Markus Andrews

Elderly left ‘in limbo’ by sudden announcement of delay of up to three months, says peer More

Families receive ‘hamper’ containing handful of items including half a pepper and carrot ‘stub’ More

First minister’s warning comes as Tory MP calls for a ban on takeaway coffee because of kiosk ‘clustering’ More

Boris Johnson has warned that tougher lockdown measures may be required if people do not follow the rules, as he stressed that “now is the moment for maximum vigilance” amid increasing transmissions of coronavirus.The prime minister said that around two million people across the UK had received their first Covid-19 jab, but said the severe restrictions imposed last week would be kept “under constant review”.“Where we have to tighten them, we will,” Mr Johnson told reporters. “We have rules in place already which, if they are properly followed, we believe can make a huge, huge difference”.”It’s now that people need to focus … when they’re out shopping, whether they’re buying cups of coffee in the park or whatever it happens to be, they need to think about spreading the disease.”He added: “Now is the moment for maximum vigilance, maximum observance of the rules. Of course, if we feel that things are not being properly observed then we may have to do more.”Earlier Sir Keir Starmer said the prime minister’s delays in tacking tough action to combat transmissions was costing lives and suggested the government may have to “get tougher” in areas like closing nurseries and restricting the range of key workers who can keep sending their children to school.Inside Politics newsletterThe latest news on Brexit, politics and beyond direct to your inbox every weekdayInside Politics newsletterThe latest news on Brexit, politics and beyond direct to your inbox every weekdayMr Johnson, who also warned the country faces a “very perilous moment”, added: “More important than us just pushing out new rules, people have got to follow this guidance.”In supermarkets, people need to be keeping their differences, making sure that they’re wearing masks, doing the right thing.”We need to enforce the rules in supermarkets. When people are getting takeaway drinks, in cafes, then they need to avoid spreading the disease there, avoid mingling too much.”On the rollout of both the Oxford/AstraZeneca and Pfizer vaccines, the prime minister  said that around 40 per cent of the 80-year-olds in the UK had received their first jab, with around 23 per cent of the elderly residents in care homes having been inoculated.Overall, Mr Johnson revealed that two million people had received jabs and “maybe a bit more”, as he insisted that “no-one is going to be more than 10 miles from a vaccination centre” as the government ramps up the roll-out.Coinciding with his comments, Nadhim Zahawi, the minister responsible for overseeing the vaccine rollout, published the government’s strategy, pledging that tens of millions of people will be immunised by the spring, with an aim to set up over 2,700 vaccination sites.Speaking last week the prime minister committed to providing the first jab of a Covid vaccine to all those in top four priority groups by 15 February. According to the Joint Committee of Vaccination and Immunisation (JCVI) these groups, including all those over the age of 70, accounted for 88 per cent of all coronavirus fatalities. More

Boris Johnson’s indecision is ‘costing lives’, says Keir StarmerFrance should consider closing its borders with the UK over the rapid spread of coronavirus, a leading French government adviser has said.Arnaud Fontanet, a member of the scientific council that advises Emmanuel Macron’s government, said the borders should be closed with the UK and other countries that have a strong presence of the variant of the virus found in the south-east of England.He said the British people they “can build a country worthy of the sacrifices” made during the pandemic in the same way a Labour administration “built the welfare state from the rubble of war” after 1945.Sir Keir accused the government of having the “wrong priorities for Britain” as he laid out the battle lines for the 2024 election.Inside Politics newsletterThe latest news on Brexit, politics and beyond direct to your inbox every weekdayInside Politics newsletterThe latest news on Brexit, politics and beyond direct to your inbox every weekdayShow latest update
1610376831Coronavirus ‘spreading out of control’ in ‘many parts of country,’ MPs toldNHS England chief executive Sir Simon Stevens told MPs that “in many parts of the country” coronavirus “is spreading out of control”.He told the Commons Public Accounts Committee: “In London perhaps one in 30 people has the coronavirus, in parts of London it may be twice that number.”If you look across other regions of England the issue is that coronavirus is once again on the rise.”In Merseyside in just the last week there has been a further 50 per cent increase in the number of Covid hospitalisations.”So this is a very serious moment for the country and for the National Health Service.”It’s worth remembering that this affects all ages – a quarter of the Covid admissions to hospital right now are for people aged under 55.”Samuel Osborne11 January 2021 14:531610375391PM cautions against ‘false complacency’ over vaccineBoris Johnson warned the public against “false complacency” because the vaccine is being administered, said rules need to be enforced in supermarkets and that people must “avoid mingling too much” after getting takeaway drinks.The prime minister told reporters: “I think what (Professor) Chris Whitty had to say this morning was absolutely right. This is a very perilous moment because everybody can sense that the vaccine is coming in and they can see that the UK is vaccinating large numbers of those that need it most.”My worry is, and Chris’s worry is, that this is the moment when that degree of false confidence, false complacency, and that when you look at what has happened in the NHS that complacency is not merited.”More important than us just pushing out new rules, people have got to follow the guidance.”In supermarkets, people need to be keeping their differences, making sure that they’re wearing masks, doing the right thing.”We need to enforce the rules in supermarkets. When people are getting takeaway drinks, in cafes, then they need to avoid spreading the disease there, avoid mingling too much.”Samuel Osborne11 January 2021 14:291610374832Tougher lockdown measures may be needed, Boris Johnson warnsBoris Johnson has warned that lockdown measures may be required if people do not follow the rules, as he stressed that “now is the moment for maximum vigilance” amid increasing transmissions, political correspondent Ashley Cowburn reports.Samuel Osborne11 January 2021 14:201610373373‘Welcome to the Brexit, sir’: Drivers have sandwiches confiscated at Dutch borderBorder officials have been confiscating sandwiches and other foodstuffs from drivers arriving in the Netherlands from the UK after Brexit, TV footage has revealed, Adam Forrest  reports.A Dutch TV clip showed a driver had his ham sandwiches taken away by border officials as he arrived – with one border guard joking: “Welcome to the Brexit, sir.”Samuel Osborne11 January 2021 13:561610372826Exclusive: London Mayor calls for action to protect BAME communities as Covid rates soarCharities and politicians, including London mayor Sadiq Khan, are calling on the government to implement measures to better monitor the impact of the virus on Bame groups “without delay”, as infections soar during the third wave of the pandemic.Read the full story here by The Independent’s Social Affairs Correspondent May Bulman:Joe Middleton11 January 2021 13:471610371460Matt Hancock will hold press conference at 5pm…Are more restrictions on the way?Health Secretary Matt Hancock will hold a press conference today alongside NHS medical director Stephen Powis at 5pm.It comes amid speculation that new even stricter rules could be introduced to try and curb and steep rise in cases.When asked about whether the Government would soon be introducing stricter lockdown restrictions to curb the spread of coronavirus, Mr Hancock said they are “constantly keeping things under review”.He said: “What matters is that people follow the rules, that’s the most important thing, and stay at home wherever possible.”Obviously there are people here, on my team here at Epsom racecourse, who have gone to come out to give the vaccines and people have got to come get the vaccines.”But ultimately it’s people abiding by the rules that’s the critical thing.”Joe Middleton11 January 2021 13:241610370634Labour leader warns of council tax ‘bombshell’ and blasts Boris Johnson’s ‘incompetence’Sir Keir Starmer has slammed the support on offer from the government during the pandemic and said families face a £1.9 billion council tax bombshell.The Labour leader criticised Boris Johnson and Chancellor Rishi Sunak over council funding, warning authorities would be forced to hike taxes to cover the cost of Covid-19.He also called for the continuation of the temporary £1,000-a-year increase in Universal Credit beyond April.Sir Keir said: “We’re in the worst recession for 300 years. Yet the Prime Minister and the Chancellor want to hike council tax – a £1.9 billion bombshell that lands a bill of around £90 on every family.”They plan to cut Universal Credit – taking £1,000 a year from millions of families and pulling another 200,000 children into poverty.”Sir Keir added the Prime Minister’s “repeated delay and incompetence” had cost lives and jobs.Joe Middleton11 January 2021 13:101610369087Security minister taking leave after doctors find recurrence of tumourSecurity minister James Brokenshire has said he will be taking leave after doctors found a recurrence of a tumour in his right lung.The MP for Old Bexley and Sidcup previously stood down from his role as Northern Ireland secretary in January 2018 to undergo surgery to remove a cancerous tumour from his right lung.He tweeted: “Frustratingly, have a recurrence of a tumour in one part of my right lung. Taking leave for curative surgery. In good hands with the fantastic #NHS team who’ve been looking after me. Keeping positive and blessed to have the love of Cathy & the kids to support me through this.”Samuel Osborne11 January 2021 12:441610368431Former Tory MSP becomes leader of new party Reform UK ScotlandFormer Tory MSP Michelle Ballantyne has been announced as the leader of the new party Reform UK Scotland.Ms Ballantyne, who previously stood for the leadership of the Scottish Conservatives, now takes on the role in the new party.Reform UK was previously known as the Brexit Party and Ms Ballantyne said it would work to “champion personal choice, community response and local networks”.She added: “Our policies will reflect these values and respect the basic rights of freedom of thought, speech and worship.”Samuel Osborne11 January 2021 12:331610366840France should consider closing borders with UK, says government adviserFrance should consider shutting down its borders with UK because of the rapid spread of coronavirus, a leading French government adviser has said, Adam Forrest reports.Arnaud Fontanet, a member of the scientific council that advises Emmanuel Macron’s government, said borders should be closed to Britain, Ireland and other countries that have a strong presence of the Covid variant found in the south east of England.Samuel Osborne11 January 2021 12:07 More

Border officials have been confiscating sandwiches and other foodstuffs from drivers arriving in the Netherlands from the UK after Brexit, TV footage has revealed.A Dutch TV clip showed a driver had his ham sandwiches taken away by border officials as he arrived – with one border guard joking: “Welcome to the Brexit, sir.”The officials could be heard explaining the new, post-Brexit rules for drivers, which forbid people from bringing food which originates in the UK into EU countries.“Since Brexit you are longer around certain foods to Europe,” one border official at the Hook of Holland sea port told Netherlands’ NPO television.
One driver coming off the ferry from Britain with ham sandwiches wrapped in tinfoil was heard pleading with the border guard: “Can you take the meat and leave me the bread?”
The official replied: “No, everything will be confiscated – welcome to the Brexit, sir. I’m sorry.”
UK government guidance produced for drivers travelling to EU countries states: “From 1 January 2021 you will not be able to bring POAO (products of an animal origin) such as those containing meat or dairy (e.g. a ham and cheese sandwich) into the EU.”Inside Politics newsletterThe latest news on Brexit, politics and beyond direct to your inbox every weekdayInside Politics newsletterThe latest news on Brexit, politics and beyond direct to your inbox every weekdayMore serious post-Brexit food supply problems have emerged in recent days. James Withers, chief executive of Scotland Food and Drink, said new systems aimed at helping exporters manage cross-border trade was “failing” and predicted problems will worsen this week.Emergency financial aid could be needed to shore up food exporters who have found the “door to the EU is now shut,” said Mr Withers, who warned British seafood firms were at risk of collapse.Several leading companies have highlighted the complexity of “rules of origin” arrangements enshrined in the Brexit trade deal – which means only goods made up largely of stuff originating in the UK qualify as tariff-free. Steve Rowe, CEO at Marks & Spencer, said last week: “Tariff free does not feel like tariff free when you read the fine print.”The British Meat Processors Association has also warned the new bureaucracy was posing “a severe challenge … to the smooth running of the nation’s food supply chain”.Dominic Goudie, from the Food and Drink Federation, said on Sunday that implementation talks should start up with Brussels to try to resolve some of the problems. “The trade deal provides the means to do that. It is a question of whether is the will to do so.”The Cabinet Office minister Michael Gove warned on Friday he expects more disruption at the UK’s borders with the EU in the coming weeks.“He [Gove] seemed to realise the full gravity of the situation that is unfolding,” one leading trade figure told The Observer on a crisis meeting held with Mr Gove at the end of last week. More

As if we didn’t have enough to worry about. Kim Jong-un has vowed to expand North Korea’s nuclear weapons capacity, as he appeared to break down and cry during a public performance. Our health secretary Matt Hancock knows a bit about that – crying in public (not the nuclear weapons stuff). Thankfully, Hancock has vowed to expand the UK’s vaccine capacity, and is all set to reveal how every adult will get the jab by autumn.Inside the bubblePolitical editor Andrew Woodcock on what to look out for on Monday: More

Sir Keir also called for key workers like teachers, troops and care workers to be given “the pay rise they deserve”.In his first speech of the year, the Labour leader accused the government of having “the wrong priorities for Britain”He said that Boris Johnson’s delays in taking tough action to combat the pandemic were costing lives.  And he revealed that he has been talking about Covid measures with former Labour prime minister Tony Blair, who is also reported to have been advising health secretary Matt Hancock.Sir Keir did not propose any new measures to rein in the spread of coronavirus, but suggested that the government may have to “get tougher” in areas like closing nurseries or restricting the range of key workers who can keep sending their children to school.Hailing the “national solidarity and heroism” shown by ordinary Britons during the pandemic, Sir Keir said: “If only the British people had a government worthy of them…
”The indecision and delays of the prime minister cost lives and they cost people’s jobs. The British people will forgive many things, they know the pandemic is difficult. But they also know serial incompetence when they see it and they know when the prime minster isn’t up to the job.”.Inside Politics newsletterThe latest news on Brexit, politics and beyond direct to your inbox every weekdayInside Politics newsletterThe latest news on Brexit, politics and beyond direct to your inbox every weekdaySir Keir contrasted the straitened economic circumstances of families with the inflation-busting pay rise given to Mr Johnson’s former adviser Dominic Cummings and the multi-million pound coronavirus contracts handed out without competition to private companies, some with links to the Conservative party.“This is the government that gave Dominic Cummings a £40,000 pay rise but won’t pay our carers a decent wage,” he said. “This is the government that wasted £22 billion of taxpayers’ money on a testing system that doesn’t work but now won’t find the money to support families.  “And this is the government that sprayed money on private contracts that didn’t deliver but won’t give councils the support they need.  “That’s why I’m calling on the government today to put families first during this lockdown.” Starmer called on chancellor Rishi Sunak to cancel the planned withdrawal of a £20-a-week benefits uplift introduced last year to help families cope with Covid-19, due to end in April at a cost of £1,000 a year to 6 million households.And he said that government should make around £2 billion available to town halls in England to allow them to avoid council tax rises of up to 5 per cent in the next financial year, which will cost the average band D household £91 a year.He called for a ban on evictions, currently due to end on 21 February, to be extended for the entire period the UK remains in lockdown.And he said it was “totally unforgivable” that some self-employed people were still falling through gaps in the government’s support package.“I know this isn’t everything that’s needed and that after so much suffering, we can’t go back the status quo,” said the Labour leader. “We cannot return to an economy where over half our care workers earn less than the living wage, where childcare is amongst the most expensive in Europe, where our social care system is a national disgrace and where over 4 million children grow up in poverty. “But taking these steps now would make a real difference to millions of people across the country and it would put families at the heart of our recovery.”He said that after the coronavirus pandemic has receded, it will be time to  “build a country worthy of the sacrifices of the British people”, just as Labour prime minister Clement Attlee created the NHS and welfare state after the privations of the Second World War.And he said that he would put families at the heart of a Labour programme to “restore pride and prosperity in every village, every town, every city and every part of our United Kingdom”. “Family has always been incredibly important to me,” he said. “It meant everything to my parents that I was able to get on to go into law and to lead a public service – the Crown Prosecution Service. “It meant everything to me that the NHS was there to care for my mum when she desperately needed it and it means everything to me now that I have a loving family of my own. “When I think of the economy, I think about how it affects families, people worried about paying the bills, covering childcare or coping with insecure work.”  More