If you want to receive twice-daily briefings like this by email, sign up to the Front Page newsletter here. For two-minute audio updates, try The Briefing – on podcasts, smart speakers and WhatsApp.
Extra £1bn for children to catch up on learning
School might be out for the summer next month, but some pupils will be playing catch-up. The Government will pay for private tutors for children who have fallen behind during lockdown as part of a £1billion plan announced by the Prime Minister today. Schools will be given money to hire in-house teachers to run extra classes for small groups – and extra cash for catch-up activities, which could include summer camps. Boris Johnson’s programme will be targeted at the most disadvantaged children and comes amid fears a decade of progress in narrowing the attainment gap is in danger of being reversed. Research showed that more than two million children did virtually no schoolwork during lockdown. Meantime, read our ultimate home-schooling tips.
The Government is also preparing to reveal the latest R value, which will be used to guide ministers on if further lockdown lifting can take place. Pubs and restaurants, as well as hairdressers and beauty parlours, are hoping to get the green light to reopen on July 4. Political Editor Gordon Rayner reports that families could be free to go on foreign holidays from the same date after Mr Johnson is expected to announce deals for so-called air bridges with a “small number” of countries. Fraser Nelson asks: If the threat has passed, why are our civil liberties still suspended? And, for a Friday funny, here is today’s Matt cartoon.
Church and Bank of England sorry for slavery links
The Church of England and Bank of England have issued an apology for their historic links to slavery through vicars, bishops and governors who benefited from the trade in the 19th century. Analysis of a database held by University College London traced evidence of them being beneficiaries or claimants of compensation paid to plantation owners following abolition. Three of the world’s biggest banking and insurance companies also pledged to make payments to projects benefiting black, Asian and minority ethnic communities after their links to the slave trade were exposed. Meanwhile, England rugby fans could soon be banned from singing Swing Low, Sweet Chariot at international matches because of its origins as an anthem for American slaves.
Pets may pass Covid-19 to humans, say experts
Cats should not be allowed out and dogs kept on a lead to avoid Covid-19 spreading between households, scientists have said, as they call for widespread testing of animals. Experts at University College London said there was “increasing evidence” that some animals can pass Covid-19 to humans. Their concerns follow the culling of 10,000 minks in Holland after infected animals were suspected of transmitting the virus to humans. Health Correspondent Henry Bodkin explains what we know.
PS: For unlimited access to our award-winning journalism, why not try our subscription offer? There has never been a better time to take out a free one-month trial – then save 50pc on your first three months.
At a glance: More coronavirus headlines
- Ratings | Cummings storm takes toll on PM’s popularity
- Tracing | Troubled history of NHS app destined to fail
- 2m | Rule is a health risk in itself – listen to podcast
- Spread | Florida ‘set to become next American epicentre’
- Family | Back to the Fifties as childcare left up to women
Also in the news: Today’s other headlines
Cyber attacks | Australia’s prime minister revealed early today that his country was under cyber attack from a “state-based actor” targeting government, public services and businesses – with suspicions falling on China. Warning of an increased frequency of attacks, Scott Morrison told a hastily-organised press conference that a range of institutions were hit.
- Pensions | Suspension of triple lock to be spelt out in weeks
- Migration | Number of EU citizens refused UK residence trebles
- New Zealand | Gunman on the run after police officer killed
- Bolton v Trump analysis | Timing is all to do with cashing in
- Creating a stink | Inmates fear being cooped up next to farm
You Are Not Alone: Getting you through the crisis
- Judith Woods | Why I am joining the Equality Check campaign
- Covid-friendly health clubs | Sorry, changing rooms are closed
- DIY home cinema | How to easily turn your garden into a theatre
Comment and analysis
- Michael Deacon | Hapless and app-less… but positive spin
- Robert Taylor | Oriel sacrificed common sense for virtue signalling
- Annabel Fenwick Elliott | Travesty for airlines to ban in-flight booze
- Guy Standing | Fraud confirms furlough was a nonsensical mistake
- Reader letters | Fund the fight against modern slavery
Gallery: Life after lockdown
Just the ticket | A limited number of theatres are soon to reopen in Madrid – and one is using mannequins and bouquets to ensure patrons follow social-distancing rules. View our gallery for more striking images of how countries are lifting their lockdowns around the world.
Business and money briefing
Furlough scheme | Britain faces a “tsunami of job losses” unless more measures are taken to help industries reopen after lockdown, a union leader warned, despite hundreds of thousands of furloughed employees getting back to work. Tim Wallace reports that jobs are already being lost, with firms starting to prepare for the end of the retention scheme.
- Buy a bargain | How to play the pandemic property market
- Investment tip | Hold National Grid as it navigates Covid-19
- Alex cartoon | See our brilliant cartoonist’s latest work
Sport briefing
Swipe at FA | Jose Mourinho criticised the “unfair” one-match ban imposed on Dele Alli for his social media post mocking an Asian man over coronavirus. The Tottenham head coach claimed that others had escaped punishment for far greater transgressions during the lockdown.
- Golf | Hull comes up roses with stunning play-off finish
- Michael Vaughan | Club cricketers will take up golf instead
- Sport newsletter | Unrivalled analysis and insight – every weekday
And finally… for this morning’s downtime
Death of an icon | After Vera Lynn died aged 103, Andrew Roberts explains the singer’s true power in helping the national effort. Read how her efforts to lift morale helped to keep the Nazis at bay.
