Are to receive another £1. 6 billion in additional funding from the government as they continue to respond to the coronavirus pandemic. The announcement from the local government secretary came after Council Leaders warned they may have to consider extreme measures to cut costs. This report from our political correspondent, nick eardley. Closed. Like many parts of the country, Council Facilities have been shut down, starving local authorities of cash, just as they face extra pressure to pay for things like social care and to support vulnerable communities through the crisis. This afternoon, the government said it would make extra money available for councils in england. Today, im providing an additional £1. 6 billion of new funding to support councils. We are backing councils to make sure Vital Services such as adult social care, childrens services, support for the most vulnerable and waste collection, continue, despite the increased pressures. There will be extra cash to spend in sc
Protective equipment is in short supply and says its doing everything it can to bring in more. Weve got to do more to get the ppe that people need to the front lines. This is an extremely challenging situation. An extra £1. 6 billion for councils across england so they can protect essential services during the pandemic. Theres also extra cash for scotland, wales and northern ireland. Doctors injapan warn that the countrys medical system could collapse amid a rising number of coronavirus cases. As coronavirus cases in moscow rise, ambulances queue for more than nine hours to drop patients at hospital. Now on bbc news. 12 months after the bombings which took the lives of 259 people, jane corbin returns to sri lanka and meets three people whose lives were changed. Theyve set out to help rebuild the country they love a warning that this film contains scenes which some viewers may find distressing. Sri lanka, a Paradise Island of many faiths. Popular with tourists from all over the world.
The demand for help from foodbanks has soared in some areas as a result of the pandemic with many people suddenly finding they have no income. In west london a hall at the 0lympia Exhibition Centre has been turned into a food parcelling centre. 0ur social Affairs Correspondent Michael Buchanan reports. Each box in this makeshift production line represents a family in need. The hall today should have been showcasing country houses to wealthy londoners. Instead, an army of volunteers are supporting the citys poorest residents. 0lympia has donated the area to the local council, hammersmith and fulham, and the food bank to meet soaring demand. Its quadrupled over the last couple of weeks. So, from an average week would be giving out about 110 parcels, feeding or benefiting about 250 people each week. Were now doing pretty much those numbers in a day. A small survey by the independent Food Aid Network suggests demand for help has risen hugely, by almost 60 between february and march. Food b
Charities representing victims of Domestic Abuse say theyre concerned that people are unable to seek the help they need because theyre having to spend the lockdown with violent and controlling partners. West Midlands Police have made 400 arrests for Domestic Abuse in the past fortnight. But officers fear more crimes may be going unreported. Our correspondent phil mackie has been following a team of specialist officers trying to deal with the problem. Its first thing in the morning in birmingham, and a Team Dedicated to dealing with Domestic Abuse are following up a 999 call. So hes wanted for three assaults on his partner and his two children. Its a very nasty assault, its very high risk, and its owed to the victims to get this person in custody. The people in the house say they dont know where the man is and have warned the police not to come in. Could you open the door . Hes telling us that hes got symptoms of coronavirus and doesnt want us in the house. Thats not going to stop us. W
Of millions of lives and one of the main impacts according to campaigners is that were facing an unprecedented emergency in Mental Health which could go on for years. Charities say helplines are dealing with an overwhelming increase in calls, with millions of people also downloading advice from websites offering support. Our correspndentjon kay has been speaking to people in bristol to find out how theyre coping with life in lockdown. Another day over. But we face more weeks of lockdown. The aim is to protect our bodies. But whats the impact on our minds . Along the bristol channel, we found people only too aware of the strain on Mental Health. It is just a fear of you getting it or a loved one getting it. You know, it is hard even to talk about it just loneliness, i think. That lack of not being able to have face to face conversations is a really big deal. Im not sleeping that well, put it that way. I just feel totally useless. What can you do . Youve got to try and pick yourself up,