Boris Johnson news – live: Vaccine sceptics called 'nuts' by PM as ministers target junk food ads in obesity crackdown
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Boris Johnson has hit out at anti-vaccination conspiracy theorists, describing them as “nuts”, as he set out his government’s plan for an extra 30 million people to get the flu jab this winter.
The prime minister also called on the public to lose weight this summer, saying it was one of the ways “you can reduce your own risks from Covid”. He is set to propose a ban on TV junk food ads before 9pm in a bid to tackle Britain’s obesity problem.
And in an interview with the BBC, Mr Johnson admitted the UK could have handled the coronavirus pandemic better - saying there were "open questions" over the timing of his decision to send the country into lockdown. He added: "I think it's fair to say that there are things that we need to learn about how we handled it in the early stages”.
It comes exactly a year after Mr Johnson assumed his role in Downing Street, a 365 stretch that has seen him win an outright majority in the commons during the 2019 election, trigger the start of the Brexit process on New Year’s Eve and launch a response to the ongoing coronavirus crisis.
Elsewhere in a stinging attack on the nation’s readiness to split from Brussels, a former national security adviser claimed ministers are refusing to admit to the threat from terrorists and crime gangs if there is no Brexit deal.
In a report to the House of Lords, Lord Peter Ricketts said “Without a deal, the loss of operational effectiveness for UK law enforcement agencies – including in Northern Ireland – will be profound, undermining modern intelligence led policing and putting the safety of the public at risk.”
And UK and US defence chiefs have accused Russia of launching an anti-satellite space weapon. Defence secretary Ben Wallace claimed Britain remained “deeply vulnerable” to the “weaponising” of space.
Labour redoubles push for review into UK licence for Moscow's RT broadcaster
Labour has stepped up its calls for the broadcast watchdog to review the operating licence of Russian news outlet RT.
The move comes after Labour's shadow culture secretary Jo Stevens wrote to regulator Ofcom in the wake of the Commons Intelligence and Security Committee (ISC) report into the role of the Russian state in UK politics.
Ms Stevens told the BBC: "It is not for the Labour Party to say whether or not RT should be banned.
"We want Ofcom, as the independent regulator, to look at the role of RT in the light of the Intelligence and Security Committee report.
"Ofcom has an ongoing duty to be satisfied that broadcasting licensees remain fit and proper to hold their licences.
"We are talking here about a state-owned broadcaster that has basically breached the Ofcom code over 20 times since it's been airing in Britain.
"I know RT will say that we are trying to clamp down on free speech, but I absolutely reject that accusation."
PM hits out at 'backlog Britain' while calling on country to 'stop thinking of coronavirus as something that makes it impossible to do things"'
Boris Johnson said he wants people to "stop thinking of coronavirus as something that makes it impossible to do things", as he outlined an ambition to speed up the running of Government services.
He told reporters: "There are aspects of the way Government works, the whole of Government, that really need to be faster and more responsive to the needs of the people.
"And if you look at particularly what's happening now, you've got this problem of 'backlog Britain'. You've got people not getting their passports on time, their birth certificates, huge problems of backlogs, cases not going through the courts fast enough.
"That's something that I think that we as a country with the fantastic civil servants that we have, now that's something that we should really be bending our wills to solving.
"I want to see a massive effort now by the country to psychologically to stop thinking of coronavirus as something that makes it impossible to do things and start really looking at tackling the problems of the British people - how to get the things that they want in double time.
"So that's why we've set up Project Speed. So one of the things I've learnt is sometimes Government can be slow and unresponsive and sometimes we need to go faster."
Tributes paid to Windrush campaigner Paulette Wilson following death
Tributes have been paid after the death of Windrush campaigner Paulette Wilson, who passed away at the age of 64.
The Jamaican national was one of the first individuals who came forward and spoke about her case to the media – a decision which encouraged dozens of others to do the same and culminated in a national scandal which led to the resignation of the then home secretary Amber Rudd.
Labour's Bell Ribeiro Addy wrote on Twitter: "Saddened to hear about the death of Windrush campaigner Paulette Wilson.
"Threatened with deportation and detained in Yarls Wood, she fought for justice, and won.
"Her bravery inspired others to challenge the hostile environment.
"Rest in power, Paulette."
Read more about Paulette's story below:
Coronavirus will afflict UK until 'the middle of next year', Boris Johnson admits
Coronavirus will haunt the UK until “the middle of next year”, Boris Johnson has warned - one week after appearing to promise “normality by Christmas”.
The prime minister switched tack again, highlighting “tough times ahead in keeping this virus under control and tough times economically”.
“I think by the middle of next year, we will be well on the way passed it,” he said on a visit to a GP surgery in East London.
More below:
↵Confusion as face masks become compulsory in shops in England
People are now required to wear face masks in shops and supermarkets in England, but they will also need to cover their mouths and noses when entering sandwich shops or takeaways, according to the government’s guidance.
In an attempt to slow the spread of coronavirus, the Department of Health and Social Care confirmed face coverings will be required in shops and takeaways if people intend to take their food and coffee away.
But it said if a customer is able to sit down and consume food or drink they have purchased, the face covering can be removed to eat or drink on site.
More below:
Crossrail delay 'terrible news for passengers and commuters
The delayed opening of Crossrail is "terrible news" for passengers and businesses in London, a politician has warned.
The operators announced on Thursday evening that the new line will not open as planned in summer 2021 because of delays caused by coronavirus.
The railway, from Berkshire to Essex via central London, was originally expected to open in December 2018, but repeated delays have pushed it back.
Caroline Pidgeon, Liberal Democrat London Assembly member and deputy chair of its Transport Committee, said: "This further delay is terrible news, for passengers and London's businesses. The hole in Transport for London's budget is also set to become even bigger.
"Only in June, the chairman of Crossrail was publicly claiming to 'meet or beat' the opening date of Crossrail.
"Clear answers are now needed as to why such claims were made just a few weeks ago. The lack of honesty about the real progress in completing Crossrail has been staggering."
Andy Burnham - NHS to face most difficult winter it has ever seen
Andy Burnham has warned the NHS could face the most difficult winter it has ever seen due to the impact of Covid-19.
The Greater Manchester mayor and Labour former health secretary told the BBC: "I think we are heading here for a winter without a (coronavirus) vaccine.
"And I think we have all got to face up to what that means.
"It will probably be the most difficult winter in the National Health Service that it has ever experienced."
Former Downing Street security adviser urges government to replace EU policing measures
The Government needs to step up its planning to replace EU policing and security measures in the event of no deal being agreed at the end of the transition period, a former UK national security adviser has warned.
Lord Ricketts, who advised the Government on security between 2010-12, warned the lack of action is "putting the safety of the public at risk".
The independent crossbench peer said: "Compelling evidence has been laid before the committee and its predecessors about the significant consequences for law enforcement in the UK if there is no deal on policing and criminal justice cooperation.
"This stands in stark contrast to the Government's optimism that they have plans for non-EU alternatives that can substitute effectively for the exceptional levels of cooperation the British law enforcement and justice communities currently enjoy with their colleagues in EU countries.
"Without a deal, the loss of operational effectiveness for UK law enforcement agencies - including in Northern Ireland - will be profound, undermining modern intelligence-led policing and putting the safety of the public at risk.
"We urge the Government to address these issues as a matter of urgency."
Scientists hit out at Chris Whitty for claiming UK unlikely to eliminate coronavirus
Top scientists have hit out at claims by England’s chief medical officer that the UK will struggle to eliminate Covid-19.
The Independent SAGE group, led by former chief scientific adviser for England Sir David King, is calling for a ‘zero Covid’ approach.
Scotland is within “touching distance” of that goal, they believe.
But last week England’s chief medical officer Professor Chris Whitty warned that eliminating Covid-19 in a “highly connected” country like the UK was unlikely.
More below:
Government issues face covering exemption cards amid shop and public transport rules
The Government has produced special cards for people exempt from wearing face coverings in shops and on public transport, amid fears they will face abuse from others.
The cards, intended for people with conditions or disabilities that mean they do not need to comply with new rules in England, are available to be printed or shown on mobile phones.
The move comes after charity Disability Rights UK said it had received reports of "horrific" abuse aimed at some people with exemptions.
A number of disabled people told the PA news agency that they feared public confrontations as the rules came in to effect.
One of the Government's cards states "I am exempt from wearing a face covering. Be kind. Keep your distance. Thank you for understanding."
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