Coronavirus: Schools to return in Scotland but country remains in phase three of lockdown - Sky News

Schools in Scotland will reopen from 11 August, Nicola Sturgeon has confirmed. 

All pupils are expected to return to the classroom full-time by 18 August.

Announcing changes to Scotland's coronavirus lockdown restrictions, Ms Sturgeon said people who have been asked to shield will no longer be required to from 1 August.

Image: Nicola Sturgeon says the 'virus has not gone away'

But the first minister said the country will not be moving out of phase three of its lockdown, warning that "the virus has not gone away".

Ms Sturgeon said the virus is now at "very low levels" in Scotland, with estimates last week suggesting just 300 people were still infectious and the R number remaining below the crucial number of one.

Advertisement

She also confirmed no coronavirus patients have died in the country for the past fortnight.

Despite the "substantial" progress, the first minister said the time was not right to move to the fourth and final phase of easing lockdown restrictions.

More from Covid-19

"A move to phase four would require us to be satisfied that the virus is no longer considered a significant threat to public health," she said, "Unfortunately that is far from the case."

In phase four of the lockdown easing, all workplaces would reopen, mass gatherings could resume and public transport could run a full service.

Hygiene and some social distancing measures would still need to remain in place.

:: Listen to the Daily podcast on Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, Spotify, Spreaker

Ms Sturgeon said it is a "moral and educational imperative" for children to return to school as soon as possible, as students have now been away from the classroom for almost five months.

She acknowledged that some schools may opt for a "phased return", but said all pupils should be at school full-time by 18 August "at the latest".

Previously, the Scottish government had proposed a blended model where students would be taught in school part-time and also learn at home on return after the summer break.

Announcing there will be a pause on shielding advice for extremely vulnerable people, Ms Sturgeon said she was "deeply grateful" for the "patience and sacrifice" of shielders.

She said the guidance would likely be an "enormous relief to many" but suspected some would feel "anxious" about the changes.

The first minister insisted the advice would change if there was a resurgence in coronavirus cases.

She also gave indicative dates for the return of some activities.

Live outdoor events with physical distancing and organised outdoor contact sports could resume from 24 August.

On the same date, driving lessons could resume and some indoor facilities such as bingo halls could reopen.

Non-essential offices are expected to remain closed until at least 14 September.

Let's block ads! (Why?)

https://news.google.com/__i/rss/rd/articles/CBMifGh0dHBzOi8vbmV3cy5za3kuY29tL3N0b3J5L2Nvcm9uYXZpcnVzLXNjaG9vbHMtdG8tcmV0dXJuLWluLXNjb3RsYW5kLWJ1dC1jb3VudHJ5LXJlbWFpbnMtaW4tcGhhc2UtdGhyZWUtb2YtbG9ja2Rvd24tMTIwMzkxMDbSAYABaHR0cHM6Ly9uZXdzLnNreS5jb20vc3RvcnkvYW1wL2Nvcm9uYXZpcnVzLXNjaG9vbHMtdG8tcmV0dXJuLWluLXNjb3RsYW5kLWJ1dC1jb3VudHJ5LXJlbWFpbnMtaW4tcGhhc2UtdGhyZWUtb2YtbG9ja2Rvd24tMTIwMzkxMDY?oc=5

2020-07-30 12:22:30Z
52780959223132

Charlie Elphicke trial: Ex-MP guilty of sexual assaults - BBC News

A former Conservative MP has been found guilty of sexually assaulting two women.

Charlie Elphicke, the former MP for Dover, denied groping the women in similar situations nine years apart.

He was convicted of one count of sexual assault in 2007, and two further counts against a second woman in 2016.

The 49-year-old's wife Natalie Elphicke, who is the current MP for Dover, was present for his trial at Southwark Crown Court.

Mrs Elphicke said the verdict "brings profound sorrow" and "ends my 25 year marriage to the only man I have ever loved".

She tweeted: "I would ask for some personal space and time to come to terms with the shocking events of the last 3 years."

Releasing Elphicke on bail ahead on sentencing on 15 September, Judge Mrs Justice Whipple said: "There is a very real possibility he faces immediate custody."

• Why did it take so long to bring ex-MP to justice?

The Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) said Elphicke had "abused his power and influence over these women to make unwanted and forceful sexual advances towards them".

Elphicke's trial heard he had lunged at a woman aged in her 30s at his London home in 2007 on the first night his wife was away after the birth of their son.

He forced his victim on to a sofa and groped her breast while trying to kiss her, before chasing her and chanting "I'm a naughty Tory".

"He tried to kiss me and I moved my head, he pushed me down by my shoulders," the woman told jurors.

"He had his knee between my legs and he was groping my breast."

Elphicke told the court he tried to kiss the woman "under a misapprehension" after she became "tactile", but denied sexual assault.

'Lied repeatedly'

In 2016 he twice sexually assaulted a parliamentary worker aged in her 20s, first attempting to kiss the woman and grope her breast.

"He had his mouth open, continually trying to kiss me," his victim told the court. "It was like a disgusting, slobbery mess."

In the second assault several weeks later, he ran his hand up the inside of her thigh towards her groin.

Elphicke had told the jury he was "besotted" with the younger woman and desired a sexual relationship with her.

Natalie Dawson, of the CPS, said Elphicke had "lied repeatedly" and "failed to take responsibility for his behaviour and the harm suffered by his victims".

The attacks had a "profound impact" on the women, who "feared for their careers if they reported him," she said.

"I hope these convictions today give other victims the confidence to report sexual abuse, no matter how powerful their abuser," Ms Dawson added.

Let's block ads! (Why?)

https://news.google.com/__i/rss/rd/articles/CBMiM2h0dHBzOi8vd3d3LmJiYy5jby51ay9uZXdzL3VrLWVuZ2xhbmQta2VudC01MzUxNTAwNdIBN2h0dHBzOi8vd3d3LmJiYy5jby51ay9uZXdzL2FtcC91ay1lbmdsYW5kLWtlbnQtNTM1MTUwMDU?oc=5

2020-07-30 12:11:29Z
52780964184883

Charlie Elphicke trial: Former Conservative MP found guilty of sexual assault - Sky News

Former Conservative MP Charlie Elphicke has been found guilty of three counts of sexual assault.

Elphicke, 49, faced one charge relating to an incident with a woman in her early 30s at his home in 2007, and two involving a parliamentary worker in her early 20s in 2016.

The former Dover MP had allegedly tried to kiss and grope the parliamentary worker after they shared a drink in Westminster in April 2016, Southwark Crown Court heard.

The complainant, who cannot be named, said Elphicke told her afterwards: "I'm so naughty sometimes."

She also alleged he had ran his hand up her thigh towards her groin the following month.

Advertisement

The other woman claimed Elphicke had kissed and groped her at his London home in summer 2007, while his wife Natalie was away for the night.

Elphicke, who was MP for Dover between 2010 and 2019, had then chased her around his home chanting "I'm a naughty Tory", the woman said.

More from UK

Image: Charlie Elphicke with his wife, Conservative MP Natalie Elphicke

Elphicke had denied all charges.

He told jurors he was under a "misapprehension" when he kissed the woman in his home, and claimed he had stopped when she rejected his advances.

The father-of-two said he wanted an affair with the parliamentary worker, but denied sexually assaulting her and said he had not touched her inappropriately.

Elphicke told jurors he is struggling to save his marriage, although he has been accompanied to court each day by his wife, who succeeded him as Dover MP last year.

Let's block ads! (Why?)

https://news.google.com/__i/rss/rd/articles/CBMicGh0dHBzOi8vbmV3cy5za3kuY29tL3N0b3J5L2NoYXJsaWUtZWxwaGlja2UtdHJpYWwtZm9ybWVyLWNvbnNlcnZhdGl2ZS1tcC1mb3VuZC1ndWlsdHktb2Ytc2V4dWFsLWFzc2F1bHQtMTIwMzc5MDnSAXRodHRwczovL25ld3Muc2t5LmNvbS9zdG9yeS9hbXAvY2hhcmxpZS1lbHBoaWNrZS10cmlhbC1mb3JtZXItY29uc2VydmF0aXZlLW1wLWZvdW5kLWd1aWx0eS1vZi1zZXh1YWwtYXNzYXVsdC0xMjAzNzkwOQ?oc=5

2020-07-30 12:02:04Z
52780964184883

Nicola Sturgeon confirms schools will reopen from August 11th - Daily Record

NICOLA Sturgeon has confirmed schools will reopen from August 11th.

She said she expected all pupils to be back full time from August 18th at the latest.

The decision was made following scientific evidence and advice on safety.

Every school will have to carry out a risk assessment and put in place enhanced hygiene and cleaning arrangements.

Sign up to our Politics newsletter

Get all the top Scottish politics news sent straight to your Inbox by signing up to our Politics newsletter.

We cover Holyrood, Westminster and local councils, with a current focus on how our governments are handling the coronavirus pandemic.

To sign up, simply enter your email address into the pink box near the top of this article.

Alternatively, you can visit our newsletter sign up-centre. Once you are there, enter your email address and select Politics and any other Daily Record newsletters that are of interest.

Primary school pupils will not have to physically distance from each other, but as a precaution secondary schools will be advised to take steps to encourage distancing between young people.

School staff will need to physically distance from each other and, if possible, from pupils who are not part of the same household.

Nicola Sturgeon (Image: Daily Record)

A surveillance programme is also being developed for schools for the purpose of carrying out regular testing.

Sturgeon’s statement to Holyrood came after schools closed in March as part of the country-wide lockdown.

Her Government initially suggested ‘blended’ learning  - a combination of home and class-based schooling - would be in place on August 11th, but a parental backlash forced the Government to prioritise full-time schooling.

However, the EIS teachers' trade union called for more to be done to ensure that schools are safe environments for pupils and staff.

EIS General Secretary Larry Flanagan said: “The decision of the Scottish Government to reopen schools with a full pupil return is predicated on the current successful suppression of the virus but as we are seeing in parts of Europe, that situation can change quite quickly. Even with full implementation of the guidelines and its mitigations, many teachers and parents will be understandably nervous about a return to the classroom.”

He added: “The EIS believes more could be done to reassure school communities around safety if smaller classes were introduced as the norm, employing the many unemployed teachers currently seeking work. The additional funding announced is welcome, therefore, but this needs to translate into smaller class grouping to support physical distancing amongst pupils.”

Let's block ads! (Why?)

https://news.google.com/__i/rss/rd/articles/CBMiXGh0dHBzOi8vd3d3LmRhaWx5cmVjb3JkLmNvLnVrL25ld3MvcG9saXRpY3Mvbmljb2xhLXN0dXJnZW9uLWNvbmZpcm1zLXNjaG9vbHMtcmVvcGVuLTIyNDQyMTI30gFgaHR0cHM6Ly93d3cuZGFpbHlyZWNvcmQuY28udWsvbmV3cy9wb2xpdGljcy9uaWNvbGEtc3R1cmdlb24tY29uZmlybXMtc2Nob29scy1yZW9wZW4tMjI0NDIxMjcuYW1w?oc=5

2020-07-30 11:30:00Z
52780959223132

Rape convictions hit record low as just 2,100 cases make it to court - Sky News

The number of rape victims in England and Wales who see their attacker successfully prosecuted has hit a record low.

Latest figures from the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) show that 1,439 rape cases resulted in a conviction for rape or another offence in 2019/20.

The figure is around 500 fewer convictions than the year before, and half as many successful prosecutions as three years ago.

Director of public prosecutions Max Hill QC said reversing that downward trend has become a top priority for police and prosecutors.

He said although the year-on-year figure did show a drop in the conviction rate, there were signs of a slight improvement in the last three quarters.

Advertisement

More than 55,000 allegations of rape were made to the police last year, but fewer than 2,100 cases made it to court.

There are several underlying factors at play which make it increasingly challenging for authorities.

More from UK

Rape and sexual assault cases are very often one person's word against another, and investigations are increasingly reliant on electronic evidence from mobile phones and computers.

But many alleged victims are reluctant to hand over their phones and computers to authorities and victims' groups say the process can leave them feeling more like suspects.

Policing resources and the increasingly prolonged nature of investigations has also resulted in increasing numbers of alleged victims pulling out of the process before it reaches a decision.

Image: The year-on-year figure shows a drop in conviction rate

The length of time it takes the CPS to decide whether a case should be prosecuted has also increased from around one-and-a-half months to five months, prompting it to launch a five-year blueprint to try to ensure police and prosecutors work better together.

Proposals include the use of more videotaped testimony from victims and vulnerable witnesses to save them from the ordeal of attending court and facing cross-examination in front of their alleged attacker.

Those victims who do still have to appear at trial could get a "digital walkthrough" so they know what to expect.

As part of the new strategy, prosecutors will be advised on how to deal with sexual violence within same-sex relationships or involving a transgender person.

Police will also be offered legal advice earlier on in investigations.

Mr Hill said that while the number of rape cases that resulted in prosecution was low as the UK went into lockdown, figures have risen in recent months.

He said: "What I am encouraged by in this reporting quarter is that the trends are moving in the right direction.

"That means in particular the proportion of cases that are brought to the CPS by the police that we are able to charge, to take to court, continues to rise."

Last month the End of Violence Against Women (EVAW) coalition called for an investigation into how the CPS deals with rape over claims many so-called "weaker" cases are failing to reach court.

Sue Hemming, CPS legal director, said at the time that there had been no change in how rape cases are handled.

Let's block ads! (Why?)

https://news.google.com/__i/rss/rd/articles/CBMiaGh0dHBzOi8vbmV3cy5za3kuY29tL3N0b3J5L3JhcGUtY29udmljdGlvbnMtaGl0LXJlY29yZC1sb3ctYXMtanVzdC0yLTEwMC1jYXNlcy1tYWtlLWl0LXRvLWNvdXJ0LTEyMDM4ODM40gFsaHR0cHM6Ly9uZXdzLnNreS5jb20vc3RvcnkvYW1wL3JhcGUtY29udmljdGlvbnMtaGl0LXJlY29yZC1sb3ctYXMtanVzdC0yLTEwMC1jYXNlcy1tYWtlLWl0LXRvLWNvdXJ0LTEyMDM4ODM4?oc=5

2020-07-30 09:45:00Z
52780963005771

UK weather: Hottest day of year forecast as temperatures could top 33C - Sky News

Hot and sunny weather is set to sweep the UK, with forecasts indicating Friday could be the hottest day of the year so far.

Parts of the country are expected to see temperatures above 33C (91F), potentially surpassing the 33.3C recorded at Heathrow Airport on June 25.

It follows an unseasonably cool July, which has seen a monthly average of just 14.1C (57F) and high of 28.5C (83F).

But while the weather will remain very warm in the south of England on Saturday, conditions will become considerably colder across the UK as the weekend develops.

Sky News weather presenter Nazaneen Ghaffar said Thursday would see the first of the warmer temperatures, with 29C and sunny spells in the south despite periods of rain clearing northwards across Scotland for most of the day.

Advertisement

"The weather will be heating up over the next 48 hours as we draw in warmer air from the south," she said.

"Friday will be hotter with plenty of sunshine across the majority of England, Wales and Scotland.

More from Weather

"Widely, temperatures will be reaching highs in the late 20s or early 30s, and highs of 33-34C in parts of the South are possible.

"If the mercury goes higher than 33.4C then it will be the highest temperature of the year so far."

Image: People enjoy the warm weather at Cardiff Castle this week

But, she warned, the country was not about to enjoy a prolonged heatwave.

"The hot spell will be short-lived as a cold front will spread eastwards, bringing spells of rain across Ireland and Northern Ireland on Friday, and through the night and into Saturday the front will continue eastwards," she said.

"This will mean a change in wind direction through the weekend and therefore temperatures will drop to around the seasonal average for many places, although Saturday will still be very warm in the South."

She added that thunderstorms could break out across central and eastern parts of the UK later on Friday, while warning that UV levels would be high for most places - and very high for the southwest of England.

Let's block ads! (Why?)

https://news.google.com/__i/rss/rd/articles/CBMiaWh0dHBzOi8vbmV3cy5za3kuY29tL3N0b3J5L3VrLXdlYXRoZXItaG90dGVzdC1kYXktb2YteWVhci1mb3JlY2FzdC1hcy10ZW1wZXJhdHVyZXMtY291bGQtdG9wLTMzYy0xMjAzODkzN9IBbWh0dHBzOi8vbmV3cy5za3kuY29tL3N0b3J5L2FtcC91ay13ZWF0aGVyLWhvdHRlc3QtZGF5LW9mLXllYXItZm9yZWNhc3QtYXMtdGVtcGVyYXR1cmVzLWNvdWxkLXRvcC0zM2MtMTIwMzg5Mzc?oc=5

2020-07-30 09:35:06Z
52780963495444

Coronavirus, Brexit and climate change threaten food security for millions in the UK - Sky News

A Minister for Food Security is urgently needed to deal with the threat posed by COVID-19, Brexit and climate change, according to a cross-party group of MPs.

Millions of people have struggled to access food as a result of the coronavirus pandemic, with the number of food bank users doubling during lockdown.

The Environment, Food and Rural Affairs Committee warns that food insecurity is "likely to get worse before it gets better" because of risks including a second wave of coronavirus cases, as well as potential disruption and delays to the food supply system as a result of a "disorderly Brexit".

The committee analysed the government's response to the disruption to food supplies caused by COVID-19.

Although committee chair Neil Parish said the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs response was "commendable" once the pandemic hit, the report questions why the government appeared unprepared for disruptions - such as supermarket shortages due to increased demand - which other countries had experienced when they went into lockdown before the UK.

Advertisement

Increased buying was not a result of "panic", according to the committee, but "a reasonable and predictable response to the expectation that more meals would need to be eaten at home".

Mr Parish said despite the easing of lockdown "problems with food security are far from over".

More from Covid-19

He added: "Food banks and other food redistribution organisations have reacted heroically to a shocking spike in demand for food aid, but this problem is likely to get worse before it gets better.

"It is therefore essential that the government appoints a new minister for food security who will stop this issue falling between the cracks.

"The government's actions to lock down the country and close businesses were necessary, but they had huge impacts on the food sector and on food security."

:: Listen to the Daily podcast on Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, Spotify, Spreaker

The report also highlighted issues with the voucher scheme for free school meals. Initially the vouchers could be used at supermarkets like Waitrose and M&S but not at Aldi or Lidl, which the report said was "out of touch with the reality of where families were likely to shop".

Around 4.9 million adults and 1.7 million children are currently facing food insecurity in the UK, according to the committee, which the UN defines as a lack of physical and economic access to sufficient and nutritious food.

The cross-party group is asking the government to consult on whether a 'right to food' should be put in legislation.

A government spokesperson said: "[we have] invested record levels of funding to help people get the food they need.

"Our COVID-19 task force has also brought together expertise across government to tackle the extraordinary circumstances of this pandemic and ensure those most vulnerable in our society are protected."

Let's block ads! (Why?)

https://news.google.com/__i/rss/rd/articles/CBMid2h0dHBzOi8vbmV3cy5za3kuY29tL3N0b3J5L2Nvcm9uYXZpcnVzLWJyZXhpdC1hbmQtY2xpbWF0ZS1jaGFuZ2UtdGhyZWF0ZW4tZm9vZC1zZWN1cml0eS1mb3ItbWlsbGlvbnMtaW4tdGhlLXVrLTEyMDM4ODQ40gF7aHR0cHM6Ly9uZXdzLnNreS5jb20vc3RvcnkvYW1wL2Nvcm9uYXZpcnVzLWJyZXhpdC1hbmQtY2xpbWF0ZS1jaGFuZ2UtdGhyZWF0ZW4tZm9vZC1zZWN1cml0eS1mb3ItbWlsbGlvbnMtaW4tdGhlLXVrLTEyMDM4ODQ4?oc=5

2020-07-30 03:14:15Z
CBMid2h0dHBzOi8vbmV3cy5za3kuY29tL3N0b3J5L2Nvcm9uYXZpcnVzLWJyZXhpdC1hbmQtY2xpbWF0ZS1jaGFuZ2UtdGhyZWF0ZW4tZm9vZC1zZWN1cml0eS1mb3ItbWlsbGlvbnMtaW4tdGhlLXVrLTEyMDM4ODQ40gF7aHR0cHM6Ly9uZXdzLnNreS5jb20vc3RvcnkvYW1wL2Nvcm9uYXZpcnVzLWJyZXhpdC1hbmQtY2xpbWF0ZS1jaGFuZ2UtdGhyZWF0ZW4tZm9vZC1zZWN1cml0eS1mb3ItbWlsbGlvbnMtaW4tdGhlLXVrLTEyMDM4ODQ4