People applying to be contact-tracers as part of the Government’s track and trace app scheme have been told hiring has been frozen due to delays with the app. Applicants were informed that hiring was paused while ministers considered an alternative app, despite there being more jobs to fill before the programme can be rolled out. … Read more
The Church of England last night warned children will suffer if they are not able to return to the classroom, as pressure mounted on teachers’ unions to end their boycott of back-to-school plans. Cabinet minister Michael Gove yesterday escalated the row by telling union leaders: ‘If you really care about children, you will want them … Read more
Michael Gove today guaranteed teachers and pupils will be safe when schools are reopened before swiftly backtracking as he said ‘you can never eliminate risk’. The Government is locked in a furious row with councils and teaching unions over its plans to begin the phased reopening of primary schools from June 1 as the coronavirus … Read more
Michael Gove today revealed the Government has recruited more than 17,000 coronavirus contact tracers putting ministers on track to hit their 18,000 target. The staff will play a key role in efforts to prevent a second wave of the deadly disease as they are tasked with figuring out where people who test positive have been … Read more
Labour has apologised after posting cartoons depicting Boris Johnson, Michael Gove and Matt Hancock with blood on their hands for PPE failures. The shocking paintings appeared on the Havant Labour page after being posted to Facebook by the social media officer for the party at the weekend. They show the Prime Minister, Cabinet Office Minister and … Read more
Could Cornwall, the Isle of Wight and the Hebrides be the first out of lockdown? Michael Gove suggests ‘island communities’ could pilot easing of coronavirus restrictions using contact tracing BEFORE the rest of the UK He said isolated areas could be used as test beds before a UK-wide roll-out Wight has ferry services from Lymington, … Read more
Ministers today faced accusations of watering down the criteria required for lifting the lockdown, fanning speculation of an imminent loosening of restrictions. A subtle change in wording of one of the ‘five tests’ raised eyebrows as it suggested the government will only hold back from relaxing social distancing if a second wave of coronavirus threatened … Read more
British holidaymakers hoping to visit UK tourism hotspots such as seaside towns were warned today they will be unable to do so ‘for some time to come’. Many workers with pre-booked annual leave who had been hoping to travel abroad this spring or summer will now be turning their sights to a holiday in Britain. … Read more
Michael Gove repeated the Government’s insistence that it will not stay tied to EU rules and regulations beyond December 31 as he faced MPs today. The Cabinet Office Minister, who is politically in charge of ongoing trade talks, also reiterated the UK’s belief that the deadline for ending the transition period should not be moved … Read more
Boris Johnson today moved to snuff out Cabinet pressure for an early easing of lockdown, making clear that a second peak in the coronavirus outbreak is the biggest threat to the country. The PM has intervened from his recuperation at Chequers to warn there must not be any let-up in the draconian curbs until scientists … Read more