A Government minister has resigned over Dominic Cummings’ lockdown trip to Durham, delivering a massive blow to Boris Johnson and Downing Street. Douglas Ross, the Minister for Scotland and a Tory whip, announced this morning he is quitting the frontbench because he was unconvinced by Mr Cummings’ defence of the journey. Mr Ross said in … Read more
People applying to be contact-tracers as part of the Government’s track and trace app scheme have been told hiring has been frozen due to delays with the app. Applicants were informed that hiring was paused while ministers considered an alternative app, despite there being more jobs to fill before the programme can be rolled out. … Read more
The Church of England last night warned children will suffer if they are not able to return to the classroom, as pressure mounted on teachers’ unions to end their boycott of back-to-school plans. Cabinet minister Michael Gove yesterday escalated the row by telling union leaders: ‘If you really care about children, you will want them … Read more
Michael Gove today revealed the Government has recruited more than 17,000 coronavirus contact tracers putting ministers on track to hit their 18,000 target. The staff will play a key role in efforts to prevent a second wave of the deadly disease as they are tasked with figuring out where people who test positive have been … Read more
Michael Gove today guaranteed teachers and pupils will be safe when schools are reopened before swiftly backtracking as he said ‘you can never eliminate risk’. The Government is locked in a furious row with councils and teaching unions over its plans to begin the phased reopening of primary schools from June 1 as the coronavirus … Read more
Labour has apologised after posting cartoons depicting Boris Johnson, Michael Gove and Matt Hancock with blood on their hands on a local Facebook page. The shocking paintings appeared on the Havant Labour page after being posted by the social media officer for the party over the weekend. They show the Prime Minister, Cabinet Office Minister and … Read more
Ministers are facing accusations of watering down the criteria required for easing the lockdown, fanning speculation of an imminent loosening of restrictions. The last of five tests which have to be met before social distancing measures can be reviewed was yesterday tweaked by the government. It had ruled out lifting the lockdown unless officials were … Read more
British holidaymakers hoping to visit UK tourism hotspots such as seaside towns were warned today they will be unable to do so ‘for some time to come’. Many workers with pre-booked annual leave who had been hoping to travel abroad this spring or summer will now be turning their sights to a holiday in Britain. … Read more
Michael Gove says coronavirus crisis should ‘concentrate the minds’ of the EU on completing post-Brexit trade talks as Brussels’ negotiator Michel Barnier accuses the UK of failing to ‘commit seriously’ He reiterated UK belief that December 31 deadline for severing ties should stay This was despite the coronavirus crisis occupying politicians across Europe Mr Gove … Read more
Pubs across the UK could remain closed until Christmas as the country continues to control the spread of the Covid-19 pandemic. The possible lockdown extension on the popular venues comes after cabinet minister Michael Gove warned that pubs and restaurants in the nation would be ‘among the last’ to see the restrictions placed upon them relaxed. … Read more