Speaker Lindsay Hoyle demands apology if MP leaked PM’s lockdown plan

Timeline of the PM’s lockdown decision  Friday, 7am: Foreign Secretary Dominic Raab begins a round of broadcast interviews defending the government’s ‘Tiered’ system of local lockdowns.   Friday 2.30pm: Sir Patrick Vallance underlines SAGE’s support for a national lockdown at a briefing with reporters, suggesting it was getting late to arrest the spike in cases before Christmas. … Read more

Keir Starmer roasts Johnson for ignoring scientists’ lockdown advice for WEEKS

Key points in COVID lockdown Mark 2  Restrictions will start at midnight on Thursday morning and last until December 2.  People can only leave their homes for specific reasons, such as to do essential shopping, for outdoor exercise, and for work if they are unable to work from home. Non-essential shops will be told to shut, … Read more

Boris Johnson begs Tory MPs to keep faith in his coronavirus strategy

Timeline of the PM’s lockdown decision  Friday, 7am: Foreign Secretary Dominic Raab begins a round of broadcast interviews defending the government’s ‘Tiered’ system of local lockdowns.   Friday 2.30pm: Sir Patrick Vallance underlines SAGE’s call for a national lockdown at a briefing with reporters, saying it is ‘not too late to save Christmas’. Friday 3pm: Papers are … Read more

Anger that blood-curdling briefing on lockdown ‘bounced’ PM into action

Timeline of the PM’s lockdown decision  Friday, 7am: Foreign Secretary Dominic Raab begins a round of broadcast interviews defending the government’s ‘Tiered’ system of local lockdowns.   Friday 2.30pm: Sir Patrick Vallance underlines SAGE’s call for a national lockdown at a briefing with reporters, saying it is ‘not too late to save Christmas’. Friday 3pm: Papers are … Read more

Boris Johnson will tell MPs today that Covid deaths will be ‘TWICE as bad’ as Spring

Boris Johnson will today try to head off a mounting Tory revolt against his nationwide lockdown by warning coronavirus deaths this winter could double the amount of the first wave.  The Prime Minister is set to use a statement to the Commons this afternoon to say there is ‘no alternative’ but to impose four weeks … Read more

Boris Johnson faces Tory rebellion over second coronavirus lockdown

Boris Johnson was facing a Tory rebellion last night over his new national lockdown. Many of his own MPs were outraged by the revelation that the restrictions could last much longer than the planned four weeks – and potentially even run into spring with a brief easing over Christmas. Some indicated they would oppose the measures … Read more

Furlough extension costs £7BN: economic impact of lockdown emerges

The Government‘s extension of the furlough scheme to cover worker wages during the new lockdown will cost £7 billion, MailOnline understands. As Boris Johnson last night pledged to extend payments at 80% to December, the impact on Britain’s already crippled economy emerged, with one expert claiming the new rules will cost £1.8billion each day. The Prime … Read more

66% believe UK government SHOULD extend free school meals

Two thirds of Britons back Marcus Rashford and believe the Government SHOULD extend free school meals to poorer pupils over the holidays – and more than half of voters think ministers appear ‘UNKIND’ by refusing Some 66% said the Government should provide meals for the poorest children And 54% of voters believed that the row made … Read more