Scientists have peppered the Government with warnings about lifting the coronavirus lockdown too soon, published secret advice papers have revealed. A trove of around 50 scientific papers submitted to the Government were unveiled today laying bare the advice top researchers gave to ministers in April and May. The Scientific Advisory Group for Emergencies (SAGE) has … Read more
The UK Government is holding its breath this evening ahead of a weekend when temperatures are expected to hit 80F as Downing Street insisted England must wait until Monday for lockdown rules to be loosened. Boris Johnson yesterday set out a significant easing of restrictions which will enable up to half a dozen people from … Read more
Firms must start paying furlough costs for staff from this August, Rishi Sunak declared tonight – but the proportion they contribute will be tapered up to 20 per cent over three months. The Chancellor stressed that the UK scheme would remain ‘among the most generous in the world’, but said businesses should start taking some of … Read more
Google unveils new Sodar augmented reality tool that creates a six-foot ring around you on your phone screen to help you follow social distancing rules The ‘Sodar’ tool superimposes a white ring around the user with a 6.5-foot radius This will allow users to more accurately judge who is entering their person space The six-foot … Read more
The BBC will formally investigate Emily Maitlis and accused her of ‘overstepping the mark’ with her monologue about Dominic Cummings and the ‘blind loyalty’ of his boss Boris Johnson. The corporation has been ‘flooded’ with more than 20,000 complaints about the Newsnight host – but this figures includes thousands of emails from her supporters who feel … Read more
Britons will finally be able to see family and friends in groups of six from Monday, after Boris Johnson unlocked lockdown last nigh – though he warned social distancing measures would still have to be followed. After two months of stringent restrictions, the long-awaited change will mean many grandparents can see their children and grandchildren … Read more
Civil liberties groups have today slammed threats by health chiefs to fine Britons who do not obey the 14-day test and trace isolation rules – which have been dubbed a ‘draconian intrusion of privacy’. As he launched the government’s new test and trace system, Health Secretary Matt Hancock yesterday warned a fortnight-long quarantine for those … Read more
The Government’s two most senior science and health advisers tonight insisted they ‘don’t want to get involved’ in the Dominic Cummings lockdown row as Boris Johnson said he intended to ‘draw a line under it’. Durham Police today said Mr Cummings’ 260-mile trip to the city did not break lockdown rules while a 60-mile jaunt to … Read more
Boris Johnson’s desperate battle to cling on to maverick chief aide Dominic Cummings was boosted today as police said his 260-mile trip to Durham did not break lockdown rules – and a 60-mile jaunt to a beauty spot only ‘might have’. The PM will be breathing a sigh of relief after Durham Police stopped short … Read more
Boris Johnson today announced the phased reopening of primary schools in England will begin as planned on Monday. The Prime Minister told the daily Downing Street coronavirus press conference that reception, year one and year six pupils will be the first to return to classrooms. Nurseries and other early years settings will also reopen on … Read more