Babak Belurs

Kamis, 25 Februari 2021

Budget 2021: Sunak's tax raid on pensioners likely to freeze lifetime allowance - The Times

Rishi Sunak is drawing up plans for a new “stealth tax” on wealthy pensioners as he seeks to repair Britain’s finances after the pandemic, The Times has learnt.

The chancellor is expected to announce in his budget next week that the lifetime allowance, the amount people can build up in their pension pot before incurring punitive tax charges, will be frozen for the rest of this parliament at just over £1 million.

The freeze means more people risk being dragged over the threshold and could face a 25 per cent levy on any additional income from their pension pot. The charge rises to 55 per cent if they choose to draw down a lump sum.

The additional charge would mean about 10,000 people with larger

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2021-02-26 00:01:00Z
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COVID-19: Major cities falling well behind in UK's bid to vaccinate its way out of lockdown - Sky News

The 15 areas of England to have vaccinated the lowest proportion of adults against COVID-19 are all in London.

In some boroughs, including Tower Hamlets, Hackney and Newham, just one in five adults have received a single dose of a vaccine, according to NHS England data up to 25 February.

Other cities including Nottingham and Manchester also have low vaccination rates.

Is this a surprise?

More than nine in 10 local authorities in England have now vaccinated a quarter of their adult population but London is being left behind.

Half of London's boroughs had the lowest vaccination rates in England up to the week ending 25 February.

The obvious explanation is age. London’s population is younger than average with just 8.6% of people aged over 70, compared to 13.4% for England as a whole.

So, let’s change the map to consider just people aged over 70. The colour looks more similar across the country because nine out of 10 local areas have vaccinated more than 90% of that age group.

But again London is behind, with 18 of the 20 areas with the lowest vaccination rates in the capital.

Other cities and large towns, including Manchester, Birmingham and Luton, are also among the lowest. So, what could explain the lower rate in these areas?

Lower vaccine uptake among ethnic minorities could be one of the main factors.

Sky News analysis has found areas with a higher percentage of ethnic minorities are also among those to have given a smaller proportion of over-70s their first jab.

But deprivation is also key.

The Sky News data team identified significant differences in over-70s vaccination rates between the most and least deprived parts of local authorities.

The picture in London may be complicated by the number of non-permanent residents in affluent boroughs.

A similar trend was found in Birmingham.

So, while it's clear that age is a major factor driving the different pace of vaccination locally, it isn't the only one.

The reason for the difference is made more difficult to determine in affluent areas of central London which may be skewed by non-residents.

Ethnicity and deprivation appear to be key in determining uptake and could mean some parts of England have less protection from COVID-19 than others.

The total number of first doses hit 18,691,835 on Thursday - a rise of 448,962.

And 700,718 people have had their second jab - up by 31,613, which was a record increase.

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2021-02-25 20:49:01Z
CBMiZmh0dHBzOi8vbmV3cy5za3kuY29tL3N0b3J5L2NvdmlkLTE5LXdoeS1jaXRpZXMtYXJlLWZhbGxpbmctYmVoaW5kLWluLXRoZS11a3MtdmFjY2luYXRpb24tcmFjZS0xMjIyODcxONIBamh0dHBzOi8vbmV3cy5za3kuY29tL3N0b3J5L2FtcC9jb3ZpZC0xOS13aHktY2l0aWVzLWFyZS1mYWxsaW5nLWJlaGluZC1pbi10aGUtdWtzLXZhY2NpbmF0aW9uLXJhY2UtMTIyMjg3MTg

Coronavirus latest: UK lowers Covid alert level from highest category - Financial Times

Mayor Bill de Blasio and top New York City health officials have urged residents to remain calm following a media report that a more infectious variant of coronavirus that is more resilient to vaccines was spreading rapidly in the city.

City officials were wary of a report in the New York Times on Wednesday that cited unpublished research papers from Columbia University and the California Institute of Technology that a new variant, known as B.1.526, appeared in late November and accounted for about 25 per cent of coronavirus genomes sequenced and deposited from New York during February. The studies have yet to be peer-reviewed.

“We shouldn’t assume the worst. We should say we need the proof,” de Blasio said at a press conference on Thursday.

Earlier in the morning, his press secretary said in a message on Twitter that while it was “great” academics were researching Covid-19 variants, “please, please for the love of all that is holy share the data with public health officials before you publicise pre-writes that still have track changes with the NY Times”.

While most of the US is experiencing a decline trends in new coronavirus cases and hospitalisations, New York appears to be lagging. It is one of just five states where the seven-day average of new cases per 100,000 people has fallen by less than two-thirds from its peak rate, according to a Financial Times analysis of Wednesday data from Covid Tracking Project. About 30 people per 100,000 are currently in hospitals across the state with coronavirus, the highest per capita rate in the country.

“We don’t have any evidence at this point that the New York variant is what is contributing to the trajectory of cases,” New York City health commissioner Dave Chokshi said in response to reporters’ questions about the new strain. Dr Chokshi also said cases may appear higher in New York City because it is more densely populated than other cities in the US and was also “testing much more than any other place”.

It should also be noted that New York was among the states that started their autumn-winter surge in cases and hospitalisations later than others, and so its seasonal highs for those metrics have occurred later than in other parts of the US, according to an FT analysis of Covid Tracking Project data.

California, for example, had its seven-day average peak at about 111 cases per 100,000 people on December 22 and is now down to about 14 per 100,000. New York reached a peak per capita rate of about 84 per 100,000 on January 12 and is now averaging about 36 per 100,000 per day. The Empire State’s per capita rate slides in behind top-ranked South Carolina (46 per 100,000), which reached its peak on January 9, and ahead of New Jersey (about 33 per 100,000), which peaked on January 13.

Jay Varma, senior advisor for public health in New York City, urged residents to be “a little sceptical” of news about new variants, as not all of them were problematic and not enough peer-reviewed research has been conducted on B.1.526. Varma urged New Yorkers to “continue doing all the things you have been doing”, such as following guidance on masks — perhaps wearing two — maintaining distance from people, washing hands and being tested.

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2021-02-25 17:24:28Z
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A-level and GCSE results plan a 'good compromise', PM says - BBC News

Prime Minister Boris Johnson has defended plans for teachers to grade GCSE and A-level pupils in England this summer as a "good compromise".

It follows confirmation that schools rather than an algorithm will determine grades this summer.

The PM said the process will be "fair" and "durable", adding that he had confidence in the education secretary.

But education select committee chairman Robert Halfon asked how ministers would prevent a "Wild West of grading".

The story of the big U-turn of the summer

With GCSEs and A-levels cancelled because of the pandemic, schools will determine grades using a combination of mock exams, coursework and essays, exam regulator Ofqual said on Thursday.

There will be optional assessments set by exam boards for all subjects, but they will not be taken in exam conditions nor decide final grades.

Results will be published earlier in August to allow time to appeal. A-level results day will be 10 August, with GCSEs results given out on 12 August.

But concerns have been raised that the measures will result in grade inflation.

On a visit to Accrington Academy in Lancashire earlier, Mr Johnson said exams would have continued normally in an "ideal world".

"But I think this is as good a compromise as we can come to.

"I think it will be fair, I think it will be durable and it's the right way forward."

Asked if he had confidence in Education Secretary Gavin Williamson amid speculation he will be moved out of the position in an upcoming reshuffle, Mr Johnson said: "Of course."

Last summer, thousands of A-level students had their results downgraded from school estimates by a controversial algorithm, before Ofqual announced a U-turn which allowed them to use teachers' predictions instead.

Mr Halfon said school-assessed grades were the "least worst option that the government has come up with" but it risked "baking a rock cake of grade inflation into the system".

"So will (Gavin Williamson) confirm what is the government's plan to ensure we will not have a wild west of grading, that these grades will be meaningful to employers so as not to damage children's life chances and when?"

Mr Williamson said grade inflation was an "important issue" but it was being addressed through internal and external checks, and exam boards would be able to "root out malpractice".

Addressing the Commons about the plans, he said: "Ultimately, this summer's assessments will ensure fair routes to the next stages of education or the start of their career. That is our overall aim."

Analysis box by Sean Coughlan, education correspondent

During last year's exam protests there were banners saying "trust in teachers".

This is certainly the case this year, with teachers being given a remarkable amount of flexibility over how they will decide this summer's A-level and GCSE results.

Before the pandemic disrupted exams, there was control freakery over how grades were shared out.

Now it's going to be left to teachers' professional judgement, with no limits on grades or anchoring to previous years' results.

It's the free jazz of exam systems.

Depending on your perspective, that's either a liberating outbreak of trust in teachers, or else it's going to mean headlines about "Exam Chaos 2" and massive grade inflation.

Even the test papers being sent out by exam boards are optional and they won't be taken in exam halls or against the clock.

The only people with exam nerves are going to be the publishers of revision guides.

This is going to be another unpredictable year for exams.

It could be a chance for teachers to show how an assessment system can work without huge layers or bureaucracy.

And Education Secretary Gavin Williamson will be desperately hoping it's less disastrous than last year.

Or it could become blighted with worries about whether some schools are awarding grades that are much more generous than others, sparking waves of angry appeals.

But the exam season for 2021 is getting under way. So turn over your papers and begin. Or don't if you don't want to.

There will be no fixed share of grades and schools will not be expected to keep in line with last year's results or any earlier year.

The Education Policy Institute think tank has warned the plans for this year risk "extremely high grade inflation".

But Ofqual's interim chief regulator of exams, Simon Lebus, said he did not expect "a huge amount" of grade inflation.

"Giving proper weight to teacher judgements is the best way of approaching a very difficult situation," he told BBC Radio 4's World at One programme, adding that there was "no reason to assume [teachers'] results won't be accurate".

Scotland,Wales and Northern Ireland have already announced that exams will be replaced by teacher-assessed grades.

What do students think?

Caitlin Orsborn, an A-level student from Rotherham, South Yorkshire, said she and her friends were "relieved" teachers would decide their grades.

The 18-year-old says: "We're all relieved this morning because we have been working towards nothing for two months."

She believes teacher-awarded results are the "best way" for students to be graded this year, explaining that "being in and out of school so sporadically has really affected so many students' level of work and mental health".

"So to make exams compulsory, in my eyes, was never a good idea," she adds.

'High risk of inconsistencies'

The Education Policy Institute warned of a "high risk of inconsistencies" between schools - and if there are large numbers of successful appeals or widespread grade inflation it could be difficult for universities and employers to distinguish between applicants.

But the ASCL head teachers' union supported giving schools "flexibility over the assessments they use". While the National Education Union said it was probably the "least worst option available".

Parenting charity Parentkind said "teacher assessment is, under the circumstances, the fairest way to test pupils".

Labour's shadow education secretary Kate Green said delays to deciding a replacement for exams had "created needless stress for pupils, parents and teachers".

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2021-02-25 15:07:51Z
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COVID-19: UK alert level downgraded as threat of NHS being overwhelmed recedes - Sky News

The UK's COVID-19 alert level has been downgraded as the threat of the NHS being overwhelmed recedes.

The UK's chief medical officers said the alert level should move from 5 to 4 as the numbers of patients in hospital are "consistently declining and the threat of the NHS and other health services being overwhelmed within 21 days has receded".

Level 4 means transmission of COVID-19 is now "high or rising exponentially" compared with level 5, the highest level, where there was "a risk of healthcare services being overwhelmed".

Follow live COVID-19 updates from the UK and around the world

The UK has been at level 5 since the beginning of January when it was moved from level 4 as it went back into lockdown after Christmas.

In a joint statement, the four UK chief medical officers and NHS England's national medical director said they agreed the level should be downgraded following advice from the Joint Biosecurity Centre "and in light of the most recent data".

They added: "The health services across the four nations remain under significant pressure with a high number of patients in hospital, however thanks to the efforts of the public we are now seeing numbers consistently declining, and the threat of the NHS and other health services being overwhelmed within 21 days has receded.

"We should be under no illusions - transmission rates, hospital pressures and deaths are still very high. In time, the vaccines will have a major impact and we encourage everyone to get vaccinated when they receive the offer.

"However, for the time being, it is really important that we all - vaccinated or not - remain vigilant and continue to follow the guidelines.

"We know how difficult the situation has been and remains to be for healthcare workers, we thank them for their immense effort, skill and professionalism throughout the pandemic."

The decision to move the UK to level 4 comes three days after Prime Minister Boris Johnson announced a roadmap out of lockdown, with the hope that the measures taken plus the vaccination roll-out will mean people in England will have measures fully lifted by 21 June at the earliest.

The COVID alert level system was introduced in May to reflect the degree of threat to the UK from the virus. It is designed to mirror the independent terror alert system.

It is determined by the number of cases and the R number - the average number of people each infected person passes the virus to.

This is how the levels have changed since the introduction in May:

May - Level 4

19 June - Level 3

21 September - Level 4

4 January - Level 5

25 February - Level 4

When Mr Johnson announced the alert level system he said: "That COVID alert level will tell us how tough we have to be in our social distancing measures. The lower the level, the fewer the measures. The higher the level, the tougher and stricter we will have to be."

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2021-02-25 15:56:15Z
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COVID-19: UK alert level downgraded as threat of NHS being overwhelmed recedes - Sky News

The UK's COVID-19 alert level has been downgraded, with the threat of the NHS being overwhelmed receding.

The UK's chief medical officers say the alert level should move from 5 to 4 as the numbers of patients in hospital are "consistently declining and the threat of the NHS and other health services being overwhelmed within 21 days has receded".

Level 4 means transmission of COVID-19 is now "high or rising exponentially" compared with level 5 where there was "a risk of healthcare services being overwhelmed".

The UK has been on level 5 since the beginning of January when it was moved from level 4 as it went back into lockdown after Christmas.

They added: "The health services across the four nations remain under significant pressure with a high number of patients in hospital, however thanks to the efforts of public we are now seeing numbers consistently declining, and the threat of the NHS and other health services being overwhelmed within 21 days has receded.

However, for the time being, it is really important that we all - vaccinated or not - remain vigilant and continue to follow the guidelines.

"We know how difficult the situation has been and remains to be for healthcare workers, we thank them for their immense effort, skill and professionalism throughout the pandemic."

The COVID alert level system was introduced in May to reflect the degree of threat to the UK from the virus.

It is determined by the number of cases and the R number - the average number of people each infected person passes the virus to.

This is how the levels have changed since the introduction in May:

May - Level 4

19 June - Level 3

21 September - Level 4

4 January - Level 5

25 February - Level 4

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Sturgeon rejects 'confidentiality breach' claim over Salmond complainer - BBC News

Nicola Sturgeon has denied allegations that the name of a woman who complained about Alex Salmond was passed to him during a government investigation.

Mr Salmond claims to have been told the name of a complainer when a meeting with Ms Sturgeon was being set up.

Labour MSP Jackie Baillie said this was "beyond belief" and an "extraordinary breach of confidentiality".

Ms Sturgeon said she did not accept Mr Salmond's account and said opposition MSPs had taken his claims "as gospel".

The first minister said the claims of a conspiracy against her predecessor were "deeply unfair to the women involved" and to "the efforts to create a culture in Scotland where women feel they can come forward with complaints".

Mr Salmond is expected to give evidence to a Holyrood inquiry into the government's handling of complaints against him on Friday, with Ms Sturgeon to follow next Wednesday.

Mr Salmond has made accusations of a "malicious and concerted" attempt to remove him from public life, taking aim at Ms Sturgeon, her government and the party he once led, the SNP.

The first minister has rejected the claims, saying there is "not a shred of evidence" that there was a conspiracy.

At her weekly question session at Holyrood, Ms Sturgeon was challenged by opposition leaders about Mr Salmond's claims and whether her government had engaged in a "cover-up".

Ms Baillie - a member of the Holyrood inquiry committee - said the probe was at its heart about two women who had been failed by the government, after it admitted its investigation of their complaints against Mr Salmond had been unlawful.

'Breakdown of trust'

And she said that "astonishingly", the name of one of the women involved had been passed to Mr Salmond while a meeting with Ms Sturgeon was being arranged.

She said the identity of the woman had been revealed to Geoff Aberdein - Mr Salmond's former chief of staff - and was then conveyed on to him.

Ms Baillie said this was an "extraordinary breach of confidentiality" and a "fundamental breakdown of trust".

Ms Sturgeon replied: "Jackie Baillie is accepting at face value Alex Salmond's account of all of this. I do not accept his account of much of this, which is why when I sit before the committee I will go through in detail what happened and what did not happen, and I think that is the right and proper way of proceeding.

"Accepting at face value the conspiracy theories and the account of the man that women accused of harassing them seems to me to be quite a strange way of standing up for and supporting those women."

Pressed by Scottish Lib Dem leader Willie Rennie on whether the name was passed on, Ms Sturgeon said: "To the very best of my knowledge I do not think that happened."

The breach is alleged to have occurred while arrangements were made for a meeting between Ms Sturgeon and Mr Salmond at the first minister's Glasgow home in April 2018.

Ms Sturgeon says this meeting was the first time she learned of the complaints, but has accepted that it was set up via a meeting with Mr Aberdein at her Scottish Parliament office on 29 March.

Scottish Conservative group leader Ruth Davidson said the truth was that Ms Sturgeon had known about the allegations prior to April 2018, and that this had been "exposed" by submissions made to the inquiry by Mr Salmond.

Parts of these submissions were later deleted after the Crown Office raised "grave concerns" about their contents, and Ms Davidson asked if Ms Sturgeon could "understand why this looks to the public like a cover-up, when the exact evidence being redacted is the most damaging to her personally".

Ms Sturgeon insisted that there was no cover-up, pointing out that she had referred to the meetings in her own written evidence submitted in August 2020.

'Scorched earth approach'

She said: "Scrutiny of me is important and necessary and legitimate.

"What is not legitimate is to pursue a conspiracy theory and a scorched earth approach that threatens the reputation and integrity of Scotland's independent judiciary, just because you don't like this government - and to sacrifice all that, if I may say, on the ego of one man."

The first minister also said the deletions made to submissions would not affect what questions could be asked of her.

And she added: "All of Alex Salmond's allegations and claims about me are in the public domain and have been widely reported.

"I have always fully expected to be questioned in detail about all of those allegations when I appear next week - there is nothing in terms of publication or non-publication that has ever led me to expect anything else."

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2021-02-25 14:38:06Z
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Kamis, 25 Februari 2021

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'High risk of inconsistencies'

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'Breakdown of trust'

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