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The Guardian - UK
The Guardian - UK
Politics
Jedidajah Otte and Molly Blackall

UK coronavirus: Britain claps for NHS on 72nd anniversary – as it happened

Summary

  • A further 22 deaths of people who had tested positive for Covid-19 in the UK were recorded today, taking the total to 44,220.
  • People across the UK have expressed their gratitude to the health service and its staff in a nationwide clap to commemorate the 72nd anniversary of the NHS.
  • NHS England has launched a coronavirus recovery service to support survivors of the virus as they navigate the long-term effects. You can read more here.
  • The chief executive of NHS England said the NHS was preparing for a possible second wave of coronavirus in the winter. Sir Simon Stevens this would be particularly difficult if it coincided with seasonal bouts of the flu, which has similar symptoms to coronavirus, so the NHS needed to roll out unprecedented flu immunisation schemes.
  • Fears that emergency services would be overwhelmed after the reopening in pubs in England yesterday appear to have been unfounded. While the longer-term impact on the spread of the virus is not yet clear, police and A&E departments said they coped well last night.
  • Despite the circulation of photos showing crowds and no social distancing in London’s Soho last night, health secretary Matt Hancock said the vast majority of people were “doing the right thing”.
  • Chancellor Rishi Sunak is expected to roll out a new economic package focused on jobs on Wednesday.
  • 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.

You can continue to follow live developments on our global live blog:

Updated

And this from Liverpool FC:

This from Team GB:

And here we have the health secretary, Matt Hancock, paying tribute:

This from London’s King’s Cross station:

And here another nice montage from Sky News:

This from Oxford city council:

Updated

It seems the turnout for tonight’s clap hasn’t been enormous.

On my street in central Brixton, not a single person clapped. Over on Twitter, scores of people are reporting the same, with some saying they had no idea a clap for the NHS was on, and others stating that they deliberately didn’t join in.

Here are Boris Johnson and Annemarie Plas, the founder of Clap for Carers, in Downing St, mid-clap.

As part of the NHS birthday celebrations, Prime Minister, Boris Johnson and Annemarie Plas, founder of Clap For Our Carers, outside 10 Downing Street, London, join in the pause for applause to salute the NHS 72nd birthday.
As part of the NHS birthday celebrations, Prime Minister, Boris Johnson and Annemarie Plas, founder of Clap For Our Carers, outside 10 Downing Street, London, join in the pause for applause to salute the NHS 72nd birthday. Photograph: Victoria Jones/PA

Updated

This from the BBC:

The Prince of Wales has paid tribute to the NHS on its 72nd anniversary, expressing pride in how the health service has coped with the Covid-19 pandemic. He said NHS staff had made “costly sacrifices” during the crisis, “and in tribute to them we have come together as a nation to thank them for their skill, professionalism and dedication.”

Updated

Clap for the NHS

People across Britain are once again coming together to clap their thanks for the NHS.

Met police urged to investigate Cummings’ lockdown trip

The Metropolitan police have been urged to launch an immediate investigation into Dominic Cummings’ trip from London to Durham at the height of the coronavirus outbreak by the former chief prosecutor for north-west England.

Lawyers for Nazir Afzal have written to the Met commissioner, Cressida Dick, arguing that the behaviour of Boris Johnson’s chief adviser during the lockdown warrants a “thorough investigation” by the force.

They say the “continuing pressing public imperative to ensure strict compliance” with advice about the pandemic “makes this matter urgent”.

Aftzal’s lawyers point out that a three-day investigation by Durham police was confined to Cummings’ movement in County Durham and made no finding on why he left London when his wife had symptoms of coronavirus and a day before he fell ill with a suspected case.

My colleague Matthew Weaver, who broke the story of Cummings’ trips to Durham, has more:

Updated

If you are planning to join in and clap for the NHS and its workers at 5pm, feel free to share short video clips or pictures with me in a bit, ideally via a tweet I can link to. My twitter handle is @JedySays.

The Department of Health and Social Care said 44,220 people had died in hospitals, care homes and the wider community after testing positive for coronavirus in the UK as of 5pm on Saturday, up by 22 from 44,198 the previous day.

The government figures do not include all deaths involving Covid-19 across the UK, which are thought to have passed 55,000.

The DHSC also said that in the 24-hour period up to 9am on Sunday, 516 people tested positive.

Overall, a total of 285,416 cases have been confirmed.

Updated

The Metropolitan police have said officers did nothing wrong on a stop and search after Olympic champion Linford Christie accused Scotland Yard of racism as two of his athletes were stopped.

The force issued a statement saying it was “satisfied that there are no misconduct issues” after a clip of a stop and search was shared on social media.

Officers stopped a car in Lanhill Road, Maida Vale, west London, on Saturday afternoon after it was seen driving suspiciously, and a 25-year-old man and 26-year-old woman were searched, the Met said, according to PA.

On Saturday, Christie posted footage on his Twitter page appearing to show two people – a man and a woman – being pulled out of a car in a London street.

The video, shared on Saturday, was captioned with the note “racist police aren’t just in America”.

In a statement, the former Olympic 100-metre champion said: “Can Cressida Dick or anyone else please explain to me what justification the Met Police officers had in assaulting the driver, taking a mother away from her baby all without one piece of PPE and then calling the sniffer dog unit to check the car over. Was it the car that was suspicious or the black family in it which lead to such a violent confrontation and finally an accusation of the car smelling of weed but refusing to do a roadside drug test.”

The Independent Office for Police Conduct replied to Christie’s video tweet and said: “We are aware of this matter and will be making further inquiries.”

The Metropolitan police said officers from the Directorate of Professional Standards had reviewed footage from social media and officers’ bodycams and were satisfied there was no concern around the officers’ conduct.

Commander Helen Harper said: “I understand the concern when incidents like this happen and how they can appear when part of it is filmed without context.

“Due to the concern raised, we conducted a review of the stop. This included social media footage and bodyworn camera footage of the officers at the scene.

“We are satisfied that there are no misconduct issues.”

Updated

Hello, I’m taking over for the next hour or so, feel free to share relevant updates with me on Twitter @JedySays, or email me at jedidajah.otte.casual@theguardian.com.

Press Association have this report from London this afternoon:

Dozens of protesters have gathered in London calling for the end of racial disparity in the health system on the NHS’s 72nd anniversary.

The demonstration, held at Marble Arch this afternoon, was organised by the group All Black Lives UK (ABLUK), a group that is separate from Black Lives Matter but shares similar aims.

Speaking to a crowd of about 100 people, ABLUK spokesman Tyrek Morris, 21, said: “We are protesting for black lives and one of the demands we have is to abolish the racial disparity within the NHS, especially towards black women.

“We need to implement extensive measures to prevent the disproportionate suffering of black women in healthcare and bring to an end the significantly increased black maternal mortality rate.”

Protesters give a round of applause to celebrate the 72nd anniversary of the NHS at a gathering in support of the Black Lives Matter movement at Marble Arch in London.
Protesters give a round of applause to celebrate the 72nd anniversary of the NHS at a gathering in support of the Black Lives Matter movement at Marble Arch in London. Photograph: Justin Tallis/AFP/Getty Images

Updated

Coronavirus figures and terminologies can be very confusing. This is a really helpful explainer if you’re getting a little lost!

Thanks to everyone who’s getting in touch with tips and pointers.

If you spot something to that you think we should be reporting on in this blog, you can drop me a message on Twitter.

I won’t always be able to reply but will do my best – it’s always much appreciated!

Updated

Summary of key events

If you’re just joining us, here’s a summary of the key coronavirus developments in the UK today:

  • A further 18 people have died in England, and one person in Wales. Scotland has not produced the latest death toll due a “technical issue”, but it has nine new confirmed cases of the virus.
  • NHS England has launched a coronavirus recovery service to support survivors of the virus as they navigate the long-term effects. It will include physical and mental health support. You can read more here.
  • Fears that emergency services would be overwhelmed after the reopening in pubs in England yesterday appear to have been unfounded. While the longer-term impact on the spread of the virus is not yet clear, police and A&E departments said they coped well last night.
  • The NHS turns 72! Leaders across the UK have expressed their pride and gratitude to the service and its staff ahead of a nationwide clap at 5pm to commemorate the occasion. Last night, buildings turned blue in honour of the NHS.
  • The chief executive of NHS England said the NHS was preparing for a possible second wave of coronavirus in the winter. Sir Simon Stevens this would be particularly difficult if it coincided with seasonal bouts of the flu, which has similar symptoms to coronavirus, so the NHS needed to roll out unprecedented flu immunisation schemes.
  • Jeremy Clarkson says he will vote Labour for the first time in his life. The TV presenter cited the government’s handling of the pandemic as his main reason to depart from the Conservatives.
  • 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.

Updated

Labour leader Keir Starmer has expressed his pride in the NHS, in an emotional video celebrating its birthday.

He talks about his mother, a nurse who also had a health condition that made her heavily reliant on the NHS.

You can watch the video here:

Updated

One further death in Wales

One more person in Wales has died after testing positive for Covid-19, taking the total death toll in the country to 1,531.

The total number of positive tests has increased in Wales by 15 to 15,890.

This is a very interesting interview with the former WHO director Anthony Costello.

The Independent Sage member talks Matt Hancock, the likelihood of a vaccine and why 50,000 deaths were preventable.

Further 18 deaths in England

NHS England has released the latest figures on the recorded coronavirus death toll:

A further 18 people who tested positive for the coronavirus have died, bringing the total number of confirmed reported deaths in hospitals in England to 28,889.

Patients were aged between 54 and 94 years old, and all had known underlying health conditions.

The number of deaths of patients with Covid-19 by region are as follows:

East of England 1

London 0

Midlands 5

North East & Yorkshire 1

North West 1

South East 10

South West 0

While these numbers are lower than the average, it is worth noting that there is often a lag in reporting over the weekend, which can lead to lower numbers.

Since Tuesday 28 April, NHS England and NHS Improvement have also reported the number of patient deaths where there has been no Covid-19 positive test result, but where Covid-19 is documented as a direct or underlying cause of death on part 1 or part 2 of the death certification process.

This change has been introduced for deaths that occurred on 24 April and subsequently.

Updated

Fears that emergency services would be overwhelmed after pubs and restaurants reopened in England this weekend did not materialise, according to initial reports.

Ahead of pubs opening for the first time since 23 March, NHS England warned hospitals and ambulance services that demand for care was likely to reach “that of New Year’s Eve”, while police forces deployed extra patrols.

However, early indications are that criminality and the number of A&E admissions as a result of alcohol were not as widespread as many had anticipated, although there were small pockets of disorder.

Read more from my colleague Haroon Siddique here:

Updated

Publicans in Dublin have criticised overcrowding and a lack of social distancing across the city last night, saying it risks public health and presents a negative image.

Their intervention came after photographs circulated on social media showing busy streets last night.

The Licensed Vintners Association (LVA) condemned those responsible. It said: “This is in no way acceptable and completely jeopardises public health, given the lack of social distancing observed.

“Unfortunately scenes like this have been taking place over the last few weekends in Dublin city centre,” it said. “We are reminding pubs who are serving ‘takeout’ of their responsibilities.”

“We welcome and fully endorse the active garda inspection operation to ensure compliance with the reopening guidelines,” it said.

Legal advice issued by the gardai in May said that any drinks purchased to take aways during the lockdown must be consumed more than 100 metres from the pub which sold the alcohol. The advice also indicated the gardai have power to confiscate drink being consumed on the road or in a public place.

Updated

Greater Manchester mayor Andy Burnham has urged the government to improve the data on coronavirus given to local authorities.

Health secretary Matt Hancock responded to previous issues with data raised by Burnham on today’s Andrew Marr show, suggesting Burnham simply needed “help” to understand the figures.

In response, Burnham said local authorities needed “real-time”, “reliable” data.

Unexpected development from Jeremy Clarkson, who is not known for his leftwing opinions.

Updated

Sheffield city region mayor Dan Jarvis has said 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.”

Updated

Surrey police also said so-called Super Saturday had passed without incident.

DCI Amy Buffoni said 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.”

Updated

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.

Updated

Just a reminder that if you spot something you think we should be reporting on in this blog, you can drop me a message on Twitter.

I won’t always be able to reply but will try to read everything. Thanks very much in advance, your tips and pointers are always much appreciated!

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.

A car tries to drive along a street filled with revellers drinking in the Soho area of London on July 4, 2020
A car tries to drive along a street filled with revellers drinking in the Soho area of London on July 4, 2020 Photograph: Justin Tallis/AFP/Getty Images

“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.”

Updated

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.

Updated

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:

Updated

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.

Larry the cat stands in front of 10 Downing Street in London as it is illuminated blue on Saturday evening as part of the NHS birthday celebrations
Larry the cat stands in front of 10 Downing Street in London as it is illuminated blue on Saturday evening as part of the NHS birthday celebrations. Photograph: Victoria Jones/PA

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.”

As part of the NHS birthday celebrations The London Eye is illuminated blue on Saturday evening
As part of the NHS birthday celebrations The London Eye will be illuminated blue on Saturday evening. Photograph: Victoria Jones/PA

Updated

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:

Updated

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.

Updated

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.

Columbia Road flower market reopens in east London on Sunday with social distancing measures including spacing out stalls on one side of the street only.
Columbia Road flower market reopens in east London on Sunday with social distancing measures including spacing out stalls on one side of the street only. Photograph: David Teather/The Guardian

Updated

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.

Updated

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.

Updated

NHS launches Covid recovery service

NHS England is building a Covid recovery service, the chief executive, Sir Simon Stevens, has announced.

It will include face-to-face check-up, a personalised treatment package, and 12 weeks of online support.

Stevens warned that coronavirus would have lasting health impacts beyond the initial pandemic, with after-effects including scarring to lungs.

“This is a legacy which will be with us for years to come,” Stevens said.

According to the NHS website, the service “forms part of NHS plans to expand access to Covid-19 rehabilitation treatments for those who have survived the virus but still have problems with breathing, mental health problems or other complications.”

It follows the building of a new Seacole rehabilitation centre to help those most seriously affected by the deadly virus, with similar facilities expected to open across the country.

Stevens also said the NHS would be delivering the coronavirus vaccine when that happens, but that this would require training tens of thousands of new nurses.

Updated

NHS is preparing for second wave of coronavirus in winter

When asked by Andrew Marr if the NHS was preparing for a second spike in winter, the chief executive of NHS England said “yes”, it was perfectly possible.

Simon Stevens said this would be particularly difficult if it coincided with seasonal bouts of the flu, which has similar symptoms to coronavirus. Stevens said we needed unprecedented flu vaccinations to help the NHS cope.

You can watch the clip here:

Updated

This is a good summary from Press Association about Hancock’s response to criticism of test and trace:

Earlier, the health secretary Matt Hancock said it was “completely wrong” to say the government’s NHS test-and-trace programme is not working effectively enough.

He told the BBC’s Andrew Marr Show: “We now have 127,000 – so far more people – who are isolating as a result of test and trace.”

On care homes, Hancock said: “If you compare us to other European countries, a far lower proportion of people have died in care homes – only about 30% of the total deaths in care homes, compared to about 50% from the European average.”

He added: “The number of people going from hospital to care homes reduced in that period. It didn’t go up, it reduced.”

Asked if he knew how many people who were moved back to care homes had Covid-19, he said: “No we didn’t because at that point … no, it comes back to this point about asymptomatic transmission. At that point, it was not known about the asymptomatic transmission of this disease because no other coronavirus transmits asymptomatically, as my understanding.”

He added: “The number of people who went from hospital into care homes fell during that period and so therefore we got more people, we supported more people to go home and get the support they needed at home, rather than into hospitals.”

Updated

Stevens has defended the controversial decision to move hospital patients to care homes without testing them for coronavirus, which was taken to free up beds for coronavirus patient.

Stevens says hospitals actually reduced the number of patients discharged to care homes, and they were all discharged because that was what clinicians thought was “medically the right thing to do”.

Asked why they weren’t tested beforehand, Stevens says hospitals followed PHE guidance and due to lack of testing capacity, had to prioritise tests for patients in intensive care units.

Hospital staff have said they did not knowingly discharge patients with Covid, but Stevens says less was known about asymptomatic carriers at the time.

Around 25,000 people were moved from hospitals to care homes without testing. You are 12 times more likely to be a victim of the virus if you’re over 80.

Stevens says we still do not have a “fair” adult social care system. He says that if Beverage was writing his “five social ills” again, there would be a sixth – adult social care.

Updated

Obesity doubles your likelihood of dying from coronavirus, says Simon Stevens, the chief executive of NHS England.

Speaking on The Andrew Marr Show, Stevens says as a country, we must work to tackle these issues, as collectively, “we still carry too many pounds”.

Updated

Health secretary Matt Hancock has defended the decision to impose a localised lockdown in Leicester.

Responding to suggestions the situation in Leicester does not require a lockdown, Hancock told the BBC’s Andrew Marr Show: “It is not true to say that we shouldn’t take action unless the NHS is going to be overwhelmed. We need to take action to keep the virus under control.

“I’ve been against this sort of herd-immunity argument that is implied in that right from the start. So in Leicester, absolutely we’ve taken action in order to get the virus under control.”

He added: “There are more hospital admissions in Leicester than elsewhere in the country but they are not at a level that is creating difficulties for the trust there that is doing a great job.”

On reports that local authorities do not have enough real-time data on positive cases, Hancock said: “Where I want to get to is an open-data approach where we publish as much of this data as possible at as granular level as possible so that then it is not only my experts and local councils who are spotting problems, but then anybody can, raise them, and then we can take a look at that.”

Updated

Police walk through a crowd in Soho
Police walk through a crowd in Soho
 Photograph: Peter Summers/Getty Images

As you can see from these photographs, social distancing was a mere memory for many revellers in Soho, London, last night.

John Apter, chair of the Police Federation, who worked in Southampton last night, said there were similar scenes there. He has warned that it is “crystal clear” that drunk people cannot social distance.

You can read more on his comments here:

Revellers in Soho on ‘Super Saturday’
Revellers in Soho on ‘Super Saturday’
 Photograph: Vickie Flores/EPA
Revellers drink and socialise in the street during the evening in Soho
Revellers drink and socialise in the street during the evening in Soho Photograph: Vickie Flores/EPA

Updated

Former chief scientific advisor David King says that if the UK had gone into lockdown a week earlier, we would have had a quarter of the number of deaths we have so far had.

Updated

The government’s former chief scientific adviser has warned that 27,000 “excess deaths” are likely between now and next April.

David King has been consistently critical of the government’s response to the pandemic, and even started a separate group of scientists called Independent Sage to offer alternative advice to the government’s scientific advisory group, Sage.

He says it appears government policy is to retain a policy of 3,000 infections a day, whereas Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland will be approaching net zero. King says both economically and health-wise, this is a better approach, as it would enable a safe, larger reopening.

“If we want to return to full economic growth as soon as possible, get rid of Covid,” he said.

You can watch the interview here:

Updated

People visiting places of worship this weekend will be asked to give their contact details.

This is the same policy as was rolled out in pubs when they reopened yesterday.

This is done to enable NHS contact tracers to locate everyone who has come into contact with someone who tests positive coronavirus, should this happen at a public place.

Shaun Connolly, PA political correspondent, has this report about what the chancellor may announce on Wednesday:

A big increase in job centre staff will be announced in the wake of the coronavirus outbreak. Chancellor Rishi Sunak is expected to say the number of work coaches will double from 13,500 to 27,000 in a bid to try to help jobseekers back into employment.

The move will cost £800m and comes amid predictions of a major recession in the aftermath of the pandemic as GDP has taken a severe hit during the lockdown.

The chancellor is set to announce an increase in the number of job centre workers
The chancellor is set to announce an increase in the number of job centre workers. Photograph: Philip Toscano/PA

As part of the first wave of the nationwide recruitment drive, an extra 4,500 coaches will be in position by October, with more to follow later in the year.

The government has set up a team of senior policy advisers from the Treasury and the Department for Work and Pensions to oversee the government’s plans to support jobs.

A Treasury spokesperson appears to confirm that this will be announced, saying: “The longer someone is out of work, the harder it is to return. Doubling the number of work coaches will ensure those in need are given immediate support to get back on their feet and into a job.

“Work coaches will use their expert advice to support claimants to make the most of their skills and put them in the best possible position to reconnect with the local labour market.

“Evidence shows that high-quality, work-focused, one-to-one adviser support, significantly reduces jobseekers’ barriers to work.”

Updated

Dodds warns we “sadly” could see a second spike of coronavirus, so calls for more sustainable funding for the NHS.

Shadow chancellor Anneliese Dodds says Labour is hoping for a package not just to support those who have been made unemployed, but to stop them becoming unemployed in the first place.

She says there needs to be a move away from a “one size fits all” approach when different sectors are being impacted in different ways.

Updated

Boris Johnson has wished the NHS a happy birthday on its 72nd anniversary.

Updated

Chancellor will unveil employment-focused package on Wednesday

Chancellor Rishi Sunak is expected to unveil another small economic package on Wednesday. Hancock won’t reveal anything about what that might include, but does mention the importance of looking at the NHS and public transport funding.

However, he says it will be focused on “jobs, jobs, jobs”.

Hancock says again “we won’t be able to save every business” but that the government’s support has been “unprecedented”.

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Responding to the Observer’s story that NHS England has asked for £10bn from the Treasury, health secretary Matt Hancock says he “does not recognise that story”, and says he’s been working very closely with the Treasury.

When asked about a pay rise for NHS staff, he says the government “absolutely want to recognise” their hard work, and praises their efforts during the pandemic, but won’t commit any money to a pay rise.

Updated

Health secretary Hancock says businesses have been shut down over Covid regulations violations. He insists the guidance on what employers must do to protect workers is not too vague, and has heavy penalties attached.

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Hancock: 'vast proportion' of people 'doing the right thing'

Health secretary Matt Hancock says “very very largely” people “acted responsibly” on Saturday, saying he was “pleased with what happened yesterday”.

Responding to police allegations that drunk people cannot social distance, Hancock insists it is sensible to open pubs.

Speaking on Sophy Ridge’s Sunday morning Sky News programme now, he says its individual incidents which are “unhelpful” but that the “vast proportion” of people are “doing the right thing”.

He says that the localised lockdown in Leicester shows the government won’t shirk from clamping down, and they are “fully prepared” to do that. However, he says we have to move closer to normality.

“My overriding message is yes enjoy the new freedoms, but do so safely.”

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The Treasury is considering plans to give all UK adults £500- and children £250-worth of vouchers to spend in specific sectors of the economy that have been badly hit by coronavirus.

The idea has been drawn up by the Resolution Foundation thinktank, which has been in talks with the Treasury. It aims to jump-start the economy by increasing spending in a targeted set of businesses, including those in the hospitality sector and excluding online retail.

This is similar to schemes already in place in China, Taiwan and Malta.

Read the full story from my colleague Toby Helm here:

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Good morning everyone, I’m Molly Blackall, taking over the blog for the next few hours.

Hoping you’re all safe and well, and not nursing too bad a hangover after your socially distanced (I hope) Saturday night.

We’re going to be looking at all of the fallout from yesterday’s reopening of pubs, hair salons, and other businesses in England, as well as potential governmental measures to help kickstart the economy after the pandemic.

If you think there’s something we should be reporting on in this blog, you can drop me a message on Twitter. Your tips and pointers are always much appreciated, so thanks in advance!

Updated

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