Sheffield City Region mayor Dan Jarvis has said that there is a clear link between coronavirus infection rates and deprivation.
Speaking to Sky News this morning, Jarvis said there was a clear connection between inequality and the virus.
“There are striking similarities when you look at those places that are on the top 10 list of affected areas. I think there is a clear link with deprivation,” he said. “I think what Government has to do is ensure that all of the support and, critically, the resource is available to those areas to make sure that they have got everything that they need to ensure that the figures go in the right direction.”
Jarvis said the coronavirus outbreak had highlighted economic inequality, and called on Chancellor Rishi Sunak to use his economic statement on Wednesday to deal with inequality issues.
“I think this is an incredibly important moment for the country and what I want to see is the Chancellor demonstrate his commitment to investing in our economy, to tackling the longer term structural inequalities that we’ve faced for far too long. I think it’s a really important role for devolution to play here,” he said.
“This needs to be a moment of renewal so we’ve brought forward a renewal action plan which would secure 50,000 jobs, support 25,000 businesses and create 3,000 apprenticeships but we need the Chancellor to support that, to invest in it, as part of a New Deal for the north… a big opportunity for the Chancellor, he is a Yorkshire MP, on Wednesday and I hope that he takes it.”
Surrey Police also said so-called Super Saturday had passed without incident.
Detective Chief Inspector, Amy Buffoni, said that easing “was well respected” in Surrey.
“I want to thank everyone who has worked hard in ensuring that businesses could start to reopen to the public while keeping business owners, employees and the wider public safe during this continuing pandemic,” he said.
“No doubt many stayed at home last night balancing the risk that they are willing to personally accept but we should remember that we all have a part to play in reducing the risk of local lockdowns.
“I encourage us all to maintain the government guidance on social distancing and the use of face coverings.”
Commander Bas Javid of the Metropolitan police says he is “pleased there were no significant issues or incidents in the capital” despite some areas being “notably busy”.
“The majority of the public complied with social distancing guidelines and remained vigilant. While some areas were notably busy such as Soho and Portobello Road, we are pleased there were no significant issues or incidents in the capital,” he said.
He also said a “small number” of premises closed early on advice from police officers due to overcrowding and a lack of social distancing.
“There were well-versed plans for this weekend and we worked closely with our partners and licensed premises – this was demonstrated by compliance from the large majority of venues and members of the public,” he said. “Officers were on patrol engaging with members of the public and hospitality venues to ensure a peaceful night and that will continue today.”
“It’s vital that we don’t lose track of how far we have come and all act responsibly and play our part to minimise the spread of Coronavirus,” he added.
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Molly Blackall
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A&E doctors have expressed their thanks to the majority of pub-goers for drinking responsibly on Saturday night, saying that fears A&E departments could be overwhelmed “do not seem to have come to pass”.
The president of the Royal College of Emergency Medicine, Dr Katherine Henderson, said anecdotal reports from around the country “suggest [emergency departments] have coped well”.
“However, we will not know for certain for a few weeks, both in terms of attendance and Covid-19 cases, until figures are published,” she added.”
Henderson also criticised the “complete disregard for social distancing” seen in “small pockets” across the country, including as shown in these images from Soho in London.
“We hope those involved understand they must not visit their elderly relatives or any vulnerable people who could come to serious harm from the virus,” she said.
“As the pictures show, and as the chair of the Police Federation has said, it is crystal clear that drunk people cannot socially distance, and more work will be needed to figure out ways to enforce it.
She also reminded people the NHS was “still vulnerable” during the ongoing pandemic.
“On its 72nd birthday, we remind the public that the NHS is still vulnerable and that individuals have a part to play in protecting it by not going to extremes.”
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One of the largest studies into the long-term health implications of coronavirus launched in the UK today.
Around 10,000 patients are expected to take part in the study, which has been given £8.4m by the government.
Led by the NIHR Leicester Biomedical Research Centre, a partnership between the University of Leicester and the university hospitals of Leicester NHS trust, assess and publish findings on the impact of Covid-19 on patient health and their recovery.
This includes mental health implications, and research into the characteristics of patients that makes them more vulnerable to coronavirus, including gender and ethnicity.
Both the health secretary, Matt Hancock, and the chief medical officer for England, Chris Whitty, praised the study as a key step in our understanding of coronavirus.
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The first minister of Wales, Mark Drakeford, has joined other UK leaders in wishing a happy birthday to the NHS. Here’s his speech in Welsh:
…and an English version below:
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A Spitfire with the message “Thank U NHS” painted on its underside will fly over NHS hospitals in the east of the country, ending over Cambridge, as the health service celebrates its 72nd anniversary.
There will also be an NHS clap (yes, we’re bringing it back for one night only) at 5pm to commemorate the efforts of all key workers and volunteers during the pandemic. You can get more information about the tribute here.
Last night, monuments across the UK were lit up in blue to commemorate the birthday.
NHS chief executive Sir Simon Stevens said hospital workers have only been able to pull the country through the pandemic thanks to a “national mobilisation” of all key workers, from care assistants and supermarket shelf-stackers to transport workers.
Speaking to PA Media outside St Thomas’ hospital in London, he said the NHS’s anniversary was an opportunity to thank key workers.
He said: “I think for NHS there will be a sense of relief, having coming through this huge first spike of coronavirus patients, but also people have been working incredibly hard.
“So there’s a need to take a moment to reflect and recharge the batteries while at the same time doing all the other brilliant things that the health service does.
“This is a huge national effort and the NHS is hugely grateful for all the support it has received from all of the rest of the country.”
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Deputy Labour leader Angela Rayner has revealed her son was born after 23 weeks of pregnancy, and spent six months in intensive care. She said his life was saved by NHS staff, describing him being alive as a “testament to them”.
Commemorating the 72nd birthday of the NHS, Rayner described her son Charlie, now 12, as an “NHS miracle” and said she was proud to be a member of the party that formed the health service.
You can watch the video here:
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The SNP have seen a surge in support during recent months, polling shows.
Polling has tipped in support of the SNP and Scottish independence to the highest level recorded by a Panelbase poll for the Sunday Times.
The poll had support for a yes vote in an independence referendum at 54% and support for no at 46%. It also recorded strong support for Nicola Sturgeon’s handling of the coronavirus crisis, with the first minister’s approval rating on the issue at 60 points.
Boris Johnson’s approval rating on the crisis was at minus 39 points.
According to analysis of the poll, this would translate to the SNP picking up 11 more seats in the Scottish parliament, giving the party a total of 74 MSPs out of 129.
Polling expert Sir John Curtice said the average of the Panelbase polls over last six months, including the latest, put yes on 51% and no on 49%.
Sturgeon has been a vocal critic of the Westminster government’s handling of the coronavirus pandemic, and ensured Scotland took a separate path.
Along with other UK nations, she did not change to a “stay alert” message along with Johnson’s government, claiming the Scottish government had not been consulted on the change and did not think it was appropriate for Scotland. She has also taken the easing of restrictions at a different pace.
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First minister Nicola Sturgeon has said that Scotland “owes a huge debt of gratitude” to health and social care workers, as she commemorates the 72nd anniversary of the NHS.
You can watch her full video here:
London’s famous Columbia Road flower market reopened for the first time since lockdown today, with social distancing measures in place.
Both sellers and buyers are spaced out in line with government guidance, and stalls are only in operation on one side of the road. This is a far cry from the usual scene at Columbia Road, which is renowned for its packed out crowds, and where hordes of people go to try to snap up a good deal on a cheese plant (like me) each week.
You can read more about the reopening of pubs, hair salons, and other businesses here.
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The mayor of London issued a reminder that the pandemic “is not over” after revellers were seen breaching social distancing rules as pubs reopened in the city’s Soho area last night.
He reminded people that “the chief medical officer has warned there will be an uptick in Covid-19 cases if people don’t take the rules seriously”, and that “lives depend” on people following government guidance.
You can read more about the city’s problems with social distancing here.
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The chief executive of NHS England urged people to “not hold back” with concerns about cancer, and seek medical help.
However, he said the NHS was pleased to see a reduction in trips to A&E from “nights out boozing” and from car accidents as less people travel, and presumably drink and drive.
Simon Stevens said the NHS had not had the spike in A&E visits that was feared when pubs reopened yesterday.
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