Community News

Following Windrush Scandal disaster Home Secretary Patel promising 'sweeping reforms' of Home Office culture

The British Home Secretary Priti Patel has promised to make "sweeping reforms" to Home Office culture after the Windrush Scandal which saw people wrongly deported. She said there would be a "full evaluation" of the hostile environment policy before also announced mandatory training for Home Office staff, reconciliation events with the victims of the scandal and diverse shortlists for senior jobs.

The Labour Party said that the government was "falling woefully short".

Ms Patel said her commitment to changing the Home Office was "fundamentally solid and firm" adding: "I have been on the receiving end of certain practices in the Home Office as well, which quite frankly speak to some of the points that came out of Wendy Williams' review."

The Windrush scandal saw people being detained or even removed from the UK despite having lived in the country for years. The scandal prompted criticism of the government's "hostile environment" measures introduced to tackle illegal immigration such as a 'deport first, appeal later' policy and tougher 'right to work' checks.

A report into the scandal by Wendy Williams, an inspector of constabulary, accused the Home Office of demonstrating "ignorance and thoughtlessness". She made 30 recommendations and in June Ms Patel said she accepted the report in full.

Making a statement in the House of Commons, the home secretary told MPs the scandal was "an ugly stain on the face of our country and our Home Office" adding that her response had been "swift, strong and uncompromising". She also added that she wanted to ensure "sweeping reforms" to Home Office culture and would be "reviewing every aspect of how the department operates, its leadership, the culture, policies, practices and the way it views and treats all parts of the communities it serves".

She told MPs that over £1.5m had been offered by the Windrush compensation scheme but added "this is just the beginning".

In her statement she announced:

A series of reconciliation events to rebuild the relationship between the Home Office and those who were affected by the scandal
Mandatory training for new and existing Home Office staff members "to ensure everyone working across the department understands and appreciates the history of migration and race across the country"
A review of "compliant environment" measures, formally known as the "hostile environment"
A "more diverse shortlists for senior jobs, specialist mentoring and sponsorship programmes to help develop a wider pool of talent and drive cultural change".

Ms Patel said: "There are simply not enough individuals from Black, Asian or minority ethnic staff working at the top in senior roles and there are far too many times where I am the only non-white face in the room.

"The injustices of Windrush did not happen because Home Office staff were bad people, but because staff themselves were caught up in a system where they did not feel they had the permission to bring personal judgement to bear."

She also announced that in September 2021, Ms Williams would revisit the Home Office to review its progress.

Labour's Shadow Home Secretary Nick Thomas-Symonds said the Windrush scandal "must lead to real and lasting change".

"Looking at the failure to act on so many previous reviews, the government is falling woefully short on that action and that's why we will be holding them to account for delivering the vital changes outlined in this report and to act with the urgency that is required."

Patrick Vernon, a Windrush campaigner, urged the government to speed up the payment of compensation to victims of the Windrush scandal.

He said Mrs Patel's statement "paid lip service to this review, but does not respond to the urgency of the matter - several Windrush victims have already died without receiving compensation for the injustice they faced."

Sandwell Council has confirmed it will continue to deliver emergency food parcels to older, vulnerable and disabled residents who need them until the end of July. People are now being urged to make arrangements for their food shopping from 1 August, when shielding will end for most people as government restrictions continue to ease.

Sandwell Council set up its Emergency Practical Support Team in March to co-ordinate care and assistance for people who are older, vulnerable, disabled or who have been shielding themselves at home. Supported by staff and volunteers as well as local businesses, charities, food banks and other organisations, the council has delivered more than 13,500 parcels since March to help people through the coronavirus (Covid-19) emergency.

Council staff moved temporarily from their normal jobs to run the food hub. They purchased food and essential items, packing and delivering parcels and calling vulnerable people to check on their welfare.

Sandwell was the first in the region to establish its food hub and is seen as best practice in terms of its quick mobilisation, community connections and expansion to support other vulnerable groups in Sandwell. The food hub has been providing weekly deliveries of essential items – including eggs, cheese, milk, bread, pasta, cereals and tinned goods as well as sanitary products and baby food where needed – to people with no way of getting shopping.

Only a small number of households have received more than five parcels since March, as many people have started to make their own arrangements, order shopping online or been able to return to the shops. Now, as government restrictions continue to ease and demand for the council’s food parcels has significantly reduced, the council is scaling back its operation.

The food hub service will end on 31 July, but emergency help and advice will still be available to those in greatest need.

The government has relaxed shielding measures as of 6 July and announced that shielding will end for most people, apart from those classed as extremely clinically vulnerable (who will continue to receive government support), from 1 August. The council is sending a leaflet to all households who have been receiving its free food parcels letting them know they will need to make their own arrangements from 1 August onwards. The leaflet includes details of how to access supermarket delivery slots and food boxes, opening times, priority hours and other arrangements.

The Labour MP for Brent Central, Dawn Butler MP has been announced as the latest patron of the charity, Mandela8.

The former Shadow Minister for Women & Equalities has become the first elected African-Caribbean government minister to endorse the Liverpool initiative which commemorate and pursue the legacy of Nelson Mandela's outstanding achievement for humanity.

The first elected African-Caribbean woman to become a Government Minister in the UK, Butler ran a hugely successful campaign in 2015, winning her vote with a majority of nearly 20,000; giving her the largest vote swing in England at the time.

Twice awarded by the Patchwork Foundation as the People's Choice Labour Party MP of the Year and Overall MP of the Year, the announcement came ahead of the annual Mandela Day celebrations.

The Liverpool-based CIO (Charitable Incorporated Organisation), is a charity which aims to see permanent artwork that functions as a unique performance, conversation and contemplation space established at a Toxteth Liverpool 8 heritage site,

Hugely impressed by Mandela's humanitarian efforts, the MP said: "Mandela has inspired me, just as he inspired so many around the world after spending 27 years in prison so that Black people could have equal rights and votes and to end the brutal apartheid regime".

The latest announcement by the charity comes with the upcoming Mandela Week, which will be marked this year with their annual 'My 67 Minutes' campaign (sponsored the Torus Foundation), which aims to bring people together through acts of kindness and community cohesion.

Last year, the organisation reached over 230,000 young people across Liverpool, Chester and Warrington, with hundreds of volunteers dedicating their time to help communities in the North West of England.

Mandela8 is also in its final week of crowd-funding to support Merseyside's most vulnerable individuals during lockdown with food parcels, hygiene packs and arts activities for young children.

A member of the House of Commons Science & Technology Select Committee, Chair of the APPG for Jamaica and APPG for Governance & Inclusive Leadership, the UK’s first elected Black woman to become a government minister, Ms Butler ran a hugely successful campaign in 2015, winning her vote with a majority of nearly 20,000; giving the largest vote swing in England at the time.

The announcement came as Mandela8 – the organisation behind the new Nelson Mandela memorial in Princes Park, which will also feature an outdoor classroom – are marking Mandela Week’ this year with their annual ‘My 67 Minutes’ campaign (sponsored by Torus Foundation, platinum sponsors for the previously scheduled visit from the Mandela Family), which aims to bring people together through acts of kindness and community cohesion.

The Metropolitan Police must formally apologise to a man who was detained while a police officer appeared to kneel on his neck, his lawyer has said.

Marcus Coutain, 48, was filmed telling officers "get off my neck" as he was arrested in north London, in the UK. His lawyer Tim Rustem said the events "mirrored almost identically what happened to George Floyd", who died after being restrained in the US. One Met officer has been suspended and another placed on restricted duties.

The Met "quickly assessed the incident" and referred it to the Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC), which is conducting an investigation. The force said it would not be issuing any further statements.

Mr Coutain pleaded not guilty at Highbury Corner Magistrates' Court to possessing a knife in public. Police said officers were called to reports of a fight in the city. Footage posted on social media that evening shows two officers holding a handcuffed black man on the pavement. In court, Mr Rustem said the police should apologise.

Speaking outside court, Mr Rustem said the Crown Prosecution Service should review the case, drop the charges and offer a "formal apology" to Mr Coutain. He (Mr Rustem) said his client was legally carrying a blade for the purposes of repairing his bicycle.

"Essentially Mr Coutain was stopped and searched for matters for which he has not been charged," he said. "It is the use of what I would regard as excessive force, a knee being placed on his neck ... references which mirror exactly what happened to George Floyd in America.

"A man saying 'I can't breathe' and 'get your knee off my neck', while he was already handcuffed and while he was restrained by two police officers."

He said his client was lucky to have only "minimal" injuries to his wrists and neck, adding: "Fortunately it didn't lead to the tragic consequences that we saw in America."

Deputy Commissioner Sir Steve House described footage of the arrest in Islington as "deeply disturbing" and said some of the techniques, which were "not taught in police training", caused him "great concern".

In a statement, the Met Police said it had quickly assessed the incident, including the body worn video footage from the officers and their statements and justification for their use of force, and referred it to the IOPC.

In Islington, about 30 people gathered outside the police station in protest against how Mr Coutain was arrested. The case has been sent to Snaresbrook Crown Court on 17 August.

 
The Scarlet Tiger moth is moving out of the urban jungle and turning up in people’s gardens.  This spectacular moth, once rare in the region, is on the move and this summer is proving a bumper year.  National charity Butterfly Conservation’s West Midlands branch have received a record number of reports.
 
Mike Williams, volunteer Publicity & Marketing Officer for West Midlands Butterfly Conservation explains: “Numbers of the brightly coloured Scarlet Tiger moth this year are unprecedented and it is being reported from across the region.  Moths often have the reputation of being dull, brown and boring but the Scarlet Tiger is as attractive as any butterfly. 
 
“It was once found only in the south of Worcestershire but has spread northwards likely due to climate change and the spread of a plant called Green Alkanet which originally was a garden plant but has now escaped onto waste land and road verges.  

The caterpillars of the Scarlet Tiger which previously fed mainly on Comfrey, a plant of riverbanks and other damp places, has been able to take advantage of this new food source. It is now abundant in many areas and very noticeable as, unlike many moths, it flies in bright sunshine.  Its bright colours serve as a warning to birds that the moth is distasteful although it is completely harmless.  It will be on the wing until the end of July.”
 
The Scarlet Tiger is one of over 600 species of moth found in the area and featured in the recently published Moths of the West Midlands.  While some moths have declined in abundance over the past 50 years, others have increased in numbers and range as a result of improvements in air quality and changes in climate. 
 
Since the turn of the century, moth enthusiasts in the West Midlands have recorded over 50 new species of moth which have never been recorded before in this area. Increases in moth populations is generally to be welcomed as they are indicators of the health of the wider countryside and are important pollinators. It is hoped that the publication of this new book, which includes a section on gardening for moths, will make people more aware of moths and do what they can to encourage them into the garden.

Oil heated households in the West Midlands could face major costs for green heat under government plans

Rural homeowners living in the West Midlands, could face huge costs to install green heating systems if government plans go ahead, warns an industry trade association.
 
As part of the UK’s strategy to tackle climate change, consumers will be encouraged to replace fossil fuel heating systems with electric heat pumps at an average cost of over £10,000 to install.
 
The 8500 oil heated households in the West Midlands, will be amongst those targeted first. Government is already consulting on proposals to offer £4,000 ‘Clean Heat Grants’ to help supplement the cost of heat pumps, and in limited cases, biomass heating systems.

However, this still leaves a £6,000 shortfall for installation alone which many consumers will not be able to afford, especially during a post pandemic recession. OFTEC, which represents the liquid fuel heating industry, has written to all rural MPs to highlight the issue and is urging oil heated households across the West Midlands to raise the issue with their own local MP.

Resources to do this are available at OFTEC’s website (www.oftec.org/future-heating)
Malcolm Farrow of OFTEC explains: “We know that rural households are already more likely to be in fuel poverty and face the largest fuel poverty gap. Many also fall into the low to middle income bracket with little or no savings. These financially stretched homeowners are struggling to pay their existing bills, so there is no way they will be able to fund expensive green heating systems such as heat pumps, particularly post Covid-19.
 
“Government should be backing more cost-effective options such as renewable liquid fuels which can provide a simple, drop in replacement for heating oil. Failing to do so will mean that rural households in particular continue to suffer and progress on climate change will continue to stall.”

Captain Sir Tom Moore was knighted in the Queen's first official engagement in person since lockdown during an investiture to honour the 100-year-old, who raised more than £32m for NHS charities, was staged in a "unique ceremony" at Windsor Castle.

He was recognised for walking more than 100 laps of his garden in Marston Moretaine, Bedfordshire. Capt Sir Tom, originally from Keighley, West Yorkshire, said it was "the most special of days for me".

"I am absolutely overawed," he said, "This is such a high award and to get it from Her Majesty as well - what more can anyone wish for? This has been an absolutely magnificent day for me.

"The money [raised] is very useful but you've only one Queen and when you get a message from the Queen there's no value that can be placed on that."

The Queen personally praised Capt Sir Tom, telling him: "Thank you so much, an amazing amount of money you raised." Prime Minister Boris Johnson had previously made a special nomination for the war veteran to be knighted.

Buckingham Palace believes it is the first time the ceremony has been held in the strictly socially distanced format.

Her Royal Highness used the sword that belonged to her father, George VI, to bestow the insignia of Knight Bachelor upon Capt Sir Tom. The Queen’s arrival was announced by the sound of bagpipes played by the Queen's Piper, Pipe Major Richard Grisdale, of The Royal Regiment of Scotland. Earlier, Her Majesty, the Duke of Edinburgh and other close family attended the unannounced wedding of their granddaughter Princess Beatrice to Edoardo Mapelli Mozzi in a nearby chapel.

Other Royal investitures have been put on hold during the pandemic with those scheduled to take place at Buckingham Palace and the Palace of Holyroodhouse in Edinburgh in June and July postponed.

Capt Sir Tom was joined at the ceremony by his family - daughter Hannah Ingram-Moore, son-in-law Colin Ingram, grandson Benjie and granddaughter Georgia. Mrs Ingram-Moore said: "It is just the most sensational day, of all of the things Tom's been honoured by this is truly the icing on the cake."

Captain Sir Tom, who was given the honorary title of colonel on his 100th birthday, had initially set out to raise £1,000 for NHS charities by repeatedly walking an 82ft (25m) loop of his garden. But he eventually raised £32,794,701 from more than one and a half million supporters.

Coronavirus restrictions will ease further in England under plans for a "significant return to normality" by Christmas, Boris Johnson has announced.

Under the new guidelines, people may use public transport for journeys immediately, while advice for employers will change from 1 August. Companies will have more discretion to bring staff back to workplaces if it is safe to do so, the PM explained.

Mr Johnson added he was "hoping for the best and planning for the worst".
At a news conference at Downing Street, the prime minister said the plans "remains conditional" on continued progress in controlling the virus and preventing a second wave of infections that could overwhelm the NHS.

"It is my strong and sincere hope that we will be able to review the outstanding restrictions and allow a more significant return to normality from November at the earliest - possibly in time for Christmas," he said.

Devolved administrations in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland have the power to set their own timings for the easing of restrictions.
In the announcement, Mr Johnson said the government was making it clear to people in England they may use public transport now.

From 1 August, he said: "Instead of government telling people to work from home, we are going to give employers more discretion, and ask them to make decisions about how their staff can work safely." He explained that could mean "continuing to work from home, which is one way of working safely and which has worked for many employers and employees".

However, the Welsh government said it would carry on advising people to work from home.

Responding to Mr Johnson's announcement, First Minister Mark Drakeford said: "I positively don't want people to be returning to offices in the way that we did before coronavirus happened." The government's current social distancing guidance requires people to stay at least 1m apart with certain precautions.

A further 114 coronavirus deaths were announced, taking the total number of people who have died with the virus in the UK to 45,233.

Tthe government's chief scientific adviser, Sir Patrick Vallance, told MPs there was "absolutely no reason" to change the government's current guidance on working from home.

They have advised people to "work from home if you can" since March, and Sir Patrick said home working was still a "perfectly good option" for many.

Asked about those comments at the news conference, Mr Johnson said he "totally agrees" with Sir Patrick and that it was not for the government to tell employers where their workforce should be.

Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer said he will look at the details of the government's plan to get people back to work but stressed "this can't be done on a wing and a prayer and requires a credible plan and national leadership".

Business groups warned any mass return to work immediately was unlikely.
Smaller companies in particular would need more support to get workers back, Mike Cherry from the Federation of Small Businesses said. "Small firms are being tasked with consulting employees and putting the right measures in place to ensure a safe return to work," he said.

"After weeks of little or no income, they will need help - both funding and advice - to make that happen."

Director of Policy at the Institute of Directors, Edwin Morgan, said childcare and concerns about using public transport were still issues for many employees.

Trade union body the TUC accused ministers of "passing the buck on this big decision to employers" and said more investment in public transport would be needed to make commuting safer.

The main contractor on the Grenfell Tower refurbishment overlooked a key fire safety document, the inquiry into the blaze has heard. It included requirements regarding the fire hazards of certain cladding materials and had to be kept on-site. But Simon Lawrence, contracts manager at building firm Rydon, said the "sheer amount of information" involved in the project led to it being missed.

The inquiry's first phase found that cladding fuelled the June 2017 fire. Hearings in the second phase of the inquiry returned last week after a four-month break due to coronavirus.

This second phase is examining the refurbishment of the 24-storey residential block in North Kensington, west London, in which 72 people died. The inquiry heard that a copy of the Standard for Systemised Building Envelopes, compiled by the Centre for Window and Cladding Technology, had to be kept on-site under National Building Specifications.

The document states that "the building envelope shall not be composed of materials which readily support combustion, add significantly to the fire load, and/or give off toxic fumes".

Asked about the guidance by inquiry lawyer Richard Millett QC, Mr Lawrence said: "We wouldn't have had a copy on site.

"It obviously wasn't picked up in all the documents we had to go through... it obviously wasn't noticed." Mr Lawrence said the "sheer amount of information" led to it being missed, but said he was familiar with the "principle" of the guidance but not the "technical part".

Asked about what steps Rydon took to supervise the overall project and ensure the works were being completed with safe materials, he said: "I think it would be using a competent design team, competent specialist contractors, backed up by building control and all the layers within." He said it was up to Rydon's sub-contracted design team including architects Studio E and external wall firm Harley Facades to check that any materials being used on the tower block refurbishment were safe and complied with the regulations.

Mr Lawrence, who was involved in the project between June 2014 and October 2015, agreed that this boiled down to Rydon being "reliant on others". He said in his witness statement that "at no point" did he "have any reason to believe" materials were to be used which did not meet legal requirements.

The appearance before the inquiry was the first time that Rydon, the company at the centre of the refurbishment, had given evidence.

A figure of a Black Lives Matter protester appeared on the empty plinth previously occupied by the statue of slave trader Edward Colston.

A sculpture of protester Jen Reid was erected in Bristol city centre where the Colston statue was pulled down last month.

Ms Reid had been photographed standing on the empty plinth after the statue was toppled during the march. Artist Marc Quinn said the sculpture did not have formal consent.

He said the black resin statue - called A Surge of Power - was only meant to be temporary, adding that he was inspired to create it after seeing an image of Ms Reid standing on the plinth with her fist raised during the Black Lives matter protest before then contacting her through social media and both working together on the statue, which was erected.

Ms Reid said: "I think it's something the people of Bristol really appreciate seeing. My husband took the photo on the day of the protests and put it on his social media. He was contacted by Marc Quinn who then contacted myself.

"I was in his studio after the protest with 201 cameras surrounding me, taking pictures of me from every conceivable angle. That went into a 3D print and a mould was made."

Ms Reid said the sculpture was important because it helped "keep the journey towards racial justice and equality moving", adding that she had felt an "overwhelming impulse" to climb on plinth in last month's protest.

"When I stood on the plinth, and raised my arm in a Black Power salute, it was totally spontaneous," she said. "I didn't even think about it. It was like an electrical charge of power was running through me.

"This sculpture is about making a stand for my mother, for my daughter, for black people like me."

Artist, Quinn, said the sculpture was meant as a temporary installation to continue the conversation about racism and did not know how long it would remain in place.

He said: "It was not going to be there forever. I saw pictures of Jen on the plinth and she spontaneously made this gesture and I thought this is amazing. She's made an extraordinary artwork just by doing that and it needed to be crystalised into an object and put back onto the plinth.

"It had to be in that public realm and I wanted to put it in that charged spot where Edward Colston had been before."

Protesters pull the Colston statue - which had been at the Bristol city centre site since 1895 - from its plinth. It was dragged to the harbourside, where it was thrown into the water at Pero's Bridge - named in honour of enslaved man Pero Jones who lived and died in the city.

The sculpture of a Black Lives Matter protester has now been removed from the plinth by Bristol City Council contractors removed the sculpture of Ms Reid and took it away in the back of a lorry.

Mayor Marvin Rees said it was up to the people of Bristol to decide what would replace Colston's statue.

Speaking in a Facebook Q&A, Mr Rees said it was important to gauge people's opinions on a replacement for the Colston statue, but he felt an empty plinth was "a very powerful statement at this time". He said that that how race was navigated in the UK was a "delicate balance", adding: "Running around provoking debate without any awareness of the potential consequences of that debate is not OK.

"We have to approach things with wisdom, which is why we've set out a process that revolves around a history commission telling the full story of Bristol so that the city is much more informed and is in a better position to collectively decide who it wants to honour and where."

Photo by Sam Saunders from Bristol

Banksy has returned to the London Underground with a piece encouraging people to wear a face mask.

A video posted on his Instagram page shows a man, believed to be the enigmatic artist, disguised as a professional cleaner. He can been seen ordering passengers away as he gets to work, stencilling rats around the inside of a carriage.

The artist's name is also daubed across the driver's door of a train. The work, called If You Don't Mask, You Don't Get, features a number of rats in pandemic-inspired poses and wearing face masks.

One rodent stencilled on the Circle Line train appears to be sneezing, while another is shown spraying anti-bacterial gel.

At the end of the video, the words "I get lockdown" appear on the side of a station wall, followed by "but I get up again" as the train's doors close, while Chumbawamba's 1997 song Tubthumping plays.

All users of public transport in London must wear a face mask.

Transport for London has said it is not yet able to comment. The BBC has asked if the travel authority worked with Banksy on this artwork and, if not, whether it posed a security risk.

Early on in his career Banksy, who is originally from Bristol, often spray-painted rats and monkeys on to Tube trains.

BBC Children in Need has announced it will be matching Stormzy in pledging £10m to fight racial inequality in the UK. It'll donate the money over 10 years and work with Radio 1Xtra to develop young Black talent in the media.

The rapper says the money will help "in supporting and strengthening the young black community". The donation will also be used to help young business owners and offer skills to help boost employability.

Stormzy made his donation commitment after the death of George Floyd, saying he recognised what he had been able to achieve in his life but wanted more Black people to have the same opportunities.

In 2018 he committed to paying for two Black students to go to Cambridge University and also has a deal with Penguin to help young Black authors get published in the UK.

Children in Need currently funds over 3,000 charities and projects in the UK that help disadvantaged children and young people. It says its donations are used to help young Black people but that the additional funding will go even further to create opportunities.
A panel of "young people and volunteers with direct experience of the Black British experience" will help decide who gets funding from this new scheme.

BBC Radio 1Xtra will also be involved in the process, helping to develop future radio presenters but also telling the stories of the people and communities who are receiving the Children in Need funding.

Kenny Imafidon, trustee of BBC Children in Need, said: "I can speak for the entire Board of Trustees and all the staff at BBC Children in Need when I say; we were really inspired by Stormzy's pledge.

"I am excited about this new fund and I truly believe that this is the beginning of greater things to come, as we continue on our mission to support children and young people most in need."

Stormzy has urged others to join in pledging.

Wolverhampton residents are being urged to take extra care to prevent the spread of coronavirus and help Avoid a Local Lockdown.
 
Significant changes to the lockdown measures came into effect on July 4, as the Government allows more businesses and activities to reopen to the public and social distance guidance changes from 2m to 1m-plus in instances where remaining 2m apart is not possible.
 
Councillor Jasbir Jaspal, the City of Wolverhampton Council’s Cabinet Member for Public Health and Wellbeing, said: “The reopening of more businesses is of course very welcome news, but it is also a time of heightened risk for us all because Covid-19 has not gone away.
 
“If we were to let down our guard and allow the virus to begin spreading more easily, we risk not only a second wave of cases and more deaths, but also the re-imposition of lockdown measures as we have seen in Leicester.
 
“We need to do all we can to ensure that we avoid a local lockdown in Wolverhampton, and we all have a key role to play in this.
 
“As part of gradually lifting lockdown there are additional freedoms from this weekend. More places will be able to open – but only if they can do so in a safe and ‘Covid-secure’ way, but how safely the city can re-open depends on all of us doing our part.

“It is absolutely vital that if anyone choses to go out they must stay alert and keep a safe distance from others at all times to reduce the risk of transmission. Failure to do this will increase the chances of seeing a local spike in cases or outbreaks.”
 
Wolverhampton Police Chief Superintendent, Andy Beard, said: “Everyone that lives, works or socialises in Wolverhampton has a personal responsibility to stay alert and comply with the latest Governmental restrictions. We have all made so many sacrifices over the last 15 weeks and I feel sure that none of us would want to see this undone.
 
“Local Police Officers and PCSOs will continue to be on patrol, engaging with the public, businesses and City Council to ensure everyone is aware of the latest restrictions.  Let’s all continue to help each other to avoid a local lockdown across Wolverhampton.”
 
People are now able to go to a pub, cafe or restaurant, the hairdressers, museums, theme parks, bingo halls, cinemas and places of worship, or stay in a hotel, bed and breakfast or on a campsite, as long as the venue in question is able to operate in a Covid-secure way.
 
In addition, more places of worship have opening their doors with services permitted from this weekend.
 
‘Close proximity’ venues, such as swimming pools, gyms, nightclubs, casinos, bowling alleys, soft play centres, spas, nail bars, beauty salons and tattoo parlours will remain closed at this time.
 
Not all venues which are permitted to reopen from Saturday will do so, and people are advised to check before travelling. Please note that the City of Wolverhampton Council’s museums, art galleries, libraries and archives service will not be reopening this weekend; announcements about plans for their reopening will follow in due course.
 
Social distancing guidelines will also change tomorrow, from 2m to '1m-plus'. People should continue to remain at least 2m away from anyone who is not a member of their own household but, in instances where this is not physically possible, members of the public can be 1m away from each other as long as other measures are put in place to limit the transmission of the virus.
 
These include wearing a face covering, installing screens, making sure people face away from each other and providing extra handwashing facilities.
 
In addition, from Saturday, people will be able to spend time indoors or outside with another household. Outside, up to six people from different households can meet, while inside six people from no more than two households can meet. Social distancing should apply in all cases.
 
Residents are reminded they must continue to:
 
Stay at home as much as possible
Work from home if you can
Limit contact with other people
Keep your distance if you go out, at least 2m or 1m-plus if 2m is not possible
Wash your hands regularly.
 
Anyone, irrespective of age, should be tested if they have symptoms of Covid-19, including a high temperature, a new, continuous cough, or a loss or change to your sense of smell or taste.

For more information, and to apply for a test, go to www.gov.uk/coronavirus. If anyone does not have access to the internet, they should call 119. All appointments must be booked in advance.
 
Anyone in Wolverhampton who tests positive for Covid-19 will be contacted by NHS Test and Trace and will need to isolate and share information about people that have been close contacts recently.
 
The latest information and guidance around coronavirus is available at www.gov.uk/coronavirus and on the council’s own coronavirus pages at www.wolverhampton.gov.uk/coronavirus. There’s lots of advice on how people can protect themselves and their families from coronavirus from the NHS at www.nhs.uk/coronavirus.
 
The council’s Stay Safe, Be Kind campaign offers clear and simple advice about how people can help themselves, and how they can support others who may be particularly vulnerable at this time.

Thousands of protesters marched through Brighton in support of the Black Lives Matter movement.

Demonstrators wearing black, and many with face coverings, held placards and shouted "Black lives matter every day" and "UK is not innocent".

They were serenaded by a string quartet as they passed the war memorial.

It follows an outcry over a video showing a man shouting "I can't breathe" while being restrained on the ground by three Sussex Police officers.

The force said the man was arrested and became aggressive towards officers before being placed on the ground.

The incident has been referred to the Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC).

Last month, more than 10,000 protesters marched through the East Sussex city in solidarity with the Black Lives Matter movement worldwide.

It followed the death of George Floyd, an unarmed Black man who died after a white police officer knelt on his neck for almost nine minutes in the US city of Minneapolis on 25 May.

His death sparked a wave of Black Lives Matter protests, including in the UK.

A family learning service has been recognised for its work by Festival of Learning 2020.

The Jubilee Partnership, run by SAFL, Sandwell Council’s Sandwell Adult and Family Learning service and the Jubilee Park Community Centre, Tipton has been recognised for their work in promoting learning in the community.

Festival of Learning, originally Adult Learners Week, is an organisation dedicated to the promotion of adult learning and rewarding organisations who promote, support and provide adult learning opportunities.

Over the last few years, Jubilee Partnership has delivered ICT and iPad classes and family learning events, free of charge to Sandwell residents.

These classes have led to more people enrolling on SAFL courses and more people using the Jubilee Centre; which is managed by the Bangladeshi Women's Association.

Sandwell Council Deputy Leader Councillor Danny Millard said: “Jubilee Partnership has done so much for the local community and this award is a great acknowledgement of all hard work that the teams have put in. Learning is vital for everyone, the more we can learn and develop new skills, the more we can help ourselves, our families and our community.”

A village procession and a Battle of Britain flypast will take place as Dame Vera Lynn's family, friends and fans say goodbye to the Forces' Sweetheart.

Dame Vera died last month at the age of 103 and her funeral will be held later.

The East Sussex village of Ditchling, where she lived for 50 years, will be at a standstill as police close off roads for her cortège.

It will make its way to Woodvale Crematorium from the family home at 11:40 BST.
A tribute was paid to the singer as a picture of her, accompanied with a video, were projected on to the White Cliffs of Dover ahead of her funeral. The lyrics of We'll Meet Again appeared as the music was played across the Channel.

The projection on to the 350ft cliffs was visible to ships and planes. It could also be seen from the main road and from some back gardens.

The funeral procession later will stop shortly at the crossroads in the centre of Ditchling to allow those who live there to pay their respects.

A flypast, consisting of a Spitfire and a Hurricane, was also set to take place, with a private service at the crematorium chapel expected to include a bugler from the Royal Marines providing music. The family said a full memorial service was planned to be held at a later date.

The singer was best known for performing hits such as We'll Meet Again to troops on the front line.

Dame Vera, who had sold more than a million records by the age of 22, was also remembered for singing The White Cliffs Of Dover, There'll Always Be An England, I'll Be Seeing You, Wishing and If Only I Had Wings.