Almost 18,000 more people could die from cancer over the next year in England due to the impact of Covid-19, new research suggests.
Delays in diagnosing new cancers and getting treatment for those who already have the disease could significantly impact survival, according to a study from University College London (UCL) and DATA-CAN, the Health Data Research Hub for Cancer.
This analysis comes as authorities in England expanded testing services to millions more people across the country, with the UK government racing to provide 100,000 tests a day by the end of April. All care home residents and staff, people over 65 and those who must leave their home to work in England are now entitled to a test.
Follow the latest updates below:
That concludes today's PMQs. We'll have a round-up of the main updates shortly.
Dominic Raab says the UK's Nightingale hospitals have created capacity that will allow other NHS patients to get treated, amid concerns that cancer patients and other people suffering from non-coronavirus related illnesses are missing out on life-saving treatment.
Priti Patel has said life in Britain “will not go back” to how it was before the coronavirus outbreak, even after the current lockdown ends, reports home affairs correspondent Lizzie Dearden.
The home secretary said that while the government has not yet finalised plans of how restrictions will be lifted, there would be “new norms”.
Ms Patel told the Home Affairs Committee that social distancing would be expected in “every single work area” and on public transport.
“The fact is we will not go back to how we were in early March - there will be new norms that will inevitably come off the way in which social distancing is dominating our lives and has affected society,” she added.
“We would expect social distancing in every single work area, whether it’s an office or a construction site, and on public transport going forward.”
Read more below:
Read more below:
Labour MP Wes Streeting has called on the government to do more to support people at risk of domestic abuse during the coronavirus lockdown.
Funding already announced to help children's charities is "not enough”, he says, urging ministers to support a Labour proposal to ringfence 10 per cent of a £750m bailout fund for charities that support abuse victims.
In response, Dominic Raab says the government is "constantly looking to reinforce" its response to domestic abuse, adding that police are continuing to pursue perpetrators.
Funding already announced to help children's charities is "not enough”, he says, urging ministers to support a Labour proposal to ringfence 10 per cent of a £750m bailout fund for charities that support abuse victims.
In response, Dominic Raab says the government is "constantly looking to reinforce" its response to domestic abuse, adding that police are continuing to pursue perpetrators.
Earlier, Keir Starmer said that England could fall behind other countries including Scotland and Wales if the UK Government does not publish an exit strategy soon.
He said: "France, Germany, Spain, Belgium, New Zealand, Australia, Scotland and Wales have all published exit plans of one sort or another. (Mr Raab) said, 'well what are the proposals, what should they cover?'.
He said: "France, Germany, Spain, Belgium, New Zealand, Australia, Scotland and Wales have all published exit plans of one sort or another. (Mr Raab) said, 'well what are the proposals, what should they cover?'.
"If you look at those plans, as he's done and I've done, it's clear that there are common issues such as schools reopening, business sectors reopening.
"These are the issues that, if he wants me to put them on the table, I absolutely will."
He added: "Delay risks not only falling behind other countries, but also the successful four-nation approach so far."
Mr Raab responded: "The Scottish Government has not set out an exit strategy. I read through very carefully their 25-page document, it was eminently sensible and it was grounded in the five tests that I set out on April 16."
"These are the issues that, if he wants me to put them on the table, I absolutely will."
He added: "Delay risks not only falling behind other countries, but also the successful four-nation approach so far."
Mr Raab responded: "The Scottish Government has not set out an exit strategy. I read through very carefully their 25-page document, it was eminently sensible and it was grounded in the five tests that I set out on April 16."
Watch: Home secretary says there will be "new norms" for British society after lockdown is lifted.
Mr Raab is asked whether Britain’s decision to opt out of an EU programme for the procurement of ventilators and other medical supplies was a commercial or political one.
He stresses that the UK did not get the “initial invitation”, describing it as a “failure of communication”.
It would “not have had any extra value to what we’re doing here,” he says, adding that the UK will consider future procurement initiatives.
He stresses that the UK did not get the “initial invitation”, describing it as a “failure of communication”.
It would “not have had any extra value to what we’re doing here,” he says, adding that the UK will consider future procurement initiatives.
Conservative former minister Sir Desmond Swayne asked if garden centres and nurseries would be allowed to reopen "in short order".
Mr Raab replied: "The current advice, as I've indicated, from Sage was that relaxing any of those measures - including the ones he refers to - would risk damage to the public health, our economy, and frankly the progress we've made, the sacrifices so many have made, the lives that have been lost.
"Can I reassure him that they looked specifically at garden centres and we will continue, as I've indicated earlier, to keep the evidence on each individual measure under very close review."
Mr Raab replied: "The current advice, as I've indicated, from Sage was that relaxing any of those measures - including the ones he refers to - would risk damage to the public health, our economy, and frankly the progress we've made, the sacrifices so many have made, the lives that have been lost.
"Can I reassure him that they looked specifically at garden centres and we will continue, as I've indicated earlier, to keep the evidence on each individual measure under very close review."
Earlier, Keir Starmer said that protective equipment for the front line is "so crucial".
"Now I recognise the challenge the Government faces on this, I recognise that getting the right piece of equipment to the right place every time is very difficult, but lives do depend on it.
"Now I recognise the challenge the Government faces on this, I recognise that getting the right piece of equipment to the right place every time is very difficult, but lives do depend on it.
"And it is 10 weeks since the Health Secretary declared that there was a serious and imminent threat to life. You'd hope that by now, things would be getting better, not worse," he said.
Mr Starmer added: "So can I ask the First Secretary, what is going on and how soon can it be fixed?"
Mr Raab said the Labour leader is "right" that there are "challenges on the front line".
"I feel animated, inspired to do even better, but he needs to recognise on PPE that there is a global supply shortage and we're doing absolutely everything we can to make sure that those on the front line get the equipment that they need."
Ian Blackford, Westminster leader for SNP, calls on the government to extend the Brexit transition period in the face of mounting global economic uncertainty. He says that 2.2 million jobs are at risk as a result of the pandemic.
Dominic Raab dismisses the concern, saying the government will “double down” in its efforts to complete Britain’s departure from the EU by the end of the year and get a deal done.
Dominic Raab dismisses the concern, saying the government will “double down” in its efforts to complete Britain’s departure from the EU by the end of the year and get a deal done.
This would "avoid more uncertainty", he says, and give a "shot in the arm" to businesses on both sides of the channel.
Keir Starmer: "We would like to try and support the government's strategy - when we know what it is."
Dominic Raab replies that ministers "can't" give dates for a transition out of lockdown until the government receives the latest advice from scientists.
He says it would be difficult to "responsibly" set out more details without further information from the relevant advisors.
Keir Starmer says he "recognises" the challenge the government faces on the issue of PPE.
The foreign secretary insists the UK is the "international client of choice" for PPE deliveries from abroad.
The foreign secretary insists the UK is the "international client of choice" for PPE deliveries from abroad.
Mr Starmer points out that while there is capacity for 73,000 tests a day, only 43,000 were carried out yesterday on 23,000 people.
Matt Hancock has promised to reach 100,000 tests by tomorrow.
Matt Hancock has promised to reach 100,000 tests by tomorrow.
Mr Starmer asks whether the government is still intending to deliver 250,000 tests a day, as previously promised. He says that the current 100,000 target for the end of April should be a “staging post”, not the end goal.
The foreign secretary says it is still an “aspiration”. The current target is a “stepping stone” as the government plans to prepare for the second phase of the government’s pandemic response.
The foreign secretary says it is still an “aspiration”. The current target is a “stepping stone” as the government plans to prepare for the second phase of the government’s pandemic response.
Mr Raab says there are some positive signs coming out of care homes, but they are “within the margin of error”.
He says he does not accept Mr Starmer’s claim that the situation with PPE is getting worse not better.
Keir Starmer points to emerging data and reports which says that deaths in care homes appear to be rising, as hospital figures continue to decrease.
Dominic Raab says that the threat posed by Covid-19 in care home is a “challenge”.
“This is a challenge that we must grip,” he says.
He confirms that the government is planning to ramp up testing, overhaul how PPE is delivered and increase the workforce within care homes to 20,000.
Dominic Raab says that the threat posed by Covid-19 in care home is a “challenge”.
“This is a challenge that we must grip,” he says.
He confirms that the government is planning to ramp up testing, overhaul how PPE is delivered and increase the workforce within care homes to 20,000.
Dominic Raab says it is "far too early" to make international comparisons after Keir Starmer describes the UK's coronavirus figures as "truly dreadful".
