The comments made by Michael Ellis, the Attorney General, on 10 May 2021.
Tim Crosland, a lawyer and a director of a registered charity, was wrong to have acted in contempt. His actions undermined our legal process and he acted in full knowledge of the likely consequences. It is right that the Supreme Court agreed and held him accountable for his actions.
The comments made by Michelle Donelan, the Universities Minister, on 10 May 2021.
Our priority from the very start of this pandemic has been to help students complete their courses and graduate as planned which is why I am pleased that the Prime Minister has today confirmed all remaining students can return to in-person teaching from the 17 May as part of Step 3 of the Government’s road map.
It is vital that we make every effort to keep us all as safe as possible, and every student will be offered three tests on return to campus. I would strongly encourage students to make use of the free tests available to them.
To further support those beginning the next chapter in their lives we have published our Graduate Employment and Skills Guide, created with universities and designed with prospective employers in mind, which will give students the help and advice they need to build their skills and kickstart their careers.
I know that entering the jobs market can be daunting, particularly during a global pandemic, but I know that employers will recognise the resilience and strength of this year’s graduates and the essential role they will play in this country’s recovery.
The statement made by Boris Johnson, the Prime Minister, on 10 May 2021.
Good afternoon,
I want to begin by thanking everyone again for your patience and for the sacrifices you’ve been making – businesses, pubs and restaurants that have been waiting to welcome customers back through their doors grandparents who have gone for months without seeing their grandchildren, weddings postponed, funerals sadly constrained, and religious festivals – such as Eid – yet again facing restrictions.
And I want to thank you because your efforts have so visibly paid off giving us the time to vaccinate more than two thirds of all adults across the UK with more than one third – nearly 18 million people – also receiving their second dose – and thereby unquestionably saving many lives.
So it is precisely because of your efforts, that I can confirm today we have met our four tests for further easing the lockdown in England.
Chris will run through the details in a minute, but with deaths and hospitalisations at their lowest levels since last July, and the UK’s four Chief Medical Officers today agreeing a reduction in the alert level, the data now support moving to step 3 in England from next Monday 17th May.
This means the Rule of Six or two households that has applied outdoors, will now apply indoors and the limit for outdoor meetings will increase to 30.
From next Monday you will be able to sit inside a pub and inside a restaurant.
You’ll be able to go to the cinema and children will be able to use indoor play areas.
We’re re-opening hostels, hotels, and B&Bs.
We’ll re-open the doors of our theatres, concert halls and business conference centres and unlock the turnstiles of our sports stadia, subject to capacity limits.
And from next week everyone will be able to travel within Britain and stay overnight, meaning schools will also be able to organise trips with overnight stays.
We will no longer require face coverings in classrooms – or for students in communal areas in secondary schools and colleges.
All remaining University students will be able to return to in-person teaching, where they should be tested twice a week.
We will increase the number of named visitors for those in care homes from two to five, and residents will have greater freedoms to leave their home without having to isolate on their return.
This unlocking amounts to a very considerable step on the road back to normality and I am confident we will be able to go further.
Subject to the impact of step 3 on the data, we remain on track to move to step 4 on 21st June and to give businesses more time to prepare, we’ll be saying more later this month about exactly what the world will look like and what role there could be – if any – for certification and social distancing.
And today we are taking a step towards that moment when we learn to live responsibly with Covid – when we cease eventually to rely on detailed government edicts, and make our own decisions – based on the best scientific advice – about how to protect our families and those around us.
So from next Monday we are updating the guidance on close contact between friends and family, setting out the risks for everyone to make their own choices.
This does not mean we can suddenly throw caution to the winds.
In fact, more than a year into this pandemic, we all know that close contact, such as hugging, is a direct way of transmitting this disease.
So I urge you to think about the vulnerability of your loved ones – whether they have had a vaccine, one or two doses, and whether there has been time for that vaccine to take effect.
Remember outdoors is always safer than indoors. And if you are meeting indoors, remember to open a window and let in the fresh air.
Keep getting tested regularly, even if you don’t have symptoms, so you don’t spread the virus without knowing it. And whatever you decide, I must ask that you continue to follow social distancing when not with friends and family including in workplaces, shops, pubs, restaurants and other settings.
We only have to look at the very sad situation in other countries to see the lethal potential of this virusband we must continue to fight the spread of variants here in the UK.
While we have no evidence yet to believe these variants are completely vaccine resistant, we must remain vigilant.
So please remember hands, face, space and fresh air.
And as we mark Mental Health Awareness week, perhaps also take a moment to check in on friends and family and see how they are doing after all that we have been through together, or if you are struggling yourself, get the support you need.
Today we are announcing the single biggest step on our roadmap and it will allow us to do many of the things we’ve yearned to do for a long time. So let’s protect these gains by continuing to exercise caution and common sense.
The comments made by Gavin Williamson, the Secretary of State for Education, on 10 May 2021.
Step three of the roadmap allows people to mix indoors once again and in line with the latest data, we no longer need to recommend that face coverings are worn in the classroom.
Over the past year we have always put the wellbeing of pupils and staff first, and this step is now the right one, as vaccinations protect the most vulnerable in society and we turn our attention to building back better from the pandemic.
Testing in schools and colleges continues to be important, so I urge all students, families and teachers to keep testing themselves twice weekly, to help reduce the risk of transmission.
The comments made by Helen Whately, the Minister for Care, on 10 May 2021.
The measures we have taken during this pandemic have always been to protect our most vulnerable, but I have heard first-hand from those living and working in care homes how difficult the restrictions have been.
Thanks to the phenomenal success of the vaccine rollout and a reduction in cases across the country, I am pleased we can now take another step towards getting back to normal, while protecting those in care homes from the continued risk of COVID-19.
The new guidance allows more family and friends to reunite and reduces the need to self-isolate, which I know many have found incredibly challenging. As we turn the tide on this cruel virus I want to make visiting as normal as possible by the summer, and this is an important step on that path.
The comments made by Alok Sharma, the COP26 President, on 10 May 2021.
A cross-society approach is essential if we are to achieve the Paris Agreement goal of keeping global warming to less than 1.5 degrees alive.
Faith leaders are an integral part of this approach and I was honoured to visit Vatican City to discuss this.
His Holiness, Pope Francis, has committed the Vatican State to a net zero future and I hope his leadership and moral standing across the world will set a powerful example to others.
The comments made by Keir Starmer, the Leader of the Opposition, on 10 May 2021. Details of the Shadow Cabinet reshuffle are here.
The Labour Party must be the party that embraces the demand for change across our country. That will require bold ideas and a relentless focus on the priorities of the British people. Just as the pandemic has changed what is possible and what is necessary, so Labour must change too.
In the last 24 hours we have seen fantastic results for Labour Metro Mayors, as well as the Labour government in Wales under Mark Drakeford. They have shown the difference Labour can make in power, standing up for their communities.
We have seen Labour begin to turn around its fortunes in Scotland under the leadership of Anas Sarwar. These results give us optimism and inspiration for the future. The challenge for us now is to build upon these successes and learn from the places we lost.
I look forward to working with our refreshed and renewed team to take on that challenge, deliver that change and build the ambitious programme that will deliver the next Labour government.
The comments made by Angela Rayner, the Deputy Leader of the Labour Party, on 10 May 2021.
Another day, another investigation into Boris Johnson for more sleaze and dodgy dealings.
The public have a right to know who paid for Boris Johnson’s luxury Caribbean holiday and the renovation of his flat. Most importantly, we need to know what these donors were promised or expected in return for their generosity.
As we have seen over the last year, Tory donors have received a very high return on their investment in the form of government contracts. Boris Johnson needs to stop using the office of Prime Minister as an opportunity to fund his lavish lifestyle and enrich his mates.
The comments made by Andrew Adonis on 9 May 2021.
For what it’s worth, it is my judgement that the only Labour leader likely to be able to win the next election is Tony Blair.
The comments made by Alok Sharma, the COP26 President-Designate, on 9 May 2021.
I am delighted to be visiting the Vatican City to learn about steps Catholics are taking around the world on climate change.
I am encouraged by the Catholic Church’s recognition of how urgently the world needs to act if we are to limit warming to 1.5C and protect our planet and people from the intensifying impacts of climate change.
Faith groups have a vital role to play in raising awareness and ambition around the world. Only through everyone working together can we bring about real change and leave COP26 with a successful outcome.