PM should apologise for testing 'collapse', says Starmer - BBC News

Media playback is unsupported on your device

Sir Keir Starmer has called on Prime Minister Boris Johnson to apologise for a "near collapse" in the government's coronavirus test and trace system.

The Labour leader told the BBC ministers had "lost control of where the virus is", making the need for further restrictions "more likely".

He added that "fixing testing" should be the "number one priority".

The health secretary said extra resources were being put towards speeding up test results.

Matt Hancock blamed a spike in those without symptoms seeking tests for an increase in demand, but said this had fallen in the last week or so.

But he admitted the proportion of test results being turned around within the government's 24-hour target period "clearly needs to go up".

Sir Keir's call for an apology over testing comes as the government introduces fines of up to £10,000 for people who fail to self-isolate after being ordered to do so.

A new legal duty in England will require people to self-isolate if they test positive for the virus, or are traced as a close contact, from 28 September.

The UK government hopes the new fines will be replicated in Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland, which have powers to set their own coronavirus rules.

'Prepare for autumn'

Speaking on the BBC's Andrew Marr programme, Sir Keir said Labour would support "whatever measure" ministers take to suppress virus cases.

But he added: "If I were the prime minister, I would apologise for the fact we're in this situation with testing.

"Throughout the summer, we were saying 'prepare for the autumn'. Instead, we had the exams fiasco.

"I would make fixing testing the number one priority, and reinstate the daily press conferences so we know what's going on."

Asked whether problems with testing made a second nationwide lockdown more likely, Sir Keir said: "I don't think a lockdown is inevitable.

"But I do think it's now more likely because of the near collapse of testing".

The warning comes after the head of England's test and trace system said earlier this week that demand for tests was "significantly outstripping" supply.

Baroness Harding told MPs the return of children to school classrooms meant test demand in England among under-17s had doubled.

Need for 'prioritisation'

"I don't think anybody was expecting to see the really sizable increase in demand that has happened over the last few weeks," she said.

Also speaking to Andrew Marr, Mr Hancock said: "Thankfully, the demand has come down a bit this week."

He said the government had been "clearer and more stringent" about prioritising tests for "people who need them, who have symptoms".

Ahead of the expected publication of a list of which people will be put at the front of the queue for tests, he said: "We need to be clear about that prioritisation."

"We also need to build that [testing] capacity," he added.

Meanwhile Sir Keir has also called for children to be prioritised for testing, adding there was a "desperate" need for increased testing to keep schools open.

He said children should be put in the "same position" as key workers, with tests available within 24 hours and results reported within a further day.

Speaking on Sky News, he said sending pupils and whole year groups home whilst children await test results could prevent a "meaningful return" to classrooms.

He added that this would require a total testing capacity bigger than the 500,000 target currently promised by the government by the end of next month.

Online Labour conference

Sir Keir's interview comes as he prepares to address Labour members next week during the party's online conference, which began on Saturday.

Renamed Labour Connected, the four-day event replaces the party's traditional party conference in Liverpool, which has been cancelled due to the pandemic.

Sir Keir said the event would give the party an opportunity for "changing and refocusing on winning the next election".

But ahead of the event, he has been warned against "watering down" the "radical policies" of his leadership campaign by the head of the Labour-affiliated Fire Brigades Union.

Let's block ads! (Why?)

https://news.google.com/__i/rss/rd/articles/CBMiL2h0dHBzOi8vd3d3LmJiYy5jby51ay9uZXdzL3VrLXBvbGl0aWNzLTU0MjI1Mjgx0gEzaHR0cHM6Ly93d3cuYmJjLmNvLnVrL25ld3MvYW1wL3VrLXBvbGl0aWNzLTU0MjI1Mjgx?oc=5

2020-09-20 12:45:00Z
52781067525177

Coronavirus: PM should apologise for testing 'collapse' - Starmer - BBC News

Media playback is unsupported on your device

Sir Keir Starmer has called on Prime Minister Boris Johnson to apologise for a "near collapse" in the government's coronavirus test and trace system.

The Labour leader told the BBC ministers had "lost control of where the virus is", making the need for further restrictions "more likely".

He added that "fixing testing" should be the "number one priority".

The health secretary said extra resources were being put towards speeding up test results.

Matt Hancock blamed a spike in those without symptoms seeking tests for an increase in demand, but said this had fallen in the last week or so.

But he admitted the proportion of test results being turned around within the government's 24-hour target period "clearly needs to go up".

Sir Keir's call for an apology over testing comes as the government introduces fines of up to £10,000 for people who fail to self-isolate after being ordered to do so.

A new legal duty in England will require people to self-isolate if they test positive for the virus, or are traced as a close contact, from 28 September.

The UK government hopes the new fines will be replicated in Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland, which have powers to set their own coronavirus rules.

'Prepare for autumn'

Speaking on the BBC's Andrew Marr programme, Sir Keir said Labour would support "whatever measure" ministers take to suppress virus cases.

But he added: "If I were the prime minister, I would apologise for the fact we're in this situation with testing.

"Throughout the summer, we were saying 'prepare for the autumn'. Instead, we had the exams fiasco.

"I would make fixing testing the number one priority, and reinstate the daily press conferences so we know what's going on."

Asked whether problems with testing made a second nationwide lockdown more likely, Sir Keir said: "I don't think a lockdown is inevitable.

"But I do think it's now more likely because of the near collapse of testing".

The warning comes after the head of England's test and trace system said earlier this week that demand for tests was "significantly outstripping" supply.

Baroness Harding told MPs the return of children to school classrooms meant test demand in England among under-17s had doubled.

Need for 'prioritisation'

"I don't think anybody was expecting to see the really sizable increase in demand that has happened over the last few weeks," she said.

Also speaking to Andrew Marr, Mr Hancock said: "Thankfully, the demand has come down a bit this week."

He said the government had been "clearer and more stringent" about prioritising tests for "people who need them, who have symptoms".

"We need to be clear about that prioritisation, and we also need to build that [testing] capacity," he added.

Meanwhile Sir Keir has also called for children to be prioritised for testing, adding there was a "desperate" need for increased testing to keep schools open.

He said children should be put in the "same position" as key workers, with tests available within 24 hours and results reported within a further day.

Speaking on Sky News, he said sending pupils and whole year groups home whilst children await test results could prevent a "meaningful return" to classrooms.

He added that this would require a total testing capacity bigger than the 500,000 target currently promised by the government by the end of next month.

Let's block ads! (Why?)

https://news.google.com/__i/rss/rd/articles/CBMiL2h0dHBzOi8vd3d3LmJiYy5jby51ay9uZXdzL3VrLXBvbGl0aWNzLTU0MjI1Mjgx0gEzaHR0cHM6Ly93d3cuYmJjLmNvLnVrL25ld3MvYW1wL3VrLXBvbGl0aWNzLTU0MjI1Mjgx?oc=5

2020-09-20 10:59:08Z
52781067525177

Coronavirus: PM should apologise for testing 'collapse' - Starmer - BBC News

Media playback is unsupported on your device

Sir Keir Starmer has called on Prime Minister Boris Johnson to apologise for a "near collapse" in the government's coronavirus test and trace system.

The Labour leader told the BBC ministers had "lost control of where the virus is", making the need for further restrictions "more likely".

He added that "fixing testing" should be the "number one priority".

The health secretary said extra resources were being put towards speeding up test results.

Matt Hancock blamed a spike in those without symptoms seeking tests for an increase in demand, but said this had fallen in the last week or so.

But he admitted the proportion of test results being turned around within the government's 24-hour target period "clearly needs to go up".

Sir Keir's call for an apology over testing comes as the government introduces fines of up to £10,000 for people who fail to self-isolate after being ordered to do so.

A new legal duty in England will require people to self-isolate if they test positive for the virus, or are traced as a close contact, from 28 September.

The UK government hopes the new fines will be replicated in Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland, which have powers to set their own coronavirus rules.

'Prepare for autumn'

Speaking on the BBC's Andrew Marr programme, Sir Keir said Labour would support "whatever measure" ministers take to suppress virus cases.

But he added: "If I were the prime minister, I would apologise for the fact we're in this situation with testing.

"Throughout the summer, we were saying 'prepare for the autumn'. Instead, we had the exams fiasco.

"I would make fixing testing the number one priority, and reinstate the daily press conferences so we know what's going on."

Asked whether problems with testing made a second nationwide lockdown more likely, Sir Keir said: "I don't think a lockdown is inevitable.

"But I do think it's now more likely because of the near collapse of testing".

The warning comes after the head of England's test and trace system said earlier this week that demand for tests was "significantly outstripping" supply.

Baroness Harding told MPs the return of children to school classrooms meant test demand in England among under-17s had doubled.

"I don't think anybody was expecting to see the really sizable increase in demand that has happened over the last few weeks," she said.

Let's block ads! (Why?)

https://news.google.com/__i/rss/rd/articles/CBMiL2h0dHBzOi8vd3d3LmJiYy5jby51ay9uZXdzL3VrLXBvbGl0aWNzLTU0MjI1Mjgx0gEzaHR0cHM6Ly93d3cuYmJjLmNvLnVrL25ld3MvYW1wL3VrLXBvbGl0aWNzLTU0MjI1Mjgx?oc=5

2020-09-20 10:52:30Z
CBMiL2h0dHBzOi8vd3d3LmJiYy5jby51ay9uZXdzL3VrLXBvbGl0aWNzLTU0MjI1Mjgx0gEzaHR0cHM6Ly93d3cuYmJjLmNvLnVrL25ld3MvYW1wL3VrLXBvbGl0aWNzLTU0MjI1Mjgx

Coronavirus: PM should apologise for testing 'collapse' - Starmer - BBC News

Media playback is unsupported on your device

Sir Keir Starmer has called on Prime Minister Boris Johnson to apologise for a "near collapse" in the government's coronavirus test and trace system.

The Labour leader told the BBC ministers had "lost control of where the virus is", making the need for further restrictions "more likely".

He added that "fixing testing" should be the "number one priority".

The health secretary said extra resources were being put towards speeding up test results.

Matt Hancock blamed a spike in those without symptoms seeking tests for an increase in demand, but said this had fallen in the last week or so.

But he admitted the proportion of test results being turned around within the government's 24-hour target period "clearly needs to go up".

Sir Keir's call for an apology over testing comes as the government introduces fines of up to £10,000 for people who fail to self-isolate after being ordered to do so.

A new legal duty in England will require people to self-isolate if they test positive for the virus, or are traced as a close contact, from 28 September.

The UK government hopes the new fines will be replicated in Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland, which have powers to set their own coronavirus rules.

'Prepare for autumn'

Speaking on the BBC's Andrew Marr programme, Sir Keir said Labour would support "whatever measure" ministers take to suppress virus cases.

But he added: "If I were the prime minister, I would apologise for the fact we're in this situation with testing.

"Throughout the summer, we were saying 'prepare for the autumn'. Instead, we had the exams fiasco.

"I would make fixing testing the number one priority, and reinstate the daily press conferences so we know what's going on."

Asked whether problems with testing made a second nationwide lockdown more likely, Sir Keir said: "I don't think a lockdown is inevitable.

"But I do think it's now more likely because of the near collapse of testing".

The warning comes after the head of England's test and trace system said earlier this week that demand for tests was "significantly outstripping" supply.

Baroness Harding told MPs the return of children to school classrooms meant test demand in England among under-17s had doubled.

"I don't think anybody was expecting to see the really sizable increase in demand that has happened over the last few weeks," she said.

Let's block ads! (Why?)

https://news.google.com/__i/rss/rd/articles/CBMiL2h0dHBzOi8vd3d3LmJiYy5jby51ay9uZXdzL3VrLXBvbGl0aWNzLTU0MjI1Mjgx0gEzaHR0cHM6Ly93d3cuYmJjLmNvLnVrL25ld3MvYW1wL3VrLXBvbGl0aWNzLTU0MjI1Mjgx?oc=5

2020-09-20 10:32:59Z
52781067525177

Coronavirus: PM should apologise for testing 'collapse' - Starmer - BBC News

Media playback is unsupported on your device

Sir Keir Starmer has called on Prime Minister Boris Johnson to apologise for a "near collapse" in the government's coronavirus test and trace system.

The Labour leader told the BBC ministers had "lost control of where the virus is", making the need for further restrictions "more likely".

He added that "fixing testing" should be the "number one priority".

The health secretary said extra resources were being put towards speeding up test results.

Mr Hancock blamed a spike in those without symptoms seeking tests for an increase in demand, but said this had fallen in the last week or so.

But he admitted the proportion of test results being turned around within the government's 24-hour target period "clearly needs to go up".

It comes as the government introduces fines of up to £10,000 for people who fail to self-isolate after being ordered to do so.

Speaking on the BBC's Andrew Marr programme, Sir Keir said Labour would support "whatever measure" ministers take to suppress virus cases.

But he added: "If I were the prime minister, I would apologise for the fact we're in this situation with testing.

"Throughout the summer, we were saying 'prepare for the autumn'. Instead, we had the exams fiasco.

"I would make fixing testing the number one priority, and reinstate the daily press conferences so we know what's going on."

Let's block ads! (Why?)

https://news.google.com/__i/rss/rd/articles/CBMiL2h0dHBzOi8vd3d3LmJiYy5jby51ay9uZXdzL3VrLXBvbGl0aWNzLTU0MjI1Mjgx0gEzaHR0cHM6Ly93d3cuYmJjLmNvLnVrL25ld3MvYW1wL3VrLXBvbGl0aWNzLTU0MjI1Mjgx?oc=5

2020-09-20 10:31:19Z
52781067525177

Coronavirus: What are the new rules on self-isolation? - Sky News

The government is changing the rules around self-isolation in a move to force more people to stay at home if they have coronavirus.

The new rules apply in England, but the government says it is "engaging" with devolved authorities to develop a system which is aligned across the UK.

New Fines

From 28 September, people will be required to self-isolate by law if they test positive or are contacted by a test and trace service.

If they fail to comply, they will face tougher penalties than before.

Advertisement

Fines for breaching the law will start at £1,000 and go up to £10,000 for those who offend repeatedly or behave in a way that causes the most harm.

The £1,000 starting fine is the same as that for people who fail to quarantine after arriving from one of the countries which is not on the UK's travel corridor list.

More from Covid-19

As is currently the case, exemptions will be made for anyone who needs to break the rules because they are ill or will suffer harm due to their isolation, and those that require care.

£500 payment

Those people in work on low incomes will be able to claim a £500 lump sum payment if they cannot work from home and are required to self-isolate, either because they've tested positive or are a close contact of a positive case.

This is to make up for any income they may lose because they are having to stay at home.

Just under four million people in England will be eligible.

Those who can claim must be:

• Told by NHS Test and Trace they are required to self-isolate
• Employed or self-employed
• Unable to work from home and will lose income as a result; and
• Currently receiving universal credit, working tax credit, income-based employment and support allowance, income-based jobseeker's allowance, income support, housing benefit and/or pension credit

The payment scheme is being called 'test and trace support'.

At the same time, business owners will also face fines of up to £10,000 if they threaten self-isolating staff with redundancy if they do not come to work.

The government hopes this will send "a clear message that this will not be tolerated".

Local authorities will be required to set up the support schemes and have them in place by 12 October.

Anyone told to self-isolate from 28 September will receive backdated payments once the scheme is set up in their area.

Extra checks

A number of new steps will be taken to ensure people are complying with the rules.

These include:

• NHS Test and Trace call handlers will make regular contact with those self-isolating. The handlers will be able inform the local authorities and police if they suspect that people are not adhering to the rules
• Police will check those in areas where COVID is worst and in high-risk groups, using local intelligence
• High-profile and the worst cases of non-compliance will be investigated and prosecuted; and
• Instances where third parties have identified others who have tested positive but are not self-isolating will be acted upon

Refocus on self-isolation

The government says the new measures are a recognition that self-isolation is one of the most powerful tools for controlling the transmission of COVID-19.

Prime Minister Boris Johnson says: "The best way we can fight this virus is by everyone following the rules and self-isolating if they're at risk of passing on coronavirus.

"And so nobody underestimates just how important this is, new regulations will mean you are legally obliged to do so if you have the virus or have been asked to do so by NHS Test and Trace.

"People who choose to ignore the rules will face significant fines. We need to do all we can to control the spread of this virus, to prevent the most vulnerable people from becoming infected, and to protect the NHS and save lives."

Let's block ads! (Why?)

https://news.google.com/__i/rss/rd/articles/CBMiWGh0dHBzOi8vbmV3cy5za3kuY29tL3N0b3J5L2Nvcm9uYXZpcnVzLXdoYXQtYXJlLXRoZS1uZXctcnVsZXMtb24tc2VsZi1pc29sYXRpb24tMTIwNzY4MDLSAVxodHRwczovL25ld3Muc2t5LmNvbS9zdG9yeS9hbXAvY29yb25hdmlydXMtd2hhdC1hcmUtdGhlLW5ldy1ydWxlcy1vbi1zZWxmLWlzb2xhdGlvbi0xMjA3NjgwMg?oc=5

2020-09-20 09:11:26Z
52781072133712

Ridge ridicules Starmer for stealing Boris' language after dramatic 'Brexiteer conversion' - Daily Express

Sky News' Sophy Ridge has questioned Sir Keir Starmer's dramatic "conversion" from a Remainer to a Brexiteer once he became Labour leader. During a tense interview with the Labour leader, Ridge questioned Labour's new slogan urging the Government to "get on with Brexit". Sir Keir responded by insisting the "Leave versus Remain argument is over," adding "we have left the EU".

The Sky News host mocked the Labour leader, who previously campaigned for a second Brexit referendum. 

Ridge claimed he was "borrowing Boris' language" and "re-ordering Boris Johnson's promise on Brexit".

She said: "I am quite interested in your conversion from someone who supported a second referendum to now wants to now, I quote, 'get on with Brexit'."

Sir Keir responded: "The Prime Minister promised there was an oven-ready deal, and he needs to get on and deliver on that promise.

"If he fails to do so, he owns that failure. Re-opening old wounds and going back on agreements is a distraction. Go on and get that deal."

JUST IN: Labour blow: Sir Keir Starmer NOT TRUSTED on Brexit or economy in poll

Ridge followed up: "You say you want to get on with Brexit, stop banging on about Europe, and focus on coronavirus.

"I can't help wondering, given you were so passionately in favour of a second referendum,, if this more about politics than principle?

"You know talking about Brexit is bad for the Labour Party and you want it all to just go away, don't you?"

Sir Keir said he accepted Brexit had happened, pointing to the "torturous process" of bitter Brexit rows before the election.

Sir Keir has said that Labour would back Boris Johnson's Brexit deal if the Prime Minister gets rid of the Internal Market Bill, which threatens to breach international law. 

Labour's four-day virtual annual conference, the first under his leadership, started on Saturday with Sir Keir's speech set for Tuesday. 

Renamed Labour Connected, the conference is taking place online and will not feature votes.

A new YouGov poll found 45 percent of voters do not “trust” Sir Keir to handle Britain’s exit from the EU compared to 29 percent who said they do.

The poll, for the Times, also found that just 34 percent of people trusted the Labour leader to grapple with the UK economy, which has been crippled by the coronavirus.

Let's block ads! (Why?)

https://news.google.com/__i/rss/rd/articles/CBMigQFodHRwczovL3d3dy5leHByZXNzLmNvLnVrL25ld3MvcG9saXRpY3MvMTMzNzc3Mi9LZWlyLVN0YXJtZXItTGFib3VyLUJyZXhpdC1wb2xpY3ktQnJleGl0ZWVyLUJvcmlzLUpvaG5zb24tU29waHktUmlkZ2UtbGF0ZXN0LW5ld3PSAYUBaHR0cHM6Ly93d3cuZXhwcmVzcy5jby51ay9uZXdzL3BvbGl0aWNzLzEzMzc3NzIvS2Vpci1TdGFybWVyLUxhYm91ci1CcmV4aXQtcG9saWN5LUJyZXhpdGVlci1Cb3Jpcy1Kb2huc29uLVNvcGh5LVJpZGdlLWxhdGVzdC1uZXdzL2FtcA?oc=5

2020-09-20 08:00:00Z
52781067525177