This is bbc news with the latest headlines for viewers in the uk and around the world. Borisjohnson and Carrie Symonds have announced the birth of a healthy baby boy. The Prime Minister is not expected at pmqs later. Millions more people in the uk will be able to get tested for coronavirus from today including all staff and residents of care homes. If they go to gov. Uk, they can find out how to get a test. There are a number of ways, including having a test sent to your home, where you can get a test. Spains Prime Minister predicts a recession on an extraordinary scale following the pandemic. The coronavirus outbreak in the United States has now killed more americans than the vietnam war over 58,000 have died. In the uk, patients with suspected cancer symptoms are being urged to contact their gp after a 70 drop in referrals since the pandemic was declared. And the bollywood actor irrfan khan, who starred in Slumdog Millionaire and life of pi, has died at the age of 53. The uk Prime MinisterBoris Johnson and his partner Carrie Symonds have announced the birth of a healthy baby boy. Lets talk straightaway to norman, oui lets talk straightaway to norman, our assistant Political Editor. We
knew she was pregnant but we did not know the due date was this early. We we re know the due date was this early. We were told it was early summer. It has come a little early, a premature baby. We are told mother and baby are doing well. A baby boy was born ina are doing well. A baby boy was born in a London Hospital earlier this morning. Not much more is known. You had to say, what a tumultuous few weeks in the life of thejohnson household. Very obviously, Boris Johnson having a very near death experience with coronavirus and now the birth of a baby boy. Cynical hacks like me were assuming he would not be taking part in pmqs because his health was not up to it. There isa his health was not up to it. There is a much happier and better reason for not taking part. He has much more important things to focus on. Will he be taking any paternity leave 7 will he be taking any paternity leave . Will he take some time back
from politics . Iwould leave . Will he take some time back from politics . I would doubt it given the gravity of the crisis we are in. I would suspect any respite from having to deal with coronavirus would be limited because of the intensity of the situation we are now in. When we first learned about barry simon being pregnant, he did not say if he would take paternity leave. Carrie symonds. It is a change from a lot of the grim news we have to report when covering coronavirus. We are hearing that the Prime Minister and Carrie Symonds have thanked the fantastic nhs Maternity Team that helped to deliver their little baby boy. Carrie symonds herself had coronavirus symptoms not very long ago. No wonder it was a stressful period for her. Hugely, hugely
worrying. When you are pregnant, the uncertainty and fear compounded and compounded again by the fact your partner was pretty much at deaths door but was clawed back. Just an extraordinarily emotional roller coaster, which fortunately seems to have ended well and, as i say, with the daily grind of difficult and harrowing news over coronavirus, i think everyone will be delighted that both have come through this and they had both got a baby boy. More reaction coming in. Norman, for the moment, thank you very much. The Prime MinisterBoris Johnson and his partner Carrie Symonds had announced the birth of a healthy baby boy. 0bviously mr johnson will not be appearing at pmqs this lunchtime. Carrie symonds and mrjohnson had thanked the
fantastic nhs Maternity Team who helped to deliver their little baby. As norman by saying, potentially the baby born a little early. We were told the baby was too early summer. More details we will bring you as soon as more details we will bring you as soon as we more details we will bring you as soon as we have them. Congratulations to borisjohnson and Carrie Symonds on the birth of their baby boy. Were covering all the latest coronavirus developments here in the uk and globally. Im victoria derbyshire. Uk ministers say millions more people will now be eligible for coronavirus testing, including all care home staff and residents, and anyone over 65. The British Government says the 100,000 target set by the Health Secretary is due to be met by tomorrow. A recession on an extraordinary scale is predicted by spains Prime Minister following the outbreak. Over 58,000 us citizens have now died from covid i9. Thats more than the number of americans killed in the vietnam war. Almost 18,000 more people could die from cancer over the next year in england
because of the impact of covid i9, according to researchers. Well have more on that later. 0urfirst report is from charlotte rose. With just one day left to reach the government target of 100,000 coronavirus tests a day in england, it is clear there is still some way to go. The Health Secretary has repeatedly said the government will hit the milestone by the end of april. Yesterday, the number of people tested in the previous 2a hours was 113,453. In order to more than double the number of daily tests, the government is increasing the capacity for testing and expanding the criteria for who can be tested. It will now include people over 65 with symptoms and any workers who cannot work from home and anyone in a household that has
symptoms any nhs worker and resident or staff in care homes regardless of whether they have symptoms or not. It will be done by a combination of existing drive through centres, mobile testing units run by the army and home testing kits. Tens of thousands of care home staff have been to drive in centres. We call this a satellite model where a bunch of swabs are delivered, administered by the staff and sent back in a bunch. There has been criticism as to why testing in care homes was not available sooner. We have been working with them on protocols to prevent the virus getting into care home settings. In the nhs you have people dealing day in and day out with people who actually have the symptoms and in some cases advanced symptoms of the virus. You have to make sure is a First Priority that they have the protection they need. Liz kemp did not feature in daily death figures. She died in a care home. Her family say the staff did all they could in herfinal days but they had been unable to stop the virus reaching her. I hope that ministers do recognise the wonderful work that has gone on and goes on up and down the country in Nursing Homes just like where liz was. They are doing a job equal to anyone in the National Health service. Liz was one of more than 4,000 who have died since it but have not so far been recorded in the official daily figures. They show there were another 586 deaths from covid 19, bringing the total to 21,678. From today all care home deaths will be included in that figure. With the added deaths, the uk could be on course
to have the highest death total in europe. Whilst the peak of the virus in hospitals may have passed, the country is still a long way from recovery. Earlier i spoke to our science correspondent pallab ghosh who explained more about who now qualifies to apply for one of those tests. As we heard in charlottes report, the testing has been expanded to all health care and social care staff. Previously it was only available to those and their families who showed any symptoms. It will now be extended to anyone, whether they show symptoms or not. It has also been extended to the over 65s with symptoms and also people who have to go to work for their professions, like emergency plumbers and construction workers and so forth. It is a great increase in the number of people eligible. That follows an increase last week and i suspect it has got something
to do with that target of 100,000 actual tests, rather than capacity. At the moment the capacity is said to be 73,000, yesterday, and only 43,000 people to cut out. Took that up. Come hell or high water, it seems matt hancock is determined to reach his target. 0bviously increased testing will protect some of the most vulnerable as well. Also the testing is key to potential modification of the lockdown restrictions, isnt it . That is right. This week is all about reaching the target. If we are going to get out of lockdown before a vaccine is developed, testing is going to be absolutely vital. Forget 100,000 a day, you are going to need an extra zero an extra zero on that, so this is part of an effort to ramp up testing even more. And so the model will be that if we are allowed to go out to work
and to the shops and so forth, rather than controlling it by staying indoors, what the plan will be is to test anyone that starts to show any symptoms and track all the people they have been in contact with, either with an app or physical Contact Tracing and isolate all those people who have to stay in lockdown for 1h days or so. That will be one route back to normality but clearly there is a lot we still do not know about the virus before some of these measures can begin to be eased. The breaking news from about 20 minutes ago is that the british Prime MinisterBoris Johnson minutes ago is that the british Prime Minister borisjohnson and his fiancee Carrie Symonds have had a baby boy this morning. Here are some recent pictures of the pair. This morning a baby boy was born in hospital in london. Borisjohnson had onlyjust hospital in london. Borisjohnson had only just returned hospital in london. Borisjohnson had onlyjust returned to work after recovering from coronavirus. He
spent several days in intensive care. Carrie symonds has given birth toa care. Carrie symonds has given birth to a healthy baby boy, according to their spokesman. The leader of the labour party, mr keir starmer, has just tweeted his congratulations. Wonderful news, he says. Congratulations. Keir starmer will be at pmqs this lunchtime and Boris Johnson will not. Carrie symonds and borisjohnson has said thank you very much to the fantastic nhs Maternity Team that helped to deliver the boy. We did not know that Carrie Symonds was due to have her baby on whatever day is today, towards the end of april. Congratulations to them both. A baby boy born this morning at a hospital in london. The spanish Prime Minister
pedro sanchez has warned that the country faces a recession on an extraordinary scale, amidst forcecasts that unemployment there could nearly double this year. Spain has had more than 210,000 cases confirmed, and one of the strictest lockdowns in europe, which the government says it now plans to emerge from. 0ur europe correspondent Damian Grammaticas has more. In spain, the daily tally of the dead may be falling, but the lines of the hungry are lengthening. Queueing for hand outs to fill empty stomachs. A new wave of suffering brought by the virus is gathering force. Norma, a cleaner, has lost all of her work. 300 euros a month is what shes left with. The poorest being hit hardest. Translation the people whose house i was
working at told me, dont come any more until this is finished. now i dont know if i can even afford to pay my rent. The little work she gets she shares with her brother. His work distributing flyers to homes has dried up and there are four in his household to feed. Even in the worst of spains economic crisis, those on the margins could find odd jobs not now. Assistance from others is all thats left. Translation every day we pray for help for the nations volunteers and thanks to god were getting them. It is a miracle. A miracle is what many of spains businesses need too. The plan is they will start reopening next month but customer numbers must be limited. Cafes can only serve outdoors. Businesses, shuttered for weeks, may struggle to survive. Pacos come back to find the bills piling up,
more than he thinks hes able to pay. If his restaurant fails, the five staff hes kept on will be jobless too. Translation even when we open, i dont believe people will go out like before theyll be scared. Nobody knows what is going to happen. Were all scared. Those fears are felt right across spain, even in the smallest places. This bullring should be full now. This was it exactly a year ago. The annual fiesta, people crowded in from far and wide. Now, nobody. These events help sustain economies in towns like this but how to restart them . Events will be the last thing to reopen just 400 spectators allowed, all spaced apart. Translation its a day when, in a small village like this, many thousands come. Restaurants, hotels, shops everyone will feel the impact. Its sad. Spains Health Emergency may be waning but an economic one isjust beginning to bite. Damien grammaticas, bbc news. The bbcs been speaking to the Spanish Foreign minister, Arancha Gonzalez laya. This is her take on how confident she was that easing the lockdown in spain would work. It is not about confidence, it is about walking their dog. We are gradually easing the lockdown measures and not be driven by dates. Be driven by milestones, within which the solidity of the health ca re system which the solidity of the Health Care System to absorb new places will be fundamental. All regions in spain will start at the same time at all well and at the same time. We will put all our energy, government,
citizens are showing extraordinary ability to. And resilience to respond to the challenge. And then, you know, with a lot of endurance and a lot of determination, we will get there. The impact of the lockdown due to temper macro will be significant. It is notjust as in spain that will suffer. Due to covid. We want all members of the eu to come out of this crisis and a stronger manner. What is crucial now isa stronger manner. What is crucial now is a robust recovery plan, a robust recovery fu nd is a robust recovery plan, a robust Recovery Fund to help all European Countries face a challenge that this crisis is posing on our economies
and ourjob crisis is posing on our economies and our job market. Crisis is posing on our economies and ourjob market. Lets bring you the headlines. The uk Prime MinisterBoris Johnson and his partner Carrie Symonds have announced the birth of a healthy baby boy. Mrjohnson is not expected at pmqs later. Millions more people in the uk will be able to get tested for coronavirus from today including all staff and residents of care homes. Spains Prime Minister predicts a recession on an extraordinary scale following the pandemic , which has now killed almost 25 thousand people in the country. The coronavirus outbreak in the United States has killed more americans than the vietnam war, according to the latest figures. More than 58,000 people have died. The total number of cases in the us has passed one million. And theres more bad news expected on the economic front later. 0ur north america correspondent, peter bowes reports. Two grim milestones highlighting the devastating impact of covid 19 on the United States. More than one million cases and over 58,000 People Killed by the virus, which surpasses the number of americans who died over nearly two decades in vietnam. And the outbreak is far from over. One of the white houses senior medical advisers has warned that covid 19 could re emerge later in the year. Its not going to disappear from the planet. Which means as we get into next season in my mind its inevitable that we will have a return of the virus or maybe it had never even went away. Applause at a meeting with Small Business owners, echoing comments made in february, President Trump said he was optimistic the number of cases would ultimately go down to zero. You never know about a vaccine. But tremendous progress has been made. Johnson johnson and oxford and lots of good things that youve been hearing the same things as i do. Tremendous progress has been made
we think on a vaccine. You always have to say think, and then have to test it, and that takes a period of time. In the meantime, much of the country is still at a standstill, with stay at home orders enforced until at least the middle of may. 26 million americans have lost theirjobs during the pandemic. The Us Commerce Department is expected to report later that Gross Domestic Product suffered a steep drop in the First Quarter of the year, with the economy shrinking by up to 4 . It will be the biggest decline in Economic Activity since the Great Recession over a decade ago. And theres much worse to come over the coming months, since the virus didnt begin to impact the us economy until late march. But President Trump remains optimistic. Its going to come back very fast. Now that our experts believe the worst days of the pandemic are behind us, americans are looking forward to the safe and rapid reopening of our country. On a trip to a medical centre in minnesota, mike pence thanked Health Workers
and researchers for their efforts during the pandemic, but his visit was overshadowed by his decision to ignore the hospitals rules that all visitors should wear face masks. The Vice President said he wasnt concerned about spending the virus because hed tested negative several times for covid 19. Spreading. Peter bowes, bbc news, los angeles. Just to bring you the breaking news again we first brought to you half an hourago on again we first brought to you half an hour ago on bbc news that Carrie Symonds and Boris Johnson an hour ago on bbc news that Carrie Symonds and borisjohnson have had a baby boy this morning at a London Hospital. They have thanked the fantastic Maternity Team. The little baby boy is healthy and the mum is doing well, we are told. Keir starmer, the leader of the labour party in the uk has said it is great news and wished them
congratulations. Gary lineker says, i think the birth of a child is a decent enough reason to miss pmqs. Congratulations. The chancellor of the exchequer has just tweeted as well. It is great to hear downing street is getting a new resident so borisjohnson street is getting a new resident so Boris Johnson and carrie street is getting a new resident so borisjohnson and Carrie Symonds have had a baby boy in the early hours of this morning. We knew a baby was due but we did not know the due date was this early. Mum and son are doing well and many people are sending them good wishes and saying, congratulations to them. In the uk, anyone with symptoms of cancer is being urged to contact their gp, after nhs england revealed theres been a 70 drop in the number of referrals since the pandemic was declared. A network of covid free hubs has now been set up across the country, to make sure those who need urgent
cancer treatment will get it. 0ur reporter lucie kon has been to see how one of them works. We have got two different trusts operating. Joanna franks is a consultant breast surgeon. In normal times, she splits her working week, looking after nhs patients at University College hospital in central london, and private patients here at the Wellington Hospital in north london. Today we have a 57 year old lady with a right sided small screening detected cancer. Now, because of covid, her nhs team have relocated their entire service here. We have a series of theatres, they would ordinarily have gone to sleep in the anaesthetic room, but now they will go to sleep in the actual main theatre. It is a little bit variable, depending on the complexity of each case so we have to think about how long each case will take and that we have to safely recover the patients. Some of that time now has to be in the operating theatre. Uclh and the whittington are doing breast in theatre three. In theatre four, the royal free are doing breast. And in theatre five, we have got skin cancer being done by the royal free team. It is one of 19 covid free cancer hubs. Alliances between the nhs and private sector now up and running across england. I have checked the covid swabs. They have come back all negative. And they make sure it stays covid free by testing every patient for the virus before they are admitted. Welcome, everybody. Jo has weekly meetings with colleagues in the other hospitals in the alliance to decide who they can realistically treat. Patients are prioritised according to new National Guidelines and difficult decisions have to be made. For some patients, it is very clear they need to have Time Critical treatment and those patients will be put forward by their mdt to be discussed for prioritisation to make sure they will get an operating slot. Three weeks ago, during coronavirus, covid 19, i was diagnosed with Breast Cancer. This woman is still coming to terms with her diagnosis. She is not a patient in one of the hospitals involved here. I know if we werent in covid, i know i would be on an operating schedule and have a date for a mastectomy with reconstruction. But because of covid, everything is on hold. The bbc has been told of patients across the country who havent been given surgery or treatments like chemotherapy because of covid. 0ne nurse has said that the Treatment Options are so limited at the moment that she has seen a dramatic increase in the number of patients having mastectomies without reconstructions. Nhs england say essential and urgent cancer treatments must continue but that all decisions made have to be balanced against the risks posed by covid. Future dreams is a Breast Cancer charity who have partnered
with a hospital here and 13 other nhs trusts to provide an after care service for women who do have surgery. It is complicated for a breast care nurse. We are ensuring she has everything that she requires to give a patient from the post surgery bras and the comfies, for the drain bags, for the head scarves so that they can feel that they can give their best to their patients in a very traumatic time. I was diagnosed on the 12th of february. By the end of today, the team working here at the wellington will have operated on 100 of their Breast Cancer patients. One of them was ann. I wouldnt have been comfortable seeing anyone else, it was so important to have the uclh team. I am familiar with you, i am confident with you and to be able to have you come over into a safe environment
in the wellington just made it possible for me. People really shouldnt hesitate. They are safe to come into hospital and if they wait until there seems to be a better time, the disease can advance. Lucie kon, bbc news. We can speak now to dr caroline hoffman, the clinical and Research Director for Breast Cancer haven, which offers support to anyone affected by Breast Cancer. Were alsojoined by paul clark, who has suffered from throat cancer. Welcome to both of you. First, caroline, if i may come to you. In terms of those who are anxious about seeking help if they have unusual symptoms or anything they are worried about, what would you say to them today . The first thing that i would say is to contact their gp. It is important to people are concerned about any symptoms relating to
Breast Cancer may contact gps. Appointments are being given, sometimes by phone, sometimes on capital sometimes by phone, sometimes on ca pital letters sometimes by phone, sometimes on capital letters in all video platform, skype, said people can be ina platform, skype, said people can be in a safe environment at the same time. Sometimes on zoom. In a safe environment at the same time. Sometimes on zoom. How allowed a re time. Sometimes on zoom. How allowed are you at the drop in referrals . Allowed are you at the drop in referrals . I am very alarmed. We will see long term difficulties of people are not coming forward to the nhs. A lot of people are worried and contacting us by saying i had these symptoms what should i do . I am scared to go to the doctor. We are encouraging people to go to gps because that is where they must go and not be afraid to contact them. Good morning. We have spoken a couple of times before. Good to see you again. For those who do not know about your condition, tell us a bit
about your condition, tell us a bit about it before. I had throat cancer and it came back and they removed my voicebox. That is why i talk like this at the moment but it is better than not being able to talk at all. Thank you for coming on. I want to know how the Coronavirus Crisis is affecting your own treatment. There are affecting your own treatment. There a re two affecting your own treatment. There are two effects. The way i speak is bya are two effects. The way i speak is by a valve in my throat. It allows air through. If i am trying to talk it stops fluid going through and if lam drinking. It stops fluid going through and if i am drinking. Valve has a shelf life. If it fails, fluids could go into my stomach and leak into my lungs, which is not a very pleasant scenario, especially in the current
climate. 0ver scenario, especially in the current climate. Over the easter weekend, scenario, especially in the current climate. 0verthe easterweekend, my valve started to leak like aces. It is now dripping and making or licking fully. I have been told by my nhs trust it will not be checked in the foreseeable future because of the covid problems. That means rant time each day i have to put a plastic plug into the valve. Saliva has started to go down as well. That means i cannot talk at all. When my wife comes back from work, she is a nurse, she comes back from hospital, i had to communicate by post it notes. She might like the quiet but it is not a good situation. I do not know how long it will be. I do not
know. I have asked for clarity as to why it cannot be changed but i had been told it is hospital policy not to change at the moment. I do not know when hospital policy will change. How do you feel about that . Quality of life is not great. Talking to anyone, if i cannot talk, the quality of life is even worse. I was on a zoom conversation a couple of weeks ago. I went through a pack of weeks ago. I went through a pack of post it notes, trying to talk to them. It really is not great. I can fully appreciate the challenges facing the nhs. My wife is a nurse, backline, working with covid patients. 21,000 plus death is dreadful but it does feel like
existing Cancer Patients are being pushed backwards. I have been told i will no longer have my checkups. You get five years worth of checkups after cancer. I had my last checkup in decemberof after cancer. I had my last checkup in december of last year, that was two and a half years in. I was due to have another injuly two and a half years in. I was due to have another in july which two and a half years in. I was due to have another injuly which has been cancelled and they have said i will have no more checkups. Right. They have said they will be delighted to see me if i felt there was a problem. We hear the Health Secretary matt hancock saying the nhs is open, if you need to seek help, please do. From what you describe, you have to go back, because your quality of life is being affected. Yes, this trust is saying they will not be
changing valve services. They say they are reviewing the situation, but that doesnt help me to know when its going to happen. If the valve continues to leak, it does go into your lungs, that can cause pneumonia, that is a similar scenario to covid and i dont want to be stuck in a covid ward. Im not an expert, what do i know . If i was in your shoes, an expert, what do i know . If i was in yourshoes, i an expert, what do i know . If i was in your shoes, i would keep banging on the door. Caroline, we are not medics, we are not experts, but from a human point of view, keep persisting would you say . Yes, i think we have been finding a lot of people coming ing to Breast Cancer haven and other people that are concerned about the uncertainty of the situation and that is some of the situation and that is some of the worst thing. I think if there are medical symptoms, it is very important that everybody seeks help
and of course, as we have heard, it is very stressful, emotionally it is very difficult. We know that 78 of people who come to Breast Cancer haven are coming for mental and emotional support. It is not only the physical toll of the difficulties that people are experiencing, but this mental and emotional toll and people do need to reach out to get support. And haven are coming for mental and emotional support. It is not only the physical toll of the difficulties that people are experiencing, but this mental and emotional toll and people do need to reach out to get support. And that is available on the phone, online etc for people. So to really encourage people to get the help they need one way or another. There is emotional support out there. But if you need to go to the hospital, if you need to go to the hospital, if you need to go to the hospital, if you need to contact your gp, do do it. It is vital people get the help they need. Paul, i know youre not hanging back, im but going to say, keep going, keep hastling them. Would say in the four or five years i have been treatment, the hospital
has been brutally brilliant and absolutely brilliant and there is no way they could have known about covid. But the balance has gone too far one way. Thank you and best wishes to you and caroline thank you. That is. A Breast Cancer haven representative and paul clarke, a throat cancer patient. The breaking news from the last 45 minutes, Carrie Symonds, Boris Johnsons fiance has given birth to a baby boy. A spokesman for the Prime Minister and his partner said both mum and baby are doing very well after the birth in a London Hospital this morning. The Prime Ministers dad, stanleyjohnson said he is delighted and thrilled by the birth of his grandson. Lets have a word with sir iain duncan smith. What do you want to say to the happy couple . Nothing but wonderful congratulations. It is fantastic news, as everybody has been saying. It is great news particularly because the countrys going through difficult times and this is just wonderful news of renewal and change andi wonderful news of renewal and change and i think that is a fantastic message of hope. My thoughts are with boris and carrie and their new baby, son, iwish with boris and carrie and their new baby, son, i wish them the best, as do my colleagues who have been saying how fantastic it is. We knew Carrie Symonds was expecting a baby, we re Carrie Symonds was expecting a baby, were you taken by surprise by the news this morning . Yes, but i would expect to be taken by surprise. It is not something you watch on a daily basis. You know first of all when someone daily basis. You know first of all when someone announces daily basis. You know first of all when someone announces theyre
pregnant and if youre not immediate family, you wait for the announcement. I was on a family, you wait for the announcement. I was on a Conference Call and somebody screamed out, carries had the baby and we all went to have a look. It is fantastic news for both of them, because any arrival of a child is a wonderful moment. There is nothing that beat it is birth of a child. The hope and the future that comes pouring through in your thoughts. But, at the same time, i think it is great for all of us, there will be lots of babies being born throughout this period and it reminds everybody that no matter how difficult things are, how bad things look, the future goes on and we will come out of this and these babies are wonderful signs of hope, i think. Is it these babies are wonderful signs of hope, ithink. Is it anyone these babies are wonderful signs of hope, i think. Is it anyone we know who screamed on the Conference Call carries had a baby. Im not talking about who that was, but it was
definitely a scream. When you think about the last few weeks that mr johnson and Carrie Symonds, what they have gone through, she had covid 19 symptoms. He obviously had it. And he was taken into hospital. He was treated in intensive care. It is one heck of a roller costar isnt it . Is one heck of a roller costar isnt it . Rollercoaster isnt it . Yes and interesting for much of the public, boris and carrie have epitomised what so many people have gone through. They both had covid 19 they were separated because of the risks and if youre pregnant and you have this virus, you must be worried. She would have been worried about boris, who got it and ends up in intensive care. The whole story is one that the country itself is multiplied many times over. Many people have gone through similar
things. This is the point. This is a most things. This is the point. This is a m ost ghastly things. This is the point. This is a most ghastly virus, one that we are still trying to figure out how it works, but it affects everybody, no matter what your situation is, you could end up contracting this. So i think having both come through this, boris now back at the helm, which is great news alone, but also to have that crowned by the idea now that carries had a baby. I think anybody will half a heart will say it is great news. It is about renewal and great news. It is about renewal and great news. It is about renewal and great news for their family and i think, because of such difficult times, it is even more a kind of celebration that we will get back to normal and things go on, and life goes on and the next generation, we wa nt to goes on and the next generation, we want to make sure they can get on without having this overhang from this dreadful virus. You mentioned the fact that mrjohnson had
returned to work this week. Would you expect him to take some paternity leave . That is a difficult question and im not really going to be answer that. All i can say is right now with everything that is going on, i know that boris will wa nt to going on, i know that boris will want to be absolutely at the helm, because it is critical. We are approaching a very difficult time aboutjudgment approaching a very difficult time about judgment as to approaching a very difficult time aboutjudgment as to how we come out of this, what we will do, all of that will be vital. That is a matter between him and carrie to decide. My senseis between him and carrie to decide. My sense is no matter what boris will be there making those decisions. Thank you very much. 0ne one of indias best known actors has died. Irfan khan starred in slumdog
millionaire. Mr khan was in the intensive care unit at the hospital here in mumbai, being treated for a colon infection. Doctors are yet to confirm the exact cause of his death, but two years ago mr khan had opened up about his battle with a rare form of cancer, an endocrian tumour which stops cells from releasing hormones into the blood stream. He had penned a very heart felt note at that time, talking about the unpredictability of life, of intensity of the pain that he was going through and there had been an outpouring of love and affection for him from his fans here in india of course, but around the world as well. What kind of things are people saying . We have one big movie star here in india paid tribute, saying he was an incredible talent, a gracious colleague, a prolific contributor to the world of cinema. You know, lots of people talking about how he was an amazing to colleague to work with. Here in india, you know one of things i think irfan khan changed about indian cinema is actors become well known when theyre playing this leading real, when they have this almost larger than life persona on screen. Irfan khan was very different. He played you know the ordinary roles of ordinary people. It was his comic timing, the intensity he brought to the screen, which meant he was very critically acclaimed in a lot of bollywood, as well as independent movies and then of course you know crossed over and acted in a host of International Films and a host of english language films, you mentioned Slumdog Millionaire, life of pi, even a move like like the namesake, which is very well remembered. We have heard about a surge in Domestic Violence calls. According to the un it is reflected around the
world and women are bearing the brunt of the crisis. Lets talk to the director of un women uk. Why do you say that women are bearing the brunt of this crisis . Violence against women was already a Global Pandemic before covid. Violence can affect anyone, but consistently and in particular women and minority groups suffer very badly. During really a ny groups suffer very badly. During really any social crisis. We have evidence it happened during ebola and zika and during any times of pressure put on communities. So the danger now is if we dont recognise the specific ways in which women are being affected by covid and that includes Domestic Abuse, but reaches to things like women already bear the vast majority of the brunt of unpaid care work and domestic work, theyre more likely to be injobs
that are insecure, so more likely to lose theirjobs and their likely to be struggling to care for their families and all of those factors interlink such that the risk is rising and something we need to be aware of across the world. Give us an example of things youre helping with in places like lebanon and vietnam. We are working to provide Technical Support to governments looking to make sure that womens voices are heard. We also work on the ground and run grass roots programmes around the world. I have been speaking to our office in lebanon, where we are hearing from women who need to enter refuges, but they need to show theyre virus free and there are no tests. We have been setting up quarantine a partments where they can go for some time and have counselling and food and
hygiene. Then theyre able to enter a refuge and we are doing things like providing hotline and sim cards to women who dont have access up quarantine a partments where they can go for some time and have counselling and food and hygiene. Then theyre able to enter a refuge and we are doing things like providing hotline and sim cards to women who dont have access to the internet or phone. It is about i think finding Smart Solutions and working with governments and the private sector so, that we are finding ways of pivoting the work thatis finding ways of pivoting the work that is being done to make sure that womens needs are attending to. Another example is that we run programmes in refugee camps around the world and will often provide counselling for women who have experienced violence during that time that they have been a refugee and make sure there are cash for works programmes so and make sure there are cash for works programmes so they can learn a trade and what we have been doing in jordan and iraq in the camps is reskilling women to create masks as protection against covid 19. Because in the camps it is difference difficult to make sure theyre
protected. It is about fighting the virus and keeping women safe and well as well. Thank you. Some very good ideas. The uk Prime MinisterBoris Johnson and his fiancee Carrie Symonds have announced the birth of a healthy baby boy. Millions more people in the uk will be able to get tested for coronavirus from today including all staff and residents of care homes. Spains Prime Minister predicts a recession on an extraordinary scale following the pandemic. Lets turn to russia now. President putin says the peak of the coronavirus outbreak has not yet been reached and hes extending the lockdown until may 12th. He said the spread had been slowed but warned of the risk of acting too quickly to lift restrictions. So far there have been
867 recorded deaths. 0ur moscow correspondent is sarah rainsford. Well theres a degree of restlessness here amongst russians, it has been a month under lockdown and the indicators show there are more people on the streets now. I think what president putin was doing was kind of dangling a bit of hope for them, because he ordered the government to come up with an exit strategy, how to get out of this lockdown, the steps that will eventually need to be taken very gradually to return to some kind of normallity. To some kind of normality. But at the same time he was make bg it clear that the worst is yet to come. He said that scientists are telling him that the peak in terms of infection rate had not yet been reached and therefore it would be premature he was saying to end any kind of lockdown. So certainly warning of pressure on the Health Service and warning people that this is and still remains a deadly virus. There was also some interesting information that we have heard the past day, which that is for example a military theme park is one
of the facilities that is being converted into a temporary hospital to provide hundreds of extra beds, as well as an expo centre. So another 3,000 beds there and more hospitals being repurposed, as the mayor here in moscow, that is the centre of this pandemic in russia itself is saying that the hospitals here are under enormous pressure and some half of all recorded coronavirus cased are now being patients being treated in hospitalfacilities. We brought you an interview with chris, who used to be homeless in the uk and mike who is running a hotel in a town in shrewsbury. Chris has been living there and mike has been looking after him. Sue said i turned on my television at 9. 40 for the most amazing interview. It made
me think hard about the homeless population. Thank you for showing me an insight into the homeless plight. Thank you for that. Today the us will publish its First Quarter gdp figures which are expected to paint an alarming picture of the economy since the covid 19 outbreak. Theyll come amid a warning from one white house adviser that unemployment in america could become as bad as the great depression. Well to tell us more heres dr thomas gift, a political scientist at University College london. Good morning. Good morning. What do you expect from these figures out later today . Certainly the First Quarter gdp data are expected to be historically bad. The word unprecedented is often over used, but it is right here. Gdp fell at an annual clip of 3. 8 for the First Quarter. That may not be as steep of a drop as we see in the second
quarter. 0ne advisor to President Trump said it was a grave situation and unemployment could reach 16 . It was 3. 5 before covid 19 took its toll. I think the us economy is bracing for bad Economic News and probably that will continue going forward. Do you know what 16 is probably that will continue going forward. Do you know what 1696 is in millions, so people have a clear idea . I mean it is tens of millions of people. It is a huge percentage. It is extraordinary. Just paint a picture for our audience of the stay of the economy at the moment in the United States. Well, i think a lot of businesses and nonessential operations have been closed now for several months. Donald trump is eager to get many of these venues back open again, but he is trying to balance that with some of the health concerns. There is a multi trillion
dollar stimulus package that will help, but the effects of closing the economy for months will have devastating effects on business and investors and workers. I think you will continue to see debates about more stimulus packages, particularly to states and local governments which have seen their tax revenues fall. The us president ial election, will vote rs fall. The us president ial election, will voters be jobs and the economy, or will bit health . I think it is going to be both. But the economy is going to be both. But the economy is going to be a major issue. Particularly so, because this is one that donald trump, since the start, has been touting. I think this issue, like every other one in washington now will be viewed through the prism of partisanship. There is some evidence that trumps approval numbers have dipped. But there is still a long way to go between now and november and the election and it is probably a
mistake to think that trumps base will turn on him. Ultimately whether donald trump emerging stronger or wea ker donald trump emerging stronger or weaker will depend on the recovery and whether it is a v shaped recovery and whether voter get the president credit for any recovery that does happen or whether they assign blame for not acting sooner and not containing and isolating. The spread of virus. Those are very much open questions. No chance of the election being pushed back would you say . I think that is very unlikely. There has been some discussions about ways to ensure the safety of voters, potentially using votes by mail or some other process. I think election experts are debating those, but the hope and the expectation is that the election will occur on time in november. A student nurse who spent weeks in a coma in the uk after contracting coronavirus said there were tears ofjoy when she finally went home and saw her children. Natasha jenkins, who is 35 and has three children, spent 22 days on a ventilator after falling sick just before mothers day. Nick palit has been speaking to her. Let them go by where you are, i think . Panting reunited with her children, Natasha Jenkins back home in barry after a battle with covid 19 that saw her in a coma for 22 days. Wheezing while talking i was the youngest person in the hospital to have it. And i think people, i think a lot of people were thinking only older people were getting it. And i dont why how i caught it. I dont know how i caught it. But im 35 years old and its like im currently disabled
at the moment. Even though shes been discharged from hospital, its going to be a long road to recovery, possibly up to a year. Shes very weak and relatives have had to move into help her in the house. But natasha is just thankful to be alive. My kids were my main priority. I was terrified. I thought in my head i thought i was going to die and i knew ijust needed to get home and see my children. Heartbreaking, scary, especially to think i could have left them without a mum. Natasha is a student nurse and had recently completed a placement at the University Hospital of wales, only to return as a patient on itu. The care and treatment shes had has made her all the more determined to return to nursing herself. A lot of people are scared with the way things they are at the moment. But after what theyve done for me, i would like to give something back. That was nick palit reporting
from barry in south wales. Carrie symonds borisjohnsons fiancee has given birth to a baby boy, the couple have announced. A spokeswoman for the Prime Minister and his partner said both mother and baby are doing very well after the birth in a London Hospital this morning. The first minister of Northern Ireland tweeted, wonderful news of a birth of a baby boys. Many congratulations. More sleepless nights ahead. The Scottish First minister Nicola Sturgeon tweeted, some good news, sending congratulations to carrie and the pm and wishing health and happiness to the wee one. The latest baby to be born to a serving Prime Minister. Borisjohnson born to a serving Prime Minister. Boris johnson and carrie born to a serving Prime Minister. Borisjohnson and Carrie Symonds
having a baby boy, delivered in the early hours. It is understood mr johnson was present throughout the birth. Prime ministers father, stanley johnson, says he is absolutely delighted and thrilled by the birth of his grandson. Youre watching bbc news. Time for the weather now with matt. After being cry dry and warm for much of the month, normal april service has resumed. Things will be more changeable for the next few days. So we will see some sunshine, but further bouts of rain. The heaviest of the rain comes from this front. It wont hang around too long across england and wales and probably last two or three hours. Clearing from much of wales and South West England. That area of rain will push north and east across the rest of england into Northern Ireland and eventually in the afternoon by the south west of
scotland. Some parts of southern scotla nd scotland. Some parts of southern scotland and Northern England will stay gloomy, with little sunshine. In the easterly breeze feeling chilly. Further south, when the sun comes out it should feel mrez ants. Pleasant. Up to 15 celsius. Tonight rain will spread across scotland, turning lighter and patchier. Things turn drier for a time. Showers in the south west will spread north and east. With some clear skies in between the rain, temperatures down for a touch of frost in western scotland. But most frost free. The chart says it all, low pressure in charge and think of further rain and for many it could bea further rain and for many it could be a typical april showers sort of a day. We will see more persistent rain around the central belt of scotland, but for southern scotland, Northern Ireland, england and wales, some heavy thundery showers. In the
south most frequent in strong to Gale Force Winds. Some will avoid the showers in the north. Temperatures again close to where we should be for the time of year, 10 to 15 degrees. Friday, the winds shift to the north west and that means Northern Ireland and north west england and wales prone to heavy and thundery showers. The odd shower else. Cloudy in northern scotland. Most will see sunshine. In the south east we could hit 17 degrees. Largely dry to start saturday. But rain will return from the wells and more rain for many of us on sunday. This is bbc news with the latest headlines for viewers in the uk and around the world. Prime minister Boris Johnson and his fiancee Carrie Symonds have announced the birth of a healthy baby boy. It of a healthy baby boy. Will be the foreign secret dominic it will be the foreign secretary, dominic raab, standing in for Boris Johnson at Prime Minister questions today at noon. Millions more people in the uk will be able to get tested for coronavirus from today including all staff and residents of care homes. If they go to gov. Uk, they can find out how to get a test and there are a number of ways, including having a test sent to your home, where you can get a test. Spains Prime Minister predicts a recession on an extraordinary scale following the pandemic. The coronavirus outbreak in the United States has now killed more americans than the vietnam war
over 58,000 have died. In the uk, patients with suspected cancer symptoms are being urged to contact their gp after a 70 drop in referrals since the pandemic was declared. And the bollywood actor irrfan khan, who starred in Slumdog Millionaire and life of pi, has died at the age of 53. Good morning. Borisjohnson and his partner Carrie Symonds have announced the birth of their baby. The Prime Minister, who hasjust recovered from covid 19, was present throughout the birth. Their spokesman said theyve had
a healthy baby boy at a London Hospital earlier this morning. Both mother and baby are doing very well. Ministers say millions more people will now be eligible for coronavirus testing, including all care home staff and residents and anyone over 65. A recession on an extraordinary scale is predicted by spains Prime Minister following the outbreak. Almost 18,000 more people could die from cancer over the next year in england because of the impact of covid 19, according to researchers. Lets go live to westminster and join jo coburn. A round up of all the latest developments on covid 19, but the big news this morning is the fact Boris Johnsons baby big news this morning is the fact borisjohnsons baby has already been born much sooner than we had anticipated. Absolutely, we were all taken aback. In the middle of this coronavirus pandemic, of course, everybodys thoughts are really focused on that huge issue that is engulfing the uk and other parts of the world. So, yes, the news that borisjohnson
the world. So, yes, the news that Boris Johnson and carrie the world. So, yes, the news that borisjohnson and Carrie Symonds baby had been born did seem to be earlier than we had expected. She tweeted earlier this year to say that they were going to have a baby in early summer, which i suppose is not that many weeks away. Today had been the day that we were expecting borisjohnson to return to the chamber behind me for Prime Ministers questions. We have not been able to get a clear answer from downing street as to whether he was going to appear, because he had returned to workjust a few days ago. Perhaps this does explain why. In fact, we can talk to the bbcs assistant Political Editor norman smith to find out a bit more. Norman, it has only been a few days that Boris Johnson norman, it has only been a few days that borisjohnson has returned to work and now he is the proud father ofa work and now he is the proud father of a baby boy. It has been a busy week. It is such an extraordinarily roller coaster time for Boris Johnson and carrie symons. What they
have been through is extraordinary. He has been at death was my door, only out of hospital forjust over a fortnight. She has also had to self isolate for coronavirus and now a baby boy. Cynical hacks like myself, when we could not get clarification, maybe he is not that well and they dont want to force him to do a full 45 minutes, maybe he is not up for it, maybe it was a health reason. No, much better, much happier news, it is because he is a proud dad. I suppose also it leaves keirstarmer proud dad. I suppose also it leaves keir starmer with a bit of a challenge only because already the tone changes a bit because we are in the middle of coronavirus, so it is much more serious and sombre moment, but now it makes it much harder, i would for sir keir starmer to go out
and out on the attack. But we shall see. In terms of details about the birth, we have not got much more than what you have already indicated. Born in a London Hospital, and nhs hospital, perhaps saint thomas, where borisjohnson was treated for coronavirus. Goodness me, he has had his moneys words out of saint thomas if that is where the baby was born. We dont know whether he will be taking maternity leave, paternity leave, given the scale of the crisis we are facing, and we dont know, of course, the name of the baby boy. All that to look forward to, probably over the next few days or so. Probably over the next few days or so. Norman, you mentioned keir starmer and the tone he will want to strike today as the Opposition Leader at the dispatch box in the
chamber. He is one of many who have sent their congratulations and best wishes to the Prime Minister and carrie symons. They have been pouring in from across the political spectrum, from sir keir starmer, the speaker, Nicola Sturgeon. 0n spectrum, from sir keir starmer, the speaker, Nicola Sturgeon. On a very human level for everyone directly involved in the whole coronavirus saga, itjust involved in the whole coronavirus saga, it just lightens the involved in the whole coronavirus saga, itjust lightens the mood a bit because these are very grim, difficult, hard times. Certainly in terms of reporting you are inevitably reporting the fairly grim toll of deaths and statistics. At a human level for everyone it does provide some likeness amidst what is inevitably a pretty grim episode. In terms of Prime Ministers questions, it will make it that little bit harder for perhaps the opposition to be quite as on the front foot and
challenging the government over some of the many key issues that need to be answered on ppe, on testing in ca re be answered on ppe, on testing in care homes and so on, it lowers the temperature a little bit. Norman smith, thank you very much. As we have been discussing, Prime Ministers questions will be taking place in the next 45 minutes or so and maybe the mood will be a bit different. Lets talk to one mp, richard holden. Joy for Boris Johnson and his partner, but the pain of dealing with coronavirus continues. What would you like to hear today in the chamber . Personable, i would like to pass on my congratulations. I worked with carrie at conservative Central Office and on the Leadership Campaign as well, so i would like to pass on my congratulations on the birth of their baby son. I think today in the commons it is really important that we drill down to make
sure that those answers on testing and whether we will get 100,000 from the government, but i think the progress over the last few days has been quite significant and i am increasingly confident we will do that. You are increasingly confident, but it still looks unlikely. Capacity has been increasing, but it is about the number of tests actually carried out and there is not long left for this target to be hit. How difficult will it be for the government if they dont hit that target of 100,000 . The major thing that has happened in the last few days is we have seen an expansion in who can get the testing and also testing you can do from home. Yesterday it was announced anybody aged over 65 with symptoms, or anybody in their household, can get testing. Anybody who has got to go to work can get tested. Although there is a limit to the number of tests, i think that is good news,
that the expansion has happened. The most important thing is to test those who really need it, which is why those care home tests and the mobile testing brought about by the army now are going out there. It is really important, that those who need the test can get it to prevent the spread. People will welcome that expansion, but is it a little bit late in terms of care home staff and residents when we have seen the death toll rising in care homes in the uk. As somebody with an elderly grandmother ina the uk. As somebody with an elderly grandmother in a care home myself i quite understand those concerns. Testing has been going on in care homes since the start. If there was an issue, residents who were showing potential symptoms can have testing in care homes, but i am now glad it has been rolled out across the piste. It provides reassurance to
families who, for obvious reasons, cannot go and see their relatives in the care homes. On the economy, just briefly, disquiet on the tory backbenches this week, it has been reported. I spoke to graham brady, the chair of the 1922 committee, who would like more openness when it comes to restrictions being eased in the economy. Do you share those concerns . What we have seen this week, and this is the biggest concern for my constituents, is the really small firms who have been unable to get loans and support, and the really welcome announcement that land many other mps have been arguing foran ounce land many other mps have been arguing for an ounce by the chancellor on monday, that firms, small firms, will be able to get loans of up to £50,000 in a quarter of their turnover from £2000 up to £50,000. That is massively helpful. That is where a lot of concerns have been. It is a huge step in the right direction. Also the announcement yesterday from Robert Jenrick that
we are going to look at getting some of those tips and recycling centres openis of those tips and recycling centres open is also welcome. That is one of the things that is starting to annoy people, as waste builds up at home and potential issues around fly tipping. L have had some of those in my own constituency. L would like to pay tribute to the work of some of the councils in the country, including my own in durham, getting the business grants out to people, it has been phenomenal. They have really passed on that extra money from Central Government with great speed and that has been really helpful. Lets turn to justin matters, Shadow Health minister. Hello, lets talk about the testing. It is being massively expanded, do you welcome that . Absolutely, we have been calling for a long time foran have been calling for a long time for an increase in Testing Capacity and availability. It is the availability issue that is still to be sorted out. We know that the
100,000 a day test target is due to be met tomorrow, there is no sign that will be achieved. We know there are still large parts of the country where it is difficult to get a test. I know from constituents l have spoken to, they are being offered tests in scotland or over an hours right away. Outside the south of england there was only one for the whole country. We need to get these tests are more broadly out into the community to make sure people can access them and we will be in a better place. You agree that capacity is getting there, even if it does not hit 100,000, or in terms of the tests carried out, but for you it is about the mobility of these testing centres . There is no doubt about that. Quite often if you are working in the social care sector you do not have your own vehicle. Even if you do, you are being asked to travel quite long
distances when you may be unwell. We need these testing stations out in every community. Local authorities have a big role to play in that respect. Do you agree with chris whitty, the chief medical officer, that we will be living with some sort of social distancing for many months to come, even when any of the restrictions are eased over the coming weeks and months . restrictions are eased over the coming weeks and months . I think thatis coming weeks and months . I think that is likely. If the disease is still transmitting in the community, then one of the best ways to avoid transmission is to maintain social distancing. That will mean quite a lot of parts of our life that we are used to are not going to be able to carry on the way they were. It is important that the government says what their relaxation lockdown rules are. What will you as a labour party suggest your in terms of setting out a framework for easing any restrictions . Nicola sturgeon did
that earlier this week and keir starmer will be talking to Boris Johnson about the coming plans. What would you like keir starmer and the labour party to be suggesting . We obviously need to have the same level of access to the scientific information and we have been calling for the Sage Committee details to be fully disclosed because we need to understand what is and what is not desirable in terms of the science. There is some discussion about Wearing Masks in public and there is clearly going to be an element of social distancing carrying on for some time, and there is the question about what we do with the large group of people who are currently being advised to stay at home for 12 weeks. I think we actually need the full information before we can start making particular demands. You will have had discussions yourself as the opposition. Would you like to see masks being worn by the public . |j masks being worn by the public . think that is something we need to
see the full recommendations of the Sage Committee on, to be frank. We know there have been discussions about that, we have not seen exactly what they have said in respect of masks. Scotland are suggesting that might be something they want to do and other countries are beginning to do that. Clearly, if that is a recommendation we need to be confident there is an adequate supply of masks for everyone in the country because we do not want to be in the situation we have been in with ppe for a number of weeks, where they are not capable of being delivered because of shortages. Thank you very much, the Shadow Health minister from the thank you very much, the Shadow Health ministerfrom the labour party. Prime ministers questions will start in the next 40 or 45 minutes and that target of 100,000 tests being carried out by tomorrow will loom large. Thank you. We were wondering whether borisjohnson would be at Prime Ministers questions, but then the news came
out that his baby was born this morning and it will be dominic raab fielding the questions today. Lots of well wishers have been showing their congratulations on twitter for babyjohnson. Rishi sunak said, great to hear downing street is getting a new resident. We can talk now to kulveer ranger, who was borisjohnsons director of transport when he was london mayor. Thank you forjoining us. Will he ta ke thank you forjoining us. Will he take paternity leave . First i want to give my congratulations to them, it is amazing news, in what has been an incredibly challenging time personally and professionally, for him, for her, for the country, so it is great news. Paternity leave . Why
not . The foreign secretary and the cabinet have demonstrated they have been able to cope whilst he was convalescing and recovering from the virus. And if he needs some time, which he should take as a father with a new baby boy, to support not only the mother, but also the new arrival, you would not begrudge him that. But it is a ray of sunshine in what has been a really challenging time for him and the country. Dealing obviously with probably the biggest crisis that any Prime Minister has had to deal with in this country for a very long time and, as you say, he has been sick himself, only just back. And, as you say, he has been sick himself, onlyjust back. At the start of the week back on the steps of number ten, with vim and vigour, underlining he was back in charge. It is happy news. Having just come back from sickness, he clearly would have felt an imperative to show that he was back in the driving seat. Yes, he would have. He is doing what
he should be doing, he is doing the right thing. He took that time out to recover. We were also worried when we heard he had been admitted to hospital and was in intensive care. You could sense the nation thinking, this is our Prime Minister ina very thinking, this is our Prime Minister in a very vulnerable situation. And only a few weeks away from being a new father again. I have known boris a very long time and he, if anyone, he has the capability and the resolve, but also the physical sense to deal with these things and the mental capacity as well. You cant put it into a context being Prime Minister through this huge crisis, the kind we have probably not seen before in modern times, and then becoming a father, with a little bit of destruction as well with all the worries and challenges he faces. Of destruction as well with all the worries and challenges he facesm is often said that being a leader is a lonely place to be. He has had many challenges on his plate. How do you see him as a leader and how he carries that burden . He carries it very well. I work extremely closely with him when he was mayor of london. Most days and nights i saw him develop into that role and be a great mayo for the city. All the otherjobs he great mayo for the city. All the other jobs he has great mayo for the city. All the otherjobs he has had in politics as he eventually has become Prime Minister, he has developed the skills and capabilities that go with his natural ability to be a leader. He is very inclusive, he brings people together. He takes support, guidance and advice and listens, but he does make decisions. This is a wonderful time for him now, but he will also be focused on the challenges facing the country and the challenge that everybody is facing right now as they
individually, as communities, families, as we all deal with the impact that the virus is having on us, whether it be personally or economically. And i know that focus will remain for him as he also deals with having a wonderful baby boy to look after. Thank you very much for joining us. Ministers in the uk say millions more people will now be eligible for coronavirus testing, including all care home staff and residents and anyone over 65. The government says the 100,000 target set by the Health Secretary is due to be met by tomorrow. Charlotte rose reports. With just one day left to reach the government target of 100,000 coronavirus tests a day in england, it is clear there is still some way to go. The milestone by the end of april. Yesterday, the number of people tested in the previous 24 hours was 43,453. In order to more than double the number of daily tests, the government is increasing the capacity for testing and expanding the criteria for who can be tested. It will now include people over 65 with symptoms and any workers who cannot work from home and anyone in a household that has symptoms any nhs worker and resident or staff in care homes regardless of whether they have symptoms or not. It will be done by a combination of existing drive through centres, mobile testing units run by the army and home testing kits. Tens of thousands of care home staff have been to drive in centres. We call this a satellite model where a bunch of swabs are delivered, administered by the staff and sent back in a bunch. There has been criticism as to why testing in care homes was not available sooner. I dont ldont really accept that. We i dont really accept that. We have been giving them attention. We have been giving them attention. We have been working with them on protocols to prevent the virus getting into care home settings. In the nhs you have people dealing day in and day out with people who actually have the symptoms and in some cases advanced symptoms of the virus. You have to make sure as a First Priority that they have the protection they need. Liz kemp did not feature in daily death figures. Herfamily said her family said staff did all they could in herfinal days. But they had been unable to stop the virus reaching her. I hope that ministers do recognise the wonderful work that has gone on and goes on up and down the country in Nursing Homes just like where liz was. They are doing a job equal to anyone in the National Health service. Liz was one of more than 4,000 who have died since it but have not so far been recorded in the official daily figures. They show there were another 586 deaths from covid 19, bringing the total to 21,678. From today all care home deaths will be included in that figure. With the added deaths, the uk could be on course to have the highest death total in europe. Whilst the peak of the virus in hospitals may have passed, the country is still a long way from recovery. Research suggests almost 18,000 more people could die from cancer over the next year in england because of the impact of covid 19, including more than 6,000 patients whove been newly diagnosed. People with suspected symptons are being urged to contact their gp immediately. Professor karol sikora is an oncologist and dean of medicine at the university of buckingham, hes also a former
head of the World Health Organisation cancer programme. Good morning, thank you forjoining us. This is a dreadful statistic, this prediction that 18,000 more people could die from cancer over the next year. Do you believe that is about right based on the indicators you have been seeing . Absolutely, and it critically depends when we can get back to business as normal. In april we would expect 30,000 people to be diagnosed with cancer. So far, looking at the figures, it is probably only going to be around 4000 people diagnosed with cancer. That is a real discrepancy. How do we get around it . We have got to get business started again. Surgery is the main diagnostic for cancer, getting a biopsy. The number of biopsy is going to the lab has dwindled this month. If we can get it next month, it is not too bad, we
will catch up, but if it takes three orfour months, the backlog will catch up, but if it takes three or four months, the backlog will be horrendous for radiotherapy and chemotherapy and so on. There was more than 6000 patients who have been newly diagnosed not getting proper treatment, also people who we re proper treatment, also people who were already in the system, is the issue that people are not coming forward and not seeking treatment, orare forward and not seeking treatment, or are people coming forward and being turned away . Is it possible to know that . It is a combination and it is difficult to analyse. People are frightened to come forward, especially older people. They are not so used to skype conversations and telephone conversations, so they put it off. If i have a tummy pain, i will leave it until next month. They have been told to protect the nhs by staying at home, there are very powerful slogans about it, so they dont want to go. Then getting agp
they dont want to go. Then getting a gp appointment is difficult. Then the most important thing is getting into the diagnostic pathway in hospital, which is very difficult now. Clinics have stopped. They have stopped endoscopy, taking biopsys, so stopped endoscopy, taking biopsys, so people do not get diagnosed. Getting an access to an mri scan or act getting an access to an mri scan or a ct scan is difficult. Today nhs england have sent out a very good press release stating we want to get business back to normal. We are going to set up covert free helps to get cancer operations done. The block is not in radiotherapy or chemotherapy, the blog is getting the diagnosis done and the first surgery the diagnosis done and the first surgery done. Once that block is lifted, which hopefully will be next month, aprils patients will move into may and if it goes intojune, another mass of patients. The sooner we can get out of this and back to normal within the nhs, the better. Professor, thank you very much for joining us. The education secretary has has told mps this morning that schools in england are likely to re open in a phased manner but no date has been decided. Gavin williamson said schools would be given plenty of notice and added there were no plans to open schools during the summer holidays. We are working very closely with the whole sector in terms of actually wayne is going to be the best time to bring the schools fully back into operation. We have set out five clear tests as to what is incredibly important and clear tests as to what is incredibly importantand in clear tests as to what is incredibly important and in what form the schools will open. We want to make sure the schools are given proper notice, but we do not have a date as to when schools are going to be open. With me is our education correspondent frankie mccamley. The start of a plan for me, what more do you know . There was still
very little detail. The main focus of this Education Select Committee is to have a look at the government and to look at how they have responded to this pandemic and how they are supporting our children across the board, but especially Vulnerable Children we keep hearing about. We had figures, out last week to say there are just 5 of these Vulnerable People who are allocated School Places turning up. We heard there is going to be a phased return to school. No more detail, whether it would be primary schools going back first or secondary schools. But he did say this phased manner. Again, no date as to when this is going to happen. The education secretary did tell the committee that he had commissioned sage subgroup to look at advice from Public Health england. We constantly heard about questions as to how they will support these vulnerable
children. There is a 100 million roll out with children getting la pto ps. We roll out with children getting laptops. We got more detail about that. We are expecting 200,000 la pto ps to that. We are expecting 200,000 laptops to start being delivered to these Vulnerable Children and these will start coming from next week on intojune. Will start coming from next week on into june. Thank you very much. Now a look at the whether with matt taylor. For many it is a case of changeable conditions as we go through the day. The sunshine chases the rain away in wales and the midlands, but turning white in northern and eastern parts of england and Northern Ireland. Some of that rain is heavy at times. North of scotland to and bright with light winds. But a milder day in the south compared to yesterday. In wales and the south west more heavy showers and that will sweep westwards in a similar sort of vein
to the rain we see today. In western scotla nd to the rain we see today. In western scotland you might see a touch of frost into tomorrow. Tomorrow, are cool enough start and frost free. Whilst we will see sunshine in many areas, certainly Central Scotland will stay wet and heavy and thundery showers will develop with strong to Gale Force Winds across southern england. Hello, this is bbc news with me, joanna gosling. The headlines the uk Prime Minister, borisjohnson, and his fiancee, Carrie Symonds, have announced the birth of a healthy baby boy. Millions more people in the uk will be able to get tested for coronavirus from today including all staff and residents of care homes. Spains Prime Minister predicts a recession on an extraordinary scale following the pandemic. The coronavirus outbreak in the United States has now killed more americans than the vietnam war over 58,000 have died. In the uk, patients with suspected cancer symptoms are being urged to contact their gp after a 70 drop in referrals since the pandemic was declared. And, the bollywood actor, irrfan khan who starred in Slumdog Millionaire and life of pi has died at the age of 53. The british Prime Minister, borisjohnson, and his fiancee, Carrie Symonds, have announced the birth of a baby boy. The couple have thanked nhs staff at a London Hospital where their child was born early this morning. Both mother and child are said to be doing well. Well wishers have been sharing their congratulations on twitter. The chancellor, rishi sunak, said, great to hear downing street is getting a new resident. Leader of the opposition party, keir starmer, said, wonderful news. Many congratulations to borisjohnson and Carrie Symonds. And the first minister of scotland, Nicola Sturgeon, some good news sending congratulations to carrie and the pm. And wishing health and happiness to the wee one. The spanish Prime Minister, pedro sanchez, has warned that the country faces a recession on an extraordinary scale, amidst forcecasts that unemployment there could nearly double this year. Spain has more than 210,000 confirmed cases of covid 19 and nearly 25,000 people have died. It also has one of the strictest lockdowns in europe which the government says it now plans to emerge from. Our europe correspondent Damian Grammaticas has more. In spain, the daily tally of the dead may be falling, but the lines of the hungry are lengthening. Queueing for hand outs to fill empty stomachs. A new wave of suffering brought by the virus is gathering force. Norma, a cleaner, has lost all of her work. 300 euros a month is
what shes left with. The poorest being hit hardest. Translation the people whose house i was working at told me, dont come any more until this is finished. Now i dont know if i can even afford to pay my rent. The little she gets she shares with her brother. His work distributing flyers to homes has dried up, and there are four in his household to feed. Even in the worst of spains economic crisis, those on the margins could find odd jobs not now. Assistance from others is all thats left. Translation every day we pray for help for the nations volunteers and thanks to god were getting them. It is a miracle. A miracle is what many of spains businesses need too. The plan is they will start reopening next month but customer numbers must be limited. Cafes can only serve outdoors. Businesses, shuttered for weeks, may struggle to survive. Pacos come back to find the bills piling up, more than he thinks hes able to pay. If his restaurant fails, the five staff hes kept on will be jobless too. Translation even when we open, ldont believe people will go out like before theyll be scared. Nobody knows what is going to happen. Were all scared. Those fears are felt right across spain, even in smallest places. This bullring should be full now. This was it exactly a year ago. The annual fiesta, people crowded in from far and wide. Now, nobody. These events help sustain economies in towns like this but how to restart them . Events will be the last thing to reopen just 400 spectators allowed, all spaced apart. Translation its a day when, in a small village like this, many thousands come. Restaurants, hotels, shops everyone will feel the impact. Its sad. Spains Health Emergency may be waning but an economic one isjust beginning to bite. Damien grammaticas, bbc news. The coronavirus outbreak in the United States has killed more americans than the vietnam war according to the latest figures. More than 58,000 people have died. The total number of cases in the us has passed one million. And theres more bad news expected on the economic front later. Our north america correspondent, peter bowes, reports. Two grim milestones highlighting the devastating impact of covid 19 on the United States. More than one million cases and over 58,000 People Killed by the virus which surpasses the number
of americans who died over nearly two decades in vietnam. And the outbreak is far from over. One of the white houses senior medical advisers has warned that covid 19 could re emerge later in the year. Its not going to disappear from the planet. Which means as we get into next season in my mind its inevitable that we will have a return of the virus or maybe it had never even went away. At a meeting with Small Business owners, echoing comments he made in february, President Trump said he was optimistic the number of cases would ultimately go down to zero. You never know about a vaccine. But tremendous progress has been made. Johnson johnson and oxford and lots of good things that youve been hearing the same things as i do. Tremendous progress has been made we think on a vaccine. You always have to say think, and then have to test it, and that takes a period of time. In the meantime, much of the country is still at a standstill,
with stay at home orders enforced until at least the middle of may. 26 million americans have lost theirjobs during the pandemic. The Us Commerce Department is expected to report later that Gross Domestic Product suffered a steep drop in the First Quarter of the year, with the economy shrinking by up to 4 . It will be the biggest decline in Economic Activity since the Great Recession over a decade ago. And theres much worse to come over the coming months, since the virus didnt begin to impact the us economy until late march. But President Trump remains optimistic. Its going to come back very fast. Now that our experts believe the worst days of the pandemic are behind us, americans are looking forward to the safe and rapid reopening of our country. On a trip to a medical centre in minnesota, mike pence thanked Health Workers and researchers for their efforts during the pandemic, but his visit was overshadowed by his decision to ignore the hospitals rules that
all visitors should wear face masks. The Vice President said he wasnt concerned about spending the virus because hed tested negative several times for covid 19. Peter bowes, bbc news, los angeles. When the coronavirus pandemic first hit israel and the palestinian territories, the un praised their cooperation to deal with a common threat. However, palestinian workers in israel have brought the virus back to the occupied west bank and now a political row has broken out that threatens to hit the economies on both sides and undermine efforts to stop the spread of covid 19. Heres our middle east correspondent, yolande knell. Before dawn, their watch begins. Palestinian Security Forces trying to stop workers going to israel. They wouldnt do this normally, but these are not normal times. We are doing this to protect our mothers, wives and children, the officer says. We have to control the spread of the virus. These men claim they are
doing nothing wrong. But an inspection turns up israeli work permits. The officers take their belongings and tell them they can collect them later. Then, they try to catch up with three more men. But theyre too late. They cant go any further, the path ahead is under full israeli control. These workers are vital to the weak west bank economy, so a deal was struck to allow tens of thousands to go to israel, also on a strict lockdown, and to stay there. In this israeli settlement, factory workers are sleeping in tents. They will spend the holy month of ramadan here to protect theirjobs. Translation i want to keep my
family, friends and my town safe. That is why i chose to stay in my workplace. If i dont work, nobody will help me with even the basics. I cant express how hard this is. God help us, god help the workers. But they workers have not been able to avoid politics. Most coronavirus cases in the west bank have been linked to those returning home. The Palestinian Authority has sharply criticised israel for that, which israel says is unfair. Senior officials that are giving these remarks, they are just misleading. Even encouraging incitement, i would say. The palestinian people, we have been doing really a joint effort together to cope with this virus. Its a common enemy. Some palestinians have stayed in israel but others are coming home for ramadan. They are checked for signs of the coronavirus. Zahid has a fever, so he is tested on the spot. He is worried about infection. What can i do . My financial situation is really bad, i need to work to earn money, he says. Ten relatives rely on him. Now he is told to self isolate for two weeks. The desperation of the workers to return to theirjobs, even during a pandemic, has underlined the economic reliance of the palestinians on israel. And in their decades old conflict thats a sore point. Yolande knell, bbc news. Dr Laleh Khalili is professor in International Politics at Queen Mary University of london. As we heard in our report there, the virus is the common enemy but there
are of course competing interest and sensitivities here how do you see the situation playing out . sensitivities here how do you see the situation playing out . I think like everywhere else in that they were, although the virus might be a common enemy and lots of people can be exposed to regardless of their background, those who are poorer, we have also discovered both in europe and the us, people of colour are much more vulnerable to it because of the lack of infrastructure, also in the way that deprivations that have already existed actually exacerbate the illness itself. Your report also showed that even in circumstances where almost everything is lockdown, palestinian workers are still being essentially forced by their own conditions of poverty and the need to support theirfamilies to poverty and the need to support their families to cross the border into israel, where we know the situation of coded is a lot worse. I
can see why the Palestinian Authority may be apprehensive about these workers crossing the border. In addition to west bank not having mrs lately kind of Medical Equipment that it might need in order to deal with its own sick people, there have been instances of the Israeli Military demolishing covid 19 cleanings near bethlehem and shutting down clinics in east jerusalem. The Israeli Government has actually shut these services down. The provision of services actually makes the situation a lot worse for palestinians. It is a kind of horrifying thing to see, that people are forced to cross the border knowing certainly that they are much more exposed to illness should they have to go to work. I
think that is a condition that palestinians in particular in the west ba n k palestinians in particular in the west bank are experiencing, which makes that lie is quite difficult in many ways. You describe what has been happening what has been happening to some medical facilities in the gaza strip and west bank, what is being done to try to improve treatment of covid 19 . I think there have been 500 cases and two deaths so have been 500 cases and two deaths so far. I think in part of the closure of west bank, the israeli provision of any kind of movement between gaza and israel, probably quite heavy rejection of people moving from gaza to egypt, has meant that if the numbers are increasing it is because people passing it on to one another. In terms of hospital equipment, we know that palestinians have some of the best educated doctors and some of the most committed and dedicated under the
circumstances. But the question of having Medical Equipment is of course one that has been quite a problem, actually, for palestinians. Any kind of taxation, any kind of fees that could potentially support expanding list is collected by israel, and israel has not had a very good history of distributing the attacks are collect on behalf of palestinians to palestinians. Therefore there is a lot of concern there is not enough ventilators in there is not enough ventilators in the west bank and gaza. That there are not in a hospital beds should the numbers increase. I think the kind of security measures put in place by the Palestinian Authority under the circumstances are in order to actually try to keep the numbers are low. We do not have a sense of what might happen. I think despite the fact that there is a lot of talk of cooperation, they verified that ina of cooperation, they verified that in a couple of instances, the Israeli Military has chosen security concerns over the question of public
health is something that is really of concern to palestinians. Despite the fact that is a wall, that border between the west bank and is really proper is quite poor, settlers can easily cross it. And of course these workers that have permits to work inside israel proper can cross it. We should not think these are two independent unseen from one another areas. Illness can travel from travel from one to the other. The desperate Economic Conditions in west ba n k desperate Economic Conditions in west bank and gaza could mean the effect could be felt there much more strongly than it is inside israel, which is a much Richer Country with a lot more equipment. Thank you very much forjoining us. The headlines on bbc news the uk Prime MinisterBoris Johnson and his fiancee Carrie Symonds have announced the birth of a healthy baby boy. Millions more people in the uk will be able to get tested
for coronavirus from today including all staff and residents of care homes. Spains Prime Minister predicts a recession on an extraordinary scale following the pandemic. China has announced that its annual meeting of parliament the National Peoples congress will begin on may 22nd. Thats two months later than originally planned, because of the coronavirus pandemic, but a strong sign that beijing leaders believe the outbreak is under control. Our correspondent in beijing, john sudworth, explains more about the decision. I mean, the National Peoples congress is largely a rubber stamp parliament, but its very important nonetheless. Notjust as a way of signalling the communist partys supreme authority, but also as way of unveiling new policy directions to the Chinese People and the wider world. So its postponement, when that announcement came back in february,
was seen as a sign ofjust how serious this virus was. That announcement itself back then was shocking to many in china and a real wake up call. But on the other side of the coin, this announcement today of course will be read as a clear signal that the authorities now think they have things well and truly under control. All right, Big Questions remain. Normally, the National Peoples congress involves 3,000 delegates travelling from right across china, all gathering here in beijing, staying in hotels, bringing other Staff Members with them. That in itself of course poses an infection risk, and there has been speculation that the event at least in part may be held via video link, although at the moment no confirmation of exactly what those details are. I imagine that behind the scenes there is some careful planning under
way to determine exactly how theyre going to approach some of those issues. In russia, president putin says the peak of the coronavirus outbreak has not yet been reached and hes extending the lockdown until may the 11th. He said the spread had been slowed but warned of the risk of acting too quickly to lift restrictions. So far, there have been 972 recorded deaths in the country. Our moscow correspondent is sarah rainsford. Well, theres a degree of restlessness here amongst russians, it has been a month under lockdown and the indicators show there are more people on the streets now. I think what president putin was doing was kind of dangling a bit of hope for them, because he ordered the government to come up with an exit strategy, how to get out of this lockdown, the steps that will eventually need to be taken very gradually to return to some kind of normallity. But at the same time, he was making it clear that the worst is yet to come. He said that scientists are telling him that the peak in terms of infection rate had not yet been reached and therefore it would be premature, he was saying, to end any kind of lockdown. So certainly warning of pressure on the Health Service and warning people that this is and still remains a deadly virus. There was also some interesting information that we have heard in the past day, which is, for example, a military theme park is one of the facilities that is being converted into a temporary hospital to provide hundreds of extra beds, as well as an expo centre. So another 3,000 beds there and more hospitals being repurposed as the mayor here in moscow, which is the centre of this pandemic in russia itself, is saying that the hospitals here are under enormous pressure and some half of all recorded coronavirus cased are now being patients being treated in hospitalfacilities. The british Prime MinisterBoris Johnson and his fiancee Carrie Symonds have announced the birth of a baby boy. They have thanked nhs staff at a London Hospital where their child was born early this morning. Both the mother and child are said to be doing well. Heres the conservative mp, iain duncan smith. Nothing but wonderful congratulations, it is fantastic news as everybody has been saying. It is great news particularly because the country is going through difficult times, and this isjust wonderful news of renewal and a change. I think that is a fantastic message of hope. My thoughts are absolutely with boris and carrie and their new baby. Iwish them absolutely all the best, as do all my colleagues, who have been pounding into the whatsapp deems saying how fantastic it is. Lets cross tojo coburn in westminster. Prior to that, we were all speculating whether borisjohnson would be at Prime Ministers questions today, which is due to start shortly. They were evasive or
not the answer, now we know why. Absolutely, the explanation is clear. Dominic raab has been deputising for borisjohnson, he will once again take his place at the dispatch box rather than the Prime Minister because of the news of the birth of his baby son. Im in at the central lobby, it is relatively quiet, all the social distancing rules are being abided by as there are clear markings on the floor around me. Lets talk to assistant Political Editor for the bbc, norman smith, about what we can expect in a chamber from the pm tuesday. Norman, what you think keir starmer will focus on . tuesday. Norman, what you think keir starmer will focus on . I think there isa starmer will focus on . I think there is a good chance you want to press the government over the lockdown and when we might get some kind of plan. Labour has being increasingly vociferous in the past few days that the government set out a clear
publish plan about how they will easily lock down. The government say they will involve the opposition parties but they have been no rush to sit out their thinking. The signs are that that outline of a plan could be moved back to next week. When borisjohnson could be moved back to next week. When Boris Johnson made could be moved back to next week. When borisjohnson made a statement at downing street on monday, he set out some of his thinking. I get the sense that is now being pushed towards next week. The day number 10 say we should all be focusing on is mainly seventh, the day of the actual review. I think keir starmer will say, we need some advance warning because we need to have some input. Itll take time to put in some of the measures that will enable the lockdown to be eased so better to do early. My best guess that will be the thrust of his attack today. There is also disquiet on borisjohnsons tory backbenchers about opening up the economy if and
when restrictions are ees. That is, but i think it is confined to a comparative view. I think there is a sort of a matter amongst ministers about discussing anything at all about discussing anything at all about using the lockdown. Ministers have said, we cant discuss easing the lockdown because that was sent out a contradictory message that might lead people to think they can give on the restriction. L might lead people to think they can give on the restriction. I think there is no they are thinking unless they Start Talking about how the resections will be eased, how then can we see the light at the end of the tunnel . People will grow its increasingly exasperated and the lockdown both fray at the alleges. What about face mask . Nicola sturgeon has talked about place mats perhaps being used by the public, but not here yet. Listening to the
scientist hear it yesterday, scientists are not very impressed by face mask. They are a big fear is that people who use them might think they are somehow invisible and they dont have to bother with washing their hands and social distancing. We seem to have a slight divergence of views, south and north of the border, where Nicola Sturgeons scientists are saying, they are of marginal use, but why not use them in shops and Public Transport . 1 wonder if what will actually happen is that people will take the decision on face mask into their own hands, in other words, decision on face mask into their own hands, in otherwords, we may decision on face mask into their own hands, in other words, we may see an england growing numbers of people deciding for their own sort of reason is that when they are out and about ina reason is that when they are out and about in a busy shop, they will wear about in a busy shop, they will wear a scarf. If there are in Public Transport, yes, they will wear a scarf. And maybe they wont have to be any sort of formal advice from government about people using masks. As we say, pm hughes will start very
shortly, in the next five minutes or so, it will be semi virtual, a little like last week. Well see how that works. Now its time for a look at the weather with matt taylor. Normal april weather has resumed. Things will continue to be much more changeable over the next few days. There will be further bouts of rain at times. The heavy is pushing its way in. Yesterdays rain softening on the ground, this should soak in a little bit, wont hang around too long across england and wales. Clearing away from much of wales and South West England before showers returned later. Some parts of
southern scotland and Northern England will stay a bit gloomy all day long with precious little sunshine. Feeling chilly here. Further south, when the sun comes out, it should feel reasonably pleasa nt out, it should feel reasonably pleasant and warmer than yesterday. 7 degrees across the midlands, could hit 13 and 15 celsius. Rain must spread northwards into scotland, heavy showers in the south west to end the afternoon, they were spirit northward and eastward. Some clear skies in between those bouts of rain, temperatures could drop enough for a touch of frost in scotland. Rather kill into tomorrow, but low pressure in charge. It could be a fairly typical april showers sort of day. More persistent rain across the central belt of scotland. But cell scotland, Northern England, northern
ireland and wales. Slow showers further north. Some will avoid showers in northern scotland as they dry all day long. Temperatures close to where there should be for the time of year. On friday, the winds shift into a north westerly direction. The odd shower around, fairly cloudy in northern scotland but most will see sunshine. Largely dry for the many to start saturday but then rain will return from the west, more rain for many of us on sunday. This is bbc news with the latest headlines for viewers in the uk and around the world. The uk Prime MinisterBoris Johnson and his fiancee Carrie Symonds have announced the birth of a healthy baby boy. The the birth of a healthy baby boy. Foreign secretarj and the foreign secretary, dominic raab, and the labour leader keir starmer will face each other at todays Prime Ministers questions. Millions more people in the uk will be able to get tested for coronavirus from today including all staff and residents of care homes. If they go to gov. Uk, they can find out how to get a test and there are a number of ways, including having a test sent to your home, where you can get a test. Spains Prime Minister predicts a recession on an extraordinary scale following the pandemic. The coronavirus outbreak in the United States has now killed more americans than the vietnam war
over 58,000 have died. In the uk, patients with suspected cancer symptoms are being urged to contact their gp after a 70 drop in referrals since the pandemic was declared. And the bollywood actor irrfan khan, who starred in Slumdog Millionaire and life of pi, has died at the age of 53. Hello and welcome to audiences in the uk and around the world. In westminster, the second virtual Prime Ministers questions is about to get under way. My colleaguejo coburn is at westminster. We were speculating earlier about whether it would be borisjohnson, but for obvious reasons it is not. No, the Prime Minister returned earlier to work this week and there have been an expectation he would ta ke have been an expectation he would take his place at the dispatch box in the chamber in front of me. I am standing in the lobby where you can see evidence of social distancing measures. In the end we could not get a straight answer as to whether it would be borisjohnson, who is to some extent probably still recovering from coronavirus, although he has been given the all clear to return to work and his work had increased. But then as you say, that news broke about the birth of his baby son, but it is time now for pmqss. Amid such uncertainty, 2020 is certainly a year they will never forget. I will call the first secretary of state to answer the engagement question. Thank you, mr speaker. Can i join engagement question. Thank you, mr speaker. Can ijoin you in sending heartiest congratulations to the Prime Minister and to Carrie Symonds on the birth of their son. It is
wonderful news and im sure it will bring them greatjoy in these difficult times. On coronavirus, surely we should not underestimate the significance of getting to the peak of the outbreak without the nhs being overwhelmed, but to do that we have had to make the unavoidable decision of putting elective surgery on hold for many people. What more can we do to free up the nhs so our constituents with cancer and other serious non covid conditions start being treated again as soon as possible and in significant numbers . First minister. Thank you, mr speaker. I have been asked to reply on behalf of my right honourable friend the Prime Minister. As members will have seen, the pm and his fiancee Carrie Symonds have announced the birth of a healthy baby boy this morning. Both mother and baby are doing well and i am sure the whole house will want to join with me in sending congratulations and our very best
wishes to them. Mr speaker, the house will also want to join me in paying tribute to the 85 nhs workers and the 23 social care workers who very sadly died from coronavirus. My deepest sympathies are with their family and their friends at these incredibly difficult times and we will continue to do whatever it ta kes to will continue to do whatever it takes to support them. I am sure the whole house will also want to join me in wishing captain tom moore, who has done so much, raising £29 million, four Nhs Charities together, very happy 100th birthday tomorrow. His length of service for his country and his dedication to helping others is an inspiration us all. Can i thank my honourable friend for his question and of course, as he notes, it is because we have taken the right measures at the right time that we have flattened the peak of this virus, we have prevented the nhs from becoming overwhelmed. The two single most important elements of the strategy that we have delivered that has met
the nhs has had the capacity to deal not just with covid 19 the nhs has had the capacity to deal notjust with covid 19 patients, but with other difficult treatments. He is also right to say that as we move towards a second phase we must plan towards a second phase we must plan to ensure the nhs is able to deliver elective surgery and treat patients with other conditions, which is exactly what we are planning to do. Now i go to the leader of the opposition, keir starmer. Can i add my congratulations and the congratulations of the labour party andi congratulations of the labour party and i am sure everybody in this house to the Prime Minister and Carrie Symonds on the birth of their baby boy. Whatever differences we have in this house, as human beings i think we all recognise the anxiety that the Prime Minister and carrie must have gone through in these past few weeks, unimaginable anxiety. I really hope this brings them incredible relief and joy. Can i join with the words of the first secretary on those who have died on
the front line and what he said about captain tom moore, an inspiration to all of us. Mr speaker, yesterday an important set of figures was published about the deaths from coronavirus. First, the deaths from coronavirus. First, the deaths in hospital, currently at 21,678, that is the number published every day. On top of that yesterday we saw the cqc figures for deaths in ca re we saw the cqc figures for deaths in care homes for the two weeks and last friday, a figure of 4343. At the same time the ons figures came out for deaths outside of hospitals, outside of care homes, and that was a figure outside of care homes, and that was afigure up outside of care homes, and that was a figure up to the 17th of april of 1220. There is a bit of complication because of the different dates, but that makes a total to date of 20 7000, 241 recorded deaths from coronavirus. That is probably an underestimate because of the time lag. Behind each number is family shaken to its foundations. Six weeks ago on the 7th of march, the government was made chief scientific adviser indicated the government hoped to keep the overall number of deaths from coronavirus to below 20,000. He said that would be good, by which in fairness to him he meant successful in the circumstances. We are clearly already way above that number and we are only part way through this crisis. We are possibly on track to have one of the worst death rates in europe. On monday the Prime Minister said in his short speech that many we re said in his short speech that many were looking at our apparent success in the united kingdom, but does the first secretary agree with me that farfrom first secretary agree with me that far from success these latest figures are truly dreadful . First secretary of state. Thank you, mr speaker. Personable and i welcome the various points of solidarity between our frontbenchers in relation to the new baby boy by the Prime Minister and Carrie Symonds, but also in relation to care workers
and nhs workers who have lost their lives. He is right that there is a challenge in deciphering the difference between the different figures because of the time lag is in relation to care home deaths. Equally i know it is something that on all sides we have wanted to deliver, which was a clearer breakdown and distinction between ca re breakdown and distinction between care home deaths and deaths in the nhs. I think that is progress. He mentioned the target of 20,000. Of course this is an unprecedented pandemic, a Global Pandemic, and i think in fairness we should not criticise the cmo or the deputy cmo for trying to give some forecast in response to the questions that many in this chamber and in the media are calling for. But the reality is we know a lot more about the virus, both domestically and internationally, than we did before andi internationally, than we did before and i absolutely share his, i guess, our joint and i absolutely share his, i guess, ourjoint horror at the number of deaths. Tragedies each and every
one. Equally i am going to disagree with him that it is far too early to make international comparisons. If they are to be done, they should be done on a per capita basis. We are already seeing there are different ways not just in already seeing there are different ways notjust in the uk, but across europe and the world and this is a very delicate and dangerous moment in this pandemic, which is why with the greatest respect i think we do need to wait until we get further evidence before moving towards a transitional phase or a second phase, and it would be irresponsible right now to start setting out in detail what proposals we might come up detail what proposals we might come up with in advance of having that advice from sage. Thank you, mr speaker. Can i make clear i was not criticising the experts, i was pointing at the difference between what had been hoped for and where we had got to. I welcome the clearer breakdown of figures which i think we can get from this afternoon onwards. I also welcome the fact
that it appears, and i hope this is right, that the number of hospital admissions are going down in the number of deaths from coronavirus in hospitals are going down. I hope thatis hospitals are going down. I hope that is continuing in the right direction. But from yesterdays data it appears that is not the case in ca re it appears that is not the case in care homes. They show that deaths in ca re care homes. They show that deaths in care homes. They show that deaths in care homes appear to have been rising, even while hospital deaths have been falling. That is on the back, as the first secretary knows, from concern from the front line about testing in care homes and the speed of testing, concerns about protective equipment and arguments that it has been too slow. We have all heard from the front line in the ca re all heard from the front line in the care sector, all heard from the front line in the ca re sector, expressions all heard from the front line in the care sector, expressions of real anxiety about the situation they find themselves in. In the first secretary explain why he thinks that coronavirus continues to spread so fast in the care sector . Returning briefly to something from last week, could you give us the up to date figures of the number of those who
have died on the front line in the Health Care Staff and the number of social care workers. I raised it last week. I think he has given a figure, butjust to confirm that. And i thank the right honourable gentleman, i have already given those figures and they are produced in the normal way and he will be appraised of them just as he is in relation to the other figures. It is right to say there is a challenge in ca re right to say there is a challenge in care homes. In fact, when sage produced their advice and when the chief scientific adviser and the chief medical officer gave their three weekly review several weeks ago now, it was made clear that we had made Good Progress overall in reducing the level of community transmission, but there were still challenges both in hospital settings and also specifically in care homes. There are real challenges in care homes. The principal challenge in ca re homes. The principal challenge in care homes, unlike in the nhs setting, where we have made progress, is the greater challenge from a decentralised basis in terms
of exercising control over the ebb and flow of people into those care homes. That includes residents, it includes care home workers who sometimes work in different care homes, and it also includes nhs workers and friends and family. That is the single biggest challenge in terms of reducing transmission. I hope i can reassure him that we have a comrade is a plan to ramp up the testing in care homes, the eligibility was changed yesterday, to overhaul the way ppe is delivered on the front line and we are expanding the workforce by 20,000 through a new recruitment campaign. But there is no doubting, and i will not shy away from saying in front of the right honourable gentleman that this is a challenge, but it is a challenge we must grip and can grip to make sure that we can get the numbers down in care homes as we have seen in hospitals and as we have seen in hospitals and as we have seen in the country at large. Thank you, mr speaker. Just on the back of that answer, i think on the Andrew Marr Programme on sunday the first secretary said that deaths in ca re first secretary said that deaths in care homes were falling in line with those in hospitals. That does not appear to be borne out by the figures unless there are figures we have not seen. I am wondering if the first secretary could take a moment to clarify that when he next gets up. Yesterday was memorial day for all those who lost their lives at work and it is important we all know and remember all those who die, whether from coronavirus or anything else. But it is important we double our commitment to protect those at work and that is why protective equipment for the front line is so crucial. I recognise the challenge the Government Faces on this. I recognise that getting the right piece of equipment to the right place every time is very difficult. But lives do depend on it. It is ten weeks since the Health Secretary declared there was a serious and
imminent threat to life and you would hope that by now things would be getting better, not worse. Yet, a survey the Royal College of physicians are published on monday reported that one in four doctors are still not getting the protective equipment they need. The president was quoted in these times, his words, it is truly terrible that ppe supply has worsened over the last three weeks, rather than improved. I know that is not where the first secretary or the government want to be, with indications from the front line that things are worse, not better. But he must recognise this isa better. But he must recognise this is a plea from the front line. Can i ask the first secretary what is going on and how soon can it be fixed . How do i thank the right honourable gentleman, first of all in relation to a care home data, we have seen the latest data and there are positive signs, but i think they
are positive signs, but i think they are within the margin of error and we need to be very focused that there is a challenge in care homes and we have a plan in place to grip it, there is no sugar that issue. I ta ke it, there is no sugar that issue. I take exception with him suggesting things are getting worse, not better. That is not true overall. We have shown through social distancing measures the overwhelming commitment to them by the public and our effo rts to them by the public and our efforts to ramp up capacity, particularly Critical Care capacity in the nhs, that the two central limbs of our strategy, which is to flatten the pea, which if we had not done the death toll would be even worse, and also to make sure the nhs was able to cope, those two critical elements of the strategy have worked and it is important we keep up the effort on all of that. In relation to ppe, he must recognise that we face an international, globalshortage. Every country, when i speak to
leaders, foreign ministers, cou nterpa rts leaders, foreign ministers, counterparts around the world, they are facing this. We are now the International Buyer of choice. We have had 22 flight of ppe and ventilators from china just this last week, free flights from turkey with gown and face protection. We have also asked lord dating from the other place to ramp up our wire supply and the tradition. There is no minimising ora supply and the tradition. There is no minimising or a sugar coating those things he mentioned. Ifeel an immediate and inspired to do even better. But he needs to recognise on ppe, there is a Global Supply shortage and we are doing everything we can to make sure that those on the front line get the equipment that they need. I do recognise the effo rts that they need. I do recognise the efforts that are going on. The first secretary says he takes exception to what i said about things worsening. I have tried not to base anything on personal opinion because i do not think that helps. I was quoting the Royal College of physicians, there is only front line, it is not my view, it is their view. I have tried to stick to the data and evidence rather than just coming up with an opinion. It is clear that has been an increase in testing in the last week, i welcome that. Yesterday the government announced a further extension and expansion of testing, i welcome that also. But there are still significant problems. The government reported figures for monday showed combative taste of 73,000, got up to the highest it has ever been but only 43,000 tests were actually carried out. Only 29,000 people were actually tested. Last week, the first secretary said at the problem was not capacity but a lack of demand. I was not convinced
to be honest. Now we know demand has gone through the roof. We know sites we re gone through the roof. We know sites were unable to cope with the number of people trying to book tests so obviously demand is not the problem. Yet on monday, 30,000 tests available where use. I have to recognise that the 100,000 a day by thursday was only ever a staging post, and perhaps the exact date does not matter as much as some might think. On match the 12, the Prime Minister made clear his plan, which was to ramp up daily testing to 250,000 which was to ramp up daily testing to 250 , 000 tests which was to ramp up daily testing to 250,000 tests a day. I agree with him on that, i think thats the scale we should be at. So cannot the first secretary clarified that the tune of 50,000 tests a day is still a government target, and if so, roughly when he thinks the government will hit that target . think the right honourable
gentleman. On this issue of things getting worse, i understand your point you want to make about ppe, a valid point, but point you want to make about ppe, a valid point, but i dont think i should be aligned to the broader critique that overall things are getting worse. As you come to the peak of this virus, which that you get this down, we have to drive on down even further. In particular, making sure that we do not miss a second spike by increasing the transmission rate. I think the right honourable gentleman could take time just to recognise our success on social distancing and Critical Care capacity which has allowed that to happen. On testing, we now have 73,400 happen. On testing, we now have 73 , 400 test happen. On testing, we now have 73,400 test capacity every day, that is almost double from the point at which we were at the dispatch box last week. On daily test carried out, the figure is now 43,563, which is up from well over double the 18,000 from the point at which we we re 18,000 from the point at which we were last week. In relation to capacity and demand, when we talk about the man, when the nhs talks
about the man, when the nhs talks about her, that are, the number of test carried out on the ball much as willing to come forward but actually able to come forward. We have made sure we have ramped up the testing as swiftly as possible. Notjust extension and widening of eligibility last week, but we are now saying that anyone that to work and they cannot work remotely and they have symptoms, we will widen they have symptoms, we will widen the eligibility to them. In a 1 60 fibre symptoms will also be able to action those tests. That might anyone over 65. It will also be available to all get on symptoms and staff whether they are symptomatically or not. We are on track to make huge progress. Of course he is right to say that youre a 50,000 target is still an aspiration, i wont put a date on it. Li aspiration, i wont put a date on it. Li during a date on it. The tune of 50,000. We are making steps towards testing
which is essential to the wider tracking and tracing system will need as we transition to the second stays. They first secretary invites me to recognise to good book on social distancing and Critical Care pack capacity. It has been an amazing piece of work, critically the ramping up of capacity. I said my thanks to all of those involved, i absolutely recognise it. I send my thanks. The reason i raise these issuesis my thanks. The reason i raise these issues is because they are vital to controlling the wider is an particular lies so that we can get an effective exit strategy. The public needs to know what happens and in the next phase. I am asking for a lockdown to be lifted, we support the government on lockdown and will continue to do so so i am not asking for that. I am not asking for a time frame, the government says i cannot give that, i support that and we support the government
on that. I am asking for the government to be open with the british people about what comes next, that is crucial for three reasons. We need their trust. Secondly, the government itself, schools, businesses, they need to plan ahead and to plan ahead and they are saying that loudly and clearly. Third, we would like to try and support the government was make strategy when we know what it is important for us to do so if we can. We can. We cannot deal of the government will not share his thinking. The Prime Minister said on monday he maximum transparency, will the first secretary till us now when the first secretary till us now when the government will publish an exit strategy . I willjust remind you right honourable gentleman, as i set out on the 16th of april, advice to any changes to social distancing measures at that point, the recently
would risk a special increase in transmission rate. That will be reviewed again in early march. He has asked for a timeframe and a date, we cannot give it until we have the sage evidence. If he thinks there are things we could be announcing, whether it is a long workplace, schools or otherwise, feel free to propose leaves things. I would just gently say, based on the advice and evidence that we had from sage, it will be very difficult for us to responsibly set out those proposals before and we have had that subsequent advice, they currently rate of infection, the death rate, but also the measure is responsible to make. That is why, with the greatest respect, we cannot be pulled into making proposals in advance without sage opinion. The problem of the first secretary response is that it risks the uk falling behind. France, germany, spain, belgium, new zealand,
australia, scotland and wales have all published exit plans of one sort or another. They first secretary said what of the proposals cover . If you look at those plans, as he that has done and i have done, it is clear that our common issues such as stalls of the proposals cover . If you look at those plans, as he that has done and i have done, it is clear that our common issues such as stalls are reopening, business it reopening. These are the issues that i will delay the risk using not only falling behind other countries, but also the success of the formation approach so far. We want to support the government on an exit strategy, we wa nt the government on an exit strategy, we want to support the formation approach so that we can all exit across the uk at the same time and hopefully in the same way. Four nation. I ask the first secretary if the government will work openly and constructively with the opposition on what happens at the next stage . We certainly will engage, i enjoyed
the telephone calls with opposition including himself. Carrie also gently say that if he is suggesting that we can set out concrete proposals now, despite clear evidence and advice from sage, that we should wait for their review of evidence in the next week or so, i would gently say that is the wrong thing to do. If he thinks he knows better than sage and li scientist, he needs to explain it. He talked about the Scottish Government. The Scottish Government had not set out an exit strategy, i read through the document very carefully. It was grounded only five test that i set out in april. He talked about other European Countries, but he will now that germany is now having to think twice about easing up on the measures because of the risk of a second spike. This is exactly the risk that the government of the bank of england refer to last week, that i refer to on the 16th of april, and that sage and the scientist have
been referring to. The honourable gentleman is trying to and succeeding in engaging in a very constructive way, he is a strong professional reputation by being guided by the evidence, that is much to his credit. Can ijust gently say, he should not abandon that regard now . So theres swain. Will Garden Centres and nurseries be allowed to open in short order . thank my right honourable friend for cutting straight to the chase . I totally appreciate the value of Garden Centres and nurseries. The current advice, as indicated from sage, is that relaxing any of those measured would risk damage to the Public Health, our economy and frankly the progress and sacrifices we have made. Can i reassure him that they look specifically at Garden Centres, and we will continue to keep the evidence on each
individual measure under very close review. We go across to leader of the snp, lain blackford. Review. We go across to leader of the snp, iain blackford. Can i send my congratulations to the Prime Minister and two Carrie Symonds on the birth of their son and long life and happiness to the newborn. We are months away from the deadline on approving an extension to the brexit negotiations. Michel has been a clear that the uk is refusing to engage seriously on a number of fundamental issues Michel Barnier. The government is gambling our future with a no deal brexit in the middle of a Health Emergency. Why is the government fretting to isolate our economy at the end of the year during the biggest economic crisis of our time . Threatening to isolate. I jointly
crisis of our time . Threatening to isolate. Ijointly honourable gentleman in ascending lose messages of goodwill to Carrie Symonds and the Prime Minister and their new baby boy. I am not sure i will look quite taking the word of Michel Barnier are quite as readily and uncritically as the honourable gentleman has. Our position is unchanged, the transition period ends on the 31st of december, that is enshrined in law. What we should do now, given the uncertainty and the problems and the challenges could not why has highlighted for us, but also for our european friends, i have got extremely closely with all of our European Partners, is focus on removing any additional uncertainty, doing a deal by the end of the year, and a lamp of the uk anti eu and all its Member States to bounce back as we come to the end of coronavirus. What we should be doing is removing uncertainty by putting a stop to
these talks. We should be making sure that we protect our businesses for stop the failure by the first secretary to rule out a no deal brexit should alarm is now. The World Trade Organisation predict that what 0t may fall by 32 this year. The imf says that the Global Economy will suffer as whisk financial crisis as the 1930s. The obr warns that the uk economy could shrink by 35 . That means too many people are at risk of losing their jobs. Refusing to admit the inevitability of an extension is not a clever or tough negotiating tactic, it is a reckless and foolish gamble. About the secretary of state embrace common sense and recognise the need for a brexit extension . Show some leadership, face down the hardliners and the tory party, extending the brexit transition, and let us all get on with the job of tackling this health crisis
together. First of all, if his desire is to avoid more uncertainty, then the right thing for us to do is double down, get a deal by the end of this year. If his desire is to dig ourselves out of the economic challenges that we face, then the a nswer challenges that we face, then the answer is not to engage in perfect unison but you do this deal, give a shotin unison but you do this deal, give a shot in the arm to businesses on both sides of the channel. That is what we are focused on doing, and as one united kingdom. The Company Programme run by young and treatise offers the opportunity for young people to offer this goes and new world situations. But my right honourable friend agree with me that providing Financial Education and skills is the right way of empowering young people and ensuring we are able to further our Living Programme across the whole country will we come out of this crisis . Cani can i thank my honourable friend for raising this excellent programme. He
is right, new mercy underpins childrens ability to handle money, for example doing divisions. The government reforms have made a step change in progress for a and literacy for those young children. That needs to be backed up by Practical Applications and many schools are adapting their programmes and i think young monies is an excellent example of that. Will the first secretary of state make a commitment today and when a vaccine becomes available for cover 19, the uk will take a leading role along with other nations to distribute it across the world rather than on the basis of wealth. Cani rather than on the basis of wealth. Can i thank the honourable gentleman. He is absolutely right. As the Health Secretary announced,
we have had an announcement recently and we are taking a lead in research and we are taking a lead in research and development, but he is also right to say, as the Development Secretary announced, we are also contributing to the International Effort to make sure we can ramp up not just the effort to make sure we can ramp up notjust the International Effort effort to make sure we can ramp up not just the International Effort to find a vaccine, but to make sure that not only we vaccinate all of the people in the uk, but also in the people in the uk, but also in the most vulnerable and poorest countries around the world and i entirely agree with what he says. Thank you, mr speaker. The government has pulled out all the stops in providing a range of timely Financial Support for businesses, but both as the chair of the Small Business group in west oxfordshire i hear reports of business is being denied help by banks, that are fully behind regulatory systems rather than concentrating on the urgent need to get cash out of the door to the businesses that need it. Would my right honourable friend agree
with me that as the nation makes sacrifices unheard of in peace time it is also time for the banks to do their bit. I thank my honourable friend and pay tribute to what he is doing to champion Small Businesses. We wa nt doing to champion Small Businesses. We want to help all businesses, small, medium and large, across the country get through this incredibly difficult period and bounce back with confidence as we defeat the coronavirus. Through the Coronavirus Business interruption loan scheme, through the large Business Interruption or loan scheme and the bounce back a loan scheme, we are lending to businesses of all shapes and size. The government has stepped up and size. The government has stepped up to the plate and he is right, we expect the banks to do the same as well. While working people are having to make huge sacrifices through this crisis, state support is available to big businesses that dodged taxes and pay millions to super rich executives and shareholders. We should be bailing out the 99 , not the 1 . Will the
government follow the likes of denmark and stand up to big businesses by saying if you want state support, you have to prohibit Dividend Payments and share buy backs and you cannot be based in a tax haven . I thank the honourable lady. I have to say if she looks at the package of measures that my right honourable friend the chancellor has put in place in the round, she will see that not only are we dealing with Small Businesses, we are helping those larger businesses and they are important, they are large employers, and we are doing everything we can to support innovative firms which will benefit from the offer of £1. 25 billion. I think we should take, frankly, some of the partizan baggage out of this and focus on targeting the businesses that will create the growth which will drive us through this crisis and support the workers up and down this country. The Current Crisis has
shown just how important it is to have sufficient urgent Care Capacity in the nhs. I have been campaigning for newer urgent care centres to help nhs staff provide world class ca re help nhs staff provide world class care to people across the region. In the first minister assured me that the first minister assured me that the government remains committed to building these badly needed new care centres . Building these badly needed new care centres . Can i thank my honourable friend for the way he is championing the nhs in a tenacious and doughty way. I am delighted that stockport nhs trust has been allocated a cost of 31 million for the provision of a new Emergency Care campus at stepping hill, one of our 20 hospital upgrades and tame site has also been allocated over £16 million to provide urgent care facilities at the general hospital. Conservatives are the party of the nhs, more
money, more hospitals, more doctors and nurses, and that is one of the reasons we have managed to help protect the nhs from becoming overwhelmed by coronavirus. Thank you, mr speaker. Can i first of all offer my deepest thanks to First Responders from the metropolitan police and the London Ambulance service who were greeted with a horrifying scene on sunday night of an18 horrifying scene on sunday night of an 18 month baby girl and a three year old boy brutally murdered in their own homes. There are no words of comfort that we can offer the grieving mother, but what the government can do is to do more to support people who are not safe in their own homes. I recognise the £3 million that has gone into support children who witness Domestic Abuse, and the £2 million in support for the Domestic Abuse hotline, but it is not enough and not quick enough. In that spirit can i ask the first secretary of state to commit to providing a £75 million ring fenced
fund so that in these darkest of times for people who are trapped and not safe in their own homes they know that support is available . Can i thank the honourable gentleman and say how appalled i am at the tragic case in his constituency and i pay tribute to the Front Line Emergency responders, but i am in total solidarity with the honourable gentleman and want to pass my condolences to the family around that terrible case. It sounds absolutely appalling. The police have been clear they will pursue perpetrators of anyone in immediate danger and they should call 999. The coronavirus challenge is putting pressure on the police, but they are there to do the incredible job they do day in, day out. The helpline is staffed 24 hours a day. We are supporting charities which support victims of Domestic Abuse with £750 million. He makes an important point about what more we can do and we are
co nsta ntly about what more we can do and we are constantly looking to reinforce and to strengthen the challenge of the response to Domestic Abuse. He is right there is a specific issue in relation to this crisis. The Domestic Abuse bill had its second reading yesterday and that will help ta ke reading yesterday and that will help take our response to the next level and it is an opportunity for him to make further proposals in due course. May ijoin in the congratulations to the Prime Minister and Carrie Symonds on the birth of their son. Mr speaker, i was recently speaking with a lady who, very sadly, lost her husband in hospital took covid 19. She spoke of the fantastic care given to her husband by the nhs staff. But she also spoke of the incredible support that she and her family received from those same nhs workers. Would my right honourable friend join me in congratulating the nhs staff, not only for caring for those who are
ill, but also for the wonderful support they give to their loved ones . I think my honourable friend. Cani ones . I think my honourable friend. Can i first of all pass on my very deepest condolences to the widow in his constituency. I, along with others, have the grim task of reading at the total death toll at these press conferences and i always walk away ashen faced at what this must mean for individual families up and down the country. He is right to pay tribute to the nhs who are doing an amazing job pay tribute to the nhs who are doing an amazingjob and pay tribute to the nhs who are doing an amazing job and all of us across the house pay tribute to them and the house pay tribute to them and the care workers with our minis silence yesterday. But he is right also to say they are not just there to treat the physical condition, whether it is coronavirus or otherwise, they do an amazing job providing emotional support for patients and their families and that is too easily overlooked as we come through this crisis. Geraint davies. Mr speaker, the uk opted out of the eu joint procurement of ppe ventilators and Medical Equipment. Can the secretary confirm whether this was a political or commercial decision and take this opportunity to say we will take any future opportunity tojoin to say we will take any future opportunity to join any eu scheme that helps guard supplies to our nhs in order to avoid any preventable deaths in our communities or nhs or ca re deaths in our communities or nhs or Care Services . I think the honourable gentleman. It has been made clear by the government and clarified when it was not clear, the original issue was a failure of communication, we did not get the original invitation to tender. It is clear to us the scheme in relation to the first batch of eu wide procurement would not have made any significant extra difference or
added any value to what we are doing here. I can tell him that we will look at any future procurement wide initiatives, for example in therapeutics. I can also reassure him that one of the things we are doing is working very closely with our European Partners and we have taken advantage of eu wide schemes in relation to repatriation if we can share cost. That is the collaborative approach the government takes. The sector is vital to shropshires economy. Notwithstanding his earlier response, can i ask that in any economic unlock, that in phase one of the Garden Centres and nurseries, seasonal nurseries, will be allowed to open call albeit with careful and considered strict guidelines . thank my honourable friend. A second plea for Garden Centres and nurseries is absolutely right and i
understand why it is important economically and socially, particularly for certain members of our community for whom it will be an important means of getting outdoors. Sage has already considered it once andi sage has already considered it once and i know it will consider Garden Centres and nurseries again. I know he will expect us to continue to be guided by the evidence. He has made his point in a powerful way and it is firmly registered that this is an important area for us to look at in the future. Alex cunningham. Thank you, mr speaker. There has never been sufficient nursery places to meet the extra demand as a result of the childcare act and now things are set to get worse. I have received a huge number of e mails from local nursery managers and workers angry at the government because they are not entitled to access the furlough scheme. What will you do to sort this out and ensure these are nurseries still exist once the crisis is over . There is a hugely
challenging time for nurseries, schools and other Small Businesses. The chancellor set out the range of support available and it is widespread, it covers all sorts of different areas, but in relation to nurseries and any other sector that is finding the challenge is too much to bear as we go through this crisis we will make sure we look at them afresh and see what further can be done. I would like to begin by echoing the congratulations that have already been given to the Prime Minister and his fiancee on the birth of the baby boy, i hope they are in good health. Over the weekend there was a double stabbing in my constituency. Would my right honourable friend join me in calling on the police and crime commissioner to reverse his decision to close the local Police Station . What will he say about protecting our communities from the scourge of knife crime . Say about protecting our communities from the scourge of knife crime7m isa from the scourge of knife crime7m is a tragic but timely warning that some of the persistent social
challenges we face around knife crime or any other kind of crime will persist because of coronavirus, although overall the level of crime has come down. Can i pay my very deepest sympathies with the families of the victim in his constituency and can of the victim in his constituency and can i reassure of the victim in his constituency and can i reassure him we are committed to recruiting 20,000 more Police Officers over the next two yea rs Police Officers over the next two years and we are making it easier for the police to have stop and search powers and we are ensuring that more perpetrators go to prison and for longer and it is for commissioners to decide on how and when to lay out their resources, but i thank when to lay out their resources, but ithank him when to lay out their resources, but i thank him for being a champion on the crime issues and a supporter of the crime issues and a supporter of the police and his constituency. Many businesses in my constituency and around the uk shut their doors on Public Health advice and are now finding that insurers are refusing to pay out. With the uk government
intervene and stand behind these claims that no business loses out by doing the right thing . claims that no business loses out by doing the right thing . I cut the honourable lady. I do not think it is the right thing to do to stand behind all of the claims, but we continue to liaise with the Insurance Industry to make sure that as far as is legally and practically possible they are showing the flexibility as people and the consumers of those insurance policies come through this very difficult time. Iam i am absolutely delighted to be able to connect with you this week, mr speaker. I finally escaped from the zoom boating room, in so doing i can pass my congratulations to Carrie Symonds and the Prime Minister on the birth of their son. I have a large number of Haulage Companies in my constituency, im sure the first secretary will recognise that lorry
drivers are key workers during this crisis, transporting goods across our united kingdom. However, many have to access hot food out with their carbs, even to access toilet and shower facilities. So can they first secretary ensure that we are doing all that we can to support lorry drivers as they carry out their important duties during this crisis . It is always good to see my right honourable friend, even via zoom. Especially via zoom. Laughter. Cani laughter. Can i thank all of the hgv and delivery drivers for all theyre doing to keep our country doing. I think across the house we probably agree that our review and definition of key workers has change as we come this crisis. There is an
appreciation of people doing those jobs, diana and day out. The Motorway Services in england and currently remain open to road users. That is why transport secretary is continuing to work with Motorway Service operators to ensure as many facilities within those individual service stations remain open as possible to make sure that hgv drivers can take and break and use whatever facilities they need before they can go back to work. The chancellor said in his covid 19 response, we will not leave you behind, we all stand together. He then delivered a financial package which did leave behind hundreds of my situations and thousands more across at this island. I can situate
ina brew across at this island. I can situate in a brew could not be followed by his former employer, nor could he be furloughed by his new employer. After 40 yea rs of furloughed by his new employer. After 40 years of working, he has been cut adrift as collateral by this common. What is hotly first secretary but my advice to my constituent . We do not support universal income. Given our precious resources at such a universal income. Given our precious resources at such a challenging time, it would not target at those who need it the most. Scotland will receive a cash boost over £3 billion to tackle the coronavirus. The Financial Support from the uk government is going there, on top of the military support with things like mobile testing and airlifting some patients from some of the ailing communities in scotland. We are also expanding Testing Capacity right across the uk, with centres recently opened in glasgow, dundee and edinburgh. We will get through this crisis as one united kingdom. Cani this crisis as one united kingdom. Can i associate myself with the
remarks of the first secretary and sent congratulations to the Prime Minister and carrie . Research on the all Parliamentary Group on autism found out before the Coronavirus Crisis, more than two in three autistic adults were not getting the support they need it. Sadly, in some areas, Emergency Powers to ease duties under the care i have had to be triggered. Can my right honourable friend guarantee that autistic people will not be disproportionately affected by these changes, and will he publish which councils have to resort to Emergency Powers . My right honourable friend raises are really important point. Of course we want to make sure that all that is for children or any other children with special needs going through this terrible crisis are as protective as we possibly can. are as protective as we possibly can. Autistic children. Things such as looking at such an arrangement of skills. We have to make sure we do as much as we can to
protect Vulnerable Children, particularly those with particular needs. She talked about the fund are going through to local authorities. Allow me to take that back, speak to both the education secretary and the community secretary, and make sure we can come back with a specific and set on a particular points you raise. When i got over to sir geoffrey donaldson. On behalf of the democratic unionist party, i echo and pass on congratulations to the Prime Minister and Carrie Symonds are not the birth of their son. The headlines in at this morning . Belfast telegraph speaks about death for people who are not affected by the virus, people who have not been attending hospital, and who desperately needed treatment. Will the secretary adviser of the measures government intends to take to address and ensure more people are able to attain for treatment,
including Cancer Patients . are able to attain for treatment, including Cancer Patients . I pay tribute to all the work the honourable gentleman is doing, and indeed, the Northern Ireland executive at the deck full time. He is right to raise the challenge within the nhs more generally of dealing not just have within the nhs more generally of dealing notjust have covid 19 but the wider conditions that people have. The chief medical officer has made it very clear that we have the capacity, the plans put in place and other through the nightingale hospitals, the ventilators, the Critical Care capacity, is in place, not just to Critical Care capacity, is in place, notjust to do with coronavirus but also to deal with other non covid priorities, whether they are urging or other forms of treatment in relation to cancer or otherwise. I am certainly willing to work with the help anti Northern Ireland secretary to make sure anybody clear challenges faced in Northern Ireland, we can deal with them and address them. It is absolutely crucial as we go through this crisis
that capacity is protected. That is one of the reasons why we have introduced social distancing measures and why they have been so effective. That is at the end of Prime Ministers questions are. Studio letters the second virtual premises questions, the second with dominic raab in at the hot seat with borisjohnson still off because he has had his new baby. Sir keir starmer on the opposing bench. The first minister of scotland, Nicola Sturgeon, has been holding her daily Coronavirus Briefing in edinburgh. This is some of what she has been saying. Good afternoon, everybody, thank you forjoining us once again for this daily update. I want to start with an update on some of the Key Statistics in relation to covid 19 in scotland. As usual, on wednesdays, todays update will have two parts, an update on the daily figures youre used to hearing me present, and also a summary of the key points from todays weekly
publications from National Records of scotland. That means more complexity and a bit more length than normal to please bear with me. I want to be upfront with this today, both speaking about and hearing about dying is extremely upsetting. I hope you understand that it upsetting. I hope you understand thatitis upsetting. I hope you understand that it is important that i do report these numbers, and do so in some detail. Let me turn firstly to the usual daily figures. As of nine oclock this morning, i can report that have been 11,034 positive cases confirmed, which is an increase of 313 since yesterday. A total of 1727 patients are currently in hospital with either confirmed or suspected covid 19, that is a decrease of 27 from yesterday. A total of 114 people as of last night were in
intensive care, with either confirmed or suspected cases of the virus, that is a decrease of 12 on yesterdays figures. Again, these are encouraging figures. I am also able to confirm today that since the 5th of march, a total of 2521 patients who had tested positive for the virus, have now been able to leave hospital. However, i also have to report that in the past 24 hours, 83 deaths have been register of patients who had been confirmed through a test as having the virus, thatis through a test as having the virus, that is the total of number of deaths in scotland under that measurement to 1415, although i will come onto the figures from the National Records of scotland publications got shortly. U nfortu nately, publications got shortly. Unfortunately, there is a further group of deaths that i am able to report on today. Over the course of the pandemic, i can sadly confirm that six members of nhs staff and
five members of the social Care Workforce have died from the violence. My thoughts and thoughts of all of us in at the Scottish Government are with their families and friends. Have died from the virus. I should stress, it will not necessarily be the case that all of these members of staff contracted covid 19 through their work. In some cases, some people may not have been in at their workplace for some time. However, it has really important for us to understand how many front line workers lose their life from this virus, is also really important to ensure appropriate investigation into the circumstances and learn any lessons that we can from those circumstances. The numbers that i have read out for health and care workers, and indeed, for all deaths are not just workers, and indeed, for all deaths are notjust statistics. This is a point that is important for me to make every single day. Behind every single one of the statistic is an
individual, an individual who was loved and cherished. An individual now deeply missed by those they have left behind. Once again, i want to send my deepest condolences and thoughts to everyone who has lost a loved one to this virus. I want to thank as i always do our health and ca re thank as i always do our health and care workers for the extraordinary works that you continue to do. The entire country owes you an entire country owes you such an enormous debt of gratitude. I spoken before about the different ways in which we record figures, but i think its helpful if i briefly go through the key points again. Studio Nicola Sturgeon updating the media. The one oclock news is coming up in a few moments with all of the latest of elements. Right now, time for a weather update. After that wet day yesterday, we are going to squeeze out a bit more wet weather before the month is done. We have already had some rain today across parts of wales, brushing up
since then but there is more rain on the way. Low pressure is in charge. Low pressure is in charge and it is around this area of low pressure, as you can clearly pick out here, several bands of wet weather are moving across the British Isles over the next couple of days. This is this afternoons wet weather pushing across northern and Eastern England and into southern scotland and through Northern Ireland. We have got this drier, brighter gap before more heavy downpours bear down on South West England and wales. It is breezy wherever you are, particularly where you see the rain, and temperatures in the mid to low teens. Into tonight and this first batch of rain will push further north across scotland. We still have this drier gap, but look at all these heavy downpours feeding in across england, wales, Northern Ireland and into southern scotland. With all of that going on overnight temperatures are not going down too far. They are holding up to mid to high single figures. As we start off tomorrow, low pressure in control and this
next feature to the south will bring in further heavy showers tomorrow. It doesnt mean it is going to be raining all the time. Some start the day with blue sky and sunshine, but that will not last as the showers get going. Some outbreaks of rain in northern scotland, but south of scotland, Northern Ireland and through england and wales this is where we are likely to see heavy showers, maybe thunder, a chance of gales and gusty winds as well and strong winds in the English Channel coast where they will be gusting around 40 to 50 miles an hour and into the Channel Islands as well. Between the showers there will be drier, brighter moments and temperatures tomorrow are similar to today, the mid to the low teens. On friday still some showers around, in parts of scotland, especially to the south, Northern Ireland and the midlands and patchy rain in northern scotland, but for the first day of may there could well be very few showers in southern england and wales, places here staying dry, and with a bit of sunshine it will feel a bit warmer. Going into the weekend it looks like a gap between weather systems on saturday. On saturday still a few showers possible towards the north, but many places on saturday will be staying dry, by sunday low pressure
pushes another area of wet weather northwards across the uk. In the midst of the pandemic, a bit ofjoy as borisjohnson and his fiancee announce the birth of a baby boy. The Prime Ministers partner Carrie Symonds and the baby are said to be in good health after the birth at a london nhs maternity unit. Both mother and baby are doing well and im sure the whole house will wa nt to and im sure the whole house will want tojoin and im sure the whole house will want to join with me in sending congratulations and our best wishes to them. We all recognise the anxiety the Prime Minister and Carrie Symonds must have gone through in these past few weeks, unimaginable anxiety sol really hope this brings them incredible relief and joy. Well have more on that announcement in a moment as the country continues to tackle the coronavirus pandemic. Millions more people in england are eligible for covid 19 testing after the government loosens rules on who can apply