Thanks to the continued patience and strong commitment of the public in helping to protect the NHS and contain the virus the Prime Minister has now confirmed that the government’s five tests for easing the lockdown are being met.

Thanks to everyone’s hard work, and with the current “R” (infection) rate now below 1 in all areas, from 𝐌𝐨𝐧𝐝𝐚𝐲 𝟏𝐬𝐭 𝐉𝐮𝐧𝐞 in England people are able to meet in groups of up to six people from different households outside - in parks or now also in private gardens - as long as people observe a two-m

The new NHS Test and Trace programme has now been rolled out, to help us move towards a more normal time.

The move will ensure we keep making progress in easing the lockdown while continuing to keep the virus under control. 

On Monday, 11th May, the Government released a new 50-page document that outlines in detail the Government’s approach to dealing in the longer-term with Covid-19. 

In the House of Commons on Wednesday 13th May 2020, the Secretary of State for Education, Gavin Williamson MP, reiterated how his Department have “worked closely with all the teaching unions and headteachers’ unions and with the sector”. 

The furlough scheme – or the Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme – is a Government scheme to help people keep their jobs whilst they are unable to work due to the Covid-19 outbreak. Currently, furloughed workers across the UK receive 80% of their salary, up to £2,500 per month, from the Government.

Part of my role as Her Majesty’s Solicitor-General of England and Wales is to refer to the Court of Appeal for review those sentences passed in the Crown Court which I consider to be “unduly lenient”.

Over the past fortnight I have been continuing to work from my home in Northampton in three main ways:

Last week I travelled from Northampton to Westminster for the first time in several weeks to personally appear in the House of Commons to answer ministerial questions as Her Majesty’s Solicitor-General for England and Wales. This took place on Tuesday, 28th April 2020.

The coronavirus outbreak is of course impacting on everyone’s daily lives. This also includes individuals’ mental health.