20,000 pupils and staff in England will be given swab tests to see how Covid spreads in classroom - Daily Mail

Schools could remain SHUT beyond September: Government DROPS 'undeliverable' plan to get all children back straight after summer - as 20,000 pupils and staff will be given swab and blood tests to see how Covid spreads in the classroom

• Matt Hancock said secondary schools to reopen by September 'at the earliest'
• Ministers set to drop plans to get all primary school pupils back before summer 
• Health Secretary also announced new programme to test teachers and pupils 
• The voluntary scheme will see staff and students given swab and antibody tests 
• Here’s how to help people impacted by Covid-19

By Jack Maidment, Deputy Political Editor For Mailonline and Henry Martin For Mailonline

Published: 07:29 BST, 9 June 2020 | Updated: 09:18 BST, 9 June 2020

Secondary schools could remain shut beyond September while ministers are set to drop plans to get all primary pupils back in the classroom before the summer holidays.  

The Government has an 'ambition' to get primary schools fully back up and running by the end of June so that pupils could receive at least one month's education before the summer break. 

But the phased reopening of primary schools to reception, year one and year six has shown that many schools simply do not have enough space to welcome back all pupils while also complying with social distancing rules. 

As a result Department for Education sources have said 'we are likely to step back a bit' on the primary school reopening pledge.

Meanwhile, Health Secretary Matt Hancock last night appeared to concede that the Government could struggle to reopen secondary schools by the start of the new academic year. 

Students in year 10 and 12 will be allowed to meet teachers from June 15 as they prepare for exam years but the goal of a total reopening in September looks unlikely. 

Mr Hancock said it was still 'our current working plan' that secondary schools in England would not reopen until September 'at the earliest'. 

Some education chiefs said they were not surprised that the Government was having to backtrack on its reopening plans because ministers had 'over-promised' on something that 'wasn't deliverable'. 

However, Anne Longfield, the Children's Commissioner for England, said the prospect of the Government dropping its primary school 'ambition' represented a 'huge disappointment'.

It came as Mr Hancock announced that up to 20,000 pupils and teachers will receive coronavirus tests so that ministers can monitor the spread of the disease as schools do reopen. 

The testing programme will be rolled out to 100 schools across England by the end of the summer term with around 200 staff and children tested in each. 

The programme will be entirely voluntary and will be a mix of swab tests to see if people currently have coronavirus and antibody blood tests to see if people have previously had the disease.

Boris Johnson is expected to discuss the schools reopening plans at a meeting of the Cabinet this morning before Education Secretary Gavin Williamson delivers a statement to Parliament on the issue this afternoon. 

With approval from parents and guardians, children will be tested to see whether they have Covid-19 (pictured: Deep cleaning the classrooms at St Alphege Church of England Junior School, Solihull)

Children sit at individual desks during a lesson at the Harris Academy's Shortland's school last week in London

Mr Hancock is the first Government minister to concede that the reopening of secondary schools could be delayed beyond September.

The Health Secretary said coronavirus is 'in retreat' and that plans to further ease lockdown restrictions including the reopening of non-essential shops from Monday could go ahead. 

But with the phased reopening of England's schools having begun last week, he acknowledged older pupils could still face months without physically attending classes.

'That is our current working plan, is that secondary schools won't open until September at the earliest,' he said.    

Meanwhile, the Department for Education said it remained the 'ambition' for all primary school children to return before the summer holidays - but did not deny reports Mr Williamson will accept this desire may not be fulfilled.  

A senior source at the Department for Education told The Sun: 'Some schools don't have enough space - we have always said we will listen to schools so we are likely to step back a bit on that.

'Some schools are bigger so are able to split kids up. But we understand not all will be able to do this.'

Geoff Barton, general secretary of the Association of School and College Leaders, said he was not surprised the plans to bring back all primary pupils before the summer holidays had been dropped.

He said: 'The "ambition" to bring back all primary year groups for a month before the end of the summer term was a case of the Government over-promising something that wasn't deliverable.

'It isn't possible to do that while maintaining small class sizes and social bubbles, so we aren't surprised that the policy has been jettisoned.' 

But Ms Longfield said ditching the timetable would dash the hopes of many children and would have long term learning implications.

She told BBC Breakfast: 'I think it's a huge disappointment for those children who'd expected to go back into school before the summer now now may not.

'It does mean that the vast majority, probably about eight million children, very likely won't return to the classroom until September, which means that, again, there will be a huge variation in their learning over that period.'

She said children will remain 'isolated', with many living in 'fragile' family environments.

'I hope that Government doesn't just write off this period,' Ms Longfield said.

Robert Halfon, the Conservative chairman of the Education select committee told the Telegraph he was very concerned about the lack of teaching for children from disadvantaged backgrounds. 

He said: 'Eighty-five per cent of disadvantaged children are not learning. A survey of 900 headteachers said that possibly 700,000 children are possibly not doing schoolwork.

Matt Hancock said at the Downing Street briefing that it was still 'our current working plan' that secondary schools in England will not open until September 'at the earliest'

'This will mean [they have missed] half the school year, and it could set these children back by many many months. This is going to have a massive impact on children.

'It is incredibly tough for parents who may need to go back to work and will have real difficulties in terms of child care.'

Currently children are placed in 'protective bubbles' of no more than 15 children per class at primary school to help prevent the spread of this disease.

But this often requires using additional classrooms or different areas of the school, with some facilities not able to find enough space to fit all their pupils in. 

Speaking ahead of his statement to MPs, Mr Williamson told Sky News: 'We know that being in school is vital for children's education and their well-being.

'Last week, primary schools began to welcome back some pupils and secondary schools will begin to do the same from 15 June, as part of our phased and cautious approach to getting children and young people back into the classroom.' 

The disarray over the reopening of schools in England came as Mr Hancock announced plans to roll out coronavirus tests to teachers and pupils. 

With approval from parents and guardians, children will be tested to see whether they have Covid-19 or have had an infection in the past under the surveillance programme.

Mr Hancock is aiming to have up to 100 schools tested across England by the end of the summer term, with around 200 staff and children involved at each of those schools.

'This study will help us better understand how common asymptomatic and mild cases of Covid-19 are so that we can support parents, pupils and teachers and support staff, and inform our ongoing response to this new virus,' he said.

The move may allay some concerns that the lockdown has been eased too quickly, as well as those from teaching unions over staff safety.

With children less likely to show coronavirus symptoms, swab tests would be used to better understand the spread of the disease throughout schools.

Streets outside Eton College buildings last week remain very quiet during the coronavirus lockdown

In a reception classroom, children sit apart from each other on a carpet where crosses have been marked out for them to sit on, in a teaching environment safe from Coronavirus for pupils and teachers at Brambles Primary Academy in Huddersfield, northern England last week

Antibody tests on blood samples would also be available for a small proportion of schools to see if pupils and staff have had Covid-19 and recovered.

The Department of Health and Social Care stressed the scheme would be voluntary, with parents and guardians being asked to provide informed consent before testing is carried out.

Dr Shamez Ladhani, a paediatric infectious diseases consultant at Public Health England, said: 'The results of this study will play an important role in informing wider surveillance planned for educational settings in the autumn term.

'Through active surveillance, contact tracing and the close monitoring of any clusters of cases, we are committed to ensuring the safety of students and staff returning to school in the coming weeks and months.'

The Liberal Democrats' education spokeswoman Layla Moran said the measure would be 'too little, too late' as she called for the Government to get the test and trace system up to speed to prevent a second wave of Covid-19.  

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2020-06-09 08:35:28Z
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20,000 pupils and staff in England will be given swab tests to see how Covid spreads in classroom - Daily Mail

Schools could remain SHUT beyond September: Government DROPS 'undeliverable' plan to get all children back straight after summer - as 20,000 pupils and staff will be given swab and blood tests to see how Covid spreads in the classroom

• Matt Hancock said secondary schools to reopen by September 'at the earliest'
• Ministers set to drop plans to get all primary school pupils back before summer 
• Health Secretary also announced new programme to test teachers and pupils 
• The voluntary scheme will see staff and students given swab and antibody tests 
• Here’s how to help people impacted by Covid-19

By Jack Maidment, Deputy Political Editor For Mailonline and Henry Martin For Mailonline

Published: 07:29 BST, 9 June 2020 | Updated: 09:18 BST, 9 June 2020

Secondary schools could remain shut beyond September while ministers are set to drop plans to get all primary pupils back in the classroom before the summer holidays.  

The Government has an 'ambition' to get primary schools fully back up and running by the end of June so that pupils could receive at least one month's education before the summer break. 

But the phased reopening of primary schools to reception, year one and year six has shown that many schools simply do not have enough space to welcome back all pupils while also complying with social distancing rules. 

As a result Department for Education sources have said 'we are likely to step back a bit' on the primary school reopening pledge.

Meanwhile, Health Secretary Matt Hancock last night appeared to concede that the Government could struggle to reopen secondary schools by the start of the new academic year. 

Students in year 10 and 12 will be allowed to meet teachers from June 15 as they prepare for exam years but the goal of a total reopening in September looks unlikely. 

Mr Hancock said it was still 'our current working plan' that secondary schools in England would not reopen until September 'at the earliest'. 

Some education chiefs said they were not surprised that the Government was having to backtrack on its reopening plans because ministers had 'over-promised' on something that 'wasn't deliverable'. 

However, Anne Longfield, the Children's Commissioner for England, said the prospect of the Government dropping its primary school 'ambition' represented a 'huge disappointment'.

It came as Mr Hancock announced that up to 20,000 pupils and teachers will receive coronavirus tests so that ministers can monitor the spread of the disease as schools do reopen. 

The testing programme will be rolled out to 100 schools across England by the end of the summer term with around 200 staff and children tested in each. 

The programme will be entirely voluntary and will be a mix of swab tests to see if people currently have coronavirus and antibody blood tests to see if people have previously had the disease.

Boris Johnson is expected to discuss the schools reopening plans at a meeting of the Cabinet this morning before Education Secretary Gavin Williamson delivers a statement to Parliament on the issue this afternoon. 

With approval from parents and guardians, children will be tested to see whether they have Covid-19 (pictured: Deep cleaning the classrooms at St Alphege Church of England Junior School, Solihull)

Children sit at individual desks during a lesson at the Harris Academy's Shortland's school last week in London

Mr Hancock is the first Government minister to concede that the reopening of secondary schools could be delayed beyond September.

The Health Secretary said coronavirus is 'in retreat' and that plans to further ease lockdown restrictions including the reopening of non-essential shops from Monday could go ahead. 

But with the phased reopening of England's schools having begun last week, he acknowledged older pupils could still face months without physically attending classes.

'That is our current working plan, is that secondary schools won't open until September at the earliest,' he said.    

Meanwhile, the Department for Education said it remained the 'ambition' for all primary school children to return before the summer holidays - but did not deny reports Mr Williamson will accept this desire may not be fulfilled.  

A senior source at the Department for Education told The Sun: 'Some schools don't have enough space - we have always said we will listen to schools so we are likely to step back a bit on that.

'Some schools are bigger so are able to split kids up. But we understand not all will be able to do this.'

Geoff Barton, general secretary of the Association of School and College Leaders, said he was not surprised the plans to bring back all primary pupils before the summer holidays had been dropped.

He said: 'The "ambition" to bring back all primary year groups for a month before the end of the summer term was a case of the Government over-promising something that wasn't deliverable.

'It isn't possible to do that while maintaining small class sizes and social bubbles, so we aren't surprised that the policy has been jettisoned.' 

But Ms Longfield said ditching the timetable would dash the hopes of many children and would have long term learning implications.

She told BBC Breakfast: 'I think it's a huge disappointment for those children who'd expected to go back into school before the summer now now may not.

'It does mean that the vast majority, probably about eight million children, very likely won't return to the classroom until September, which means that, again, there will be a huge variation in their learning over that period.'

She said children will remain 'isolated', with many living in 'fragile' family environments.

'I hope that Government doesn't just write off this period,' Ms Longfield said.

Robert Halfon, the Conservative chairman of the Education select committee told the Telegraph he was very concerned about the lack of teaching for children from disadvantaged backgrounds. 

He said: 'Eighty-five per cent of disadvantaged children are not learning. A survey of 900 headteachers said that possibly 700,000 children are possibly not doing schoolwork.

Matt Hancock said at the Downing Street briefing that it was still 'our current working plan' that secondary schools in England will not open until September 'at the earliest'

'This will mean [they have missed] half the school year, and it could set these children back by many many months. This is going to have a massive impact on children.

'It is incredibly tough for parents who may need to go back to work and will have real difficulties in terms of child care.'

Currently children are placed in 'protective bubbles' of no more than 15 children per class at primary school to help prevent the spread of this disease.

But this often requires using additional classrooms or different areas of the school, with some facilities not able to find enough space to fit all their pupils in. 

Speaking ahead of his statement to MPs, Mr Williamson told Sky News: 'We know that being in school is vital for children's education and their well-being.

'Last week, primary schools began to welcome back some pupils and secondary schools will begin to do the same from 15 June, as part of our phased and cautious approach to getting children and young people back into the classroom.' 

The disarray over the reopening of schools in England came as Mr Hancock announced plans to roll out coronavirus tests to teachers and pupils. 

With approval from parents and guardians, children will be tested to see whether they have Covid-19 or have had an infection in the past under the surveillance programme.

Mr Hancock is aiming to have up to 100 schools tested across England by the end of the summer term, with around 200 staff and children involved at each of those schools.

'This study will help us better understand how common asymptomatic and mild cases of Covid-19 are so that we can support parents, pupils and teachers and support staff, and inform our ongoing response to this new virus,' he said.

The move may allay some concerns that the lockdown has been eased too quickly, as well as those from teaching unions over staff safety.

With children less likely to show coronavirus symptoms, swab tests would be used to better understand the spread of the disease throughout schools.

Streets outside Eton College buildings last week remain very quiet during the coronavirus lockdown

In a reception classroom, children sit apart from each other on a carpet where crosses have been marked out for them to sit on, in a teaching environment safe from Coronavirus for pupils and teachers at Brambles Primary Academy in Huddersfield, northern England last week

Antibody tests on blood samples would also be available for a small proportion of schools to see if pupils and staff have had Covid-19 and recovered.

The Department of Health and Social Care stressed the scheme would be voluntary, with parents and guardians being asked to provide informed consent before testing is carried out.

Dr Shamez Ladhani, a paediatric infectious diseases consultant at Public Health England, said: 'The results of this study will play an important role in informing wider surveillance planned for educational settings in the autumn term.

'Through active surveillance, contact tracing and the close monitoring of any clusters of cases, we are committed to ensuring the safety of students and staff returning to school in the coming weeks and months.'

The Liberal Democrats' education spokeswoman Layla Moran said the measure would be 'too little, too late' as she called for the Government to get the test and trace system up to speed to prevent a second wave of Covid-19.  

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2020-06-09 08:26:58Z
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20,000 pupils and staff in England will be given swab tests to see how Covid spreads in classroom - Daily Mail

Schools could remain SHUT beyond September: Government DROPS 'undeliverable' plan to get all children back straight after summer - as 20,000 pupils and staff will be given swab and blood tests to see how Covid spreads in the classroom

• Pupils and teachers in England will receive coronavirus testing to monitor Covid 
• With approval from parents, children will be tested to see if they have Covid-19 
• Health Sec also said secondary schools may not fully reopen in September 
• Headteachers' union leader Geoff Barton welcomed the change, saying the Government had promised something that was undeliverable
• Here’s how to help people impacted by Covid-19

By Henry Martin For Mailonline and Jack Maidment, Deputy Political Editor For Mailonline

Published: 07:29 BST, 9 June 2020 | Updated: 08:53 BST, 9 June 2020

Secondary schools could remain shut beyond September while ministers are set to drop plans to get all primary pupils back in the classroom before the summer holidays.  

The Government has an 'ambition' to get primary schools fully back up and running by the end of June so that pupils could receive at least one month's education before the summer break. 

But the phased reopening of primary schools to reception, year one and year six has shown that many schools simply do not have enough space to welcome back all pupils while also complying with social distancing rules. 

As a result Department for Education sources have said 'we are likely to step back a bit' on the primary school reopening pledge.

Meanwhile, Health Secretary Matt Hancock last night appeared to concede that the Government could struggle to reopen secondary schools by the start of the new academic year. 

Students in year 10 and 12 will be allowed to meet teachers from June 15 as they prepare for exam years but the goal of a total reopening in September looks unlikely. 

Mr Hancock said it was still 'our current working plan' that secondary schools in England would not reopen until September 'at the earliest'. 

Some education chiefs said they were not surprised that the Government was having to backtrack on its reopening plans because ministers had 'over-promised' on something that 'wasn't deliverable'. 

However, Anne Longfield, the Children's Commissioner for England, said the prospect of the Government dropping its primary school 'ambition' represented a 'huge disappointment'.

It came as Mr Hancock announced that up to 20,000 pupils and teachers will receive coronavirus tests so that ministers can monitor the spread of the disease as schools do reopen. 

The testing programme will be rolled out to 100 schools across England by the end of the summer term with around 200 staff and children tested in each. 

The programme will be entirely voluntary and will be a mix of swab tests to see if people currently have coronavirus and antibody blood tests to see if people have previously had the disease.

Boris Johnson is expected to discuss the schools reopening plans at a meeting of the Cabinet this morning before Education Secretary Gavin Williamson delivers a statement to Parliament on the issue this afternoon. 

With approval from parents and guardians, children will be tested to see whether they have Covid-19 (pictured: Deep cleaning the classrooms at St Alphege Church of England Junior School, Solihull)

Children sit at individual desks during a lesson at the Harris Academy's Shortland's school last week in London

Speaking ahead of his statement, Mr Williamson told Sky News: 'We know that being in school is vital for children's education and their well-being.

'Last week, primary schools began to welcome back some pupils and secondary schools will begin to do the same from 15 June, as part of our phased and cautious approach to getting children and young people back into the classroom.

'Studies like this will be invaluable as we continue moving forward with those plans, and help us assess the next steps for getting all children back into schools, nurseries and colleges with their friends and teachers.' 

With children less likely to show coronavirus symptoms, swab tests would be used to better understand the spread of the disease throughout schools.

Antibody tests on blood samples would also be available for a small proportion of schools to see if pupils and staff have had Covid-19 and recovered.

The Department of Health and Social Care stressed the scheme would be voluntary, with parents and guardians being asked to provide informed consent before testing is carried out.

Dr Shamez Ladhani, a paediatric infectious diseases consultant at Public Health England, said: 'The results of this study will play an important role in informing wider surveillance planned for educational settings in the autumn term.

'Through active surveillance, contact tracing and the close monitoring of any clusters of cases, we are committed to ensuring the safety of students and staff returning to school in the coming weeks and months.'

The Liberal Democrats' education spokeswoman Layla Moran said the measure would be 'too little, too late' as she called for the Government to get the test and trace system up to speed to prevent a second wave of Covid-19.

Children in England began returning in a phased process last week, with Reception, Year 1 and Year 6 pupils heading back first.

Under Government plans, secondary schools will start to reopen to a wider selection of students from June 15.

Mr Hancock last night also conceded that secondary schools in England may not fully reopen in September - with ministers also expected to row back on their pledge to give primary children a month in classes before summer break.

The Health Secretary  said at the Downing Street briefing yesterday that it was still 'our current working plan' that secondary schools in England will not open until September 'at the earliest'.

Matt Hancock said at the Downing Street briefing that it was still 'our current working plan' that secondary schools in England will not open until September 'at the earliest'

Streets outside Eton College buildings last week remain very quiet during the coronavirus lockdown

But he admitted the government still need to 'work out' how this could be achieved 'safely' and that it was going to require 'ingenuity'.  

Asked at the evening press conference whether the Government thought schools would be reopen in September, Mr Hancock said: 'Our current working plan is secondary schools won't open until September at the earliest.'

The headteachers' union leader Geoff Barton welcomed the change, saying the Government had promised something that was undeliverable, BBC Radio 4's Today programme reported.   

The Department of Education said it remained the 'ambition' for all primary school children to return before the summer holidays.

But last night there were indications the government was moving away from its pledge to have all primary schools open by the end of June so children can get at least one month's education before summer break.

A senior source at the Department for Education told The Sun: 'Some schools don't have enough space - we have always said we will listen to schools so we are likely to step back a bit on that.

'Some schools are bigger so are able to split kids up. But we understand not all will be able to do this.' 

With the number of new deaths falling to the lowest reported since lockdown began, Mr Hancock said plans to further ease restrictions including the reopening of non-essential shops from Monday could go ahead.

In a reception classroom, children sit apart from each other on a carpet where crosses have been marked out for them to sit on, in a teaching environment safe from Coronavirus for pupils and teachers at Brambles Primary Academy in Huddersfield, northern England last week

'When you look across the board, it is clear that coronavirus is in retreat across the country,' he said.

But with the phased reopening of England's schools having begun last week, he acknowledged older pupils could still face months without attending class. 

Currently children are placed in 'protective bubbles' of no more than 15 children per class at primary school to help prevent the spread of this disease.

But this often requires using additional classrooms or different areas of the school, with some facilities not able to find enough space to fit all their pupils in. 

Mr Hancock has also unveiled plans for pupils and teachers across England to receive coronavirus testing to monitor the spread of the disease as classes resume.

With approval from parents and guardians, children will be tested to see whether they have Covid-19 or have had an infection in the past under the surveillance programme.

Mr Hancock is aiming to have up to 100 schools tested across England by the end of the summer term, with around 200 staff and children involved at each of those schools. 

Robert Halfon, the Conservative chairman of the Education select committee told the Telegraph he was very concerned about the lack of teaching for children from disadvantaged backgrounds. 

He said: 'Eighty-five per cent of disadvantaged children are not learning. A survey of 900 headteachers said that possibly 700,000 children are possibly not doing schoolwork.

'This will mean [they have missed] half the school year, and it could set these children back by many many months. This is going to have a massive impact on children.

'It is incredibly tough for parents who may need to go back to work and will have real difficulties in terms of child care.'

Labour's shadow health secretary Jonathan Ashworth warned many fear Mr Johnson 'is starting to throw caution to the wind', with worries that the economy is being crippled.

Mr Hancock said that the R rate of transmission for Covid-19 remains below the crucial level of one, above which it would spread rapidly again, in every region of the country.

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2020-06-09 07:53:26Z
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Boris Johnson says protesters who harm police will face 'the full force of the law' after clashes - Daily Mail

Boris Johnson says protesters who harm police or property will face 'the full force of the law' after Black Lives Matter clashes that saw 35 police INJURED and 135 arrests in London alone but that he understands black anger

• Boris Johnson posted a video message to the nation from his Twitter account 
• He said leaders can't ignore concerns from the BAME community in the UK
• But he warned protesters who attack police or property will be subject to law 

By Joe Middleton For Mailonline

Published: 22:38 BST, 8 June 2020 | Updated: 07:58 BST, 9 June 2020

Boris Johnson has said activists who harm the police or property during Black Lives Matter protests sparked by the killing of George Floyd will face 'the full force of the law'.

The Prime Minister posted a video message to the nation from his Twitter account this evening following a weekend of mostly peaceful demonstrations in cities and towns throughout the country.

Mr Johnson said the outrage provoked by the death of Mr Floyd at the hands of a police officer in Minneapolis had awakened an 'incontrovertible, undeniable feeling of injustice' and called for people to 'work peacefully, lawfully, to defeat racism'.

He said leaders 'simply can't ignore' concerns that black, Asian and minority ethnic (BAME) groups face discrimination in education, employment and criminal law.

But he also said he would not support people who flouted social distancing rules and would not "indulge those who break the law, or attack the police, or desecrate public monuments", adding they will face the 'full force of the law'. 

It comes after Home Secretary Priti Patel said today that 135 protesters had been arrested and 35 police officers injured during protests.

In one incident graffiti appeared on a statue of Winston Churchill in Parliament Square, London, branding him 'racist'.

And yesterday the monument of slave trader Edward Colston was pulled down in Bristol and then toppled into the city's harbour by protesters.  

Activists stand around the Churchill statue yesterday after it was daubed in graffiti during the Black Lives Matter protests

The Prime Minister posted a video message to the nation from his Twitter account this evening following a weekend of demonstrations in cities and towns throughout the country

Thousands of protesters gathered for marches in London on Saturday and Sunday

In the speech this evening said he would not support those who break social distancing rules aimed at slowing the spread of coronavirus, which he acknowledged was disproportionately harming Bame communities.

'So no, I will not support those who flout the rules on social distancing, for the obvious reason that we risk a new infection at a critical time and just as we have made huge progress,' he said in a video statement.

'And so I must say clearly that those who attack public property or the police - who injure the police officers who are trying to keep us all safe - those people will face the full force of the law; not just because of the hurt and damage they are causing, but because of the damage they are doing to the cause they claim to represent.

'They are hijacking a peaceful protest and undermining it in the eyes of many who might otherwise be sympathetic.'

As mass protests against the latest killing of a black man at the hands of US police widened to highlight racial inequality more generally, the PM said he understands and hears the anger.

A protester is placed in a spit hood as he is restrained by Police Officers close to Westminster tube station yesterday

Protesters throw statue of Edward Colston into Bristol harbour during a Black Lives Matter protest rally yesterday

A protestor lights a flair next to The Cenotaph during a Black Lives Matter protest in response to the death of American George Floyd on Saturday

'In this country and around the world his dying words - I can't breathe - have awakened an anger and a widespread and incontrovertible, undeniable feeling of injustice, a feeling that people from black and minority ethnic groups do face discrimination: in education, in employment, in the application of the criminal law,' he said.

'And we who lead and who govern simply can't ignore those feelings because in too many cases, I am afraid, they will be founded on a cold reality.'

The statement is Mr Johnson's fullest comments to date on the Black Lives Matter protests in the UK, with him previously condemning 'thuggery' marring demonstrations.

Despite protests including in London and Bristol largely being peaceful, nearly 50 officers were injured over the weekend and graffiti was also scrawled on a statue of Sir Winston Churchill in Parliament Square.

Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer said it was 'completely wrong' for protesters to rip down the Colston statue and toss it into the harbour, but told LBC Radio the monument to the slaver should have been removed long ago.

Bristol Mayor Marvin Rees said he felt no sense of loss for the statue, but told BBC Radio 4's Today programme: 'As an elected politician, obviously I cannot condone the damage and I am very concerned about the implications of a mass gathering on the possibility of a second Covid wave.'

Mr Johnson said the UK has 'made huge strides' in confronting racism but said 'there is so much more to do'.

He also praised his own record, citing work 'to recruit and promote more young black people' and noted his Chancellor, Rishi Sunak, and Home Secretary, Priti Patel, are of Indian heritage.

But protesters have also directed criticism at the PM, particularly for his past writings for which he has himself been accused of racism.

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2020-06-09 07:09:08Z
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Coronavirus: Plan dropped for all primary pupils back in school - BBC News

The plan for all primary school years in England to go back to school before the end of term is to be dropped by the government.

There had been an aim for all primary pupils to spend four weeks in school before the summer break.

But it is no longer thought to be feasible and instead schools will be given "flexibility" over whether or not to admit more pupils.

Head teachers' leaders said it had never been a practical possibility.

It comes after Health Secretary Matt Hancock conceded at Monday's Downing Street briefing that secondary schools in England may not fully reopen until September "at the earliest".

Prime Minister Boris Johnson will chair a cabinet meeting later to discuss the next steps to ease lockdown restrictions, before Education Secretary Gavin Williamson delivers a statement to the House of Commons on the reopening of schools.

There are separate rules for managing the threat of coronavirus in England, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland.

Children in England began returning to primary schools in a phased process last week, with Reception, Year 1 and Year 6 pupils heading back first.

Mr Williamson will give an indication later of how many more pupils in England have returned, but he is also expected to say that primary schools will no longer have to prepare for the return of all pupils, as previously proposed by the government.

Instead schools will have the option to increase numbers - but it will be up to them to decide whether they can bring in more classes and will take away the "pressure" to get ready.

The announcement will mean that many children in these other year groups will not be back in school until September.

Head teachers had warned several weeks ago that it was not a realistic possibility to accommodate all primary year groups at the same time, with social distancing limiting their capacity.

Class sizes are now only 15 pupils or less - so if each class occupied two classrooms, school leaders argued that they would have no space for all year groups to return.

"The 'ambition' to bring back all primary year groups for a month before the end of the summer term was a case of the government over-promising something that wasn't deliverable," said Geoff Barton, leader of the ASCL head teachers' union.

"It isn't possible to do that while maintaining small class sizes and social bubbles, so we aren't surprised that the policy has been jettisoned," he said.

Paul Whiteman, of the National Association of Head Teachers, said "we're pleased to see the government will not force the impossible" and that the plan had too many "practical barriers".

Schools have remained open throughout the lockdown for children of key workers and vulnerable children.

But last Monday primary schools began the process of inviting back another two million children across three year groups.

Secondary pupils in Years 10 and 12 are to begin returning for some sessions in school from 15 June.

It is thought that primary pupil numbers have been increasing as parents have become more confident - but there have also been local concerns about different regional rates of infection.

Teachers' unions have warned that it is too early to return to school - and some local authorities have delayed a return to school in their areas.

But the Department for Education has argued that children need to get back to lessons - and that safety has been "paramount" in the plans to bring back more pupils.

Schools in Wales will reopen from 29 of June to all age groups for limited periods during the week, while Scottish schools are to reopen at the start of the autumn term on 11 August, with some continued home-learning.

Some Northern Irish pupils preparing for exams and those about to move to post-primary schools will go back in late August, with a phased return for the rest in September.

The UK has recorded its lowest daily rise in the number of coronavirus deaths since before lockdown on 23 March, according to the latest government figures.

A further 55 people died after testing positive with the virus as of 17:00 BST on Sunday, taking the total to 40,597.

There tends to be fewer deaths reported on Mondays - due to a reporting lag over the weekend.

The figures came as a study estimated lockdowns have saved more than three million lives from coronavirus in Europe.

Researchers from Imperial College London used computer models to predict the spread of the virus if no restrictions had been put in place in 11 European countries, finding that the "death toll would have been huge" without lockdown.

In the UK, the lockdown prevented 470,000 deaths up to 4 May, according to the study.

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2020-06-09 01:08:28Z
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Grandmother, 65, is jailed for falsely claiming over £1M in benefits - Daily Mail

Grandmother, 65, is jailed for falsely claiming over £1 MILLION in benefits after lying that she was wheelchair-bound and blind - before being caught going for a walk and reading the paper

• A grandmother has been jailed for three years and eight months for fraud 
• Christina Pomfrey, 65, stole over £1million after falsely claiming benefits 
• She claimed to be blind and wheelchair-bound to trick the authorities
• However, she was caught going for walks unaided and reading a newspaper 

By Ollie Lewis For Mailonline

Published: 16:53 BST, 8 June 2020 | Updated: 17:40 BST, 8 June 2020

A grandmother 'grossly exaggerated' her disabilities to falsely claim more than £1 million in benefits over 15 years, a court has heard.

Christina Pomfrey, 65, lied she was totally blind and wheelchair-bound, but surveillance by investigators showed her driving, going for a walk unaided while reading a newspaper and collecting her grandchildren from school.

When confronted with the evidence, she said she was relieved to be finally caught and claimed she had given the money away to charity and those in need.

Christina Pomfrey from Palacefields, Runcorn, was caught on camera shopping despite claiming to be totally blind and confined to a wheelchair

However, she also admitted she had spent cash on numerous holidays, cosmetic treatment and clothes.

On Monday, Pomfrey, from Runcorn, Cheshire, was jailed for three years and eight months after she pleaded guilty at an earlier hearing to multiple counts of fraud, false accounting and making or supplying articles for use in frauds. 

The 65-year-old has been jailed for three years and eight months after falsely claiming over £1million in benefits

Sentencing at Manchester Minshull Street Crown Court, Judge Sophie McKone told her: 'You grossly exaggerated your disabilities in pretending you were completely blind and that your multiple sclerosis was of such severity that you required significant and costly care.

'This was money to which you were not entitled. Over 15 years, you stole £1 million from your fellow citizens. Money which would have gone to people who justly deserved it, money that could have gone to schools and hospitals.

'This was a determined benefit fraud on a substantial scale. You claimed you spent money on others - whether or not that is true, you spent some money on holidays, beauty treatment, clothes, restaurant and hotels.'

The court heard that despite Pomfrey's admission of guilt and remorse to investigators in December 2017, she continued her deceit while on bail.

Pomfrey's 'staggering dishonesty' was exposed when she was spotted walking unaided and reading a newspaper. She admitted spending the money on holidays, beauty treatments and clothes 

Judge McKone said: 'You made further dishonest benefit claims, lying again about your personal circumstances and your health which resulted in more money being paid out. Your behaviour is - frankly - staggeringly dishonest.'

The judge noted Pomfrey, of The Glen, Palacefields, had a traumatic childhood which continued into her adult years as she suffered abuse 'at the hands of people who should have cared for you'.

As a result, the defendant had been diagnosed with post-traumatic stress disorder and also suffers from disassociative disorder, where she appears to adopt different personas to cope with past trauma.

Pomfrey (left) was sentenced alongside her daughter Aimee Brown (centre), who was handed a suspended jail sentence for laundering £80,000 of her mother's ill-gotten gains. The pair are pictured outside Minshull Street Couty, Manchester, today

Her daughter, Aimee Brown, 34, from Runcorn, received a 18-month jail term, suspended for two years, after she laundered £80,000 of Pomfrey's cash into her bank account and kept more than £70,000 for herself.

She was 'hoodwinked' by her mother and had no knowledge of the extent of her lies, but had entered a guilty plea to money laundering because she did not act on her suspicions, the court heard.

The court was also told the full amount of £1,010,090 fraudulently claimed in various benefits had been spent by Pomfrey.

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2020-06-08 22:26:22Z
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