United Kingdom

    The exams regulator in England says it is alert to concerns about unconscious bias, as GCSE and A level pupils are awarded grades after their exams were cancelled due to the lockdown. Ofqual says it is consulting on how to implement arrangements for the summer to help ensure students are fairly rewarded. The Department for Education acknowledges on its website that students from disadvantaged backgrounds are more likely to have their grades under-predicted. A letter to the education secretary, signed by a group of experts and academics and initiated by the race equality think-tank the Runnymede Trust, highlights concern that black and minority ethnic (BAME) pupils are disproportionately disadvantaged by any bias. It warns steps need to be taken to ensure students ...

    The number of people whose coronavirus deaths have been recorded in the UK in the past day appears to be the lowest since March. Across England, Northern Ireland, Scotland and Wales, 360 people have died of Covid-19. During the past 24 hours there have been 329 coronavirus deaths recorded in England, with people aged between 29 and 100 losing their lives. Of those 22, including the youngest, had no underlying health conditions. London had the most deaths (87), followed by the Midlands (55), the North East and Yorkshire (55), the North West (41), the South East (38), the East of England (34) and the South West (19). In Wales there are 9,280 confirmed cases - a 203 rise compared to yesterday - and a total of 796 people have now died of the coronavirus, which is an i...

    Coronavirus deaths in the UK passed 20,000 yesterday as scientists warned the grim toll could TRIPLE. Analysis by Seattle’s Washington University warns Brits should expect 37,494 deaths by August 4. But the uni’s Institute for Health Metrics and Evaluation predicted it could even be as high as 62,500. Last month the UK’s chief scientific adviser Sir Patrick Vallance said a death toll of 20,000 would be “a good outcome”. Home Secretary Priti Patel told the No10 press conference yesterday: As the deaths caused by this terrible virus pass another tragic and terrible milestone, the entire nation is grieving. And Care England say numbers could be swelled by a further 7,500 deaths in care homes. But even though the economy is reeling and ex-Chancellor Philip Hammond joi...

Keir Starmer, Leader of the Labour Party, in his Ramadan message to Muslims said: To everyone welcoming in the month of Ramadan here in the UK and across the world, Ramadan Mubarak. Ramadan has always brought together our common values of compassion, charity and service to others. And it comes at time when we need it more than ever. While this is a joyous occasion for Muslims as families come together to fast, I know this year will also be incredibly difficult time, as we continue the battle against the coronavirus. Unlike other years, Muslims will not be able to break fast with extended family or friends, while we continue to maintain social distancing measures to keep us safe. And, many will be saddened by the fact they cannot attend the congregational night prayers at their local mos...

    Politicians have warned that the government is considering a “blanket ban” to prevent older people leaving their homes during the coronavirus crisis. The health minister, Lord James Bethell, twice refused to deny that older people will be told to stay in extended lockdown in response to questions in the Lords on Wednesday. “I was very concerned by the government’s refusal to answer my question,” said Lord David Blunkett, the former home secretary. “Older people must not be subjected to arbitrary incarceration as well as isolation.” Blunkett asked Bethell what assessment the government has made of the impact of the restriction of movement on those defined on medical grounds as extremely vulnerable and what plans they have to change those restrictions. “The more the...

    Dominic Raab warned tonight that the UK risks a second lockdown if people don't stick to the current social distancing rules. The Foreign Secretary, who is charge of the government while Prime Minister Boris Johnson continues to recuperate from coronavirus, said we are 'making progress but we are not out of the woods yet'. He added that the 'greatest risk' if we ease on social distancing measures too soon is a 'second spike' in COVID-19 and a 'second lockdown'. This is why restrictions must remain in the place for time being, he said. Speaking at the Downing Street press conference on Wednesday (April 22), Mr Raab warned that if the government did need to impose a lockdown for a second time, this would 'prolong the economic pain we are all going through'. He said...

    The UK faces tough coronavirus curbs until 2021 amid claims Boris Johnson's personal battle with the disease has made him tentative about lifting lockdown. Tories have suggested the PM is frightened of taking chances with the deadly virus after his own close call, despite fears the economic havoc might prove even more damaging to public health. The pressure is intensifying on ministers to plot a way out of the crisis, but divisions have emerged between cautious 'doves' and hawks who believe the NHS has capacity and would prefer to loosen the draconian social distancing measures earlier. The PM has intervened from his recuperation at Chequers to snuff out speculation about an imminent easing, with Downing Street making clear his priority is avoiding a second peak in...

    There is a risk of a cancer epidemic following the response to Covid-19, an academic has warned. It follows new research which has found that the efforts to tackle coronavirus are significantly affecting the treatment and care of patients with cancer. The research, published in the European Journal of Cancer, highlights how the repurposing of health systems and implementation of social distancing measures, including national lockdowns, have had negative effects on patients with cancer. There have also been delays in urgent referrals and patients having their cancer treatment, such as chemotherapy, postponed, or surgery being delayed. The research was conducted collaboratively by the Queen’s University Belfast, the University of Split, Croatia, and King’s College L...

    The number of people who have died in hospital after testing positive for coronavirus in the UK has reached 17,337, up from 16,509 in 24 hours. The difference between the Department of Health's daily hospital death tolls shows an increase of 828 fatalities, the first rise in figures since Saturday when 888 hospital deaths were reported. Although comparing the figures shows a jump of 828 deaths, the Department of Health suggested the toll had jumped by 823. At the Downing Street press briefing on Tuesday, Health Secretary Matt Hancock said the daily death toll was up by 852. It is currently unclear why the figures vary. The death toll had dropped to 596 on Sunday, and 449 on Monday, the lowest rise for two weeks, before spiking again on Tuesday. Officials said 129,...

    U.S President Donald Trump and British Prime Minister Boris Johnson agreed on the need for a coordinated international response to the coronavirus pandemic, including through the G7, Downing Street said in a statement on Tuesday. The pair also discussed trade during a telephone conversation. The leaders committed to continue working together to strengthen our bilateral relationship, including by signing a free trade agreement as soon as possible, a Downing Street spokeswoman said. Britain left the European Union earlier this year and a deal with the United States is a key priority for Johnson's administration.