News updates: PM set to make announcement in press conference on Friday
- PM promises extra £3bn for NHS
- Ministers urged to rescue Covid-hit early years education providers
- Oxford vaccine team aim to start lab-controlled human trial soon
- UK government withdraws Randox test kits over safety issues
- Global coronavirus updates – live
8.25am BST
Brokenshire is asked about Patrick Vallance’s opposition to a return to workplaces, in contrast to Boris Johnson’s expected remarks today. “We will continue to be informed by the advice we get from Sage,” including Vallance, he says. “It’s about ensuring the advice and guidance is there… to create these Covid safe spaces, but ultimately it’s for employers to make those decisions based on their individual businesses,” he adds.
On whether there will be more than the £3bn extra money announced for the NHS today, he says “it’s important that we do invest for the winter… obviously we continue to keep this under reflection,” and thus successfully concludes the interview without really saying anything much.
8.20am BST
Brokenshire’s now speaking on the same subject on the radio. He calls the hacking by agents “linked to the Russian state” “completely unacceptable”. But he won’t say whether the hacking is believed to have been successful. He says the Russian government is being “hypocritical” by claiming to support responsible behaviour online while carrying out hacking attacks.
Asked if it was a mistake to sit on the Russia report which is expected in the next few days, he says it is a matter for the Intelligence and Security Committee. He dodges a question about why that process took so long.
Continue reading…News updates: PM set to make announcement in press conference on FridayPM promises extra £3bn for NHSMinisters urged to rescue Covid-hit early years education providersOxford vaccine team aim to start lab-controlled human trial soonUK government withdraws Randox test kits over safety issuesGlobal coronavirus updates – live 8.25am BSTBrokenshire is asked about Patrick Vallance’s opposition to a return to workplaces, in contrast to Boris Johnson’s expected remarks today. “We will continue to be informed by the advice we get from Sage,” including Vallance, he says. “It’s about ensuring the advice and guidance is there… to create these Covid safe spaces, but ultimately it’s for employers to make those decisions based on their individual businesses,” he adds.On whether there will be more than the £3bn extra money announced for the NHS today, he says “it’s important that we do invest for the winter… obviously we continue to keep this under reflection,” and thus successfully concludes the interview without really saying anything much. 8.20am BSTBrokenshire’s now speaking on the same subject on the radio. He calls the hacking by agents “linked to the Russian state” “completely unacceptable”. But he won’t say whether the hacking is believed to have been successful. He says the Russian government is being “hypocritical” by claiming to support responsible behaviour online while carrying out hacking attacks.Asked if it was a mistake to sit on the Russia report which is expected in the next few days, he says it is a matter for the Intelligence and Security Committee. He dodges a question about why that process took so long. Continue reading…