Covid UK news – Rishi Sunak hints at furlough extension as Chancellor plans stealth rise in income tax
RISHI Sunak has hinted at an extension to England's furlough scheme, promising “a Budget that provides support for people" as Covid lockdown rules are eased.
Ahead of Wednesday's budget, the chancellor insisted he would continue to do whatever it takes to support people and businesses in the UK through the pandemic.
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".
It comes comes as the government announced £5-billion to help high street businesses following the Covid-19 crisis.
Follow our live blog below for the very latest on the UK 's path out of lockdown…
- Elizabeth Little
POLICE URGE BRITS TO 'STAY LOCAL'
Police have urged Brits to stay local after “hundreds of people” reportedly turned up at Sea Palling, in Norfolk, yesterday.
Norfolk Police said they issued eight fixed penalty notices after discovering people had travelled from areas such as Peterborough and Ipswich to walk on the beach.
Sergeant Dave Cooper said: "We understand people want to enjoy the sunshine, and our beaches are a big attraction in Norfolk, but we need to stay as local as possible and not become complacent as the vaccine programme is rolled out across the county."
"We will be carrying out Covid-19 patrols over the weekend and into the coming weeks to ensure we are helping to look after everyone and remain vigilant."
- Elizabeth Little
NZ’S BIGGEST CITY BACK IN LOCKDOWN
Exactly a year after New Zealand recorded its first coronavirus case, Auckland has begun a seven-day lockdown.
The lockdown was introduced after a single Covid-19 infection was detected.
The restrictions for nearly two million people were introduced after a single infection was detected.
Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern, said: "It is more than likely there will be additional cases in the community."
No new cases were recorded on Sunday.
- Elizabeth Little
NHS CHIEF:VACCINE CAMPAIGN FIRING ON ALL CYLINDERS
NHS England chief executive Sir Simon Stevens has 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."
- Elizabeth Little
PM PRAISES 20-MILLION VACCINE MILESTONE
Boris Johnson has applauded the UK after it was revealed 20 million people have had their first dose of a coronavirus vaccine.
The Prime Minister wrote on Twitter: "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."
- Elizabeth Little
COPS USE COVID CHECKPOINTS
Police have set up Covid checkpoints to catch lockdown flouters – as thousands hit parks and beaches to soak up the sun.
Officers were seen pulling over motorists heading to Barry in South Wales to find out whether their journey is essential.
And they warned: "We've received numerous reports of crowds of people at beaches and other beauty spots across South Wales.
"Please remember that Welsh Government restrictions state that exercise should start and finish at your home – you shouldn’t be driving to these places."
- Elizabeth Little
HUNGARIAN PM RECEIVES CHINESE JAB
Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban has been vaccinated with a coronavirus vaccine developed by China's Sinopharm.
Mr Orban made the announcement on his official Facebook page, writing: “Vaccinated," with photos receiving the shot.
Hungary on Wednesday became the first European Union member to start inoculating people with Sinopharm shots after rolling out Russia's Sputnik V vaccine as well, even though neither has been granted approval for emergency use by the bloc.
- Elizabeth Little
20 MILLION VACCINATED IN UK
More than 20 million people have now been given a coronavirus vaccine jab in the UK, Matt Hancock has said.
Posting on Twitter, the health secretary said he was “delighted” more than 20 million people across the UK have now been vaccinated.
He went on: “A magnificent achievement for the country. “
“The vaccine is our route out. When you get the call, get the jab!”
- Elizabeth Little
POLICE FINE LOCKDOWN PARTIERS
Police were called to two homes in central London in the early hours of Sunday morning after reports of illegal gatherings.
The first at 1.30am was at a flat in Green Street, Mayfair, where officers found 50 people inside.
The guests were given £800 fines and the organiser, a 29-year-old man was reported for a £10,000 penalty.
The second gathering was in nearby Brooks Mews, where police arrived at 2am.
Twenty people were found inside and were each given £800 fines.
- Elizabeth Little
GERMANY DEMANDS NEGATIVE COVID TESTS FROM FRENCH REGION
Travellers to Germany from France's northeastern Moselle region will have to test negative for Covid-19 before entry, officials announced today.
Germany's disease control agency, the Robert Koch Institute, said it would add Moselle to the list of "variant of concern" areas that already includes countries such as the Czech Republic, Portugal and the UK.
The Moselle region includes the city of Metz and borders the German states of Saarland and Rhineland-Palatinate.
It has seen a surge in cases in recent weeks, particularly of the South African variant.
- Niamh Cavanagh
WALES – VACCINE COUNT
Public Health Wales said a total of 923,615 first doses of the Covid-19 vaccine had now been given in Wales, an increase of 7,279 from the previous day.
The agency said 96,408 second doses had also been given, an increase of 7,355.
In total, 91.2% of over-80s in Wales have received their first dose, along with 93.4% of those aged 75-79, 93% of those aged 70-74, 77% of those aged 65-69, 28.4% of those aged 60-64, 21.7% of those aged 55-59 and 19.3% of those aged 50-54.
For care homes, 86% of residents and 83.5% of staff have received their first dose of the Covid-19 vaccine.
- Niamh Cavanagh
STEALTH TAX
Rishi Sunak is reportedly plotting a stealth rise in income tax to plug the £43billion black hole caused by Covid.
The Chancellor is understood to be planning to freeze the thresholds where people start paying basic and higher rates.
That would push 1.6million people into a higher tax bracket, The Times reports.
The politician will announce in the budget on Wednesday that the point at which people begin paying the basic rate – £12,500 – will be frozen for at least three years.
- Elizabeth Little
THE SUN ON SUNDAY SAYS
Britain’s high streets must be at the heart of the nation’s economic recovery.
So we welcome the £5billion lifeline for bricks-and-mortar shops and pubs that Rishi Sunak will announce in Wednesday’s Budget.
Read more here.
- Elizabeth Little
CZECH APPROVES RUSSIAN VACCINE
The Czech Republic has become the first European country to bypass EU approval for the Russian Covid-19 vaccine.
Prime Minister Andrej Babis has said that the Czech Republic does not have to wait for the EU regulator – the European Medicines Agency – to approve Russia's Sputnik V vaccine before it can be used in the country, Reuters reports.
Today's announcement is a change from his 10 February statement that Czechs would have to wait for EMA approval.
- Elizabeth Little
NO EVIDENCE OF NEW VARIANTS
Rishi Sunak has said there is no new evidence of new variants in the UK.
Asked about a rise in cases across some areas, the Chancellor said he is not seeing evidence of new variants in the data.
On Friday, Matt Hancock said one in five local authorities has seen a rise in case rates in the last week.
But Mr Sunak told the BBC’s Andrew Marr show he had seen no evidence this was due to new variants circulating, but added the Government are keeping a "watchful eye" on the data to keep track of any new variants.
- Elizabeth Little
DECISION ON VACCINE PASSPORTS COULD TAKE MONTHS
Rishi Sunak said the Government should reach its conclusion on vaccine passports in "a few months' time".
The Chancellor acknowledged there are challenges with the proposal telling BBC's The Andrew Marr Show: "Obviously it's a complicated but potentially very relevant question for helping us reopen, particularly those parts of our country like mass events."
"That's what the committee and the review will do, is work through all of those questions and come to a view in a few months' time."
- Elizabeth Little
200,000 HOSPITALITY JOBS AT RISK
Restricted trading across the hospitality sector in the coming months will cost more than 200,000 jobs, industry figures predict.
Emergency support is essential across pubs, restaurants and tourism businesses to keep them alive until the full opening in the summer, they demand.
It’s estimated that 135,000 jobs will go by the beginning of April and a further 99,000 workers on top will pay the price for keeping the sector partially shut to mid-May.
Read more here.
- Elizabeth Little
EXPECTED BUDGET
A £5-billion grant scheme to help pubs, restaurants and retailers hit hardest by lockdown restrictions is set to be unveiled by Chancellor Rishi Sunak in Wednesday's budget.
Expected announcements are:
- Support for first-time buyers by incentivising lenders to accept deposits of just 5% for properties up to £600,000
- Non-essential shops in England will be able to apply for "restart grants" worth up to £6,000 to help them open gradually as lockdown eased
- Hospitality venues, hotels, gyms and leisure firms – which can only open later in the government's roadmap – could eligible for up to £18,000
- An additional £794m in funding earmarked for the devolved nations.
ANAS SARWAR: 'I'M NOT NAIVE ABOUT THE CHALLENGE'
Glasgow MSP Anas Sarwar has been elected as Scottish Labour’s new leader just 10 weeks before the Holyrood elections.
Mr Sarwar spoke to Sophy Ridge on Sunday, admitting he is "not naive about the scale of the challenge."
He added the people of Scotland "have not had the Labour Party they deserve”.
“At a time of rising inequality, injustice and division we haven't been good enough and I recognise it is my job now to work day and night to give people the Labour Party the deserve so we can build the country we need."
"I think coming through COVID we have that opportunity to focus on what the people's priorities are, rather than the old arguments and old divisions."
SUNAK DOESN'T DENY TAX INCREASE
Rishi Sunak has declined to be drawn on possible tax rises ahead of the budget.
Speaking to Sophy Ridge on Sunday, the Chancellor did not deny that he plans to increase taxes to attempt to recoup some of the damage caused by lockdowns, before then slashing them in a pre-election budget.
He said: “I am a Conservative and believe in lower taxes" but admitted the pandemic had required him to "do things that I never imagined".
Mr Sunak said: "I think in the short-term what we need to do is protect the economy and keep supporting the economy through the road map and over time what we need to do is make sure our public finances are sustainable.”
"That isn't going to happen overnight, that's going to be work that takes time given the scale of the shock that we've experienced."
CHANCELLOR HINTS AT FURLOUGH EXTENSION
Rishi Sunak has hinted at an extension to the coronavirus furlough scheme but warned he will “level” with the public over the economic toll of the pandemic.
Speaking to Sophy Ridge on Sunday, the Chancellor promised he would do whatever it takes to support business in the UK.
He said: "This is about appreciating the damage that coronavirus has done to our economy, ensuring that we protect, but also making sure that our public finances return over time so that we can (prepare) for the next crisis.”
"What I want to deliver is support for our economy now when it needs it, support along that road map, helping to drive our recovery, but also levelling with people and being straight about the challenges we face over time because of the shock coronavirus has caused our public finances and making sure we're clear with people about an honest and fair plan to address that."
JOHNSON VACCINE APPROVED
Johnson and Johnson’s new Covid-19 vaccine has been approved for use in the US by health chiefs – becoming the third jab available to docs.
Food and Drug Administration (FDA) bosses approved the new shot – which works with just one dose instead of two – as they hope to speed up vaccinations.
Health experts had been anxiously awaiting a one-and-done option to help give them a boost in the race against the virus which has killed 510,000 people in the US.
- Elizabeth Little
BIDEN CHARGES REPORTERS FOR COVID TESTS
Reporters are now expected to fork over $170 for coronavirus tests upon entering the White House.
News organisations will be required to pay the White House for a coronavirus test each time one of their reporters enters the "People's House."
The Washington Post reported the White House will be charging what has been called an "admission fee" to news agencies.
The policy is set to begin on Monday, prompting plenty of backlash against the Biden administration on social media.
- Alex Winter
£5BN SCHEME TO SUPPORT PUBS AND SHOPS
Pubs, restaurants, shops and other businesses hit hardest by the pandemic will be boosted by a £5billion grant scheme to help them reopen as the lockdown is eased.
Chancellor Rishi Sunak will detail the "restart grants" worth up to £6,000 per premises to help non-essential retailers reopen and trade safely at his Budget on Wednesday.
Hospitality, hotels, gyms, as well as personal care and leisure firms, will be eligible for up to £18,000 per premises as they are due to open later under the plans for easing lockdown.
The Treasury estimates 230,000 firms will be eligible for the higher band, which will be awarded based on their rateable value, and 450,000 shops will also be able to apply.
- Elizabeth Little
FAMILY OF SCHOOL KIDS TO RECEIVE COVID TESTS
Family members of school children in England will be entitled to two rapid coronavirus tests a week when they return to class.
All secondary school and college students will be tested twice a week when they go back on the 8th March, according to the prime minister's roadmap out of lockdown.
But now the government has promised that in addition, anyone in a household or support bubble with a child or young person who goes to college, primary or secondary school in England.
- Alex Winter
RISHI REVIVAL
Rishi Sunak is set to unveil a £5billion rescue package for high streets.
Pubs, restaurants, shops and hair salons will get up to £18,000 each from a pandemic revival fund.
Here's what to expect.
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