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BBC News
02-07-2025
- Health
- BBC News
What is the UK Covid inquiry and how does it work?
The Covid inquiry is taking evidence from politicians, health experts and bereaved families about the impact of the pandemic on the social care system across England, Scotland, Wales and Northern July 2024, the inquiry's first report said the UK's flawed preparations had led to more deaths and greater economic damage than there should have under 227,000 people died in the UK from Covid between March 2020 and May 2023, when the World Health Organization said the "global health emergency" was inquiry hears of care home 'slaughter' What is the Covid public inquiry and when did it start? The Covid inquiry was launched by former Prime Minister Boris Johnson in June 2022, more than a year after he said the government's actions during the pandemic would be put "under the microscope".The announcement came after the Covid-19 Bereaved Families for Justice campaign said it was considering launching a judicial review over what it called government "time-wasting".Johnson said the inquiry would cover decision-making by the UK government, as well as the administrations in Scotland, Wales and Northern first public hearings took place in London in June 2023. Subsequent hearings have been held in Edinburgh, Cardiff and inquiries are established and funded by the government and are led by an independent chair. They can compel witnesses to give is found guilty or innocent, but the inquiry publishes conclusions and recommendations, which the government is not obliged to inquiry: The UK pandemic in numbers Who is leading the Covid inquiry? The inquiry is chaired by former judge and crossbench peer Baroness Hallett, who previously led the inquests into the 7 July London said that loss and suffering would be at the heart of the inquiry, and that it would be "firmly independent". Baroness Hallett said the inquiry would examine how decisions on limiting the spread of Covid were made and communicated; the use of lockdowns and face coverings; and the impact on children, health and care sector workers, and the clinically effect on bereaved families, and how the findings could be applied to other national emergencies would also be considered, she said. Loss and suffering at heart of Covid inquiry What is the inquiry looking at? The inquiry is split into different on the first module, resilience and preparedness, has finished, but the inquiry is actively investigating several other aspects of Covid:decision-making and political governance in Westminster, Scotland, Wales and Northern Irelandthe impact on healthcare systems across the UKvaccines, therapeutics and anti-viral treatmentgovernment procurement and PPEthe care sectortest-and-tracethe impact on children and young peoplethe government's business and financial responsesthe impact on societyThere is no specific timescale for how long the inquiry will last. However, the final public hearings will begin in February 2026. Scotland is holding a separate inquiry into the pandemic. What did the Covid inquiry's first report say? Several reports are expected, covering everything from political decision-making to first of these was published in July 2024, and in it Baroness Hallett said the UK had been "ill-prepared for dealing with a catastrophic emergency, let alone the coronavirus pandemic"."Never again can a disease be allowed to lead to so many deaths and so much suffering," she 217-page report argued the UK planned for the wrong pandemic - a mild one where spread of a new virus was inevitable - and this led to the "untested" policy of said the UK government and devolved nations "failed their citizens", and that ministers did not sufficiently challenge scientific made a series of recommendations for reforming the way the government approaches emergency planning across the four nations of the Hallett said she wanted these to be acted on quickly, with changes in place within six months or a year. Who has given evidence to the inquiry? The inquiry has heard from hundreds of witnesses. They include current and former politicians, civil servants, government advisers, public health experts and representatives of bereaved were extremely critical of former Prime Minister Boris Johnson, who was in No 10 throughout the began his two-day evidence session in December 2023 by apologising for the "pain and the loss and the suffering" experienced during the pandemic. Johnson admitted mistakes were made and that "there were unquestionably things we should have done differently", but insisted that ministers had done their "level best" in difficult takeaways from Boris Johnson's Covid inquiry evidenceFormer Prime Minister Rishi Sunak gave evidence about his role as chancellor during also apologised to "all those who suffered... as a result of the actions that were taken", but denied his Eat Out to Help Out Scheme had increased infections and deaths. The government's chief medical officer, Prof Sir Chris Whitty, and former chief scientific adviser Sir Patrick Vallance, previously told the inquiry that they had not been consulted about the Sunak's Eat Out scheme help to spread Covid?Sir Patrick, Sir Chris and his former deputy Prof Sir Jonathan Van-Tam also said they had received substantial abuse from the public while carrying out their roles. Former Health Secretary Matt Hancock has given evidence several told the inquiry that the UK's pandemic strategy had been completely wrong, and later denied that he lied to colleagues, while admitting the UK should have locked down much also criticised the "toxic culture" in government, for which he blamed Johnson's former adviser Dominic his evidence to the inquiry, Mr Cummings described a "dysfunctional" government and was very critical of Johnson's approach. The hearing also discussed scathing text messages he sent, many of which contained offensive descriptions of ministers and Cummings said he regretted the handling of his infamous trip to Barnard Castle during the first lockdown, but denied that he had damaged public trust in the inquiry WhatsApps paint picture of chaosHow inquiry is exposing deep flaws in Covid decision-makingThe inquiry also heard from Scottish, Welsh and Northern Irish political leaders, including:former Scottish First Ministers Nicola Sturgeon and Humza Yousafformer Welsh First Minister Mark Drakefordcurrent Northern Irish First Minister Michelle O'Neill and former First Minister Baroness Foster How can the public get involved in the Covid inquiry? Groups representing bereaved families have urged the inquiry to ensure their voices are could share their experience through the Every Story Matters project, which had gathered more than 47,000 personal accounts of Covid when it closed for submissions in May 2025. Members of the public can apply to attend public hearings in hearings are also streamed on the BBC News website and the inquiry's YouTube addition, witness transcripts are published on the inquiry website.
BBC News
27-06-2025
- Entertainment
- BBC News
Headlines: 'School bangers' at Glastonbury and 'The Wave closes'
Here's our daily pick of stories from across local websites in the West of England, and interesting content from social media. Our pick of local website stories People living near Glastonbury Festival are fed up with the high number of helicopters being used to get to the event, according to Somerset Live. Residents claimed as many as 85 had landed in the vicinity in one day. The festival encourages people to choose sustainable transport options to get to the City Council has agreed to go ahead with the sale of Gloucestershire Airport at The Salisbury Journal reported on a £5m hole in Wiltshire Council's finances, caused largely by an overspend in adult social care. Our top three from yesterday What to watch on social media A set of Primary School Bangers with James B Partridge at Glastonbury Festival saw thousands of people sing along to hymns from their Green Rovers' owner Dale Vince has spoken about the sacking of manager Steve £26m inland surfing lake The Wave, in South Gloucestershire, has closed after a financial the 'love-locks' on Pero's Bridge in Bristol are to be removed, following concerns they are too heavy for the structure.
The Sun
19-06-2025
- Climate
- The Sun
Amber heat health alert issued across whole of England – as health bosses warn of ‘rise in deaths'
AN AMBER heat health alert has been issued for the whole of England, as officials warn that soaring June temperatures could mean a "likely rise in deaths". The alert will be in force from 12pm on Thursday until 9am on Monday, with temperatures forecast to hit 33C in parts of the country over the weekend. The alert - a step up from the yellow heat health alert issued earlier this week - warned that "significant impacts are likely" across health and social care services because of high temperatures. Temperatures are expected to reach 31C on Thursday and Friday, before peaking at 33C on Saturday, then potentially hitting the low 30s on Sunday, the Met Office said. Hot weather across England could result in a rise in deaths among vulnerable people, such as those aged 65 and over or people with health conditions, the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) said. "There may also be impacts on younger age groups," the health watchdog added. Health and social care services may also see increased demand, while the heat may make it harder for healthcare workers to deliver services, it added. The alert is the second highest, behind red, on the UKHSA's system. It's in place across England, covering the North East and North West, Yorkshire and the Humber, the East Midlands, West Midlands, east of England, London, the South East and South West. The heat health alert doesn't mean that people should cower in their homes as temperatures rise. But you should take precautions to stay hydrated and stop yourself from overheating, especially if you're over the age of 65 or suffer from certain health conditions. The main risks posed by a very hot weather are dehydration - from not drinking enough water - and overheating, which can make symptoms worse for people who already have problems with their heart of breathing. How to stay cool during hot weather An official heatwave is recorded when areas reach a certain temperature for three consecutive days, with thresholds varying from 25C to 28C in different parts of the UK. A number of charities issued warnings as temperatures have risen over the course of the week. The British Heart Foundation (BHF) encouraged people with heart conditions to take precautions to minimise potential health risks during a heatwave. Ruth Goss, senior cardiac nurse at the BHF, said: "You can be at greater risk from the heat if you have a heart condition, as high temperatures can put extra strain on your heart. "Elderly people and very young children have more difficulty regulating their temperature and so can be more at risk from extreme temperatures. "In hot weather, check on your friends and relatives regularly to make sure they are cool and comfortable. "The most important way you can protect your heart in the heat is to stay cool and keep hydrated." Meanwhile, Age UK urged people to check in on older relatives, friends, and neighbours to see if they need anything and to make sure they are not feeling overwhelmed by the excessive heat. Caroline Abrahams, Age UK charity director, said: "The heat is expected to build during the week, becoming hottest at the weekend and as temperatures rise, those with long-term health conditions impacting their heart, lungs or kidneys can be at extra risk. "Generally, our bodies find it harder to adapt to more extreme temperatures as we age. "Heat exhaustion, dehydration, and heat stroke can all worsen certain conditions, increasing strain on the body, and some medications make us more susceptible to hot weather. "At Age UK, we want older people to be able to enjoy the sunshine while taking care, so when the weather is really hot, it's a good idea to take some simple precautions such as staying out of direct sunlight and drinking lots of water to stay hydrated. "It is also worth doing any daily activities, such as going for a walk, shopping, or gardening, before or after the hottest part of the day, which is 11-3pm." And Dementia UK issued advice and tips on how to support a loved one with dementia. These include: keeping hydrated; staying cool with appropriate clothing; keeping the person out of the heat; cooling the person down by avoiding hot drinks, alcohol and caffeine; and keeping the home environment cool. Met Office deputy chief meteorologist Dan Holley said heat is the "dominant story" this week and temperatures will reach heatwave levels in parts of the UK. He said: "Saturday is expected to be the peak of this hot spell, with temperatures fairly widely reaching into the low 30 Celsius across parts of England, with high 20s likely as far north as northern and eastern Scotland. "It will also be very warm at night over the weekend, with the potential for a few places to experience a 'tropical night', when temperatures do not drop below 20C." Some thundery showers could be seen in northern and western areas on Friday and into the weekend, before fresher conditions arrive later in the weekend and into next week, resulting in temperatures falling and potentially more unsettled weather, the forecaster added. How to stay safe in hot weather While many people enjoy warmer summer weather, hot weather can cause some people to become unwell through overheating (becoming uncomfortably hot), dehydration, heat exhaustion and heatstroke. Remember the following tips if you want to stay safe: Keep out of the sun at the hottest time of the day, between 11am and 3pm If you are going to do a physical activity (for example exercise or walking the dog), plan to do these during times of the day when it is cooler such as the morning or evening Keep your home cool by closing windows and curtains in rooms that face the sun If you do go outside, cover up with suitable clothing such as an appropriate hat and sunglasses, seek shade and apply sunscreen Drink plenty of fluids and limit your alcohol intake Check on family, friends and neighbours who may be at higher risk of becoming unwell, and if you are at higher risk, ask them to do the same for you Know the symptoms of heat exhaustion and heatstroke and what to do if you or someone else has them Heat exhaustion occurs when the body overheats and cannot cool down. Heat exhaustion does not usually need emergency medical attention if you cool down within 30 minutes. If you do not take action to cool down, heat exhaustion can lead to heatstroke. Common symptoms of heat exhaustion include: Tiredness Weakness Feeling faint Headache Muscle cramps Feeling or being sick Heavy sweating Intense thirst Heatstroke is where the body is no longer able to cool down and the body temperature becomes dangerously high. Common symptoms of heatstroke include: Confusion Lack of co-ordination Fast heartbeat Fast breathing or shortness of breath Hot skin that is not sweating Seizures Heatstroke is a medical emergency. If you think someone has heatstroke you should dial 999 and then try to cool them down. Source:
The Guardian
12-05-2025
- Business
- The Guardian
‘Things could fall over': businesses and public services on Starmer's immigration crackdown
Keir Starmer's blueprint for curbing immigration could exacerbate skills shortages in sectors that would 'fall over' without immigrant labour, the prime minister has been told. Starmer said that businesses in particular had become 'almost addicted to importing cheap labour' rather than investing in UK talent. Trade bodies and businesses retorted on Monday by saying that new restrictions could only work if accompanied by urgent measures to help businesses recruit and train UK residents. Here's how sectors that rely heavily on overseas workers have reacted to Starmer's planned crackdown. The social care sector voiced the greatest concern at Labour's policy shift. 'Thousands of older and disabled people rely on international workers for their care and support, who often take on positions which care companies struggle to fill,' said Jess McGregor, president of the Association of Directors of Adult Social Services (Adass). 'Cutting off this source of new workers without a plan about how to replace them domestically will worry many older and disabled people, their families and employers. Almost a third of direct care workers in the UK are non-British, according to the Skills for Care charity. The Unison trade union said it was 'only the recruitment of workers from overseas that's stopped the system from falling over'. The sector is still 'many thousands of workers short', said the Unison head of social care, Gavin Edwards. Both Unison and Adass called for drastic measures to recruit more people to the sector to compensate for curbs on immigration. McGregor said: 'A shortage of care workers leads to a triple whammy of more reliance on agency staff, who the person drawing on care won't know and who the provider will need to pay much more for.' She said the shortage also led to 'more people – especially women – giving up paid work to care for their loved ones, and many people potentially missing out on care altogether'. Non-UK citizens make up less than 15% of the hospitality workforce, compared with about 25% pre-Covid, according to the chief executive of UK Hospitality, Kate Nicholls. Much of the decline is down to the introduction by the previous government of higher salary thresholds for skilled worker visas. Nicholls said any further tightening of the labour market could have unwanted knock-on effects on an industry that already has 84,000 vacancies. 'We understand the need to get immigration under control. But there's an inescapable conclusion that the labour market remains very tight,' Nicholls added. Nicholls called on the government to bring forward an employment and skills strategy to further drive domestic recruitment, including reform of the apprenticeship levy. She said this would help offset £3bn in added labour costs the industry is facing, partly to Rachel Reeves's increase in employers' national insurance contributions. The pubs trade fears curbing immigration will make it more challenging to recruit those higher-paid staff who meet skilled visa salary thresholds, such as head chefs. Emma McClarkin, the chief executive of the British Beer and Pub Association, echoed Nicholls' calls for greater flexibility in how companies use funds from the apprenticeship levy. She also called for a broader easing of the regulatory burden, to 'unshackle the sector so we can help employers and workers and the UK live up to its true potential'. There is no mention of doctors or nurses – the two largest professions in the NHS – in the white paper and it is unclear what impact the proposals will have on health staff coming from overseas. But while ministers are not proposing a ban on recruiting foreign health workers such as in social care, NHS leaders are still concerned. Danny Mortimer, the chief executive of NHS Employers, urged 'caution and patience' before any changes to the wider immigration system to ensure hospitals and GP surgeries were not suddenly hit. 'The international workforce has been an essential component of the NHS throughout its history, and our colleagues from around the globe are hugely valued by their colleagues and patients,' Mortimer added. The government's upcoming 10-year health plan, expected in July, and a refresh of the NHS workforce plan must guarantee a 'stable, safe and sustainable' recruitment strategy, Mortimer added. Brexit has left the NHS increasingly dependent on doctors and nurses from poor 'red list' countries, from which the World Health Organization says it is wrong to recruit. Tens of thousands of health staff have been hired from countries such as Nigeria, Ghana and Zimbabwe since the UK left the EU single market at the end of 2020. Prof Nicola Ranger, the general secretary of the Royal College of Nursing, said nursing in the UK had 'truly global roots' and criticised the plans to reduce immigration as 'pandering and scapegoating'. She used her keynote speech at the union's annual congress in Liverpool on Monday to stress that staff from overseas were 'more than welcome in the United Kingdom'. Sign up to Business Today Get set for the working day – we'll point you to all the business news and analysis you need every morning after newsletter promotion Plans for a levy on income generated from international students will be ringing alarm bells in many universities. The aim is to 'reinvest' in higher education and skills, potentially getting better-off institutions to support those with fewer resources, but the proposal will be controversial among many vice-chancellors who will see it as punishment for success. As the value of domestic tuition fees has fallen, universities have become dependent on the significantly higher fees of international students who accounted for 51% of all postgraduate students in 2023/4 and 14% of undergraduates. Just under 70% of students at the London School of Economics and Political Science come from overseas, at University College London it is about 48%, while at Coventry it is 42%. But numbers have been falling, putting pressure on university budgets. Vivienne Stern, the chief executive of Universities UK which represents the sector, urged the government to think carefully about the impact a levy on international student fees would have on universities and the attractiveness of the UK as a study destination. Plans to reduce the amount of time overseas graduates can remain in the UK on the graduate route visa from two years to 18 months, could further deter international students who may look elsewhere in the world for better work/study opportunities. Bricklayers, roofers, stonemasons, plumbers and carpenters are among the occupations that can qualify for skilled worker visas – suggesting the UK government still considers construction as one area that needs labour from abroad. Rico Wojtulewicz, the head of policy at the National Federation of Builders, which represents small to mid-sized companies, said that the sector does not want to rely on foreign labour, but that it was tricky to find the right skills. 'We don't have enough of it in the UK so we have to go to other countries to find it,' he said. Given the three to five years needed to train people up, 'we will still need a good level of immigration,' he added. 'The changes are going to be causing us an issue.' A spokesperson for the Construction Industry Training Board said that it wanted 'an evidence-led migration policy that better links to domestic skills and labour market policies', including growing the domestic construction workforce. Yet the training body also pointed out that the number of migrant workers in construction fell to 9.8% in 2021, the last available figures, down from 10.7% in 2018 – although that was partly because of Covid-19. Manufacturers expressed concern that limits on immigration won't be accompanied by help for training for British workers. Stephen Phipson, the chief executive of Make UK, a lobby group, said there was a 'skills crisis'. 'What is now essential is that the government recognises that manufacturers only seek overseas staff because the domestic skills training system is fundamentally flawed,' Phipson said. He called for a plan for technical skills training, and reforms of the apprenticeship levy that big companies must pay.
The Sun
06-05-2025
- Business
- The Sun
How YOU can swap jobs and get a £20k pay rise – as professions with the most transferable skills revealed
SWITCHING careers could be the key to securing a pay rise and the job satisfaction you've been crying out for. The Sun reveals the professions with the most transferable skills that could help you move into a new role, and how you could even get a £20,000 pay rise simply by swapping industries. 4 So, which roles share similar traits? Based on exclusive data from Totaljobs, we explain the professions with the highest amount of transferable skills. We then compared average salaries for roles to calculate how much extra you could get by moving. The switch that came out on top was workers in the customer service industry making a move into a consulting role. The two industries share the largest amount of transferable skills, including IT and Excel skills, as well as policy understanding, making it the easiest move you could make. IT consultants saw some of the biggest pay rises over the past year, with average salaries jumping from £36,200 last year to £47,000 this year. That is considerably higher than the average salary for a customer service agent at around £27,000. So, utilising these skills could land you in a role with an average pay that is £20,000 higher. Meanwhile, social care workers share similar skills to someone working in HR - with a need for people with good people management, communication and coaching skills in both roles. The average HR manager earns around £37,500 - a substantial £17,000 more than a typical social care worker. Meanwhile, logistics managers - who organise storage and distribution of products - could instead be suited to working in social care. That's because driving, recruiting and leadership are useful attributes that help with success in these jobs. The amount you can earn in logistics can vary hugely so this one could go either way, depending on how high up you are. Some logistics jobs can earn an average of £37,500 across the UK - a solid £17,000 more than the average social care job. Logistics managers usually oversee projects or supply chains, helping to ensure efficient work flows and save money while social workers usually help vulnerable people with non-medical support, such as helping with housing issues. Both these roles share similar skills, such as having a driving licence and possessing good leadership skills. As with all these comparisons, some roles may have much lower salaries. I earn over £60k doing job I learned online for free MUM-OF-TWO Rhea Freeman earns £60k a year doing a job she learned online for free. After quitting school at 16, Rhea, now 39, tried out loads of jobs - before landing a place on a course with Meta Blueprint, learning social media, digital business and marketing. The course was free and aimed at people interested in entry level marketing, including students and job seekers. You do have to pay a fee to sit the exam after completing the course - but this is much cheaper than paying to study a degree. She then spent 10 years building up experience and in 2015, she became a coach and mentor, helping other people change careers. Rhea, who lives in Worchestershire, said: "There are lots of opportunities available and many free or subsidised schemes, it's just a case of doing the research". "Some training is free with certifications being paid for, some cost hundreds, some costs thousands - but there's something to suit everyone." How to cut the cost of getting new skills Of course, some of these career moves may require you to do additional training or get qualifications. The government offers hundreds of free courses that you can apply for to improve your chances of changing careers. More information on the national careers website. Google offers thousands of free training programmes through Coursera and LinkedIn Learning is also a good place to find free training courses. It may also be possible to get funding to take courses, a good resource to check is Enterprise Nation and Help To Grow. The Kings Trust also offers support for people aged 16 to 30 to gain new skills, take courses or get mentoring for free. How to find the right job CAREERS expert Shoshanna Davis, known as the @thefairyjobmother, on Instagram shared her top tips for finding the right job. I urge people to work part-time, earn money, gain some experience in whatever field they can and show their determination while trying to find a job in their desired industry. There's a lot of publicity for glam degree apprenticeships, where you can study for a degree while working. Lower-level apprenticeships may not be as talked about, but they are way less competitive and the perfect way to get into an industry. Many people want to work for big organisations, but consider thinking small and focusing on networking. I always tell people they can find companies on their doorstep. Even if they don't have an opening, get in touch — what have you got to lose? Jobs with the highest wage increases We recently revealed the job roles that saw the largest pay increases in the past year, and some may surprise you. The workers who saw the highest wage increase last year were "intervention tutors", teachers who typically work with children with behavioural issues, who saw their salaries jump 81.39% to £48,425. Barristers also saw huge pay rises this year of over £16,000, with average salaries climbing from £33,644 in 2024 to £50,098 - a 48% increase.
