Government has 'full confidence' in Ofqual after exams row, says DfE

Students took part in an A-Level results protest opposite Downing Street
Students took part in an A-Level results protest opposite Downing Street Credit: Getty

Ministers have "full confidence" in the exams regulator Ofqual, despite the row over A-level assessments, the Department for Education has said. 

The body has come under the microscope in recent days, with Gavin Williamson, the Education Secretary, refusing to endorse chief executive Sally Collier

One senior Conservative MP said: "They are bloody useless. The whole organisation is absolutely useless. Ofqual has been a shambles from beginning to end."

However the DfE said in a statement: "As the Government has made clear, we have full confidence in Ofqual and its leadership in their role as independent regulator and we continue to work closely with Ofqual to deliver fair results for our young people at this unprecedented time.

"The decision they took to move from moderated grades to centre assessed grades was one that we agreed with.

"Our focus remains on working with Ofqual to ensure students receive their final GCSE, AS level and A-level results this week so that they can move on to the next stage of their lives."

GCSE results are due out tomorrow.

Asked if ministers were trying to pass the buck to officials, following criticism of Ofqual and his own decision to scrap Public Health England this morning, Cabinet colleague Matt Hancock said: "I take full responsibility for the whole pandemic response in health and social care, in the areas for which I am responsible...

"I take full responsibility for it and I don't criticise the people who work for me because they are doing their absolute best."

Follow the latest updates below.

                                                                                                    

And that's it for another day...

The pressure is still on Gavin Williamson, several days into the row over his handling of the exams assessment. The Education Secretary has survived so far, thanks to a combination of veiled threats and loyalty to Number 10. 

Matt Hancock today insisted his Cabinet colleague was "doing his best" and should stay on to oversee the reopening of schools.

What happens after that is anyone's guess, but there is certainly a sense within Westminster that Mr Williamson could be headed for a sideways move in the autumn reshuffle, if nothing else. 

Backbenchers are still angry - but of course, Downing Street has got recent form when it comes to riding out the anger of its own MPs. 

However it does seem to be having an effect on general sentiment towards the Government - something several Tories have expressed concern about. Some 58 per cent of you said this latest row had lowered your opinion, while 25 per cent said you had always thought the Cabinet was weak. Numbers, perhaps, for them to be concerned about. 

I'll be back from 8am tomorrow to bring you all the latest news from Westminster and beyond. 

Gavin Williamson faces the sack if schools fail to reopen after coronavirus shutdown

Gavin Williamson has been warned that failure to have schools reopen smoothly after the summer holidays will mean the end of his tenure as Education Secretary.

Senior backbenchers said the reopening of the schools in the next two weeks is so critical to any economic recovery that any mishap would make his position unsustainable following a series of blunders culminating in the A-level grading fiasco.

Government sources have indicated that Boris Johnson will not sack Mr Williamson, despite unverified reports that he offered his resignation over the u-turn over A-level grading after an outcry from Tory MPs, pupils, parents and teachers.

My colleagues Charles Hymas and Amy Jones have the story.

Further 15 people die with coronavirus in English hospitals

A further 15 people who tested positive for coronavirus (Covid-19) have died in English hospitals, official figures show.

For the first time in several days, virtually all the regions reported at least one fatality, with only the East of England registering zero. Patients were aged between 56 and 93 years old.

That brings the total number of confirmed reported deaths in hospitals in England to 29,480. 

The North West and North East & Yorkshire were the joint worst-affected region, with four deaths each. 

Oldham lockdown 'a very real threat' warns council leader

The council leader for Oldham has warned there is a "very real threat" of a local lockdown being imposed in the Greater Manchester town.

Labour councillor Sean Fielding told reporters: "We've had communication from Government that it's something that is genuinely being considered."

But it would not be the "right solution" for the area - potentially making the situation "considerably worse" in other ways. Earlier today he said it would be "really catastrophic" (9:25am). 

"It's almost a frustration that the plans that we want to get on with delivering on, in order to bring the infection rate down in the way that we need to, we're not running at full capacity with those because so much of our time has been spent having arguments with Government and others about how we are opposed to local lockdown and we think that it's the wrong thing.

"So, it is very real. It is a very real threat for Oldham, make no mistake at all, but we are resisting it strongly for all of the reasons that I've set out today."

No plans to make face masks compulsory in English workplaces, says Matt Hancock

Ministers are not considering making masks compulsory in England's workplaces, Health Secretary Matt Hancock has said.

Face coverings are required in many indoor settings in England, but are not currently required for "employees of indoor settings".

However French officials are planning to make wearing face coverings compulsory in most work environments as the country faces a rise in cases.

Asked about the move, Mr Hancock told BBC News: "We constantly look at the scientific advice and the answer here is we're not currently considering doing that.

"The reason is the evidence from NHS Test and Trace for where people catch the disease is that very largely they catch it from one household meeting another household, usually in one of their homes.

"So it is that household transmission that is the core root of passing on this virus in this country. The amount of people who have caught it in workplaces is relatively low, from the evidence we've got."

Government must publish exams correspondence between DfE and Ofqual, say Lib Dems

The Liberal Democrats have called on the Government to publish "all internal correspondence between DfE and Ofqual" on the exams debacle. 

Education spokesperson Layla Moran said: "It appears that the decision to scrap the deeply unjust grading by postcode system came from Ofqual, not Gavin Williamson. Yet just days ago the Education Secretary claimed credit for this U-turn and attempted to throw the regulator under the bus.

“The Government has serious questions to answer over what looks like a deliberate attempt to mislead the public. Enough of the smoke and mirrors, we urgently need clarity. All internal correspondence between DfE and Ofqual on this matter must to be published. 

"Ultimately, if Gavin Williamson has been dishonest as well as incompetent, the Prime Minister will have no choice but to accept his resignation."

Have your say: has the exams row changed your mind about the Government?

The exams row continues to rumble on today, with universities meeting ministers to try and find a solution to some of the problems thrown up by Gavin Williamson's U-turn earlier this week. 

Some MPs fear the damage done to the party by keeping the Education Secretary on the team could be terminal, with one likening it to the last days of John Major's premiership. On the back of Cummings-gate and the row over Robert Jenrick's involvement in the Westferry development, backbenchers are seriously concerned the Tories could be ejected - despite the election being four years away. 

So is the latest row rubbing you up the wrong way? Or is it just heat and light that will be long forgotten by the time we next go to the polls? Have your say in the poll below.

'Unanimous support' for targeted EU sanctions over Belarus election, says von der Leyen

There was "unanimous support" for the EU to take sanctions against those responsible for election rigging and violent suppression of protests in Belarus, Ursula von der Leyen has said. 

The European Commission President said they would be "targeted sanctions" aimed at "specific individuals without hurting the people of Belarus".

The list will be released and "should be adopted as soon as possible", she added.  

Ms von der Leyen also stressed that those taking part in protests were not protesting against any external country - mindful of the growing shift of Alexander Lukashenko towards Russian President Vladimir Putin. 

EU to sanction anti-democracy individuals in Belarus, says von der Leyen

The European Union does not recognise the outcome of the presidential election in Belarus, Ursula von der Leyen has said. 

The EU will sanction "all those who are responsible for violence, repression and the falsification of the election results", the President of the European Commission said. 

"W are ready to accompany peaceful democratic transition in Belarus," she added. Funds will be "reprogrammed" away from authorities towards "civil society and vulnerable groups". 

Speaking shortly before German Chancellor Angela Merkel told reporters the controversial vote was "neither free nor fair".

"For us.. there is no doubt that there were massive rule violations in the election," she said following an emergency video summit with EU leaders. "The election was neither free nor fair. And that's why the result of the election cannot be recognised."

Death of teenage migrant underlines 'urgent' need to stop crossings, says Dover MP

The death of a teenage boy trying to cross the Channel is "shocking and sad", and underlines the need to urgently end "these perilous small boat crossings",the Conservative MP for Dover has said. 

The body of a 16 year-old boy was found washed ashore on a beach near Calais this morning, after his make-shift boat capsized overnight. 

Natalie Elphicke said: "I have been warning for months about the risk of further loss of life from dangerous journeys across the English Channel."

Teenager who died trying to cross Channel probably did not use people smugglers, charity boss claims

The teenage boy who died while trying to cross the Channel last night probably was not using people smugglers, the head of a refugee charity has said. 

Priti Patel, the Home Secretary, appeared to blame this route for the death of the 16 year-old boy (11:19am), saying the "upsetting and tragic loss" was a "a brutal reminder of the abhorrent criminal gangs and people smugglers".  

But Clare Moseley, founder of Care4Calais, told Sky News they were "a symptom, not a cause" of the problem. 

She added: "They often have to work from a very hard age and to get to Calais is incredibly difficult... their stories are terrible and they are nothing but victims in this.

"But when people talk about smugglers in this... they forget a lot of boys can't afford to pay smugglers. Boys like this, it is very likely they couldn't afford to pay smugglers." 

That means they are "drawn into greater and greater risks" such as using make-shift boats "because they can't afford to pay smugglers".

'Writing on the wall for union' after new poll shows surge in support for Scottish independence

Support for Scottish independence has reached a record high of 55 per cent, according to a new poll.

Pro-independence organisation Business for Scotland commissioned the Panelbase poll, with chief executive Gordon MacIntyre-Kemp hailing the results as a "huge landmark" showing the "writing is very definitely on the wall for the union".

Out of 1,011 people, 51 per cent of those questioned said they support independence, 42 per cent said they would vote to stay in the UK and 7% of voters were undecided.

When undecided voters were excluded, 55 per cent favoured Scotland leaving the UK, with 45 per cent preferring to stay in the union.

Mr MacIntyre-Kemp said: "There is no conclusion to draw from this new set of data other than the writing is very definitely on the wall for the union."

"The referendum that will be demanded following May 2021 Holyrood elections, on these figures, would start with Yes to independence commanding a 10 per cent lead.

Dominic Green: Is Michelle Obama angling for her own shot at the White House?

All politics aspires to the condition of entertainment. Given the condition of entertainment these days, this is no longer such a stretch. Michelle Obama stole the show on the opening night of the Democratic convention.

This was planned, but it did not go to plan. Obama has star power. She made low-wattage Biden look like a guttering candle.  

As Dominic Green writes, Obama was meant to warm up the crowd for Biden. Instead, she blew him off the stage.

Placeholder image for youtube video: 3qn60S66_VI

Watch: 'We want to see a huge expansion of coronavirus testing', says Matt Hancock

Mass testing is to begin being rolled out "immediately", Matt Hancock said today, announcing plans for a "huge expansion of coronavirus testing".

The Health Secretary said that mass testing could help cut quarantine time, and reopen other parts of the economy.

Watch the video below for more. 

Placeholder image for youtube video: T4uKQlVpHj4

Migrant death 'a tragedy', says Sir Keir Starmer

Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer has said the death of a 16-year-old boy in the Channel was a "tragedy".

He said: "This is a humanitarian crisis that needs a compassionate response.

"Nick Thomas-Symonds wrote to the Home Secretary last week to demand an urgent change in approach from the Government."

He retweeted the letter, written by the shadow home secretary, which accuses the Government of being "devoid of compassion" over the issue.

It said: "The Government needs a step-change in its response to this crisis."

Unions demand 'bigger changes' to future exams in letter to Gavin Williamson

The Government must make 'much bigger changes' to the exams in 2021 to ensure grades "properly recognise and reward", the National Education Union has said. 

Dr Mary Bousted and Kevin Courtney have written to Gavin Williamson, the Education Secretary, to say the confusion of recent days "must never happen again". 

In the letter, they said: "You should be working, now, to examine different possible scenarios and to develop contingency plans in case of further school and college closures."

The NEU leaders said the Government should reduce the amount of content assessed in 2021's GCSE and A-level exams, work with teachers to develop a "robust" system for moderated centre-assessed grades and commission an independent review into the assessment methods for GCSEs and A-levels.

They added: "The current over-reliance on end-of-course exams increases student anxiety and fails to give a fair reflection of what students can achieve. All options should be considered to ensure that young people are rewarded for their achievements, supported to fulfil their potential and not held back due to their background."

Death of teenager 'demonstrates total failure of Government', says charity

The death of a teenager attempting to cross the Channel "starkly demonstrates the total failure of our Government", a refugee charity has said. 

The body of a 16 year-old boy from Sudan was found washed ashore on a beach near Calais this morning, after the boat he was on capsized. 

"We are absolutely devastated by the unnecessary death of this child. We can only imagine the fear he felt and our hearts go out to his family," said Clare Moseley, founder of Care4Calais. "These young boys in Calais are our friends. They are fun to be with despite the horrors they have been through. Some are cheeky, some are smart, some like football, some like books. None deserve to be here and none deserve to die alone in the sea.

"This young boy's death starkly demonstrates the total failure of our government to do anything to help these children who are in such desperate straits. Their failure to implement the Dubs amendment; their failure to negotiate for family reunion; their failure to do anything for the people here who are simply asking for our help.

"Things need to change. We need a way for people's asylum claims to be fairly heard without them having to risk their lives. We need this before someone else dies."

Teenager's 'avoidable' death follows 'chaotic and callous' handling of migrant crisis, says charity

The Government's response to the migrant crisis has been attacked as "chaotic and callous" following the death of a teenager trying to make the crossing. 

Migrant charity worker Bridget Chapman, of the Kent Refugee Action Network, said: "We are devastated to learn of the death of a 16-year-old boy in Sangatte.

"This death was completely avoidable. Along with many other migrant and refugee organisations we have been calling for safe passage for some time now.

"Meanwhile the Government's response has been both chaotic and callous, and utterly against the proud British tradition of offering refuge to those in need.

"The Government needs to step up to its humanitarian responsibility immediately and ensure safe and legal passage so that we avoid any more unnecessary deaths."

Dead teenager found after authorities discovered companion suffering from hypothermia

The teenage boy who was discovered washed ashore on a beach near Calais was found after a fellow migrant alerted authorities to his disappearance. 

Another migrant had been found just after 1am this morning, suffering with hypothermia. He was taken to hospital and told authorities that he had been on a makeshift boat that had capsized.

His companion, who could not swim, might still have been in the water, he said.

At 8.00am border police were informed of the discovery of a body on Sangatte beach.

Priti Patel, the Home Secretary, has been heavily criticised by charities for a "toxic policy" that led to this death. 

Mayor of London Sadiq Khan said on Twitter of the 16-year-old's death: "Utterly heartbreaking. By closing safe routes to seek asylum we are pushing desperate people into dangerous situations with devastating consequences.

"Our Govt must make protecting and saving lives a priority in their approach to English Channel crossings."

Matt Hancock rejects calls to sack Gavin Williamson ahead of schools reopening

Matt Hancock has said the Government should not be "distracted" from the challenge of reopening schools by sacking Gavin Williamson. 

The Education Secretary is fighting to keep his job amid widespread anger and frustration from Conservative MPs and their constituents, over his handling of this year's exams. 

The Health Secretary said his Cabinet colleague was focused on getting schools reopened in time for September, saying it was an "incredibly important task, I don't think we should be distracted from that task now."

However, it is thought Mr Williamson is at risk from a looming reshuffle, expected this autumn - something Mr Hancock did not address.

He said all ministers were doing their best, adding: "Of course it’s been a challenge… all of us are doing our level best to try to make right judgement in difficult circumstances." 

Aberdeen outbreak 'most significant' since lockdown eased, says Nicola Sturgeon

The outbreak of coronavirus in Aberdeen was "by some distance the most significant outbreak" Scotland had seen since lockdown measures were eased, Nicola Sturgeon has said.

A total of 398 cases of Covid-19 have been identified in the Grampian area since July 26, she added, with 226 of these associated with the cluster linked to Aberdeen pubs.

The First Minister stressed that measures to tackle the outbreak in the area were having an impact.

"There is now some evidence that the original cluster linked with bars and nightlife is being contained," she said.

"However we are also continuing to see a number of individual cases and other smaller clusters in the city. That is not necessarily unusual for an outbreak of this scale, but it is something we must monitor very carefully because these cases don't appear to be linked to the original outbreak."

'Not yet safe' to lift Aberdeen lockdown, says Nicola Sturgeon

Nicola Sturgeon said it was "not yet safe" to lift the local lockdown that has been imposed in Aberdeen.

Restrictions which prevent pubs and restaurants in the area from opening will remain in place for another week, she said.

However Ms Sturgeon said she hoped to be able to lift the restrictions for "lower risk premises", such as non-licensed cafes, from next Wednesday.

Speaking at her daily coronavirus briefing, the First Minister said while the situation in Aberdeen was "undoubtedly improving" she was not "in a position to say that this outbreak is over or completely under control".

Government has 'full backing' in Ofqual, Department for Education says

The Department for Education has given its backing to England's exams regulator Ofqual following this year's A-level and GCSE grading controversy.

A statement from the department said: "As the Government has made clear, we have full confidence in Ofqual and its leadership in their role as independent regulator and we continue to work closely with Ofqual to deliver fair results for our young people at this unprecedented time.

"The decision they took to move from moderated grades to centre assessed grades was one that we agreed with.

"Our focus remains on working with Ofqual to ensure students receive their final GCSE, AS level and A-level results this week so that they can move on to the next stage of their lives."

Have your say on: has the exams row changed your mind about Government?

The exams row continues to rumble on today, with universities meeting ministers to try and find a solution to some of the problems thrown up by Gavin Williamson's U-turn earlier this week. 

Some MPs fear the damage done to the party by keeping the Education Secretary on the team could be terminal, with one likening it to the last days of John Major's premiership. On the back of Cummings-gate and the row over Robert Jenrick's involvement in the Westferry development, backbenchers are seriously concerned the Tories could be ejected - despite the election being four years away. 

So is the latest row rubbing you up the wrong way? Or is it just heat and light that will be long forgotten by the time we next go to the polls? Have your say in the poll below.

Government's response to migrant crisis 'lacking in compassion and competence', says Labour

The death of a teenage boy was who trying to cross the Channel follows a Government response that is "lacking in compassion and competence", Labour has said. 

Nick Thomas-Symonds shadow home secretary, said: “The news of the death of a 16-year-old boy in the Channel is heartbreaking and our thoughts are with his loved ones.

“The Government’s response to the situation in the Channel has been lacking in compassion and competence.

“Ministers urgently need to step up work with international partners to find a humanitarian solution to this crisis, which is costing lives.”

Relocating Parliament beyond London has 'constitutional implications', restoration body warns

The question of whether to relocate Parliament to York while the crumbling Palace of Westminster is repaired has been dodged by the restoration body because of "constitutional implications". 

Boris Johnson had asked the sponsor body and delivery authority responsible for the restoration and renewal programme to consider "a possible location outside London" as part of a review of the scheme, highlighting York as a potential site.

But in their response, sponsor body chief Sarah Johnson and delivery authority boss David Goldstone said the location of Parliament was a matter for MPs and peers, not them, and "this option will not, therefore, be considered as part of the scope of the strategic review".

A spokesman for Parliament's restoration and renewal programme said: "The option of locating Parliament outside London has constitutional implications, and as the Speakers of both Houses have stated, this means it is a matter for both Houses to determine rather than for our review."

Priti Patel must 'consider her position' after boy dies trying to cross Channel, says charity

The death of a 16 year-old boy whose body was found washed ashore on a beach near Calais is because of Priti Patel's "toxic policy" on migrants, a charity has claimed. 

Bella Sankey, director of Detention Action, said the Home Secretary should "consider her position" following the incident. 

She said: "It is devastating to learn that a child has now died in the Channel while trying to seek safety in the UK.

"This is a horrifying but wholly expected death.

"We have repeatedly warned Priti Patel it was only a matter of time before her toxic policy to deny safe and legal routes to the UK would cost lives.

"This death lies firmly at her door. She should consider her position."

Edward Peck: The A-level debacle has been a trail of misjudgments, and is now a mess for universities to clean up

One of the many questions plaguing Gavin Williamson is why he did not realise that the approach taken to exams assessment would benefit students in small cohorts in schools with strong academic performance in recent years, at the expense of all others. 

As Prof Edward Peck argues, one has to assume that Ofqual recognised this. Having done so, it must have concluded that it did not matter, given that the absolute numbers of those impacted were relatively small in relation to the overall cohort size.

But it did not consider the political implication: talented pupils from poorer households in large cohorts in traditionally less well performing state schools disadvantaged in comparison to those studying in the private sector.

Spotting this sort of elephant trap is not the focus of Ofqual statisticians, it is role of politicians and their advisers.

Btec qualifications have been 'forgotten', MPs have warned

Btec qualifications have been “forgotten”, MPs have warned, as many students still do not have their grades. 

Robert Halfon, Chairman of the Education Select Committee, said the plight of Btec students had been ignored after Roger Taylor, Ofqual chairman, confirmed that while A-level and GCSE grades would be calculated on teachers' assessments the change did not apply to Btecs.

"I don't understand why Ofqual didn't mention them, I think it's a classic establishment thing where I think they almost forgot and they were an afterthought,” Mr Halfon told The Daily Telegraph. 

Read the full story here.

Gavin Williamson most likely Cabinet minister to quit, says betting exchange

Gavin Williamson is the most likely Cabinet minister to have to leave his job following the A-level results controversy, according to the Smarkets betting exchange.

The Education Secretary leapt from six per cent to 29 per cent in just a week. 

Mr Williamson is the latest Cabinet minister to come under intense scrutiny, following Home Secretary Priti Patel, who traded at 45 per cent but has climbed back up to 16 per cent, while Housing Secretary Robert Jenrick was 42 per cent during the Westferry row, but is now at 15 per cent. 

Smarkets political analyst Patrick Flynn said: “It would be easy to imagine in another time this being a resigning matter, but this Government seems to operate by different rules.

"Since December's election we have seen on many occasions members of the government simply riding out scandals until media attention moves to a new story."

Philip Johnston: Governments are rarely able to survive the stench of incompetence

It will forever be known as the exams fiasco or the A-levels debacle and the consequences will be hard to shake off. 

The worst charge that can be levelled at a ruling party is one of incompetence. Voters will forgive many things, but not that.

Moreover, writes Philip Johnston, if it becomes apparent that the country has lost faith in an administration’s ability to govern effectively, the Prime Minister’s own position is in jeopardy, whatever his majority in parliament.

Death of 16-year old migrant 'brutal reminder of abhorrent criminal gangs', says Priti Patel

The body of a 16 year-old boy was today found washed up on a beach near Calais this morning, after he went missing last night trying to reach Britain.

The Sudanese migrant is thought to have fallen overboard from an inflatable boat.

France's Citizenship Minister Marlene Schiappa tweeted: "Immense sadness", while Priti Patel, the Home Secretary, said the "upsetting and tragic loss" was a "a brutal reminder of the abhorrent criminal gangs and people smugglers". 

Lessons must be learned from Stonehaven crash, says Transport Committee chair 

Conservative MP Huw Merriman, chairman of the Transport Select Committee, said "lessons really need to be learned" about using trains in bad weather.

Speaking after the minute's silence at London's Waterloo Station, he told the PA news agency: "We have looked, over my five years, at rail safety, and I'm very conscious that we have one of the safest railways in Europe.

"But I'm also of the view that we mustn't rest on our laurels, and there's always more that can be done.

"I think lessons really need to be learned about using the trains when the weather just isn't suitable.

"But, don't want to jump to conclusions, the investigation will commence, (and) we'll obviously be all over it."

He added: "I'm looking forward to speaking to the chief executive of Network Rail on Monday to discuss where we are."

Allison Pearson: Our students need justice – and that means sacking Gavin Williamson

Gavin Williamson's change on exams is not so much of a U-turn as a U-bend, argues Allison Pearson.

The Education Secretary had the chance to take decisive action and put the exam juggernaut into reverse before the results came out. He failed.   

This is not about sobbing snowflakes who must all have prizes, she writes. This is grotesque, life-changing unfairness. 

Huw Merriman among those to pay tribute for those who died in Stonehaven crash

A minute's silence was held at London's Waterloo Station in honour of the three men who died in the Stonehaven train derailment.

A number of Network Rail staff stood underneath the station's clock in a circle with their heads bowed at 9.43am, marking exactly a week since the crash was reported.

MP Huw Merriman, chairman of the Commons Transport Select Committee, was among those to pay their respects, alongside a handful of passengers, British Transport Police officers and station staff members.

Have your say on: has the exams row changed your mind about Government?

The exams row continues to rumble on today, with universities meeting ministers to try and find a solution to some of the problems thrown up by Gavin Williamson's U-turn earlier this week. 

Some MPs fear the damage done to the party by keeping the Education Secretary on the team could be terminal, with one likening it to the last days of John Major's premiership. On the back of Cummings-gate and the row over Robert Jenrick's involvement in the Westferry development, backbenchers are seriously concerned the Tories could be ejected - despite the election being four years away. 

So is the latest row rubbing you up the wrong way? Or is it just heat and light that will be long forgotten by the time we next go to the polls? Have your say in the poll below. 

Mistakes 'not excusable' at this stage in the pandemic, says Tony Blair

Tony Blair has said "mistakes are not excusable" at this stage in the pandemic, as he urges the Government to "act now" on mass testing. 

Asked if he thought the Government had mishandled the pandemic response, he told Sky News the scale of the challenge meant it would be "unusual and odd if mistakes weren't made" during the early stages. 

"I am not interested in criticising them at this point", he added. "But now it's clear they've got to put this testing infrastructure in place, they need to  act now.

"In the early stages it is excusable that mistakes are made, but now you've got several months of experience, you can see what is happening in rest of world, mistakes are not really excusable. It is obvious what you have got to do."

Second lockdown risks 'really catastrophic damage' beyond 'terrifying' impact so far, says Tony Blair

A second lockdown risks "really catastrophic damage" on the UK economy, beyond the already "terrifying" impact of the first, Tony Blair has warned. 

The former prime minister told Sky News: "The problem is that we are not going to be able to eradicate this disease...

"The risk is as you get into the autumn and winter, and the weather gets colder, the days get shorter, the nights get longer, if you were to have a resurgence of disease... it's very hard to see how you go back into lockdown without really catastrophic damage.

"Already the damage is pretty terrifying," he added. "But by the time you get to where that resurgence might happen if you haven't got right containment strategy you get second wave, and face with it the absolutely impossible choices between locking down... and keeping open, with the possibility of spreading the virus further."

Mr Blair is pressing the case for mass testing to be rolled out as a way of preventing a national lockdown. But he stressed: "I am not looking for a job - there are plenty of capable people they can use."

Government 'running out of time' on mass testing, warns Tony Blair

The Government is "running out of time" to get mass testing up and running before the autumn, Tony Blair has said. 

The former prime minister, who has backed mass testing for several weeks, told Sky News it was the key to "building confidence" in people ahead of schools reopening, if Downing Street wants to shore up the economy. 

He said: "It is one thing to permit people to do activities - the question is how you build confidence... if they don't feel safe, they are going to be reluctant.

"The only way you can do that is by doing testing at scale," he said, noting that the rest of the world was also "moving" towards this view. 

But he warned: "We are running out of time, it is very urgent. To be fair to the Government, it's not that they have been doing nothing, we now have the capacity to test around  340,000 people a day - but we are only using 170,000 of that capacity."

Some of this existing capacity should be used to "test more groups", he noted, saying: "When universities go back, the sensible thing is to test students, which can be done at halls of residence."

Full lockdown in Oldham could be 'really catastrophic', warns council leader

A local lockdown could prove "really catastrophic" for Oldham, the council leader has said, after Matt Hancock warned it was a possibility (8:19am).

Speaking to BBC Radio 4's Today programme, Labour councillor Sean Fielding urged ministers not to impose stricter measures in the Greater Manchester town, even though "raw numbers" are similar to those in Leicester when it was put into local lockdown.

Figures for the seven days to August 15 show the town had a rate of 83.1 new cases per 100,000, down from 109.7 in the seven days to August 8, with 197 new cases.

Mr Fielding argued that "household transmission" is driving infections in Oldham, most cases are among the working-age population, and there has been little increase in hospital admissions or deaths.

He said: "We already have youth unemployment of 9.5 per cent and 15 per cent of unemployment generally so it would be really, really catastrophic for businesses and for the working-age population in Oldham if there were to be a local lockdown.

Commuters to get 'lower rise' on season ticket, says rail minister

Commuters will see a "lower rise" in their season tickets - but still see an overall increase to the cost of their train ticket, the Department for Transport has confirmed. 

RPI, which is used to calculate the cap on annual rail season ticket price increases in Britain, surged 1.6 per cent in July. This is the highest level for four months following the largest hike in fuel prices for nearly a decade and as clothing retailers held off from steep discounts after lockdown.

Amid calls for the Government to revise it usual approach to annual fare rises, rail minister Chris Heaton-Harris said: "We expect any rail fare rise to be the lowest in four years come January and any increase will go straight to ensuring crucial investment in our railways.

"Taxpayers have been very generous in their support to keep trains running throughout the coronavirus pandemic and, whilst it's only fair that passengers also contribute to maintaining and improving the services they use, a lower rise will help ensure the system returns to strength.

"Covid-19 has had a huge impact on how people work and travel, which is why it's important we make sure the railways offer more convenient and better-value options for everyone."

Rail commuters face 1.6pc hike - but ministers mulling delay

Rail commuters face an increase in season ticket prices of 1.6 per cent - but ministers are said to be considering delaying this year's rise. 

The cap on the annual rise in most regulated fares is linked to the previous July's Retail Prices Index (RPI) measure of inflation, which was announced by the Office for National Statistics on Wednesday.

Rail fares are usually increased every January, although there is speculation that ministers are considering delaying the 2021 rise due to low passenger numbers.

Robert Nisbet, director of nations and regions at industry body the Rail Delivery Group, said: "Decisions about regulated rail fares, including season tickets, are taken by governments who rightly make the choice about the balance between how much farepayers and taxpayers contribute.

"We know that the best way to support economic recovery now and keep fares down in the future is to get more people travelling by train."

Gavin Williamson 'done his best', says Matt Hancock

Gavin Williamson has "done his best in very difficult circumstances," Matt Hancock has said. 

The Health Secretary told the Today programme: "All of us area dealing with unprecedented challenges and unprecedented circumstances.

"Gavin has faced very difficult challenges and done his best in very difficult circumstances."

"We have reached the decision that allows students who got those grades predicted by their teachers to be able to get to university - the huge focus is making sure they can get to university in only  few weeks time and getting schools reopened," he added. "These are massive operational challenges, and we do our very best to rise to them."

Mr Hancock noted: "Sometimes we have to make decisions that aren't always popular but we make decisions that we think are the best for the country." 

Mass testing to cut quarantine and reopen rest of economy, says Matt Hancock

Mass testing could help cut quarantine time, and reopen other parts of the economy, Matt Hancock has said. 

Asked about plans to cut the two-week isolation period, the Health Secretary told BBC 4's Today programme that this was "one of the examples of why mass testing can help" because of the "challenge is that it incubates for up to two weeks". 

He added: "You have to have repeat testing, and new technologies where tests are easier, cheaper, and you get the test result back much quicker, are critical."

But asked when people who are asymptomatic might be able to get a regular test, he said he was "not going to put firm deadline on it - we are going as fast as we can".  

"This moonshot to have testing ubiquitous, will enable us to reopen all sorts of things," he added. 

Government to make regular testing 'the norm', says Matt Hancock

Mass testing is to begin being rolled out "immediately", Matt Hancock has said - although admitted that he is aiming to "ramp it up over the remainder of the year". 

He told the BBC's Today programme it was a "really important drive across Government to bring in mass testing, population-wide testing".

The Health Secretary added: "The new technologies for testing that are coming on stream now are incredibly important... some of them you only have to use saliva rather than a swab, which means anyone can administer it... and you don't need a laboratory [to get the result] - with best ones you get result in 10 minutes."

He said: "Mass testing, population testing, where we make it the norm that people get tested regularly, is a huge project in Government right now."

There be no no disruption from PHE reorganisation, says Matt Hancock

Matt Hancock has rejected the suggestion that scrapping Public Health England in favour of a new institute will cause disruption or see experienced people leaving. 

He told the Today programme he was "not a fan" of reorganisations, but it was essential to do it now "because we need to have the very best possible response to guard against a second peak". 

The Health Secretary added: "I don't accept that there will be disruption, the reason is that we are bringing together under a single leadership these functions... I don't accept that (people will leave)

"We are putting more support in, we are hiring, the budget is going up enormously."

He also defended the decision to have Dido Harding head up the new institute, despite Test and Trace not hitting its targets, saying "incredible work" had been taken to improve the turnaround times of the operation. 

 

Scrapping PHE for new institute will 'strengthen our response' to pandemics, says Matt Hancock

Scrapping Public Health England and replacing it with a new institute focused on pandemics will "strengthen our response" to future threats, Matt Hancock has said. 

The Health Secretary told the Today programme that the "new institute will have single, very focused mission, which is protection against pandemics and external health threats, eg Novichok."

He added: "The best prepared countries in the world like Germany tend to have an institution for this... PHE does very important other work, like tackling obesity... but because it had a a whole series of different areas to work on one of the lessons from having looked around the world, for how best to respond to this novel situation is that institutes with that single focus... tended to respond better."

Mr Hancock said he wanted people to get out of bed and their first thought be "how can we be best prepared for pandemic?"

Dido Harding 'best person for the public health job now', says Matt Hancock

Health Secretary Matt Hancock has again defended the decision to install Tory peer Dido Harding as the head of the new National Institute for Health Protection.

The move has been attacked with critics pointing to her relative lack of experience in this field, compared with the current head of Public Health England Dame Julia Goodfellow 

Asked if Baroness Harding was qualified for the role, he told BBC News: "Absolutely! She's simply the best person who could be doing this job now.

"She has enormous experience both in the private sector running very large organisations and this is a very large organisation now with a budget of over £10 billion.

"Also in the NHS she's been the chair of NHS Improvement for the last over three years, she's been expanding and building that testing capacity, the test and trace system that is so effective in finding people now and asking them to self-isolate, so we're very lucky to have her giving this public service at this critical time."

Oldham could face full lockdown as cases surge, Matt Hancock warns

Oldham could face a local lockdown to prevent rising coronavirus cases, Matt Hancock has hinted. 

In the past three weeks, Oldham has been teetering on the edge of being cast into a full local lockdown as its numbers of coronavirus cases began to surge.

Between August 3 and August 9, Alexandra Park in the east of the town had the highest number of cases in the country, recording 72 cases.

The rising number of Covid-19 infections has been mainly attributed to household transmission, rather than people mixing in pubs, shops or restaurants

The Health Secretary told BBC News: "Places like Oldham where we are now seeing the number of cases rise, we have to take the same localised approach, working very closely with the local council and make sure we get both the messages to the public and also the rules right in place and the resources, like the testing resources, to get a grip on it in all the areas where there is an outbreak, including Oldham."

Matt Hancock defends decision to scrap PHE mid-pandemic

Health Secretary Matt Hancock defended the timing of axing Public Health England to form a new National Institute for Health Protection, and his decision to appoint Dido Harding to head it up, despite her lack of scientific background. 

He told Sky News: "One of the lessons from the crisis I think for me is that if something is the right thing to do then delaying doing it is the wrong thing.

"We've now got Public Health England, NHS Test and Trace, we've got a new Joint Biosecurity Centre, working separately so in order to keep people safe, in order to have the very best response, we need to bring these organisations together now."

Baroness Harding was well placed to lead the new organisation having been on the board of NHS Improvement, and having run Test and Trace for six months, he added. 

"Baroness Harding has done a huge amount in the health field, as well as having experience outside in the private sector," he said.  The new body was "partly a scientific organisation, but it is also a seriously large delivery organisation."

Government working to lift cap on medical students, Matt Hancock confirms

The cap on the number of students medical schools can accept could be lifted, Matt Hancock has said. 

Universities have warned that several students - particularly BAME individuals and those from deprived backgrounds - are at risk of not getting their place, amid the exams chaos.

The Health Secretary told Sky News: "It is a very important piece of work we are doing now, to ensure we support people through that situation... we are expanding medical places so there are more this year."

Asked if the cap would be lifted whole, he  added: "We are doing everything we can and we are working on this issue right now.

"I acknowledge the issue, I absolutely recognise it."

Ministers hoping two-test plan to cut quarantine will 'bear fruit', says Matt Hancock 

The Government is hoping that plans to cut quarantine from two weeks with a dual test can "bear fruit", Matt Hancock has said. 

The Health Secretary confirmed that ministers are working with Heathrow Airport to find a way for coronavirus testing to reduce the quarantine period.

He told Sky News: "We're working with Heathrow and with other airports on this project.

"The challenge is because the virus can incubate inside your body without coming forward and without therefore a test being positive even if you've got it. The challenge is how to do that testing in a way that we can have confidence enough in to release the quarantine.

"But absolutely it's a project we're working with Heathrow on because clearly I understand the impact of quarantine in so many people's lives it's not something anybody would want to do so I hope this project can bear fruit."

Universities demand more money to take extra students after A-levels U-turn

Universities have told the Government that they will need more money if they are to take more students this year after the A-levels U-turn.

Vice-chancellors met the higher education minister Michelle Donelan for talks on Tuesday night as they attempted to thrash out a deal to secure thousands of school leavers their first choice university places.

Universities asked the Government for financial support so they can "scale up" places this year and next, a source said.

"The elephant in the room is Covid," the source added. "Universities can try to expand their places, but they are limited by things like desk space and lab space." 

License this content