In a post-Budget Downing Street press conference, Mr Sunak said: “The number that in so many ways defines the last 12 months is not included in today… Professor Chris Whitty and Sir Patrick Vallance are putting pressure on Boris Johnson to keep social distancing rules in place for another year, it was claimed today. Public Health England's vaccine chief Dr Mary Ramsay told tonight's Downing Street conference that 'every day we vaccinate more people, we prevent more deaths'. The proposals have secured cross-party backing, with MPs arguing a prominent statue would be a 'fitting tribute to mark a lifetime of public service and duty'. Dominic Raab defended paying a Russian firm £2.6million to create a White House-style media briefing room in Downing Street today, amid safety and … No, nothing to do with yesterday's soft-soap lockdown easing. Press Conference Megathread. HENRY DEEDES: When Boris arrived at the Downing Street press conference, he looked like a man who had suddenly felt the sharp, electric jolt of history coursing through his arteries. Prattling away in Downing Street, Johnson is the SNP’s greatest asset, Downing Street olive branch marks end to Dominic Cummings war on media, PM tests negative for coronavirus but will continue to self-isolate, Seven Tory MPs, including PM, self-isolating after meeting at No 10. Rapid mass testing comes with caveats that cannot be ignored, 250 public health experts condemn ‘dangerous’ race report, Authors named in race report ‘shocked’ to see names in evidence list, Boris Johnson’s most senior black adviser resigns from No 10, Downing Street changes press room podium after apparent design blunder, Let’s take a closer look at Boris Johnson’s ‘honesty and integrity’, Murdering Marcia: Harold Wilson and the plot to kill his secretary, PM’s to use new £2.6m Downing Street briefing room for first time, Meet the people who have been furloughed for a year, Tory party questioned over Boris Johnson’s Downing Street makeover, Boris Johnson to visit India in April as part of post-Brexit ‘tilt’, Revealed: Downing Street’s new briefing room costing £2.6m, Boris Johnson ‘happy’ to take either AstraZeneca or Pfizer vaccine, Glitzy No 10 film about jabs programme branded ‘expensive propaganda’, PM fails to deny £200,000 No 10 flat makeover funded by donors, No 10 spends £2.6m on renovations for White House-style briefings, Sunak accused of ‘naked pork-barrel politics’ over ‘levelling up’ cash, Rishi Sunak’s greatness comes at a price, explained... Rishi Sunak, PM ‘preparing to set up charity’ to fund Downing Street flat makeover, Don’t hug grandparents until vaccine impact is known, says top medic, UK still at risk from new Covid wave despite vaccines, Vallance warns, What the squabbling in No 10 tells us about Boris Johnson’s character, We’re not capable of making the medicines we require any more, Watch live as Boris Johnson leads coronavirus briefing, No 10 defends employing taxpayer-funded photographers to snap PM’s dog, No 10 ‘considered relocating Prince Edward to Scotland to boost union’, UK ‘past the peak’ of current wave of pandemic, Whitty says, New variant up to 30% more deadly, Johnson warns, Boris Johnson ‘approves pilot for 24 hour vaccine hub’, Boris Johnson tells Covid truthers to ‘grow up’, British government urges China to allow Covid investigation, Treasury aide fired by Cummings says she was ‘never given reason’, Another new Covid variant found in UK from South Africa, Deal remains in balance as lorries queue for miles again in Kent, EU is ‘irreplaceable’ trade partner, Boris Johnson warned – follow, Cummings was handed huge pay rise before he was forced out, Tory tells Boris Johnson to resign if he fails to secure Brexit deal, Rollout of rapid testing machine in English hospitals to be paused, Downing Street tried to have Covid vaccine branded with Union flag, PM’s new chief of staff heads charity which slammed cut to foreign aid, Government plan admits Christmas mixing will spread coronavirus. Daily Downing Street press briefings were a key feature of the first England-wide lockdown back in March 2020. DAN HODGES: People don't need a learned judge to tell them about the Covid crisis - they lived it. It is 1970s low-budget costume drama bad, Worst Marketing Conference Ever bad, … Yet today, Chile is seeing a terrifying surge in cases. Hundreds of tributes have already piled-up at palace gates, including Buckingham, Windsor and Balmoral, following the Duke of Edinburgh's death this morning, at the age of 99. Keep cool, stay calm, no need to panic! Log In Sign Up. Boris Johnson yesterday insisted the Oxford AstraZeneca jab was safe after the EU launched a probe into reports of blood clots in a small number of vaccinated people on the Continent. The PM's roadmap for exiting lockdown is … The Prime Minister will hold a national minute's silence at midday to remember the 126,000 people who have died during the pandemic as around 10,000 families grieve their loved-ones. What time is Boris Johnson's press conference. The mystery over the lavish makeover of the Prime Minister's Downing Street flat deepened last night after claims emerged of a secret Tory money trail used to pay for it. The Health Secretary updated the country on the latest developments about the Covid-19 pandemic in the UK. During the Monday briefing, Boris Johnson accused London mayor Sadiq Khan of “blowing” Transport for London finances with an “irresponsible fares policy”. BBC One's press coverage of Downing Street's coronavirus update started at 4.30pm. Last week he was the target of pranksters as his Downing Street staff tried to trick him into believing a number of bogus reports. Boris Johnson has confirmed England's lockdown will be relaxed as planned on 12 April. Boris Johnson will appear at a Downing Street briefing today (April 5) to announce further plans for easing England's lockdown. They have now jabbed roughly a third of their 19 million population. Boris Johnson during a Downing Street press conference a year on from the first national lockdown (Image: Getty Images) Sign up to our newsletter for daily updates and breaking news … ... press conference later today. It is thought that both Boris Johnson and Sir Keir Starmer are in favour of the move....read. Most have formed the view those mistakes that occurred were made in exceptional circumstances. A No 10 business card obtained by Labour has raised fresh questions about Australian financier Lex Greensill as it shows he had No 10 email address and landline between 2012 and 2015. Crews are frantically trying to dislodge the cargo carrier Ever Given - and the success or failure of the operation will have ramifications for British shoppers. Former PM David Cameron had previously lobbied for the firm. We don't know when these will … Families ‘could be allowed to mix for a week over Christmas’. Downing Street is currently in a pre-election purdah period, which means there are limits on government publicity before the London mayoral election on May 6. Press J to jump to the feed. RICHARD LITTLEJOHN: As if Her Maj hadn't got enough to contend with, the Government has just announced that it is selling off the Queen's Flight. blood clot fears in Europe, Health Minister Nadine Dorries says nurses will understand 1% pay rise, Rishi Sunak stokes hopes £180bn consumer boom will help Covid recovery, Boris Johnson is accused of funding 'expensive government propaganda', Boris Johnson demands 'immediate release' of Nazanin Zaghari-Ratcliffe, Larry the Cat to cut down on treats after lockdown weight gain, George Osborne slams Rishi Sunak's corporation tax hike, Boris Johnson has FINALLY watched the Harry and Meghan interview, RICHARD LITTLEJOHN: It's doors to manual and welcome to Heir Force One, MPs back calls to commemorate Prince Philip with a statue on The Mall as they say it would be a 'fitting tribute to mark a lifetime of public service and duty', 'You were an example to us all': Mourners shed tears for Prince Philip as they place MORE flowers outside Buckingham Palace and Windsor Castle despite pleas to pay respects from home, Labour-supporting director of Sky TV drama about Boris Johnson's first year at No10 'quits amid tensions between production firms after script inaccuracies', How Chile's new Covid spike proves our cautious roadmap is the right route out of this crisis, Death Gun Salute will be fired at noon today to pay tribute to Prince Philip after Westminster Abbey tolls its bell 99 times in 99 minutes, Boris Johnson and Sir Keir Starmer agree to suspend campaigning ahead of elections in May as mark of respect following the death of Prince Philip, Mounted police move in to hold back mourners for Prince Philip as hundreds descend on Buckingham Palace - after No10 asks public not to gather or lay flowers due to Covid threat and Royal aides remove death notice from gates, Labour MPs' office managers moan on WhatsApp chat that early parliament recall to allow tributes for Prince Philip will be 'ninety minute circle jerk of what a great man he was', Passport to go CLOTHES SHOPPING? What time was the press briefing today? A year ago today, the full impact of the coronavirus crisis was beginning to be realised in Britain as the death toll soared to 144 and the Queen urged the nation to 'come together'. Downing Street has spent more than £2.6m on fitting out a new media briefing room, it has emerged. ITV News can reveal a £2.6m renovation of No.9 Downing Street that will be used to televise White House-style media briefings. The PM’s self-isolation is the last thing the government needs, Piers Morgan leads reactions to Dominic Cummings’ dramatic No 10 exit, Newspapers offer different versions of events as Cummings leaves No10, I would bet we haven’t seen the last of Dominic Cummings, Cummings leaves Downing Street after losing power battle with PM, Cummings to leave No 10 after losing power struggle, Cummings set to leave No 10 as Tories tell PM to remove adviser, Cummings leaves behind only a tempest of loathing and dysfunction, Confusion over Cummings as No 10 won’t say if he has formally quit, Boris Johnson taunted by Barnier over Brexit talks. It comes amid reports the UK Government will back-track on its original offer. Party co-chairman Ben Elliot is said to have approved payments of more than £10,000 to the Prime Minister's lawyers. Lifestyle. The government are providing televised Downing Street press conferences when there are significant announcements about Coronavirus to be made. Prime Minister Boris Johnson said he is looking forward to a pint of beer and a haircut next week as he last night confirmed the next stage in his roadmap for easing restrictions. HENRY DEEDES watches Boris Johnson's first announcement from his new media bunker, Britain's 'wall of vaccination' against Covid is 'leaky' because jabs aren't 100% effective and millions have still yet to be fully inoculated, Professor Chris Whitty warns, Dentists must get back to 60% of pre-Covid patient numbers or face NHS funding cut, government warns, Out with the old and in with the red, white and new! The controversial new Downing Street media briefing room has been unveiled - and it comes with a spelling blunder. No10 tried to dodge questions about the bombshell allegations from the Duke and Duchess of Sussex yesterday by saying the PM had not seen the programme. Downing Street refuses to rule out needing proof of jabs to enter non-essential shops as Labour gives clearest signal it's ready to vote down plans alongside Tory rebels, Stop gas-lighting us, Boris, find some guts and give us back the freedoms that are our British birthright, writes DAN WOOTTON, Professor Chris Whitty and Sir Patrick Vallance 'are pressuring Boris Johnson to keep social distancing rules for ANOTHER year', Your ultimate 'unlockdown' guide: Get ready for your first trip to the pub in three months... from hairdressers and gyms to care homes, how life in England will be (a little) more free from April 12th, David Cameron 'blames Boris Johnson for his downfall': Former Prime Minister 'vented his fury' to minister Alan Duncan as his rival was on the brink of No10, But here is where you CAN get a taste of freedom: Government reveals nine comedy gigs, football games and nightclubs where socially distancing will be scrapped as part of No10 pilot starting in TWO WEEKS - and you only need a negative Covid test to get in, Work from home guidance and social distancing rules could continue PAST 'freedom day' June 21 amid warnings easing might depend on use of 'Covid passports', Downing Street pranksters fail to trick Boris Johnson into believing April Fools' day stories including Michael Gove setting up a high-quality food firm to rival Prince Charles, Why Boris and Rishi have been happy to leave old chum Dave twisting in the wind: Cameron's allies give DAN HODGES the ex-PM's defence over the Greensill scandal... which lays bare Sunak's ruthless ambition and Johnson's broken finances, The 'covert tactics' used to scare Britons into staying at home: How SAGE document called for increase in 'perceived threat' of Covid using 'hard hitting emotional messages', David Cameron 'lobbied ANOTHER Tory Treasury minister for loans' to rescue collapsed finance firm Greensill, EDEN CONFIDENTIAL: Carrie Symonds 'picks friend and GB News producer Emma Barr as her bridesmaid' ahead of her wedding to Boris Johnson, Nurse pay app goes bust after finance company David Cameron lobbied for went bust, Tories used party funds to cover Boris Johnson's legal bills over Jennifer Arcuri affair, 'Even ex-prime ministers have to follow the rules': Rishi Sunak's jab at former PM David Cameron over texts pleas for cash for crashed finance firm Greensill, Labour demands official probe into Boris Johnson's plan to refurbish Downing Street flat, By appointment to David Cameron: PM's Australian banker pal carried his own No10 business card, Is your home Covid testing kit a future money-maker? Chancellor Rishi Sunak has vowed to build a “fairer and more just” country in the memory of those who lost their lives to coronavirus. PM Johnson chairs Downing Street briefing on COVID 2 days ago Australia warned humpback whales still in danger, as government moves to take them off threatened species list The prime minister made big announcements on what life will look like as lockdown eases, including confirming which areas will reopen next week, plans for restarting foreign travel, 'vaccine passports' and weekly mass testing. Downing Street has confirmed the work on its £2.6million media room in Number Nine has now been completed. EDEN CONFIDENTIAL: Emma Barr, a former UK Government special adviser who was signed up this week as a producer for GB News, is said to be first in line as Carrie Symonds' bridesmaid. One senior Labour figure claimed that Meghan Markle, 39, was networking among senior Democrats with a view to building a campaign and fundraising teams for a tilt at the US Presidency. Expert predicts pandemic memorabilia will soar in value, with Sir Captain Tom Moore's autograph worth £25,000 by 2121, 'It looks like the Judge Rinder set': Social media users mock Boris Johnson's £2.6m press room for looking like 'a cheap TV studio' decorated with 'B&M colour scheme', The Prime Minister's £2.6m press room? Boris Johnson today demanded the 'immediate release' of Nazanin Zaghari-Ratcliffe during a phone call with Iranian President Hassan Rouhani. Tory MPs want this civil war to weaken the grip Cummings has on No 10, Boris Johnson’s Director of Communications resigns, No 10 refuses to deny reports over promotion of Vote Leave figure, PM on Brexit collision course with Biden after House of Lords defeat. Big day in Downing Street. The Chancellor did not deny that Mr Cameron directly contacted him seeking million in Covid aid cash to help bail out financier Greensill Capital before it went bust. Dominic Cummings (pictured) said the Department of Health run by Matt Hancock was a 'smoking ruin' last spring after disasters over PPE procurement and therapeutics. Downing Street news conference with prime minister Boris Johnson. UK COVID news live – latest updates: More AstraZeneca COVID vaccine doses for Europe - as nearly nine million in UK have first jab. After Lee Cain, is Cummings next to leave Downing Street? The US is threatening to impose tariffs of up to 25 per cent on some UK exports as it retaliates over Britain's new 'unreasonable' and 'discriminatory' tax on big tech firms. The secret Tory money trail used to pay for Carrie Symonds's Downing Street makeover: Lord Brownlow 'gave £60,000 to Conservative HQ after party paid similar sum via Cabinet Office', Minister claims increasing NHS pay by more than 1% would NOT be a U-turn because spending review is a 'process' - amid reports No10 is lining up a 3% salary bump for nurses, 'AstraZeneca jab IS both safe and effective': Boris Johnson backs vaccine after Italy, Norway and Denmark stop giving out the jabs amid blood clot fears, Health Minister Nadine Dorries says nurses will understand 1% pay rise because it helps their 'husbands or partners' carry on bringing in a wage via the furlough scheme, Rishi Sunak stokes hopes £180bn consumer boom will help UK's Covid recovery but admits mass unemployment fears 'keep me up at night' as he defends 'fair' 1% pay rise for NHS, 'Tell us how much it cost! Threat from Covid-19 without contextualising the risks of No9 alternative to payday lenders cash-strapped! 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