. It's very schoolboy told off by headteacher vibes, which is probably not what the education secretary was going for
Mr Williamson said the Government is determined that exams will go ahead in 2021.
He told MPs: "We are determined that exams and assessments will go ahead next year, and we're working with the sector to ensure that this is done as smoothly as possible.
"While none of this disruption is what we wanted for our students, I believe that they now have a certainty and reassurance they deserve and will be able to embark on the next exciting phase of their lives.
"I hope the whole House will join me in wishing all of them the very best for their future."
Ofqual, the regulator, is currently consulting on whether the exams should be delayed to allow more teaching time.
Mr Williamson is thought to be in favour of delaying.
04:00 PM
'It became clear' exam results were not fair, says Williamson
Gavin Williamson - AFP
Mr Williamson told the Commons: "The independent regulator Ofqual had put in place a system for arriving at grades that was believed to be fair and robust.
"It became clear, however, that there were far too many inconsistent and unfair outcomes for A and AS-level students, and that it was not reasonable to expect these to be dealt even through a boosted and enhanced appeals process."
Mr Williamson continued: "This situation has, I know, caused a great deal of stress and uncertainty, and I am deeply sorry that those who have borne the brunt of it have been students themselves.
"I can only apologise to them again for this."
03:52 PM
Williamson: Students are returning to 'safe' schools
Mr Williamson says students are "returning to a safe environment, and an environment they will get so much from".
He explains the regulations for schools to reopen, including face masks in communal areas in secondary schools located in areas under local lockdown.
Remember: Mr Williamson's career seems to hinge on bringing students back to school safely.
Tory backbenchers already think his days as a Cabinet minister are numbered.
03:48 PM
Gavin Williamson statement in the House of Commons - 'I'm deeply sorry'
Gavin Williamson, the Education Secretary, is giving an update on the exams fiasco and the return of students to school.
He said he was "deeply sorry" for the debacle, which resulted in thousands of grades being re-issued after being downgraded on results day.
Watch the live stream of Mr Williamson's statement at the top of this blog.
03:44 PM
Government considers mask exemption badges
Ms Churchill said she would consider the proposals - Richard Townshend Photography
A health minister is to consider calls for face covering exemption badges.
Labour MP Bambos Charalambous said Georgina Fallows, a rape survivor, suffers from post-traumatic stress disorder when her mouth is covered.
He said Ms Fallows and others have been challenged for not wearing a mask in shops and on public transport, despite being exempt from doing so.
Mr Charalambous told the Commons: "This causes further stress and anxiety.
"So does the minister support Georgina's campaign for a badge to identify people who legitimately can't wear a mask and will she consider raising awareness of this issue via a public information campaign?"
Health minister Jo Churchill said she was "incredibly sorry" to hear what Ms Fallows had experienced, adding guidance has been "very clear" there are people who are exempt for a variety of reasons and they do not need to prove these when challenged.
She added: "I would welcome a fuller discussion with (Mr Charalambous) about anything we can do to further help individuals like Georgina."
03:32 PM
Vaccine work 'continues to progress,' says Hancock
Mr Hancock said work on a vaccine "continues to progress". He said: "The best-case scenario remains a vaccine this year. While no vaccine technology is certain, since the House last met vaccine trials have gone well.
"The Oxford vaccine continues to be the world leader and we've now contracted with six different vaccine providers, so that whichever comes off we can get access in this country. While we give vaccine development all our support, we will insist on safety and efficacy."
He spoke about proposed changes to legislation in the coming weeks, adding: "To ensure that a vaccine approved by the MHRA (Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency) can be deployed here whether or not it has a European licence because the MHRA standards are equal to the highest in the world."
He added: "On the development of the vaccine which proceeds at pace, I will shortly ask the House to approve a broader range of qualified clinical personnel who can deploy the vaccine in order of clinical priority."
03:01 PM
Ministers will do 'everything in our power' to prevent a second wave - Hancock
Matt Hancock, the Health Secretary, said the Government will do "everything in our power" to prevent a second wave of Covid-19 in the UK. In a Commons statement, he said: "I said in July that a second wave was rolling across Europe and sadly we're now seeing an exponential rise in the number of cases in France and Spain.
"And the number of hospitalisations is sadly rising there too.
"We must do everything in our power to protect against a second wave here in the UK."
02:58 PM
Hancock launches new anti-Covid ad campaign
Matt Hancock is delivering a statement in the Commons - AFP
Matt Hancock said a new advertising campaign is set to be launched to remind people what they can to limit the spread of Covid-19. He told MPs: "The first line of defence is and always has been social distancing and personal hygiene.
"We will shortly be launching a new campaign reminding people of how they can help to stop the spread of coronavirus. Hands, face, space and get a test if you have symptoms.
"Everyone has a part to play in following the social distancing rules and doing the basics. After all, this is a virus that thrives on social contact.
"I'd like to thank the British public for everything they've done so far, but we must continue."
02:51 PM
'I managed four days on holiday!' - Telegraph Q&A with David Linden, Glasgow East
David Linden, pictured with Nicola Sturgeon, is the MP for Glasgow East - Andrew Milligan/PA
MPs back to work in Parliament today, which also signals the return of the Telegraph Live Blog Q&A.
David Linden is the SNP MP for Glasgow East. We caught up with him on his first morning back on the job after a summer in Scotland.
Telegraph Live Blog: Has it been a restful recess back in the constituency?
David Linden: I managed four days on holiday! So that was pretty short. My constituency is fairly well known in the media for having one of the highest number of people furloughed. At its peak there were 13,000 people furloughed. So I’ve spent huge amounts of time on the phone to local businesses to make sure they’re surviving.
TLB: What is your main priority in Parliament before Christmas?
DL: Certainly the economic recovery is something that is foremost in my mind. The Scottish Government is tasked with doing the public health aspect of things. We’ve had some challenges in the constituency related to schools and pubs but thankfully that is under control. From my point of view, the absolute priority once we have the public health aspect is assured, is the health of the local economy.
TLB: Polling today shows 70 per cent of people think MPs should be allowed to work from home. Do you?
DL: I’m no great lover of the Westminster Parliament, I’ve got to say. Many of the ways this building operates I find completely arcane. It does seem remarkable that it took a global pandemic to get us to be voting electronically. But if I’m asking teachers, dinner ladies, cleaners to go back, it’s probably right that I lead by example as well. But I’m a 30-year-old fit man, with no underlying health conditions.
Ian Blackford's acerbic lines of questioning have become a regular feature at PMQs - JESSICA TAYLOR/UK PARLIAMENT/HANDOUT/EPA-EFE/REX
TLB: What’s it like being ‘back to school’ with all the other SNP MPs today?
DL: The SNP group is fairly close at the best of times. I think that’s the nature of all being several hundred miles away from our families and our constituencies. So even at the weekend, I was out with a couple of colleagues climbing a hill, and they’re SNP MPs. Some of these people aren’t just my colleagues, they’re my friends.
TLB: So are you all working on Ian Blackford’s questions for PMQs tomorrow?
DL: One of the great things about Ian is that he’s very responsive, and takes the opportunity to speak to colleagues and find out what the big issues are in their constituencies. Many of the lines of questioning that Ian has used at Prime Minister’s Questions have been based on colleagues feeding in what they hear in their constituency.
02:40 PM
GP 'pretended to be care worker' to get Covid test
A GP had to pretend to be a care worker to receive a Covid-19 test before visiting a care home, MPs have heard. Labour's Daniel Zeichner said GPs in his Cambridge constituency have expressed concern about the "difficulty" they have in getting tested.
He added in the Commons: "One of them told me she had to pretend to be a care worker to get a test. That cannot be right after all this time, can it?"
Nadine Dorries, a health minister, said pilot projects are being launched, including in Peterborough, to provide regular Covid-19 testing for professionals, adding: "I think that problem is probably resolved."
02:27 PM
Care homes can now access repeat testing - minister
Helen Whately, a health minister, said care homes looking after older residents can now access repeat testing. Labour's shadow health minister Liz Kendall called for every care home to test its staff for Covid-19 on a weekly basis.
She said: "Ministers initially promised weekly testing for care home staff by July 6. They then abandoned that pledge and said routine tests wouldn't happen until September 7.
"With more than 15,000 deaths from Covid-19 in care homes so far, and winter and the flu season fast approaching, regular weekly testing of care homes is critical."
Responding during health questions, Ms Whately said: "There has been a delay to our repeat testing of care homes because of particular issues with some of the test kits.
"We are now able to offer repeat testing to all care homes for older people and we've been able to open up the (testing) portal to those with working-age adults as residents, and we've initiated our second round of repeat testing for the elderly sector."
02:20 PM
Hancock accused of trusting failed private sector with test and trace
Justin Madders, a shadow health minister, accused the Government of "rewarding private-sector failure" by extending test and trace contracts.
He said: "In some areas, private companies involved in test and trace have been reaching less than half of the contacts they're supposed to, not the 80 per cent that (Matt Hancock) claims.
"So you don't need an algorithm to work out that their performance, when compared to local public health teams, is where test and trace is failing. So why then is it that this Government is rewarding private-sector failure by extending those contracts?"
Mr Hancock responded: "The test and trace system at a national level makes the immediate and very rapid first attempt at contact and if no contact is made, then the local teams can go in and it's the combination of the two that works best.
"But I really think that the opposition is making a mistake and especially coming from the frontbench making the mistake, trying to divide people between public and private whereas actually everybody's working very hard together to deliver and to deliver the control of this virus."
02:01 PM
Nicola Sturgeon unveils Independence Referendum Bill
The First Minister said Brexit strengthened the case for independence in Scotland - Jane Barlow/PA
Nicola Sturgeon, the First Minister, has announced a new Independence Referendum Bill, Simon Johnson reports.
Speaking in her Programme for Government statement to the Scottish Parliament, she declared the SNP would make the case for an independent Scotland at the next election.
"Brexit – and the way in which it is being implemented – immeasurably strengthens the case for Scotland becoming an independent country, with the ability to shape our own destiny and contribute positively to the world," she said.
"If this was a programme for government in an independent Scotland, it wouldn’t have to contemplate the damage of Brexit. Instead it could set out even more far reaching plans.
"That is why, before the end of this Parliament, we will publish a draft Bill, setting out the proposed terms and timing of an independence referendum, as well as the proposed question that people will be asked in that referendum.
"And then at next year’s election, we will make the case for Scotland to become an independent country, and seek a clear endorsement of Scotland’s right to choose our own future."
01:46 PM
Tory MP arrested on suspicion of rape will not return to Parliament
A Conservative MP arrested on suspicion of rape has “voluntarily agreed not to attend the House of Commons for the period of the bail”, Speaker Sir Lindsay Hoyle has said.
In a statement to the Commons, Speaker Sir Lindsay Hoyle also discouraged MPs from using parliamentary privilege to the name the senior Tory MP who was arrested. Sir Lindsay said: "The House will know that a member has been arrested in connection with an investigation into an allegation of a very serious criminal offence.
"I have received assurances from the member and the Government Chief Whip that the member has voluntarily agreed not to attend the House of Commons for the period of the bail.
"I, the House of Commons Commission and the House service take the safety of our staff and the parliamentary community as a whole very seriously, and ensuring any necessary measures are taken in respect of MPs and employers and staff."
01:38 PM
Scotland gets its own contact tracing app
The Scottish Government is launching its own contact tracing app, Simon Johnson reports.
The app will notify people thought to have been in contact with people with the virus.
Speaking in the Scottish Parliament, Nicola Sturgeon, the First Minister, said:
"Later this month, we will launch ‘Protect Scotland’, our new proximity tracing app. The app will provide an additional means of notifying and giving advice if you’ve been exposed to someone who has tested positive - even if you don’t know them and they don’t know you.
"There will be more information at the time of launch - as well as important assurances about privacy and confidentiality - but I encourage everyone to download and use the app as soon as it becomes available."
01:05 PM
Marcus Rashford writes to Boris Johnson to warn child food poverty endangers stability of country
12:25 PM
Updates from the Lobby
Around 40 per cent of schools have gone back today - Dominic Lipinski/PA
Boris Johnson's spokesman has just given an update on the day's news from Downing Street. Here's what we learnt:
The Prime Minister has joined LinkedIn and will use it "to engage with businesses and workers".
Schools have returned successfully in much of the country and "parents are keen to get their children back into school and get learning," the spokesman said.
Asked about parents being fined for not sending their children back, the spokesman said "fines can be used to enforce full attendance but I think that should be only used as a last resort".
The Government is "totally committed to the exams going ahead next year" but is consulting on the possibility of delaying them.
Anne-Marie Trevelyan, the International Development Secretary, will be made redundant tomorrow morning when her department is merged with the Foreign Office. She will receive a payout.
Asked about Tony Abbott's comments this morning (see 10.55), the spokesman said: "The PM continues to urge people to follow the guidance on hands, face and space. It’s imprtioant that people continue to stay safe and to prevent the spread of the virus."
12:19 PM
Brexit deal 'will not be easy to achieve' - PM
Michel Barnier and David Frost are meeting in London this week - YVES HERMAN/POOL/EPA-EFE/Shutterstock
The Prime Minister no longer believes a Brexit deal will be easy to achieve, as Michel Barnier and the UK's chief negotiator meet in London to discuss the next round of talks.
Negotiators have a month to secure a deal before an EU summit in October.
But Boris Johnson think that while a deal is "still possible," it will "not be easy to achieve", his spokesman said.
Michel Barnier's visit will not be accompanied by an official dinner, he said.
Asked if there is any possibility that the transition period will be extended to allow the UK and EU to secure a deal, the spokesman replied: "No."
12:04 PM
Minister stands firm on fines for absences as pupils go back to school
11:59 AM
Flight prices shoot up as holidaymakers scramble back home from Portugal
Holidaymakers are scrambling to return from Portugal amid growing speculation the UK Government could reimpose quarantine measures for arrivals from the country.
EasyJet has sold out all its flights from Faro - which serves the Algarve - to airports in Britain on Wednesday, Thursday and Friday.
British Airways is selling seats on a flight from Faro to Heathrow on Thursday for £554, while the same journey can be made seven days later for just £139.
Thousands of people have travelled from the UK to Portugal since the country was added to the Government's quarantine exemption list on August 22, with airlines increasing capacity to meet high demand.
But the 14-day self-isolation rule for arrivals from the country could return this week due to a rise in Covid-19 cases.
There were 22.3 coronavirus cases per 100,000 people in Portugal in the seven days to August 31, up from 14.5 a week earlier.
11:36 AM
Boris Johnson: Britain's getting 'back on its feet but there's 'turbulence ahead'
Here's a clip released by the Prime Minister this morning declaring that Britain is getting back on its feet and people are returning to work in droves.
11:21 AM
Whoops! Camera spots Defence Secretary shaking hands
Ben Wallace, the Defence Secretary, was spotted shaking hands with someone on his way into Downing Street.
Defence Secretary Ben Wallace has been spotted shaking hands with somebody on the way to a socially distanced cabinet meeting
Sky's @joepike says it's "not a good look on day one of the new term".
A spokesman for Mr Wallace said: "The Secretary of State recognises the mistake and apologises for slipping up.
"He knows the importance of social distancing and will be extra careful in future."
11:06 AM
1,450 migrants defy Home Secretary and cross Channel in small boats
More than 1,450 migrants arrived in the UK by small boats in August despite a vow from Priti Patel to make the dangerous route "unviable".
In recent weeks the Home Office has sought to blame French authorities and "activist lawyers" for rising numbers of crossings and difficulties removing asylum seekers once they arrive in Britain.
But despite the deployment of RAF planes and the appointment of a clandestine Channel threat commander, large numbers of people have continued to attempt the perilous crossing.
More suspected migrants were seen arriving in the Port of Dover on Tuesday morning and Border Force remains active in the English Channel.
10:20 AM
Dominic Cummings spotted wearing a suit
The Prime Minister's usually-scruffy chief aide was spotted walking along Downing Street this morning wearing a suit.
It's a rare departure from his usual attire, which typically includes a pair of jeans, trainers and a beanie hat.
Mr Cummings could have dressed up for the first day back to school, or for the appointment of the new Cabinet Secretary (see 11.07).
Simon Case - Getty Images Contributor/Mark Cuthbert
Simon Case has been appointed as the UK's new Cabinet Secretary, the Government has confirmed.
He will begin his role on September 9.
It was reported yesterday that Mr Case would replace Mark Sedwill, who is standing down.
Mr Case is a former private secretary to the Duke of Cambridge but is currently on attachment to Downing Street.
The Prime Minister said: "Simon will make a fantastic Cabinet Secretary and Head of the Civil Service. His years of experience at the heart of government and working for The Royal Household make him ideally suited for this crucial role.
"I would also like to thank Mark Sedwill for his outstanding service to the Government and the country as a whole. After serving for decades with great distinction, I believe he has earned the gratitude of the nation.
Mr Case said: "It is an honour to be appointed as Cabinet Secretary and Head of the Civil Service. Over these few months of working on the Covid response, I have seen how much hard work is being done by the Civil Service to support the government and our country through unprecedented times.
"It is a privilege to come into this role to lead a Service that is working day in, day out to deliver for people right across the country."
09:55 AM
Tony Abbott urges governments: no more lockdowns
In his Policy Exchange speech this morning (see 10.30)Tony Abbott has come out very strongly against further lockdowns.
Speaking about Australia, the former PM warned the public was living under a "health dictatorship" where the Government could let “the fear of falling sick prevent us from being fully alive”.
His comments are interesting because Mr Abbott has just been appointed to the UK's post-Brexit trade team.
The UK Government has said more local lockdowns are likely.
“My plea is for us to be very careful about further lockdowns because the consequences of lockdowns are enormous," he said.
“We are not sure exactly how much they bring in the way of health benefits, but we are sure of the damage they do in terms of our economies, and increasingly we are starting to become conscious, certainly if you look at the virtual house arrest that the 5.5 million people of Melbourne have been under for the last month, we are conscious of the psychic damage it can do.”
09:39 AM
Majority of public says MPs can carry on working from home
MPs have been criticised for being too rowdy in Parliament - JESSICA TAYLOR/UK PARLIAMENT HANDOUT/EPA-EFE/REX
A majority of the public (69 per cent) think MPs should be allowed to continue joining debates online rather than in person after Covid.
The findings won't be popular with Boris Johnson, whose back-to-work campaign begins this week and includes members of parliament.
New polling from Opinium, commissioned by Compassion in Politics, shows the majority support MPs working from home, while 51 per cent of people would like to see an end to the jeering and shouting which accompanies parliamentary debates.
One in five think rowdiness is an important tradition that should be allowed to continue.
Compassion in Politics is a pressure group that campaigns for politicians to "behave with respect, kindness, and compassion."
09:30 AM
Tony Abbott: I would never have locked down Australia over swine flu
Tony Abbott is speaking in Westminster this morning - Getty Images AsiaPac / Mark Nolan
Over in the Policy Exchange think tank this morning, former Australian PM Tony Abbott is speaking about coronavirus down under.
He says he would never have locked down the country when he was Prime Minister during the swine flu crisis, but acknowledges that Covid-19 is more deadly and more infectious.
"Not for a moment did I ever contemplate ordering people to stay home. That would have struck me as contrary to our nature and just adding to the worries of a dire time," he said.
"In any serious pandemic, people would naturally avoid going out unnecessarily [...] the way I saw it, in any pandemic the focus would be to get people to stay at their posts, to keep the economy going, not to lock everything down lest disease spread. People would be taking precautions anyway.
"People should get on with their lives, even in the presence of death."
09:18 AM
Extinction Rebellion are back (again)
Extinction Rebellion gather in Central London this morning as they prepare for their climate change protests - London News Pictures Ltd/Alex Lentati/LNP
In a nostalgic nod to the Autumn of last year, Extinction Rebellion are back on the streets of Westminster.
A large armed police presence could be seen outside the Palace of Westminster this morning, and one officer confirmed police had been deployed to deal with rowdy protesters.
The march to Westminster will begin at 11.30am and is set to last the rest of the day.
With any luck, they might be heard over opposition jeering at the Education Secretary at 3.30pm.
09:05 AM
Tax rises will be 'acid rain on green shoots', warns minister
Rishi Sunak has been warned off a series of tax increases mooted for the November Budget as rises could lead to investors sending their money overseas.
A minister warned it would be akin to “acid rain falling on the green shoots of recovery”.
Senior business chiefs and economists have warned successful entrepreneurs will flee overseas, and major companies will shun UK investments if the Treasury presses ahead with “daft” hikes.
We are still a way out from the Budget, but news of planned tax rises have been leaking from the Treasury since Sunday, when a raft of measures reached the ears of the Telegraph's Harry Yorke.
This morning, it was reported that fuel duty could rise by 5p (see post at 9.31).
As Tory backbenchers return to Parliament this week, the Chancellor is likely to face some very stern questioning over why his officials are preparing to hike taxes so severely.
The UK manufacturing sector has expanded at the fastest rate for over six years in August, as companies restarted operations following the pandemic, new data shows.
The closely-followed IHS Markit/CIPS manufacturing purchasing managers' index (PMI) recorded a score of 55.2 in August, from 53.3 in July.
Anything above 50 is considered an expansion in the sector.
Jeremy Hunt: Don't blame Public Health England for Government failures
Jeremy Hunt, the former health secretary, has questioned the Government's attempt to blame Public Health England (PHE) for failings over its test and trace programme.
PHE has now been scrapped and has handed its brief over to Dido Harding, a Boris Johnson ally.
Mr Hunt said the blame laid at Public Health England's door over testing had been unfair, but that the decision to scrap the organisation could be a positive move.
He told BBC Radio 4's Today programme: "My experience of Public Health England was that they basically did what ministers told them to do, so I think it would be wrong to make them a scapegoat.
"But I don't think that means we can't improve the structures we have."
Treasury 'to raise fuel duty' for the first time in a decade
Robert Halfon, left, is furious with leaked plans to raise fuel duty in the November Budget
The Treasury is reportedly considering raising fuel duty for the first time in a decade, with motorists set to be hit by a 5p increase.
The Sun reports the Chancellor will use the extra revenue to help pay for the coronavirus deficit, making it the latest of a series of leaked money-making proposals including a raid on pensions, a rise in corporation tax and abandonment of the foreign aid budget.
Tory MPs are - unsurprisingly - furious. Robert Halfon, who has campaigned on this issue for years, tells the Telegraph politics live blog: "The Prime Minister promised we would level up. You can't have an iron fist of oppressive tax which is really levelling down, and will have a real impact on the cost of living.
"Not just on families and workers, but on public services too because it increases costs to the NHS, bus services and so on."
08:11 AM
Expected new Cabinet Secretary 'surprisingly young', says his predecessor
Simon Case, the Duke of Cambridge's former private secretary - Getty Images Europe/Max Mumby/Indigo
Lord Gus O'Donnell said 41-year-old Simon Case, reportedly due to be named the UK's new Cabinet Secretary on Tuesday, was likely to have the "trust" of the Prime Minister.
The former cabinet secretary told BBC Radio 4's Today programme: "It is a surprise to have someone so young but I congratulate him and he has a lot of experience inside Number 10, he's had lots of different jobs so I'm sure he will grow into the role and I think the challenge for him is to restore trust in Government and restore the Civil Service's trust - that's what he's got to get.
"At the moment we've got ministers blaming civil servants for everything, talking about reform without explaining why they want that reform and what's going wrong at a ministerial level.
"There's a big task for him but he has the trust of the Prime Minister, that's really important, and now he needs to get the trust across the Civil Service and his fellow permanent secretaries."
The front pages today are dominated by the return to school beginning in 40 per cent of authority areas this morning.
The Daily Telegraph reports that exams will be delayed in 2021, with the Education Secretary considering pushing back May exams into June or July to give students more time to prepare.
Telegraph
The Mirror and Guardian both splash on potential issues with the return, with schools facing millions of pounds of cleaning fees and students months behind on the curriculum.
Mirror and Guardian
The Daily Mail and The Times have both gone with other stories. They reporta new NHS plan to deal with diabetes in the UK and the news that Portugal faces being added to the "red" list of countries that people must quarantine after visiting.
'Inevitable' job losses will follow end of furlough period, says top economist
The UK will face an "inevitable" rise in unemployment at the end of the furlough period - perhaps increasing to 7.5 per cent, a leading economist has said.
Ian McCafferty, a former member of the Bank of England's Monetary Policy Committee, predicted "adjustment" in the economy that will create job losses when furlough ends.
"I think we will see a pickup in unemployment at that stage," he said.
"That is inevitable because the economy is undergoing a number of structural changes because of the coronavirus.
"We are seeing a big bounceback in the economy over the third quarter but of course that is not even across different sectors, and what we will see is some jobs will not be needed in the same way that they were before the coronavirus.
"We will have to see that adjustment take place."
Mr McAffertey said the exact number of job losses would depend on how the economy picks up between now and the end of the furlough period.
"If anything, I suspect that the rise in unemployment may be slightly less than some had been suggesting earlier in the virus period.
"I would suggest it will probably be somewhere between 6.5 and 7.5 per cent by the end of the year."
07:35 AM
What's going on in politics today?
Under fire: the Education Secretary will attempt to survive the week by bringing pupils back to school without incident - Telegraph/Jamie Lorriman
Good morning. Westminster springs back to life this morning, as MPs return to the House of Commons from their summer break.
All eyes will be on Gavin Williamson, the Education Secretary, who must get through the return to schools this week without incident or face losing his job.
Nick Gibb, the Schools minister, is on the airwaves this morning encouraging parents to send their children back - and insisting they could be fined if they don't.
Here's what we're expecting today:
MPs are back in Parliament this morning, dusting off their desks after a summer in their constituencies.
Boris Johnson will chair Cabinet at 10am in Downing Street.
Baby Reindeer has taken the world by storm since its release – but fans have been devastated by the sudden and unexpected death of one of the show's key players
A bus crashed off a bridge and into the Moyka River in Saint Petersburg, Russia, on Friday, May 10, with local police saying around 20 people were on board.Local media reported that at least five people died, with four “seriously injured”. These figures had not been officially confirmed.The city’s governor, Alexander Beglov, said emergency services from various departments were on the scene.Local police said the circumstances that led to the bus being driven into the river were still being determined.This security footage shows the bus driving along the side of a building, swerving to hit a car, and then crashing into the river. Credit: Russian Ministry of Internal Affairs via Storyful
Gemma Collins has revealed she was advised by doctors to terminate her pregnancy after they found out the baby was intersex, leaving her devastated and 'in shock'
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