Complaints against members of the police service If you wish to make a complaint against a member of a Police Force or against the organisation itself you can do so by either contacting the Force directly or make your complaint via the Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC). The Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC) oversees the police complaints system in England and Wales. They investigate the most serious matters, including deaths following police contact, and set the standards by which the police should handle complaints. They use learning from their work to influence changes in policing. The IOPC are independent, and make decisions entirely independently of the police and government. The IOPC was formed in January 2018. Before this, they were the Independent Police Complaints Commission. Since 2013, the IPCC doubled in size and now take on six times as many investigations. This led to the IPCC asking the Home Office for structural changes to better suit the much-expanded organisation. These changes were agreed through the Policing and Crime Act 2017. There is no time limit for making a complaint, although you should try to do it as quickly as possible. The police force or relevant organisation can decide not to deal with a complaint if it is received more than 12 months after the incident. If you are complaining more than 12 months after an incident you should explain why your complaint has been delayed. The police force will need to consider your explanation when they decide whether to deal with the complaint. Further details of the complaints system can be found by referring to the statutory guidance. The IOPC produce a range of statistical information about the police complaints system and levels of public confidence in it. They also publish an annual report on deaths during or following police contact. Collecting this data allows the IOPC to spot trends and focus on areas where forces may need to make changes to improve the service they provide to their communities.

20,000 officers is a huge opportunity The Prime Minister’s announcement to introduce 20,000 officers in three years can improve diversity in policing and we are working on making the proposal a reality. Chief Constable Mike Cunningham, College of Policing CEO, said: “I’m pleased the new Prime Minister has made such a strong public commitment to improve police officer numbers. “Recruiting 20,000 officers over the next three years is a huge opportunity for policing, to bring in more officers, to equip them and to extend diversity across the service. It is a significant challenge but it is one we are already working to make a reality.  “The demands on the police are growing while the nature of policing is becoming more complex and at the same time criminals are becoming more sophisticated. “We have updated the training to match the complexity of the job today and by next year there will be more than 30 police forces delivering the new course.”

Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) operational guidance To be circulated to all police officers and staff 8 April 2020 Explanatory note to accompany Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) operational guidance: practical scenarios 08.04.20. Please read in conjunction with this document. This guidance was based on HMG advice confirmed by Public Health England (PHE) to policing on 8 April 2020. The recommendation in all scenarios is officers have PPE readily available and as a minimum that this is a fluid resistant surgical mask (IIR) and gloves (non-latex). Operational scenarios 1. Staff working indoors with colleagues or suppliers should attempt to adhere to social distancing wherever possible. PHE has confirmed that the Government guidance is that in this scenario the use of PPE is not required. 2. Double crewing: It is recommended that PPE (minimum of a fluid resistant surgical mask (IIR) and gloves (non-latex)) should be readily available for officers where it is necessary to deploy double-crewed patrols or in personnel carriers. 3. General patrol: Forces should triage calls for suspected or confirmed COVID-19 cases to give prior warning re: PPE requirements. This is currently happening in most forces. Officers and staff should expect that they may need to don PPE quickly in some situations and take reasonable precautions to enable this. PPE should be ‘readily available’, for example on the officer’s person rather than in the back of the car. Officer safety is paramount in responding to situations but proper consideration should be given to ensure that PPE is not wasted. 4. Entering premises: On entering premises where there is no prior information or suggestion that those present are suspected or confirmed as having COVID-19 officers should have PPE ‘readily available’ capable of being donned quickly prior to, or upon, entering using the NDM to risk assess each incident. Officers should be aware that there is the possibility that infected occupants do not know that they are infected. 5. In the circumstance where ‘close contact with the public is likely and social distancing is not available and possible risk of infection exists’ it is recommended that officer and staff wear a fluid resistant surgical mask (IIR) and gloves (non-latex). Furthermore that they conduct a risk assessment on use of a goggles and an apron. 6. In the circumstance where ‘close contact with the public is likely and social distancing not available and symptomatic’ it is recommended that officers and staff wear a fluid resistant surgical mask (IIR), gloves (non latex), disposable aprons, goggles. Furthermore that they conduct a risk assessment on the use of a fluid-repellent cover-all/over-suit. Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) operational guidance: practical scenarios 08.04.20 Inside duties External/public facing duties Cleaning of police, stations, cars and equipment Social distancing available Social distancing not available Contact with police colleagues and suppliers – Close contact with the public is likely and social distancing – not available and possible risk of infection exists not available and symptomatic Social distancing: first vital step in protection Basic hygiene Fluid resistant surgical mask (IIR) Disposable gloves (non-latex) Disposable aprons Goggles Fluid repellent coverall/over-suit „ Avoid touching eyes, nose and mouth „ Wash hands for 20 seconds with soap and water and when not available use alcohol based hand sanitiser as often as possible, after incidents, and on return to station Contact with the public is likely – but with social distancing measures available Risk assess No No 2 metres 2 metres Aspire to achieve 2 metres separation Yes No No No Risk assess No No No No Risk assess Risk assess No No Yes Yes 2 metres 2 metres unless closer contact is essential 2 metres unless closer contact is essential No Yes Yes No No Yes Yes Hygiene and PPE requirement No No No No No Additional notes Masks – FFP 2 and 3 are only required in aerosol generating procedures (CPR, intubation), contingency equipment for custody, forensics, DVI and must be properly fitted to be effective. Used PPE that is not believed to be contaminated can be disposed of through existing arrangements. „ Social distancing where possible provides the most effective first line of protection – consider crewing arrangements. „ Think practically – how can I maintain social distancing? Use the NDM when likely to have close contact with a member of the public. What are your alternatives to close contact? Be proactive to protect yourself and others. „ Disinfect the inside of police vehicles thoroughly at the start and end of every shift or with a change of crew – focus on steering wheel, handbrake, door handles, radio, data terminal and seat belt. Avoid touching eyes, nose and mouth. Use only force supplied surface disinfectants. „ Cleaning of stations – consider enhanced cleaning regime and regularity – use force supplied disinfectant and/or wipes. „ Office staff – disinfect equipment keyboards, mouse prior to use and at regular intervals throughout a shift using disinfectant and/ or wipes provided. Take the initiative – if you think it needs cleaning – protect yourself and colleagues. „ Avoid entering someone’s non-police premises unless it is absolutely essential to do so – consider phoning and/or speaking through window/door to maintain social distance. „ Remove potentially contaminated clothing and PPE using safe undressing, dressing protocols and disposal methods. „ Seal potentially contaminated disposable PPE in a double bag and dispose of it immediately in clinical waste (or, if not possible, store securely for 72 hours and dispose of it in normal waste). „ Fluid resistant surgical masks, disposable gloves, goggles and fluid repellent coveralls are all single use items.

UK police stand with those appalled by George Floyd death UK police leaders have come together and published a statement about George Floyd's death. Chief constables from forces across the country, the chair of the National Police Chiefs' Council, the chief executive of the College of Policing, the President of the Police Superintendents' Association and the chair of the Police Federation of England and Wales, have spoken following the death of George Floyd and the events that have followed in the United States. They said: "We stand alongside all those across the globe who are appalled and horrified by the way George Floyd lost his life. Justice and accountability should follow. "We are also appalled to see the violence and damage that has happened in so many US cities since then. Our hearts go out to all those affected by these terrible events and hope that peace and order will soon be restored. "In the UK we have a long established tradition of policing by consent, working in communities to prevent crime and solve problems. Officers are trained to use force proportionately, lawfully and only when absolutely necessary. We strive to continuously learn and improve. We will tackle bias, racism or discrimination wherever we find it.  "Policing is complex and challenging and sometimes we fall short. When we do, we are not afraid to shine a light on injustices or to be held to account.  "The relationship between the police and the public in the UK is strong but there is always more to do. Every day, up and down the country, officers and staff are working to strengthen those relationships and address concerns. Only by working closely with our communities do we build trust and help keep people safe. "We know people want to make their voices heard. The right to lawful protest is key part of any democracy, which UK police uphold and facilitate. But coronavirus remains a deadly disease and there are still restrictions in place to prevent its spread, which include not gathering outside in groups of more than six people. So for whatever reason people want to come together, we ask that people continue to work with officers at this challenging time." The legislation around the maximum number of people in gatherings varies across the devolved nations of the UK.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pp57N5NRfho

Some secondary school pupils in England are due to return on Monday, but plans to get all primary pupils in England back before the summer holidays have been dropped. Meanwhile Wales has announced a return for all ages of pupils at the end of June. Who can attend secondary schools, sixth forms and colleges? Secondary schools in England can reopen for Years 10 and 12 from Monday. But only a quarter of eligible pupils will be allowed in school at any one time. Last Monday, Health Secretary Matt Hancock conceded that England's secondary schools may not fully reopen until September "at the earliest". Students who do return will be encouraged to travel separately and avoid public transport. Teaching of vulnerable children and those of critical workers in all year groups will continue. Who's already gone back? In England, some nursery and pre-school children - plus pupils in Reception, Year 1 and Year 6 - started to go back on 1 June. But not all schools have reopened, some due to local council advice and some because they don't have the staff or space to safely accommodate eligible pupils. Some parents have chosen not to send their children back. On 4 June, 659,000 children in England - or 6.9% - are estimated to have been in classes. Many schools have been open throughout lockdown for vulnerable children and those of critical workers across all year groups. The government has also published guidance for children with special educational needs or a disability. What about other primary age children? Plans to get all primary school children back in class for four weeks before the summer holidays have been dropped - but ministers hope that some schools will try. "We'd like to see schools who have the capacity to bring back more children, in those smaller class sizes, to do so if they are able," Education Secretary Gavin Williamson told the Commons. "We will be working to bring back all children back to school in September," he added. watch year 6 pupils back at school telling us how it went> What about the rest of the UK? Schools in Wales will reopen from 29 June to all age groups - but only a third of pupils will be in classes at any one time. Schools and councils will make their own decisions over managing the return. First Minister Nicola Sturgeon says Scottish schools will reopen at the start of the autumn term on 11 August, using a blended model, with some continued home-learning. Some Northern Irish pupils preparing for exams and those about to move to post-primary schools will go back in late August, with a phased return for the rest in September. Image copyrightGETTY IMAGES How does school differ now? Plans in England include keeping classroom doors and windows open to encourage air flow, and introducing one-way systems around school buildings. Here are seven other things that could be different: No more than 15 children per classroom Pupils asked to stay 2m (6ft 6in) apart where possible More regular hand washing Staggered break and lunch times, plus different arrival and departure arrangements Less sharing of equipment such as books and toys Parents should not gather at school gates or in the playground Carers should only enter school buildings by appointment If any pupils or staff - or anyone they live with - develop coronavirus symptoms, they will be asked to stay away from school. Image copyrightGETTY IMAGES Is it safe to send my child to school? The risk of coronavirus to pupils in the classroom is "very, very small, but not zero", according to sources in the government's scientific advisory group, Sage. The group has published documents about the safety and impact of reopening English schools, which also say teachers would not be at above-average risk compared with other occupations. Teachers' unions have warned it is not safe to allow more children into primary schools. The government acknowledges some schools are not ready to open, but says the necessary five tests for easing the lockdown in England have been met. Getty Images Pupils attending schoolin England, 21 May 244,000(approximate) 8,819,765on a normal school day Source: DfE/National Statistics (2019 school census) Do I have to send my child to school? It is not currently compulsory to send children to school. This temporary arrangement - where usual sanctions do not apply - is expected to continue in England during the summer term. What if my child will still be learning at home? Many teachers have offered a limited curriculum online, relying on parents and guardians to supervise work. To support home learning, the BBC launched a major programme of educational content on its BBC Bitesize service, including regular daily lessons in English, maths and other core subjects. What about exams? Summer exams have been cancelled in England, Wales and Scotland. This includes GCSEs and A-levels in England and Wales, plus primary school Sats national curriculum tests in England. In Scotland, Highers and Nationals will not be going ahead. The Education Secretary Gavin Williamson says exams will take place in 2021 in England. "We are working with Ofqual and the exam boards on our approach to this," he told MPs. MKLN&A-UK3

A total of 136,146 people in Scotland have now been tested through NHS labs Five new deaths have been reported among people who have tested positive for coronavirus in Scotland. The latest official figures show an increase of 21 in the number of new cases reported. Deaths confirmed by Public Health Scotland are now 2,447 - although the actual number is known to be higher. There were 983 patients in hospital last night with either confirmed or suspected Covid-19, a rise of 69. Three fewer patients were in intensive care. Confirmed cases in hospital have dropped by eight to 582, with suspected cases jumping up by 77. The latest levels are a slight increase on the previous day when only three new deaths were reported. However, the number of new cases is down six - from 27 - compared with Friday. Seven health boards across Scotland have reported no new cases A total of 136,146 people in Scotland have now been tested through NHS labs to date with 120,416 confirmed negative and 15,730 positive. Of those who have tested positive 3,892 have been discharged from hospital since 5 March. Figures across the country's health boards remained largely unchanged with NHS Lothian the only area reporting more than five people in intensive care. There were no new cases at all in the Borders, Dumfries and Galloway, Grampian, Highland, Orkney, Shetland and the Western Isles. The number of care homes with a current case of suspected Covid-19 has fallen by six from 372 to 366.

Several thousand protesters gathered outside Parliament on Saturday Police were pelted with bottles during confrontations with demonstrators in London, where thousands gathered despite warnings to avoid protests. Groups gathered in the centre of the capital, claiming they were protecting statues from anti-racism activists. Some anti-racism demonstrations have also taken place around the country, including in central London. The Met Police had placed restrictions on several groups intending to protest, following violent scenes last weekend. Organisers from the Black Lives Matter movement had urged people not to join any anti-racism rallies planned for the weekend over fears there could be clashes with far-right groups. One demonstration planned for Saturday in London was brought forward by a day. However, other demonstrators gathered around the Cenotaph war memorial in Whitehall and the boarded-up statue of Winston Churchill in Parliament Square on Saturday. Various groups from around the country, including right-wing activists, said they had come to London to protect symbols of British history. Among the demonstrators was leader of the far-right group Britain First, Paul Golding - convicted last month of an offence under the Terrorism Act - who said they had turned out to "guard our monuments". The statue of Churchill was boxed up to protect it from potential damage, after protesters daubed "was a racist" on it last weekend. Protesters sang the national anthem and chanted "England", amid a tense atmosphere and heavy police presence. Five factors behind the UK George Floyd protests How many statues of black people are there? Churchill statue 'may have to be put in museum' One large group moved to barricades outside Downing Street and a number of objects were thrown towards police. Sharing footage of the clashes on Twitter, Home Secretary Priti Patel described it as "unacceptable thuggery". "Any perpetrators of violence or vandalism should expect to face the full force of the law," she wrote. "Violence towards our police officers will not be tolerated." She added that coronavirus "remains a threat to us all", urging people to go home. Police were present by the Cenotaph in Whitehall, as protesters gathered on Saturday The Met Police said it had put a Section 60 order in place until 02:00 BST on Sunday, giving officers enhanced powers to stop and search individuals. The measures also include requiring the events to end at 17:00 BST on Saturday. The Met said the move came after it learned some people were coming into London to cause harm and were likely to bring weapons with them. At the scene in Parliament Square Shortly after 13:00 BST a black woman, wearing a mask, was spoken to by police as she was entering Parliament Square from near the Supreme Court. The officers and the woman were quickly surrounded by a jeering crowd. When officers asked the woman to get down from a plinth, one of the protesters appeared to try to slap the woman. Part of the crowd surged as additional police officers in riot gear were brought into the scene with horses to strengthen their lines. The crowd then threw bottles and cans at the officers and let off a number of smoke bombs. One officer appeared to be pushed to the ground as he was taking the woman away. The new conditions, set out on the Met's website, apply to Black Lives Matter, and to left and right-wing groups that had notified the force of their intention to demonstrate on Saturday. Restrictions mean Black Lives Matter demonstrators must stick to a specific route between Hyde Park and Trafalgar Square, where they will be permitted to assemble until 17:00. Protesters take the knee in support of the Black Lives Matter movement as they march near Marble Arch in Central London Similar regulations applied to right-wing groups require them to assemble in Parliament Square and some parts of Whitehall, again until 17:00. Hundreds of people also gathered in Glasgow, Bristol and Belfast as part of events organised to "protect" war memorials. Activists congregated at the cenotaph in George Square in Glasgow Denise Richards, who is involved in the Black Lives Matter movement in Derbyshire, said her chapter had decided not to protest in London on Saturday, and she believed other groups across the UK felt similarly. She told BBC Radio 4's Today programme that peaceful protesters feared they would be caught up in violent clashes with far-right demonstrators and this could "tarnish" the work of Black Lives Matter. However, she said smaller protests would still be taking place across the UK. Newcastle and Brighton were among the places where demonstrations have taken place. In Brighton, more than 1,000 protesters gathered, wearing black clothes and masks, forming a mile-long line along the seafront as they held a silent protest. Protesters also take part in a silent vigil on Brighton Pier Protesters also take part in a silent vigil on Brighton PierImage copyrightREUTERSImage captionProtesters from Black Lives Matter gather in the centre of Newcastle Nick Lowles, chief executive of campaign group Hope Not Hate, said there was a "very serious" threat of trouble from far-right activists and commended Black Lives Matter for standing down their plans to protest in London on Saturday. "There are some people who are genuinely concerned about the protection of their statues and monuments but many people are coming for a fight and they are talking openly about it on their social media accounts," he told the programme. A Black Lives Matter demonstration took place in central London on Friday evening with leaders of the march urging those in attendance to keep the demonstration "peaceful" and not to join any anti-racism rallies planned for the weekend. The stories behind the statues targeted in protests Penny Lane signs in Liverpool defaced over slavery claims Calls to remove 'racist' Gandhi statue in Leicester Mayor of London Sadiq Khan urged people to stay away from central London on Saturday, saying there was a risk of violence and disorder from extreme far-right groups planning to travel to the capital. The police restrictions come in the wake of violence and serious disorder in Westminster at the end of protests last weekend. While police said those demonstrations were on the whole peaceful, there were dozens of arrests and 27 police officers were injured. Demonstrations have been taking place across the world following the death in police custody of African American George Floyd in Minneapolis last month. What do we do with the UK's symbols of slavery? Video Credit: bbc.co.uk

Young people's brains continue to develop and change during adolescence Reduced face-to-face contact among teenagers and their friends during the pandemic could have damaging long-term consequences, neuroscientists say. At a sensitive time in life, their brain development, behaviour and mental health could suffer. Using social media might make up for some negative effects of social distancing, they write in The Lancet Child & Adolescent Health. But they call for schools to reopen for young people as a priority when safe. Adolescence - defined by the scientists as between 10 and 24 - is a vulnerable stage, when young people want to spend more time with their friends than their family, as they prepare for adult life. Combined with major hormonal and biological changes, it's a key time for the development of the brain. It's also the period in life when mental-health problems are mostly likely to develop. Impact of lockdown on teenagers' lives Covid 'support bubbles' begin in England and NI Single person seeks best bubble options But the arrival of coronavirus has disrupted all that, says Prof Sarah-Jayne Blakemore, from the department of psychology at the University of Cambridge and lead author of the opinion piece. "Owing to the impact of the Covid-19 pandemic, many young people around the world currently have substantially fewer opportunities to interact face-to-face with peers in their social network at a time in their lives when this is crucial for their development," she says. "Even if physical distancing measures are temporary, several months represents a large proportion of a young person's life. "We would urge policymakers to give urgent consideration to the well-being of young people at this time." More than two-thirds of young British adolescents, aged 12-15, have a social-media profile The Viewpoint article, written with Amy Orben, research fellow at Cambridge, and Livia Tomova, from Massachusetts Institute of Technology, calls for more research to be carried out to understand the effects of "social deprivation" on adolescents. At present, research on animals is all they have to go on - and it suggests that non-human primates and rodents experience a rise in anxious behaviour and a decrease in brain functions related to learning and memory when social contact is taken away. This is likely to be due to the lack of experiences for social learning, they say. Social-media impact But with 69% of younger adolescents in the UK, aged 12-15, having a social-media profile, social connection is still possible - via anything from Instagram to online gaming. The question is how much and what kinds of digital communication help to lessen the effects of physical distancing, says Dr Orben. "Some studies have shown that active social-media use, such as messaging or posting directly on another person's profile, increases well-being and helps maintain personal relationships. "However, it has been suggested that passive uses of social media, such as scrolling through newsfeeds, negatively influence wellbeing." Lockdown rules brought in to stop the spread of the virus have meant schools in the UK have been closed to most children since 20 March. A small number of primary school children have returned in England, but only in small groups.

The uptick is good for Amazon brands in select categories Key Insights: Purchases of pet food were up 98% year-over-year between January and April 2020. Amazon shoppers care about brand name when buying kitchen tools. Purchases of certain beauty products are up 62% year-over-year. AmazonBasics has been able to capitalize on consumer interest in comfortable clothes. Amazon customers stuck at home during the Covid-19 pandemic have been buying more pet food, kitchen tools, haircare products and athleisure wear. That’s according to a new study from web analytics firm SimiliarWeb, which looked at the buying habits of consumers on the ecommerce platform from January to April 2020, and compared it to the same period last year. As online shopping has increased, it’s been particularly good for Amazon’s private label brands in some categories, but not others. Here’s a closer look at the findings: Pet Food and Supplies Purchases of pet supplies on Amazon were up 66% year over year. Pet food sales were up 98%, which SimilarWeb said reflects both Amazon’s goal of driving subscriptions of products with a recurring need to cement customer loyalty, as well as its intent to challenge the ecommerce leader, Chewy, for a bigger chunk of the $21 billion pet food market. Pet food brands Blue Buffalo, Purina and Nestlé owned 70% of category pageviews on Amazon in the January to April 2020 period. This focus on brand names has made it hard for Amazon’s private label dog food brand, Wag, to cut through the noise: It accounted for less than 1% of pageviews. AmazonBasics, however, has another pet food brand with 11% of pageviews, and SimilarWeb said Amazon has been able to grow its market share here in the last year. AmazonBasics has had more success in the pet supplies category as it challenges the brand PetSafe, which offers containment and training products on the site. “The product offerings are diametrically opposed, as Amazon primarily focuses on low-cost, high-purchase volume items (e.g. disposable bags), while PetSafe is best known for its training products, including leashes and electric fences,” SimilarWeb said in the report, demonstrating Amazon’s ability to cultivate consumer demand for products where price, not brand, is the primary driver. Kitchen and Dining Amazon shoppers are also making more purchases for their homes. While the conversion rate increase is modest from January to April 2020 (3.65%), SimilarWeb said that translates to 14.4 million more transactions. Kitchen and dining in particular saw a 4.2% increase in conversions in early 2020, an increase of 7.8 million year over year. “As restaurants remain closed, people are cooking more than ever and quickly realizing the lack of kitchen tools they never got around to buying,” the report said. This, however, is a category where brand names matter. The top brands on Amazon include Cuisinart, Oxo and Hamilton Beach. Beauty and Personal Care Amazon has also become a more popular site for beauty and personal care products during the pandemic, with purchases up 62% year over year. Interest in makeup is down among consumers stuck at home, but the same is not true for skin and hair care products. In fact, between March and April 2020, the hair care category on Amazon saw visits increase 82% as salons remain closed and consumers experimented with at-home haircuts and coloring. “Sports” The AmazonBasics brand is also capitalizing on consumers looking for comfortable athleisure wear as they spend more time working from home. “By offering affordable and deliverable at-home workout equipment and clothing, AmazonBasics is able to grow its consumer base at a high rate, so there’s no surprise that it’s seen such a surge in the past few months,” SimilarWeb said. AmazonBasics has positioned itself as a category leader in terms of traffic for sports/fitness searches, followed by big names like Under Armour, Adidas and Nike (whose products are still offered by third-party sellers, though the brand pulled its merchandise from Amazon last fall). Electronics Electronics brands Asus and Logitech saw a huge jump in March and April as demand for work-from-home equipment increased. SimilarWeb noted Asus also benefited from an increase in customer interest in gaming products. However, accessories like USB cords, chargers and cables, which have had 64 million searches on Amazon year-to-date in 2020, are another category where consumers care less about brand name, once again making AmazonBasics the dominant brand with 30% of traffic from January to April. Luggage Not surprisingly, sales of luggage and travel gear have dropped on Amazon, with total conversions in April 2020 down 65% year over year to 135,000.

Gardening is a loved topic by people of all ages so we will be providing a regular gardening update at least every 3 days. 1. Where to find roses. 2. The welfare of plants. 3. Garden facts. 4. Educational Gardening Presentations. 5. Your Questions Answered with our hashtag #mklnyourquestionsansweredgardening3 MKLN&A-UK3 #garden #news #nature #life

"Face Coverings are going to be made temporarily mandatory this monday" along with the "Coronavirus Act 2020" which means on trains, busses, ferrys in the uk legally, trains, taxis, minibuses technically, school transport. Anyone without a face covering from that date can expect to be fined or stopped from boarding buses, trains, Tubes, trams, aeroplanes or ferries. from "friday 15th june 2020". This means that on school minibuses you have to wear a face mask because in law it`s a bus even though no action would likely be taken, it`s the same as not wearing a seatbelt on a school minibus and then using the excuse in court but technically it`s a bus because in this country that`s not how the law works. use our #coronavirus transport hashtag #mklnwearamask3. You do have to wear a mask on school transport but if it`s a private school or an academy as it`s not a public school it`s not public transport so therefor it means it`s choice on academic transport but in public schools it`s law not choice. #news

Young People with Autism may be getting a lack of support with lockdown all over the world as it is difficult being at home alot and fearing catching Covid-19 so we have a hashtag for you to use to express yourself #mklnhaveyoursay3 To get support you need to ask for support from family, phone calls with professionals, advice, ..., childline.org.uk https://www.nspcc.org.uk if there is an online safety problem tell someone and report it to ceop.police.uk www.thinkuknow.co.uk childline.org.uk Make This Report Click here Fill out this form Done. ceop.police.uk ✅

As the country slowly eases out of lockdown, many questions still remain unanswered. Like, when could hotels and holiday homes reopen in the UK? Can I use my friend’s toilet when I visit them in lockdown? And will schools be open in the summer ? And as restrictions around some aspects of life continue, there’s good news for people who live alone, who can now form a ‘support bubble’ with one other household – but can they also stay overnight with that household? And what are the rules for other people regarding overnight stays? Here’s what you need to know… Visit our live blog for the latest updates: Coronavirus news live When might we be able to stay with friends and family again? Under the new rules about support bubbles, from midnight on Saturday morning anyone who lives alone or anyone who is a single parent with children under 18 is now allowed to visit one other household and spend time in their home without having to comply to the two metre social distancing rule indoors. Those people are also allowed to stay overnight – so, for example, a person who lives alone who chooses their parents’ home as their support bubble can indeed stay overnight if they want do. The same applies to people who live alone who may want to spend the night at friends’ houses – while couples who do not live together can also stay together overnight, provided one of them lives alone and can visit their partner’s house as their support bubble. Boris Johnson explained on Wednesday: ‘From this weekend we will allow single adult households – that’s adults living alone or single parents with children under 18 – to form a support bubble with one other household. One person households can form 'support bubble' with one other household. ‘All those inner support bubbles will be able to act as though they are the same household, meaning they can stay inside each others homes and do not need to stay two metres apart.’ People who live alone are only allowed to choose one household with which to form their support bubble – visiting several different households in this manner is not allowed – but they can still meet with other people in a group of up to six, provided this is outdoors. Can anyone else stay overnight with friends and family? Social distancing measures are still in place under most circumstances Currently not, as the new rules only apply to people who live alone – people who live with others are still banned from overnight stays, with a few notable exceptions. The most recent advice states that ‘no person may, without reasonable excuse, stay overnight at any place other than the place where they are living.’ The list of what would constitute a reasonable excuse includes: Staying at a family or friend’s house to attend a funeral If you are an elite athlete, a coach of an elite athlete, or a parent of the elite athlete, and need to stay elsewhere for the purposes of training or competition If you need somewhere to stay while moving house You need to care for a vulnerable person or provide emergency assistance For work or volunteering If it’s necessary to do so for a legal reason If a child of separated parents splits their time between households If it is unsafe or unlawful to return home Boris Johnson advises parents with COVID-19 should stay at home or travel. The Government set out new regulations last week, banning people from socialising indoors with a member outside of their household bubble, but clarified that police will not be able to enter homes they suspect of breaking the rules. A spokesperson for the Prime Minister said officers will only be able to enter homes ‘where they suspect serious criminal activity is taking place under separate and existing laws’. According to the current lockdown restrictions, people in England are allowed to socialise in groups of up to six, but only outdoors, and if they can maintain social distancing. Rules vary slightly in Scotland, Northern Ireland and Wales. It is permitted to socialise in private outdoor spaces such as gardens, but you are only allowed to enter someone’s house to pass through to access said space, or to use their bathroom. While setting out the eased measures, Boris Johnson said: ‘It remains the case that people should not be inside the homes of their friends and families unless it is to access the garden’ or use the bathroom. But chief medical officer Professor Chris Whitty warned that ‘it’s absolutely critical’ that anyone doing so ‘wipes everything down’ to minimise the risk of contamination.

Gary McKenzie is on trial for farting in a boy’s face (Picture: Glen Minikin) A man has gone on trial accused of cruelty after he farted in a boy’s face, punching him and trying to suffocate another child. Gary McKenzie, 22, says he broke wind in front of the boy accidentally, but prosecutors say his behaviour was ‘cruel and bullying’. Prosecutor Paul Abrahams said: ‘The boy said that the defendant pumped in his face. ‘It might be at a rugby club done to someone who had drunk ten pints and fallen asleep that one might think of this as horseplay. But this was a child at the time and was highly inappropriate.’ The boy said: ‘He pumped. He was right next to me and bending down, he was wearing shorts, his shorts were right next to my face. ‘I said “why did you do that?” and he said he did it because he wanted to be nasty.’ He added that he had witnessed McKenzie trump in front of another child’s face, this time pulling his pants down and breaking wind ‘right on their face’. McKenzie told police that he had broken wind in front of the boy’s face while walking up some stairs and while the child’s face was near his backside. He’s also facing charges that he held a pillow on a child’s face – he says he was playing – and that he punched a boy on the arm and sucked his eye causing a red ring and a bruise – again while playing. Mr Abrahams added: ‘He said this had been funny but denied the incident described. ‘Of the incident involving the pillow he said he was just playing. We say this was a cruel act and that he was not just playing.’ McKenzie denies the allegations and the trial continues. I`m also adding "this was an unreasonable act of basic parenting and cruel this was not a reasonable consequence". News Reporter: Dwayne Hards MKLN&A-UK3

Angry neighbours forced a paedophile and his "girlfriend" out of their council home for the second time this week. Video footage shows Humberside Police officers chaperoning the man, a woman believed to be his girlfriend and a dog from a property in Medina Road, Longhill, on Friday evening. Hull Live understands the man shown getting in to a police car is a convicted sex offender jailed for three and a half years for a string of sexual offences in Hull. One eyewitness said: "This has caused major upset on the Longhill estate. Groups of people have gathered and are shouting abuse through the letter box. People are very angry." Only 48 hours before, on Wednesday night, police had been called to a property in Massey Close where the man had previously been housed by Hull City Council. There had been tension in the street ever since paedophile hunters tracked the sex offender down and revealed where he lived. Police escort a man from a property in Medina Road, Longhill The anger resulted in criminal damage to the property where the man was housed, with offensive graffiti was been scrawled on the boarded-up window and front door of his former home. Speaking on Thursday, neighbour Stacy Carter said: “The police were around last night and this morning. "One of the windows has been smashed in the paedophile’s home and now someone has scrawled n**** on the boarded up window and door. “There are families with babies and young children living here who are now very worried. “We want to know why they have put a paedo so close to two schools. He can see the academy from his kitchen window.” Another neighbour said: “The police told me I shouldn’t judge people on their previous offences but what am I supposed to think? “He should be moved out of Hull altogether and into an area where he is not known. “He should be tagged and police should make residents aware of who he is.” It appears the man had been moved on following the vigilante group’s public exposé of his crimes and address. However, his new location was soon revealed again by the same group sparking indignation from residents in Longhill and resulting in police attending the street. The footage shows the man being shown into the back of a police car and a woman from the property getting in to a police van. On Thursday, a Hull city council spokeswoman said: “We and the police are aware of the local action that has been taken against this tenant. “Local authorities have a duty to provide accommodation for ex-offenders and there are very strict regulations in place regarding this. “No property would be allocated without these strict criteria being met. “Ex-prisoners live in all communities and if they are to be successfully rehabilitated they need to live a life free from harassment or threat of illegal action.”

England beat Colombia in a World Cup penalty shootout for the first time and went on to reach the semi-final in 2018 Winning the World Cup in 1966 undoubtedly remains the greatest moment in England's football history. But what has been the Three Lions' best performance since? Here are my top 10 greatest England matches since 1966 - remind yourself of the games and then you can rank them using the list at the bottom of the page. England 5-1 Scotland - Wembley (24 May 1975) Don Revie's finest 90 minutes in an ill-fated England reign as an excellent Scotland team boasting the likes of Kenny Dalglish and Danny McGrain was destroyed - mainly by first-half goals from Gerry Francis, Kevin Beattie and Colin Bell. Bruce Rioch pulled one back from the spot but the outstanding Francis and David Johnson completed the rout in a game remembered for the image of Scotland keeper Stewart Kennedy saving the post as opposed to the ball for Beattie's header, and World Cup winner Alan Ball being ruthlessly sacked as captain. He never played for England again. England celebrate after David Johnson scores England's fifth goal against Scotland Hungary 1-3 England - Budapest (6 June 1981) England travelled to Budapest's famously hostile Nepstadion fighting for their lives in qualification for the 1982 World Cup after losing in Switzerland a week earlier. One infamous headline aimed at manager Ron Greenwood read 'For God's sake go'. They needed to win and were up against the gifted Magyars in front of 70,000 fanatical supporters but responded in style, with Trevor Brooking the hero. He scrambled in an early goal then, after defender Imre Garaba had levelled right on half-time, restored England's lead on the hour with a rising left-foot shot of such force it lodged in the stanchion. Kevin Keegan then won and scored a penalty and England were back on course for Spain the following summer. Hungary 1-3 England - Budapest (6 June 1981) England travelled to Budapest's famously hostile Nepstadion fighting for their lives in qualification for the 1982 World Cup after losing in Switzerland a week earlier. One infamous headline aimed at manager Ron Greenwood read 'For God's sake go'. They needed to win and were up against the gifted Magyars in front of 70,000 fanatical supporters but responded in style, with Trevor Brooking the hero. He scrambled in an early goal then, after defender Imre Garaba had levelled right on half-time, restored England's lead on the hour with a rising left-foot shot of such force it lodged in the stanchion. Kevin Keegan then won and scored a penalty and England were back on course for Spain the following summer. Hungary 1-3 England - Budapest (6 June 1981) England travelled to Budapest's famously hostile Nepstadion fighting for their lives in qualification for the 1982 World Cup after losing in Switzerland a week earlier. One infamous headline aimed at manager Ron Greenwood read 'For God's sake go'. They needed to win and were up against the gifted Magyars in front of 70,000 fanatical supporters but responded in style, with Trevor Brooking the hero. He scrambled in an early goal then, after defender Imre Garaba had levelled right on half-time, restored England's lead on the hour with a rising left-foot shot of such force it lodged in the stanchion. Kevin Keegan then won and scored a penalty and England were back on course for Spain the following summer. Kevin Keegan was influential in the victory over Hungary England 3-1 France - Bilbao (16 June 1982) Ron Greenwood's England produced a superb performance in their opening game of the 1982 World Cup to beat a France side that went on to lose on penalties to West Germany in the semi-finals. Bryan Robson put England in front on 27 seconds - then the fastest goal in the history of the tournament - and restored their lead in the second half after Gerard Soler levelled for France. Paul Mariner wrapped up the win but England fell before the knockout stages in a convoluted two group-stage system. England's Terry Butcher tackles France's Michel Platini Brazil 0-2 England - Rio de Janeiro (10 June 1984) This friendly was the game that changed John Barnes' life as England recorded an historic win in the iconic Maracana Stadium in Rio, where Brazil had not lost for 27 years. Barnes, just 20 and emerging at Watford, made the world sit up and take notice when he received the ball on the left flank, taking 11 touches and beating six Brazilians including goalkeeper Roberto Costa to put England ahead in first-half stoppage time. He then provided the assist for Mark Hateley's second after 64 minutes to seal the win for Bobby Robson's team. England 3-0 Poland - Monterrey (11 June 1986) This steamy afternoon in Monterrey transformed Gary Lineker into a football superstar. England suffered a miserable start to the 1986 World Cup in Mexico, losing to Portugal and drawing with Morocco without scoring a goal, leaving Robson's side needing to beat old nemesis Poland in their final group game. They had been hit by injury and suspension as captain Robson suffered a shoulder injury and Ray Wilkins was sent off against Morocco - but fate intervened as England were revitalised by the introduction of the fiery presence of Everton's Peter Reid and the goals of club-mate Lineker. Lineker, who left Everton for Barcelona after the tournament, scored a brilliant 35-minute hat-trick, turning home crosses from Gary Stevens and Steve Hodge before pouncing on a goalkeeping error for his third. England lost to Argentina and Diego Maradona in the infamous 'Hand of God' quarter-final but Lineker was now a global name. Peter Beardsley carries the ball forward against Poland Netherlands 1-4 England - Wembley (18 June 1996) One of the great England performances of the modern era as a fine Netherlands side - dogged by in-fighting, admittedly - were blown away on a balmy night at Wembley in Euro 96. England, under Terry Venables, needed a draw to top Group A and took the lead through Alan Shearer's penalty in the 23rd minute after Danny Blind fouled Paul Ince. The Dutch were destroyed in 11 minutes after half-time when Teddy Sheringham headed home Paul Gascoigne's corner then set up Shearer's right-foot finish. Sheringham made it 4-0 after 62 minutes after Edwin van der Sar failed to hold Darren Anderton's shot. England lost on penalties to eventual winners Germany in the semi-final but this was an unforgettable night and performance. Paul Ince attempts to block a shot by Jordi Cruyff Germany 1-5 England - Munich (1 September 2001) England arrived as underdogs for this World Cup qualifier only to rip the odds and logic to shreds. Carsten Jancker gave Germany an early lead but England, led by the devastating Michael Owen hit back. The Liverpool striker quickly equalised before club-mate Steven Gerrard put them ahead from long range before half-time. Owen, who won the Ballon d'Or weeks later, fired in from close range to extend England's lead after the break then raced on to Gerrard's pass to complete his hat-trick after 66 minutes. Emile Heskey made it a glory night for Liverpool and England with the fifth for the highlight of Sven-Goran Eriksson's time in charge. The iconic scoreline that few expected Croatia 2-4 England - Lisbon (21 June 2004) Euro 2004 was in the grip of 'Roo-mania' after Everton's 18-year-old star Wayne Rooney had illuminated the tournament with his brilliance in England's loss to France and with two goals in the win against Switzerland. Niko Kovac gave Croatia an early lead before Paul Scholes equalised and Rooney put England ahead with a powerful 20-yard drive before half-time. The game's new young phenomenon ran clear on to Owen's pass to make it 3-1 after half-time and, though Igor Tudor pulled one back, Frank Lampard's goal gave England the margin of victory they deserved. Rooney was injured early in the quarter-final as England lost to hosts Portugal on penalties - but his contribution to that summer confirmed the impact he would have over the next decade and more. Wayne Rooney scored twice as England beat Croatia at Euro 2004 Colombia 1-1 England - Moscow (3 July 2018) England's feelgood surprise run to the World Cup semi-finals under Gareth Southgate came under severe strain in the last 16 from a Colombia side that was a potent mix of talent and cynicism. Harry Kane gave England a second-half lead from the spot but in a fevered atmosphere created by Colombia's fans gathered all over Moscow's Spartak Stadium, Yerry Mina's stoppage-time header forced the extra 30 minutes. Jordan Henderson's penalty miss put England on the back foot but when Mateus Uribe missed and Jordan Pickford saved from Carlos Bacca, Eric Dier was able to secure the country's first World Cup win in a penalty shootout. England lost to Croatia in the semi-final but it had been a fantastic ride in Russia. Harry Kane led England to their first World Cup semi-final appearance in 30 years with victory over Colombia Spain 2-3 England - Sevilla (15 October 2018) England's run to the World Cup semi-final won hearts and minds but the statement win against a country of stature still eluded Gareth Southgate's team as they lost twice to Belgium and in the semi-final to Croatia in Russia. They put that right with an outstanding performance in this Uefa Nations League encounter that gave them their first win in Spain for 31 years, as they went 3-0 up at half-time courtesy of two goals from Raheem Sterling, ending an England drought stretching back three years and 27 games, and Marcus Rashford. Spain responded with goals from Paco Alcacer and a 97th-minute goal from Sergio Ramos but England closed out a landmark victory. Raheem Sterling scored his first goals for England since October 2015 against Estonia - 1,102 days ago.

Players names on the back of shirts will be replaced with the phrase 'Black Lives Matter' for the first 12 games of the restarted season Premier League players' names will be replaced on the back of their shirts with 'Black Lives Matter' for the first 12 matches of the restarted season. The Premier League will also support any player who chooses to 'take a knee' before or during matches. Players in Germany have made gestures of solidarity with people protesting about the death of George Floyd. "We, the players, stand together with the singular objective of eradicating racial prejudice," read a statement. In a joint message from all 20 clubs, players added that they were committed to "a global society of inclusion, respect, and equal opportunities for all, regardless of their colour or creed". A Black Lives Matter badge will feature on all playing shirts for the rest of the season alongside a badge thanking NHS staff for their work during the coronavirus outbreak. Several Premier League squads have already 'taken a knee' in training-ground images shared on social media, and anti-racism charity Kick It Out had asked that players feel free to do so on the pitch. The Football Association has said it will take a "common sense approach" to such protests. Four players, including Borussia Dortmund's England forward Jadon Sancho, were initially investigated by the Bundesliga authorities for making clear their support for anti-racism demonstrations in the wake of the death of 46-year-old Floyd in police custody in the United States last month. None was subsequently punished and the German Football Association said it would continue to allow such displays of support over the coming weeks. The Premier League resumes behind closed doors on 17 June after a three-month suspension caused by the pandemic. #mklnsaynotoracism3.

Stay alert We can all help control the virus if we all stay alert. This means you must: stay at home as much as possible work from home if you can limit contact with other people keep your distance if you go out (2 metres apart where possible) wash your hands regularly "Do not leave home" if you or anyone in your household has symptoms. more info gov.uk nhs.uk www.gov.scot www.gov.wales www.who.int

Violence in schools due to wannabe gangsters is rising and schools aren`t doing enough to solve the issue, Teachers are letting students play music that encourages crime called "trap music", NO Teacher should be encouraging crime and disciplinary action against these teachers must be brought against them, and police must be called if there is an assault on school grounds, "STUDENTS ARE NOT ABOVE THE LAW", know the score before you break the law, curfews, prison, community service, civil claims, fines.

The figures are based on tests of thousands of people in private households The number of people testing positive for coronavirus in England is continuing to fall, according to estimates from the Office for National Statistics. Around one in 1,700 people were infected between 25 May and 7 June, or 33,000 individuals, compared to one in 1,000 before then. The figures are based on 20,000 tests on people in private households. Everyone in the study was tested whether they had symptoms or not. The ONS figures are thought to give a good picture of the proportion of people infected with the virus in the community - but they do not include infections in hospitals and care homes. However, there are wide margins of error around the figures because they are based on small numbers of people testing positive. In this analysis, 19,933 people from 9,179 households carried out their own swab tests of their throat and nose, which look for the presence of the virus. Just 11 individuals from eight households tested positive for coronavirus, allowing statisticians to come up with estimates for the whole population. At the end of April, the percentage of the population in England testing positive was 0.4% - now it's less than 0.1%, the ONS says. That means an average of 31,600 new infections occurring per week in private households, or 4,500 per day. The ONS analysis is part of a long-term study to track coronavirus in the general population with researchers from the University of Oxford, the University of Manchester and Public Health England. How does contact tracing work in England? Contact tracer 'paid to watch Netflix' Whatever happened to the NHS contact-tracing app? The NHS test and trace scheme in England identified 31,000 close contacts from 8,000 people testing positive during its first week of operation, up to 3 June. But only two-thirds of cases shared details of their close contacts so they could be followed up and ask to self-isolate for 14 days. There is no new data on how many people have already had the virus, using antibody tests of blood samples from people in households. This is estimated to be around 7% in England as of 24 May.

Some secondary school pupils in England are due to return on Monday, but plans to get all primary pupils in England back before the summer holidays have been dropped. Meanwhile Wales has announced a return for all ages of pupils at the end of June. Who can attend secondary schools, sixth forms and colleges? Secondary schools in England can reopen for Years 10 and 12 from Monday. But only a quarter of eligible pupils will be allowed in school at any one time. Last Monday, Health Secretary Matt Hancock conceded that England's secondary schools may not fully reopen until September "at the earliest". Students who do return will be encouraged to travel separately and avoid public transport. Teaching of vulnerable children and those of critical workers in all year groups will continue. Who's already gone back? In England, some nursery and pre-school children - plus pupils in Reception, Year 1 and Year 6 - started to go back on 1 June. But not all schools have reopened, some due to local council advice and some because they don't have the staff or space to safely accommodate eligible pupils. Some parents have chosen not to send their children back. On 4 June, 659,000 children in England - or 6.9% - are estimated to have been in classes. Many schools have been open throughout lockdown for vulnerable children and those of critical workers across all year groups. The government has also published guidance for children with special educational needs or a disability. What about other primary age children? Plans to get all primary school children back in class for four weeks before the summer holidays have been dropped - but ministers hope that some schools will try. "We'd like to see schools who have the capacity to bring back more children, in those smaller class sizes, to do so if they are able," Education Secretary Gavin Williamson told the Commons. "We will be working to bring back all children back to school in September," he added. What about the rest of the UK? Schools in Wales will reopen from 29 June to all age groups - but only a third of pupils will be in classes at any one time. Schools and councils will make their own decisions over managing the return. First Minister Nicola Sturgeon says Scottish schools will reopen at the start of the autumn term on 11 August, using a blended model, with some continued home-learning. Some Northern Irish pupils preparing for exams and those about to move to post-primary schools will go back in late August, with a phased return for the rest in September. How does school differ now? Plans in England include keeping classroom doors and windows open to encourage air flow, and introducing one-way systems around school buildings. Here are seven other things that could be different: No more than 15 children per classroom Pupils asked to stay 2m (6ft 6in) apart where possible More regular hand washing Staggered break and lunch times, plus different arrival and departure arrangements Less sharing of equipment such as books and toys Parents should not gather at school gates or in the playground Carers should only enter school buildings by appointment If any pupils or staff - or anyone they live with - develop coronavirus symptoms, they will be asked to stay away from school. Image copyrightGETTY IMAGES Is it safe to send my child to school? The risk of coronavirus to pupils in the classroom is "very, very small, but not zero", according to sources in the government's scientific advisory group, Sage. The group has published documents about the safety and impact of reopening English schools, which also say teachers would not be at above-average risk compared with other occupations. Teachers' unions have warned it is not safe to allow more children into primary schools. The government acknowledges some schools are not ready to open, but says the necessary five tests for easing the lockdown in England have been met. Do I have to send my child to school? It is not currently compulsory to send children to school. This temporary arrangement - where usual sanctions do not apply - is expected to continue in England during the summer term. What if my child will still be learning at home? Many teachers have offered a limited curriculum online, relying on parents and guardians to supervise work. To support home learning, the BBC launched a major programme of educational content on its BBC Bitesize service, including regular daily lessons in English, maths and other core subjects. What about exams? Summer exams have been cancelled in England, Wales and Scotland. This includes GCSEs and A-levels in England and Wales, plus primary school Sats national curriculum tests in England. In Scotland, Highers and Nationals will not be going ahead. The Education Secretary Gavin Williamson says exams will take place in 2021 in England. "We are working with Ofqual and the exam boards on our approach to this," he told MPs. Have you been affected by the school closures due to coronavirus? Please tweet your experience with this hashtag #mklnhaveyoursay3 MKLN&A-UK3

The UK's economy shrank by 20.4% in April - the largest monthly contraction on record - as the country spent its first full month in lockdown. The Office for National Statistics (O NS) said the "historic" fall affected virtually all areas of activity. The contraction is three times greater than the decline seen during the whole of the 2008 to 2009 economic downturn. But analysts said April was likely to be the worst month, as the government began easing the lockdown in May. The ONS also published figures for the three months from February to April, which showed a decline of 10.4% compared with the previous three-month period. News of the slump comes as almost nine million UK workers are having their wages paid by the government, while the number of people claiming unemployment benefit rocketed by 856,500 to 2.1 million in April. How bad is this in real terms? In normal times, a country's Gross Domestic Product (GDP) - the value of the goods and services it produces - increases, making its citizens on average slightly richer. However, the ONS said April's fall in GDP was the biggest the UK had ever seen. "[The fall was] more than three times larger than last month and almost 10 times larger than the steepest pre-Covid-19 fall," said Jonathan Athow, the agency's deputy national statistician for economic statistics. "In April, the economy was around 25% smaller than in February. What is GDP and how is it measured? What is a recession? "Virtually all areas of the economy were hit, with pubs, education, health and car sales all giving the biggest contributions to this historic fall." Carmakers and housebuilders were particularly badly hit, Mr Athow added. However, he told the BBC's Today programme: "It's highly likely April will be the low point. "Our own surveys and wider indicators have suggested a pick-up in economy activity, but I think it's really too early to know how quickly economic activity will recover in the coming months." So the economy has shrunk 25%. How come the other 75% is still standing? In large part, thanks to the extraordinary levels of state intervention propping it up. More than one in four UK workers - some 8.9 million - are now on the government's furlough scheme that allows them to receive 80% of their monthly salary up to £2,500. The scheme has cost £19.6bn so far, while a similar programme for self-employed workers has seen 2.6 million claims made worth £7.5bn. Without these schemes, household consumption, which makes up nearly two-thirds of the UK's GDP, would have fallen even further. Image copyrightGETTY IMAGESImage captionChancellor Rishi Sunak expects life to get "a little bit more back to normal" when shops reopen What does the government say about it? Chancellor Rishi Sunak said: "In line with many other economies around the world, coronavirus is having a severe impact on our economy. "The lifelines we've provided with our furlough scheme, grants, loans and tax cuts have protected thousands of businesses and millions of jobs - giving us the best chance of recovering quickly as the economy reopens." The chancellor said life would get "a little bit more back to normal" once High Street shops could reopen. That is set to happen on Monday in England, while shops in Northern Ireland have already been allowed to resume trading. Scotland and Wales have their own timetables for easing restrictions. In response, shadow chancellor Anneliese Dodds warned that the UK's economy was shrinking faster than those of other countries. She said the UK would need "strong action to help us climb out of this as quickly as possible". The ONS numbers add to the pressure to ease the lockdown more quickly, but fears around the control of the disease have led to a step-by-step cautious approach. There is some pressure on the Treasury to consider similar economic rescue packages to those made across Europe. Germany, for example, has cut VAT and offered billions in a package to help families with children and purchasers of green cars. France is offering huge rescue funds to the car and aerospace industry. The unprecedented jobs schemes here will help to protect livelihoods. But with this scale of hit, it will not be enough. Staying positive Sophie Lawler's 17 health clubs remain closed to their 100,000 members in the north of England and Wales. And like the rest of the fitness sector, she has no idea when she might get the green light to reopen. "The whole sector has struggled financially, and may do so for years to come," she said. "The industry is shouldering quite some rental burden, costs we still incur even while we're closed." Furloughing has been vital, she says, but she'd like the government to do more - perhaps in the form of VAT exemptions or more support for leaseholders. Despite the uncertainties, however, she thinks the sector will weather the storm. "It terms of demand, we will do pretty well when we get through to the other side of this." How does this slump compare historically? During the global financial crisis, from the peak in February 2008 to the lowest point of March 2009, a total of 13 months, GDP shrank by 6.9%. April's unprecedented contraction is three times that - although it is only a figure for one month. The UK's economy was already shrinking even before April. It contracted by 2% in the first three months of 2020, as just a few days of impact from the virus pushed it into decline. Economists expect an even bigger slump in the April-to-June period, plunging the country into a deep recession. So where do we go from here? "Given the lockdown started to be eased in May, April will mark the trough in GDP. So we are past the worst," said Andrew Wishart, UK economist at Capital Economics. "But the recovery will be a drawn-out affair, as restrictions are only lifted gradually and businesses and consumers continue to exercise caution." Tej Parikh, chief economist at the Institute of Directors, said coronavirus had caused "unparalleled" economic turmoil which was "likely to scar the UK economy for some time yet". "Having provided businesses life support, the government must now figure out how to stimulate activity," he added. "Waiting until later in the year to act will risk more businesses and jobs will be lost." How does the UK economy compare with other countries? We don't really know yet. The UK is one of the few countries to publish monthly economic data - most others just produce quarterly and annual figures. We do know, however, that coronavirus has already pushed several major economies into recession: Japan saw a 3.4% fall in GDP for the first three months of 2020, following a 6.4% decline during the last quarter of 2019 Germany's economy shrank by 2.2% in the first three months of this year, after contracting 0.1% in the final three months of 2019 And France saw a 5.8% contraction in the first quarter of 2020, after a 0.1% decline in the October-to-December period. On Wednesday, the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development warned that the UK could be the hardest hit by Covid-19 among major economies. The British economy is likely to shrink by 11.5% in 2020, slightly outstripping falls in countries such as Germany, France, Spain and Italy, it said. What is a recession? A recession is usually defined as when this happens for two three-month periods - or quarters - in a row. Technically, we are not at that point yet. But the UK, along with much of the rest of the world, is thought to be heading into the worst recession for decades.

A great way to try to make yourself feel better is by talking to somebody whom will listen because expressing yourself can and does usually help to relieve negative emotions So I have started a campaign called Think Speak Treat According to SAVE Suicide is the 10th leading cause of death in the US for all ages. (CDC) Please share this post so that you can help to get this spread around the world and help some people that are desperately struggling with there mental well-being. Dwayne Hards WCN