Summer 'as safe as it'll get for a while' says deputy CMO, ahead of Boris Johnson's hospitality relaunch

Cat Neilan
·60 min read
The Prime Minister is expected to unveil his plan to restart pubs and restaurants tomorrow
The Prime Minister is expected to unveil his plan to restart pubs and restaurants tomorrow

This summer is "as safe as it is likely to be for a while", the deputy chief medical officer has said, as the Government readies plans to get hospitality to "capitalise on the summer months".

Dr Jenny Harries said the reduction in coronvirus cases was "driving the programme" that enabled her and Matt Hancock, the Health Secretary, to put shielding measures on pause.

Speaking during today's press conference, she said: "We can never say absolutely 100 per cent none of us will meet this virus at the moment - that's not possible

"But we can say that the levels are now so low... you would have to meet 1,700 people before you came across a case of infection, so it is trying to get that perspective and proportionality into people's understanding."

She added: "Now is as safe as it is likely to be for a while. When it gets back to the winter, we're going to have a different tool and that is going to help the individual and the employer."

Tomorrow Boris Johnson is expected to unveil his plan for stage three of the Government's response to the pandemic, which is expected to see changes to the two-metre rule, expansion of social bubbles and the roadmap for pubs, restaurants and other businesses to reopen from July 4.

The Prime Minister is meeting his most senior Cabinet ministers this evening to sign off the plan, following the review into the hated two-metre rule.

The Government is also poised to bring forward new legislation that will help hospitality businesses “capitalise on the summer months”.

The Business and Planning Bill will be introduced this week from the Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy (Beis), the Prime Minister’s official spokesman confirmed today.

This Covid-induced law will create “new ways of working as the country recovers” from the last three months of lockdown. It is thought the laws will centre around planning changes, allowing pubs and restaurants to sell alcohol to be drunk off-site, and fast-track approval for outlets to set up al fresco areas outside their premises.

The spokesman said ministers were working on “legislation to enable businesses to adjust to new ways of working and to help them capitalise on the summer months”.

“We will look to support businesses to implement safer ways of working, to manage the ongoing risks from coronavirus and in particular the need for social distancing.”

Read more updates below.

05:15 PM

And that's it for another day...

It's been another busy day in Westminster, which has been torn between the palpable anticipation about Boris Johnson's much-hyped announcement tomorrow on hospitality and leisure and the awful events in Reading at the weekend. 

Priti Patel, the Home Secretary, and James Brokenshire, the security minister, both hinted at further legislation coming down the line to deal with extremism in the wake of Saturday's knife attack, in which three people were killed. 

Conservative MP Chris Loder told of how one of his parliamentary assistants stemmed the blood of one of the victims of the Forbury Gardens attack at the weekend, before carrying out CPR on another. During the same debate, Reading East MP Matt Rodda looked visibly shaken. 

Although the House was united in sorrow and defiance over the attack, by Wednesday things will return to normal, with Labour planning to use a three-hour opposition debate into Robert Jenrick's involvement in approving Richard Desmond's £1bn Westferry development. 

Today's poll split opinion, but 43 per cent of you said Mr Jenrick should stay, while 32 per cent thought he should go if the PM is to shore up his credibility after the row over Dominic Cummings. 

As we wrap up for the day, the Prime Minister is meeting his colleagues to thrash out the final details of stage three of his roadmap.

What freedoms will be bestowed on us? I'll be back from 8am tomorrow to bring you that, and the rest of the news from Westminster and beyond. 

04:45 PM

Be careful and cautious - but not anxious, says Dr Harries

Asked about the higher rate in parts of the North East, in many areas where the Conservatives won seats during the election, Matt Hancock says his "absolute number one thing" he wants to say is that the Government's levelling up agenda is "even more important" because of the pandemic.

"It will be a very big feature of the years to come," he adds. 

The people of the North East have made sacrifices in an unbelievable way, says the Health Secretary.  He stresses that the R-rate is below one and the number of cases are falling. 

"Of course we need to look into why there was  difference" in the number of deaths in the country, but "the people of the North East played their part". 

Dr Jenny Harries says socio-economic factors have played a part in the differences. She adds that people should be "careful and cautious - but don't be too anxious".

She reminds everyone to "keep to the social distancing guidelines".

04:41 PM

Germany shows 'anything is possible', says Dr Harries

Asked if the decision to relax lockdown is because of economic pressures rather than health, Matt Hancock says the Government has been guided by the science throughout. 

He stresses that the number of cases is coming down, and the number of hospitalisations is coming "right down", so the decisions have been based on that data. 

"Science always has competing voices, but we try to listen to all of the scientific advice, not just one individual."

Asked about Germany's rising r-rate, which has nearly tripled in a few days, Dr Jenny Harries says this shows the need to stick to social distancing rules. 

"Just because life is feeling a bit more back to normal, don't suddenly jump to where you were this time last year," she adds. 

Germany shows "anything is possible", but the UK's system has been built to allow experts to see where hotspots are building "very early and not allow them to come through". 

She also stresses that the R-value becomes less accurate as numbers come down. 

04:37 PM

Now is as safe as it is likely to be for a while, says Dr Harries

Asked again about legal protections for employees, who may be at risk and working for unscrupulous employers, Matt Hancock says there are those legal protections in law. 

But it is safe to change the advice from August 1, having extended it for a month, he says. 

Employers need to follow Covid-secure guidelines, he adds. 

Dr Jenny Harries urges people to "not all go off to your GPs tomorrow morning", saying that guidance is being "stepped ahead" so people have plenty of time before returning to work. 

People who are shielding have time to have "very solid discussions" first, she says. 

Dr Harries repeats the fact that it is the epidemiology that is making it possible. You would have to meet 1,700 people before you come across a case, she says. 

"It is whether you meet the disease or not," she says. "The epidemiology has changed."

She says experts hope we are entering a period of "sustained" low rates. "Now is as safe as it is likely to be for a while," she adds, noting that might change as we go into winter. 

04:31 PM

Large number of shielding children can go back to school, says Dr Harries

Asked about the governor of the Bank of England's comments Matt Hancock says the BoE has been able to support the economy and praises the "exemplary" way they have managed the economic consequences so far. 

"The Bank have very much played their part," he adds. 

Andrew Bailey said in a podcast with Sky that the “Government would have struggled to fund itself in the short run” without the unprecedented levels of bond purchases seen in recent months. He added that he would look to unwind its ballooning balance sheet of bonds built up through quantitative easing first before lifting rates from record lows.

Asked if shielding children can back to school this September, Dr Jenny Harries says "absolutely... there are a large number of children who are not going to school at the minute, a very large number" for whom it would be safe to do so. 

She gives as an example children with mild asthma who are very low risk from coronavirus, but high risk from losing out educationally. 

By the time we are back in September, when schools are likely to be fully open, "there should be much fewer children on the shielding list," she says. 

04:26 PM

People could 'jump back into work today', says Dr Harries

Asked what legal protections will be put in place for those who don't feel safe returning to work, Matt Hancock says the Government wouldn't take this step unless the clinicians were advising it.

Dr Jenny Harries says there is "quite a difficult balance here" because going to job "and having a purpose" is really important for mental health. 

She says from the epidemiology it would be safe to say "jump back into work today" but that it is about letting people build confidence to go back. 

"Not going straight back into work this week or next" would have a benefit "on both sides", she says. 

Although people might be a little fearful, they do need to push themselves a little bit. 

04:23 PM

Businesses should recognise shielding people will be 'anxious', says Dr Harries

Asked for assurances about shielding people going back to work, Matt Hancock says it is "so important" that employers work with their staff to do so. 

Work should be provided "in a Covid-secure way", he adds. 

Dr Jenny Harries says many businesses should recognise that people who have been shielding will be "quite anxious", and it is important to stress the reason for pausing shielding is because of the lower rates in the community and that the weather "might be helping a bit at the minute". 

She adds that businesses must ensure they are taking steps that will "maximise the safety of all employees, particularly those who are shielding". 

Asked about ending statutory sick pay for those who are shielding, Mr Hancock says the decision has been taken on clinical advice. 

04:20 PM

Government will accelerate infrastructure projects to help bounce back, says Matt Hancock

Turning to questions from the public, Matt Hancock is asked about Government borrowing and what infrastructure projects will need to be reviewed as a result. 

The Health Secretary says it is an important question, because of the "huge economic consequences" but "our vie on infrastructure projects is we need to accelerate them rather than slow them down" to help the economic "bounce back". 

He says this is led by Chancellor Rishi Sunak. 

Unfortunately borrowing is going up but this is a "one off, hopefully once in a century event". 

He is then asked about travel corridors, which Mr Hancock says a lot of work has been carried out on. 

The Government will publish "in good time" for the review on June 29 "Where we think we are able to formalise travel corridors".

04:17 PM

Hancock tells employers to 'do the right thing' for shielding staff

Matt Hancock says people will have time to prepare for all the changes to shielding over the next couple of weeks. 

He will write to each person on the shielding list, he says. Government will work closely with councils and other organisations. 

If you are receiving deliveries that will continue until the end of July, and seven supermarkets have said deliveries will continue for as long as needed. 

"My message to employers is crystal cleat: please work with us to ease the transition back for shielding employees," he adds. "We expect you to do the right thing."

The Government "stands ready" to help people start to shield again if that is what is required. 

04:14 PM

Most children may not have to shield in future, says Dr Harries

After this point, there might be changes to the people who need to shield. This is particularly true of children, Dr Jenny Harries says. 

Only 36 children have been admitted to intensive care, she says. Now we have more evidence we can be more specific about risk, and it is likely that in future very few children will have to shield, she says. 

There is a group of children who because of their conditions, may need to continue shielding, but conversations will take place with parents "in due course", she says. 

However people are still advised to be careful. "Keep your interactions to a minimum," Dr Harries says. 

04:11 PM

Dr Harries sets out detail of plan to pause shielding

Dr Jenny Harries is explaining the details behind the decision to lift the shielding rules for "extremely clinical vulnerable" people. 

Now we are out of the peak, we are in a position to start relaxing that advice, she says. 

The summer weather will be "a little in our favour too", she adds. 

From July 6, when other lockdown measures are being eased, people will be able to meet in groups of up to six outdoors, she says. 

They can also form support bubbles with other households, according to the existing rules. 

Then from July 31 shielding will be paused, so people can go to the shops, see other people or go to places of worship. 

04:07 PM

Two million people shielding will be able to meet friends and family from July 6

Millions of vulnerable people told to shield themselves from coronavirus will be able to meet friends and visit relatives’ homes from July 6, Matt Hancock has announced.

The Health Secretary said the nation’s 2.2 million shielded people will be able to meet up to five other people outdoors in what will be a huge boost for those who have been virtual prisoners in their own homes for the past three months.

If they live alone they will also be able to form a “support bubble” with one other household, meaning they can visit their families and even stay overnight with them. They will also be able to go shopping.

Mr Hancock said the infection rate in the community was now low enough for shielding to end altogether at the end of July, though help will still be available from NHS volunteers and local councils.

My colleague Gordon Rayner has the full story here.

04:04 PM

Covid cases fall below 1,000 for first time since peak, says Matt Hancock

Matt Hancock is starting the press conference going through the latest data, including more than eight million tests that have been carried out. 

He says for the first time since the peak, the number of cases has fallen below 1,000. 

Tests and cases

 The number of people on ventilators and in hospital beds is also coming down, with fewer than 5,000 people in hospital for the first time since the peak. 

Hospitals data

Mr Hancock also confirms just 15 people are reported to have died yesterday, although he stresses that there is often a spike after the weekends.

03:53 PM

Virgin Atlantic delays return to Florida flights as cases surge

Virgin Atlantic has delayed the resumption of its flights to Orlando, Florida amid travel restrictions and a spike in coronavirus cases in the US state.

The airline was due to operate flights between Heathrow and the popular family destination on July 20, but this has been delayed by more than a month.

It said in a statement released on Monday that the route was now scheduled to reopen on August 24 but warned even this is subject to approval by US public health body the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).

The CDC currently limits the airports to which international flights can land in the US, and Orlando is not among the 15 currently approved.

Florida has seen a surge in coronavirus cases in recent days, with more than 4,000 - its highest total of the pandemic so far - reported on Saturday.

Virgin Atlantic has also delayed the resumption of its flights between London and Shanghai, China from July 21 until August 4.

03:48 PM

Wales poised to impose first local lockdown after chicken factory outbreak

However, there is sobering news from Wales, where the First Minister has said he may impose the nation's first local lockdown following a coronavirus outbreak at a chicken processing plant.

Mark Drakeford said strict measures would only be reimposed for the island of Anglesey if there was a public health case for doing so, as officials wait to see if the outbreak has spread into the wider community.

Some 158 cases of Covid-19 have been confirmed at the 2 Sisters factory in Llangefni, Anglesey, where production was stopped on Thursday after the outbreak was declared and staff were told to self-isolate for two weeks.

Government ministers and the island's local authority are now reviewing the situation.

Mr Drakeford said: "We will take the advice from those people who are dealing with the outbreak on the island to decide whether there is anything further that needs to be done that would impose restrictions on people more generally.

"You don't do that lightly, because these are people's lives and freedoms that you are interfering with. But if there is a public need to do so, we will.

"If the public health case isn't there to go beyond what we are doing already then we will take that advice equally seriously."

He added: "The test will be whether there is significant seepage of coronavirus from the closed setting and into the wider community."  

Public Health Wales said one further person had died after testing positive for Covid-19, taking the total number of deaths to 1,478, while the total number of cases there increased by 71 to 15,197.

03:45 PM

Northern Ireland to 'pause' shielding from next month

Robin Swann, Northern Ireland's health minister, has also announced that people will no longer have to shield from the end of July. 

He said people shielding would get a letter before then with further advice. 

"I have no doubt that shielding has played a key role in saving many lives," he said. "It has undoubtedly been extremely difficult for those who are shielding. I have listened with great sympathy to what people have told us about feeling isolated and how they have missed their loved ones.

"I know these easements that take effect on 6 July will be welcome news to many as we move towards the pause in shielding from the end of July."

I understand that Matt Hancock, the Health Secretary, is expected to make an announcement on shielding when he gives the Downing Street briefing from 5pm. It seems like this is yet another moment when the UK Government has been scooped by one of the nations.

03:41 PM

Have your say: Should Robert Jenrick resign?

Today's poll is splitting opinion so far.

The Prime Minister is standing by Robert Jenrick, the Housing and Communities Secretary, despite growing questions over his move to approve a £1bn development after speaking with Richard Desmond, who now claims he showed the frontbencher a video about the plans. 

If you haven't already, make sure you have your say by voting below. 

03:25 PM

Northern Ireland to allow groups of six people to meet indoors

Just breaking away from the Commons briefly, as Northern Ireland's First Minister Arlene Foster has confirmed the Stormont Executive has agreed that groups of up to six people will be able to meet indoors from tomorrow.

"It is recommended that social distancing should still be maintained along with other mitigations such as ventilation and good hand hygiene," she told Stormont's briefing on Monday.

"This was the one relaxation remaining outstanding from the initial stage of our recovery plan and I know many of you have been desperate in recent weeks to visit your family and friends inside their homes."

This was widely expected, but is interesting coming ahead of the Prime Minister's announcement on social distancing tomorrow, which are expected to include an expansion of social bubbles.

03:17 PM

Priti Patel: Threat of extremism is ever-present

Tobias Ellwood says he is pleased to hear initiatives that are being brought, but says "we need to understand the wider picture" of global terrorism.

There are fanatics "preying on vulnerable individuals, promoting a false interpretation of Islam", he says. 

Priti Patel agrees that the threat of extremist ideologies is "ever-present" and takes "many different forms". 

"We cannot deal with it on our own", she adds, pointing to global networks such as Five Eyes, saying we have to grow our networks and better "understand the tactics and techniques that can make a difference in this space". 

03:13 PM

Priti Patel promises 'tougher action' on foreign national offenders

Asked by Jim Shannon what lessons can be learned within M15 about "these persons of interest", Priti Patel says there are many agencies who work across the spectrum. 

That work will continue, and if there are any lessons or lines of inquiry that need to be followed up either through the Commons or Home Office, "that is absolutely something I will be following up on," she adds. 

The Home Office is providing all the necessary support for the families, she adds.

Asked about the Government's commitment to returning foreign national offenders, the Home Secretary says she will not comment on the specifics of the Reading suspect, but on a general point: "I could not be any clearer". 

"If you abuse our hospitality and commit crimes in the UK we will do everything in power to remove you," she says. 

"Tougher action is needed", and there are barriers to overcome, she adds, saying that is something "we will be looking at through other legislative means". 

03:08 PM

If we need to do more to prevent lone wolf attacks, we will, says Priti Patel

Newbury MP Laura Ferris also pays tribute to the emergency response. She notes that while no charges have been made "it's true to say there have been five lone wolf attacks" in recent years, and points to attacks on Westminster Bridge and Manchester Arena as examples. 

She asks if the Government has "sufficiently robust surveillance resources" to deal with this kind of threat. 

Priti Patel says they have the resources they need, but says there is always more that can be done. 

"We need to listen and learn from what has happened... and if we need to do more, that is exactly what we will be doing."

Asked a similar question by Home Affairs Committee chair Yvette Cooper, and when the counter-extremism strategy will be published, Ms Patel says she is writing to her with the details of the strategy. 

The Home Secretary says the "dark web" is something they are also looking at, with work being carried out to close down sites and track down individuals online.

03:02 PM

Parliamentary assistant stemmed the blood of Forbury Gardens victim, MPs told

An MP has told of how one of his parliamentary assistants stemmed the blood of one of the victims of the Forbury Gardens attack at the weekend, before carrying out CPR on another.

Conservative Chris Loder said: "In the same way that [Tobias Ellwood] did so in March 2017, another member of our parliamentary family who, by chance was at Forbury Gardens on Saturday, ran courageously towards danger, his only focus to help the injured."

Mr Loder said a member of his staff "not only used his own shirt to stem the bleeding of one victim, but continued resuscitation on a second victim until the paramedics arrived".

He added: "This was indeed a remarkable and extraordinary effort from a young man who has been with us in Parliament for little over four months and whom I am extremely proud to have as part of the West Dorset Parliamentary team as I hope is the whole House."

 Police officer places flowers from a woman at the scene of a fatal multiple stabbing attack in Forbury Gardens - Kirsty Wigglesworth/AP

The MP for Reading East, Matt Rodda, offered his "deepest condolences" to the victims' families, saying: "It is impossible to imagine what they are going through at this time and I am sure all our hearts go out to them."

He added: "Reading is a friendly and peaceful town with a diverse and tolerant community and this whole incident is completely unknown to us, it is something which has never occurred before in our community and as such is deeply upsetting." 

"I am very proud of the way that our community is pulling together at this difficult time and the way in which local people have been supporting one another. We can and we will come through this difficult time."

03:00 PM

Home Secretary urges country to 'come together' following attacks

The SNP's Kenny MacAskill asks the Home Secretary to agree that terrorist acts reflect individual actions, not communities. 

He also asks her to confirm that steps will be taking to reassure minority communities from those who will "rush to judgement" and may carry out attacks against minority groups.

Priti Patel says he is "absolutely right" and says this is a moment where we should "all be coming together". 

02:56 PM

Home Secretary dodges commitment over when ISC will be convened

Responding to her counterpart, Priti Patel says they are "important questions" and agrees legislation is not the only answer. 

She agrees that "backing our police" and others who work to keep the public safe is a priority, and confirms that Thames Valley Police have the resources they need. 

She points to the National Policing Board, which has met several times to discuss the overall crime strategy, "the end to end side of the criminal justice system" and work around deradicalisation in prisons, she says.

These are evolving issues in terms of the skills and resources, and techniques, that require constant investment, she adds.

Ms Patel says the ISC appointments are taking place and an announcement will be made "in due course". 

02:52 PM

Labour challenges Government over Intelligence and Security Committee

Labour's Shadow Home Secretary Nick Thomas-Symonds also pays tribute to the emergency services following the incident, saying "they are the best of us". 

He says he hopes Priti Patel will agree to make sure all resources are available to Thames Valley Police and give them the space they need to conduct the investigation. 

"It is heartbreaking we are having this conversation again," he says, pointing to the two attacks in London earlier this year. 

He then turns to questions for the Home Secretary, saying legislation alone is not enough. 

We need a comprehensive look at deradicalisation in our prisons, he says. He asks for a guarantee that the Government will "never again" cut the numbers of community policing. 

He also asks for assurances that the serious violence taskforce will meet on a regular basis, and asks when the Intelligence and Security Committee will be convened and begin to meet. 

02:48 PM

Government undertaking 'biggest overhaul of terrorism laws in decades', says Priti Patel

Counter terrorism police funding is now the highest ever, more than £900m, thanks to a £90m increase this year alone, says Priti Patel. 

We live in a "complex world with evolving threats", she adds. When they emerge, "the results are shocking".

We are committed to developing a new protect duty so businesses take into account the threats of terrorism, she says. 

The Home Secretary points to the Government's action to end automatic early release of terrorists following the attacks in Fishmongers Hall and Streatham. 

Tougher penalties are also being introduced, as part of the "biggest overhaul" of terrorism laws in decades, she says. 

"We continue to pursue every option available to tackle the terrorist threat and take dangerous people off our streets," she adds.

02:43 PM

Priti Patel praises 'hero' officers

Priti Patel pays tribute to the "heroes" who responded to the incident. 

These officers, a few of whom were student officers, ran towards those in need without second thought, she says. 

She also praises members of the public who stepped in, and the other emergency responders. 

Conversely she attacks the "vicious" ideology that leads to terrorism and violent extremism. 

02:42 PM

Home Secretary tells MPs of 'vicious attack' in Reading

We'll now return to the Commons, where Priti Patel, the Home Secretary, is giving a statement following the Reading attack this weekend. 

The attack is subject to an ongoing police investigation, which means she is limited as to what she can say. 

But she confirms that at 7pm, a 25-year old man entered Forbury Gardens and began to "viciously attack" several people. The suspect was tackled to the ground by an unarmed officer, she adds. He remains in custody. 

The threat is contained, but sadly three members of the public were killed by a "savage and sudden knife attacker". A further three people were injured. 

02:33 PM

Whitehall 'pushed the limits' in terms of social care intervention, says official

There was a "considerable amount of excellent work" carried out between the NHS and local government, says Sir Chris Wormald. 

Officials were "considerably more interventionist than we ever have been before" in social care, he adds, noting that was true of funding as well as action. 

"Those divisions over the last five months have been considerably less than previously... we have pushed the limits in terms of what we are able to do in bringing the two together," he adds. 

02:26 PM

Social care strategy 'rational' at the time, says official

Sir Chris Wormald tells MPs there are "lessons to be learnt" from the way social care was handled at the start of the outbreak, insisting he is not claiming that there were not “big issues” in care homes.  

But the permanent secretary at the Department for Health and Social Care argues that the decisions were “rational” given the evidence at the time.

"I’m not denying there were big problems ... But I don’t accept ... that decisions were not soundly based on science at the time," he adds. 

02:24 PM

Officials accused of being 'negligent' and 'reckless' on social care

Over at the Public Accounts Committee,  Conservative MP Geoffrey Clifton-Brown  has accused officials of "forgetting" the social care sector and being "negligent". 

But Sir Chris Wormald, the permanent secretary at the Department for Health and Social Care, has insisted it was “considerably more difficult” to help the social care sector than the NHS because it is much more disparate

He insists considerable action was taken to help the care sector, and that the Government's action plan included advice and support that had been offered to the sector before it was published on April 15.

Steve Powis, the national medical director at NHS England, says the NHS was prioritised because modelling suggested it could be overwhelmed. He stresses that people were only discharged when they were clinically fit.

Asked how medics could know people did not have Covid if you did not test them, Prof Powis says processes were in place in hospital, arguing that staying in hospital could be harmful.

Prof Powis says they were following the Public Health England guidelines at the time.

He says most people who had contracted Covid had not needed hospital treatment.

Sir Chris says what they were doing was “absolutely reckless”.

02:18 PM

HS2 protests costing £16m already

HS2 bosses have told a judge that continued protests by campaigners opposed to the high-speed rail line running through a woodland area in west London are costing millions of pounds.

A lawyer representing HS2 told Judge David Holland about "relentless" incidents.

Barrister Tom Roscoe said the costs of delay and security were in the region of £16m.

Judge Holland made an order banning unlawful protest activities in and around a construction site in Hillingdon in May 2019.

But Mr Roscoe said protests had continued. He said HS2 bosses wanted further orders preventing unlawful protest on land in their possession.

The judge is expected to consider making further orders at a hearing in the near future.

02:06 PM

UK-wide daily deaths fall to lowest since March 15

Just turning away from education questions to bring you the latest Government figures for UK-wide deaths - which is actually five fewer than the number recorded by NHS England. 

According to the Department of Health and Social Care (DHSC), 15 people died in hospitals, care homes and the wider community after testing positive for coronavirus in the UK. This is the lowest daily reported rise in deaths since March 15 but there is often a lag in the reporting of deaths over weekends.

That means 42,647 people have died in total. 

The Government figures do not include all deaths involving Covid-19 across the UK, which are thought to have passed 53,500.

The DHSC also said in the 24-hour period up to 9am on Monday, 139,659 tests were carried out or dispatched, with 958 positive results. Overall, a total of 8,029,757 tests have been carried out and 305,289 cases have been confirmed positive.

The figure for the number of people tested has been "temporarily paused to ensure consistent reporting" across all methods of testing.

01:58 PM

Summer camps can open this year, says schools minister

Nick Gibb has said summer clubs should be able to open this year, letting working parents breathe a sigh of relief. 

The schools minister told MPs the Government's ambition was for "all organisations running holiday clubs and activities for children will be able to open over the summer holidays". 

They will be open "no earlier than July 4 as part of step three", and subject to "the science", he added.

01:46 PM

Gavin Williamson attacks Labour over lack of support on schools

Rebecca Long-Bailey, the Shadow Education Secretary, has challenged the Government over changes made to the £1bn package which had originally been meant to include early years. 

Gavin Williamson says he thought she might say it was safe for children and teachers to get back to school, and says "maybe it would be nice" for Ms Long-Bailey to welcome the funding. 

But she claims MPs are "once again having to guess the details" about the longer-term approach to schools. "All of this uncertainty could have been avoided if they had listened to the sector," she claims and calls on him to convene an industry-wide taskforce. 

Mr Williamson says "there is a reality that this side of the House has committed to getting every child back in school" whereas Labour has not. 

Next week, Government will be outlining plans to get every child, in every year group, back into schools, he adds, arguing that he has been listening to voices across the industry.

01:41 PM

Ministers considering delaying exams, says Gavin Williamson

The Government is considering whether to push back exams next summer because of the disruption caused by coronavirus, Gavin Williamson has said.

Speaking in the Commons, he told MPs the Government is consulting with Ofqual and others about how to "add more teaching time in" to make up for the lost three months for many children. 

Ministers are considering whether to "move exams back, giving students extra time to learn and really flourish". 

The recently announced £1bn catch up fund is split between a "very targeted" £350m aimed towards deprived children and a more flexible £650m which schools will be able to use at their discretion, the Education Secretary says. 

Asked about children with autism, who may be shielding, Mr Williamson says "the best thing for every child is to welcome them back to school as soon as possible".

01:37 PM

Education Questions: Labour hammers minister over 'incompetence'

Gavin Williamson has opened questions by offering his deepest condolences to the teacher James Furlong, who was killed during the Reading attack at the weekend.

Labour MP Wes Streeting echoes those comments, but then quickly turns to challenging the Education Secretary over his "incompetence" relating to getting children back to school during the lockdown. 

Mr Williamson says the Government is "driving up standards in education and schools", stressing the £1bn package designed to support learning under Covid restrictions. 

01:31 PM

NHS England records further 20 deaths

A further 20 people have died in hospitals across England after testing positive for coronavirus, with all patients suffering from underlying health conditions. 

The total number of confirmed reported deaths in hospitals in England now stands at 28,338. Patients were aged between 55 and 98 years old.   

There were no recorded deaths in the East of England, while London and the South West recorded one each. 

In the South East there were three deaths recorded, while in the North West and North East & Yorkshire there were four apiece. The Midlands was the worst-affected region, with seven deaths recorded.  

01:23 PM

VAT cut 'a sensible thing', says former Chancellor Ken Clarke

Ken Clarke has said a cut to VAT would be "sensible thing to do" as the Government looks to rebuild the economy after lockdown. 

The former Chancellor and long-time MP told the BBC: "I think coming out of the lockdown, sorting out the mess, including the recession after the coronavirus, is going to be even more difficult than going into it in the first place."

Asked if a short-term cut in VAT was needed, Mr Clarke said: "I think that's arguable.

"I would accept that. I think that might well be a sensible thing to do.

"But, again, as with furloughing, with a strict time limit.

"Because one of the things we are going to have to do is raise some taxation to pay for the much more interventionist things... the Government is going to have to do."

Labour ex-chancellor Alistair Darling said he would support a VAT cut, stating: "Yes, I did that 10 years ago and it was part of a package of measures."

01:08 PM

No further coronavirus deaths recorded in Northern Ireland

There have been no new coronavirus-linked death announced in Northern Ireland on Monday, with the death toll recorded by the Department of Health remaining at 545.

There was one new case confirmed through tests conducted in health trust labs in the region, taking the total recorded by the labs since the outbreak began to 4,871.

01:04 PM

MPs to grill Robert Buckland over access to justice

MPs will question Robert Buckland, the Justice Secretary, amid growing concerns over access to justice as the number of outstanding criminal court cases passes 524,000.

The most senior judge in England and Wales, Lord Burnett, said the outstanding caseload had been caused by “years and years” of underfunding of the justice system “coming home to roost”.

The situation has been exacerbated by the coronavirus pandemic, which has led to some courts being closed and long delays caused by staff illness and reorganisation necessitated by social distancing.

The Justice Committee will also question the government on its failure to implement Public Health England recommendations to reduce the prison population to Coronavirus-safe levels. Other matters will be raised with the government, including the distribution of pepper spray to prisons without implementing previously agreed safeguards on its use.

These issues will be aired when the Justice Committee meets the Secretary of State for Justice, Robert Buckland QC, and senior officials from the Ministry tomorrow afternoon. 

12:51 PM

It's a race against time to stop Covid red tape destroying our precious pubs

News that the two-metre set limit is likely to be slashed in half may be a mild salve to a multi-billion-pound industry with over one million employees.

But, as Alexandra Phillips writes, building a plan on an al fresco revolution, enabling cafes and restaurants to capitalise on outdoor space, will simply not work for a huge number of hostelries.

12:29 PM

Lobby latest: Sunday trading plans 'under review'

Downing Street said it would keep Sunday trading rules "under review", after the Daily Telegraph revealed that at least 50 Conservative MPs told Boris Johnson directly that they will vote against them.

Ministers were considering relaxing the rules on Sunday to allow people to shop for longer and give a boost to retailers as the coronavirus lockdown continues to ease.

The Prime Minister's official spokesman said: "We have said we will keep measures such as extending Sunday trading hours under review as they can support shops with social distancing and allow shoppers to buy food and other items more conveniently."

Asked if the suggested plans were now on the "back burner", the No 10 spokesman added: "There is a Covid Bill which will look at new ways of working as the country recovers from the disruption caused by coronavirus and which is intended to help businesses through the summer months, in particular.

"I would expect that Bill to be introduced this week."

12:23 PM

Have your say: Should Robert Jenrick resign?

Boris Johnson is still feeling some residual damage to the brand from his decision to back Dominic Cummings over that trip to Durham. Now he is facing potentially more fire over his support for Robert Jenrick. 

Mr Jenrick signed off on the East London housing project on Jan 14, eight weeks after meeting Richard Desmond at a Conservative dinner, despite departmental and Town Hall objections.

Labour is now planning to step up the pressure during a three-hour opposition day debate this Wednesday, after it emerged that he viewed a promotional video for the £1bn property development before overruling officials to approve it. 

The Prime Minister's spokesman says the PM has full confidence in his Housing and Communities Secretary - but should he cut him loose? Have your say in the poll below

12:14 PM

Lobby latest: Boris Johnson wants 'all kids' back in school in September

The Prime Minister's official spokesman says there will be further guidance on schools coming out in "the next couple of weeks.

The Prime Minister is "determined" that children should be back in school in September.

The spokesman insists "we want to do everything we possibly can to deliver that".

"It's important that children attend school, and we don't want them missing out on the benefits from the value of education."

12:14 PM

Lobby latest: PM has full confidence in Robert Jenrick

The Prime Minister has full confidence in his Housing and Communities Secretary Robert Jenrick, despite growing questions over why he came to overrule officials and approve a £1bn housing development. 

Asked if Boris Johnson was aware that Robert Jenrick watched a promotional video for Richard Desmond's development in Westferry, East London, weeks before sanctioning the scheme, the Prime Minister’s official spokesman said: “No-one in Number 10 has discussed this with Jenrick or the applicant and Number 10 had no involvement with the appeal decision.”

Mr Johnson has full confidence in the Housing Secretary, the spokesman added, noting that the Cabinet Secretary has received a number of letters from MPs.

12:09 PM

Lobby latest: Two metre review 'completed'

The Prime Minister's spokesman confirms that the review into the two metre rule is now "completed".

The findings will be set out during a coronavirus strategy meeting later today, chaired by Patrick Vallance and Chris Whitty, with Boris Johnson and his most senior ministers. Culture Secretary Oliver Dowden is also expected to attend, with the meeting focusing on parts of his ministerial brief.

The full Cabinet team is expected to be consulted on the outcome tomorrow, with the Prime Minister later hoping to set out the updated position to Parliament.

"The committee is due to meet later on today and I'm obviously not going to preempt what they might decide," the Prime Minister's official spokesman said.

When asked what Boris Johnson made of scientific critics, including the Independent Sage group, coming out against reducing the two-metre guidance, the No 10 spokesman said: "The Prime Minister has asked for a review to be conducted by the permanent secretary in No 10 and that review has of course considered a range of medical and economic advice.

"But, as I say, the committee will meet later on and will be free to discuss and consider whatever information they decide."

12:08 PM

Lobby latest: Boris Johnson sends ‘thoughts and feelings’ Reading terror victims

The Prime Minister’s spokesman also said Mr Johnson pays tribute to the “bravery of the officers” who responded to the incidents.

“He continues to receive regular updates from security officials,” the spokesman said.

He added: “The Prime Minister has said that if there are any lessons to be learned, or if there are any changes that need to be made to stop such events from happening again, we will not hesitate to act to take that action.”

Downing Street notes that following the London Bridge terror attack the Government legislated to bring in tough new controls to stop the early release of terrorists.

12:05 PM

Germany's Covid rate rise 'concerning' says minister

The UK Government is closely watching the situation in Germany, where the reproduction rate of coronavirus has almost tripled in just a few days, with a minister saying this morning it was "concerning". ​

Boris Johnson is expected to update his most senior Cabinet colleagues on the result of the two-metre rule as he prepares to reopen the UK's hospitality and tourism sectors early next month. The Prime Minister is expected to finalise plans with his C-19 strategy committee, setting out how pubs, restaurants, cafes and hairdressers can reopen in some form from July 4

But James Brokenshire, the security minister, told BBC Breakfast the international experience and understanding of the virus had evolved in recent weeks and the decision would be informed by "the best, most up to date science" and medical experience.

He added: "Obviously it is concerning to see the situation in Germany and it's why we are informed in our actions by experience from around the world, why the chief scientific officer, the chief medical officer, speak to their counterparts in different parts of the world to ensure that we are applying the best learning and the best experience in informing our next steps."

Germany's coronavirus R number has jumped from 1.79 on Saturday to 2.88 on Sunday, according to the Robert Koch Institute for public health (RKI), which has been publishing the country's statistics. On Friday it was 1.06.

Mr Johnson will reveal all in the Commons tomorrow, once the plan has been rubber-stamped by the rest of the Cabinet.

11:46 AM

UK-Australia trade deal could be 'exemplar' for others

A free trade agreement with Australia could be an "exemplar" for other nations on "what the future of trade can look like", International Trade Secretary Liz Truss has said. 

Official negotiations for a post-Brexit trade deal between the two countries began last week. To mark this, the Australian British Chamber of Commerce brought Ms Truss and her Australian counterpart, trade minister Simon Birmingham, together for a webinar on each country's hopes and expectations for the trade deal.

Ms Truss said she was confident that the deal would be "one of the most advanced deals in the world", and that it would be one "others will want to look to as they develop their own trading arrangements".

She added: "I see this as being an exemplar deal where two like-minded free trading nations can show the rest of the world what the future of trade can look like."

Both countries agree on "the importance of not putting up trade restrictive barriers at this time when we seek to recover from Covid", Ms Truss said.  

"Ultimately our aim... is to be a global trading hub. It's to have an excellent relationship with the EU, an excellent relationship with the Americas and also an excellent relationship with Asia-Pacific - but as we undertake that journey I think it's fair to say there is no stronger ally than Australia."

Liz Truss

11:34 AM

No deaths in Scotland for sixth day in row, says Sturgeon

There have been no deaths in Scotland for the sixth day in a row, Nicola Sturgeon has confirmed. 

The First Minister said that progress allowed the Holyrood government to consider which new measures could be taken. 

Ms Sturgeon said: "The virus hasn't gone away, there are already countries - China and Germany for example - that are right now dealing with spikes in cases as a result of significant outbreaks. And health officials in South Korea have said they think the country is now experiencing a second wave.

"I know that when numbers of cases and deaths here are continuing to fall it is very tempting for all of us to think it is all over and we should just now quickly get back to normal.

"We are trying to get back to normal and we want to do that as quickly as possible, but let me reiterate my strong view that acting recklessly now would be a serious mistake.

"We must continue to be cautious and all of us must continue to adhere strictly to the public health advice. That will help us continue progress and avoid a resurgence of the virus now.

"But it will also hopefully put us in a much stronger position ahead of the winter months to come."

11:18 AM

BBC to plough £100m into diverse content following Black Lives Matter protests

The BBC will prioritise £100m of its commissioning budget towards diverse and inclusive content, it has said.

The broadcaster also announced a "mandatory 20 per cent diverse-talent target in all new network commissions from April 2021."

BBC director-general Tony Hall said: "The senseless killing of George Floyd - and what it tells us about the stain of systemic racism - has had a profound impact on all of us.

"It's made us question ourselves about what more we can do to help tackle racism - and drive inclusion within our organisation and in society as a whole.

"This is our response - it's going to drive change in what we make and who makes it. It's a big leap forward - and we'll have more to announce in the coming weeks."

The £100m is for three years, from 2021/22 to 2023/24.

11:10 AM

UK owes 'debt of gratitude' to Windrush generation, says Prince of Wales

The Prince of Wales has spoken of the "debt of gratitude" the nation owes the Windrush generation as he heralded Britain's diversity as its "greatest strength".

In a video message marking Windrush Day, Charles urged people to listen to each other's stories and to learn from one another as he paid tribute to the country's Caribbean community for their contribution to life in the UK.

The heir to the throne said: "Today, as we honour the legacy of the Windrush generation, and the invaluable contribution of black people in Britain, I dearly hope that we can continue to listen to each other's stories and to learn from one another."

He added: "The diversity of our society is its greatest strength and gives us so much to celebrate."

Windrush Day marks 72 years since the Empire Windrush arrived at Tilbury Docks in Essex, bringing around 500 people from Jamaica, at the invitation of the British government, to help rebuild the UK in the aftermath of the Second World War.

11:03 AM

Monday Moan: Covid supermarket shopping brings out the worst in us all

Some people have started calling the supermarket their sanctuary - a welcome hour away from the hen house to browse everything from avocados to Viakal.

But the Telegraph's Camilla Tominey couldn’t agree less. Read her Monday moan here.

10:58 AM

High Court battle over £800m of Venezuelan gold begins

The High Court is to decide whether the UK formally recognises the government of Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro or his western-backed rival, Juan Guaidó in a case that centres around $1bn worth of gold. 

The Banco Central de Venezuela (BCV), which has deposited about $1.8bn of gold with the Bank of England for safekeeping, is seeking the bulk of these funds to combat the country’s Covid-19 pandemic.

But the BoE says it is "caught in the middle" of rival claims to the gold.

Today the High Court was told that the UK "unequivocally recognises" the Maduro government, despite considering his position to be "illegitimate".

Nick Vineall QC, representing the "Maduro board" of the BCV,  told the remote court: "There is one, and only one, functioning government in Venezuela: the Maduro government."

Mr Vineall said the UK Government "does not approve of the Maduro government" but that it "continues to recognise the Maduro government", sending an ambassador to Venezuela and receiving Mr Maduro's representative.

He added: "Recognition of a government has nothing to do with approval or the legitimacy of that government."

But Andrew Fulton, representing the "Guaido board" of the BCV, argued that the UK Government "has decided to recognise Juan Guaido as the constitutional interim president of Venezuela and has denounced the 'illegitimate, kleptocratic Maduro regime"'.

The hearing before Mr Justice Teare, which is being conducted remotely via Skype, will take place over four days and it is expected that the court will reserve its judgment.

10:22 AM

Why are Conservatives winning elections, but losing the culture wars

Increasingly, many Conservatives are scratching their heads and wondering why, in the words of Prof Matthew Goodwin, the Tories are “winning elections but losing the culture war.”

It would be a mistake to think that Britain’s culture war is limited to Brexit - although it strikes at the heart of many divisions over sovereignty, immigration and human rights.

Our columnist Nick Timothy asks why, when Tories have been in government for more than a decade, cultural liberals and Left-wingers are in the ascendancy.

10:13 AM

Anne Sacoolas did not have diplomatic immunity, says former minister

A former Foreign Office minister has rubbished claims that Anne Sacoolas had diplomatic immunity when she drove into the British motorcyclist Harry Dunn last August.

In court papers, the former Foreign Office minister Tony Baldry, who signed the agreement covering the base where her husband worked, said the diplomatic immunity deal reached in 1995 was intended specifically to exclude dangerous driving cases, or indeed any actions not related to the work of the staff at the base.

Sir Tony also said he believed FCO lawyers would not have "created a situation whereby immunity was waived for agents outside work, but not for their spouses".

In his witness statement, he said: "We were obviously extremely unhappy at the prospect of technicians and their dependants being placed above the law and this I made clear by instructing that any agreement must be conditional upon the waiver.

"I am sure that the US did not and would not have raised any specific request for dependants to be exempted from the law - had they done so I would have refused or at the very least referred this matter to the Secretary of State for him to decide.

"I cannot imagine any government agreeing to such an arrangement."

Sir Tony's evidence will be heard at a judicial review trial in October or November.

Anne Sacoolas claimed diplomatic immunity after the teenager died in a crash outside a US military base in Northamptonshire on August 27. But it is set to be the subject of a judicial review trial in which Mr Dunn's parents, Charlotte Charles and Tim Dunn, allege Foreign Secretary Dominic Raab acted unlawfully over the suspect's departure from the UK. 

10:02 AM

Uncertainty around relaxing two-metre rule, doctor warns

Dr Zeshan Qureshi, lead author of a report on social distancing for Oxford University's Centre for Evidence-Based Medicine, told BBC Radio 4's Today programme there was scientific uncertainty around relaxing the two-metre rule.

His team has looked at every study published up to June 17 on Covid-19 and social distancing.

"This one to two-metre distancing, it's not based on data that we are getting from coronavirus," he said."It is based on historic data, decades and decades old that has been applied to coronavirus in good faith.

"It is based on very old, outdated models of droplet transmission, which assume that large droplets are the route in which infections are transmitted."

He said more modern studies had shown those droplets are on a "spectrum" and smaller droplets can project up to eight metres.

He said it was possible the virus could be transmitted much further than two metres between people.

"We don't know what a toxic dose of coronavirus is... we don't know it's safe to relax what we're doing already," he said.

09:52 AM

Home Secretary to make Reading statement this afternoon

Priti Patel will make a statement about the Reading attack to the Commons at 3:30pm today. This was not unexpected, but had to be formally added to the business for the day. 

The Home Secretary visited Reading this morning to meet with police officers involved in the arrest of a suspected terrorist accused of triple murder on Saturday night. 

Priti Patel and Thames Valley Police's Chief Constable John Campbell visited the scene - Heathcliff O'Malley/Heathcliff O'Malley

Speaking at the scene of the event, she said: "This is a tragic, tragic event, it really is. We've seen three people die, so there is extensive work that's taking place, yes, with the police but obviously now with CT (counter-terrorism) police as well, and the intelligence community and all aspects of policing.

"We've got a lot of information to gather, we have to look at all aspects as to what happened on Saturday, the individual that's in custody as well, to ensure that, yes, justice is served.

"But, also, we make sure that we learn the lessons from what has happened over the weekend to prevent anything like this from happening again."

09:36 AM

Two-metre rule review taking place after press conference today

Word has just reached us that there are in fact two Covid committee meetings taking place today, as the Prime Minister and his senior team sign off on the next stage of coronavirus response. 

The Covid-19 strategy committee meeting, which will be chaired by Boris Johnson, is due to take place at 5:45pm, the Telegraph understands.

This is the meeting where the review of the two-metre rule will be considered, with many across Westminster and industry hoping for a relaxation as the country moves into phase three. 

Earlier in the day  the Cabinet Office minister, Michael Gove, will chair the regular operations committee, known in Whitehall as "CO".  

The two committees were formed earlier this month as part of the Prime Minister's shake- up of the Government's approach to Covid-19 as he vowed to take "direct control" after being laid low by the virus. 

09:22 AM

What's on the agenda today?

Top of the agenda is that all-important C-19 meeting this morning, in which Boris Johnson and his most senior ministers are expected to discuss further easing of the lockdown. Chris Whitty and Patrick Vallance are also expected to sign off on plans for phase three, which are likely to include reducing the two-metre rule, expanding social bubbles and reopening pubs, restaurants and other hospitality and leisure. 

At midday is the usual Downing Street lobby briefing, where journalists will be trying to understand what we are likely to hear from the PM tomorrow, as well as the latest thinking on the Reading attack. 

At 12.30pm, the Scottish and Welsh governments are due to hold their daily coronavirus briefings.

This afternoon we will hear from Sir Simon Stevens, chief executive of NHS England, Sir Chris Wormald, permanent secretary at the Department of Health and Social Care, and other senior officials, when they give evidence to the Commons public accounts committee about preparing the NHS and social care for the coronavirus peak.

From 2.30pm: Gavin Williamson, the Education Secretary, takes questions in the Commons. Although this is a regular session, he is likely to face quite a bruising time as he is hauled over the coals for the chaos over the return of schools.

And at 5pm it is the daily Downing Street press conference, which we understand will be held by Matt Hancock, the Health Secretary.

09:10 AM

Hospitality could get 'consumer mark' under plans to restart sector

Restaurants, hotels and pubs could be given a "consumer mark" to show they are safe for customers to go to, the director of Visit Britain has said. 

Boris Johnson has been meeting with his most senior ministers to discuss the next steps for the lockdown with chief scientific adviser Sir Patrick Vallance and chief medical officer for England Professor Chris Whitty. They are expected to sign off on a new plan for phase three, which will be laid out before MPs tomorrow. 

Patricia Yates, director at Visit Britain, told the BBC's Radio 4 Today programme this morning that hospitality and tourism sectors were expecting to hear the go-ahead for July 4, and that the two-metre rule would be dropped to one. She also revealed the industry was working on plans to create a "consumer mark" to give potential customers confidence that firms are Covid-secure. 

She said: "We looking at doing a consumer mark so that businesses can look at the guidance they can go online, they can show that they're complying with it all and then they can have a consumer mark saying 'we're good to go' that really displays to customers and staff and local residence that this business understands Covid-19 and it's a good place to go."

08:44 AM

Cut NICs as part of bounce-back measures, Chancellor urged

The Chancellor should cut National Insurance Contributions (NICs) and roll out "back to work vouchers" as part of measures designed to help small firms and the self-employed to bounce back from the current recession, a trade body has said.

The Federation of Small Businesses (FSB) has called on Rishi Sunak to avoid “excessive pessimism”, arguing that “a strong recovery is possible” so long as “further fiscal response… [is] calibrated to the extent of continuing temporary restrictions.”

As well as cutting NICs, the Government should assist small firms with apprenticeship training and wage costs as part of an apprenticeship guarantee for those whose education has been disrupted and roll out a full statutory sick pay rebate for those who need to self-isolate under the track and trace programme, the FSB said. 

FSB National Chairman Mike Cherry said: “The fundamental question facing small businesses today is: can I open in a way that’s both commercially viable and safe? 

“Among those for whom the answer is yes, the majority will face additional costs as they adjust their operations. The Government should step in with back to work vouchers so firms doing the right thing can recover this expenditure.

08:18 AM

Priti Patel launches working group to 'right the wrongs' of Windrush

The Home Secretary has announced a new working group had been established to "right the wrongs" suffered by the Windrush generation, on the 72nd day since the Empire Windrush arrived at Tilbury Docks in Essex, bearing some 500 people from Jamaica.

Priti Patel will chair the new Windrush Cross-Government Working Group with Bishop Derek Webley as part of the Government's efforts to address the scandal.

The group's findings will influence the Home Office's response to a report published in March, which found the department's "system operational failings" had let down the Windrush generation, meaning some people with a right to live in the UK were wrongfully detained or deported to the Caribbean.

It comes days after Windrush campaigners delivered a petition to Downing Street signed by more than 130,000 people calling for action to address failings which led to the scandal.

Figures released last month showed fewer than five per cent of claims under the Government's Windrush Compensation Scheme have been paid out, with just 60 people receiving £362,996 in the first year.

Meanwhile London Mayor Sadiq Khan has called on the Government to learn from the suffering endured by the Windrush generation and end the "hostile environment" faced by immigrants in the capital.

Mr Khan will join community leaders to mark Windrush Day on Monday at a virtual event co-hosted by the Greater London Authority and the Joint Council for the Welfare of Immigrants.

Priti Patel

08:05 AM

Second victim in Reading attack named as American citizen

Woody Johnson, the US ambassador to the UK,  has confirmed that an American citizen was killed in the Reading attack this weekend.

He was named locally as Joe Ritchie-Bennett, originally from Philadelphia in Pennsylvania.

According to tributes posted on social media, Mr Ritchie-Bennett was friends with James Furlong, the only other victim to have been named so far.

Mr Johnson said: "I offer my deepest condolences to the families of those killed in the attack on June 20.

"To our great sorrow, this includes an American citizen. Our thoughts are with all those affected.

"We condemn the attack absolutely and have offered our assistance to British law enforcement."

A minute's silence will be held at 10am for the victims, according to the mayor of Reading, councillor David Stevens.

For all the latest updates on the Reading attack, please read our dedicated live blog. 

07:49 AM

Intelligence and Security Committee will return 'in near term', minister says

The Prime Minister will ensure the Intelligence and Security Committee is constituted "in the near term", a minister has said, in the wake of the Reading attack this weekend. 

The Intelligence and Security Committee (ISC) has not sat since before December's election - the longest break since it was established in 1994.

It has led to concerns about a lack of oversight over important decisions on intelligence matters, something that has come under the spotlight following the stabbings.

Speaking to the Today programme, James Brokenshire said: "The Prime Minister is looking at the membership to bring forward the Intelligence and Security Committee  is constituted, I am sure it will do in the near term."

The Security Minister noted that he had brought forward legislation that created the committee, stressing that he valued "the oversight it provides". 

The Government felt the "importance we do attach to scrutiny", he added. 

James Brokenshire

07:40 AM

Up to 40,000 people known to counter-terrorism officers, former police chief says

Police and security services face a "wicked problem" deciding which of the 40,000 people known to them could launch a terror attack, a former head of UK counter terrorism has said.

Sir Mark Rowley, former assistant commissioner for specialist operations in the Metropolitan Police, told BBC Radio 4's Today programme "What you end up with operationally is about, I think, about 3,000 people under investigation at one stage.

"But there is 40,000 people... whose names have touched the system.

"And in that 40,000 are lots of volatile people who dip in and out of interests in extreme ideology, and to spot one of those who is going to go from a casual interest into a determined attacker, which can happen in a matter of days, is the most wicked problem that the services face."

07:32 AM

Double bubble: Expansion may reunite grandparents with their families

One of the likely areas under discussion during today's meeting of the C-19 Cabinet - Boris Johnson's senior Cabinet colleagues - is whether to extend the social bubbles. 

Currently, a single adult can form a "support bubble" with one other household of any size. 

But, as my colleague Gordon Rayner reports, the PM is poised to announce a move that means millions more grandparents being reunited with their grandchildren.

07:17 AM

We will consider policy changes in response to Reading attack, says minister

James Brokenshire has said the Government will consider changing the law, in response to the terrorist attack in Reading this weekend. 

The security minister told Sky News he couldn't talk specifically about the case, including the identity of the suspect, but said: "We are looking very closely at all facts and circumstances of this case. If policy needs to be altered, that is precisely what we will do."

He added: "We will do our part in govt to challenge our systems, to make sure they are as rigorous and robust as we would seek"

07:13 AM

James Brokenshire pays tribute to emergency services after Reading attack

James Brokenshire has paid tribute to first responders and members of the public after Saturday's attack in Reading.

The security minister told BBC Breakfast: "I want to pay tribute to the work of our emergency services, the police, all of those first responders who dealt with this appalling evil and callous act, but also those members of the public as well who supported the police, bravely dealt with those issues on the ground.

"Our thoughts, our hearts go out to all of those this morning who have lost loved ones, who are mourning or have been affected by this appalling incident."

When asked what he would say to people in Reading who are concerned, Mr Brokenshire added: "People should be alert, not alarmed.

"People must remain vigilant, our terrorist threat level is at substantial - the third level which means an attack is likely.

"But we need to go about our lives, we need to be able to ensure that those who would seek to intimidate, those who would seek to use terror to try and change our way of life, that they do not succeed but we remain vigilant."

Flowers are placed at the entrance to the Holt School, Wokingham, Berskhire, in memory of teacher James Furlong, a victim of the terrorist attack in Forbury Gardens - Steve Parsons/PA Wire/Steve Parsons/PA Wire