Babak Belurs

Minggu, 28 Februari 2021

Hancock hails 20 million Covid-19 vaccine milestone as step back towards normal life - The Times

More than 20 million people in Britain have been given their first dose of a coronavirus vaccine, ministers have said.

Vaccinating more than a third of all adults “across every corner of the UK” against coronavirus was a “magnificent achievement for the country”, Matt Hancock, the health secretary said. “Every jab in the arm is another life soon to be protected from this awful disease and means we are a step closer to returning to our normal lives.

“Thank you to everyone in the NHS, government, local authorities and volunteers who have been working tirelessly to make this happen. I urge everyone eligible for the vaccine to come forward as soon as possible to protect yourself and those around you. We can only beat this

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2021-02-28 18:00:00Z
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COVID-19: Another 144 UK deaths and 6,035 new cases reported - Sky News

Another 144 people have died after testing positive for coronavirus and a further 6,035 new cases have been reported.

This compares to the 290 coronavirus deaths and 7,434 new infections recorded on Saturday.

Although weekend figures are generally lower due to delays in reporting, significantly, these are the lowest respective daily figures for some months.

It is the lowest number of daily deaths since 136 were announced on 2 November - and the lowest figure for new cases since 28 September, when there were 4,044.

Live COVID updates from the UK and around the world

The latest figures come as Health Secretary Matt Hancock confirmed 20 million people have now received their first dose of a vaccine.

Sunday's figures show 20,089,551 people have had their first dose while 796,132 people have had both.

The total number of people who have died within 28 days of testing positive for coronavirus in the UK now stands at 122,849.

Prime Minister Boris Johnson said Sunday's vaccine milestone was a "huge national achievement" and praised the NHS staff, volunteers and armed forces for their work in the roll-out.

He tweeted: "20 million people across the UK have now got the jab - a huge national achievement and a testament to the tireless work of NHS staff, volunteers, the Armed Forces & many more.

"I urge everyone to get the jab when called. Every jab makes a difference in our battle against COVID."

Mr Hancock had earlier said reaching the milestone was a "magnificent achievement for the country".

He also urged everyone eligible for the vaccine to come forward and said: "Every jab in the arm is another life soon to be protected from this awful disease and means we are a step closer to returning to our normal lives."

The milestone was reached as nearly two million people aged 60 to 63 in England are being invited to book a coronavirus jab, with the letters due to start arriving on Monday.

NHS England said the letters will explain how people can make an appointment through the national booking service.

They added that the letters have been sent out after more than three in four people aged 65 to 70 took up the offer of a vaccination.

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Britons have been warned not just jeopardise the chances of the prime minister sticking to his road map to reopen the country.

Professor Calum Semple, who sits on the government's SAGE advisory board, said the public needs to continue to adhere to lockdown rules or we could "blow it".

He made the comments after packed parks and waterfronts were seen yesterday during warmer temperatures and bright sunshine.

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2021-02-28 16:52:30Z
52781410114893

COVID-19 vaccine: 20 million people have received first coronavirus jab in UK - Sky News

More than 20 million people have had their first dose of a coronavirus vaccine in the UK.

Prime Minister Boris Johnson hailed the "huge national achievement" and praised the NHS staff, volunteers and armed forces for their work in the vaccine roll-out.

He tweeted: "20 million people across the UK have now got the jab - a huge national achievement and a testament to the tireless work of NHS staff, volunteers, the Armed Forces & many more.

"I urge everyone to get the jab when called. Every jab makes a difference in our battle against COVID."

Sunday's figures show 20,089,551 people have had their first dose while 796,132 people have had both.

Health Secretary Matt Hancock offered his "huge thanks" to the team and called it a "magnificent achievement for the country".

In a video posted on Twitter he added: "I'm absolutely delighted that over 20 million people have now been vaccinated across the UK - it's absolutely fantastic.

"I want to thank every single person who has come forward to get the jab because we know with increasing confidence that the jab protects you, it protects your community and it also is the route out of this for all of us."

He added: "There's a long way still to go but we're making big strides."

Vaccines minister Nadhim Zahawi tweeted: "BINGO! One Score over 20,000,000 people have had the vaccination (1s dose). What an achievement for February 2021. What a team! Proud to be with you on this journey."

NHS England chief executive Sir Simon Stevens said: "Vaccinating 20 million people - including 17 million across England - in a few short weeks shows the NHS vaccination campaign is firing on all cylinders, and looking out to Easter and beyond it's full speed ahead.

"As we can see from other parts of the world, having vaccines from the manufacturers versus actually administering them to patients can be two different things. So this latest milestone is also a tribute to careful health service planning, effective organisation and amazing teamwork across the whole of the country."

NHS England has said that another two million more people are about to get letters inviting them to get vaccinated.

The vaccine figures have been released as another 144 daily coronavirus deaths and a further 6,035 infections were confirmed.

It comes as Britons are being warned not to jeopardise the chances of the government sticking to its road map to reopen the country.

Packed parks and waterfronts were seen yesterday as warmer temperatures and bright sunshine brought out crowds across the country.

Professor Calum Semple, who sits of the government's SAGE advisory board, said the public needs to continue to adhere to lockdown rules or we could "blow it".

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The chancellor has heavily hinted at an extension of the furlough scheme but warned of the need to "level" with the public about the economic cost of the pandemic.

Rishi Sunak made the remarks ahead of his Budget announcement on Wednesday.

Speaking to Sky News' Sophy Ridge On Sunday programme, the chancellor insisted he would continue to do whatever it takes to support people and businesses in the UK through the coronavirus crisis.

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2021-02-28 16:41:10Z
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Budget: Rishi Sunak promises help as Covid restrictions ease - BBC News

Chancellor Rishi Sunak has said he "is preparing a Budget that provides support for people" as Covid lockdown rules are eased.

At the earliest restrictions in England are set to be fully lifted by 21 June.

Mr Sunak said he would provide help during that period but added that he wanted to "level with people" about the "shock to the economy" caused by Covid.

He dismissed claims he told Tory MPs he wanted to raise taxes now so he could cut them ahead of the next election.

This comes as the government announced £5bn to help high street businesses.

Meanwhile Labour's shadow chancellor, Anneliese Dodds, accused the chancellor of being "focused on politics" over protecting the economy.

Mr Sunak told the BBC's Andrew Marr the government had gone "big and early" when providing support to those hit by Covid at the beginning of the pandemic - and added "there's more to come".

The furlough scheme - which supports around 4.7 million people - is due to finish at the end of April along with the £20 weekly increase in Universal Credit.

Mr Sunak said he was focused on "preparing a budget that provides support for people and businesses and families through the remaining stages of this crisis" and in line with the easing of restrictions as set out by Prime Minister Boris Johnson.

However he also said he wanted to "be honest" with the public about the pandemic's impact on the economy and "clear about what our plan to address that is".

He warned high levels of borrowing had meant Britain was "more sensitive to interest rate changes" and that debt could "rise indefinitely" if borrowing continued after the recovery.

He said making public finances sustainable "isn't going to happen overnight" but would not confirm newspaper reports he was planning to freeze income tax thresholds or raise corporation tax in a bid to lower debt.

Freezing thresholds would mean more people paying more tax as wages rose.

Analysis box by Katie Prescott, Business correspondent

Businesses are watching the Budget closely for information about the future of key support schemes, especially furlough - the job retention scheme - which is due to end in April.

Since it started in March 2020, it has been key to preventing spiking unemployment, but no-one expected the government to still be paying workers' wages a year on. Let alone 4.7 million of them.

With so many dependent on it, and having pledged "support for people" it's difficult to see how the chancellor can end furlough while some businesses are still closed.

But the scheme is not cheap. And with the country's debt topping £2tn, the same value as the UK economy, the chancellor could start to spell out plans on how he plans to pay at least some of the bill.

The UK's low corporation tax looks a likely contender for rises - although businesses that have struggled through the pandemic argue this is hitting them while they're down.

Asked whether he had privately told Conservative MPs he wanted to raise taxes now so he could cut them ahead of the next general election Mr Sunak replied: "I don't recognise that."

Speaking to Sky News he said he "would like to be able to keep taxes low for people in general" but added that he wanted to "be responsible" with people's money.

Ms Dodds said the chancellor should "follow what is in the interest of our country" not "party politics".

Speaking to Sophy Ridge, she said Labour would "look carefully" at proposals on corporation tax but added: "What we don't want to see right now is what the chancellor is doing, particularly in relation to council tax, the imposition of additional costs at a point when our country is experiencing the worst economic crisis of any major economy."

She also called on the chancellor to confirm that the furlough scheme and £20 increase to Universal Credit would be kept for as long as Covid-based restrictions were in place.

During his interview, Mr Sunak also defended his Eat Out to Help Out scheme, arguing that it protected jobs, but wouldn't say if he would revive the scheme when hospitality venues were allowed to re-open.

Mr Sunak will lay out the government's tax and spending plans in his Budget on Wednesday, at a time when public borrowing has led to the highest national debt level since 1963.

Conservative former chancellor Lord Clarke has argued Mr Sunak should consider raising VAT, national insurance and income taxes in order to repair the public finances.

However some Conservative MPs - including ex-Brexit Secretary David Davis - have warned against such rises and potential Tory rebels have been told they risk being kicked out of the parliamentary party if they vote against the Budget.

Martin Beck, senior economic adviser to economic forecasting group EY ITEM Club, said repairing the public finances could wait and warned that "premature fiscal tightening could undermine recovery".

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2021-02-28 15:35:52Z
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COVID-19 vaccine: 20 million people have received first coronavirus jab in UK, says Matt Hancock - Sky News

More than 20 million people have had their first dose of a coronavirus vaccine in the UK, the health secretary has said.

Matt Hancock offered his "huge thanks" to the team and called it a "magnificent achievement for the country".

In a video posted on Twitter he added: "I'm absolutely delighted that over 20 million people have now been vaccinated across the UK - it's absolutely fantastic.

He added: "There's a long way still to go but we're making big strides."

The figure for the number of people to have received their first vaccine dose was just over 19.6 million yesterday.

The figures showed 768,810 people had received both doses.

NHS England has said that another two million more people are about to get letters inviting them to get vaccinated.

It comes as Britons are being warned not to jeopardise the chances of the government sticking to its road map to reopen the country.

Packed parks and waterfronts were seen yesterday as warmer temperatures and bright sunshine brought out crowds across the country.

Professor Calum Semple, who sits of the government's SAGE advisory board, said the public needs to continue to adhere to lockdown rules or we could "blow it".

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Budget: Rishi Sunak promises help as Covid restrictions ease - BBC News

Chancellor Rishi Sunak has said he "is preparing a Budget that provides support for people" as Covid lockdown rules are eased.

At the earliest restrictions in England are set to be fully lifted by 21 June.

Mr Sunak said he would provide help during that period but added that he wanted to "level with people" about the "shock to the economy" caused by Covid.

He dismissed claims he told Tory MPs he wanted to raise taxes now so he could cut them ahead of the next election.

This comes as the government announced £5bn to help high street businesses.

Meanwhile Labour's shadow chancellor, Anneliese Dodds, accused the chancellor of being "focused on politics" over protecting the economy.

Mr Sunak told the BBC's Andrew Marr the government had gone "big and early" when providing support to those hit by Covid at the beginning of the pandemic - and added "there's more to come".

The furlough scheme - which supports around 4.7 million people - is due to finish at the end of April along with the £20 weekly increase in Universal Credit.

However he also said he wanted to "be honest" with the public about the pandemic's impact on the economy and "clear about what our plan to address that is".

He warned high levels of borrowing had meant Britain was "more sensitive to interest rate changes" and that debt could "rise indefinitely" if borrowing continued after the recovery.

Currently people have to pay the basic level of tax on anything they earn over £12,500 a year and the higher rate of tax on any earnings over £50,000. Freezing those thresholds would mean more people paying more tax as wages rose.

'Party politics'

Asked whether he had privately told Conservative MPs he wanted to raise taxes now so he could cut them ahead of the next general election Mr Sunak replied: "I don't recognise that."

Speaking to Sky News he said he "would like to be able to keep taxes low for people in general" but added that he wanted to "be responsible" with people's money.

Ms Dodds said the chancellor should "follow what is in the interest of our country" not "party politics".

She also called on the chancellor to confirm that the furlough scheme and £20 increase to Universal Credit would be kept for as long as Covid-based restrictions were in place.

Mr Sunak will lay out the government's tax and spending plans in his Budget on Wednesday, at a time when public borrowing has led to the highest national debt level since 1963.

Conservative former chancellor Lord Clarke has argued Mr Sunak should consider raising VAT, national insurance and income taxes in order to repair the public finances.

Martin Beck, senior economic adviser to economic forecasting group EY ITEM Club, said repairing the public finances could wait and warned that "premature fiscal tightening could undermine recovery".

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Budget: Rishi Sunak promises help as Covid restrictions ease - BBC News

Chancellor Rishi Sunak has said he "is preparing a Budget that provides support for people" as coronavirus lockdown rules are eased.

Currently, restrictions in England are set to be fully lifted by 21 June.

Mr Sunak said it was right to provide help but added that he wanted to "level with people" about the "shock to the economy" caused by Covid.

He dismissed claims he had told MPs he wanted to raise taxes now so he could cut them ahead of the next election.

This comes as the government announced £5bn to help high street businesses.

Meanwhile Labour's shadow chancellor, Anneliese Dodds, accused the chancellor of being "focused on politics" over protecting the economy.

Mr Sunak told the BBC's Andrew Marr the government had gone "big and early" when providing support to those hit by Covid at the beginning of the pandemic - and added "there's more to come".

The furlough scheme - which supports around 4.7 million people - is due to expire at the end of April along with the £20 weekly increase in Universal Credit.

Mr Sunak said he hoped to provide support "along the path" towards gradually ending restrictions in England by 21 June, as set out in Prime Minister Boris Johnson's roadmap.

However he also said he wanted to "be honest" with the public about the pandemic's impact on the economy and "clear about what our plan to address that is".

He warned high levels of borrowing had meant Britain was "more sensitive to interest rate changes" and that debt could "rise indefinitely" if borrowing continued after the recovery

'Party politics'

Asked whether he had privately told Conservative MPs he wanted to raise taxes now so he could cut them ahead of the next general election Mr Sunak replied: "I don't recognise that."

Ms Dodds said the chancellor should "follow what is in the interest of our country" not "party politics".

She also called on the chancellor to confirm that the furlough scheme and £20 increase to Universal Credit would be kept for as long as Covid-based restrictions were in place.

Mr Sunak will lay out the government's tax and spending plans in his Budget on Wednesday, at a time when public borrowing has led to the highest national debt level since 1963.

Conservative former chancellor Lord Clarke has argued Mr Sunak should consider raising VAT, national insurance and income taxes in order to repair the public finances.

Martin Beck, senior economic adviser to economic forecasting group EY ITEM Club, said repairing the public finances could wait and warned that "premature fiscal tightening could undermine recovery".

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Minggu, 28 Februari 2021

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