Coronavirus UK: Classrooms could be ‘centres of transmission’

Union chiefs are now warning teachers it will ‘not be safe’ to mark pupils’ books when schools reopen, while casting yet more doubt on the government’s plans to bring children back to primary schools next month. Staff who are members of the UK biggest teaching union will be told to go through a 20-page checklist with … Read more

NEIL TWEEDIE: Gardeners give their joyous verdict as nation’s garden centres reopen

You know you are living in strange times when buying a bag of compost feels like a treat. Gareth Bressington could hardly contain himself as he loaded a sack on to his trolley at the Studley Green Garden Centre. ‘It’s for my partner’s mother,’ he explained. ‘She’s self-isolating.’ The simple gesture gratified him. A trip … Read more

NEIL TWEEDIE: Gardeners give their joyous verdict as nation’s garden centres reopen

You know you are living in strange times when buying a bag of compost feels like a treat. Gareth Bressington could hardly contain himself as he loaded a sack on to his trolley at the Studley Green Garden Centre. ‘It’s for my partner’s mother,’ he explained. ‘She’s self-isolating.’ The simple gesture gratified him. A trip … Read more

Coronavirus: Wales allows garden centres and libraries to open

Wales pre-empts PM with ‘modest’ loosening of lockdown measures  These are the three ‘small’ changes announced by First Minister Mark Drakeford today:  Outdoor exercise permitted more than once a day but must be ‘local’. Garden centres can reopen if they observe ‘social distancing’ rules. Councils can start planning to reopen libraries and rubbish tips. Wales … Read more

Tips are heaving from 8am as refuse centres open for the first time since lockdown began

Tips across the country were heaving today as cooped-up Brits rushed out to reopened refuse centres to dump their rubbish for the first time since the coronavirus lockdown.   There were long queues from 7.30am, half an hour before dumps opened, in both Greater Manchester and Northumberland after councils were finally given the green light to … Read more

Driving test centres with the highest and lowest first-time pass rates

With all driving tests suspended until 20 June 2020 due to coronavirus, there’ll be a backlog of learners desperate to take their practical test come the summer. If the lockdown has lifted by then, test bookings are expected to be choc-a-bloc for weeks.  But should learners be going to their nearest test centre or hand-picking a … Read more

Tips are heaving from 8am as refuse centres open for the first time since lockdown began

Tips across the country are heaving this morning as cooped-up Brits rushed out to reopened refuse centres to dump their rubbish for the first time since the coronavirus lockdown.   There were long queues from as early as 8am at dumps in Greater Manchester and Northumberland after local councils were finally given the green light to … Read more

Garden centres risk having to dump 200million plants if they don’t re-open soon, nurseries warn

Ministers are under growing pressure to allow garden centres to open immediately amid warnings the lockdown will force nurseries to dump 200 million unsold plants and hand rival European firms a major advantage. Former Tory Environment Secretary Theresa Villiers said it was illogical to allow supermarket chains to sell plants and flowers, but not garden centres … Read more

UK’s testing farce: Drive-thru centres are only swabbing ‘four people a day’

UK’s testing farce: One drive-thru centre is only swabbing ‘four people a day’ as ministers bring in the Army and Amazon to ramp up capacity – but are still only a FIFTH of the way to meeting 100,000 a day target with just six days to go By Stephen Matthews Health Editor For Mailonline Published: … Read more

UK’s testing farce: Drive-thru centres are only swabbing ‘four people a day’

UK’s testing farce: Drive-thru centres are only swabbing ‘four people a day’ as ministers bring in the Army and Amazon to ramp up capacity – but are still only a FIFTH of the way to meeting 100,000 a day target with just six days to go By Stephen Matthews Health Editor For Mailonline Published: 12:22 … Read more