It has been confirmed that Home Secretary Priti Patel is to lead a Downing Street press conference at 5pm this evening.
The Home Secretary is expected to address calls for clarity on what “local” means for exercise.
The conference comes today amid reports that an increasing number of government ministers want to toughen penalties for COVID rule breakers, as there are fears that people are not sticking to the restrictions as much as during the first lockdown.
This does however also come in light of the government being criticised over ambiguity in the guidance.
Throughout the ongoing coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, police have been pursuing a “four Es” strategy – by engaging, explaining, encouraging and then, as a last step, enforcing lockdown measures – but the conversation was taken further earlier today when Dame Cressida Dick – Commissioner of the Metropolitan Police – said her officers are still having to break up several gatherings, despite recent warnings that hospitals in London and elsewhere in the UK are struggling to cope with rising patient numbers.
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She said that lockdown rule breakers are soon more likely to be fined, as COVID laws will be enforced “more quickly”, while also too calling for clearer definition on the rules and adding that: “Anything that brings greater clarity for officers and the public in general will be a good thing”.
The new variant of COVID-19 is spreading rapidly, putting people at risk of serious disease and huge pressure on our NHS.
The conference also comes amid mounting anger after Prime Minister Boris Johnson was seen taking a seven mile bike ride.
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Kit Malthouse – Minister of State for Crime and Policing – was also accused of causing further confusion over the rules during a number of televised media appearances this morning, where he said people should stay close to home, but then appeared to convey that a seven mile bike ride was allowed.
And he also repeated Dame Cressida’s pledge of a crackdown, telling BBC Breakfast that: “We are urging the small minority of people who aren’t taking this seriously to do so now, and [are illustrating] to them that if they don’t they are much more likely to get fined by the police”.
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For the latest information, guidance and support during the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic in the UK, please do refer to official sources at gov.uk/coronavirus.
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Seven in 10 NHS workers think the health service is ‘poorly prepared’ for another pandemic
Emily Sergeant
A new survey has revealed that seven in 10 NHS workers believe the health service is ‘poorly prepared’ for another pandemic if one should arise.
After the recent meningitis B outbreak in Kent last month raised the conversation of mass contagion once again, of course following the COVID-19 pandemic, a new YouGov survey of more than 1,000 NHS workers has now uncovered how well prepared staff in the health service think it is for another global pandemic.
The results show that 69% of staff surveyed think the health service is ‘poorly prepared’ for another pandemic, and to make matters worse, 26% of those even say it’s ‘very poorly’ prepared.
Only one in five (22%) think the NHS is could properly handle another pandemic, but statistically, YouGov claims none of those surveyed said it’s ‘very well’ prepared.
Seven in 10 NHS workers think the health service is ‘poorly prepared’ for another pandemic / Credit: Pxhere | Rawpixel
When workers were asked how the NHS’s level of preparedness now compares to prior to the COVID-19 pandemic, 41% did concede that they think it is better prepared now than 2020, however 37% admitted they think it’s no better prepared.
16% actively think it’s less well-prepared now than it was prior to 2020.
This marked a new era of ‘transparency’ and ‘accountability’ in the NHS, with the league tables delivering on the Government’s promise to drive up standards, tackle variation in care, and ensure people get the high-quality service they rightly expect.
Every trust in England – from urgent and emergency care, through to elective operations and mental health services – will now be ranked quarterly against ‘clear and consistent’ standards.
Featured Image – Stephen Andrews (via Unsplash)
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Seven people arrested in Salford over plans to conduct coordinated mass shoplifting campaign
Emily Sergeant
Seven people have been arrested in Salford over plans to be part of a coordinated mass shoplifting campaign of ‘high end’ retailers and supermarkets across the country.
According to Greater Manchester Police (GMP), it is believed the group had been training for ‘non‑violent direct action’ in Salford as part of a coordinated mass shoplifting campaign, where they were intending to steal goods from high‑value stores and major supermarkets across the country, and then redistribute them to places such as food banks.
Working in collaboration with the Metropolitan Police Service, officers arrested one male and six females in Salford yesterday afternoon (Sunday 19 April) on suspicion of conspiracy to steal.
They all remain in police custody for questioning.
It has been reported in multiple sources, such as the BBC and the MEN, that the individuals arrested are believed to be part of the Take Back Power Action Group.
Take Back Power Action Group describes itself on its website as a ‘nonviolent civil resistance group’ that is aiming to ‘put the 99% in charge’ through citizen’s assemblies.
“We are ordinary people from all walks of life who believe that in order to fix Britain, taxing the rich is an essential first step, and we want ordinary people to decide how,” a statement on the group’s website declares.
Speaking following the arrests over the weekend, Assistant Chief Constable Steph Parker said: “This joint operation with the Metropolitan Police has resulted in the arrests of seven individuals who we believe were planning to take part in coordinated national activity targeting high‑value retail stores.
“We are taking robust action to disrupt this type of organised criminality, and it will not be tolerated in Greater Manchester.
The Manc -
12th January 2021 
