Tag: NEN

Edith Bowman voices recording to boost mental wellbeing while walking

A mood-boosting podcast to help Scots unwind while they walk has been released to the public.

The ‘Mind to Walk’ podcast, narrated by DJ and presenter Edith Bowman, talks you through a walk that will relax your mind as you move your feet.

Launched by Scotland’s walking charity, Paths for All, the audio is designed using mindfulness techniques to help people look after their mental wellbeing whilst getting their daily exercise during Covid-19.

During periods of social distancing, isolation and uncertainty, many have expressed increased feelings of anxiety, stress or worry. Daily outdoor exercise, whilst adhering to social distancing guidelines, has become an important way to look after physical and mental wellbeing.

The podcast uses Edith’s familiar voice to help the listener bring their mind and body together whilst enjoying 25 minutes of self-care.

Launched as part of May’s National Walking Month, the campaign aims to support people dealing with stress and anxiety caused by Covid-19, during their once daily outdoor exercise as recommended by the government.

Ian Findlay CBE, Chief Officer with Paths for All, hopes that people of all ages will give the podcast a listen, and believes the calming benefits of the ‘Mind to Walk’ campaign can be far-reaching.

He said: “The power of a short daily walk has become even stronger recently. It’s a time for us to wander outside, get some fresh air and leave our worries behind. With the podcast, we’re hoping to make that burst of activity even more beneficial by helping people tune into their surroundings.

“The podcast is expertly scripted and Edith’s comforting and recognisable voice will help any listener thoroughly de-stress and clear their head, to remove some of the tension a lot of us are feeling.

“I’d encourage you to try this frequently on your daily walks as evidence shows that the effects of mindfulness are greater the more you practice. It might feel a little awkward to start with, but the script is designed to be listened and enjoyed by everyone, regardless of experience in using mindfulness techniques.”

Written by Glasgow-based meditation expert Dassini Cadwallender, ‘Mind to Walk’ has been designed to be used on any walking route – whether it is around a housing estate or in a nearby woodland, listeners will finish feeling calmer and ready to enjoy their day.

The voice behind the audio, Edith Bowman is delighted to be involved and said: “This is such a strange time for us all and I think being aware of your physical and mental health is so important as we move forward into the unknown.

“When I heard about ‘Mind to Walk’ I was eager to be involved. If I can do one small thing to help a few folk’s lockdown less anxiety-ridden it makes me very happy. If we can get as many people as possible taking the podcast on their walks with them, that would be incredible, and hopefully helpful to them.”

Paths for All believes regular walking is key to leading a happy and healthy life – and it is important for people to continue enjoying short, local walks where it is safe and appropriate to do so, owing to the huge array of associated benefits.

With around one in three people estimated to be affected by mental health problems in Scotland in any one year,this is set to be compounded during the pandemic – with a further 20% reporting that they are worried about mental illnesses directly related to Covid-19, including 11% who are concerned about anxiety and 7% who have concerns about depression.

The impact of the increased pressure can also manifest in different ways, with 38% saying that they have slept less or worse than they normally do. Physical activity has been proven to reduce the risk of depression by 30%.

The script for the ‘Mind to Walk’ recordings acts as guided walking meditation, allowing listeners to connect with their bodies, nature and the sensation of walking as well as stretching and relaxing as they walk.

The script has been designed to be listened and enjoyed by everyone, regardless of their experience in practicing mindfulness. It has been found the effects of mindfulness are greater the more individual’s practice.

Mind to Walk is freely available online on all popular podcast players or on Paths for All website at www.pathsforall.org.uk/mindtowalk

Coronavirus: UK death toll tops 30,000

Communities Secretary Robert Jenrick yesterday gave the government’s latest response to COVID-19 and the work being done locally:

Good afternoon, Welcome to the coronavirus press conference from Downing Street.

I’m joined this afternoon by Professor Yvonne Doyle Medical Director for Public Health England and Dr Nikki Kanani Deputy Medical Director of Primary Care for NHS England.

Today’s data shows that:

  • 1,448,010 tests for coronavirus have now been carried across Great Britain, including 69,463 tests carried out yesterday
  • 201,101 people have tested positive, that’s an increase of 6,111 cases since yesterday
  • 13,615 people are currently in hospital with coronavirus in Great Britain, down from 13,922 the yesterday
  • And sadly, of those tested positive for coronavirus, across all settings, 30,076 have now died. That’s an increase of 649 fatalities since yesterday.

Behind that number is a heart-breaking loss for the loved ones of all those who have died, and once again our thoughts and prayers are with their families and friends.

Professor Yvonne Doyle will provide an update on the latest data on coronavirus.

But first, as Communities Secretary I would like to take this opportunity to give an update the work being done locally during the pandemic to keep people safe, to provide support people’s jobs and businesses and to prepare for the re-opening and recovery of our local economies.

That’s why it is appropriate that today we are joined by regional journalists who are doing so much to keeping people informed about how the national effort is being co-ordinated in their communities.

A free country needs a free press and the national, the regional and the local newspapers are under significant financial pressure.

I’d like to echo the words of the Culture Secretary recently in encouraging those who can, to buy a newspaper.

I have said before that the battle against coronavirus would be won in every city, town and village across the country.

This is a national effort taking place at a local level.

My department, the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government, has played a vital role in bringing people together to tackle the virus.

We’ve provided local authorities with over £3.2 billion during this pandemic so that they can continue to support the communities that need it through this most challenging time and respond to the immediate pressures they are facing due to coronavirus, while also protecting and preserving vital public services.

And at the start of March I established a taskforce to support Local Resilience Forums – known as LRFs – standing them up at a local level across the country, to prepare each and every community for a range of scenarios.

There are 38 LRFs in England which are made up of emergency services, a range of government agencies, health bodies and local authorities.

They are headed by the most senior and experienced local leaders of the emergency services, councils, the NHS and others who together are leading their communities through this crisis with the full support of central government.

Recognising the unprecedented challenge that we faced, I took the decision to embed within them some of the finest military planners in the world from our armed forces and I am very grateful for their work.

This combined expertise and leadership is ensuring a comprehensive, co-ordinated and consistent response across the country.

Responding to the urgent need for personal protective equipment to reach the frontline of the care sector, we’ve mobilised LRFs to help distribute PPE and thus far they have delivered over 67 million items in England alone, since early April.

Together with local councils, they are also assisting us in supporting some of the most vulnerable individuals in their communities and to date they have helped to ensure that a million boxes of food and essentials have now been delivered to those people identified by the NHS as extremely clinically vulnerable to coronavirus, the “shielded”.

With more than 290,000 boxes being distributed every week, this has been a huge team effort, and I would like to take this opportunity to thank everyone involved for the role that they have played and will play in the weeks ahead.

We are also working very closely with Mayors to make sure that we have a coordinated approach to tackling coronavirus at a local level.

The government has also been determined to ensure that the vital work keeping people safe in their homes also continues.

So, with the support of the Mayors for London, the Liverpool City Region, Greater Manchester, Sheffield and the West Midlands, and others, we were able to announce the Building Safety Pledge.

These Mayors have come together because they have a number of high rise buildings with highly flammable cladding in their respective regions, and the pledge that we agreed, sends a very clear message that vital building safety work must continue, despite the coronavirus pandemic.

And we have been joined by 25 local authorities, including 18 in London, have also given their fulsome support.

As work on many of these critical sites was paused early on, it is now slowly starting to reassume as a result of this initiative.

And I would urge any building owner or contractor to do so, as soon as practicable, where it is safe to begin work once again.

Now coronavirus will not stop our mission to level-up, to unite and to unleash the potential of this country.

The Prime Minister will set out on Sunday our approach the second phase of this pandemic.

As we look ahead to supporting businesses as they are able to re-open, my department will lead our work on how our local economies can adapt, evolve, recover and grow.

I will continue to support mayors and local government leaders, who will play critical roles in this work.

Every local economy now needs a plan to re-start and recover.

We will be informing those plans with our own detailed work in areas such as:

  1. How workplaces, from factories to construction sites to offices can be adapted.
  2. How outdoor spaces, leisure and businesses, from parks, to high streets, to markets can be managed.
  3. And how public transport networks, from the tube, to trams, to buses, can operate.

In each case, guided by scientific and medical advice, we want to ensure appropriate and safe social distancing, providing the public with the confidence to return to work, and to return to public spaces, to public transport and to school, knowing that it’s always safe to do so.

We are considering how we can create more room in the town centre for pedestrians.

How we can make it easier to cycle or walk to work.

And we will work with towns and places whose economies have been hardest hit intensively as the recovery begins.

And our commitment to infrastructure investment remains undimmed.

For example, over two thirds of HS2 sites are open.

We want infrastructure and construction work to begin again wherever it is safe to do so.

It is clear to everyone that the pandemic is putting huge pressure on economies the world over.

And there is no denying the challenges lie ahead in our own country.

But we cannot, and will not, let this pandemic halt our work to improve connectivity, to provide vital social and cultural infrastructure and to boost economic growth across the regions.

That’s is how we will begin to rebuild and recover from this national emergency.

We are working to ensure the right support is available to local businesses.

And last week high street businesses began to receive the £22 million package designed to mitigate some of the effects of coronavirus.

With grants of us to £25,000 being paid into bank accounts of those business.

And of course the 100 towns benefiting from our £3.6 billion Towns Fund will continue to receive our support.

And we will be working at pace with them in the months ahead.

Local authorities have now paid out over £8.6 billion in grants to around 700,000 businesses.

As Local Government Secretary I’d like to congratulate those councils that have worked extremely hard sometimes around the clock to get those grants out to the businesses that desperately need them.

I’d like to congratulate Chichester, Ealing and Hyndburn councils who are the three highest performing councils so far in England.

Businesses are also receiving discounts of almost £10 billion on their rates bills in response to COVID-19, with the hardest hit by the pandemic, such as shops, cafes and pubs, paying no business rates whatsoever this financial year.

Together with existing reliefs, this means that 1.1 million ratepayers are no longer paying business rates this year.

This week the Chancellor and I announced an additional 5% uplift – up to £617 million – available to local councils to fund small businesses that rent space in shared offices, industrial units or innovation centres, as well as regular market traders, B&Bs that pay council tax rather than business rates and also to support small charities.

And local councils will now how have flexibility to make pragmatic decisions to keep those business going so they can bounce back once they are able to do so.

Moving forward, our mission is to do everything we can to help people get back to work safely, to reunite friends and family and reintroduce the things that make life worth living in a safe way, as soon as it is safe to do so.

Finally, on Friday, we will celebrating as a country the 75th anniversary of VE Day.

My department had been helping to plan some of the public celebrations, but we know that sadly we will now all need to mark this important occasion from home instead.

Cabinet colleagues have been speaking with veteran organised by The Royal British Legion and I had the pleasure earlier this week of speaking to Leslie, a 98-year-old World War Two veteran, on the phone.

Leslie was full of warmth and wisdom, telling me how he spent VE Day in Siena having fought his way through North Africa and Italy, and how he would be spending Friday, more sedately, celebrating, at home.

As he said to me, that as we rebuilt and recovered then, he is certain we’ll do so again this year.

While one terrible milestone was passed yesterday, another, more positive, landmark was reached – the Westminster Government announced that over one  million boxes of essential food have now been delivered to those at highest risk across England.

  • Nationwide milestone reached as part of unprecedented government effort to protect the most clinically vulnerable from coronavirus
  • In the last week, the government-led programme has delivered 330,000 food boxes to those most at risk across England
  • Communities Secretary Robert Jenrick hails the ‘astonishing’ achievement, thanking everyone involved in the national effort

Over 1 million boxes of essential food have now been delivered to those at highest risk across England, with more than 290,000 boxes being distributed every week and 330,000 delivered in the last week, Communities Secretary Rt Hon Robert Jenrick MP announced yesterday.

The Communities Secretary hailed the efforts of everyone involved in surpassing this milestone for the government-led programme, including national food distributors, Brakes and Bidfood, who have been delivering packages directly to clinically vulnerable people’s doorsteps.

The shielding programme, an unprecedented package of support for those most at risk from coronavirus, has seen government partner with the food industry and local councils to deliver a programme on a scale not seen since the Second World War.

Communities Secretary Rt Hon Robert Jenrick MP said: The coronavirus emergency has brought uncertain and difficult times but the willingness of people to pull together and support those most in need is an inspiration to us all.

This week, another significant milestone has been achieved with one million food packages delivered to those most at risk from the virus. This is an incredible achievement from this government programme’s standing start of at the end of March.

“I could not be prouder and I want to thank everyone involved, from the food box delivery drivers, to volunteers and council officials ensuring local support networks meet the needs of their communities – together, our continued and astonishing effort will provide the support that those most at risk need, for as long as they need it.”

Environment Secretary George Eustice said: “I would like to say a big thank you to Brakes and Bidfood for getting more than one million food parcels onto the doorsteps of those in need. It is an excellent achievement in such a short space of time.

“The food and drink industry is working incredibly hard to support the most vulnerable at this time, but we know there is more to do. We are continuing to work closely with local authorities, charities and industry partners to support those who still need help getting essential food supplies.”

There are around 2.1 million people with underlying severe health conditions which make them most at risk from coronavirus who must be protected and have been asked to stay at home and shield.

Many have local family and friends who can get the vital provisions needed – but for those without, the government has committed to providing the support they need, for as long as they need it.

There is further guidance available on how people can access food and other supplies, including those who are not clinically extremely vulnerable.

Holly’s Month of Miles for MND

Holly Archibald, a 32-year-old trainee solicitor from Edinburgh, is running 2.6 miles every day for a month in memory of her uncle who died of Motor Neurone Disease (MND).

The 2.6 Challenge was launched on 26 April, the day the London Marathon was supposed to take place. The challenge called for people across the UK to pick their own ‘2.6 Challenge’ in support of a charity close to their heart.

While adjusting to her new normal in lockdown, Holly decided to take on the challenge by running at least 2.6 miles a day for 31 days, to raise funds for charity MND Scotland after losing her uncle to the disease in 2016.

MND is a rapidly progressing terminal illness, which can cause someone to lose the ability to walk, talk, eat, drink or breathe unaided. The average life expectancy from diagnosis is just 18 months.

Holly said, “We lost my uncle, Ian, three years ago to MND when he was 59. It was awful to see this disease ruin him, and our family. The disease truly frightens me, and I think the support and research MND Scotland provides is vital to fight it. Ian lives on in our memories but also within these challenges.

“I cycled from London to Paris in 2017 to raise funds for MND Scotland and I intend to keep doing what I can to support them. I was emailed about the challenge following the cancellation of the London Marathon (not that I was planning to do that!). I only really started running 5 weeks ago, when we went into lockdown, so I thought this would be sufficiently difficult to encourage people to sponsor me.

“I am very much trying to adapt to the new norm. I certainly have more time on my hands since lockdown, so I am running at least 2.6 (socially distanced) miles per day, from the 26th of April to the 26th of May. Or at least jog. Maybe, towards the end, walk! By the end I’ll have completed at least 80.6 miles. Uncle Ian lives on in our memories but also within these challenges.

“People often see fundraising as needing to run a marathon, do a skydive or something crazy but what this period of time has shown us is that actually you don’t have to do these big grand things. You can do something small like run or walk every day. As long as it challenges you personally. I think that’s one of the positive things coming from this.

“I’d encourage everyone to get involved and do something. Even if you only raise £30, that’s money that wouldn’t have been therefore, so just go for it! Any little really does help and raising awareness is just as important.

“I had a target of £260 given it’s the 2.6 Challenge and have already smashed it, raising £345 so far. This is great but more would be even better. I hope that the cash raised will help MND sufferers and family members, especially during this pandemic.”

Iain McWhirter, MND Scotland’s head of fundraising, said “With many events being cancelled and postponed this year, the 2.6 Challenge gives people something fun and positive to do at home, while raising money for many worthy causes.

“During this uncertain time, we are determined to make sure no one goes through MND alone while the country is on lockdown. That’s why we’ve launched a host of new services to help us stay connected to families affected by MND in Scotland, including video support groups, one-to-one phone calls and emergency grants for anyone who is struggling financially as a result of Covid-19.

“We’re very grateful to supporters like Holly, who are able to use this time at home to support MND Scotland.” 

To support Holly’s miles for MND you can donate online at https://www.justgiving.com/fundraising/my-2-6-challenge-eaf7ee74-490c-4570-9661-db9ab22d8fba or sign up to do your very own 2.6 Challenge for MND Scotland at www.mndscotland.org.uk/26-challenge.

Letters: Dogs Trust West Calder thanks supporters

Dear Editor,

In these unprecedented and challenging times, we would like to say a huge thank you to all Dogs Trust supporters and players of People’s Postcode Lottery in the local area, for their continued support.

We are currently looking after 49 dogs a Dogs Trust West Calder and without the help of the dog loving public, we would not be able to give our wonderful dogs everything they need whilst they are in our care waiting to head off to their forever homes. For many that wait is going to be longer than usual due to the current lockdown.

However, regardless of how long they have to wait, we can assure you that thanks to our supporters and players of People’s Postcode Lottery, all of our dogs have everything they need, every single day they are with us.

More than £13million has been awarded to Dogs Trust since the partnership with People’s Postcode Lottery first began in 2013. This has meant we have been able to invest in additional highly skilled staff such as behaviourists, canine carers and veterinary staff, expand initiatives such as our Home from Home fostering scheme, invest in our volunteers and improve facilities at our rehoming centres, all of which has lasting benefits for our four-legged friends.

We know all of our supporters share our vision to improve the dog welfare landscape in the UK and although at the moment we don’t know the financial implications of Coronavirus on Dogs Trust as it is an evolving situation, we are certain that the coming months are likely to see an increased demand for our services.

That is why we want to take this opportunity to thank dog lovers in the region for their vital continued support.

If you would like to find out more about how Dogs Trust is helping dog owners during this difficult time, or if you would like to make a donation, please go to www.dogstrust.org.uk

Thank you.

The team at Dogs Trust West Calder

UK’s most popular free-to-play sports games on iOS and Android in lockdown

Keen hobbyists stuck inside through the lockdown have been advised on the best and most relevant games to download to get their fix.

The NetVoucherCodes.co.uk team have researched and revealed the most popular free-to-play sports games on iOS and Android in the UK right now, allowing Brits to engage in their favourite sports and activities, whilst staying safe and saving money.

Bored Brits are finding alternative ways to enjoy many of their favourite pastimes in lockdown, and with a vast choice of great games for iPhone and Android phones, sports and activities are no different.

One of the most popular sports games at the moment is mobile fishing game Carpcraft.

It ranks near the top in iOS / Android app stores for carp and carp fishing and since lockdown was first announced, downloads have increased by over 100%.

A spokesperson for NetVoucherCodes.co.uk said: “Whether you’re mourning football, or going to miss the cancelled Wimbledon, there’s a big hole in people’s lives where sport used to be.

“There might not be any sport on the TV at the moment, but that doesn’t mean you can’t get in on the action in other ways.

“With spectator sports cancelled indefinitely during this public health crisis, sporting fans have flocked to their phones to get their hobby fix.

“We are seeing a huge rise in downloads since lockdown, and often a download can turn into hours of non-stop gameplay and fun.

“Fortunately for sport-loving Brits, there are plenty of games that you can download right now and not need to spend a single penny.

“Among the free to play sports games, golfing game ‘Golf Rival’, and archery game ‘Archery King’ are favourites for sports fans.

“Other trending games include football game ‘Score! Hero’, and darts game ‘Darts of Fury’.”

Here is NetVoucherCodes’ list of most downloaded sports games with their ratings in the UK today:

Scottish Government aid for landlords

A £5 million fund will offer interest-free loans to landlords whose tenants are having difficulty paying rent during the coronavirus (COVID-19) crisis. The Private Rent Sector Landlord COVID-19 Loan Scheme will offer eligible landlords up to 100% of lost rental income for a single property.

It will support private-sector landlords who are not classified as businesses, have five or less properties to rent and have lost rental income due to tenants unable to pay rent as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Housing Minister Kevin Stewart said: “We want to ensure no one loses their home during this unprecedented public health pandemic which is why we passed legislation to protect tenants against any eviction action for six months.

“This new £5 million loan fund builds on that action and offers landlords the same security as tenants, ensuring they have financial support if tenants struggle to pay rent because of coronavirus.

“While all tenants should pay their rent if they can, we recognise the financial pressure people are facing. The Scottish Government encourages landlords to talk to their tenants about rent payment issues. We also expect landlords to be as flexible as possible with their tenants, discuss managing rental payments and help them find sources of financial support and advice.”

Chief Executive of the Scottish Association of Landlords (SAL) John Blackwood said: “We are pleased the Scottish Government has taken this first step in helping the private-rented sector weather the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic, which recognises the role private landlords play in the housing system.

“Collectively the housing sector needs an approach that protects all parts of housing in Scotland to guarantee we can provide the different types of quality housing we need.  We want to continue to work with the government, as well as other public bodies, trade bodies and charities to ensure to achieve that and hope there will be further steps taken soon.”

The Private Rent Sector Landlord (non-business) COVID-19 Loan Scheme opened for applications yesterday. Read more information.

The Coronavirus (Scotland) Act 2020 already protects tenants from any eviction action for six months.

Scottish Tories: Government must plan to clear backlog of operations

The Scottish Conservatives have called for the Scottish Government to publish a plan outlining how they will clear the backlog of operations created while the NHS concentrates on Covid-19.

The call comes as the latest figures show that the number of planned operations for March this year in Scotland has fallen over 30% compared to March last year.

In addition, the number of cancelled operations for the same month has almost doubled to 15% compared to March 2019.

The Scottish Conservatives have said that it is understandable that the NHS has been prioritising Covid patients but the Scottish Government must outline a plan to clear this backlog and ensure there isn’t any avoidable suffering beyond the pandemic.

3,429 operations were carried out in NHS Lothian during March 2020, a decrease of 1,875 from 5,304 in March 2019 – a decrease of 35%.

The percentage of cancelled operations has more than doubled compared to March 2019, with 21.3% of operations cancelled in March 2020, compared to 9.9%.

Miles Briggs, Scottish Conservative shadow health secretary said: “Our NHS has rightly diverted time and resources to tackling Covid-19 and we wouldn’t expect anything else.

“But the dramatic reduction in hospital operations is not without cost and must be reversed as soon as possible.

“The Scottish Government must put a plan in place to clear these operations or Covid could cause even greater suffering.

“Prior to the Covid-19 outbreak SNP Ministers were failing to meet their own waiting times targets.

“It is clear that for many patients the wait to get the treatments and operations they need is going to be significantly longer.

“I am enormously grateful to everyone working in our NHS right now – the Scottish Government must plan now so doctors and nurses can continue to save lives now and in the future.”

Care Homes and Coronavirus: Holyrood committee launches survey

The Scottish Parliament’s Health and Sport Committee has launched a survey looking into the particular issues faced by care homes during the coronavirus pandemic.

The digital survey is aiming to finding out the preparedness of care homes to respond to this pandemic, and how they have been supported and equipped to deal with its effects. The Committee is seeking views from care home residents, their families and care homes staff.

Over the coming weeks, the Committee will be undertaking a series of short inquiries into the Scottish Government’s response to the pandemic.

As well as looking at the issues faced by care homes, the Committee will be looking at the Government’s testing policy, issues around personal protective equipment (PPE), and the emergency planning and preparation that was in place with a view to supporting the health and social care sector’s ability to manage any potential ‘second wave’ of the virus, or future pandemic.

Lewis Macdonald MSP, Health and Sport Committee Convener, said: “As the death toll from the coronavirus pandemic has continued to rise, it has become clear that care homes in particular have suffered many tragic losses.

“The most recent data from the National Records of Scotland shows more than half of Scotland’s coronavirus deaths are now happening in care homes.

“This is shocking and has a devastating impact on residents, staff and their families.

“Our Committee is determined to find out the issues that care homes are facing, how they have been supported by the Government and what can be done now to help them deal with this unprecedented challenge.”

The survey is available here: www.parliament.scot/care-homes-covid

It closes on 20th May.

Tonight: Mark Bonnar’s Big Quiz!

Heart Research UK patron Mark Bonnar hosting online charity quiz night

Mark Bonnar, star of Guilt, Line of Duty, Shetland and smash new show Quiz, is hosting a charity quiz night on Facebook, raising money for national charity Heart Research UK.

Mark, who became a patron of the charity last year, will quiz viewers on subjects including sport, film and TV and music on Heart Research UK’s YouTube channel at 8pm on Wednesday the 6th of May.

Mark will also be taking over Heart Research UK’s Facebook page to chat live with participants and host a live Q&A after.

Heart Research UK are asking for donations if players quiz along at home, with all the money supporting the charity’s pioneering medical research into the prevention, treatment and cure of heart disease.

Mark first became involved with Heart Research UK in 2018, producing a piece of original artwork that was auctioned as part of the charity’s anonymous heART project.

Since then, he has been involved with various campaigns, including Heart Research UK’s Heart of Scotland appeal, a dedicated fundraising campaign to raise money to take on Scotland’s biggest killer – heart disease.

Mark Bonnar said: “In the uncertain times that we find ourselves in, it’s really important that we try and have a bit of fun, as well as giving something back. That’s why I’m so delighted to be hosting this quiz – I’ve dreamt up some devilish questions so you best be on top form!

“The work that Heart Research UK does is incredibly close to my heart. My father had a triple bypass over 20 years ago, and thankfully he is still going strong.

“The advances in research and surgery over the last few decades have been truly remarkable, thanks in no small part to the vital work that charities such as Heart Research UK are doing.”

Kate Bratt-Farrar, Chief Executive of Heart Research UK, said: “I’m sure we’ve all done a virtual quiz or two over the last few weeks, but Mark Bonnar’s big quiz for Heart Research UK promises to be one of the best!

“We can’t wait to see what Mark has up his sleeve for the quiz – I’ve been told there may be a few surprises but I won’t give any answers away.

“This is obviously a difficult time for everyone, and charities are no exception. We’re hoping that this will be a really enjoyable evening for everyone, which also helps us raise some much needed funds to help us take on heart disease, the nation’s single biggest killer.

“We hope to see you all there!”

Mark Bonnar’s Big Quiz for Heart Research UK kicks off at 8pm on Heart Research UK’s YouTube channel – www.youtube.com/heartresearchuk.

Participants can catch up with Mark before and after the quiz on Heart Research UK’s Facebook page – www.facebook.com/heartresearchuk.

Raab: ‘Be under no illusions: the next stage won’t be easy’

Foreign Secretary Dominic Raab gave the 5 May 2020 daily press briefing on the UK government’s response to the COVID-19 pandemic:

Welcome to today’s Downing Street press conference. I’m joined by Professor Angela McLean, Chief Scientific Advisor at the MOD.

First, let me give an update on the latest data that we have on coronavirus. I can report through the government’s ongoing monitoring and testing programme that as of today:

  • there have now been 1,383,842 tests for coronavirus across the UK, including 84,806 tests yesterday
  • we know that 194,990 people have tested positive, that’s an increase of 4,406 cases since yesterday
  • and of those who have tested positive, 29,427 have very sadly died, and our hearts go out to everyone who has lost a loved one throughout the coronavirus challenge

We continue to see evidence of a flattening of the peak of this virus. But, as the figures that I have just read out show, it’s is not over yet. So, in the coming days, SAGE will be updating ministers with the latest scientific advice.

As ever, we will make sure that we continue to be guided by their advice as we take the decisions on next steps in fighting the virus. Alongside the advice from SAGE, our 5 tests remain absolutely key.

  • first, we must continue to boost NHS capacity, so that the NHS cannot be overwhelmed
  • second, we need to see a sustained and consistent fall in the number of deaths
  • thirdly, we must see further reductions in the rate of infection to manageable levels, across all different areas and settings
  • fourth, we must be confident that the NHS will be able to cope with future demands, including as a result of any changes that we make to existing measures or indeed any new measures we might wish to take
  • fifth, and above all, we need to be confident that any adjustments to the current measures will not risk a second peak of infections that could then overwhelm the NHS

Later on this week, the Prime Minister will update the country on the measures and decisions we will need to take to protect the NHS, to safeguard the economy and avoid the risk of a second peak that would be damaging both for public health, but also for jobs and the wider economy.

As we consider the decisions we will take next, to protect life, but also to protect our way of life, it’s now clear that the second phase will be different. We will need to adjust to a new normal where we as a society adapt to safe new ways to work, to travel, to interact and to go about our daily lives,

We’ve never experienced anything like this first stage of COVID-19, in terms of the scale of the lives lost but also the lockdown that it has required. As we go forward, we want to make sure that the next phase is more comfortable, is more sustainable and prevents lasting damage to jobs and livelihoods.

But we need to be under no illusions, the next stage won’t be easy. And if we’re going to protect life and preserve our way of life we must continue to be guided by the scientific advice we receive, and make sure the next steps we take are sure-footed and sustainable.

Before I hand over to Angela to run through the data slides, I want to provide an update on one further feature that coronavirus as a challenge has thrown up for this country, and indeed, for the whole world.

Whilst the vast majority of people, and countries have come together and rallied to this international mission to defeat coronavirus, there will always be some who seek to exploit a crisis for their own criminal and hostile ends.

We know that cyber criminals, and other malicious groups are targeting individuals, businesses, and other organisations by deploying COVID-19 related scams and phishing emails.

That includes groups that in the cyber security world are known as ‘advanced persistent threat’ groups – sophisticated networks of hackers who try to breach computer systems. We have clear evidence now that these criminal gangs are actively targeting national and international organisations, which are responding to the COVID-19 pandemic, which I have to say makes them particularly venal and dangerous at this time.

We are working with the targets of those attacks, with the potential targets, and with others, to make sure that they are aware of the cyber threat, and that they can take the steps necessary to protect themselves or, at the very least, mitigate the harm that could be brought against them.

With that in mind, today, the UK’s National Cyber Security Centre and the US Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency have published a joint warning about these groups.

And we’ve offered some advice on the cyber criminals and other actors who are seeking to exploit the COVID-19 pandemic through malicious cyber activity. Our teams have identified campaigns targeting healthcare bodies, pharmaceutical companies, research organisations, and also various different arms of local government.

There are various objectives and motivations that lie behind these attacks, from fraud on the one hand to espionage. But they tend to be designed to steal bulk personal data, intellectual property and wider information that supports those aims, and they are often linked with other state actors.

We expect this kind of predatory criminal behaviour to continue and evolve over the coming weeks and months ahead, and we are taking a range of measures to tackle the threat. So, as we have done today, we will share advice on the nature of those threats to enable business, citizens and our international partners to better defend themselves against the full range of cyber-attack – from hostile states to criminal gangs.

Preventive action is often the very best way to deny attackers the opportunities they are looking for. The National Cyber Security Centre (NCSC) offers a range of practical advice to safeguard against cyber-attacks. From things like the use of online passwords, to guidance on trusted sources of online information relating to COVID-19 like the GOV.UK sites or Public Health England.

As well as providing practical advice, the UK will continue to counter those who conduct cyber-attacks. And we’re working very closely with our international partners both to respond to the threats, but also to deter the gangs and the arms of state who lie behind them.

We’re absolutely determined to defeat coronavirus, and also to defeat those trying to exploit the situation for their own nefarious ends.