People in England may soon be given a one-off payment of £500 to self-isolate if they test positive for COVID-19.
Plans to provide the lump sum are currently under consideration by ministers after statistics showed just 17% of people with coronavirus symptoms take a test for fear of a positive result and subsequently being unable to work.
The prospective payment plan, which was leaked on Thursday, could potentially cost the government £435 million a week – 12 times the cost of the current system.
The document reads: “Anyone who tested positive for coronavirus, irrespective of their age, employment status or ability to work from home, would be eligible for a TTSP (Test and Trace Support Payment).
“This would be straightforward for local authorities to administer, though it would lead to significantly greater volumes of applications than under the current scheme.”
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Existing discretionary grants of £500 are already available but are proving difficult for people to obtain – with as many as three-quarters of applicants being rejected.
Speaking to Sky News on Friday morning, cabinet minister George Eustice said the government had reached “no decisions” on the new payment plan, but that the government would always be “keeping policies under review”.
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The Environment Secretary added: “We need people to self-isolate if they’re asked to and we always review the reasons why they might not.”
'We need people to self-isolate if they're asked to and we always review the reasons why they might not'
Speaking on Good Morning Britain, former Home Secretary Jacqui Smith said she was “gobsmacked” that it took “nine months for the Department of Health to consider it as an option.”
Mayor of Greater Manchester Andy Burnham has claimed the scheme “won’t work”.
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He added: “Surely better to cover the incomes in full of people who can’t work from home and won’t get sick pay?”
COVID-19 cases continue to remain high in the UK, but the latest statistics suggest infection rates may be slowing.
The 7-day rolling average has dipped to just over 40,000 cases, having steadily decreased since hitting almost 60,000 on January 10.
Prime Minister Boris Johnson has refused to rule out the prospect of England’s lockdown dragging on into the spring – claiming that a review would be conducted after February 15 – the date by which the government aims to have vaccinated all four high priority groups.
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Oldham man jailed for life after strangling another man he had a ‘complex’ relationship with
Emily Sergeant
A man has been sentenced to life in prison after pleading guilty to the strangulation murder of another man in Oldham late last year.
David Warren Jack, of Plumpton Close in the Royton area of Oldham, appeared in Manchester Crown Court on Monday (1 June), where he pleaded guilty to the murder of Paul Anderson, 55, in December last year.
The sentencing relates to an incident that occurred at around 7.50pm on 6 December 2025, where Greater Manchester Police (GMP) officers attended an address on Plumpton Close after receiving reports of an altercation, and when they arrived on the scene, Paul was sadly pronounced dead.
Around an hour earlier, Jack had called a friend to tell them that he had ‘killed somebody’, explaining that he had strangled Paul during a fight.
Shortly after calling his friend, Jack then proceeded to ring 999, with police immediately attending the scene, along with paramedics and other emergency services – but despite their best efforts, they were unable to save Paul’s life.
The cause of death was later ascertained as being caused by strangulation.
Following his death, Paul’s family paid tribute to him, saying: “Rest in peace Paul – a precious dad, son, brother, uncle, nephew, and friend who was so loved. He was a gentleman with a big heart and an incredible sense of humour. Our hearts will be forever broken”.
Following his guilty plea at the start of the week, Jack was yesterday (2 June) subsequently sentenced to life imprisonment with a minimum term of 26 years and six months.
Speaking following the sentencing, Senior Investigating Officer Duncan Thorpe said: “David Jack and Paul Anderson had a complex relationship and had clashed before – sadly, this time, there were fatal consequences.
“Immediately following the call we received that night in December, we launched a full and comprehensive investigation into the circumstances of Paul’s death, securing an arrest and ensuring we left no stone unturned in our search for the truth.
“Paul was well-loved by his family, and I am glad that we have secured justice for them. Our thoughts remain with them following this awful case.”
Featured Image – GMP
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Tram diversions and disruption on Market Street as improvement works are carried out
Emily Sergeant
Essential improvement works are currently taking place on the Metrolink network between Shudehill and Market Street.
As the next phase of the ongoing £150m investment into Greater Manchester’s tram network gets under way this month, essential track replacement work is now being carried out in a bid to make the network ‘safer’ and ‘more resilient and reliable’ for years to come.
As of yesterday (1 June) through to Tuesday 9 June, improvement works are taking place in the city centre, and during this time, no trams will operate via Market Street and Shudehill.
This means that, while the work is carried out, some disruption is expected and passengers are urged to ‘plan ahead’ for their journeys.
For the next week, all services from Altrincham will operate to Bury via Exchange Square, and all services from Bury will operate to Altrincham via Exchange Square – with neither calling at Piccadilly Gardens, Piccadilly, Market Street, and Shudehill.
Tram diversions and disruption on Market Street as improvement works are carried out / Credit: The Manc Group
Services from the Trafford Centre will operate to Etihad Campus, while services from Manchester Airport will operate to Victoria via Exchange Square.
Transport for Greater Manchester (TfGM) has advised that, for customers on the Bury and Altrincham lines, the easiest way to reach Piccadilly will be by changing trams at St Peters Square, although you may need to change platforms for the right trams, so you should check departure boards and signage on stop for more details.
Customers may need to change trams, take a short walk, or hop on the free Bee Network bus to continue their journey. Outside of free bus operating times, however, a replacement bus will operate between Piccadilly and Victoria.
🛠️ Tram works are taking place in the city centre until Tuesday 9 June. Changes to the service pattern are in place:
– Altrincham/Bury & Airport/Victoria services are operating via Exchange Square – Trafford Centre services are operating to Etihad Campus
“These improvements are part of our continued £150m investment to make our tram network safer, more reliable and more resilient for the long term,” commented Ian Davies, who is TfGM’s Network Director for Metrolink.
“I’d strongly encourage everyone travelling during this period to plan ahead, as some tram services will need to change while we carry out this essential work.”
The Manc -
22nd January 2021 
