Transcripts For BBCNEWS BBC News 20200325

Described to us by Clarence House this is not a time for levity, it is and by sources there. That charles for serious action, and a serious and by sources there. That charles and camilla forup response to the crisis. That is what and by sources there. That charles and camilla for up to scotland on he has seen from this government. Sunday, not on a scheduled fight, i imagine on an raf flight, they got that is why we insisted statutory sick pay should be payable from day their wait on sunday evening and i one. That is why we have advanced think we must assume he was already universal credit. Two repeat the starting to display some symptoms, he was then tested on monday, mild answer, we have increased universal symptoms, tested on monday and the credit by £1000 per year. That will results became known late last night benefit 4 million of the poorest and confirmed that he is suffering families in the country. I pay from coronavirus, but not camilla. Tribute, amongst the many fantastic and they are now at the prince of workers in this country, notjust in the nhs, not just workers in this country, notjust in the nhs, notjust in social care, but in the teaching profession, but waless home on the queens estate up waless home on the queens estate in the dwp itself. They are doing an up at balmoral in the scottish incredible job. They highlands where they are self in the dwp itself. They are doing an incrediblejob. They are isolating and we are told that other in the dwp itself. They are doing an incredible job. They are facing huge, huge new demands. They are than the mild symptoms, which we are doing an outstanding job. Yes, we told he is exhibiting, he is will support them. That is why we otherwise in good health and spirits are putting another £7 billion into and continuing to work. And we are our welfare system. Dont want to also told by Buckingham Palace that appear totally negative, mr speaker, the queen remains in good health. But it would have been better if the the queen last saw the prince of whole place had been better staffed wales briefly on the morning of the in the first place. But i will take what the Prime Minister says, that 12th of march and she is following there is going to be an increase in the appropriate advice, we are told, dwp staff so that people can access with regard to her welfare at universal credit more quickly. It is windsor where she has with there has been, the duke of edinburgh, he quite right that parliament is travelled there from sandringham at virtually closed today, and it is the end of last week. Basically, right that the Prime Minister and thatis the end of last week. Basically, that is the position, certainly a cabinet ministers continue to surprise to learn that the prince of deliver daily Public Information wales has contracted the virus, but sessions. That is absolutely according to officials, it is not a correct. However, iunderstand sessions. That is absolutely correct. However, i understand its going to be possibly some time before the house meets again. There serious case. On the basis of the symptoms he is the spike at the has to be scrutiny of what moment. The symptoms are mild and he governments do. That is what parliament is for, that is what isnt following official advice on isolating himself in his house in oppositions exist for. I would be grateful if the Prime Minister would the highlands of scotland. And it indicate how, over the weeks until just shows i suppose how this virus parliament opens again, he is going does not discriminate. It is not clear, according to his office, how to put himself open to some form of scrutiny, electronics, whatever it happens to be, so that parliament the prince contracted this virus. Can hold governments to account, because of the levels of stress and no, but the very nature of the concern of all of the constituents duties of a member of the royal that we represent. Why programme mr family is to meet a lot of people, and certainly in recent weeks yes has done that. He has been meeting speaker, the right honourable gentleman is entirely correct. Victims of the recent floods. The normal round of Public Engagements the way we have tried to handle this that he prevails, he works very crisis is to be as open and transparent as we possibly can with hard. Not always with very much all of our working and thinking. I public attention being paid to the will work with you, if i may, mr engagements that he prevails. But he speaker, about how we can make sure is out and about around the united that parliament is kept informed kingdom and elsewhere and indeed through the recess. Thank you, mr should have been off on his spring tour to the mediterranean, but that speaker. All i can say to the prime was cancelled as a result of the minister is, please make sure you virus. He meets a lot of people and make yourself available for scrutiny by this house, and by everybody is clearly at some point, some unknown point over the past couple else. Because we represent people who are desperately worried about weeks, she has picked up the by their health, about their economic this. Which i supposejust underlines to all of us just how well being, and, if you are living prevalent it is in the united ina well being, and, if you are living in a small flat and you are told to kingdom at the moment. Once again, isolate, and you have a large family and a large number of children, the just as stress, he is not at the levels of stress are going to be moment displaying serious symptoms, huge. The levels of stress they are described as mild and the throughout our society are huge. It queen, whom he last saw in the 12th is up to all of us to do what we can to reduce those levels of stress, of march, remains in good health. And bring this whole situation to a despite the fact the symptoms are conclusion as quickly as we can. We said to be mild, his children will be concerned. Prince harry is in need clarity, not confusion. When canada, where is Prince William . He need clarity, not confusion. When need delivery, not dither. This crisis shows, mr speaker, how deeply has, as we understand it, about we depend on each other. We will amber hall, their house up in only come through this as a society norfolk near sandringham. They through a huge collective effort. At clearly would have been informed and a time of crisis, no one is an im sure well be concerned but also island. No one is self made. The reassured that she is up and about well being of the wealthiest corporate chief executive officer and continuing to work, so we are depends on the outsourced worker told. They were all of course at cleaning their office. At times like that Commonwealth Day service at westminister abbey, the last time we this, mr speaker, we have to saw the royal family really recognise the value of each other, together. The last time we saw harry the strength of a society that cares and megan before they went off to for each other and cares for all. Mr canada to begin their new life away from the royal family. Canada to begin their new life away from the royalfamily. They canada to begin their new life away from the royal family. They are the speaker, i really want to do nothing prince of wales and camilla looking else except to associate myself to spend the queen at westminster fully with the closing words of the abbey for that Commonwealth Day service which is on the 9th of march leader of the opposition. And i and it was then that the queen think that what this country is mother saw the prince of wales doing now is totally extraordinary. Briefly before going their separate we are coming together as a nation ways. Right, and if i look ina way we are coming together as a nation in a way that i have not seen in my briefly before going their separate ways. Right, and ifi look at briefly before going their separate ways. Right, and if i look at the calendar and do a little bit of back lifetime. To help to defeat a timing, then, if it was on the disease, and to help save the lives threat of march that Prince Charles loss of the queen, that was two weeks ago. If it will allow if of many, many thousands of our fellow citizens. We all understand that will involve a sacrifice. But it was on the 12th of march. It was we are gladly making that sacrifice. Suggested queen herself would need to be tested. No, i think we can be the most important point i can make to the house today is that that assured that she will be resuming all the very best of medical advice sacrifice is inevitable, and it is and if there was felt there be any necessary. But the more we follow need to test the answer that would have been done. But the chronology, the advice of the government, the more strictly we obey their measure as you point out, we suggest there was a sufficient buffer in terms of is that we have put in place, the days between that last meeting on the 12th of march and where we are swifter and more surely this country will come back from the current 110w the 12th of march and where we are now and the fact that he was crisis, the better we will recover, displaying symptoms at the weekend. And soi no, ithink crisis, the better we will recover, displaying symptoms at the weekend. No, i think your assumption is a and so i just crisis, the better we will recover, and so ijust repeat my message, in case the right honourable gentleman very valid one. But also particular would like to hear it one more time, the best thing we can do, stay at attention for Prince Philip, as he home, protect our nhs, and save 98 . Yeah, he is 99 the chair. Yes. Many, home, protect our nhs, and save any home, protect our nhs, and save many, many thousands of lives. Sign clearly, at that age, any of that i echo the words of my right age must be considered to be honourable friend. The current exceptionally vulnerable. He is position on london transport is that the services have been severely 99 this year. He had that few days curtailed. The journeys from in hospital before christmas, treatment for an ongoing infection, the services have been severely curtailed. Thejourneys from his constituency into Central London never actually disclosed what the arrive every 15 minutes, as opposed problem was on that occasion but, to every five minutes. The result of yes, clearly there will be ready thatis to every five minutes. The result of that is huge, packed trains with people who potentially are infecting particular and justified concern that both he and the queen, 94 this other people. Clearly, some of those people are being selfish. What year, that they should be kept in a advice does my right honourable friend have for his successor of safe condition and a safe mayor of london in resolving this surroundings as possible, which is the reason why she went to windsor a week earlier than had been planned problem . And they will be remaining there the mayor of london, i can assure until after easter. But there we are, the news this morning that the him,| the mayor of london, i can assure him, i understand very well thejob prince of wales has tested positive that the current mayor is doing, and for coronavirus. She is self my own view is we should be able to isolating in scotland, the symptoms runa my own view is we should be able to run a better tube system. At the we are told as mild and we are told moment, we should be able to get more tubes on the line, but we will he is in good spirits and continuing do whatever we can. I do not wish in to work. And the queen, we know from any way to cast aspersions on what is going on at tfl at the moment Buckingham Palace, is also in good because it is an outstanding health. The queen, we understand from Buckingham Palace, yes, it is organisation, and what we will do is in good health. She is following all give the mayor every support and the appropriate advice in regards to help that we can to help him through her welfare, we understand. Thank what seemed to me to be the you for the moment. Our royal logistical difficulties. As of correspondence. The prince of wales has tested positive for coronavirus. Camilla was tested to, she is monday, over 3300 inquiries have negative, she does not have it. Been made in scotland about nhs according to Buckingham Palace, the staff seeking to return to work in queen, who is at windsor, charles order to help us defeat the and camilla are at balmoral, the coronavirus. These people and all queen who is at windsor remains in those already working tirelessly good health. We will have much more within the nhs. Every last one of on the news that Prince Charles has them, from consultants to cleaners, tested positive for this illness, from carers to nurses, from drivers but lets take a look at some of the to maintenance workers, from gps to other latest developments. Paramedics, they are performing vital work to save the lives of others. When this crisis is over, in the uk, 250 thousand people have we, in this house, will need to find some way to honour those amazing heroes. But there is one way that already signed up to help the public can honour and support the public can honour and support the nhs staff now, and that is by staying at home. Staying at home and the National Health service tackle the virus outbreak, just hours after the health adhering to social distancing will secretary called for an army of volu nteers after yesterdays save lives, protect our health and pictures of a crowded London Underground social Care Services and begin to the mayor has just reported that flatten to the curve flatten the tube travel in the capital today is down by a third curve. We can avoid the necessary compared to yesterday, and bus travel is down deaths that make unnecessary deaths, by an additional 20 . But we need to Work Together. Does and bus travel is down spain has registered 738 fatalities in the past 24 hours the Prime Minister agree with me the countrys steepest that we owe it to everyone in the increase since the outbreak. Nhs and those willing to return, for th countrys death toll now stands at 3,434, surpassing the number of coronavirus those essential workers, to stay at fatalities in china in india, home . Can i congratulate the honourable gentleman in the splendid in india, way in which he expressed himself just now . I think that message the countrys population deserves to be heard loud and clear of 1. 3 billion has gone across the whole uk. Can i thank the into lockdown. Prime minister Narendra Modi has minister for what across the whole uk. Can i thank the ministerfor what hejust enforced a total ban on people across the whole uk. Can i thank the minister for what he just said . Many members in this house both have leaving their homes but some constituents contacting them in recent days around evictions. Will of the countrys shops remain open. The Prime Ministerjoin me in in the united states, praising scotlands Community President trump says he hopes the country can shake off secretary who has announced the the virus by easter. Congress has now approved a 2 trillion dollar governments intention to use the economic rescue plan Emergency Powers granted by the causing Global Stock Markets to surge. Coronavirus built to protect people from losing their homes . The and those leaving the new york Scottish Government plan to impose a city area have been told to self isolate for 14 days, six month ban from eviction in private and social rented a after a spike in the number of confirmed virus cases there. Accommodation, and can reminisce to join me in sending a message out to with me now is our assistant it from this house that in times like this, we need to be truly a Political Editor norman smith. Loving and compassionate society. No one, no one, mr speaker, should be norman, parliament is going to close facing the threat of eviction is at a little bit early tonight. It is, this time of emergency was stock and it will shut up shop a week early and come back on april the 21st, but are sent out this message today . wa nt to anyway, parliament has been winding are sent out this message today . want to repeat what we are doing and down, activities for some time come the sense that it is notjust out because you dont want loads of mps crashing into the chamber. Supporting the nhs and putting £1 billion back into supporting the slightly different pm cures today, we are told they were gone for an rent sector by local housing hour to give mps more chance to ask allowa nce, rent sector by local Housing Allowance, but also stopping no fault evictions. Now, the difference questions, Jeremy Corbyns last pm between three months and six months, queues before standing down as what i can tell the right honourable labour leader. The session obviously gentleman is we will certainly keep that protection under review. going to be dominated by coronavirus would like to thank broxbourne borough council, particularly the pmq. The going to be dominated by coronavirus leader and chief executive and all pmq. The issue many mps are its staff for the brilliant work they are doing in coordinating aid exercise about is construction workers and whether they should be and support across my bra. Fantastic going into work. The government seem people, working with a range of to say it is up to employers to heroes. Prime minister, there is an decide whether they can guarantee army of black cab drivers in and that construction workers will be around london, itching to get able to be two metres apart and are safe to go in, but as we know, there involved like the spitfires in 1940. Can we find a way if we need to to isa safe to go in, but as we know, there is a widespread dismay about this. Get doctors and nurses are safely Nicola Sturgeon has told scottish across london to use these black cab construction workers are not going drivers, not on the metre, but four ina mess construction workers are not going in a mess is a widespread dismay about this. Nicola sturgeon has told had taps are a contracted basis . My scottish construction workers are not going in a message essential work, the welsh first minister looks like you buy the shares that view. Honourable friend makes a superb point, and indeed that has already sadik khan is blaming the fact that been raised in our considerations. So sadik khan is blaming the fact that so many construction workers are going in on the tube for the the black cab drivers are a overcrowding on the trip. Andy fantastic service, an unsung burnham, mayor of manchester service, and i believe they can certainly rise to this challenge. We similarly unhappy. If you listen to the security secretary Robert Jenrick this morning, it seems the have already heard about the huge government are sticking by their increase of applications for existing position. Universal credit, and whatever a number of employers have concluded that they cant follow measures the chancellor comes the Public Health england guidance, forward with to help the and are choosing to self employed, it will take time to close down their sites. In some cases, they are doing implement. What is the governments so over a short period of time, plan to help people with no job and so those sites remain safe, and that is the right thing to do. But if you or your employer no income and no savings in believe that you can circumstances where they dont have any money at all to buy food . What continue to operate safely, will the government to do to make within those guidelines, then it is sensible for you to do so. Sure no family goes hungry . We have i think it is worth remembering that there are some functions already increased universal credit, within the housing and construction but what we are doing immediately, industry that are absolutely mr speaker, to help get cash to the essential to all of us. Keeping building safe, ensuring essential maintenance is done poorest and neediest is to give an to peoples homes and workplaces. Immediate grant of 500 million to local councils, and there will be more to come. All morning, i have a couple of other interesting things been talking about the future plans this morning, one, huge rise in the for my constituency. They are number of people claiming universal already planning for recovery after credit, presumably because of losing this pandemic. Will the prime theirjobs and businesses closing minister agree with me that this is down. Shutting nearly half a million the opportunity to plan for future, make sure we can rebuild a economy people claiming universal credit, new claims in the past week. Of and become more Community Minded than ever before . I do believe that those, 70,000 asking for an advance, because at the moment you have to this country will emerge better and wait five weeks before you can get the benefit, but you can get in stronger from this experience, and this country will emerge better and strongerfrom this experience, and i can certainly tell my honourable friend that a great deal of thought advance. 70,000 people saying, is being given now to the lessons we actually, i need advance, i need the need to learn from this crisis and money now. Clearly people under huge how we can turn them to the pressure and the warning signs have advantage of the british people in to be we are in the early stages of the future. As the minister aware coronavirus, if half a million already have moved on to universal credit, then fear is that is only that people are being evicted now this week as a result of losing going to escalate. The other their income . Including all of those interesting information we got this morning was from Niall Ferguson from people who are being turfed out of low cost hotels where they were imperial college, the man who being house, either in their own right or by the local authority. Is provided Niall Ferguson, provided he aware that all of his emergency the modelling that force the government to change their approach legislation will do is defer evictions returned have months, storing up a problem further down the line . Can he tell us now at what to coronavirus and related he is going to do to fulfil his restrictions rapidly. And talk about governments commitment infill that stop all this talk about herd nobody will lose their homes as a immunity. Are you suggesting the nhs will be under maximum pressure in result of this . She is totally right about two to turn a half weeks time to raise this. The bill comes into and he is predicting that between force either today or as soon as the five and 10 of people in london lordships have finished with it, but will get coronavirus. Norman, thank in answer to the leader of the snp, you very much. It is cardi here now. We will keep the three month, we will keep this under review. Like so it is you very much. It is cardi here now. It is carrie here now. Lets take many colleagues, my constituency has many colleagues, my constituency has many self employed. Farming, food and Food Production is very much a look at some of the other latest developments. Self employed businesses. Can we in spain there have been 738 deaths reassure them that it wont be bureaucracy and the difficulty of setting up a system that stops that from the coronavirus help getting to the self employed . Because it is absolutely essential we cut through the bureaucracy to over the past 24 hours make it work. That is indeed the in the steepest increase of the death toll since issue, mr speaker. The difficulty is the epidemic hit the country. It means that a total of 3,434 people have died in the country not devising the schemes. We can this means spain has now overtaken devise the schemes. The difficulty is getting the cash to the people china and is now the country with the second most deaths who need it in a timely manner, and in the world after italy. In total there are nearly anybody who has worked on any of 50 thousand cases. These projects will know that that is the real issue. Some firms such in the united states, President Trump has come under fire for suggesting coronavirus restrictions could be lifted by easter. As sport direct and whether spins hes engaged in a war have changed themselves by that of words with andrew cuomo, the governor of new york, shame themselves by not paying their who has compared the speed of the virus spread to a bullet train. Staff. Will the government give a the Us Government has said that clear direction now that no large anyone who has left new york city in the past few days should events involving large numbers of immediately put themselves under self isolation people should be taking place in the near future and ensure that Companies Need to get their act for the next two weeks. Together . The instructions could not be clearer. The enforcement is two thirds of all new virus cases there, and it is going to be have been diagnosed in the city, which has been called the ground applied. The message should not go zero of the coronavirus outbreak. Out, not only to those companies, in washington, the white house but to the insurers as well. Can i and us senators have agreed thank the Prime Minister and his tea m thank the Prime Minister and his team for everything they have done so far . I can associate my words a 2 trillion dollar package to stimulate the us economy. Senior republican and democrats with the honourable member to have been explaining why support rural and coastal communities, and what further support might we be able to expect the deal is so significant. Forfishermen who are the men and women of the greatest support might we be able to expect for fishermen who are sitting on the country on earth are going line . He is absolutely right, and he to defeat this coronavirus and reclaim our future. And the senates going to make sure they have the ammunition they need to do it. Andi line . He is absolutely right, and he and i have seen the wonderful work im thrilled that were finally going to deliver for the country thatis that has been waiting for us and i have seen the wonderful work that is done by the Fishing Community in its constituency, and they will receive all sorts of to step up. Benefits, not least, of course, our im relieved my distinguished democratic colleagues are ready to take yes for an answer. Ability in due time to take back this has been a long control of the plenteous resources week in the senate. Of the uk coast. Yesterday, i spoke but its been a much longer week for the hundreds of millions of americans who find themselves with a constituent who suffers from an autoimmune disease, and the in this strange new reality. Symptoms of her condition are similarto symptoms of her condition are similar to that of coronavirus. She is includes she is concerned she will not be included in those that i know how Small Business people worry and suffer. Are going to be shielded, and that they will get loans. She will need emergency help because their employees will be paid by the federal government of her medications. Canopy minister while theyre closed, because they dont have confirmed the government is working customers 01 services. With devolved demonstrations to ensure that guidance is the same and they can too bounce back afterwards. Across the uk . We are trying to make so, this agreement is really guidance as consistent as we an outstanding agreement. Possibly can, but in her particular to them, to all americans, case, can i perhaps advise her to get in touch directly with us and we will make sure she is included. I say, help is on the way. Nottinghamshire police are asking local employers to get paid leave to special constables to allow them to help during this crisis. Does the Prime Minister agree with me that they can help, and quick help. Every business should be playing its we are going to take up and pass this package to care for those pa rt every business should be playing its part and that all special constables who are now caring for us. And help carry millions of americans should be able to report for duty . Yes, andi through these dark economic times. Should be able to report for duty . Yes, and i should have added that india has gone into a complete lockdown lasting at least three weeks. The police and everybody who serves in our Incredible Police force for what they do, and they should certainly be added to the roll of honour. Tens of thousands of our the country has recorded over 500 positive coronavirus cases, and reported 10 deaths. Constituents are stranded abroad, our correspondent Arunoday Mukharji and at the same time, thousands of planes and pilots are sitting idle. In delhi has more details. The ministry of defence have india woke up to its first day of a complete lockdown unparalleled experience in across the country. Chartering planes and organising a country which has a population of 1. 3 billion people and some flights. What we need, you is your of the most bustling and crowded cities saw them turning instruction to do that, so when you into ghost towns overnight. The Prime Minister made get back to downing street, get onto the ministry of defence, get the a i rlifts that address last night. The ministry of defence, get the airlifts started and bring our people home. Certainly, while not soon after, we saw long queues outside essential stores as people tried to stock up on items, every country in the world welcomes preparing for the long haul ahead. A grey tailfin as it were, we 21 days is the duration for which people across the country every country in the world welcomes a grey tail fin as it were, we will make sure we are working. Most of have to stay indoors. Theres a lot of anxiety and concerns about whether essential them do, i should say, but charters items and supplies would be hit. We are certainly commissioning right now and there is a massive, massive repatriation effort going on. Can i but there was an assurance coming in from the Prime Ministers put on record the gratitude of my office that nothing constituents . The leadership shown like that is going to happen. By both the Prime Minister and the supplies will go on as it were, food, Medicines Health secretary during this very will not be affected. However, it being the first day difficult time for this whole of the curfew, there are reports country. Coronavirus is showing our coming in across the country of confusion on the ground about how nhs at its best, including doctors, the police is handling nurses and support staff in my this entire lockdown. Many essential Service Workers have been stopped, essential supply trucks, North Western constituency, but it which are supposed to ferry is also showing a strain in some important items to various households, have been stopped. Parts of our nhs, including all of Officials Say they are hoping that things smoothen out the parts of the nhs estate. The over the next few days. The Prime Minister also announced a massive economic package of nearly 2 billion, after this has passed, will the only for Health Infrastructure Health Secretary work with me to to battle the coronavirus. 21 days is going to be very, very work with me work with me to difficult for a country like india, where 90 of the workforce provide hospital immigrants it was is in the unorganised sector. A . The short answer to that question many people who are migrant workers, who work on daily wages, is yes. The long answer is that this will be the worst hit. Government is in no way limiting its Arunoday Mukharji, bbc news, delhi. Ambition to continue record lets talk now to investments in our nhs and build 40 professor paul cosford, medical director for Public Health. New hospitals. To protect us all from coronavirus, we need to protect the most marginalised, and that includes asylum seekers, those who your immediate thoughts on learning have had their claims reviews, and that the prince of wales has an infection of coronavirus . Well, of have had their claims reviews, and have not been able to access funds because of home office rules. Can course, all our thoughts are with the prince of wales. As he tackles the minister urged the home office the prince of wales. As he tackles to change their policies so that the illness, as they are with people can get through this crisis . Anybody who has caught the infection. It is the case, of course, that the vast majority of this country will look after all people will make a full recovery, those honourable in society in a way that we always have and the groups but our very best wishes are with him and our hopes that he will do so he mentioned will certainly receive the Home Office Funding that they and do so quickly. We mac turning to need and deserve. The police will the situation of the country as a whole, what are your primary concerns this morning in your role . Play a role in placing the social the most important thing from my point of view, our primary concern distancing guidelines. Little bit extra pressure on limited resources, and my concern that certain criminal elements, either to exploit this ought to. Well the minister is that the social distancing measures that have been introduced promised me and my constituents that we will come down like a tonne of this week should be effective and we bricks on very such individuals . The should get them into play properly. Theres quite a stark choice us really. If we can get these measures early signs are that criminal activity is not up, it is in fact down at the moment, but we will come working properly and effectively, down at the moment, but we will come then the prospect is that we will down like a tonne of bricks on anybody who seeks to exploit the continue to see rises in infection, and we are just getting to the situation. The people of newcastle steepest, steeper part of those are desperately trying to do the rises. That will continue for a small number of weeks but wont right thing, although my inbox tells me that they are angry, confused, continue it would do otherwise. It will come to a peak, it should be running out of money, isolated and able to plateau on the next small stranded in some cases. However, not number of weeks and then bring the all businesses are doing the right numbers down again. That is the best thing, andi all businesses are doing the right thing, and i am particularly way of making sure that as many thinking of mike ashley forcing workers into empty Sports Direct people as possible about the infection and we get as few people as possible sadly suffering from the shops. The banister said businesses serious consequences when you may should stand with their staff, and end up needing hospital treatment, what his message to those who dont . Ventilation or sadly dying as a the advice to the gentleman, the result. If we dont get those into play, then i think we have got a instructions of the gentleman in question and that every business is prospect of the number is increasing to follow what the government is significantly more quickly, and said, to obey the rules or to expect continuing to rise for several weeks the consequences, and that is the best way to look after, not just and a small number of months, and that will purchase any much more their employees, but their businesses as well. And the end difficult position. And that would obviously alarm everybody. What do you think, then, as you see the there almost in prospect of the last stories over the past 24 hours or so Prime Ministers questions before an of building sites, tube train still packed in london, even this morning unexpectedly long recess for easter. The lastjeremy corbyn as well. You in some cases. Do you think a have been watching bbc news. The stricter social distancing these to news that one coming up next. Go out to many workplaces . stricter social distancing these to go out to many workplaces . I think it takes a small number of days for people to really work out what this means. Following the announcements of the Prime Minister, things alter very significantly within 24 hours. And they are continuing to do so. What we have to do and what the government does is monitor very carefully whether the measures, the restrictions are being complied with and, if not, then bring in more restrictions as needed to try and make absolutely certain that people do follow them. Of course, the majority of people are. There are decisions about the elements of Construction Industry there are essential, in terms of maintenance and keeping building going where thatis and keeping building going where that is absolutely needed. It is not a hard and fast rule, but we have been clear that people, if they are out doing essential work, that they need to maintain that distance of two metres apart from each other. The prince of wales has tested and that must be complied with. It positive for coronavirus. Is very important to do so. It is a Clarence House says Prince Charles is suffering mild symptoms. Question of monitoring as we go on his last Public Engagement this one, and we may well see more was on march 12th. Hundreds of thousands of people restrictions brought in to make sure sign up in a single day that we do get the spread of to volunteer with the nhs, helping infection as low as possible. Can i pressure a little further on this the most vulnerable self isolators. Issue. Scotland has obviously taken a slightly different position, the the call for 250 , 000 volunteers default is that unless the building is looking to help people work is essential and critical, it with their shopping, with transport, and then also simply, if you like, should not be taking place. Now, calling on isolated people. Thatis should not be taking place. Now, that is not yet the position in england, as most of us understand theres still no Financial Support for the 5 million self employed it. Would you like to see england the Prime Minister says move to those scottish default the government is working hard to come up with a package of measures. Position . That position will be considered very carefully over the we have produced a quite incredible coming few hours and i wouldnt be package to support the businesses and the workforce of this country. At all surprised if we end up in that position, that is a decision obviously government has to take. The most important thing here is that we really do all have a part to play. This choice that weve got between the social restrictions that we are putting in place working and helping us to contain this as much as we are able to, so that within a small number of weeks the numbers stabilise and we bring them back down again, or we see an even bigger and very. Many times bigger problem over the next three months 01 problem over the next three months or so. That is a choice we all be pa rt or so. That is a choice we all be part to play in. Following the guidance, staying at home, is set for a central shopping if you can get on them for food medicines. Except for appointments that can be done remotely, etc going out for exercise just for people from a house or once a day, and except if you are a key worker and contributing to the response or in a key working capacity, that is something we all can and must comply with. That is our contribution to helping our country and the nhs to get through this and to making sure that as few people suffer the consequence and sadly die as a result of this disease. Can i turn to another question, that of testing. Weve heard jeremy hunt, former Health Secretary, saying this morning that he is concerned that we are not morning that he is concerned that we a re not really morning that he is concerned that we are not really testing many more cases than we were a week ago, despite the governments promise of ramping up testing. We know for many asian countries, they feel that testing, as endorsed by the world health organization, has been critical to getting on top of the bars. Yes, testing is an essential part. One of the essential parts of our response to this. Testing has been ramped up, the government has said that, a new Testing Centre in Milton Keynes and we have bought a new Antibody Test in the hopes that will help us. The most important people to be tested are those who are sick and ill, to make sure we have the right diagnosis. And then, as possible, anyone who has symptoms can be tested to make sure that they. That we know whether they have the illness or not. The good prospect here, if we can get it, is this thing that is called the Antibody Test, and that is a test that tells you whether you have had the infection, not whether you have still got the infection. Professor, Sergeant Robert we are short on time, cani Sergeant Robert we are short on time, can i pressure on. Professor, we are short on time. Going back to this question of when more people will get testing, you have cited his being ramped up but as we keep hearing from hospital staff, gp staff in care homes, testing has not yet been ramped up in terms of numbers. When will we see the numbers . The th centre in Milton Keynes i understand was opening today, so that this is significant part of that. The test centre. The numbers are being ramped up centre. The numbers are being ramped up as we speak. One more on personal protective equipment, again, we are told by the government and by nhs leaders that Health Workers, both in hospitals and gp surgeries and all the other places where theyre on the other places where theyre on the front line, that they will be getting more of the ppe, as its commonly known, but we are also still hearing a lot of Health Workers think it is not the right ppe, that the uk is not following Health Organisation guidelines and standards of this equipment. Yellow the first thing to say is that nhs front line workers are absolutely critical to response, everybodys dice was to them, we must make sure they are completely protected and they are completely protected and the ppe is right and they feel they are the ppe is right and they feel they a re protected the ppe is right and they feel they are protected as well. We have done are protected as well. We have done a lot of work on what the guidance for our personal protective equipment is. It is based on the who guidance, translated into use in the uk. If it is in some ways more stringent, when people are exposure prone and aerosol producing procedures using ppe, our guidance suggest a higher protection in terms of the respirators that should be used, the w guidance. The area where people are most concerned is where we are saying that you keep below the elbow principle and a scan when it is not a exposure prone aerosol producing procedure. I understand clinicians have been concerned about that, that is constantly being looked at. The advice produced in the uk is shared jointly between the nhs, the organisation i work for Public Health england, based on the best scientific evidence. There is a whole range of reasons why we tend to keep to bear below the elbow, although we have done over many yea rs although we have done over many years and reduced infection rates in hospital as a result, but that is an area i know is still of concern to some, and disconsolate being reviewed as well, so we will be looking at that again. In principle, the guidance we have got on ppe is based on the best scientific evidence. If people are still concerned about that, there is more we need to do working with professions to make sure that they feel as protected as they need to feel, and if we need to change some of the Council People feel as protected as they need to, then obviously we will be looking at that. Thank you forjoining us. Yesterday, the Health Secretary matt hancock urged people to donate their time to help people who are self isolating. This morning weve learnt the scale of that public response, which has been described as astonishing by one senior doctor, stephen powis, the National Medical director for nhs england, explained more. We have seen incredible responses throughout this. This is a health emergency, as the government has said. We can all play a role in ensuring we get on top of coronavirus. And at the same time, that we expand capacity in the nhs. Yesterday we sent out a call to arms for an army of nhs volunteers, looking for 250,000 volunteers. Overnight, we have already had 170,000 people signing up. Thats three a minute signing up to help the nhs. It is an astonishing response. I think at times of crisis, people come together. The vast majority of people in the country are doing what the government has asked us all to do. Its important everybody does that. Because that is what will save lives. There are vast numbers of people looking to help neighbours, Vulnerable People who live close by. So, no, it doesnt surprise me at all. In times like this, as the chief medical officer has already said, we see outbreaks of altruism, people wanting to help. It is a wonderful response, in the same way that all those doctors coming back, nurses saying they will come back, i am bowled over by it. Since that interview, weve now learnt that the numbers of volunteers have risen from 170,000 to 250,000, a quarter of a Million People. That means the number of volunteers that the Health Secretary called for has been reached already, in under 18 hours. We can speak now to kat brown. She is one of those who has decided to volunteer. The list is endless when you have not got anywhere to go or any work to be doing. Likely 250,000 people, we smashed that target this morning, which is fantastic. I have signed up to the goodsam app, the red cross had put up a request for volunteers. And i have signed up to give blood this week. Apartments are still ongoing, basically, for people to give blood. I am using the new cobit Symptom Tracker app, which is a sort of Co Production between covid Symptom Tracker app. Tracking symptoms for researchers. I am working a neighbours dog and, of course, my local area in lambeth has a great big Facebook Group set up with subdivisions, so there are different whatsapp groups for words in stratton where they live and different streets, so were making sure that all the elderly, vulnerable and isolated people are being looked after, so were all hoping to do their shopping and i have a car as well, so i have not had to use that yet, but at least it is helpful if it is going to be needed. So these are all informal self generating volunteering structures. Do you feel that the governments, but for these quarter ofa governments, but for these quarter of a Million People that we have just been talking about, do you feel thatis just been talking about, do you feel that is something where your skills can be deployed effectively . Absolutely. I was looking back to the olympics 2012 when i was a volunteer then and even counting up all the performers, games makers, there were only, if you like, close to 80,000 volunteers. So the numbers that we are seeing now, there are absolutely incredible. The culprit hundred and 50,000 volunteers is looking to help people with their shopping, with transport, if they have a dbs qualification the call for a 250,000 volunteers. And we know that the black cab drivers in london are hoping to be mobilised in that respect. Simply, we are also calling on isolated people, keeping people in touch. As much as people my age and others have got the internet, whatsapp, on that these Amazing Things that we had to keep in touch, there are still people in my street who rely very heavily on landlines for human contact, so just making sure that we can keep people in touch. Thank you so much for joining us. I know that many of our viewers will be uploading you and the other quarter of a Million People have signed up to volunteer. Stay safe, and good luck. Thank you. We have got a constantly updating my page on our website and you can find much more information on our special coronavirus section. It includes the set of answers to ten of the most commonly asked questions about the epic. Just log on to either bbc. Co. Uk news or bbc. Com news depending on where you are in the world. Hello, this is bbc news with carrie gracie. The headlines the prince of wales tests positive for coronavirus. Clarence house says hes displaying mild symptoms but otherwise remains in good health. Buckingham palace say the queen remains in good health and is following all appropriate advice with regard to her welfare. The uks volunteer army already 250,000 people have answered the governments call for the public to help tackle the coronavirus crisis. The government resists the pressure to stop construction work, saying it should continue if it can be done safely. In scotland, the first minister says sites should close. Boris johnson will answer questions from mps in whats expected to be the final session of Prime Ministers questions before parliament is likely to shut down this evening. The us agrees a two trillion dollar aid package to protect the American Economy from the effects of coronavirus. India goes into a three week lockdown. 1. 3 billion people nearly a fifth of the worlds population are told to stay at home. And the number of deaths in europe passes 12,000, despite efforts to curb peoples movements across the continent. In the last hour, it has been confirmed that the prince of wales has tested positive for coronavirus and is displaying mild symptoms but otherwise remains in good health, according to Clarence House. The duchess of cornwall has also been tested but does not have the virus. The prince, who is also the heir to the throne, last saw the queen on the 12th of march. A statement from Buckingham Palace reads her majesty the queen remains in good health. The queen last saw the prince of wales briefly after the investiture on the morning of 12th march and is following all the appropriate advice with regard to her welfare. Clarence house has released this statement. It says the prince of wales has tested positive for coronavirus. He has been displaying mild symptoms but otherwise remains in good health and has been working from home throughout the last few days as usual. And in accordance with government and medical advice, the prince and the duchess are now self isolating at home in scotland. It goes on to say the tests were carried out by the nhs in aberdeenshire where they met the criteria required for testing. It is not possible to ascertain from whom the prince caught the virus owing to the high number of engagements he carried out in his public role during recent week. That is the statement. Our royal correspondentjonny dymond joins us live now. There are bits and pieces of detail coming in, also a timeline and a mention of Prince Charles himself. He is said to be in good spirits, he has spoken to the queen, both of his children, william and harry and is a p pa re ntly children, william and harry and is apparently working up at his residence in scotland where, also the staff have been in contact with him, his household staff, have also now been isolated within the house. A timeline will be of interest to anyone who has met the prince of wales in the last few weeks. The medical advice is that he became contagious on march the 13th. He was tested on monday and find a positive, but then at the medical advice is that the likelihood is that the earliest you could have been contagious is the 13th. His final Public Engagement was the day before that only 12. That was also when he met his mother queen. He then develops in things, mild symptoms, which led to both him and the duchess of cornwall, camilla, having a test on the nhs in aberdeenshire on monday, where he proved positive and she did not. That deals with the prince, but what about the queen . I mentioned a few details from Buckingham Palace, their statement, but what about Prince Philip as well, who is currently 98 . There have been an insane number of rumours are swirling around about Prince Phillip as mckell. Our understanding is that he is fine, he will be taking every precaution Prince Philips health. We understand, the queen is in good health. We do not know whether she has been tested. We understand that the duke did not meet Prince Charles when he met the queen on the 12th. At the moment, you know, the royalfamily, as is quite often the case, shares the same travails as the rest of the family. One member, Prince Charles, has tested positive for coronavirus. Our understanding is that no one else has been affected. Prince charles and his wife camilla are self isolating. The queen and duke of edinburgh as well due to their age. And life goes on as close to normal as possible. You have been talking about each other on the 13th. I think it was the ninth when we saw many members of the royal family in public in westminster abbey. That is right. That was the Commonwealth Day service, which was of course, the last appearance of harry and meghan, as well before they went over to canada, the duke and duchess of sussex, before they went over to canada. As you say, a large gathering of the royal family, it is one of the most important days of the year for the royal year. The doctors advice is that the prince would not have been contagious up until the 13th. Again, they are working on presumably his symptoms, the date that he has taken the test. Their understanding of where he is now. In the viruss path. He would not have passed anything on to other members of the royal family. Obviously, that was a very large gathering of people. It was notjust the royal family do, gathering of people. It was notjust the royalfamily do, you have high commissioners, senior politicians, all kinds of people. As far as we understand, and the royalfamily do draw a veil of privacy over some elements of their health, no other members of the royal family have contracted coronavirus and, in particular, the head of state, the queen, is in good health. A last question to you, what about other members of the royal family . Question to you, what about other members of the royalfamily . Do question to you, what about other members of the royal family . Do we expect to hear from them over the course of today . What we are getting is right from the various different palaces at the moment. And any various different people who speak for the different members of the royal family. We wait to see if there will be further statements or even broadcasts from members of the royal family. Even broadcasts from members of the royalfamily. Our even broadcasts from members of the royal family. Our understanding is that at some point the queen will make an address to the nation, will speak to the nation feel extraordinary circumstances prompt that and that is exactly the circumstance. I think the feeling is that certainly, the palace does not wa nt that certainly, the palace does not want a message from any member of the royal family to get in the way of the random urgent messaging from the garden at the moment, so energy from the government at the moment, so any message about cats from the queen or the royal family will be very careful about time any message or broadcast from the queen. Now on bbc news, its time for your questions answered. Youve been contacting us in your thousands with questions about practical advice and support on covid 19. Were going to do our best now to answer some of them now on bbc your questions answered. And im joined by the Crisis Management consultant, rob doran. He is a former Civil Servant and was part of cobra support effort during swine flu outbreak. I should also say that we are also hoping to bejoined, as well as being joined by rob, talking to a gp Rosemary Leonard in a moment. Lets see what on this list you can deal with. Says one viewer, i work for a large online Distribution Centre classed as key workers, so after my isolation i shall be returning to work. I am confused about the role that im not able to mix with my family but im able to go to work with strangers. This is a common situation for lots of people at the moment her in that key worker segment. I think the advice is quite clear that, yes, what the government is advising is do not make directly with yourfamily, is advising is do not make directly with your family, obviously but if you have to go to work then your employer must be putting in place measures to maintain that to me to social distancing. I am measures to maintain that to me to social distancing. Iam hoping measures to maintain that to me to social distancing. I am hoping that you have yours company is looking at that to keep them safe while theyre at it work during that important work keeping us all said. This one on the homeless, what help is out there for the homeless . What category do they come under if anyone . Does someone need to tell them how to access funds in order to survive . It is a really, really difficult situation for people who are homeless or sleeping rough on the street. I know that lots of organisations, both formal through local authorities and charities are doing their best to help and support homeless people. I have seen exa m ples homeless people. I have seen examples from up and down the country of hotels and hostels opening their doors to harmless and rough sleepers. I think it is really, really difficult to have to try and support those people as well to homeless and rough sleepers. Anyone who can help the homeless at this time, please do so while helping your community as well. This from a hotel worker is written anonymously, saying, we are still being told to work as our head office have not given us any clear direction. What should we do . Are we allowed to just go home . The government says that hotels should close. Unless they are staying open to assist key workers are Vulnerable People. I would to assist key workers are Vulnerable People. Iwould hope to assist key workers are Vulnerable People. I would hope that the owners of that hotel are heeding that guidance and, if so, that person can continue to work. If not, and it is closing, they should be at home isolating social distancing. This one from jan, why are funerals exempt on social distancing rolls . There are sometimes large gatherings, people are crying and upset, surely this is a high risk area . Social upset, surely this is a high risk area . Social distancing upset, surely this is a high risk area . Social distancing rules. |j would agree that it is a high risk area. We need to balance that need for people to be able to pay their respects to their loved ones who have u nfortu nately respects to their loved ones who have unfortunately died of any because, not just from have unfortunately died of any because, notjust from covid 19. I looked again at the guidance this morning from the government and it seems to be clarified a bit more around having immediate members of the family there. There are lots of exa m ples the family there. There are lots of examples where Funeral Directors are helping people live stream services, etc. The one thing that sticks on my mind isi etc. The one thing that sticks on my mind is i heard Nicola Sturgeon a couple of days ago say that it was the hardest message she thought she would have to give on funerals and it really does reflect quite how challenging the circumstances are at the moment for all of us. This one from someone with a suggestion on the logistics of transport, public transport particularly after we have seen all of those busy carriages on your rigid service. Leslie asks, will it not be possible to allocate train carriages and buses just for nhs staff . I guess the companies could do that if they want to, but there is a really large list of people who are in that essential worker criteria and it has been really u nfortu nate worker criteria and it has been really unfortunate that a number of the services in some of the major towns and cities, land and in particular, remain busy because especially as those reduce. The challenges enforcement and you put more people address trying to enforce that. I think the transport companies will need to think carefully about how they can make sure that the most essential workers can stay safe travelling to and from work. This one from nicky who says that my mother is 71, she is still working on details in a supermarket, she has been told she can choose to not going to work, but will not get paid if she makes this choice. Can they make her work if she is at risk . This is similar to the hotel question we had a mum to go. Absolutely. It has a really, really difficult situation that we are all in at the moment that we had a moment ago. I am not an employment lawyer, but her mother will have a contractual arrangement with her employer, but her employer also has a duty of care so if she is and that at risk and is over 70, then she certainly is just about there in that group. Then her Employer Needs to support her as we go through this. I think, to support her as we go through this. Ithink, though, any business who sacked somebody or did not allow them to go to work after this was over because of what their choice to sell bracelet would be in a quite a difficult position morally, if not legally. Their choice to self isolate. Legally. Their choice to selfisolate. Another question relating to an age category. Jan says her parents are 82 and 85, but do not come under the extremely vulnerable category as they do not have respiratory conditions and are not immunosuppressed. However, they do that and on and are 175 miles from me. What local support are they entitled to . So many people are in this situation. The normal kind of support for Vulnerable People, our own elderly parents and relatives has been shattered slightly. The government has said that you can go and support people at that sort of distance. Im hoping that there are three things you can access. Firstly, any formal support that the local council that i parents live in it will hopefully be able to assist with social care, either informally or formally. Secondly, with social care, either informally orformally. Secondly, Huge Community group that has sprung up may be able to assist. Thirdly, is there anything she can do remotely appearance are vulnerable, and in that way, i in that age group, i would say the are. If there is anything she can do, are her relatives can do, it is something that the government is said that we can go and support our vulnerable motives. The last question we had time for at the moment is about social distancing. It said, man extra neighbour is 90 and she has no family, she is normally very sociable my next door neighbour. Is it ok for her to come into my garden as long as she sits more than two metres away . Well, it is a really, really challenging. I really feel for her and her neighbour because there are so many others in the same situation. I would say from my reading of the medical advice, andi my reading of the medical advice, and i am not a my reading of the medical advice, and i am nota medical my reading of the medical advice, and i am not a medical expert, someone with her sort of age and condition eye at the very high end of risk, but equally, we need to maintain our social and collective mental health, if you have a fence you could speak over or maybe you could go into her garden. Staying two metres apart. To have that social support that you will have as well. Thank you very much for dealing with all these questions. And it dealing so effectively with some of those that were on the borderline between your specialism and the medical specialism. We did not manage to get our gp here but you are dealt hugely effectively with those that we throw at you. Thank you. We have just got some breaking we havejust got some breaking news on universal credit. Nearly half a Million People, that is a 477,000 to be precise, have applied for universal credit in the last nine days. That is from monday last week. That is in the uk, not clear how many of these are self employed. Affected by the virus. 105,000 universal credit claims made yesterday and on. As people turn to the benefit system to try to keep theirfamilies the benefit system to try to keep their families afloat during the virus. We will have more on that from our health and social correspondence over the course of the day. Lets turn back to the medical questions. What should you do if you begin to feel unwell . Heresjim reed to explain. The most common symptoms of covid 19 are High Temperature and a dry, repeating cough. If you feel unwell, stay at home for at least seven days until you have recovered and you should not leave at all, even to buy groceries. At first, do not call 111, as the helpline is busy. If you are not improving, use the Online Service instead. If you feel you need a doctor, do not go in person. You can contact your gp and might be offered a video or telephone call. You will only be asked to visit if absolutely necessary. If you are so unwell you cannot do everyday things like watch tv or get out of bed, you should call 111 to speak to a nurse. If youre struggling to breathe, find it hard to say a few words and are not getting better, then you should dial 999. For most though, covid 19 is a mild disease and you can recover at home. That advice is obviously relevant to everyone. Some of the advice releva nt to everyone. Some of the advice relevant to the uk and other social and economic aspects. Lets take a closer look at the situation in europe now. The number of deaths from coronavirus in europe has now passed 12,000. Of those figures. heres our correspondent gavin lee with a breakdown of those figures. The figure for europe, the spread in the last. Well, the overall spread now, 200,000 people across europe have got coronavirus or have tested positive. Thats 100,000 people in the past five days. Now, italy, first of all, we know thats the worst case in terms of the number of deaths 7,000 there, 70,000 people contracting coronavirus. What is happening there, though, at the moment . Clearly areas like lombardy in huge strain, even though the cases seem to be reducing slightly in terms of spread. So what Giuseppe Conte said, the Prime Minister, was that the level of spread seems to be about 7 , 8 , the daily rise. The hope that the worst days may be behind italy. Spain, i think, is where theres a real crisis point at the moment. Were talking about 40,000 cases, around 3,000 deaths in spain. The highest concentration of deaths, two thirds are in madrid, where the morgues, the mortuaries are overwhelmed so that the soldiers have been brought in and theyve opened up a huge ice rink to turn it into a temporary morgue to move bodies. Reports this morning that spain are asking nato to give them International Humanitarian aid because they need Something Like one and a half million face masks, half a million respirators, half a million emergency testing kits and hundreds of ventilators as well. Some better news in germany, where there are 32,000 cases and belgium, where there are 4,000 cases. The governments in both countries saying that there are signs that this is going in the right direction in terms of the slow of the spread there as well. And a quick word on the east of europe, serbia. There are hundreds of serbians right now who are stuck on the slovenian border this morning because serbia, after the advice of chinese epidemiologists in the last few days, saying that you have to have real Strict Lockdown measures. Theyve put the whole country on lockdown. Theyre not allowing their own citizens in and thats led to hundreds being stuck on the border. Slovenia says this is a breach of basic humanitarian code. Gavin the. Lets catch up on other global developments. Lets catch up with some of the other latest global developments. The number of deaths from coronavirus in spain has overtaken that of china, with the toll now now standing at 3,434. The past 24 hours saw 738 people lose their lives, the steepest increase of the number since the epidemic swept the country. Israelis have been instructed to stay within 100 metres of their homes for a week under tightened restrictions to curb the coronavirus. Malaysia is extending its two week lockdown and is also planning another stimulus package to help its economy. Youre watching bbc news. Now its time for a look at the weather with Carol Kirkwood hello again. Yesterday was the warmest day of the year so far. In north wales, the temperature reached 19. 4 celsius. Today, were not expecting levels this high, but somewhere in north east wales, west wales, we could hit 17 or 18. But we still very much do have our weather front draped across scotland and northern ireland, Still Producing some thicker cloud and also some rain, but at least the wind isnt as strong a day. Isnt as strong today. High pressure across the rest of the uk means things are fairly settled. So after a cold start this morning, were into a pleasant afternoon with a fair bit of sunshine around, albeit hazy as we go through the day. You can still see the cloud and rain across parts of scotland and northern ireland. Brightening up later in the outer hebrides. Here we are looking at highs of nine. Generally, we are looking from the low to mid teens. Through this evening and overnight, we still do have our cloud and rain across scotland and northern ireland, increasingly turning even more patchy in nature as it sinks a little bit further south. Behind it, under clearer skies, we are expecting a touch of frost in the highlands, as we are under clear skies across much of england and wales. Here too there will be some patchy mist and fog forming. Through the central slice of the country, with the cloud and rain, due to thisweather front, temperatures will not fall away as much. This weather front increasingly producing less and less rain as we go through the next couple of days. That certainly is the case tomorrow. To the north highlands, we are looking at some sunshine. You could catch a few showers. Later in the day, across parts of northern ireland, we could see some brightness, but generally for england and for wales, it is another dry day with some sunshine, hazy as we go through the day and highs in north west england getting up to about 16. Friday sees that front really producing some cloud as it slips a little bit further south, drier conditions behind it in the north. A lot of dry weather in england and wales with some sunshine. On the breeze, occasionally we might see a little bit more cloud coming in, but temperatures starting to slide. That process will continue into the weekend. Eventually, we say goodbye to our weather front, High Pressure builds in. This front in the north might produce some rain on sunday in scotland, but the other thing is the wind is going to change direction so we are all going to be in this northerly or north easterly flow, which means it is going to turn colder. This weekend cold wind with wind chills, sunny spells, eastern areas maybe some wintry showers. This is bbc news, with the latest headlines for viewers in the uk and around the world. The prince of wales tests positive for coronavirus. Clarence house says hes displaying mild symptoms. And is following all appropriate advice with regard to her welfare. And this is the scene live in the house of commons, where an hour long Prime Ministers questions is about to get under way. Its expected to be the final session before parliament closes for an early easter recess. Well go over to parliament as soon as we see the premise on his feet but lets get on with the other headlines this morning. It has been confirmed that the prince of wales has tested positive for coronavirus. Clarence house says he is displaying mild symptoms but otherwise remains in good health. The duchess of cornwall has also been tested but does not have the virus. According to Buckingham Palace, the queen remains in good health and last saw the prince of wales briefly on the 12th march. Thanks go to the commons because the perimeter is embarking on pmqs. Personally, i would like to pay tribute to the Prime Minister and his ministers were navigating my constituents through these unprecedented times with your decisive action. Tribute also to my constituents and those working in the nhs for your truly heroic work. No one can afford to be complacent during this time and i applaud the right honourable friend is addressed to the nation on monday which reinforced the need for us to stay at home, protect our nhs in order to save lives. Can you assure me that the government will ensure the people of the support they need in order to do so . Mr speaker, i fully echo her tribute to our amazing nhs workers and it is in order to protect them and to help them that we are taking the extraordinary measures that this country is and i repeat my advice to the nation, which is to stay at home, protect our nhs and save lives. Jeremy corbyn. Thank you very much, mr speaker, and thank you for making the best arrangement is possible today to ensure that as many members as possible can ask questions, but also that the government is held to account, which is what the function parliament is. Many people will be mourning the loss of loved ones is the result coronavirus this week, our hearts go out to all of them and to those suffering from the disease at the present time. Across our country, people are working day and night to keep a safe, fed and warm. Our wonderful nhs staff, police, firefighters, prison and probation workers, teachers, Civil Servants, local government staff and social care, all of them are showing the value of public service, they are the Unsung Heroes keeping the transport system is running, the post delivery, utility is running and our supermarkets properly stop. Id like to pay special mention to one id like to pay special mention to u id like to pay special mention to one group that are usually forgotten and decried properly stocked. One group, cleaners, all around the country and in this building are doing their best to keep our places hygienic and safe. Over the past few weeks, ive asked the Prime Minister many times what action is being taken to ensure testing has been prioritised. I received assurances that everything that code was being done, yet, mr speaker, a leaked e mail showed it was just three days ago that the Prime Minister wrote to uk Research Institutes to ask for help, saying there was no testing machines available to buy. Why wasnt this done weeks ago, if not months ago when the government was first warned about the threat of a Global Pandemic . And what action is now being taken to get testing machines . Mr speaker, perhapsl could begin by pointing out that this is right honourable gentlemans last Prime Ministers questions and it would be appropriate for me to pay tribute to him for his service to party and indeed to the country over the last four years in a very difficultjob. We may not agree about everything, but no one can doubt his sincerity and his determination to build a better society. I want to pay particular tribute and thanks to him and all his colleagues for their cooperation in the current emergency as far as possible across party lines. I agree with him very much in what he said about cleaners. They do an extraordinary job about cleaners. They do an extraordinaryjob and they deserve all the protection and support that we can get them in this difficult time. On testing, he is quite right that testing is vital to beating the coronavirus. As the Health Secretary has explained many times, we are massively to 5000 to 10,000 to 25 was over say for no. Prime minister for his very kind remarks. I believe in a decent, socially just society and he was talking about this was an obituary. Just to let you know, by voice will not be stilled, ill be around, ill be campaigning, ill be arguing and ill be demanding justice for the people of this country and, indeed, the rest of the world. We can only protect the health of us all, mr speaker, if we protect the health of our carers. Yet the charity sue ryder, who provide care to people with neurological conditions, have said their workforce is depleting daily as they have no access to tests. When will the social care staff have access to regular testing . They are very important and very vulnerable in this crisis . Social care staff, in common with nhs staff and any other Public Sector workers, need to be tested as fast as possible and that the answer to his question is we will do it as fast as possible. If they have to have self isolate because they suspect they have the disease and cant get a test, then their work is lost for a week and obviously those who have the care and support dont haveit who have the care and support dont have it at that time. There are reports that care home workers are being turned away from supermarkets in relation to priority shopping, not being allowed to buy items they desperately need to feed residents. What is the Prime Ministers plan so ca re what is the Prime Ministers plan so care workers what is the Prime Ministers plan so ca re workers can what is the Prime Ministers plan so care workers can get the vital supplies they need for the people they care for . As he can imagine, we have been in regular contact with all of the retailers, the supermarket chains, and i had a conversation a couple of days ago to make sure that care workers get time in supermarkets and if there is a problem, i will raise it again. Speak andi problem, i will raise it again. Speak and i hope so, because care workers are on the front line, looking after the most vulnerable in society and keeping care home safe and well. The Prime Minister has been saying for quite some time that the nhs staff will get the equipment they need, but the health care Suppliers Association has been forced to use twitter to ask diy shops to donate protective equipment to nhs staff. This is an appalling situation situation. When will nhs staff, social care staff and all other staff relating to other care get the ppe equipment get the get the equipment they desperately need . He is absolutely right to raise this issue and i know this has been a concern and we had a meeting this morning but the stocks the army is now distributing, this applies to all of the nhs staff, the hospital that needed and, in the last 24 hours, they have distributed 7. 5 million pieces of equipment. Hours, they have distributed 7. 5 million pieces of equipmentm hours, they have distributed 7. 5 million pieces of equipment. It is important they get it, because, yesterday, 77 of nhs chiefs responded to a survey saying the lack of staff testing staff and shortages where the two biggest areas of concern for them. Lastly, the Prime Minister said he would protect private renters from eviction. He absolutely said that. And yet, some renters will be getting eviction notices as early as next week. The Prime Minister appears to have gone back on his word. So will he now finally absolutely ban evictions for six months in line with the renewal period of the emergency legislation, which is going through the parliamentary process at the moment. He raises an important point about the need to protect renters, which is why i answered on the way i did last week. We have gone further now, as he knows, by lifting up the local Housing Allowance to the median rents, which will be very important for low income people across the country but we are also, as he knows, making sure that no fault evictions are no longer illegal and thatis evictions are no longer illegal and that is part of the bill. This is entered the reality on the ground, as many of my colleagues will point out. We are getting constituents in touch with us who are being threatened with eviction now because they are in rent arrears because they are in rent arrears because they cannot work, because they cannot work because of the shutdown over coronavirus. Can we be absolutely clear and will the Prime Minister make sure it is legislated that nobody can be evicted during this first six month period of this emergency from the private rented sector . Im going to continue my questions shortly, mr speaker, in the second part of this session, but ijust want the second part of this session, but i just want to ask this question of the Prime Minister. Many british people abroad feel a bit abandoned by their government, with many fast running out of medicines, the host country in lockdown, flights cancelled, accommodation cancelled an insurance either about to expire or not covering the much needed costs, until they are able to return home. These british citizens have a right to turn to their own government and our long delays on phone calls are not acceptable one hour long. They feel abandoned. Can the Prime Minister, as the foreign secretary was asked to do, update the house and what his government is doing to bring people home and provide emergency costs for the medical needs that many british residents abroad have at the present time . He can take it that we are certainly doing everything we can to bring back british citizens from abroad. A huge operation is going on now to repatriate them as he will have heard both from the Health Secretary and indeed the foreign secretary, where we are protecting renters, in spite of what he says. We are doing everything we can to protect our fantastic nhs and we are putting, as a society, and as a country, we are doing a quite extraordinary thing, which is, for the first time in our history, to get through this crisis, we are putting our arms, as a country, around every single worker, every single employee in this country. And it isa single employee in this country. And it is a quite unprecedented step and he will be hearing more. I know there are concerns about the self employed but he will be hearing more in the next couple of days from my right honourable friend the chancellor. Ican i can tell him, and i think they said the other day that the country would come through this experience changed and changed for the better, and there he and i completely agree. We will get this country through this crisis with these exceptional steps and i can tell him that we will do absolutely everything it ta kes. Will do absolutely everything it takes. We will do whatever it takes to get our country through it together. We will beat it together, but most importantly, the advice i can give him as he retires, actually, i am delighted to hear a is not retiring, that would be warmly welcomed by his successor. The most important thing we can all do is stay at home to protect our nhs and to save many thousands of lives. Mr speaker, ithink nhs and to save many thousands of lives. Mr speaker, i think my honourable friend for his leadership and cabinet leadership at this time, and cabinet leadership at this time, and for the package of measures already announced, that will support millions of people and suspect them protect them from this. Stay home, help the nhs and save lives. Can he help more people make the right decision by giving the self assurance to the self employed people in mansfield that he is considering measures to help them do that . I think my honourable friend very much for raising that, and he is entirely right. I know that the thought is, as the opposition just said, it is uppermost in peoples mines. We produced our predictable incredible package to support the work force of this company. We wa nted work force of this company. We wanted to support the self implode as well and he will be hearing more about that in the next couple of days. Thank you. I must say in response to the question from the leader of the opposition, we all need to do what we can to bring our people home and it needs to happen now. Mr speaker, the minister said the uk is putting its arms around all of our workers. I hope that that will become the case but as of now, it is not. This morning, the Resolution Foundation estimated that one in three people in self employment, a total of 1. 7 million workers are now at risk of using their income. In scotland, that means that 320,000 self employed people are deeply concerned about thejobs and people are deeply concerned about the jobs and Companies People are deeply concerned about thejobs and Companies People are deeply concerned about the jobs and companies families they support. Last friday, the self employed were promised by the Prime Minister and by his chancellor that help was coming. Only yesterday, the chief secretary to the treasury told them we have not forgotten you, help is coming. These are the same promises that have now been made four weeks, and yet, they and we are still waiting. Can the Prime Minister now explain why the package for the support for the self employed wasnt put in place before we announced the lockdown . Speaker, as he will understand, we have done a huge amount already to strengthen the safety net for everybody in this country, notjust those currently in employment. As i say, with a package so they get 80 of their earnings up to two and half thousand pounds per month. This country has never done anything on this scale before. We have increased the universal credit by £1000 a year, as he knows, and we have deferred income tax Self Assessment assessments for the self employed untiljuly. We are deferring vat untiljuly. We are deferring vat until next quarter, as he knows. There is access to government financed loans, but there are particular complexities about the self employed which do need to be addressed. They are not all in the same position, and all i can say is that we are working as fast as we possibly can to get the appropriate package of support for everybody in this country, and that is what we are going to do and we will get through it together. The Prime Minister knows that we want to work with him on this, but there is frustration because we have gone into lockdown and workers are without income. This is an emergency. The truth is that the health and economic costs of this virus are deepening by the day. People deserve strong leadership, Financial Support and they deserve straight answers. As we stand here, these people are losing their incomes. Telling them to wait another day simply isnt good enough. In norway and denmark, wage support schemes have already been extended to cover the incomes of the self employed. In germany, there is a50 self employed. In germany, there is a 50 billion euros programme to ensure the self employed dont go bankrupt. In ireland, the self employed are eligible for a special pandemic payment of 350 euros a week. The Scottish Government has written to the chancellor, asking him to expand the jobs retention scheme he announced last week to include the self employed. Can the minister confirm that when the chancellor eventually does announce measures, there will be parity and equality of support between the already announced jobs retention scheme and the new scheme for the self employed . The new scheme for the self employed . They the new scheme for the self employed . They must not be left behind, Prime Minister. He is making a very important point, and i totally share his desire to get parity of support, and i would just remind him we are extending mortgage holidays, also is of help and interest free loans to everybody across the whole country, and there is difficulty with those not on paye schemes, as he and the whole house understands. We are bringing forward measures to ensure that everybody gets the support that they need, and thatis gets the support that they need, and that is a way to get this country through it, but if i may say so, the better we tackle the epidemic now, the more vigorously we are able to suppress the disease now, the faster it will come through it, and that means yes, it certainly means testing, but it means staying at home, protecting is under attack an aggressive virus which intends to infect everyone of us which intends to infect everyone of us sometimes a deadly consequence. It seems to me that we need clarity and leadership. I want to commend the Prime Minister and the message thatis the Prime Minister and the message that is coming from government and that is coming from government and thatis that is coming from government and that is to protect the nhs, save lives. When you confirm that he will lift these measures imposed at the earliest possible opportunity once he knows that her nation safe . Yes, of course, mr speaker. We kept them under constant review. Your country is able to Work Together to confirm with those stipulations. The faster we will get on top of it,. The faster stipulations, the faster we will come out of it. Can i thank his ministers who have been working very constructively with the department of Health Across the house through these difficult times. We have a de la et these difficult times. We have a de laet been asked to report back difficult problems on our patch and i would like to draw attention to the fact that the oaklands care home in my constituency has had a really difficult time lately. A94 year old resident to develop the symptoms of coronavirus and requested a test. Ten days later, ten days later, when the test finally happened, 14 of the 20 residents were exhibiting symptoms. Seven of the staff were off sick so they could self isolate, agency staff who had also been working in other care homes. None of the protective equipment requested had arrived. Can the Prime Minister tell the house, in the 80,000 care homes around britain, what date will they expect tests to be carried out on the day that the symptoms emerge and every Single Person working in those care homes will get the protective equipment they need . On the tests, as i said earlier on, the answer is we want to rule that out as soon as we possibly can, and on the personal protective equipment, the answer is by the end of this week. Can my right honourable friend the Prime Minister is to me that he is then rounded will still make regular contact with supermarkets and food suppliers make sure goods are getting to the shelves when needed, and can you join me in making sure that people do not take what they dont need, stockpiling and profiteering off of this . I think that profiteering is something we should be looking at from a legislative point of view in this house, as has happened before in this country and i can tell him now that the supermarkets to have adequate supplies. Our supply chains, as my honourable friend knows, are very good. We have relaxed delivery hours, but it is very important that everybody in their shopping acts reasonably and considerably for other people. Their shopping acts reasonably and considerably for other peoplelj considerably for other people. would like to convey thanks to the Health Workers, social care workers, teachers and cleaners and all who are fighting the virus on the front line. Today, an elderly constituent phone my office in dismay that her and her husband are struggling to get food. Both of them are self isolating according to government advice. They have been told that the next available delivery food slot is april 16. What support can the government provided to ensure that elderly people in rural areas can be prioritised for deliveries . elderly people in rural areas can be prioritised for deliveries . I am told that there is an army of local volu nteers told that there is an army of local volunteers who are delivering food supplies, but if he wishes to communicate that case directly to us, we will take it up. Does the Prime Minister share my concern that the contractors for hs2 limited are not following the very clear government advice on coronavirus . This is to be clear about the rights and wrongs of hs2, it is about the safety of us all. My constituents have seen not only contractors blata ntly have seen not only contractors blatantly failed to be good about social distancing, they have seen them coughing over residents. Should they stay at home to save lives . We have been clear that everybody should work at home as much as they can, and construction can only take place in a way that is in accordance with Public Health england and ministry advice. Charities, including those on the front line of our National Response to coronavirus, working with the seriously ill, the elderly, the young victims of domestic violence, and providing food to the vulnerable, they are in dire straits, and they face a 4. 3 billion drop in income, for staff providing essential services to the vulnerable is just not an option. When will the premise to come forward with an urgent package, as my honourable friends for Cardiff South and others and 150 colleagues from eight parties across the house have been calling for . So that they can continue their life saving work. She is absolutely right to pay tribute to the work of the voluntary sector, the charitable sector. They are crucial to our National Response to this crisis, and so we are indeed looking. My honourable friend the cultural secretary and the chancellor are looking at a package of measures to support charities as well. In the Prime Minister, i commend him and all those on the front line for the handling of the situation, and he will know i have raised with him previously that we need to reach out to all the elderly and vulnerable to live alone regardless of their health because nobody so that nobody is left behind, but as a previous foreign secretary, i raised him the plight of the British Council. They are running out of money, they have ceased their commercial activities, and their reserves will be exhausted within weeks. Can he make funding available . I came to love the British Council when i was doing the job he refers to. We will continue to support it in any way, and we are actively looking into what we can do. When all this is over, i think the Prime Minister will genuinely have earned himself a proper break ona have earned himself a proper break on a paradise island, and in that regard, can i complain to him that the Paradise Islands of orkney and shetland, where we have a fantastic tourist offer built up over many decades, but have at its heart the tour guides, the craft businesses, the small food and drink businesses that are overwhelmingly self employed. So will the Prime Minister gave an assurance today to these self employed people that when these self employed people that when the offer of help comes, they will not be in any worse position than they would be if they were in employment . I cannot. In all candour, promised the house that we will be able to get through this crisis without any kind of hardship at all. But what i can tell him, and he andi at all. But what i can tell him, and he and i have talked face to face about the issues he raises. We will do whatever we can to support the self employed just as we are putting our arms around every single employed person in this country, and i well understand the point he makes. As for his generous invitation, he should be careful what he wishes for. May ijoin collea g u es what he wishes for. May ijoin colleagues across this house in congratulating and thanking the Prime Ministerfor his congratulating and thanking the Prime Minister for his strong leadership at this current time . This has provided a great reassurance for my constituents in blackpool south. Will the Prime Minister continued to work with the volu nta ry minister continued to work with the voluntary and Charity Sector to ensure Vulnerable People continue to get the support they need from this government during this challenging time . Yes, indeed, mr speaker, and thatis time . Yes, indeed, mr speaker, and that is why we have given in the first instance and another half £1 billion to councils to look after the poorest and most vulnerable members of society, and i thank him for his support. The Prime Minister will have heard my questions to the secretary of state for scotland. Companies defying his advice, guided for Public Health and to save lives. Can he tell the house, and those watching, what the consequences are if businesses are still operating who shouldnt be today . Mr speaker, businesses are blatantly ignoring the instructions of the government, then they will be facing the consequences that are advertised. Cani consequences that are advertised. Can i salute the tone of the sombre address to the nation on monday night . I know that heroic efforts are happening to ramp up the amount of testing. Could the Prime Minister give some idea as to when we will be able to get back to routine testing in the community, as happens in korea, germany and other countries . And should we not introduce weekly tests for nhs staff, so we can remove from them the fear that they might be infecting their own patients . Mr speaker, i can tell the house that both on Antibody Testing and on antigen testing, we are making huge protests. Progress. Antibody test to show if you have had the disease. The point that has been raised several times about how soon we can get nhs staff and other Public Sector workers tested in advance, to see if they have the disease, the answer is as soon as we possibly can. Thousands of jobs in my constituency rely on the Aviation Agency for work, from pilots to baggage handlers, cabin crew and many more. The Aviation Industry is crucial when we come out of this. The transport secretary committed to a support package. Yesterday he wrote to industry to renege on that commitment. Can the Prime Minister tell us why he has washed his hands of it . I can tell the honourable gentleman we have not washed our hands on any sector of uk business or industry. We are in regular contact with the sector, doing everything we can to help. And already that sector and others have schemes such as time to pay and many other loan schemes. I can assure him there are other contacts going on as we speak. We now start the second pa rt of we speak. We now start the second part of Prime Ministers questions. Iopen part of Prime Ministers questions. I open with jeremy corbyn. Thank you for making the arrangements that you have today so that more colleagues can come into the chamber. It is a little odd, however, that we are having to have a double session of Prime Ministers question time to question the Prime Minister, when he himself should have volunteered to come here and make a statement at some length on the subject, rather than doing it through press conferences and addresses. This houseis conferences and addresses. This house is the place where the government should be held to account. Construction sites, mr speaker, are still operating, still working, on nonemergency work. Despite the new rules. The chancellor of the touchable of lancaster noted that. A self employed construction worker said he had contracted coronavirus but had no other option but to get on the london tube and go to a site to work, obviously putting himself at greater risk and putting all other passengers and all other workers are not a site at risk. Why was he doing it . Because his site had not been closed down, he had no other source of income to feed his family. So, he is going to work, making all of us more at risk as a result. Can the Prime Minister be absolutely clear, and give unequivocal guidance now that construction work on nonemergency work should stop now . Mr speaker, everybody should work at home unless they must go to work. And every business that. Unless they have no alternative and cant work from home. If a business, alternative and cant work from home. Ifa business, Construction Company continuing, clearly they should do so in accordance with the guidance of Public Health england. And they have a duty of care to their employees. But overwhelmingly, what we are saying to the people of this country is, unless you need to leave the house to take exercise, for medical reasons or to buy essential supplies, you should stay at home, protect the nhs and save lives. Obviously people should stay at home and protect others. But if they have no other source of income, then these very difficult, very personal choices are going to be made. And, as a result, we are all put at greater risk as a result of it. The self employed are having to choose whether they go to work or stay at home, or face losing their entire livelihood. Rely on, instead, on an overstretched welfare system, which could pay as little as £94 per week. One self employed person said they need to pay for baby food, rent, council tax and insurance for the car they use for work. Faced with the decision to feed your family and pay your bills or stay at home and not get paid. Why has it taken the Prime Minister so long to guarantee income for all self employed workers . There are millions of them. The economy has changed. Mr speaker, we are making absolutely clear to everybody in this country that they should stay at home and save lives. But when it comes to the self employed, under pressures that he raises, i raises, i think pressures that he raises, i raises, ithinki pressures that he raises, i raises, i think i have now said several times in this chamber, and in answer to other honourable members, that we are sure to bring forward a package. I think he would recognise that the steps the government has taken to provide support for workers, employees in this country, are quite exceptional and unprecedented. And they were warmly welcomed, i may say, by the trade unions themselves. Iam asking say, by the trade unions themselves. I am asking questions about the self employed and those on zero hours contracts, and those with no recourse to public funds who have no recourse to public funds who have no support. They are in a very difficult situation. He should understand that there are many of our constituents, every member of this house, our constituents who lead a hand to mouth existence. A few days pay loss is catastrophic for them. Time and time again, government ministers have told us that workers could get help via universal credit. Last night, there we re universal credit. Last night, there were queues of over 110,000 people trying to get onto the dwp system in order to register to apply for universal credit. Will the Prime Minister now put extra resources and funding to boost the dwp capacity and relax the often quite draconian requirements on people claiming, so that money gets where it is needed quickly to those people who have got to feed the kids, got to pay the rent, got to survive somehow . 01 37 35,280 2147483052 25 32,355 perfectly right. That is why it is 2147483052 25 32,355 00 00 03,638 going by £1000 what we are not