MINISTERS TO INVESTIGATE CLAIMS PPE PURCHASED BY GOVERNMENT WAS MADE WITH SLAVE LABOUR

Slave labour fears connected to medical gloves bought by the UK during the Covid-19 pandemic are to be investigated by the Government.

Trade minister Greg Hands told MPs he would “look at the specifics” after Labour raised concerns in the House of Commons about supplies from Malaysia.

Shadow trade minister Bill Esterson said he has a list of 19 glove suppliers whose factories should be subjected to a “proper audit” by the Government.

Speaking in the Commons, Mr Esterson said: “The Government is relying on increased trade with Malaysia for three-quarters of the forecast benefits from joining the Trans-Pacific Partnership – the CPTPP.

“It may explain why ministers have turned a blind eye to the growing use of slave labour in Malaysian factories.”

R RATE IS ON THE UP

The R rate in England could be as high as 1.6 in some regions, as figures show Covid infections are as high as early February.

One in 95 people in England had the virus in the week to July 10, according to the Office for National Statistics (ONS).

It’s up from one in 160 reported the previous week.

Rates have increased for all groups but are highest in those aged between year 12 and 24 years old – at one in 35.

Overall one million people in the country were estimated to have the virus in those seven days – more than five times the figure a month ago (105,000).

The figure is far higher than what’s recorded by the Government because it includes people without symptoms.

Case rates have been rocketing since some restrictions were eased and the Delta variant took hold in the UK.

R RATE AS HIGH AS 1.6 IN PARTS OF ENGLAND

BORIS JOHNSON BACKS FREE PRESS AND SAYS THE SUN WAS RIGHT TO EXPOSE MATT HANCOCK’S AFFAIR

Amid outcry over the data watchdog raiding two homes and seizing computer gear in its hunt for our whistle-blowers, the PM said we were in the right to run the story.

Cops joined the Information Commissioner’s Office (ICO) in the swoop to seek evidence of who leaked footage of former Health Secretary Mr Hancock, 42, canoodling with taxpayer-funded aide and lover Gina Coladangelo.

Campaigners and politicians of all stripes likened the busts in the south of England to Stasi-like behaviour and warned it was a threat to Press freedom.

Critics asked what message it sent to the world to see Britain operating like a totalitarian state.

Quizzed over the row, Mr Johnson’s official spokesman said: “The Prime Minister believes in the freedom of the Press to investigate matters in the public interest.”

Asked if that included our revelation of Mr Hancock breaching lockdown guidance to cavort with businesswoman Ms Coladangelo, 43, the spokesman replied: “Yes.”

LEADING COVID TESTING FIRM ‘DUMPING RETURNED TEST KITS IN BIN WHILE ISSUING FIT-TO-FLY CERTIFICATES TO CUSTOMERS’

LEADING COVID TESTING FIRM ‘DUMPING RETURNED TEST KITS IN BIN WHILE ISSUING FIT-TO-FLY CERTIFICATES TO CUSTOMERS’

A leading testing company has been accused of dumping thousands of returned Covid tests in the bin while issuing fit-to-fly certificates to customers.

RT Diagnostics has advertised the government-approved test kits for up to £79.

But a Sun investigation has uncovered claims that many of the tests are simply left lying around in boxes without being processed.

The Halifax-based firm is understood to be receiving as many as 10,000 per day as holidaymakers snap up the tests, which legally they need to let them go abroad.

One family said they received negative results for a Day 8 test before the date they were due.

And a shocked worker at the firm, claimed: “The staff are not testing all the samples but people are being told their results are negative. This is very serious.

“Their customers could be spreading the virus around completely unaware.”

FACE MASKS FOR LONDON MARKET

Customers and traders at a historic food market in London will have to continue wearing face masks next week despite restrictions being eased by the Government.

Borough Market in south London, which contains produce stalls and restaurants, said it will be enforcing mask-wearing under by-laws passed by its Trustees.

The decision comes after it surveyed visitors this week and found a “clear majority” are “in favour of mask-wearing beyond the Government’s lifting of restrictions” in England next Monday.

People will be able to remove face masks while eating and drinking in the market’s hot food areas, which is the case under the current rules in restaurants and bars.

It echoes the decision made by London Mayor Sadiq Khan that travellers on the capital’s transport network must continue to wear masks from next week and beyond.

WEST MIDLANDS STAFF FORCED TO ISOLATE

West Midlands Railway said it had seen the number of staff having to self-isolate quadruple in recent weeks.

Staff absences have resulted in trains being cancelled at short notice, and fewer carriages being available on some services.

The company is asking passengers to keep wearing face coverings, unless exempt, from Monday despite the easing of Covid restrictions, and is also warning rail users to expect more short notice cancellations as increasing numbers of staff are “pinged” by the Test and Trace app.

Jonny Wiseman, West Midlands Railway’s customer experience director, said: “We are keeping up the extra high standards of cleaning on our trains and stations that we implemented at the start of the pandemic.

“Even though Covid restrictions are easing from Monday, the message is, in crowded spaces, wear a face covering out of respect for others.”

‘LIFE CANNOT RETURN TO NORMALITY WITHOUT JABS’ PT 2

Dame Sarah, who co-created the jab which has gone into the arms of tens of millions of people, stressed the importance of more vaccines being produced and distributed around the globe.

She added: “Because if we don’t, the virus is going to continue to circulate and to mutate, and we won’t be able to travel, and we may reach a point where the vaccines that are in use now are much less effective.

“We’re not there yet, the vaccines are still highly effective against the variants that are now circulating, but there could come a point if we allow transmission to continue at a high rate in parts of the world that may be a long way away, but the viruses travel very quickly, we could get into a much worse situation.

“So we have to continue to get this vaccine out to everybody for our own protection as well as theirs.”

Only 1% of people in low-income countries have received at least one dose of a coronavirus vaccine as of Thursday, according to the latest figures collated by Our World In Data.

This is compared to 50% of people in high income countries, according to the online publication, which uses public official sources

LIFE CANNOT RETURN TO NORMALITY WITHOUT JABS

Life will not be able to return to normal until the world is vaccinated against Covid-19, according to one of the scientists behind the Oxford/AstraZeneca jab.

Dame Sarah Gilbert, professor of vaccinology at the University of Oxford’s Jenner Institute, warned that variants of the virus will continue to be a threat until more jabs are made and distributed to populations around the globe.

She said that although the vaccines available are effective against variants which are in circulation currently, there could be a “much worse situation” if rates of Covid-19 remain high in parts of the world.

She told the Full Disclosure podcast with LBC’s James O’Brien: “I hope that we are now going to reach the position where it is recognised that vaccines are needed for everybody.

“They are needed in this country and they are needed for the whole world as well, and actually vaccinating the whole world is the best way to protect us.

“Because if we don’t, then there will be new variants arising, and we will never get back to normality if we can’t get everybody vaccinated.”

HOLIDAY BLOW AS FRANCE EXCLUDED FROM RELAXED TRAVEL LAWS

The PM will lift hardline restrictions for millions of double-jabbed holiday-makers from Monday as part of eagerly-awaited ‘Freedom Day’.

But the rules won’t apply to France because of fears over the rapidly-spreading South Africa variant, now known as Beta.

Brits who have had two doses at least two weeks ago will no longer be able to skip quarantine to the holiday hotspot thanks to the clampdown.

Travellers will still need to stay inside for 10 days over fears over the rapid spread of the Beta variant across the Channel, which scientists fear may be more resistant to vaccines.

France will stay on the amber list for now, meaning returning travellers will be able to isolate at home rather than in pricey quarantine hotels.

Millions of sun-seekers face weeks of uncertainty over their holidays, and long periods of isolation if they decide to jet over there.

COVID ANXIETY

Older people experienced the greatest rise in anxiety during the first national coronavirus lockdown and should be prioritised for mental health support as restrictions are eased, research suggests.

The study by UK and US researchers, believed to be the largest of its kind, found “wide-ranging positive and negative effects” on the UK population’s mental health and wellbeing.

More than 379,000 people took part in the Great British Intelligence Test, promoted by the BBC, prior to the pandemic in January 2020 and between May and June 2020, during the first national lockdown.

The study is a collaboration between Imperial College London, King’s College London, the University of Cambridge, the University of Southampton, the University of Chicago, and the NHS foundation trusts of Southern Health and Cambridgeshire and Peterborough.

SUPERMARKET’S INCLUDING TESCO, ALDI AND LIDL WANT YOU TO KEEP WEARING MASKS FROM MONDAY

From July 19 there will no longer be a law on wearing masks but many retail bosses are asking shoppers to still do so.

All lockdown restrictions are due to end after the weekend but the new covid policy says the Government “expects and recommends” masks to be worn by workers and customers.

The advice is for situations especially in crowded, enclosed spaces as the work from home order ends in a few days time.

Masks are to remain mandatory in Scotland and Wales though.

Shoppers in England will have to wear masks if the store still requires it and off the back of the latest policy many retailers are recommending such.

APP MAKES ‘SIGNIFICANT IMPACT’ ON BRITS

The Government recognises the “significant impact” that the NHS Covid-19 app is having on businesses, said the Solicitor General.

It comes after more than half a million users in England and Wales received an alert in the seven days to July 7, the highest seven-day total since data was first published in January.

Lucy Frazer said as well as relaxing self-isolation rules on August 16 for the fully vaccinated, there are pilots being undertaken which could allow people to start a testing regime rather than self-isolate.

“It (the app) is an important tool because it is important that you do isolate if you do come into contact (with a positive case), but I know this is something the Government is looking at,” she told Sky News.

“In addition to the changes in mid-August, the Government is also carrying out a number of pilots to see whether instead of isolating when you get pinged, you could take a test.

“The Government is looking at this very carefully, recognising the significant impact this is having on businesses.”

COVID OR POLLEN?

Temperatures are set to soar this weekend, which means pollen counts will also be through the roof in most areas.

The forecast for pollen is very high across the whole of England, and is also at high levels in Scotland over the weekend.

For hay fever sufferers, itchy eyes and a runny nose are all common symptoms.

But there are some symptoms that also cross over with Covid-19, such as a sore throat and a cough.

Although a cough is common in both illnesses, there will be differences between the two.

If you have hay fever it’s likely your cough will feel tickly and dry – whereas if you have Covid it’s likely to be a more persistent cough with at least three coughing episodes in one day.

GP and lead physician at Bupa, Jo Byfleet explained: “If you have hay fever, you’re likely to find yourself sneezing, with a runny or stuffy nose – which aren’t typical symptoms of coronavirus.

“If you have a blocked nose because of hay fever, this may affect your smell or taste.

SCOTLAND RECORDS FIVE DEATHS

Scotland has recorded five deaths of coronavirus patients in the past 24 hours and 2,047 new cases, according to the latest data.

The death toll under this daily measure – of people who first tested positive for the virus within the previous 28 days – is now 7,796.

The daily test positivity rate is 8.5%, up from 6.6% the previous day, the latest figures published by the Scottish Government indicate.

A total of 532 people were in hospital on Thursday with recently confirmed Covid-19, down 11 in 24 hours, and, of these, 48 patients were in intensive care, up one.

So far, 3,963,502 people have received the first dose of a Covid-19 vaccination and 2,940,202 have received their second dose.

‘HIGHLY UNLIKELY’

Downing Street has said it is “highly unlikely” that the NHS Covid app is leading to large numbers of people being “pinged” through the walls of their home.

A report in the Telegraph said neighbours have been told to self-isolate because the contact tracing app has registered them as a close contact with a positive coronavirus case next door, despite not coming into face-to-face contact.

But No 10 said the app’s signal is unlikely to be strong enough to make such connections.

The app sent 530,126 alerts in England and Wales during the first week of July, and industries are complaining of workforce shortages due to the number of people being told to quarantine.

While it is only guidance, users who receive an alert to self-isolate by the NHS app are recommended to follow the advice to prevent spreading the virus.

BULGARIA BANS BRITISH HOLIDAYMAKERS

Bulgaria has BANNED Brits from entering the country – just days after the UK added it to it’s own green list.

The UK government announced the addition to the green list would be in place from July 19, in line with the UK’s Freedom Day.

However, Bulgaria has since added the UK to it’s own red list, being enforced on the same day.

Bulgaria’s red list bans all arrivals from that country unless for limited reasons – holidays not included.

The country’s Health Minister Stoicho Katsarov confirmed the changes will be in place from July 19, the Independent has reported.

Brits who have holidays booked from next week will have to contact their airline or tour operator as trips will no longer be able to go ahead.

MORE THAN HALF A MILLION PEOPLE LIKELY TO HAVE HAD COVID FROM LAST SATURDAY

More than half a million people in private households in England are likely to have had Covid-19 in the week to July 10, according to the Office for National Statistics (ONS).

The estimate of the number testing positive – 577,700 – is the equivalent of around one in 95 people, up from one in 160 people in the previous week, and is the highest number since the week to February 6.

HOW TO STAY COOL IN HOT WEATHER WHILE WEARING A COVID FACE MASK

A 32C heatwave is hitting the UK – but with coronavirus restrictions still in place Brits will have to wear face masks in restaurants, pubs, shops and public transport.

The good news is, it’s definitely possible to keep cool while wearing a mask.

• Pick a light colour.
• Get the material right
• Carry a backup
• Stay hydrated

Read more here

BIRMINGHAM’S QUEEN ELIZABETH HOSPITAL CANCELS ELECTIVE SURGERIES FOR 48 HOURS OVER BED SHORTAGE AS COVID ADMISSIONS RISE

Rising Covid admissions have meant Birmingham’s Queen Elizabeth Hospital has reached full capacity, with no room for elective surgery patients.

The hospital, which has more than 1,100 beds, has put dozens of procedures scheduled on hold – including lifesaving liver transplants.

It is so busy that its intensive care unit, one of the largest in Europe, was completely full on Thursday, with 10 patients in the wider hospital on a critical care bed ‘watch list’.

Doctors were left unable to offer any spare beds to these patients, or any others needing one post-surgery.

A spokesperson for University Hospitals Birmingham Trust said it had no choice but to cancel and reschedule operations “as a result of the number of very sick patients requiring emergency care”.

“This is also contributed to by increasing numbers of inpatients with Covid requiring critical care,” they added.

DO YOU HAVE TO WEAR A FACE MASK AT WORK?

Legal requirements to wear a mask indoors have been dropped but the government has suggested workplaces continue to follow this and also install protective screens to minimise risk of infection.

The guidance said: “The government expects and recommends that people continue to wear face coverings in crowded, enclosed spaces.

“Where worn correctly, this may reduce the risk of transmission to themselves and others. Be aware that workers may choose to wear a face covering in the workplace.”

If you don’t want to wear a mask, Ms Chong suggests talking with your employer to explain your reasons.

She added: “There are some exemptions such as for a disability and there could be discussions about alternatives such as a face shield.

“An employer could take action though if you refuse outright to wear a mask.”

CAN MY BOSS MAKE ME GO BACK TO WORK FROM JULY 19?

The government is no longer instructing people to work from home from Monday July 19.

Employers have been told to plan for a gradual return to the workplace.

Its guidance said: “During this period of high prevalence, the government expects and recommends a gradual return over the summer.

“You should discuss a return to the workplace with workers, and trade unions to make working arrangements that meet both business and individual needs.”

Bosses have been told to listen to workers’ needs, particularly those who haven’t had both jabs.

Yeing-Lang Chong, partner at Springhouse Employment Solicitors, said: “Employees will have to go to work if asked to do so by their boss.

“If you refuse to go in without a justifiable reason, especially if the workplace has adequate anti-Covid measures in place, then an employer could take action in relation to your employment.”