Coronavirus latest news: Scotland to lift all Covid restrictions by August 9, Nicola Sturgeon says

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Coronavirus restrictions in Scotland will remain in place until July 19, with legal restrictions in place until August 9, Nicola Sturgeon has announced.

The First Minister paused her roadmap, which was due to move from Level 0 from June 28 "for the next three weeks".

Scotland's case rates - which have reached the highest daily figure since January 8 - demonstrated the need for caution, Ms Sturgeon told Holyrood.

"We cannot be complacent about this, however we do have evidence that the link between infections and severe cases is weakening," she said.

Announcing some "important but minor changes" to weddings and funerals, Ms Sturgeon the bulk of restrictions - including outdoor social distancing - would be lifted on July 19. Indoors, social distancing requirements will be halved to one metre.

But the the "major" legal limits are now expected to be removed on August 9, when all social distancing requirements will be lifted.

However face masks and working from home will be encouraged, alongside other "mitigations" such as enhanced hygiene and ventilation measures.

​​Follow the latest updates below.


03:04 PM

And that's it for another day...

Nicola Sturgeon's pronouncements have often been ones for Westminster to watch, and if today's is anything to go by there is some good news and some bad news.

Her confidence at lifting the bulk of restrictions by July 19 would certainly seem to add weight to the Prime Minister's similar enthusiasm. And setting an "indicative date" for legal restrictions to be lifted by August 9 might feel late, but it's a light at the end of the very long tunnel.

However her announcement came with a warning of autumn restrictions, and the concern that face masks and home working will remain in place for some time to come (see 3:14pm).

Conservative MPs will no doubt be asking about this tomorrow, when the motion for conference recess comes under the microscope, amid suggestions today that the break has been proposed to "string along" backbenchers (see 2:33pm).

The DUP got another new leader (12:45pm)- the third in nearly as many weeks - as pressure builds on the Northern Ireland protocol ahead of next week's deadline on the grace periods (12:16pm).

Meanwhile the relationship between Number 10 and Number 11 continues to come under the microscope, with Ken Clarke, the former chancellor, making it clear where he stands (see 1:06pm, 8:22am and others).

Our readers have done likewise, with 62 per cent saying Boris Johnson has spent excessively during the pandemic, while a further 27 per cent saying the spending was justified during the pandemic but the taps must be turned off now.

For all that and more of today's news and analysis, read on.


02:53 PM

Sir Keir Starmer to oust chief adviser amid fears of Batley and Spen wash-out

One of Sir Keir Starmer's closest allies, chief adviser Baroness Chapman, has been ousted from her role, PA reports.

The former Darlington MP, who was blamed for Labour's disastrous by-election loss in Hartlepool, is expected to be shifted from her aide role and given a job in the shadow cabinet to act as Brexit minister Lord Frost's opposite number.

Following Hartlepool, Sir Keir's botched attempt to demote Angela Rayner instead of Baroness Chapman was heavily criticised.

The move is a further overhaul of Sir Keir's top team after a number of changes were announced over the weekend.

Chief of staff Morgan McSweeney is set to move to a "strategic role" after the party's dismal result in the Chesham and Amersham by-election. Deputy communications chief Paul Ovenden is also stepping down, but for family reasons.

It comes as the party fears Labour's prospects in the July 1 by-election in Batley and Spen, which was Jo Cox's seat.


02:46 PM

'As I've said before': Snapper reveals No 10's script for responding to journalists

Lobby journalists often moan that the briefings with the Prime Minister's official spokesman feel scripted and that he doesn't give much away.

Well these pictures below show why - down to the very phrases like "as I've said before".

Tomorrow's briefing will be interesting, if only to see what he says "if pushed".


02:30 PM

Have your say: Is Boris Johnson spending public money wisely?

Ken Clarke, the former chancellor, has launched an astonishing broadside against Boris Johnson's approach to spending, calling it "populist", "nonsense" and "crazy".

The former chancellor claimed there were some in Number 10 "who think there is free money" and warned that this "irresponsible" approach could add to inflationary pressures that already exist as the country emerges from the pandemic.

Lord Clarke's intervention comes at a time of strained tensions with the new resident of Number 11, who is also keen to cut back on spending. But Matt Hancock has insisted that projects such as the Royal Yacht would be value for money at a time when Global Britain is establishing its foothold.

So is the Prime Minister spending money wisely - or it is time to cut him off? Have your say in the poll below.


02:28 PM

Sir Jeffrey Donaldson 'will make an exceptional First Minister', says Paul Givan

Paul Givan: Never Givan a chance - PA

Northern Ireland's newly-anointed First Minister has said Sir Jeffrey Donaldson will return to Stormont and take his role.

Paul Givan, whose appointment brought Edwin Poots down just three weeks into his time as DUP leader, said: "Jeffrey has made clear that he does want to come back to Stormont in due course and wants to be First Minister and Jeffrey will make an exceptional First Minister, nobody doubts that."

He said the two men agreed that dealing with the Northern Ireland protocol was the priority, saying it has "caused huge disruption and we have made very clear that it needs to go.

"It is not working and when the grace periods end we are looking at upwards of 15,000 checks per week and that is just not a sustainable place for Northern Ireland to be," he added.


02:20 PM

Indoor social distancing to be halved from July 19

Scotland's legal physical distancing requirement "will reduce from two metres to one" from July 19, and be removed from outdoors completely, Nicola Sturgeon has clarified.

"We hope that when we go beyond Level 0 on August 9, that will be removed indoors as well as outdoors," the First Minister said.

Some settings, such as schools, may be required to wear face masks "once we lift the major legal restrictions", she added.


02:17 PM

Indicative dates: Nicola Sturgeon urges public to stick to rules

From July 19 and "more substantially" from August "life should feel much, much less restricted for all of us", Nicola Sturgeon has said.

The First Minister stressed they were "indicative dates" as she urged people to get their second dose of the Covid vaccine and "test yourself regularly".

Ms Sturgeon also urged the public to stick to all rules, noting: "The virus is still out there and it is spreading."

She stressed the need to cheer Scotland on at the Euros "safely and within the rules".


02:14 PM

Face masks and home working to remain in Scotland, says Nicola Sturgeon

Get used to it: Face masks will be required after August 9 - Reuters

Face masks are likely to be required for shops and public transport beyond the August 9 period, Nicola Sturgeon has said.

Meanwhile office workers will be encouraged to continue working from home where possible.

"While recognising that a return to the workplace will be right for many, we will encourage continued support for home working where it is possible and appropriate," she told MSPs. "This won't just assist with control of the virus, it will also help promote well-being more generally."

Isolation will continue to be necessary and the outbreak "system" will be maintained, as will Test and Trace.

The First Minister said authorities will need the ability to respond new variants, which "pose the biggest threat to progress".


02:09 PM

Nicola Sturgeon confirms 'important but minor' changes to weddings and funerals

Guidance for weddings and funerals will be changed in Scotland, Nicola Sturgeon has said, noting it is an "important but minor" change.

At weddings, live entertainment will be allowed, although dancing will not as attendees will have to be seated.

Those accompanying the couple down the aisle will also no longer need to wear face coverings, while those working at weddings will no longer count towards the total number of people who can attend.

For funerals, people from more than one household will also now be allowed to carry a coffin or take a cord when lowering it.


02:07 PM

Scotland could lift legal restrictions on August 9 - but autumn risks loom

Nicola Sturgeon has said the Scottish Government believes "it would be possible and proportionate" to lift all "major" legal restrictions on August 9.

She says she hopes that will include ending the need to socially distance "indoors as well as outdoors", but a final assessment will be made closer to the time.

This will be a return to "almost complete normality", she adds, but stresses there is "a difficult path to navigate" before that point.

"Basic mitigations will still be required" such as regular hand washing, cleaning of surfaces and ventilation.

The First Minister warned that the autumn was likely to see another surge in cases.


01:58 PM

All adults to be fully vaccinated by mid-September, says Nicola Sturgeon

Nicola Sturgeon got her second dose yesterday - AFP

Nicola Sturgeon says everyone in the top nine cohorts will have received bot vaccines by the end of this week.

Second doses for all adults will be completed by September 12, she adds.

Booster jabs could be rolled out this autumn, as well as "potential" jabs for 12-17 year olds.

"These milestones are really important and they will inform the decisions I am setting out today," she adds.


01:56 PM

Rise in Scotland's cases underlines need for caution, says Nicola Sturgeon

Nicola Sturgeon says Scotland's latest cases demonstrate why the need for caution remains (see 2:21pm for more).

"We cannot be complacent about this, however we do have evidence that the link between infections and severe cases is weakening," she says.

The vaccine "is allowing us to change the way we respond to the virus", she adds. "The virus is still with us but the vaccines are protecting more of us."

"I expect and profoundly hope the link... will continue to weaken as more of us are vaccinated."


01:49 PM

Oliver Dowden 'thrilled' by Euro 2020 finals decision

Oliver Dowden has said he is "thrilled" after it was announced more than 60,000 fans will be permitted to attend the Euro 2020 semi-finals and final at Wembley.

"We are thrilled that more fans will now be able to walk through the Wembley turnstiles and enjoy the finals of Euro 2020," he tweeted.

"The finals promise to be an unforgettable moment in our national recovery from the pandemic."


01:41 PM

Holyrood rows over Manchester travel ban

A row has erupted in Holyrood over the Scottish Government handling of a unilateral travel ban on people from Manchester.

John Swinney, the deputy first minister, said ministers had felt they were "notifying Parliament properly", and that it was the same approach taken when Bolton was placed under restrictions.

He attacked opposition MSPs, who he said "couldn't be bothered looking at their emails at 2:39 on a Friday afternoon", adding: "You can take the horse to water but you can't make it drink."

But the Conservatives' Graham Simpson said: "If the Cabinet Secretary thinks an email is showing respect to this Parliament, looking at it completely the wrong way. The fact is the case rates in Manchester were very similar to Dundee."

Mr Swinney insisted Manchester and Salford's case rates were "in excess of any case rates in Scotland and well above the average.. the epidemiological advice is what drives these decisions."

He ruled out compensation for those whose travel plans have been scrapped.


01:33 PM

Tory MPs claim they are being 'strung along' on party conference recess

Tory MPs have claimed they are being "strung along" by Government plans for a three-week conference recess as tickets cannot be booked for the Conservative Party's event.

William Wragg, MP for Hazel Grove, said: "Unlike the Labour Party conference, it is not yet possible to book tickets for the Conservative Party conference... Forgive me for being suspicious, Mr Speaker, but we are at risk of being strung along.

"How might we be reassured that the conference recess will be used for its intended purpose rather than simply as a means to keep backbenchers away from this House asking awkward questions?"

Mark Harper, who chairs the lockdown-sceptic Covid Recovery Group, said: "If the governing party is not able to set out with confidence that an event scheduled for October is able to take place, the [hospitality] sector will draw its own conclusions - which will be very damaging to many thousands of businesses and hundreds of thousands of employees."


01:21 PM

Scotland records four new Covid deaths in last 24 hours

Scotland has recorded four new coronavirus deaths and 2,167 new cases in the past 24 hours, according to latest figures.

It means the death toll under this daily measure - of people who first tested positive for the virus within the previous 28 days - is now 7,696.

The daily test positivity rate has jumped to 9.1%, up from 7.2 per cent the previous day, according to figures published by the Scottish Government on Tuesday.

It comes as Nicola Sturgeon is expected to confirm the delay in Scotland's roadmap.


01:16 PM

'Anti-woke agenda' is attempt to cling onto Brexit voters, says polling guru

The Government's "anti-woke agenda" is an attempt to hold on to votes from those who backed Brexit, polling guru Sir John Curtice has said.

Sir John, professor of politics at the University of Strathclyde, said that support for the Conservative Party from those who went on to vote Leave was 45 per cent in 2015, increasing to 73 per cent in 2019, having been "little short of revolutionised by Brexit".

The elections expert told a Westminster briefing: "As the Conservative Party realises, Brexit is also tapping into a wider set of more socially conservative values.

"And that's why you can see why the Conservative Party are pursuing this anti-woke agenda, is indeed finding other ways of continuing to connect with the views of Leave voters, as well of course the more direct appeals designed by the phraseology of levelling up."


01:13 PM

Comment: We have no reason to trust the Government will deliver holidays by August

In the past week there have been whispers that the Government is working on a system which will allow fully vaccinated Britons to travel to all amber destinations, quarantine free, by August.

With a bit of luck, we might hear more about this in Thursday’s traffic light update, including details on what kind of testing requirements will remain, and what it means for families with children under 18.

With the unseasonal rain trickling down our windows, and an underfiring national football team, you would be forgiven for taking this as your cue to throw caution to the wind and book a week in Greece in August.

But pause for just a second before you do - and read this on why you shouldn't get your hopes up.


12:48 PM

Labour MP tells Tory to retract claim over white privilege report row

A Labour MP has called on Richard Holden to "retract" his comments, amid a row over the Commons' education committee's report on white working class underachievement and 'white privilege'.

The Conservative backbencher this morning claimed that the Labour members of the committee had been whipped to vote against the report being published (see 9:16am).

However Ian Mearns, one of the group, said: "No we were not! Retract."

He added: "If your government are so committed to these children, why, did they totally ignore the findings and recommendations of the Education Select Committee report from 2014/15 entitled: “Under achievement in Education by White Working Class children?"


12:43 PM

Labour MPs 'feared education committee report would fuel culture wars'

Labour MPs asked for the section about 'white privilege' to be withdrawn from the education committee's report because they feared it would fuel the culture wars, a member of the committee has said.

Kim Johnson, MP for Liverpool Riverside, told Sky News: "We did ask for this section of the report to be withdrawn because we knew.. people would focus in on this terminology [and] the language and use of this will have contributed to culture wars.

"What the report does, from my point of view, is pit white against black and what we should be doing is ensuring resources [are available to all]."

She added: "Poverty is a major determining factor and opportunities available to young people in these communities that have been underinvested in the last 11 years... funding is required."


12:39 PM

Labour MP claims education report replies on 'cherry picked data'

A Labour MP has hit out at the Commons' education committee report on inequality within education, and the suggestion that the term "white privilege" is pitting children against each other.

Kim Johnson, who sits on the committee but voted against the report, told Sky News that "austerity and decades of under-investment" had had a significant impact on "all children in those disadvantaged communities".

The Liverpool Riverside said data had been "cherry picked to support this argument", stressing that black children "face an additional barrier going forward" into universities and their career.

"Disadvantage and inequality is still rife for black kids... it has an awful lot to do with poverty and class issues."


12:06 PM

Boris Johnson can't keep 'indulging in populist nonsense', warns former chancellor

Ken Clarke has taken aim at Boris Johnson for indulging in "silly populist nonsense", as he called for the Government to rein in its spending amid inflation fears.

The former chancellor told Radio 4's Today programme the Royal Yacht was "a complete waste of time " and a symptom of the fact that "there are people in Number 10 who think there is free money".

Money should be spent more wisely on retraining and getting people back into work, the Tory grandee added.

Lord Clarke, who was one of the 21 Conservative MPs to be stripped of the whip in 2019, attacked Mr Johnson's "short-term populist view" on spending, adding: "The best Conservative governments... were above all respected for their competence and their competence in running the economy."


12:02 PM

Northern Ireland Secretary congratulates new DUP leader

Brandon Lewis has congratulated Sir Jeffrey Donaldson, who was named the new DUP leader after being the sole name to be nominated.

"I look forward to continuing to work with him and the whole Northern Ireland Executive," the Secretary of State said.


11:54 AM

Lobby latest: No 10 rejects Ken Clarke's criticism of 'populist nonsense' Royal Yacht

Downing Street has rejected the suggestion made by former chancellor Ken Clarke that the new yacht was "silly populist nonsense".

The Prime Minister's official spokesman said: "Obviously we totally reject that, the new national flagship will boost British trade and drive investment into our economy. It will be used to host high-level trade negotiations, for trade shows, and will sail all over the world promoting British interests."

The spokesman said Number 10 would "set out the full cost in due course." Pushed on whether there was a current estimate, he added: "Not at the moment."

Asked whether there were better things to be spending money on, the spokesman said: "We are investing a great deal of money into the country on a number of issues important to the public, be it our NHS or policing."


11:52 AM

Lobby latest: MoD will cover 'initial cost' of Royal Yacht, says No 10

The Ministry of Defence will take on the "initial cost" of a new Royal Yacht, No 10 has said, but the source of the full funding for the project will be set out "at a later stage".

Asked what evidence Matt Hancock's claim that the £200m flagship would "pay for itself many, many times over" (see 8:45am), was based on, Boris Johnson's spokesman admitted there was none.

"Well, he was simply referring to the fact that this is a ship that will promote UK trade and drive investment back into our country, so we expect any costs of building and operating the ship will be outweighed by the economic benefits it brings over its 30-year lifespan," he told reporters.

Asked whether any business groups or exporter organisations had called for a trade yacht, he added: "I don't have that information to hand but, like I say, we're confident this is a ship that will be in the interests of British trade."


11:47 AM

New DUP leader pledges to unite and heal

Sir Jeffrey Donaldson, the new DUP leader, has pledged to "unite Northern Ireland and heal the divisions of the past".

The Lagan Valley MP said: "The task ahead is great. I do not underestimate the challenge, but I know the overwhelming majority of people who live here want Northern Ireland to keep moving forward.

"I have the vision to lead unionism into its second century, by embracing those who believe in a Northern Ireland where people of all identities and none can live, work and raise their family.

"I have the vision to unite Northern Ireland and heal the divisions of the past. We don't move forward by ignoring our past but by remembering and learning," he added.


11:45 AM

Sir Jeffrey Donaldson becomes DUP leader as sole nominee

Sir Jeffrey had lost a leadership contest less than a month ago - Getty

Sir Jeffrey Donaldson is the only person who has been nominated to become the next leader of the DUP, the party has confirmed.

Confirming that Sir Jeffrey was not the leader, party chairman Lord Morrow said: "The last number of weeks has been difficult for the party and mistakes have been made. Now is the time to move forward in a spirit of humility and mindful that our focus must be on serving the people whom we represent.

"I look forward to the challenges of rebuilding and reconnecting in the time ahead."


11:43 AM

Rishi Sunak's 'hope and expectation' that lockdown will be lifted on July 19

Rishi Sunak highlighted the need for a return to a "sustainable" economy - PA

Rishi Sunak has said it is his "hope and expectation" that July 19 will be the end of coronavirus restrictions in England.

During Treasury questions, the Chancellor said he was optimistic about the prospect of lockdown being finally lifted next month "because by that point we will have done what we set out to do, which is to get extra jabs in more people's arms to provide us with that extra level of protection we were seeking."

Mr Sunak added: "The only sustainable way to protect those jobs is to get the economy reopened so those people can return to work and provide for their families."


11:38 AM

Levelling up is for the whole of UK, Boris Johnson insists, amid Chesham unease

Boris Johnson used Cabinet to emphasise his vision for the whole of the UK - PA

Boris Johnson opened his Cabinet meeting this morning by stressing that levelling up is for the whole of the UK, following last week's by-election upset in Chesham and Amersham.

As well as planning and HS2, Tory MPs widely interpret the historic defeat as proof that the Prime Minister is turning off traditional voters in the South as he looks to woo those in the Red Wall with high spending commitments targeted at the North and Midlands.

He "started Cabinet by reiterating his commitment to levelling up the whole country", a Downing Street spokesman said.

"He emphasised that this approach will benefit everyone, including by spreading employment opportunities more evenly across the United Kingdom, helping relieve pressure on services and housing demand in areas which have traditionally seen higher demand."


11:25 AM

Samantha Cameron: ‘David loved employing women because they work harder’

David Cameron loves employing women because they work harder, his wife Samantha has said.

Mrs Cameron, 50, said she too believes women are sometimes “better at our jobs than men,” but are not so good at having the “ego” to go with it.

The businesswoman and wife of the former Conservative prime minister was speaking to the Telegraph’s Claire Cohen on her Imposters podcast, which you can listen to using the audio player below.

She said: “My husband always says he loves employing women because they work harder. They are perfectionists. What you get out of them is often much better than men.”


11:23 AM

Anne-Elisabeth Moutet: France's democracy itself is now in crisis

Emmanuel Macron and Marine Le Pen were the two obvious losers of the first round of France’s regional elections, which took place at the weekend, writes Anne-Elisabeth Moutet. Macron’s party barely made it above 10 per cent, while Le Pen’s fell far short of expectations.

But the biggest losers are the French people. When less than a third of citizens bother to go to the polls, something is very wrong.

The danger is that, come any new crisis – a Covid variant causing a fourth wave, the combined effects of runaway debt and worldwide inflation on the economy – the current disaffection may morph into nationwide anger that would make the gilets jaunes revolt look like a storm in the Tuileries Gardens model sailboats pond.

And nobody in our listless country seems to know where to go from here.

Read more from Anne-Elisabeth here.


11:16 AM

Lord Frost: Actively considering how to deal with 'unsustainable' protocol

It is "hard to see" how the Northern Ireland protocol will be sustainable in its current form, Lord Frost has said.

He did not deny claims made by outgoing DUP leader Edwin Poots that he has received a personal assurance from the UK Government that significant changes will be made to the protocol (see 10:52am).

"We haven't made a secret of the fact that we find it hard to see how, as currently operated, important elements of the Protocol are sustainable," the Brexit minister told MPs. "I don't think that's a new judgment. We have also said that we are considering all our options, and we are doing so.

"There is a real world timetable to things that needs to be taken into account when we do that. That's where we are at the moment, we are actively considering the options to deal with a situation that is hard to see as sustainable."


11:06 AM

Progress is being made on Northern Ireland protocol, insists Lord Frost

Lord Frost has insisted that progress was being made in some areas of talks on the Northern Ireland Protocol.

"We have put in our proposal to extend the grace period on chilled meats which expires very soon and I know both sides are thinking very actively about that," the Brexit minister told the Commons' foreign affairs committee.

"I wouldn't want to leave the impression that nothing is happening. Quite a lot is happening, in one or two areas there is engagement, in other areas it's more difficult."


11:02 AM

UK should be less reliant on France, Lord Frost suggests

Lord Frost has suggested the UK should be less reliant on France, saying "this country should maximise the assets it has got".

Highlighting the island status and maritime history, the Brexit minister told MPs: "Strategically this county should be a global country and try to develop ports and infrastructure, and export and import arrangements, that reflect that."

Asked if he meant that the UK should be less dependent on trade with France, he said that would be "the consequences of such a policy".


10:58 AM

Leave campaigners 'would have been surprised' by difficulties with EU

Lord Frost has said Leave campaigners "would have been surprised" by the challenging relationship between the UK and the EU since Brexit.

He told MPs it was "too simplistic to say some want to punish us and some want to move on - it's not quite teething troubles, things are definitely settling down".

He warned it would be "bumpy for some time" adding: "It would have surprised those who campaigned for Leave to think the relationship would be as relatively difficult as it is now."

Asked which country is being most difficult, he mentioned France but stressed there was a lot of issues and connections that need to be resolved.

"The issue with France is not good will or ill will - I like to think there is a lot good will - bu there are a lot of things in the relationship."


10:49 AM

UK talks to US 'honestly and fairly' about Ireland, says Lord Frost

Lord Frost has said the UK has been talking "honestly and frankly" with US counterparts about the UK's position regarding Ireland.

The Brexit minister told MPs he would not comment on what the new regime made of the situation, simply saying: "Ireland is very much debated in Washington, as are many other issues."

He added: "We talk honestly and frankly with them about it - we don't have a problem with that. Our views are well-founded and well grounded and are very persuasive."


10:43 AM

UK was 'ambitious' in hoping for EU to be 'fleet of foot', Lord Frost admits

The EU is not characterised by "its fleetness of foot", Lord Frost has conceded, but insisted the UK had reason to believe it could be in the "special case" of Northern Ireland.

"That was the very reason we had to agree a protocol and special arrangements in the first place," he tells MPs. "After three or four it was pretty clear we were dealing with a sensitive and delicately balanced situation in Northern Ireland and there would be some response to it.

"It's possibly ambitious, but we were hoping and are hoping and continue to hope we will have a constructive relationship with the EU more broadly, and saw this as a big part of it."


10:34 AM

EU must stop treating Northern Ireland like 'any other border', says Lord Frost

The Northern Ireland protocol is causing 'identity' issues, Lord Frost said - Getty

The Northern Ireland protocol was "pretty exceptional" and "a big compromise to protect the peace process" and ensure goods could continue to flow across "our own country", Lord Frost has said.

In order for the arrangements to be sustainable they have to be interpreted in a "pragmatic way and that is not what is happening", he adds.

"We are implementing the protocol as best we can... but there are still big problems and this is creating a sense of difficulty for identity in Northern Ireland. At the moment there isn't a huge amount of engagement, but we keep trying."

He said the UK was "not convinced" that best efforts were being made to reduce checks and processes to the minimum, despite it being a provision in the protocol. If it is treated as though it were "any other border within the EU... we are going to have a problem".


10:26 AM

France to blame for threat to British TV producers, claims Lord Frost

Lord Frost has insisted there is "quite a lot of urgency" about securing touring visas for musicians, noting "we have agreed something better" with Efta countries.

He told MPs: "Unfortunately the EU would not agreed to that solution, so that is where we are. We would much rather be in a better position, but unfortunately it takes two.

"Something like 17 of the 27 have a pretty relaxed regime for touring artists but there are 10 or so where the rules are more complicated," he added.

On the looming issue of the EU cutting quotas of British TV content, he says he is hopeful that "good sense will prevail", but admits there is nothing that the UK can be done to prevent it.

"It is a traditional position of France that takes some shaking that audio-visual arrangements are not part of free trade agreements... I don't think there was ever any realistic change of coming out of this negotiation in a different place."


10:18 AM

Lord Frost: We were surprised about row over EU ambassador status

The UK refused to grant the bloc's first-ever ambassador full diplomatic status. - AP

The UK's initial refusal to grant EU ambassador João Vale de Almeida was "over -interpreted in public debate", Lord Frost has said.

"The UK was always trying to ensure EU delegation was able to do its business in London in a normal diplomatic way," he tells MPs. "We did have some discussions with EU about this last year

"It was slightly surprising to us that it blew up as an issue but we were never seeking to squeeze out delegation or treat them as non-diplomatic mission, we just wanted to find the right basis."

He declines to give details on the relationship, saying it is still being finalised.


10:13 AM

Relationship with France 'occupies fair amount of time', says Lord Frost

Lord Frost says his role "complements" the Foreign Office's work, particularly focused on the Trade and Cooperation Agreement.

"My job is to ensure that all our interests, with respect to a particular member state, are taken into account, properly ranked and worked through," he tells Tom Tugendhat, chairman of the foreign affairs committee.

"It is a natural division and works in practice but does require us to work closely together day to day," he adds.

He notes that there is a "large amount of business" with France which "occupies a fair amount of my time".


10:08 AM

Lord Frost tells MPs they are not his 'primary' scrutineers

Lord Frost has begun his evidence session before the Foreign Affairs Committee by stressing that he only has an hour, and suggesting that he is appearing only as "a courtesy", with his "primary responsibility" to the two Brexit-focused committees.

He made the same comments to the committee he appeared before last week.

Asked if he is the Europe minister, he says "yes and no", noting he is "not the only minister with an interest" in post-Brexit relations, highlighting Boris Johnson's involvement particularly, alongside the Foreign Secretary.


09:55 AM

Deal for UK to host Euro 2020 finals imminent

A deal to ensure the final stages of Euro 2020 are held at Wembley is on the brink of being struck between the UK Government and Uefa.

A UK Government source said there had been "positive" talks with European football's ruling body to address the issues around coronavirus restrictions.

Uefa is thought to be pushing for 2,500 VIPs to attend the final on July 11 without being subjected to the quarantine requirements that apply to other travellers. Crowds of at least 40,000 will be allowed for the final four games, as part of the pilot for mass events.

A UK source said "final details are being worked through".

However other countries are vying to host the final, with Italian Prime Minister Mario Draghi yesterday suggesting that Rome could provide an alternative venue, saying: "I will try to stop the final being held in a country where infections are rising quickly."


09:52 AM

'Significant victory' coming on Northern Ireland protocol, claims outgoing DUP leader

Outgoing DUP leader Edwin Poots has said that he has received a personal assurance from the UK Government that significant changes will be made to the Northern Ireland Protocol.

Mr Poots, who was forced to resign as leader last week following an internal party revolt, said Northern Ireland Secretary Brandon Lewis had indicated there would be a "significant win" coming.

Mr Poots told the BBC: "I have received assurances that there will be changes to the protocol and that that will be very significant, that the UK Government are not going to tolerate how things are and how the EU have conducted themselves since the protocol."

He added: "We are looking to these changes happening in July, most likely early July. We believe that there is a significant victory to be won on the protocol. I will hand over at the end of June and hopefully most of the work will actually be achieved by that stage and we can make those gains."


09:24 AM

Children and young people 'incredibly resilient' during lockdown, says Nadine Dorries

Children and young people did report poor mental health at the start of the pandemic, but have been "incredibly resilient", the mental health minister has said.

Nadine Dorries told the Commons' health and social care committee: "It's been a difficult year for everybody and it's particularly been a difficult year for children and... we did see, particularly early on in lockdown, children and young people reporting low mood, anxiety, poor mental health and I want to talk about that terminology.

"Actually, those young people have been incredibly resilient... so, rather than labelling a generation as a generation experiencing and suffering from mental health issues, I think we really need to acknowledge that we have a very strong, resilient generation, that we should be incredibly proud of," she said.

The main problem more recently has been the "readjustment" to returning to school after a sustained period at home, she added.


09:11 AM

Lockdown provoked 'crisis point' in eating disorders, says Nadine Dorries

There been a significant rise in demand for eating disorder services during the pandemic, the mental health minister has said.

Nadine Dorries told MPs that eating disorders had been "the biggest issue" recently, adding: "We've seen a 22 per cent increase in demand, just over the past 11 months in eating disorder referrals and demand for services.

"Eating disorders were on the increase, we saw the uptick, before the pandemic began.

"It's a very complex issue. It surrounds lots of things such as body image, social media, but lockdown brought a particular pressure and a particular strain on those young women who had been concealing, managing, living with eating disorders, and it kind of came to a crisis point during lockdown.

"So, dealing with that, the impact that's had on other services has been a priority, it's been a huge demand."


08:55 AM

Iain Dale: I can no longer support this irrational lockdown

When the facts change, you change your mind. At least that’s what happens in normal times, and that’s what reasonable people do, writes Iain Dale.

I’ve strongly supported the Government’s various decisions on lockdown. People have accused me of being a lockdown hawk, and up to now they would have been right. However, we are now in a very different situation.

Hospitals are in no danger of being overrun. The Delta variant may be leading to a rise in the number of cases, but given most adults have now had at least one dose of the vaccine, and half the population has had both, the danger of hospitalisation and/or death is a fraction of what it was before. Intensive care units are not heaving with new patients. The average number of Covid deaths per day is 11, and shows no sign of increasing.

The public, which has been very understanding up to now, can be forgiven for being not just confused, but uncomprehending. A government can only govern by consent and, in my judgment, that consent is about to be withdrawn.

Read the rest of Iain's column here.


08:51 AM

Have your say: Is Boris Johnson spending public money wisely?

Ken Clarke, the former chancellor, has launched an astonishing broadside against Boris Johnson's approach to spending, calling it "populist", "nonsense" and "crazy".

The former chancellor claimed there were some in Number 10 "who think there is free money" and warned that this "irresponsible" approach could add to inflationary pressures that already exist as the country emerges from the pandemic.

Lord Clarke's intervention comes at a time of strained tensions with the new resident of Number 11, who is also keen to cut back on spending. But Matt Hancock has insisted that projects such as the Royal Yacht would be value for money at a time when Global Britain is establishing its foothold.

So is the Prime Minister spending money wisely - or it is time to cut him off? Have your say in the poll below.


08:49 AM

Lord Burnett: ‘Waiting years for trial, not knowing what’s going on, it’s deeply damaging’

The Lord Chief Justice fears delays in sex cases, like the one which over three years ruined the life of Lady Nourse, are "deeply damaging to people".

Lord Burnett is visibly frustrated at such delays, which contributed to what Lady Nourse confessed to The Telegraph was her own sense of "massive injustice".

Talking exclusively to The Telegraph, he says this is the bitter fruit of a criminal justice system in crisis - not just in the courts, but in the police and at the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS), too.

It is a crisis that has been brewing for a decade, as budget cuts hit staffing and courtrooms and police numbers, and which then exploded during the pandemic, as courts shut down and cases piled up.

Read our exclusive interview with Lord Burnett here.


08:35 AM

Harriet Harman attacks 'worrying' social care response from Matt Hancock

Matt Hancock's reaction to being grilled over his plans for social care was "very worrying to see", Harriet Harman has said.

The Health Secretary repeatedly dodged questions about when the crunch meeting between Boris Johnson, Rishi Sunak and himself had been rescheduled for after it was scrapped at the last minute, only giving vague assurances that a plan would be readied this year (see 8:08am).

The veteran Labour MP told Sky News: "It is urgent that social care is sorted out... everybody wants to see them get this sorted out.

"The pandemic put social care right at the top, where it should have been before, so let's hope he doesn't stick with that position and gets down to working across parties to sort it out."


08:29 AM

'Who knows what will hit us' this autumn, says Tory MP

A senior Tory MP has said he is afraid that restrictions will be reimposed this autumn, despite backbenchers being opposed to them.

Peter Bone said he was "pretty confident" about the July 19 unlocking going ahead, having been delayed by a month, but said "as for the autumn, who knows what will hit us then.

"There is a lot of talk that we will be hit by a flu wave because people haven't been mixing and haven't built up resistance, so I am not sure about the autumn," he added.

"If we unlock completely and everything moves smoothly from there, perhaps the Prime Minister was right... but we have to be allowed to get on with our lives," the Wellingborough MP told Talk Radio. "It's time we put freedom first, the only reason to restrict the freedom of the British people is if there is a clear and real threat."

He called on the Government to "take the vaccine dividend" by opening the country up.


08:16 AM

Labour MPs whipped to vote against white privilege report, claims Tory

Labour members of the Commons' education committee were whipped to vote against a report calling for the term "white privilege" to be dropped, a Tory MP has claimed.

Fleur Anderson, Apsana Begum, Ian Mearns and Kim Johnson voted against the report, into how white working class pupils are being let down by the education system, being made public.

Here is Richard Holden's explanation as to why:


08:07 AM

Quarantine to be scrapped for double jabbed in traffic light overhaul

Quarantine rules could be waived for fully vaccinated travellers returning from amber list destinations as early as August, reports suggest.

This rule change could be revealed on Thursday when an update to the traffic light categories is due.

A “senior government source” told The Times that by August a sufficient number of people will have received both doses to allow the Government to implement the changes.

Matt Hancock, the Health Secretary, confirmed to Sky News this morning that ministers were “working on” plans for quarantine-free travel for fully vaccinated Britons.

Asked if these plans could be in place as soon as August, Mr Hancock replied: “We'll get there when it's safe to do so”.

Read more here.


07:56 AM

Rishi Sunak reiterates focus on public finances as ONS figures show drop in borrowing

Rishi Sunak has reiterated the need to get "public finances on a sustainable footing" as new figures show a drop in Government borrowing.

The Office for National Statistics (ONS) said that despite the year-on-year fall to £23.4 billion - down from £43.8 billion at the height of the pandemic, it was still the second highest on record and £18.9 billion more than in May 2019.

The ONS revised down borrowing for the financial year to the end of March by £1.1 billion to £299.2 billion, though this was still the highest since the end of the Second World War.

The Chancellor said: "As we emerge from the pandemic, we are continuing to support people and businesses to get back on their feet and our Plan for Jobs is working. It's also important over the medium term to get the public finances on a sustainable footing.

"That's why at the Budget in March I set out the difficult but necessary steps we are taking to keep debt under control in the years to come."


07:49 AM

White privilege label is 'wrong-headed', says education committee chairman

The term white privilege is "wrong-headed" because it "says there is collective guilt when it should be individual responsibility for racists acts", the chairman of the Commons' education committee has said.

Conservative MP Robert Halfon denied he was trying to engage in culture wars by bringing up white privilege, but stressed it was "the wrong way to describe this and deal with racism, because it pits one group against another".

The Harlow MP told Radio 4's Today programme: "One of the reasons we found that white working-class boys and girls are struggling in education is because the families have disengaged from the education system and we believe this concept of white privilege perpetuates that idea."

Mr Halfon added: "I have never engaged in culture wars, all I care about, as our committee does, is addressing the decades of neglect that have led to a situation where white working-class boys and girls from disadvantaged backgrounds are underperforming."


07:45 AM

Royal Yacht will 'pay for itself many times over', insists Matt Hancock

Image issued by 10 Downing Street showing an artist's impression of a new national flagship,

A new Royal Yacht will "pay for itself many, many times over" because it will bring in investment from the rest of the world, Matt Hancock has insisted.

The Health Secretary defended the plans, after Lord Clarke attacked it as a "complete waste of time".

Mr Hancock told Radio 4's Today programme: "The amount of investment that you can get in from the rest of the world by showing the best of Britain in harbours the world over is very, very significant, and I think we should be getting out there and trading with the world.

"And so I think that a Royal Yacht is a great idea and I'm very positive about it, because I think it will more than pay for itself many, many times over."


07:37 AM

Matt Hancock: 'It doesn't matter' that Boris Johnson called me hopeless

Matt Hancock has insisted he has "a very good, close working relationship" with Boris Johnson, after it emerged that that Prime Minister had said he was "totally f------- hopeless".

The Health Secretary told Radio 4's Today programme: "I work with the Prime Minister every single day. We have a very good close working relationship. That was, frankly, ancient history - of course there are pressures in the middle of a pandemic."

But asked how he felt about being described as "hopeless", he said: "It doesn't matter - it was an expression in the middle of a challenging and frustrating period, where we managed to eventually deliver on the testing capacity we needed, which we didn't have at the start."

He added he was "very proud" of his work including the vaccination programme which was "just one example" of the strength of their relationship.


07:29 AM

'Very significant' flu programme being readied for the winter

There will be a "very significant" flu vaccination drive this winter aimed at protecting the NHS, Matt Hancock has said.

"We are worried about flu this winter because people's natural immunity will be lower because we haven't had any serious flu for 18 months now," the Health Secretary told Times Radio Breakfast.

"We had a difficult winter in 2019, we didn't have flu at all really this last winter because of the restrictions that were in place for Covid. So, it is something we are worried about.

"We are are going to have a very significant flu vaccination drive this autumn - potentially at the same time you might get your Covid booster jab and your flu jab at the same time, we are testing whether that can be done.

"We do need to make sure we protect the NHS this coming winter. We have got time to do the preparation for that now, though, and make sure we are as vaccinated as possible, because that is the way to keep people safe."


07:22 AM

Boris Johnson's attitude towards 'free money' is 'completely crazy', says Ken Clarke

Ken Clarke, the former chancellor, has called for "more restraint" in Government spending, warning this could see inflation spike further.

Taxes should be raised to bolster the public coffers, he adds, noting that VAT was a progressive tax that could be cut again.

"You can always tell Boris 'if we are successful and the economy is growing in two or three years we can give you a pre-election tax cut, which will be frightfully popular'.

"But right now, we need to raise some revenues because otherwise you will suddenly have a financial crisis when you can't borrow this money that you think is out there going free. The idea that foreign creditors are going to lend us money when interest rates are as low as they are at the moment is completely crazy.

"Once they think are you being irresponsible, the Bank of England will have to print even more money and that is inflationary - very inflationary."


07:08 AM

Social care plan will be delivered 'this year', Matt Hancock pledges despite key meeting being axed

Matt Hancock has committed to addressing the "many injustices" in social care by bringing forward proposals "before the end of this year", after a top-level meeting was cancelled at the last minute.

Mr Hancock this morning insisted that was no indication of the Government's priorities.

"The Prime Minister has committed to delivering this plan before the end of this year and we are going to do that," he told Sky News. "The question in terms of social care is how we can best make sure people get the care they need, in the setting they need, whether in their own home or care home, and how that is paid for and who pays for it.

"There are many injustices in the current system we want to tackle, that is one of the reasons why it is such a complex piece of work, but it is also why it’s such an important piece of work."

Challenged over the meeting delay, he refused to answer questions on "diary management issues".


07:05 AM

Ken Clarke takes aim at Boris Johnson for 'short-term populist view'

Ken Clarke, the former chancellor, has taken aim at Boris Johnson for his "short-term populist view" on spending, calling for "health economic growth" to restore the country's finances.

"What we need is a long period of sustainable growth with low inflation," the peer told Radio 4's Today programme. "We need to make sure that the necessary things we have done to minimise what I know has been hardship for many people doesn't turn into a disaster when we go back to old boom and bust, which will do nothing for people who are striving.

"We can't take a short term populist view, and say 'good heavens it's popular spending money on things," he added.

"The best Conservative governments... were above all respected for their competence and their competence in running the economy."


07:01 AM

Inflation is 'the big risk', warns Ken Clarke

Ken Clarke, the former chancellor, has said he is "quite worried" about the prospects of rising inflation, saying it is "the big risk" of coming out of pandemic support such as the furlough scheme.

"It was obvious the big risk when you get out of it was going to be inflation... unless we actually take care, inflation is now the big risk over the next few years," Lord Clarke told Radio 4's Today programme.

"These are such unusual circumstances, no one is quite sure how big the risk is or when the crunch will come... But is now time to start addressing the serious problem of the debts we run up," he added.

"While we can tolerate a short little boomlet, with inflation going up the rest of this year, it is vital that we act very promptly to control it once it's obviously settled in. You have also got to start addressing the serious question of how we pay for the fantastic amount of borrowing in a sensible and responsible way to in order to maintain fiscal discipline for the future."


06:42 AM

Matt Hancock: We are on track for July 19 reopening

Matt Hancock has said the Government is "on track" for the July 19 easing of restrictions, but acknowledged that opening up travel abroad is "more difficult".

"Thankfully, because of the vaccination programme, we have been able to free up a huge number of the restrictions here at home," the Health Secretary told Sky News.

"We are on track to deliver the Step 4, the further openings, on July 19, which is good.

"We are also looking to see how we can replace the protections that are currently there with the restrictions with protections that come from the vaccine, with respect to international travel as well.

"But it is more difficult freeing up international travel."


06:41 AM

We have a duty to build more homes, Robert Jenrick tells Tory heartlands

The Government has “a duty” to the next generation to build more homes, Robert Jenrick said on Monday as he faced down Conservative MPs who want him to water down controversial planning reforms.

The Housing Secretary insisted that it was only fair that ministers should reform the current system so that young people could “aspire to own the keys to their own home”.

The comments came after Tory MPs used a Commons debate to press the Government to water down planning reforms that were blamed for last week’s shock defeat in the Chesham and Amersham by-election.

Writing in The Telegraph, Mr Jenrick says: “The belief that home ownership should be achievable for all who dream of it and that young people should aspire to own the keys to their own home."

Read the full story here.


06:40 AM

Good morning from Westminster...

Lots of news bubbling around today, including the social care meeting that was scrapped at the last minute, a report from the Commons' education committee on white working class kids being left behind, planning reforms and whether or not the Euros final will be taking place in the UK...

Here is today's front page.