Babak Belurs

Kamis, 30 April 2020

Boris Johnson says we must ‘keep going’ with lockdown as he prepares to extend shutdown to June - The Sun

BORIS Johnson said this afternoon Britain must "keep going" with the lockdown for now - as he prepares to extend it into June.

He will will tonight brace Britain for weeks more shutdown as he appears at his first press conference since his own coronavirus fight.

⚠️ Read our coronavirus live blog for the latest news & updates

The lockdown looks set to go on until JuneCredit: PA:Press Association

Boris Johnson will tell the nation tonight it's still too early to ease the lockdownCredit: Crown Copyright

The PM will host No10’s daily 5pm press conference for the first time in a month, since he was struck down by the virus himself, but he will be cautious about changing any measures.

Only small tweaks to the lockdown rules are on the cards, if anything.

And he said this afternoon on Twitter: "I know how hard and how stressful it has been to give up even temporarily those ancient and basic freedoms, not seeing friends, not seeing loved ones, working from home, managing the kids, worrying about your job and your firm.

"So let me say directly also to British business, to the shopkeepers, to the entrepreneurs, to the hospitality sector, to everyone on whom our economy depends: I understand your impatience, I share your anxiety.

"But I must ask you to keep going in the way that you have kept going so far, so we can protect our NHS and save lives."

The measures are set to be reviewed by May 7, and the Government insists nothing will change before then.

It comes after:

The coronavirus laws have to be looked at every three weeks, which would take us to the last few days of May before anything major is changed.

And it's looking more and more doubtful that anything will be lifted at all.

The PM - fresh from his return to work this week and his partner giving birth yesterday to a baby boy - will use the presser to warn that while infection rates are falling well, the government’s top scientists have warned him that easing up on the restrictions now is still very high risk.

A senior No10 source said: “He’ll talk about the progress we’ve made so far in slowing the spread of the virus, and how we won’t do anything that might risk a return to exponential growth”.

Allies say Boris is desperate to dampen down expectations among some Tory MPs and party donors for major changes, instead opting for a “caution first” approach - especially while the lockdown is still widely supported by the public.

While more Brits are urged to return to work if it is safe, and households could be given the opportunity to socialise with one other household group, it is now expected that much of the nation’s strict measures will remain in place throughout May.

Smaller shops where it's possible to social distance could also be opened.

Schools are not set to open until June at the very earliest, as it stands, but ministers want to try and get some kids back before the summer break, The Sun revealed today.

And garden centres are not set to reopen until after the Bank Holiday weekend, ministers suggested yesterday.

The PM’s deputy, Dominic Raab, also yesterday prepared the ground for limited changes, as he cited Germany’s lockdown U-turn as a warning to Britain.

He told MPs Berlin has been forced to “think twice” on easing restrictions after its low infection rate began to rise again.

Mr Raab also said at last night's No10 press conference: “Having relaxed restrictions in Germany over the past week, they have seen a rise in the transmission rate of coronavirus.

Nicola Sturgeon weighed in too, speaking just days after seeing out her ideas ending the lockdown, none of them will be put in place just yet.

And speaking last night, the SNP leader suggested no changes were incoming, despite a massive PR operation last week to lay out options to the public.

Last week she had said that the public needed to be treated like "grown ups" and suggested several ways measures could be eased including seeing people in bubbles of ten friends.

But now she's had to row back on her words and say nothing will change anytime soon.

She told ITV last night: "People talk about lifting the lockdown, that is not going to be a flick of the switch moment - we're going to have to be very careful, very slow, very gradual.

"I'm far from convinced at this stage that when we get to the next review point on the 7th of May we'll be in a position to lift any of these measures right now, because the margins of manoeuvre that we're operating in right now are very, very, very tight and narrow."

She added this morning: "we are not confident the R number is very far below one yet", meaning that the rate of transmission is still just around one person passing it to another.

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We have teamed up with NHS Charities Together in their urgent Covid-19 Appeal to ensure the money gets to exactly who needs it.

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'THE RISK IS VERY REAL'

“And Chancellor Merkel has said publicly, and she has made it clear, that they might need a second lockdown in Germany if the infection rate continues to rise.

“So, this risk is very real, and it is vital that we proceed carefully, guided by the scientific advice, so that our next step through this crisis is a sure-footed one.”

Britain’s deputy chief medical officer also urged extreme caution.

Jonathan Van Tam said: “We have to be really careful and really sure-footed, or this virus will come back. Nothing can be rushed”.

The PM said he would lay out plans to move to the next phase of the lockdown in the "coming days", but warned Brits not to expect an exact date.

"We simply cannot spell out now how fast or slow or even when those changes will be made," he stressed in a statement earlier this week.

He suggested that things could move very slowly, saying measures may be changed "one by one to fire up the engines of this vast UK economy".

Yesterday Dominic Raab warned UK hopes of lifting any lockdown measures could be hit by a possible second wave of cases in Germany.
The country has seen its coronavirus transmission rate soar upwards after it relaxed some of its strict lockdown measures last week.

He said: "This issue of a second spike and the need to avoid it – it’s not a theoretical risk, and it is not confined to the UK.

"Having relaxed restrictions in Germany over the past week, they have seen a rise in the transmission rate of coronavirus.

"And Chancellor Merkel has said publically, and she has made it clear, that they might need a second lockdown in Germany if the infection rate continues to rise."

Scientists have said that any lifting of the lockdown will see the transmission rate soar up again.

If it goes over one person infecting one other person, then the virus could continue to wreak havoc across the nation.

Ministers will get detailed advice from top experts about the exact impact of the measures on the health of the nation, who will then decide what changes to make.

Boris is chairing Cabinet today, and could discuss exactly how they can keep the transmission low while getting Britain into phase two of the fight against the bug.

Join our George Cross campaign for NHS staff

We are urging Sun readers to sign a petition calling for our NHS staff to be awarded the George Cross.

We are backing a proposal by Lord Ashcroft to honour our health heroes with the gallantry gong given for acts of bravery that did not take place in battle.

A No10 spokesman said: “The NHS is doing a fantastic job and the nation will want to find a way to say thank you when we have defeated this virus.” SAS hero Andy McNab added: “The award of a George Cross would show an emotional appreciation.”

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2020-04-30 15:24:29Z
52780748466566

Boris Johnson says we must ‘keep going’ with lockdown as he prepares to extend shutdown to June - The Sun

BORIS Johnson said this afternoon Britain must "keep going" with the lockdown for now - as he prepares to extend it into June.

He will will tonight brace Britain for weeks more shutdown as he appears at his first press conference since his own coronavirus fight.

⚠️ Read our coronavirus live blog for the latest news & updates

The PM will host No10’s daily 5pm press conference for the first time in a month, since he was struck down by the virus himself, but he will be cautious about changing any measures.

Only small tweaks to the lockdown rules are on the cards, if anything.

"But I must ask you to keep going in the way that you have kept going so far, so we can protect our NHS and save lives."

The measures are set to be reviewed by May 7, and the Government insists nothing will change before then.

It comes after:

The coronavirus laws have to be looked at every three weeks, which would take us to the last few days of May before anything major is changed.

And it's looking more and more doubtful that anything will be lifted at all.

A senior No10 source said: “He’ll talk about the progress we’ve made so far in slowing the spread of the virus, and how we won’t do anything that might risk a return to exponential growth”.

Smaller shops where it's possible to social distance could also be opened.

Schools are not set to open until June at the very earliest, as it stands, but ministers want to try and get some kids back before the summer break, The Sun revealed today.

And garden centres are not set to reopen until after the Bank Holiday weekend, ministers suggested yesterday.

The PM’s deputy, Dominic Raab, also yesterday prepared the ground for limited changes, as he cited Germany’s lockdown U-turn as a warning to Britain.

He told MPs Berlin has been forced to “think twice” on easing restrictions after its low infection rate began to rise again.

Mr Raab also said at last night's No10 press conference: “Having relaxed restrictions in Germany over the past week, they have seen a rise in the transmission rate of coronavirus.

Nicola Sturgeon weighed in too, speaking just days after seeing out her ideas ending the lockdown, none of them will be put in place just yet.

And speaking last night, the SNP leader suggested no changes were incoming, despite a massive PR operation last week to lay out options to the public.

Last week she had said that the public needed to be treated like "grown ups" and suggested several ways measures could be eased including seeing people in bubbles of ten friends.

But now she's had to row back on her words and say nothing will change anytime soon.

She told ITV last night: "People talk about lifting the lockdown, that is not going to be a flick of the switch moment - we're going to have to be very careful, very slow, very gradual.

She added this morning: "we are not confident the R number is very far below one yet", meaning that the rate of transmission is still just around one person passing it to another.

Give now to The Sun's NHS appeal

BRITAIN’s four million NHS staff are on the frontline in the battle against coronavirus.

But while they are helping save lives, who is there to help them?

The Sun has launched an appeal to raise £1MILLION for NHS workers. The Who Cares Wins Appeal aims to get vital support to staff in their hour of need.

We have teamed up with NHS Charities Together in their urgent Covid-19 Appeal to ensure the money gets to exactly who needs it.

The Sun is donating £50,000 and we would like YOU to help us raise a million pounds, to help THEM. No matter how little you can spare, please donate today here: www.thesun.co.uk/whocareswinsappeal.

'THE RISK IS VERY REAL'

“And Chancellor Merkel has said publicly, and she has made it clear, that they might need a second lockdown in Germany if the infection rate continues to rise.

“So, this risk is very real, and it is vital that we proceed carefully, guided by the scientific advice, so that our next step through this crisis is a sure-footed one.”

Britain’s deputy chief medical officer also urged extreme caution.

Jonathan Van Tam said: “We have to be really careful and really sure-footed, or this virus will come back. Nothing can be rushed”.

The PM said he would lay out plans to move to the next phase of the lockdown in the "coming days", but warned Brits not to expect an exact date.

"We simply cannot spell out now how fast or slow or even when those changes will be made," he stressed in a statement earlier this week.

He suggested that things could move very slowly, saying measures may be changed "one by one to fire up the engines of this vast UK economy".

He said: "This issue of a second spike and the need to avoid it – it’s not a theoretical risk, and it is not confined to the UK.

"Having relaxed restrictions in Germany over the past week, they have seen a rise in the transmission rate of coronavirus.

"And Chancellor Merkel has said publically, and she has made it clear, that they might need a second lockdown in Germany if the infection rate continues to rise."

Scientists have said that any lifting of the lockdown will see the transmission rate soar up again.

If it goes over one person infecting one other person, then the virus could continue to wreak havoc across the nation.

Ministers will get detailed advice from top experts about the exact impact of the measures on the health of the nation, who will then decide what changes to make.

Boris is chairing Cabinet today, and could discuss exactly how they can keep the transmission low while getting Britain into phase two of the fight against the bug.

Join our George Cross campaign for NHS staff

We are urging Sun readers to sign a petition calling for our NHS staff to be awarded the George Cross.

We are backing a proposal by Lord Ashcroft to honour our health heroes with the gallantry gong given for acts of bravery that did not take place in battle.

We are asking our readers to please sign the petition below.

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2020-04-30 14:40:00Z
52780748466566

Coronavirus: Boris Johnson's spokesman suggests no relaxation of lockdown on the horizon - Sky News

Boris Johnson will maintain the coronavirus lockdown despite pressure from some businesses to ease it, Downing Street has signalled.

The prime minister’s spokesman said he does not want to relax the strict social distancing "too soon" - a week from the promised review point.

The spokesman was asked about reports the measures could be extended all the way into June, as the number of people who have died with COVID-19 in the UK reached 26,097.

"I think we will have to wait for the review to take place and I don't think it is wise for me to pre-empt that,” Mr Johnson’s spokesman said.

“What you've obviously heard from [England’s chief medical officer] Chris Whitty is that this is a disease that is going to be around for a significant amount of time.

“He's said we have to be realistic, we're going to have to do a lot of things for a long period of time."

The spokesman added: "Let's not pre-empt the review but, as the PM himself has said, the worst thing we could do is relax the social distancing measures too soon and throw away all of the progress which has been made thanks to the hard work and sacrifice of the British public."

The UK currently has the third-highest number of reported deaths in the world from COVID-19, behind the US - 60,999 - and Italy - 27,682.

A number of companies and Tory donors have called on the government to let shops reopen to restart the economy due to growing fears firms might collapse, have to close stores or lay off more staff.

Pubs, restaurants and entertainment venues are facing up to a 50% drop in trade, if, as FTSE 100 businesses are already planning for, social distancing measures remain in place until the summer of 2021.

Questions are also being asked about how long the public will continue adhering to the lockdown, after vehicle usage rose to its highest level since the end of March.

The Spectator reported that Mr Johnson is considering only a very small easing of the lockdown to include some recommencing of outdoor activities.

That would continue, the magazine added, until data collection is improved and the workforce of 15,000 who will be part of the “test, track and trace” South Korean model are in place to allow the measures to be eased nationally and only shut down specific regions where there is another outbreak.

Sky News has also revealed the government will test how GP surgeries might react to another outbreak using a new forecasting tool being developed by the NHS.

The system can make predictions about areas as small as 1,000 people.

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2020-04-30 13:54:57Z
52780748466566

Coronavirus map LIVE: Boris DASHES hopes of lockdown lift amid bleak warning over deaths - Express

NHS Providers, which represents hospitals and NHS trusts in England, said the English health and care system "started from a poor position" as coronavirus tightened its grip on Europe. The report said the NHS consistently "struggled" to demonstrate a "clear, effective and well communicated strategy", with a lack of clarity on who would be tested, when, how, and with what frequency. NHS Providers chief executive Chris Hopson said that as many as 120,000 tests would be needed daily for NHS workers once the UK comes out of lockdown, to stave off a second wave of the virus

With just over 52,000 tests carried out on Tuesday, the Government must make up a huge gap to achieve the goal before Friday.

He said: "Testing is one area where, despite all the work delivered by trusts and the NHS, the health and care system as a whole has struggled to develop an effective, co-ordinated approach."

It comes as Prime Minister Boris Johnson, whose fiancee Carrie Symonds gave birth to a baby boy on Wednesday, is set to address the nation at a daily Downing Street press conference for the first time this month where he will set out his latest ideas for social distancing to stop the spread of the coronavirus.

Mr Johnson will be xpected to tell the UK it will be too early to ease restrictions due to the risk of an "exponential rise in infections".

A Number 10 source told The Daily Telegraph: "It will very much be in the area of how we satisfy our five tests for coming out of lockdown, chief among which is making sure we don't risk another exponential rise in infections.

"It's still too early to be setting out any details of what any easing of the lockdown might look like."

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coronavirus latest

Coronavirus latest: Boris Johnson will dash hopes a UK lockdown will be lifted (Image: GETTY )

Coronavirus latest

Coronavirus latest: UK citizens are being asked to observe social distancing (Image: GETTY )

The Scientific Advisory Group for Emergencies (SAGE) is also gathering on Thursday before Mr Johnson fronts the daily Downing Street press conference once again.

SAGE is looking at a selection of options for easing restrictions while still keeping the reproduction rate of the coronavirus - the number of new cases linked to a single individual - below one in order to stop it spreading exponentially.

Business Secretary Alok Sharma was reported to be set to put forward plans for an eventual "work place by work place" easing of lockdown in the coming days.

A Business Department spokesman said: "The Government has already set out five clear tests to consider before making any adjustment to its approach. It is only right the we work together with industry and unions to ensure workplaces are safe for both those in work now and for those going back to work as government measures develop."

The comments came after Public Health England (PHE) announced the umber of coronavirus deaths in UK hospital has dropped for the second day in a row as 473 new fatalities were reported.

England had 391 new deaths, Scotland reported 60 and Wales had 22, taking the hospital death toll to 22,85.

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Coronavirus latest: The UK's death toll included care homes and the wider community (Image: EXPRESS)

2/55pm update: Northern Ireland death toll

Mr Swann announced nine further deaths in Northern Ireland of patients who tested positive for COVID-19, bringing the total deaths in the region recorded so far by his department to 347.

2.30pm update: Northern Ireland on 'knife edge'

Northern Ireland health minister Robin Swann said the spread of Covid-19 so far across the community "has not been as serious as we first feared".

Giving a statement to the Northern Ireland Assembly's Ad Hoc Committee on the COVID-19 Response, Mr Swann warned against complacency.

He said: "That does not mean the warnings were misplaced, it means the warnings were taken seriously and people stayed at home.

"Northern Ireland remains on a knife edge."

2.05pm update: UK coronavirus death toll

The daily number of coronavirus deaths in UK hospital has dropped for the second day in a row as 473 new fatalities were reported.

England had 391 new deaths, Scotland reported 60 and Wales had 22, taking the hospital death toll to 22,85.

Coronavirus latest

Coronavirus latest: Boris Johnson held his first cabinet meeting today (Image: GETTY )

2.04pm update: Boris focussed on May 7 for review

Boris Johnson's government is focused on May 7 when a review of social distancing measures to fight the coronavirus outbreak is due.

Mr Johnson, who chaired his first meeting of his top ministers on Thursday after falling ill with COVID-19, received an update on the crisis from his chief scientific adviser and chief medical officer, but work is ongoing on the lockdown measures.

His spokesman said: "We don't want to relax the social distancing measures or do anything that could lead to the virus, which the British public has done so much to suppress, being spread in an exponential way again and that will guide our approach on the way forward.

"The date we are working towards is May 7. That is the date for the next review of the social distancing measures ... that is where minds are focused.

"Track and trace is something we would look to be considering in the next stage in the fight against this pandemic which we are going to be dealing with for a significant amount of time to come."

2.01pm update: More than 8k fines issued over coronavirus breaches

A total of 8,877 fines for alleged breaches of coronavirus lockdown laws were issued by police forces in England between March 27 and April 27, the National Police Chiefs' Council said.

Coronavirus latest

Coronavirus latest: Boris Johnson welcomed a baby boy on Wednesday (Image: GETTY )

1.54pm update: Government 'working hard' to reach coronavirus goal

Downing Street has insisted the Government is "working hard" to hit its target of testing 100,000 for coronavirus by the end of the day.

The PM's spokesman said that as of April 28, testing capacity had been increased to 77,365 and told a Westminster briefing: "The target is for 100,000 tests today and the Health Secretary and all of his team are working hard to hit it."

He added: "You can chart the progress that we've made towards hitting that target and that we are working hard today to ensure that people who need tests get them."

Earlier on Thursday, Justice Secretary Robert Buckland acknowledged the 100,000 target may not be met.

The PM's spokesman said 42 drive-through test sites are now open and 17 mobile sites are operational.

1.45pm update: Boris chairs first cabinet meeting

Prime Minister Boris Johnson has chaired his first Cabinet meeting since he was admitted to hospital with coronavirus.

He chaired the daily coronavirus morning meeting, followed by meetings of his political Cabinet and full Cabinet, the PM's official spokesman said.

Chief medical officer Professor Chris Whitty and chief scientific adviser Sir Patrick Vallance updated Cabinet on the response to coronavirus so far and the progress made in slowing the spread of the disease.

Secretaries of State then updated colleagues on the work their departments are doing.

1.05pm update:Eurozone crisis: Economy suffers devastating blow as disastrous recession nears

The eurozone is edging closer to a disastrous recession after the economy plummeted by 3.8 percent in the first quarter of 2020, dealing another devastating blow to the European Union as the bloc struggles to contain the financial impact from the coronavirus pandemic.

According to a preliminary estimate from the EU's statistics office Eurostat, gross domestic product (GDP) in the 19 countries sharing the euro shrunk by 3.8 percent compared to the previous three month period - the sharpest quarterly decline since the time series started in 1995.

Reuters had polled several economists who had forecast a 3.5 percent contraction in the eurozone economy.

This follows marginal growth of 0.1 percent in the final three months of 2019.

This latest slump for economic output in the 19 countries sharing the euro will set alarm bells ringing in Brussels, as it is worse than during the financial crisis of 2008-09.

12.36am update: Scotland's death toll revealed

The First Minister revealed a total of 1,475 patients have died in Scotland after testing positive for coronavirus, up by 60 from 1,415 on Wednesday.

She said 11,353 people have now tested positive for the virus in Scotland, up by 319 from 11,034 the day before.

There are 1,748 people in hospital with confirmed or suspected COVID-19 up 21 from 1,727 the previous day.

Of these patients 109 are in intensive care, a drop of five.

Coronavirus latest

Coronavirus latest:: The UK is on lockdown to stop the spread of the coronavirus (Image: GETTY )

11.50am update: Germany extend social distancing

Chancellor Angela Merkel's chief of staff said social distancing measures in Germany will be extended until May 10, ahead of a government meeting on Thursday to review coronavirus lockdown restrictions.

11.17am update: Japan prepares to extend state of emergency

Japan is preparing to extend its state of emergency over the coronavirus, originally set to end on May 6, for about a month.

Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe told parliament that he would consult infectious disease experts on whether to extend the emergency, which he declared on April 7 for seven prefectures including Tokyo.

10.31am update: Irish banks extend coronavirus loans

Ireland's five retail banks, specialist and non-bank lenders agreed on Thursday to extend loan repayment breaks for customers hit by the coronavirus crisis to six months from three months, their representative body said.

Over 65,000 mortgage breaks and over 22,000 business breaks have been granted to date, the Banking and Payments Federation Ireland (BPFI) said in a statement. Allied Irish Banks Chief Executive told Reuters on Wednesday that its applications for mortgage assistance had stabilised.

The BPFI said in a statement: "BPFI members strongly appreciate the severity of the impact on families, individuals and businesses and it is for this reason, that we believe an extension of the existing payment break beyond three months may be required by many customers."

10.15am update: German unemployment soars in April

Germany is braced for its deepest recession since World War Two, as the shutdown has shuttered many shops, businesses and factories, although a gradual easing of restrictions has started.

Monthly retail sales declined last month at their fastest rate in 13 years, as the coronavirus lockdown hit Europe's biggest economy hard.

10am update: Spread of coronavirus contained in Czech Republic

Health Minister Adam Vojtech said the spread of the novel coronavirus has been contained in the Czech Republic and the government will continue to cautiously open up the economy.

The country has seen the number of new cases drop below 100 for the past eight consecutive days, and the number of active cases has also been on the decline.

The ministry said the reproduction rate of the virus has dropped to 0.7, which means every newly infected person passes the infection to less than one other person.

It predicted 7,900-9,700 total infections at the end of May, from 7,581 reported as of Thursday morning.

Coronavirus latest

Coronavirus latest: The UK is in its sixth week of lockdown (Image: GETTY )

9.38am update: Londoners told to 'return home' - Met warning

Londoners gathering at landmarks for the country's weekly "clap for carers" event will be told to return home, the Metropolitan Police have said.

It comes two weeks after the force's commissioner Dame Cressida Dick was filmed leading dozens of officers in the weekly applause for key workers on a crowded Westminster Bridge.

Deputy Assistant Commissioner Matt Twist said Met officers and staff will continue to join the tribute at 8pm on Thursdays.

But he warned that people who are out without a reasonable excuse outlined in the Government's lockdown rules will be asked to return home.

He said: "We have repeatedly reminded colleagues that they must maintain an appropriate social distance at all times where operationally possible. But to do this they also need the support and assistance of the public.

"As this event has gained prominence it is understandable that major landmarks, including Westminster Bridge in central London, have become focal points for those who wish to applaud.

"However, it is not acceptable for people to disregard the safety of themselves and others. Officers will be present tonight to engage, explain and encourage them to observe social distancing rules.

"Members of the public who are not away from their homes for one of the reasons outlined in the Government's emergency legislation should expect to be asked to return home.

"In keeping with our approach to these rules throughout the lockdown, officers will only enforce this legislation as a last resort."

8.42am update: No 'sudden move' into next phase of lockdown

Justice Secretary Robert Buckland said there would not be a "sudden" move into the next phase of the lockdown.

He told BBC Radio 4's Today programme: "I think, within Government, there is already a lot of work going on as to what the future is going to look like - I think it would be a dereliction of duty if we didn't do that.

"Certainly in my department, I'm looking ahead now to the medium term as to what the summer and autumn are going to look like in the prison and court system. We've got to start that work, in fact the work is already under way.

"That's, of course, not saying that we're suddenly going to move into a new phase - we need to be absolutely sure that the five tests that were set out some weeks ago are going to be met, and in particular the need to avoid that second or even third spike in the disease is clear to me both in terms of health and the well-being of the economy as well."

coronavirus latest

Coronavirus latest: (Image: GETTY )

8.38am update: Russia coronavirus cases surpass 100k

Russia on Thursday reported 7,099 new cases of the novel coronavirus, a record daily rise, bringing its nationwide tally to 106,498.

The official nationwide death toll rose to 1,073 after 101 people with the virus died in the last 24 hours, Russia's coronavirus crisis response centre said.

8.13 am update: Sainsbury's reports £500m coroanvirus hit

Sainsbury's warned of a coronavirus hit of more than £500 million to the current year's profits.

It said social distancing measures together with falls in clothing and fuel sales would offset surging grocery trade.

The retail giant said the impact of Covid-19 is expected to leave underlying pre-tax profits broadly flat for the year to March 2021, despite £450 million in business rates relief.

It has scrapped its final shareholder dividend and said decisions on further payouts would be deferred until later in the financial year - a decision which comes after rival Tesco faced criticism for paying out £635 million.

7.47am update: Captain Tom Moore celebrates his 100th birthday

Captain Tom Moore is celebrating his 100th birthday at home with his family after a whirlwind few weeks in which he has been elevated to national hero status and raised almost £30 million for the NHS.

The Second World War veteran set out to walk 100 laps of his garden before his 100th birthday on Thursday and has far exceeded his initial fundraising target of £1,000.

To celebrate his landmark, Moore has been appointed the first Honorary Colonel of the Army Foundation College, based near the town where he grew up, a position that came with the approval of Queen Elizabeth, the defence ministry said.

There will also be two flypasts by Royal Air Force planes above "Colonel" Moore's home in Bedfordshire, central England - one featuring historic World War Two aircraft and a second by modern helicopters.

7.32am update: Professor issues bleak warning over deaths

Professor Spiegelhalter said yesterday's death toll, which included deaths in care homes and the wider community, was not high enough.

He predicted the total would be a lot higher at 30,000

An additional 3,811 deaths were recorded since the start of the outbreak after the UK changed its measurement methods.

The total reached by the new method of reporting is around 17 percent higher than previous data showed.

Of these, around 70 percent were outside hospital settings and around 30 percent were in hospital.

Professor Spiegelhalter, a statistics expert, told MailOnline: "It's actually a lot more than that 3,811.

"The true number is probably at least as much again as they added in today, which would take it well above 30,000. They're doing their best and it is a lot better than what we've been getting but it is still not the full picture."

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https://news.google.com/__i/rss/rd/articles/CBMibGh0dHBzOi8vd3d3LmV4cHJlc3MuY28udWsvbmV3cy91ay8xMjc1NzQyL2Nvcm9uYXZpcnVzLWxhdGVzdC1uZXdzLXVrLWNvdmlkLTE5LXVrLWRlYXRoLXRvbGwtTkhTLWxvY2tkb3duLWVuZNIBcGh0dHBzOi8vd3d3LmV4cHJlc3MuY28udWsvbmV3cy91ay8xMjc1NzQyL2Nvcm9uYXZpcnVzLWxhdGVzdC1uZXdzLXVrLWNvdmlkLTE5LXVrLWRlYXRoLXRvbGwtTkhTLWxvY2tkb3duLWVuZC9hbXA?oc=5

2020-04-30 13:59:45Z
CAIiEEzW3JBz62o6tGpntvt7rQ4qGQgEKhAIACoHCAow9935CjCe0eYCMLXxzAU

Kamis, 30 April 2020

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