Joe Biden to press Boris Johnson to end bitter Northern Ireland stand-off - Financial Times

Boris Johnson will on Thursday face pressure from Joe Biden to work with the EU to end a bitter stand-off over a settlement in Northern Ireland, as post-Brexit talks ended in stalemate and threats.

The US leader, who meets his British counterpart in Cornwall ahead of a G7 summit, has “deep” concerns about Northern Ireland and the preservation of peace in the region, said Jake Sullivan, his national security adviser.

Johnson will also face pressure from European leaders at the summit, as the EU repeated its threat to retaliate with trade sanctions if Britain unilaterally suspends parts of the so-called Northern Ireland protocol, which aims to avoid a hard border on the island of Ireland.

Maros Sefcovic, European Commission vice-president, said he was sure “European leaders will raise this issue” at the G7, which starts on Friday. Emmanuel Macron, French president, is among those who want the EU to take a tough line with Johnson.

In anticipation of diplomatic danger, Johnson is taking Lord David Frost, his Brexit minister, to the G7 summit at Carbis Bay; foreign secretary Dominic Raab is the only other UK minister attending.

Frost and Sefcovic failed to resolve the row over the operation of the protocol, which in effect introduces a trade border in the Irish Sea, during talks in London on Wednesday. “There weren’t any breakthroughs, there weren’t any breakdowns either,” Frost said.

Johnson claims the EU’s demands for checks on goods moving between Great Britain and Northern Ireland are too onerous and are disrupting trade.

Speaking ahead of Biden’s departure for the UK, Sullivan told the BBC that the NI protocol was “critical to ensuring that the spirit, promise and future of the Good Friday Agreement is protected”. The 1998 agreement ended decades of violent strife in the region.

Sullivan insisted it was for both the UK and EU to resolve their differences. He declined to say whether a UK/US trade deal could be put in danger if Johnson broke his commitments under the protocol, but said: “Our concern runs very deep on the Northern Ireland issue.”

US president Joe Biden prepares to board Air Force One to fly to the G7 in the UK © AP

Speaking in Cornwall ahead of the summit, Johnson said he was looking for a compromise that protected the Northern Ireland peace process and insisted he was “not worried” about the issue overshadowing the G7.

Both EU and UK sides confirmed after talks in London that splits persisted over how to address numerous issues with trading arrangements for Northern Ireland, ranging from veterinary checks to pet travel.

Speaking after the talks, Sefcovic said that EU patience was “wearing very, very thin” with the UK over its perceived failure to implement basic parts of the protocol.

Brussels already has legal proceedings open against Britain for unilaterally extending some grace periods — carve-outs from the normal border checks — under the protocol.

Sefcovic said the EU could take “cross-retaliatory measures” against Britain, such as introducing tariffs on some goods, or suspending co-operation in certain sectors, if the UK did not live up to its obligations.

“If the UK were to take further unilateral action over the coming weeks, the EU will not be shy in reacting swiftly, firmly and resolutely to ensure that the UK abides by the international law obligations,” Sefcovic said.

Following the meeting, Frost reiterated UK complaints that “the EU is insisting we operate the protocol in an extremely purist way”.

The lack of breakthroughs means pressure is set to mount on both sides ahead of the imminent expiry at the end of this month of temporary exemptions that have allowed British sausages and other chilled meats into Northern Ireland.

Following the meetings, which also covered other bilateral issues such as fishing and citizens’ rights, the UK published its own breakdown of the state of discussions, saying there had been “some progress towards solutions” in certain “limited areas”, including free movement of guide dogs and VAT arrangements for second-hand cars.

Additional reporting by Jim Pickard

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2021-06-09 18:31:22Z
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COVID-19: Young people step forward for coronavirus vaccine in record numbers - Sky News

More than one million people booked a COVID-19 vaccine through the NHS website on Tuesday - a record high.

The landmark came on the day that bookings were opened up to those aged 25 to 29 and appear to have put to rest any suggestions that younger people might be reluctant to be vaccinated.

A total of 1,082,596 first and second dose slots were snapped up during the 24-hour period online and by phone - around 45,000 an hour on average and more than 750 every minute.

This compares to 279,678 doses being booked through the national booking service on Monday 7 June.

The figures include appointments made with the national booking service and the 119 call service but, although some GP practices are on the national booking system, most are booking people separately.

The younger age group is being texted in stages this week with instructions on how to book their jab and the initial surge on Tuesday morning prompted 100,000 bookings an hour between 7am and midday.

Sir Simon Stevens, NHS chief executive, said the eagerness of 25 to 29 year olds had sent bookings to "blockbuster levels".

More on Covid-19

He said: "Enthusiasm for the biggest and most successful vaccination programme remains strong as bookings for the lifesaving jab reached an all-time high yesterday.

"And the obvious enthusiasm of younger adults to get their jab has blown out of the water the suggestion that people in their 20s might not come forward to protect themselves and their loved ones."

On Monday the government revealed a partnership with dating apps, offering vaccine-related features in an effort to encourage younger people to get jabbed.

But there had been growing evidence that take-up among people in this age group might be higher than expected, despite them generally being at lower risk of complications from the virus.

According to figures from the Office for National Statistics, positive vaccine sentiment among those under 30 is lower than the national average, but it has increased markedly since the first COVID-19 vaccine was given in December.

Between 10 and 13 December last year, the figure for those aged 16 to 29 was put at 63% - but between 19 and 23 May it had shot up to 85%. The national rate for adults of all ages increased from 78% to 95% over the same time period.

Footage of walk-in vaccination clinics around the country, including in Bolton and Twickenham, has shown that, when they have been allowed to get the jab, many young people have stepped forward.

Young people face no shortage of reasons to get vaccinated as, in many ways, the effects of coronavirus lockdowns have hit them hardest.

ONS figures from March showed that those aged 16 to 24 made up 61% of those who had lost payrolled employment during the coronavirus crisis.

Image: Sir Simon Stevens says the keenness of 25 to 29 year olds sent bookings to 'blockbuster levels'

Many youngsters had their schooling or university education put on hold for months, and most will have heard experts warn that, although young people aren't at high risk of complications from the disease, they are certainly capable of spreading the virus to relatives who are.

The NHS has delivered more than 58 million vaccine doses to over 75% of adults in England alone, and more than half of adults have had both doses, meaning they have maximum protection from the virus.

I'm delighted that over a million coronavirus vaccine bookings were made yesterday - a record number.

Thank you to all 25 to 29 year olds - and older - who are coming forward to get the vaccine.

This is our route out.

— Matt Hancock (@MattHancock) June 9, 2021

Some three million text messages are being sent out this week referring people to the national booking service, while GPs will also contact those eligible for the jab, encouraging them to come forward.

For those using the national booking service, appointments can be booked at one of 1,600 vaccination centres, pharmacies or general practice sites.

On Wednesday, the UK reported another 7,540 coronavirus cases in the previous 24-hour period - the highest number since 27 February.

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2021-06-09 15:33:45Z
52781653848794

PMQs live: Starmer criticises Johnson over education plans that 'will hold back kids for a generation' - Sky News

What to expect in today's PMQs

Analysis by Tom Rayner, digital politics editor

Boris Johnson will need to have done his homework ahead of today’s PMQs. Some weeks there is a single obvious topic that is likely to dominate, but this is not one of those weeks - there are a whole range of different issues that could be raised.

MPs will know that shortly after he finishes the session the prime minister will be heading off to Cornwall ahead of the G7 summit, so expect the issue of the temporary cut to the overseas aid budget to be raised - given it’s been criticised by some other G7 members.

When it comes to the pandemic, the issues around international travel, and the potential for a delay to the next stage of covid unlocking on 21 June could also prove tricky for the prime minister. 

Earlier Housing Secretary Robert Jenrick said  "we mustn’t throw away the gains we have made". That was seen as the first sign ministers are beginning to prepare the ground for a potential delay. Will we hear a similar shift in tone from Boris Johnson himself? And will Mr Johnson be asked if he is planning a foreign holiday, given ministers have been suggesting the public now refrain from going abroad?

The simmering row with the EU over the implementation of the Northern Ireland protocol is another likely topic. Plenty of MPs believe such problems were entirely predictable and provide an example of how the Prime Minister betrayed Northern Ireland in pursuit of a hard Brexit deal. But will Sir Keir Starmer choose Brexit as his focus? It seems unlikely - he has gone out of his way to avoid talking about the UK’s departure from the EU as much as possible, and there is nothing to suggest that will change today.

What is perhaps more likely is that the Labour leader will focus on the controversy around the level of funding the government has committed to its school catch-up programmes. Following the resignation of the government’s education recovery adviser Sir Kevan Collins last week over the lack of money, this might be seen as an opportunity to put Boris Johnson on the spot with some sustained questions on the matter.

Labour have an opposition debate in the commons on the same issue later, but Sir Keir may conclude raising the matter in PMQs may have more of an impact.

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2021-06-09 12:45:00Z
52781657022437

Covid: Greater Manchester and Lancashire in testing and vaccine push - BBC News

Sgt Ben Maher

Coronavirus vaccines and tests are being stepped up in areas of north-west England to try to deal with the rise in cases of the Delta variant.

The whole of Greater Manchester and Lancashire will get help from the military to carry out extra tests - similar to the tactics used in Bolton.

But local leaders have asked for extra jabs to vaccinate everyone even faster.

It comes as debate continues about whether England's next lockdown easing will go ahead as planned on 21 June.

There is less than a week until the government is due to announce its decision about the reopening date.

At the weekend, Health Secretary Matt Hancock said the Delta variant - first discovered in India - was 40% more transmissible than the previously-dominant Alpha variant, first discovered in Kent.

• Where is the Indian variant and how is it spreading?
• How many people have been vaccinated so far?

After Covid hotspot Bolton saw a drop in infection rates through a vaccine push and extra testing, the government is now doing the same elsewhere in the region where cases are rising.

But the Mayor of Greater Manchester, Andy Burnham, has called on the government to go further and said vaccine supplies should be given to the area earlier than planned.

"The need is now," he told BBC Breakfast. "It is spreading again in places like this, so the vaccination programme can have the most impact right now."

"It's not about asking for more supplies than we are entitled to, it's about bringing forward our supplies so we can make a bigger difference," he added.

Mr Burnham also urged people to take up their second Covid jab, as he said it doubled the protection against the Delta variant.

Communities Secretary Robert Jenrick said the government would continue to follow the Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation's advice, with the vaccine programme based on age rather than on a geographical basis.

He said there was a "significant rise" in Covid cases and the government was doing things to help people get vaccinated as quickly as possible in the region, including using the military for logistics and vaccine buses.

Some health officials in the area have already urged over-18s to book jabs - ahead of England's current timetable.

While the government is issuing guidance "to ask people to conduct themselves sensibly", Mr Jenrick told BBC Radio 4's Today programme there was no plan to introduce local lockdowns, saying: "We don't have any plan to return to the regional or the tiered approach that we saw last autumn."

Mr Burnham said that while people did not have to cancel their plans, they should be sensible and take precautions, such as socialising outside where possible and minimising travel.

It was always expected cases would rise at this stage - allowing indoor mixing is the move that allows the virus to spread most easily.

But what is concerning government scientists is how quickly cases are going up - and how that has begun to translate into hospital admissions.

The increase in hospital admissions is only really apparent in the north-west so far - more than a third of admissions since the start of June have been in that region over the past week.

The hope was the vaccination programme would lead to a slower increase in infections and hospital admissions would be flatter. But the Delta variant appears to have complicated matters - and so the alarm bells are beginning to ring.

But it is still early days. There is hope this rise could tail off - given the immunity that has built up in the population - and what has been seen in the north-west does not translate to other parts of the country.

As painful as it is, the message from scientists is that a delay in fully opening up allows more time to gather data and understand what is happening and to vaccinate more.

A slowing of the progress on the roadmap - rather than the ending of it.

Across England, there was a surge in demand for vaccines on Tuesday morning as people aged 25 to 29 were invited to book jabs, NHS England said.

It was a "Glastonbury-style rush for appointments", said NHS England boss Sir Simon Stevens - with more than 1,600 jabs being booked every minute.

21 June 'goalposts moving'

The next big date of lockdown easing in England is scheduled for 21 June. It would see all remaining rules lifted, meaning an end to mask wearing and working from home guidance, nightclubs reopening and no limits on numbers at weddings, concerts and other large events.

According to the Guardian on Wednesday, Chancellor Rishi Sunak is willing to accept a delay of up to four weeks to the reopening.

The paper cites a Whitehall source saying Mr Sunak was more concerned that when rules are lifted, it will be irreversible.

A source in the Treasury pointed out to the BBC that the government's support packages for workers - such as the furlough scheme - already extended beyond the June date in case there needed to be a delay.

But the Huff Post UK reported earlier that Cabinet Office minister Michael Gove had told colleagues that if he were a betting man, he would bet on a relaxation of rules on 21 June.

The government has repeatedly said it would look carefully at the data before it came to a final decision on 14 June.

• What is the lockdown roadmap?
• Can I ask to keep working from home?

Conservative MP Sir Charles Walker, a lockdown sceptic, has warned against any delay.

"There will be a huge wave of disappointment across the country if we don't open up on 21 June," he told BBC Newsnight.

"The delay could be two weeks, a month, but I think the real issue here is if we can't open up the economy at the height of summer then I think we are facing the very real prospect of more forced lockdowns in the autumn - I just don't see how we can avoid that.

"The goalposts - as we've always said, it's a well-worn cliche - are moving."

On Tuesday, another 6,048 new cases in the UK were announced, and a further 13 deaths. More than 53% of adults have had two vaccine doses, meaning they are fully vaccinated.

Greater Manchester and Lancashire accounts for 90% of the areas with the highest infection rates in England, according to last week's data.

People in those areas are also being advised to meet outside rather than inside and avoid travelling in and out of affected areas.

Local health directors can also reintroduce face coverings in school communal areas if they want to.

As well as in north-west England, the Army is also being deployed in Lothian and Lanarkshire.

• ADDICTED TO TANNING: How far would you go for the perfect glow?
• NEW DRAMA - TIME: What does it take to survive in prison?

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2021-06-09 08:26:11Z
52781652089272

Covid: Greater Manchester and Lancashire in testing and vaccine push - BBC News

Sgt Ben Maher

Coronavirus vaccines and tests are being stepped up in areas of north-west England to try to deal with the rise in cases of the Delta variant.

The whole of Greater Manchester and Lancashire will get help from the military to carry out extra tests - similar to the tactics used in Bolton.

But local leaders have asked for extra jabs to vaccinate everyone even faster.

It comes as debate continues about whether England's next lockdown easing will go ahead as planned on 21 June.

There is less than a week until the government is due to announce its decision about the reopening date.

At the weekend, Health Secretary Matt Hancock said the Delta variant - first discovered in India - was 40% more transmissible than the previously-dominant Alpha variant, first discovered in Kent.

• Where is the Indian variant and how is it spreading?
• How many people have been vaccinated so far?

After Covid hotspot Bolton saw a drop in infection rates through a vaccine push and extra testing, the government is now doing the same elsewhere in the region where cases are rising.

But the Mayor of Greater Manchester, Andy Burnham, has called on the government to go further and said vaccine supplies should be given to the area earlier than planned.

"The need is now," he told BBC Breakfast. "It is spreading again in places like this, so the vaccination programme can have the most impact right now."

"It's not about asking for more supplies than we are entitled to, it's about bringing forward our supplies so we can make a bigger difference," he added.

Mr Burnham also urged people to take up their second Covid jab, as he said it doubled the protection against the Delta variant.

Communities Secretary Robert Jenrick said the government would continue to follow the Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation's advice, with the vaccine programme based on age rather than on a geographical basis.

He said there was a "significant rise" in Covid cases and the government was doing things to help people get vaccinated as quickly as possible in the region, including using the military for logistics and vaccine buses.

Some health officials in the area have already urged over-18s to book jabs - ahead of England's current timetable.

While the government is issuing guidance "to ask people to conduct themselves sensibly", Mr Jenrick told BBC Radio 4's Today programme there was no plan for a return to local lockdowns.

Mr Burnham said that while people did not have to cancel their plans, they should be sensible and take precautions, such as socialising outside where possible and minimising travel.

It was always expected cases would rise at this stage - allowing indoor mixing is the move that allows the virus to spread most easily.

But what is concerning government scientists is how quickly cases are going up - and how that has begun to translate into hospital admissions.

The increase in hospital admissions is only really apparent in the north-west so far - more than 40% of admissions in England have been in that region over the past week.

The hope was the vaccination programme would lead to a slower increase in infections and hospital admissions would be flatter. But the Delta variant appears to have complicated matters - and so the alarm bells are beginning to ring.

But it is still early days. There is hope this rise could tail off - given the immunity that has built up in the population - and what has been seen in the north-west does not translate to other parts of the country.

As painful as it is, the message from scientists is that a delay in fully opening up allows more time to gather data and understand what is happening and to vaccinate more.

A slowing of the progress on the roadmap - rather than the ending of it.

Across England, there was a surge in demand for vaccines on Tuesday morning as people aged 25 to 29 were invited to book jabs, NHS England said.

It was a "Glastonbury-style rush for appointments", said NHS England boss Sir Simon Stevens - with more than 1,600 jabs being booked every minute.

21 June 'goalposts moving'

The next big date of lockdown easing in England is scheduled for 21 June. It would see all remaining rules lifted, meaning an end to mask wearing and working from home guidance, nightclubs reopening and no limits on numbers at weddings, concerts and other large events.

According to the Guardian on Wednesday, Chancellor Rishi Sunak is willing to accept a delay of up to four weeks to the reopening.

The paper cites a Whitehall source saying Mr Sunak was more concerned that when rules are lifted, it will be irreversible.

A source in the Treasury pointed out to the BBC that the government's support packages for workers - such as the furlough scheme - already extended beyond the June date in case there needed to be a delay.

But the Huff Post UK reported earlier that Cabinet Office minister Michael Gove had told colleagues that if he were a betting man, he would bet on a relaxation of rules on 21 June.

The government has repeatedly said it would look carefully at the data before it came to a final decision on 14 June.

• What is the lockdown roadmap?
• Can I ask to keep working from home?

Conservative MP Sir Charles Walker, a lockdown sceptic, has warned against any delay.

"There will be a huge wave of disappointment across the country if we don't open up on 21 June," he told BBC Newsnight.

"The delay could be two weeks, a month, but I think the real issue here is if we can't open up the economy at the height of summer then I think we are facing the very real prospect of more forced lockdowns in the autumn - I just don't see how we can avoid that.

"The goalposts - as we've always said, it's a well-worn cliche - are moving."

On Tuesday, another 6,048 new cases in the UK were announced, and a further 13 deaths. More than 53% of adults have had two vaccine doses, meaning they are fully vaccinated.

Greater Manchester and Lancashire accounts for 90% of the areas with the highest infection rates in England, according to last week's data.

People in those areas are also being advised to meet outside rather than inside and avoid travelling in and out of affected areas.

Local health directors can also reintroduce face coverings in school communal areas if they want to.

As well as in north-west England, the Army is also being deployed in Lothian and Lanarkshire.

• ADDICTED TO TANNING: How far would you go for the perfect glow?
• NEW DRAMA - TIME: What does it take to survive in prison?

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2021-06-09 07:24:54Z
52781652089272

G7 Summit: Navy patrols, beachfront radar and thousands of officers on duty as world leaders arrive - Sky News

Cornwall will welcome some of the most powerful world leaders from tonight - with thousands of delegates, journalists and police in the county ahead of the G7 Summit.

After months of preparation, Prime Minister Boris Johnson will play host to the leaders of France, Germany, Italy, Japan, Canada and the US at Carbis Bay in St Ives.

"This is the biggest security and policing event in England this year," Superintendent Joanne Hall, from Devon and Cornwall Police, told Sky News.

"You can imagine the complexities that come with it, the logistical challenges - but we've been planning for months now and we're ready and prepared for this event."

Image: Police officers in front of the Carbis Bay Hotel ahead of the G7 summit in Cornwall

Around 6,500 police officers from every force in the country are in Cornwall to protect the summit.

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As well as 4,000 rooms booked, around 1,000 officers will be accommodated on an Estonian cruise ship docked in Falmouth, with more than 16,000 meals prepared each day.

More on Cornwall

In recent days, the event has seen sleepy parts of Cornwall transformed into locked-down secure zones - with military radar equipment on beaches, police on jet-skis and British naval warships patrolling an exclusion zone around the beach-front venue.

The summit officially begins on Friday and ends on Sunday - but preparations for the event have already had an impact on the lives of those living in Cornwall.

Image: A Mobile radar station set up at the National Trust car park in Godrevy, near St Ives, Cornwall, ahead of the G7 summit

"My business is shutting down Thursday, Friday, Saturday, Sunday," says Roger, who runs fishing trips in St Ives.

"One of the skippers can't get here, and we've just decided it's not worth going late and having bad reviews. It's exciting times as to what they [G7 leaders] may do but at this moment in time it's a hassle."

Susan Mountain sells wetsuits at a shop on the beach front.

"It shouldn't have been done now because of COVID and they should have just held it on Zoom and done it that way. It would have saved a lot of money.

"At this time of year it's going to be a great disruption to locals and holidaymakers," she added.

But for many companies, the G7 Summit is a welcome financial boost, after hospitality was so badly hit by COVID-19.

Image: Mount Recyclemore: The E7, which has been created out of e-waste, in the likeness of the G7 leaders and in the style of Mount Rushmore by British artist Joe Rush

There is - perhaps unsurprisingly - an official G7 Summit chocolate bar, made by Wadebridge-based Kernow Chocolate.

Alex Shapland, who runs the company, said: "We got an email out of the blue from one of the offices in Whitehall and they approached us to make them a bar of chocolate!" he told Sky News.

Alex says there were strict specifications from the UK government.

"They wanted milk chocolate flavoured with sea salt - and we used Cornish sea salt. It's all come together and it's a privilege and an honour to be one of the suppliers."

Tourism and council officials estimate the summit will bring £50m into Cornwall - with the hope of long-term investments.

And while the county is at the cutting edge of several sunrise industries (lithium mining, satellite launches from Newquay Airport and space communications at Goonhilly to name but a few), some of the poorest parts of the UK are in Cornwall.

Sandra spoke to us in the town of Camborne.

"I can't see why they think it'll bring in so much money. St Ives is already a very rich place to live.

"I think it's just a quick flash in the pan of money. We won't get nothing out of it, no," she added.

Throughout the summit, protests are planned - with groups such as Extinction Rebellion, Kill The Bill and ResistG7 all arranging events.

Overlooking Carbis Bay, a huge alternative version of Mount Rushmore, depicting the G7 Leaders built out of electronic waste, has been constructed by artist Joe Rush.

From Friday - all eyes will be on Cornwall - with no shortage of problems for the leaders to sort out.

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2021-06-09 02:41:40Z
52781656265692

Covid: Greater Manchester and Lancashire in testing and vaccine push - BBC News

Sgt Ben Maher

Coronavirus vaccines and tests are being stepped up in areas of north-west England to try to deal with the rise in cases of the Delta variant.

The whole of Greater Manchester and Lancashire will get help from the military to carry out extra tests - similar to the tactics used in Bolton.

But local leaders have asked for extra jabs to vaccinate everyone even faster.

It comes as debate continues about whether England's next lockdown easing will go ahead as planned on 21 June.

There is less than a week until the government is due to announce its decision about the reopening date.

At the weekend, Health Secretary Matt Hancock said the Delta variant - first discovered in India - was 40% more transmissible than the previously-dominant Alpha variant, first discovered in Kent.

• Where is the Indian variant and how is it spreading?
• How many people have been vaccinated so far?

After Covid hotspot Bolton saw a drop in infection rates through a vaccine push and extra testing, the government is now doing the same elsewhere in the region where cases are rising.

But the Mayor of Greater Manchester, Andy Burnham, has called on the government to go further and said vaccine supplies should be given to the area earlier than planned.

"The need is now," he told BBC Breakfast. "It is spreading again in places like this, so the vaccination programme can have the most impact right now."

"It's not about asking for more supplies than we are entitled to, it's about bringing forward our supplies so we can make a bigger difference," he added.

Mr Burnham also urged people to take up their second Covid jab, as he said it doubled the protection against the Delta variant.

Some health officials in the area have already urged over-18s to book jabs - ahead of England's current timetable.

It was always expected cases would rise at this stage - allowing indoor mixing is the move that allows the virus to spread most easily.

But what is concerning government scientists is how quickly cases are going up - and how that has begun to translate into hospital admissions.

The increase in hospital admissions is only really apparent in the north-west so far - more than 40% of admissions in England have been in that region over the past week.

The hope was the vaccination programme would lead to a slower increase in infections and hospital admissions would be flatter. But the Delta variant appears to have complicated matters - and so the alarm bells are beginning to ring.

But it is still early days. There is hope this rise could tail off - given the immunity that has built up in the population - and what has been seen in the north-west does not translate to other parts of the country.

As painful as it is, the message from scientists is that a delay in fully opening up allows more time to gather data and understand what is happening and to vaccinate more.

A slowing of the progress on the roadmap - rather than the ending of it.

Across England, there was a surge in demand for vaccines on Tuesday morning as people aged 25 to 29 were invited to book jabs, NHS England said.

It was a "Glastonbury-style rush for appointments", said NHS England boss Sir Simon Stevens - with more than 1,600 jabs being booked every minute.

21 June 'goalposts moving'

The next big date of lockdown easing in England is scheduled for 21 June. It would see all remaining rules lifted, meaning an end to mask wearing and working from home guidance, nightclubs reopening and no limits on numbers at weddings, concerts and other large events.

According to the Guardian on Wednesday, Chancellor Rishi Sunak is willing to accept a delay of up to four weeks to the reopening.

The paper cites a Whitehall source saying Mr Sunak was more concerned that when rules are lifted, it will be irreversible.

A source in the Treasury pointed out to the BBC that the government's support packages for workers - such as the furlough scheme - already extended beyond the June date in case there needed to be a delay.

But the Huff Post UK reported earlier that Cabinet Office minister Michael Gove had told colleagues that if he were a betting man, he would bet on a relaxation of rules on 21 June.

The government has repeatedly said it would look carefully at the data before it came to a final decision on 14 June.

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Conservative MP Sir Charles Walker, a lockdown sceptic, has warned against any delay.

"There will be a huge wave of disappointment across the country if we don't open up on 21 June," he told BBC Newsnight.

"The delay could be two weeks, a month, but I think the real issue here is if we can't open up the economy at the height of summer then I think we are facing the very real prospect of more forced lockdowns in the autumn - I just don't see how we can avoid that.

"The goalposts - as we've always said, it's a well-worn cliche - are moving."

On Tuesday, another 6,048 new cases in the UK were announced, and a further 13 deaths. More than 53% of adults have had two vaccine doses, meaning they are fully vaccinated.

Greater Manchester and Lancashire accounts for 90% of the areas with the highest infection rates in England, according to last week's data.

These areas have been identified as places where the Delta variant is spreading the fastest.

People in those areas are also being advised to meet outside rather than inside and avoid travelling in and out of affected areas.

Local health directors can also reintroduce face coverings in school communal areas if they want to.

Mr Burnham said that while people did not have to cancel their plans, they should be sensible and take precautions, such as socialising outside where possible.

As well as in north-west England, the Army is also being deployed in Lothian and Lanarkshire.

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2021-06-09 06:56:40Z
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