Deputy Prime Minister Dominic Raab managed to get the figures on Omicron hospitalisations wrong in not one but two TV interviews today – leading officials to speak out and correct the record.
Speaking to Sky News this morning, Raab said there were 250 people in hospital with the new Covid-19 variant.
He then went on to the BBC and said that there were nine people hospitalised with Omicron.
In both cases, he got the numbers wrong – in fact, there are actually 10 people currently in hospital with the new variant.
Officials have since gone on the record to say that Raab ‘misspoke’ on both occasions.
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Dominic Raab tells #KayBurley that 250 people are in hospital with the Omicron variant.
After Raab was challenged by broadcaster Adil Ray on GMB. who gave him a third opportunity to put the right figure on the record following the morning’s confusion, he accused him of ‘ranting’ at him.
Raab had earlier told Sky‘s Kay Burley that ‘a significant number’ were hospitalised, but was unable to quote any exact figures when being interviewed by her.
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When she pressed him for an answer, he said: “Well the last I saw was in the low hundreds, I think 250 the last time I looked – but of course, the data is being updated all of the time.”
Within the hour, though, he had revised that figure down to just nine in time for his appearance on BBC Breakfast.
“I know we’ve had one death,” he said. “I think we’ve got nine people who are in hospital with it.”
In both instances, Raab was incorrect – as officials later confirmed, stating that there are still only 10 people in hospital as Sajid Javid had told Sky News the day prior.
It is correct, however, that one person in the country has sadly died as a result of contracting Omicron.
Raab later attempted to justify his mistake on Sky News to GMB on the basis of ‘mishearing’ a question.
Feature image – ITV
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Family of ‘loving’ Harpurhey mum pay touching tribute to her as man is charged with murder
Emily Sergeant
The family of a ‘loving’ Harpurhey mum have paid a heartfelt tribute to her as a man has been charged with murder.
The tribute has been released after Greater Manchester Police (GMP) was called to an address on Queens Road, in the Harpurhey area of Manchester, in the early hours of the morning at 4:07am this Monday just gone (7 April).
Sadly, despite the speed with which officers arrived on the scene, a 51-year-old woman was found dead on arrival.
GMP has now confirmed her identity as Clare Burns.
#TRIBUTE | The family of a “loving mother” have released a tribute as man charged with murder.
Clare Burns sadly died in Harpurhey on Monday morning. Leonard Lee Stewart (8.4.70) of Queens Road, Manchester, has been charged with murder.
— Greater Manchester Police (@gmpolice) April 9, 2025
Paying tribute to Clare following her passing, her family wrote: “Clare was a loving mother, auntie, sister and daughter. She was funny, outgoing and a very independent person. She was also kind, generous and friendly to anyone she met.
“Clare would always light up the room she entered, and she was a brilliant friend to many. We will miss her dearly.”
With a murder investigation subsequently launched, a 55-year-old man was arrested on suspicion of murder at the scene, following initial enquiries.
The family of a ‘loving’ Harpurhey mum have paid a touching tribute to her as a man is charged with murder / Credit: GMP
Leonard Lee Stewart, from Manchester, has been charged with murder, and the 54-year-old remained in police custody ahead of his next appearance at Manchester City Magistrates’ Court today (Wednesday 9 April).
Due to past contact between GMP, and the victim and suspect, it’s been confirmed that the Professional Standards Directorate have made a voluntarily referral to the Independent Office of Police Conduct (IOPC) – which is now assessing the case.
Anyone with any information about this case is asked to contact GMP via the case’s major incident portal here, or by calling the incident room on 0161 856 3635.
Alternatively, you can call Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.
Featured Image – GMP
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New driving test cancellation rules introduced by DVSA to reduce waiting times
Emily Sergeant
Learner drivers will now be required to give longer notice periods when they need to cancel their driving tests in a bid to reduce waiting lists.
Up until this week, anyone who had booked a driving test which they could no longer attend had to change or cancel their appointment within three full working days notice, but now, as of yesterday (8 April), the Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency (DVSA) requires learner drivers to give 10 days’ notice.
If learners fail to provide the 10 full working days’ notice, then they will not be able to redeem their test fee back.
According to the DVSA’s new rules, only Monday to Saturday count as working days, while Sundays and public holidays do not.
But why has the change been introduced?
The short notice cancellation period for car driving tests changes today ⚠️
You'll now need to give 10 working days' notice to cancel or change your car driving test without losing your fee.
— Driver & Vehicle Standards Agency (@DVSAgovuk) April 8, 2025
Well, according to the DVSA, lots of people who are not ready to take their driving test leave it until right at the last moment to change or cancel it, and although that appointment then becomes available to other learner drivers, many of them tend to go unused, given the fact it’s so close to the test date and they may not feel prepared enough.
So, the DVSA hopes that by asking learner drivers to give more notice, it should give other people more chance to use the appointment, and ultimately reduce driving test waiting times.
New driving test cancellation rules have been introduced by the DVSA to reduce waiting times / Credit: pxfuel
There are, of course, some exceptions to the rule, with some learners still being able to apply for a refund at short notice if they have an illness or injury, have suffered a bereavement, have to take a school or college exam, or have their provisional driving license stolen.
On top of this, the DVSA has confirmed that it will continue to pay out-of-pocket expenses for any car driving tests that it has to cancel with fewer than three full working days’ notice.
Georgina Pellant -
14th December 2021 
