Boris Johnson news – live: Tory MPs self-isolate after minister struck down with coronavirus, as recession warnings issued after Budget
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Junior health minister Edward Argar and Tory backbencher Sir Charles Walker are among several MPs self-isolating over concerns about contact with Nadine Dorries, who tested positive for the coronavirus this week.
It comes as Boris Johnson is set to move the UK into the “delay” phase. Criticising the government’s staggered response, former regional director of Public Health England John Ashton accused the “superficial” prime minister of having “no grasp of public health”.
Rishi Sunak has defended his Budget amid warnings of a recession, and questioned the usefulness Donald Trump’s move to shut down travel from Europe. The chancellor said the UK would not impose a similar ban, saying there was “no evidence” such measures work.
Nicola Sturgeon says Scotland is moving to 'delay' phase of coronavirus
"The decision has been taken that we have now moved from a contain phase into the delay phase where the objective is to seek to slow down the spread of the virus, to reduce the numbers who will be infected at the peak, the number infected at any one time," she said.
All citizens who experience symptoms of coronavirus should self-isolate from tomorrow, and mass gatherings of 500+ people will be banned, she adds.
It is not advised that schools, universities or colleges should be closed, however.
"From tomorrow if you have symptoms that are indicative of coronavirus you should self-isolate for seven days," she says.
"We will not be routinely testing everyone who is self-isolating."
She is speaking ahead of Boris Johnson's own update following the emergency Cobra meeting this afternoon and adds she is speaking to the Scottish public.
Labour leadership conference cancelled
In an email to staff, following an emergency meeting of the party's senior management team, Labour has announced its special conference to unveil its new leader on 4 April has been cancelled.
The new leader will still be revealed on the same date at a 'scaled back event'.
A Labour spokesperson said: "In the light of the spread of coronavirus, the Labour party has taken the decision to cancel the leadership elections special conference arranged for April 4 in order to safeguard our members and staff and to protect public health. Welsh Labour Conference and Scottish Labour Women's Conference will also be cancelled.
"The results of the Labour leadership and deputy leadership elections will be announced at a scaled back event on the same date and we are now considering options for what form that event will take.
"The Welsh Labour Conference and Scottish Labour Women's Conference will be reorganised for a later date. We will also be cancelling further hustings for the leadership and deputy leadership elections. We are still taking advice on whether upcoming CLP meetings should go ahead and will update once decisions have been taken.
‘Budget won’t reverse devastation of austerity’
Our political commentator Andrew Grice explains why Rishi Sunak’s big Budget giveaway will buy the Tories some time with their new supporters – but eliminating ongoing pressures on public services will prove difficult.
Electoral Commission recommends May local elections should be cancelled
Boris Johnson holds press conference
Following emergency Cobra meeting, he says the virus will continue to spread across the world. "We've done what can be done to contain this disease," he says.
"This is the worst public health crisis for a generation," he says.
"I must level with the British public, many more families are going to lose loved ones before their time"
PM says UK moving forward into delay phase
The most dangerous period is "some weeks away", but today the government is moving forward with its plan.
If you have coronavirus symptoms you should stay at home for at least seven days, he says. Everyone in the household should stay at home.
"We are considering the question of banning major public events," he added.
"Banning such events will have little effect on spread.
"At all stages we have been guided by the science.
"We are not closing schools now. The scientific advice is this could do more harm than good. Schools should only close if they are specifically advise to do so."
The PM urges people with symptoms to stay at home.
"This disease is particularly dangerous for older people... I know that many people will be very worried. We should all be thinking about our elderly relatives. We are going to need to mobilise millions to help each other."
"This country will get through this epidemic," he says.
NEW: Likely between 5-10,00 people are infected, chief scientific adviser says
Sir Patrick Vallance, the Government's chief scientific adviser, said the actual number of people infected in the UK at the moment could be between 5,000 and 10,000.
"Currently we are on a trajectory that looks as though it is about four weeks or so behind Italy and some other countries in Europe," he said.
"There are currently 590 cases that have been identified in the UK and there are more than 20 patients in intensive care units.
"If you calculate what that really means in terms of the total number, it is much more likely that we have between 5,000 and 10,000 people infected at the moment.
"That is still a relatively small number."
PM defends approach to pandemic
The Prime Minister defended the UK's approach to the pandemic, which has been less dramatic than actions taken by the US, Italy or Ireland.
"The measures that I have discussed today... staying at home if you think you have the symptoms, your whole household staying at home, looking after the elderly - making sure the elderly and vulnerable stay at home - these are the three most powerful defensive lines," he said.
"We think it's very important to maintain public trust and confidence in what we are doing, throughout this challenging time, always to be guided by the best possible scientific advice."
'Highly likely' that NHS will be overrun by Covid-19
There is a "high" likelihood that healthcare systems including Britain's NHS will not be able to cope with coronavirus in the coming weeks, EU health authorities have warned.
The European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC) called for "a rapid shift from a containment to a mitigation approach" – as countries across the EU impose restrictions on gatherings and close schools and workplaces.
The EU agency, which was established shortly after the 2003 SARS outbreak to help coordinate the continent's response to infectious diseases, said governments should urgently bring in the kind of "social distancing measures" resisted by Boris Johnson.
Brexit negotiations called off next week, says No 10
“Given the latest COVID-19 developments, UK and EU negotiators have today jointly decided not to hold next week’s round of negotiations in London, in the form originally scheduled," No 10 have said.
“Both sides are currently exploring alternative ways to continue discussions, including if possible the use of video conferences.”
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