Boris Johnson to brief nation as coronavirus cases climb | ITV News - ITV News

The Prime Minister will lead a Covid-19 briefing later after the UK recorded the highest number of daily coronavirus cases since the outbreak began.

Boris Johnson will be joined at a Downing Street press conference by chief medical officer for England professor Chris Whitty and chief scientific adviser Sir Patrick Vallance in what will be the 100th coronavirus briefing since the pandemic hit the UK.

The last time the three men appeared together at the podiums was September 9 when Mr Johnson outlined the “rule of six” and urged people to limit their social contact “as much as possible”.

(PA Graphics) Credit: PA Graphics

But three weeks on, the number of cases has risen, and The Times is reporting that a final decision will come on Wednesday on whether Merseyside will join the North East with tougher lockdown measures banning households mixing indoors.

Mayor of Liverpool Joe Anderson told The Daily Telegraph it was “only a matter of days” until a more severe lockdown was imposed on the city.

He said: “For me, it is only a matter of time because the virus isn’t able to be controlled in the city with the restrictions we have now.

“We need a circuit breaker or stricter lockdown to try to stop the virus spreading.

“If we can have the severest measures of lockdown now, we may arrest the increase and start to bring it down by the end of October, so that in the lead up to Christmas we can get some normality.”

Covid-19 deaths in hospitals in England Credit: PA Graphics

As of 9am on Tuesday, there had been a further 7,143 lab-confirmed cases of coronavirus in the UK – the highest daily figure recorded since the outbreak began, although far more tests are being carried out than in the spring.

A further 71 people had died within 28 days of testing positive for Covid-19 as of Tuesday, bringing the UK total to 42,072 – although separate figures published by the UK’s statistics agencies show Covid-19 was mentioned on the death certificate in nearly 57,900 cases.

Confirming the press conference on Tuesday, the Prime Minister’s official spokesman said: “The purpose of that is to provide an update on the latest statistics. It is not because there is some specific set of new announcements to make.”

Meanwhile, the new regulations in Northumberland, Newcastle, Gateshead, North and South Tyneside, Sunderland and County Durham came into force at midnight and will see fines imposed if people mix with others from outside their household or bubble in indoor settings, including pubs and restaurants.

There are calls for “effective” public health messaging after Mr Johnson had to apologise over confusion about the lockdown measures in north-east England.

Mr Johnson stumbled over his explanation of the ban on households mixing, saying that he “misspoke”.

With the rules not published until late on Tuesday night, ministers were quizzed about whether they would apply in settings such as beer gardens.

In response to questions, Mr Johnson said: “In the North East and other areas where extra-tight measures have been brought in, you should follow the guidance of local authorities but it is six in a home, six in hospitality but, as I understand it, not six outside.”

But he later tweeted: “Apologies, I misspoke today. In the North East, new rules mean you cannot meet people from different households in social settings indoors, including in pubs, restaurants and your home. You should also avoid socialising with other households outside.”

I just want the Government to get a grip, get control of the situation, show some leadership and get some respect from the country

Gateshead Council's Martin Gannon

The regulations state that people who operate premises should ensure groups gathering outdoors do not exceed six unless an exception applies, suggesting groups can still socialise outside provided they adhere to the rule of six.

Gateshead Council leader Martin Gannon said, although he was a life-long Labour supporter, he needed to see better leadership from the Tories.

He told the PA news agency: “I just want the Government to get a grip, get control of the situation, show some leadership and get some respect from the country.

“Despite the fact it’s Boris Johnson and a Conservative government, we need effective public health messaging.

“We need strong authoritative voices nationally.”

First Minister Mark Drakeford. Credit: Mark Drakeford

Elsewhere, four North Wales local authority areas – Denbighshire, Flintshire, Conwy and Wrexham – will go into lockdown from 6pm on Thursday, and Wales’s First Minister Mark Drakeford has asked Mr Johnson to urgently consider imposing travel restrictions in areas of England with high levels of coronavirus infections.

With MPs set to vote on the renewal of the Coronavirus Act’s powers in the Commons on Wednesday, more than 50 Tories have backed an amendment calling for Parliament to be given a greater say over the use of measures to curb people’s freedoms.

Wednesday’s vote will see MPs decide whether to renew the provisions of the emergency legislation in the Coronavirus Act.

Tory MPs expect ministers to offer concessions to Parliament in order to avoid a damaging defeat if Speaker Sir Lindsay Hoyle calls the rebel amendment for a vote.

Sir Graham Brady, chairman of the influential Tory 1922 Committee and the rebels’ ringleader, said there was “likely to be an accommodation reached” because “they knew we have the numbers”.

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2020-09-30 06:04:00Z
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Priti Patel 'looked at sending asylum seekers to tiny volcanic islands' - Daily Mail

Priti Patel 'looked at sending asylum seekers more than 4,000 miles from the UK to tiny volcanic islands in the South Atlantic while their cases were considered'

• Ms Patel abandoned the plan after instructing officials to drill down into logistics
• St Helena island was also touted as a potential site for the processing facility
• Labour said last night: 'This ludicrous idea is inhumane, completely impractical' 

By Jack Elsom For Mailonline

Published: 00:38 BST, 30 September 2020 | Updated: 03:23 BST, 30 September 2020

Priti Patel considered building an asylum processing centre on a remote volcanic island in the south Atlantic, it was claimed last night.

Under an extraordinary scheme, the Home Office would ship migrants 4,000 miles from the UK to Ascension Island, a British overseas protectorate.

Ms Patel abandoned the plan after instructing her officials to drill down into the practicalities of such a project, according to the Financial Times.

St Helena, where Napoleon was exiled after his defeat at the Battle of Waterloo, was also touted as a potential site for the a facility.

The Foreign Office was consulted on the proposals, according to the paper, and provided an assessment on the logistics of shipping migrants to such locations. 

Priti Patel (pictured at the FCO last week) considered building an asylum processing centre on a remote volcanic island in the south Atlantic, it was claimed last night

Under an extraordinary scheme, the Home Office would ship asylum seekers 4,000 miles from the UK to Ascension Island (pinpointed), a British overseas protectorate

The Home Office last night did not deny the claims but pointed to Britain's 'proud history of offering refuge to those who need protection'.

Shadow home secretary Nick Thomas-Symonds said: 'This ludicrous idea is inhumane, completely impractical and wildly expensive. So it seems entirely plausible this Tory Government came up with it.'    

Ascension Island, which is used as a staging post to supply and defend the Falkland Islands, has an RAF base and population of fewer than 1,000.

Moving asylum seekers there and keeping them supplied was said to represent a considerable logistical challenge. 

The proposal appears to further reflect the influence on UK policy-making of Australia, which has used offshore processing and detention centres for asylum seekers since the 1980s.

The Government has based its post-Brexit points-based immigration system on that developed in Australia.

Ascension Island, which is used as a staging post to supply and defend the Falkland Islands, has an RAF base and population of fewer than 1,000

Ms Patel recently met with former Australian prime minister Tony Abbott, known for his tough stance on immigration, who was appointed by Boris Johnson as a trade adviser to the UK.

The Home Secretary is grappling with a surge in migrants crossing the Channel in recent months.

Some 90 hotels are being used by the Home Office to house migrants being processed, including four-star accommodation under a £4billion outsourcing contract. 

A Home Office official said: 'The UK has a long and proud history of offering refuge to those who need protection. Tens of thousands of people have rebuilt their lives in the UK and we will continue to provide safe and legal routes in the future.

'As ministers have said we are developing plans to reform policies and laws around illegal migration and asylum to ensure we are able to provide protection to those who need it, while preventing abuse of the system and the criminality associated with it.'

Read more:

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2020-09-29 23:38:14Z
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Coronavirus: Boris Johnson bids to head off Conservative rebellion over COVID-19 rules - Sky News

Boris Johnson is bidding to head off a Tory rebellion over emergency coronavirus legislation as he prepares to give his latest update on the COVID-19 crisis from Downing Street.

The prime minister - fresh being forced to apologise for getting confused by his own coronavirus regulations - is facing the prospect of a Conservative revolt when MPs are asked to renew the emergency powers that were given to ministers to deal with the pandemic back in March.

Sir Graham Brady, the chair of the influential 1922 Committee of Tory backbenchers, is leading an effort to alter legislation so as to allow the House of Commons to debate and vote on new COVID-19 measures before they come into force.

PM gets new North East rules wrong

There are said to be 80 Tory MPs backing Sir Graham's proposed amendment to the Coronavirus Act, with one ringleader having told Sky News he is "certain" the group has enough votes to defeat the government.

Former Brexit minister Steve Baker, who has recently been spotted in Westminster wearing a T-shirt declaring "2020 is the new 1984", said an "absolutely huge rebellion" was brewing.

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However, the government was still attempting to reach a compromise with the rebels, with talks due to be held between the group's leaders and Conservative chief whip Mark Spencer on Wednesday morning.

Ministers will be careful not to concede too much that might impinge on their ability to act urgently when necessary, with coronavirus cases continuing to rise in the UK.

More from Boris Johnson

It was announced on Tuesday that 7,143 cases of coronavirus had been recorded in the UK over the past 24 hours - the biggest rise since the pandemic began.

Image: Chief Whip Mark Spencer will hold talks with the Tory rebel ringleaders

Yet, even if a compromise isn't reached between the chief whip and rebels, ministers might also be saved by Commons Speaker Sir Lindsay Hoyle not accepting Sir Graham's proposed amendment.

Constitutional experts have said the circumstances of Wednesday's vote - which does not create new legislation but instead gives a choice over whether to continue existing law - means Sir Lindsay might be unlikely to allow any amendments.

In addition to the rebels' efforts, Mr Johnson has also been warned by a committee of senior MPs that, without a greater say for parliament over coronavirus restrictions, the government's rules could be challenged in court.

Sir Bernard Jenkin, the chair of the Commons liaison committee, wrote in a letter to the prime minister: "Various proposals are being made that would require the approval by a vote of the House of Commons before or immediately after new restrictions come into force.

"The majority of us support this principle and expect that the Government will also wish to accept it.

"The idea that such restrictions can be applied without express parliamentary approval, except in dire emergency, is not widely acceptable and indeed may be challenged in law."

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As well the pressure to cede to the latest calls from MPs for a greater say over COVID-19 restrictions, Mr Johnson faces a busy schedule on Wednesday as he deals with a second wave of coronavirus infections in the UK.

After an expected meeting with his cabinet, the prime minister will head to the House of Commons for Prime Minister's Questions.

Image: Professor Chris Whitty and Sir Patrick Vallance will appear alongside the PM at a news conference

Mr Johnson will face Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer a day after he apologised for having "misspoke" about the latest coronavirus restrictions in northeast England.

The prime minister was forced to clarify that the new rules mean local residents cannot meet people from different households in social settings indoors, including in pubs and restaurants.

After Prime Minister's Questions, Mr Johnson is due to appear at a Downing Street news conference alongside England's chief medical officer, Professor Chris Whitty, and the government's chief scientific adviser, Sir Patrick Vallance, to give the latest update on the COVID-19 crisis.

Last week, Sir Patrick said the UK could soon see 49,000 new cases of coronavirus every day unless action was taken to drive down the rate of infection - a warning that preceded Mr Johnson's decision to introduce a 10pm curfew for bars, pubs and restaurants.

Downing Street has not ruled out the introduction of further restrictions in an attempt to limit the spread of COVID-19.

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2020-09-30 00:29:43Z
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Fishing breakthrough: Boris handed win as EU orders Macron to drop 'unrealistic' demands - Daily Express

EU diplomats mounted pressure on President Emmanuel Macron’s Brussels envoy to drop his “unrealistic” call for Britain to remain tied to the bloc’s Common Fisheries Policy beyond the end of the post-Brexit transition period. This comes as Michel Barnier raised hopes of a Brexit pact as the EU’s dealmaker declared there was a new “buzz” in the trade talks, according to Brussels sources. The European Union’s chief negotiator praised the “improved atmosphere” in the wrangling over a post-Brexit trade deal in a private meeting with MEPs.

Earlier this week at a private Brussels meetings, top European diplomats decided the bloc was being “too strict” with its demands to maintain status quo access to Britain’s coastal waters after the end of the year.

In clear split, landlocked member states urged their neighbours to soften their hardline approach or risk scuppering trade talks all together.

One diplomat close in the talks said: “We're too strict, the EU must be realistic.”

A second source added: “The EU will have to soften its position. We should not just limit ourselves to the interests of a few states.”

European capitals decided the bloc could soften the blow for its fisherman using a special £4.5billion Brexit reserve to bail them out.

This has given Mr Barnier a renewed sense of optimism a breakthrough can be made during this week’s make-or-break round of UK-EU trade negotiations.

According to an EU source, the Brussels diplomat told MEPs both sides had been able to engage more closely on the contentious issues of fishing opportunities and state aid.

The source told Express.co.uk: “There seems to be more engagement from the UK side and a bit more buzz around the talks.

Mr Barnier, however, admitted the deadlock was not yet broken and would require more time to overcome.

The Brussels insider added: “There has yet to have been movement on the substance.”

Both sides today opened talks as part of the ninth formal round of wrangling over a post-Brexit trade deal.

British negotiators tabled five new draft trade proposals to unlock the process, including on fisheries and fair competition.

Eurocrats are also said to be undecided on whether to take legal action against Boris Johnson for alleged breaches to last year’s Brexit divorce deal.

MUST READ: POLL: Would you be willing to spend more to buy British products?

Brussels is still locked in a row with Downing Street over its controversial plans to rewrite sections of the Withdrawal Agreement relating to Northern Ireland after Michael Gove refused to abandon the legislation.

But the European Commission has dropped an ultimatum to quit the talks unless No 10 scrapped or amended the Internal Market Bill by midnight tonight.

EU vice-president Maros Sefcovic was said to be “hesitant” when asked whether the EU would commit to hauling the Prime Minister before the European Court of Justice.

The top eurocrat said the bloc could launch a legal challenge before the Government’s Brexit Bill is adopted but would first have to seek permission from Commission chief Ursula von der Leyen. 

EU sources insist no decision will be made by eurocrats this week to avoid the current round of trade talks descending into an acrimonious exchange.

Mr Sefcovic stressed to MEPs the EU would not storm out of the talks over the dispute.

But some countries, including France, are pushing for Brussels to immediately trigger legal action against the Government unless the legislation is withdrawn.

With negotiators hoping to intensify their efforts, MEPs urged Mr Barnier not to be “bounced” into a secret talks – known as the tunnel.

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The Frenchman believes discussions without public scrutiny would help better facilitate an agreement.

But EU capitals are concerned Downing Street could use the secret trade talks to win concessions or later down the line in an attempt to blame Brussels for no deal.

A European source said: “The Brits are trying to bounce the EU into a tunnel without any light.”

The bloc wants more reassurances from Lord Frost, the Prime Minister’s Brexit envoy, that he is willing to compromise in order to reach an agreement.

Mrs von der Leyen today admitted the bloc needed a trade deal with Britain to aid its economic recovery after the coronavirus pandemic.

She said: “We want an agreement. I appeal for responsibility because our economies, on both sides of the Channel, are severely affected by the pandemic and we must do everything to reach a reasonable agreement.”

But in a move that could inflame tensions, Germany’s Michael Roth quoted a speech by wartime Prime Minister Winston Churchill.

Berlin’s Europe minister said: “Winston Churchill was right when he said: 'You must look at facts because they look at you.'

“And the facts speak for themselves. Whether it's the coronavirus pandemic or the climate crisis: no country can shoulder these global challenges on its own. Especially at a time when we are in a brutal competition with authoritarianism and the post-corona world will certainly get even more uncomfortable, we need one another as reliable and trustworthy partners now more than ever."

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2020-09-29 21:30:00Z
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Brexit legislation allowing breaking of international law PASSES - Daily Mail

Boris Johnson's controversial Brexit legislation allowing ministers to break international law PASSES final stage in the Commons by 340 votes to 256

• The Internal Market Bill tonight cleared its final stage in the House of Commons 
• It allows ministers to override parts of the Brexit Withdrawal Agreement 
• The Bill sailed through the Commons with an 84-vote majority and goes to Lords 

By Jack Elsom For Mailonline

Published: 21:22 BST, 29 September 2020 | Updated: 22:21 BST, 29 September 2020

Boris Johnson's controversial Brexit legislation which allows the Government to break international law has been backed by MPs.

The Internal Market Bill tonight cleared its final stage in the House of Commons by 340 votes to 256 and now passes to the Lords for further scrutiny.

It allows ministers to override parts of the Brexit Withdrawal Agreement brokered with Brussels last year, an act which the Government concedes breaches international law 'in a limited and specific way'.

Critics, including all five living former prime ministers, also argue this would wreck the UK's reputation as a nation which honours its agreements.

But the Government insists it needs the powers to safeguard the integrity of the UK amid fears the EU could block goods travelling between Great Britain and Northern Ireland.

The Prime Minister was forced to water down the legislation earlier in the Bill's passage to appease a Tory backbench rebellion - MPs will now be given a vote before ministers are able to wield such powers.

This Bill sailed through the Commons with an 84-vote majority, with some Tories who did not want to revolt against their party choosing to abstain, including Theresa May.

However the Bill's smooth passage into law will likely face hurdles in the pro-Remain Lords which has previously thwarted Brexit legislation. 

The Internal Market Bill tonight cleared its final stage in the House of Commons by 340 votes to 256 and now passes to the Lords for further scrutiny

Boris Johnson's controversial Brexit legislation which allows the Government to break international law has been backed by MPs (PM pictured making a speech in Exeter today)

Defending the controversial aspects of the Bill at its third reading tonight, Business Secretary Alok Sharma said: 'The reason we have taken powers to ensure that in the event we do not reach an agreement with our EU friends on how to implement the (Northern Ireland Protocol) is so we're able to deliver on our promises in our manifesto and the command paper.

'This is a legal safety net that clarifies our position on the Northern Ireland Protocol for protecting our union, businesses and jobs.'  

Shadow business secretary Ed Miliband said Labour supported the principle of the internal market, but opposed the 'law-breaking' Bill.

He also said: 'On international law, nobody should be in any doubt the damage already done by this Bill. This law-breaking Bill has been noticed around the world.'  

The Bill also contains powers which enable Westminster to provide financial assistance for economic development, infrastructure, cultural activities and education purposes across the country.

Opposition MPs have warned it will give the UK Government the chance to stray into matters which are devolved in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland, branding it an 'attack' on devolution. 

The results of tonight's third reading bill are read out to the House of Commons

 SNP MP Mhairi Black (Paisley and Renfrewshire South) also said: 'This Bill explicitly gives any minister of the Crown permission to run riot with the very assets of Scotland that our Scottish Parliament has protected.'

Independence, she said, 'is the only option left for Scotland', adding: 'This is a union that England dominates. The only reason there isn't an English Parliament is because the people in Westminster view this place as the English Parliament, and we can't afford to be naive. The only way to protect our Parliament is to become independent.'

She added: 'It took us 300 years to get our Scottish Parliament and 20 years for this place to put a bulldozer right through it.'

Mr Miliband told the Commons: 'On devolution, we on this side believe deeply in our Union but the strength of our Union relies on sharing power not centralising it, and this Bill does not learn that lesson.

'It makes the choice to impose the rule that the lowest regulatory standard in one Parliament must be the standard for all without a proper voice for the devolved administrations.'

Mr Miliband said he fears the Bill will 'strengthen the hand of those who want to break up the UK'.

The Bill will undergo further scrutiny in the Lords at a later date.

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2020-09-29 20:22:36Z
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Wales lockdown: Half a million in the north added to local restrictions - BBC News

Four councils in north Wales are to go into local lockdown in a bid to tackle the spread of Covid-19.

People will not be able to leave or enter Conwy, Denbighshire, Flintshire, and Wrexham unless they have a "reasonable excuse" such as work or education.

They are the same restrictions as seen in most of south Wales, where lockdowns cover 11 different areas.

The new measures will come into effect at 18:00 BST on Thursday.

It will be illegal to meet others indoors who are not within your immediate household.

Vaughan Gething, Wales' health minister, said a similar pattern of transmission had been seen in the four areas as there had been in the south.

Rates in neighbouring Gwynedd and Anglesey currently "remain low", Mr Gething said, making he announcement in the Welsh Parliament on Tuesday evening.

Tuesday's announcement means 504,956 more people will be added to local lockdowns, with a total of 2.3 million people under tougher restrictions than at the start of September.

The announcement follows a meeting between Mr Gething, First Minister Mark Drakeford and council leaders, police and public health experts.

Just six mostly rural counties - Monmouthshire, Pembrokeshire, Ceredigion, Gwynedd, Isle of Anglesey and Powys - will not be subject to restrictions from Thursday.

Mr Gething said: "Large parts of Wales will now be subject to local restrictions but I want to be clear - this is not a national lockdown.

"These are a series of local restrictions to respond to rises in cases in individual areas."

He said there were no "immediate plans for any further national restrictions".

Covid-19 case rate changes in north Wales

Cases per 100,000 people, seven day rolling average

Conwy has seen 42.7 cases per 100,000 people in the latest week, while the equivalent figure for Denbighshire was 41.8.

In Flintshire it was 45.5, and Wrexham it is 33.1.

The worst rate in Wales is in Blaenau Gwent which has a rate of 307.7 per 100,000 over seven days.

In the south the areas of Blaenau Gwent, Bridgend, Caerphilly, Cardiff, Newport, Rhondda Cynon Taf, Swansea, Torfaen, Merthyr Tydfil, Neath Port Talbot and the Vale of Glamorgan are all subject to restrictions.

The town of Llanelli is also under local lockdown rules.

Mr Gething said in Caerphilly and Newport there had been "real falls in case numbers".

"We are hopeful that we will be able to take action to relax these restrictions in these areas if those case numbers continue to fall," he said.

What is the political reaction?

Clwyd West Conservative Member of the Senedd Darren Millar said many "will question whether such measures are entirely necessary".

"The Welsh Government therefore needs to be fully transparent and outline to all residents of Denbighshire, Conwy, Flintshire and Wrexham why such restrictions in these areas are needed, including sharing community by community data so that we can see whether the measures are proportionate."

Plaid Cymru's Rhun ap Iorwerth said the news would be a "heavy blow to those living in those areas soon to be under new restrictions" and called for "hyperlocal measures where possible, focusing on specific clusters".

The party's health spokesman said: "This would be far more effective with a properly functioning and robust testing system - with fast testing and fast results for fast tracing to isolate cases - which we do not currently have and is something the health minister must resolve with absolute urgency."

What are the rules?

Under the restrictions no-one can leave or enter a lockdown area except for a limited set of reasons, including:

• to work, if you cannot work from home
• to provide care
• travelling to education
• elite athletic training and competitions
• to provide or receive emergency assistance
• to meet a legal obligation, and to access or receive public services
• to avoid injury or illness or escape a risk of harm

It is permitted to travel through the areas concerned, so motorists can continue to use the A55 to get to or out of Gwynedd and Anglesey.

Rules allowing people to meet extended households are suspended, meaning people can only be with their usual household when indoors, including in pubs and restaurants.

Other Wales-wide restrictions apply, including the wearing of face masks in shops.

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2020-09-29 19:07:30Z
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Boris Johnson confused by his own COVID-19 restrictions - Sky News

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1. Boris Johnson confused by his own COVID-19 restrictions  Sky News
2. Boris Johnson 'misspoke' over North East Covid restrictions  BBC News
3. Free adult education: What is the National Skills Fund? Am I eligible?  Express
4. Boris Johnson 'misspeaks' over north-east Covid-19 restrictions  Guardian News
5. Covid: PM promises 'radical' shake-up of adult education  BBC News
6. View Full coverage on Google News

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2020-09-29 18:50:32Z
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