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  Published Date: 2020-07-31 

 Fans will not be allowed to attend the pilot sports events scheduled for this weekend in England after a spike in coronavirus cases, UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson has said. Spectators were due to watch the first two days of two county cricket matches while fans were at the World Snooker Championship when it started on Friday. It was also hoped to permit 4,000 racegoers at Goodwood on Saturday. The new restrictions on fans will be enforced until at least 15 August. The announcement comes after general restrictions were reintroduced for people in parts of northern England. "Pilots of larger crowds at sports venues will not take place," Johnson said at a news conference on Friday. "I said from May we would not hesitate to put on the brakes at the slightest sign that the numbers were going in the wrong direction." A statement from Goodwood racecourse said: "We are very disappointed for those who were hoping to attend tomorrow's event and for all those who have worked so hard to make it possible for spectators to be present. "We will engage with public health authorities and DCMS (Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport) over a rescheduled pilot at the earliest opportunity." More to follow 

  Published Date: 2020-07-31 

 Image copyright Reuters Image caption Carrie Lam said there were no political motives behind her move - but opposition activists disagree The Hong Kong government has postponed September's parliamentary elections by a year, saying it is necessary amid a rise in coronavirus infections. Hong Kong is currently experiencing a spike in Covid-19 infections, and reported 121 new cases on Friday. However, the opposition has accused the government of using the pandemic as a pretext to stop people from voting. On Thursday, the government banned 12 pro-democracy candidates from running in the elections. Opposition activists had hoped to obtain a majority in the Legislative Council (LegCo) in September's poll, capitalising on anger at Beijing's imposition of a controversial national security law in Hong Kong, and fears that the territory's freedoms are being eroded. Pro-democracy candidates had made unprecedented gains in last year's district council elections, winning 17 out of 18 councils. Chief Executive Carrie Lam said she would invoke emergency powers to postpone the elections, calling it the "most difficult decision I've made over the past seven months". "This postponement is entirely made based on public safety reasons, there were no political considerations," she said. How bad is the pandemic in Hong Kong? Hong Kong has had more than 100 daily new cases, for 10 days in a row. The overall numbers are still lower than those of many other places - but the spike comes after Hong Kong appeared to have contained the outbreak, with weeks of few or no local infections. Now, it's experiencing what's been described as a "third wave" of infections, and Ms Lam says she fears Hong Kong's hospitals will be overwhelmed by new cases. Health experts have told the BBC that, with the reintroduction of social distancing measures, the rate of infection appears to have slowed, and they hope Hong Kong will be back to close to zero local infections within four to six weeks. The city has introduced tough new measures to combat the virus, banning gatherings of more than two people. What's the argument for postponing elections? The territory has had more than 3,200 confirmed infections, and 27 deaths, from the virus. Ms Lam said Hong Kong's pandemic was in "its worst situation since January" and "as community spread continues, the risk of a large-scale outbreak will increase". She said that with 4.4m registered voters in Hong Kong, the elections would involve "a large-scale gathering and an immense infection risk", while social distancing measures would prevent candidates from canvassing. She also said that proceeding with elections in September would pose a particular risk to elderly voters, and that Hong Kong had many registered voters in mainland China, and overseas, who would be unable to take part in the elections while border quarantine measures were in place. The Beijing government said it supported the decision, which was made "in the interests of the public and based on the actual situations in Hong Kong". What's the argument against delaying the polls? Opposition politicians say that, under local election laws, the polls can only be postponed by 14 days, and that a longer delay would "trigger a constitutional crisis in the city". Lawmaker Tanya Chan said she suspected pro-government politicians were more concerned about "their own election prospects" rather than "the severity of the pandemic". Some experts have suggested that measures could be put into place to make elections safer, such as reducing waiting times at polling stations - and that a delay of a whole year is not necessary. Media playback is unsupported on your device Media caption Hong Kong security law: The BBC's Stephen McDonell explains what it means, and what people there think Activist Joshua Wong, who was disqualified from running in the elections, wrote on Twitter that the pandemic was being used as "as an excuse to postpone the election" and was "the largest election fraud in #HK's history." Hundreds of thousands of people took part in unofficial pro-democracy primaries earlier this month, in what was seen as an a show of support for the pro-democracy movement. What have other governments done? At least 68 countries or territories postponed elections due to Covid-19, while 49 places held elections as planned, says the International Institute for Democracy and Electoral Assistance. During her press conference, Ms Lam argued that many governments had also postponed elections by a year, including the London's Mayoral elections, and local government elections in Australia's New South Wales. Her comparison was queried by journalists, who said the outbreak in Hong Kong was not as severe. London currently has a total of about 35,000 Covid-19 cases, compared to Hong Kong's 3,200. Meanwhile, in Australia, by-elections in Victoria went ahead as scheduled in March, as did a federal by-election in New South Wales. Singapore held its general election earlier this month - and had its highest turnout in recent years, says Eugene Tan, a law professor and political commentator at Singapore Management University. "There is never a good time for an election during a pandemic," he says, but the vote went ahead with several safety measures in place and "demonstrates that it is possible to protect public health even as people go about exercising their democratic right to vote." How does the Legislative Council work? The Legislative Council - or LegCo - helps to make and amend Hong Kong's laws. It is made up of 70 seats - but only 35 of these seats are directly voted for by the public. Image copyright Getty Images Image caption File photo of the chamber of the Legislative Council Another 30 seats represent "functional constituencies" - these are voted for by smaller groups representing special interests, primarily businesses, banking and trade. Historically these sectors have been largely pro-Beijing. The last five seats are made up of district councillors who are elected by the public to sit on LegCo. This system, where only a proportion of LegCo councillors are chosen by the public, has been called undemocratic by critics but supporters of the system say it helps avoid populism and protects Hong Kong's business interests. 

  Published Date: 2020-07-31 

 Image copyright Getty Images Travel company Tui has extended its cancelation of trips to Spain and its islands. It has now cancelled all holidays to the Balearic Islands and Canary Islands until 10 August and all holidays to the mainland of Spain until 17 August. The move is in response to advice against non-essential travel to Spain and a 14-day quarantine period for people arriving in the UK from Spain. However, Tui is adding extra flights to destinations in Greece and Turkey. Refunds The UK changed its guidance on travel to Spain after a spike in infections in some regions. Tui said that customers affected would be able to cancel and receive a full cash refund. Alternatively, they can amend their holiday to a later date, or to a new destination. Those already in the country can continue as planned, although earlier this week fellow tour operator Jet2 told some of its customers to return early from Spain. Tui has also cancelled holidays to Cyprus until early August and to Bulgaria all year. Andrew Flintham, managing director of Tui UK and Ireland, said: "Over 70% of customers with cancelled holidays moved to another destination over the same period or in the coming weeks." He added that the extra flights the company had added last weekend to Greece and Turkey had already nearly sold out. The government should work towards a more targeted approach when deciding where to impose quarantine restrictions, Mr Flintham said. "[We call upon} the UK Government to work closely with the travel industry and remove the 'blunt tool' approach to quarantine and consider the rapid introduction of regional Travel Corridors. "The level of uncertainty and confusion created this week is damaging for business and customer confidence in travel." Jet2 also recently urged the UK government not to introduce blanket quarantine periods on whole countries. Image copyright Getty Images On Thursday, Tui said it would shut 166 High Street stores in the UK and Ireland, affecting up to 900 jobs. The decision was made after changes in customer behaviour, including a shift to online, the firm said. About 350 retail stores will remain following the closures. The company announced in May that it planned to cut around 8,000 jobs globally as it sought to reduce overhead costs by 30% in a major restructuring. But as the coronavirus pandemic has drawn on, the shift to online has accelerated. Were you planning to travel to Spain with Tui? Have you been affected by the new cancelations? Email haveyoursay@bbc.co.uk. Please include a contact number if you are willing to speak to a BBC journalist. You can also contact us in the following ways: 

  Published Date: 2020-07-31 

 Image copyright Julia Quenzler Image caption A court sketch of Barry Bennell, who was once described as "the devil incarnate" by a judge Former football coach and serial paedophile Barry Bennell has pleaded guilty to nine sexual offences. The 66-year-old former Crewe Alexandra coach and Manchester City scout, also known as Richard Jones, entered the pleas at Chester Crown Court. He admitted nine offences, including indecent assault, in relation to two complainants between 1979 and 1988. Bennell is currently serving a 31-year sentence after being convicted of 50 child sexual offences. The former football talent spotter was described as the "devil incarnate" by a judge after he was convicted in 2018 of abusing 12 boys aged eight to 15 between 1979 and 1991. Judge Patrick Thompson said he would have to put himself in the position of the previous judge and decide how much extra he could have imposed had he been aware there were two more complainants. He added: "It is important the two victims have the opportunity to come to court." Bennell appeared at the court via videolink from from HMP Littlehey in Cambridgeshire. Eleanor Laws QC, defending, asked that Bennell not be required to attend court in person for his sentencing, as he was "not very well" and "vulnerable because of his health". Bennell's 2018 trial at Liverpool Crown Court heard he was a "predatory paedophile" who preyed on young footballers he was supposed to be coaching. Many later came forward to give evidence against him. Some said they felt they could never recover from the abuse they suffered. Bennell was previously convicted of of child abuse on three other occasions. He received jail sentences in the UK and in the US in 1995, 1998 and 2015. The latest hearing was adjourned until 5 October. 

  Published Date: 2020-07-31 

 Image copyright EPA House prices bounced back in July, climbing 1.7% during the month compared to a 1.5% fall in June, according to the Nationwide. "The bounce back in prices reflects the unexpectedly rapid recovery in housing market activity since the easing of lockdown restrictions," it said. Activity has been boosted by pent-up demand and the stamp duty holiday. But the lender warned: "There is a risk this proves to be something of a false dawn." The average price in July was £220,936, according to the Nationwide. However, while prices were up 1.5% from a year earlier, July's price was 1.6% lower than in April at the beginning of lockdown. However, it was a marked change to June's prices when the market posted its first annual fall in eight years. The rebound in prices reflected a number of factors, said Robert Gardner, Nationwide's chief economist. He said pent up demand was coming through, from people who had already decided to move before lockdown began. But some people were moving because of their lockdown experience, he said. "Behavioural shifts may be boosting activity, as people reassess their housing needs and preferences as a result of life in lockdown," he said. "Moreover, social distancing does not appear to be having as much of a chilling effect as we might have feared, at least at this stage." He said the upward trends look set to continue in the near term, and will be further boosted by the recently-announced stamp duty holiday. But he added a note of caution. "Most forecasters expect labour market conditions to weaken significantly in the quarters ahead as a result of the after effects of the pandemic and as government support schemes wind down. "If this comes to pass, it would likely dampen housing activity once again in the quarters ahead." Lenders cautious Mark Harris, chief executive of mortgage broker SPF Private Clients, also warned that the future may not be so positive for the housing market. "Lenders remain keen to lend but also cautious as to borrowers' financial positions, given the impending end of the furlough scheme and a number of redundancies which have already been announced," he said. Anna Clare Harper, author of Strategic Property Investing, warned: "What no one can forecast is what happens next, with some nerves among homeowners, investors and economists as to what the future may hold." Jonathan Hopper, chief executive of Garrington Property Finders, said lockdown would have a lasting effect on the property market. "Like so much else that has been transformed by the pandemic, the property market map is being redrawn as people reassess what they want from their homes and when, or even if, they need to travel to work," he said. "Three months of being cooped up in the same four walls has led many people to consider a move." 

  Published Date: 2020-07-31 

 Reversing decision to relax controls on Saturday, PM says it is time to ‘squeeze brake pedal’ Boris Johnson has reversed a decision to relax a range of lockdown restrictions due to come into force in England on Saturday, which would have included the reopening of leisure businesses such as casinos and bowling alleys, and allowing beauty salons to carry out close-up treatments. Speaking at a hastily arranging Downing Street press conference, the prime minister said it was time to “squeeze that brake pedal in order to keep that virus under control”. The postponement of the new freedoms will be delayed until at least 15 August. Rules on face coverings would also be extended from 8 August, meaning people would be obliged to also wear them in indoor venues such as museums, galleries and cinemas, Johnson said. The decision to allow weddings to have up to 30 guests is also being reversed. The announcements come hours after the government imposed new restrictions on more than 4 million people across northern England. “I’m really, really sorry about that, but we just cannot take the risk,” Johnson said about the impact on businesses and families. However, guidance that employers should allow more staff to begin working from offices again will still be in place from Saturday, part of a government push to get the daytime commuter economy moving again. Johnson said that since he gave a press conference in mid-July about the gradual easing of rules, “in many ways that progress continues”, such as falling numbers of hospital patients. But he added: “I have also continually warned that this crisis could come back and we would not hesitate to take swift and decisive action as required.” Citing new statistics showing a rising national incidence in Covid-19 cases, Johnson said the time had come to “act rapidly”, saying local lockdowns such as in Leicester had worked well. What are the new lockdown rules in northern England? Read more The decision to not go ahead with the planned next stage of easing lockdown in England appears to also have been made at very short notice, with public health leaders in cities saying they had not been warned in advance. The prime minister briefed the UK’s devolved governments on Friday morning that he was rowing back on the next phase of the lockdown easing plans, and was planning to make the announcement at noon. He hosted a phone briefing with all three first ministers at 10am on Friday morning, involving Nicola Sturgeon in Scotland, Mark Drakeford in Wales and Arlene Foster in Belfast, to also brief them on the UK government’s local lockdown decisions in the north of England and Midlands, imposed on Friday night. Sturgeon was expected to hold an unscheduled media briefing at 2.30pm on Friday to respond to Johnson’s decisions for England. Meanwhile, she issued a statement recommending against any non-essential travel from Scotland to the north-west of England. Johnson is thought to have been forced to maintain the restrictions because the rate of community infections from Covid-19 has increased in England. This week he had warned fresh measures could be needed to suppress the spread of the virus. Under updated plans announced by the government in mid-July – when Johnson said he hoped for a “significant return to normality” by Christmas – the series of newly eased rules had been due to come into force on Saturday. These involved the reopening of leisure businesses such as bowling, skating rinks and casinos, and to potentially allow socially distanced indoor performances, for example at theatres, with pilots of allowing crowds in sports stadiums. Beauty salons would have been allowed to resume “close contact services” such as eyebrow threading or makeup application, while wedding receptions could have involved sit-down meals for up to 30 people. All these would have been conditional on businesses meeting Covid-19 guidelines. 

  Published Date: 2020-07-31 

 Ghislaine Maxwell sexually abused underage girls and joined Jeffrey Epstein in directing Virginia Roberts Giuffre to be sexually abused by others, Giuffre claimed in a cache of documents that has been unsealed in the US. She “trained me as a sex slave”, Giuffre is quoted as saying. The documents were part of now-settled civil litigation against the British socialite and include claims about her alleged involvement in the sex-trafficking scheme of Epstein, her longtime confidant and a convicted sex offender. The documents stem from a 2015 civil action brought against Maxwell by Giuffre, who has claimed Maxwell lured her into Epstein’s orbit as a teenager under the guise of offering work as a masseuse. She said the couple subsequently pressured her into having sex with numerous rich or notable men, including Prince Andrew, US politicians, wealthy entrepreneurs, a famous scientist, and a fashion designer. Facebook Twitter Pinterest Virginia Roberts Giuffre (centre) holds a press conference in August 2019. Photograph: Bebeto Matthews/AP Maxwell and all of the accused men have long denied those allegations. The files include personal emails between Epstein and Maxwell, as well as information from a discussion between Giuffre and her lawyer. “‘It is your contention that ‘Ghislaine Maxwell had sex with underage girls virtually every day when I was around her’, correct?” Giuffre was asked during a May 2016 deposition contained in this document cache. “Yes.” “All right. With whom did Ghislaine Maxwell have sex in your presence?” she was asked. “Well, there’s a lot of girls that were involved. We weren’t on a first-name basis with each other. I wouldn’t be able to give you lists of names of girls. It was continuous,” Giuffre answered. Shortly after saying Epstein’s US Virgin Islands estate was “a place where orgies were a constant thing that took place”, Giuffre said she “had to” perform oral sex on Maxwell, in Epstein’s presence by the pool. When asked whom Maxwell directed her to have sex with, Giuffre said: “I’m going to continue to tell you that they both directed me to do it. It was part of my training. They both told me: ‘You’ve got tickets to go here. This is who you’re meeting, and this is what you’re doing.’ “I’m trying to tell you that they both did, Ghislaine and Jeffrey both directed me. They both paid me and they both directed me,” Giuffre said when pressed. Facebook Twitter Pinterest Audrey Strauss, acting US attorney for the Southern District of New York, announces charges against Ghislaine Maxwell in New York on 2 July. Photograph: Lucas Jackson/Reuters “You have to understand that Jeffrey and Ghislaine are joined hip by [the] hip, OK? So they both trafficked me. Ghislaine brought me in for the purpose of being trafficked. Jeffrey was just as a part of it as she was. She was just as a part of it as he was,” Giuffre said. “They trafficked me to many people. And to be honest, there is people I could name, and then there’s people that are just a blur. There was so much happening. “Ghislaine Maxwell brought me into the sex-trafficking industry. She’s the one who abused me on a regular basis. She’s the one that procured me, told me what to do, trained me as a sex slave, abused me physically, abused me mentally,” Giuffre also said. Many documents in this case have been subject to an intense legal battle. Maxwell’s attorneys in the civil suit had argued to keep many records under seal, maintaining previously that “this series of pleadings concerns [attempts] to compel Ms Maxwell to answer intrusive questions about her sex life”. The documents, they argued, are “extremely personal, confidential and subject to considerable abuse by the media”. The Manhattan federal court judge Loretta Preska ruled on 23 July that they should be unsealed, however, saying: “The court finds that the countervailing interests identified fail to rebut the presumption of public access.” Documents involving Maxwell’s deposition have not yet been released pending an appeal by lawyers for Maxwell. Epstein killed himself last summer while awaiting trial on sex-trafficking charges. Facebook Twitter Pinterest Donald Trump and his then girlfriend Melania Knauss pictured with Jeffrey Epstein and Ghislaine Maxwell at Donald Trump’s Mar-a-Lago club in Palm Beach, Florida, in February 2000. Photograph: Davidoff Studios/Getty Images In a separate case, federal authorities arrested Maxwell on 2 July and charged her for allegedly participating in Epstein’s sex-trafficking. Maxwell, the daughter of the late publisher Robert Maxwell, pleaded not guilty on 14 July, and is in custody awaiting trial in New York. Maxwell has repeatedly denied wrongdoing. Her lawyers have said she “vigorously denies the charges” and is “entitled to the presumption of innocence”. Giuffre has been interviewed by the FBI, but no charges were brought based on her allegations and she is not one of the three alleged victims in the current criminal case against Maxwell. The documents released on Thursday help shed light on Maxwell and Epstein’s relationship. In one of the personal emails between Epstein and Maxwell, Epstein wrote on 25 January 2015: “You have done nothing wrong and i woudl [sic] urge you to start acting like it. “Go outside, head high, not as an esacping[sic] convict. go to parties. deal with it.” The exchange followed a request from Maxwell, who was romantically linked to Epstein, to be distanced from his dating life. These emails also appear to contradict her lawyers’ claim that Maxwell had not had contact with Epstein for more than 10 years, which they said in making an argument for bail. Some of the documents also relate to previous claims of Giuffre, such as the former US president Bill Clinton riding on Epstein’s plane, and allegations about the lawyer Alan Dershowitz. Dershowitz, who had worked as Epstein’s attorney, has repeatedly denied misconduct. “I sought release of all the documents because they prove that all the allegations against me are false,” Dershowitz said in an email to the Guardian when asked for comment. Facebook Twitter Pinterest Alan Dershowitz. Photograph: Mario Tama/Getty Images During questioning about Bill Clinton, the documents show Giuffre said she saw the former president on Epstein’s island. Representatives for Clinton did not immediately respond to a request for comment. Clinton has distanced himself from Epstein, and in a 2019 statement a spokesperson said: “President Clinton knows nothing about the terrible crimes Jeffrey Epstein pleaded guilty to in Florida some years ago, or those with which he has been recently charged in New York.” The documents also show that Giuffre was asked in an interview whether Epstein ever bragged about the age of any girls with whom he had sexual relations. “Yes, he did. He did all the time,” she said. “The worst one that I heard from his own mouth [were these] pretty 12-year-old girls he had flown in for his birthday. It was a surprise birthday gift from one of his friends and they were from France,” she alleged. Epstein told Giuffre powerful people owed him favours, according to the documents. “Lots of people owed him favors from what he told me … That’s why I believe he does so many favors in the first place.” Giuffre was also asked whether Prince Andrew – whom she has claimed she had sex with as a teenager at Epstein’s behest – would have information about the financier. “He would know a lot of the truth,” she said. In 2015, a judge struck out the material concerning Prince Andrew as “immaterial and impertinent”. He has vehemently denied allegations of misconduct. Maxwell met Giuffre at Donald Trump’s Mar-a-Lago club in south Florida, where the then teenager was working as a locker-room attendant. In the civil lawsuit, which has since been settled, Giuffre claimed that Maxwell had defamed her by stating that she was a liar for accusing Epstein and Maxwell of sexual impropriety. An extensive collection of documents in this case was also unsealed in August 2019 that featured claims, since denied, that world leaders participated in Epstein’s alleged sex ring. These filings were disclosed shortly after Epstein’s arrest last July. 

  Published Date: 2020-07-31 

 Waste incinerators are three times more likely to be situated in the most deprived and ethnically diverse areas of the UK, it has been revealed, raising fears about the impact on air quality and the health of vulnerable people. Data obtained by Unearthed, the investigative arm of Greenpeace, found that areas in the top 20% for deprivation host nearly one-third of the waste incinerators in the UK. The richest, least ethnically diverse areas are home to less than 10% of incinerators, which are increasingly being used to deal with the UK’s waste. Communities living in and around waste incinerators are increasingly concerned at the impact on air quality, noise and traffic pollution, and the impact on their health. As local authorities seek to reduce landfill, incineration is increasingly being used to deal with waste. The amount of waste incinerated in the UK increased from 4.9m tonnes in 2014 to 10.8m tonnes in 2017-18. Meanwhile, recycling rates are falling, with the government likely to miss a target of 50% recycling in 2020. The UK recycling rate was 45.0% in 2018, down from 45.5% in 2017. Unearthed identified 90 incinerators in the UK, many of which are run by companies such as Viridor, Veolia and Suez. These include energy-from-waste incinerators, hospital waste incinerators and waste wood incinerators. There are also 50 more proposed or in development, according to government data and data collected by the anti-incineration group UKWIN. More than two-thirds of the potential incinerators in England are planned for the northern half of the country. Twenty-eight waste incinerators are located in the 20% most deprived and ethnically diverse neighbourhoods in the UK. The 50 incinerators planned or in development are also three times more likely to be built in the poorest than the richest areas, and nearly half are on track to be built in the UK’s top 25% most deprived neighbourhoods. ‘Compelling’ evidence air pollution worsens coronavirus – study Read more Sam Chetan Welsh, political campaigner at Greenpeace, said: “Incinerators are an unnecessary byproduct of our addiction to single-use, throwaway items. They stink, increase traffic, noise, pollution and litter, and industrialise an area. You can’t just dump the majority of them in deprived neighbourhoods because they’re already run-down and not expect to entrench inequalities. “We have a planning process that is systemically racist and classist, and the government and local authorities need to take action to change that.” The huge increase in the use of incinerators comes despite political support for burning waste falling away. The mayor of London, Sadiq Khan, is calling on the government to stop permitting the building of what he calls “archaic” polluting waste incinerators. Khan is opposing the building of an incinerator in Bexley, which he says will raise harmful nitrogen oxide pollution levels. London – which has seven incinerators and more in development – has the highest incineration rate (54%) in the UK for management of local authority waste, yet the lowest recycling rate (30%). Sites in Blackburn, Sheffield, Glasgow, Kirklees, Birmingham, Peterborough and Edmonton all host waste incinerators and are among the most deprived areas in the UK. Six incinerators are currently sited in Scotland and two in Wales. But six of the proposed incinerators are in the area between Swansea and Cardiff alone, and seven are in Scotland. Neighbourhoods in the wealthiest 20% of areas host just eight of the 90 current incinerators. Last month Robert Jenrick, the secretary of state for communities and local government, upheld a decision to refuse permission for an incinerator in Waterbeach, Cambridgeshire, after residents raised concerns that the facility would destroy views of Ely Cathedral and ruin its historic place in the Fens. In a report last year, Public Health England said there were no ill effects to health from municipal waste incinerators (MWIs), following the publication of the largest and most detailed analysis to date of the effects of MWIs on public health in the UK. But campaigners say not enough attention has been paid to microscopic air pollution from incinerators. A study by Zero Waste Europe suggests even state-of-the-art modern incinerators emit dangerous pollutants. Earlier this year, MPs rejected an amendment to the environment bill that would have made the UK’s particulate matter pollution targets adhere to stricter WHO guidelines. Shlomo Dowen, national coordinator of UKWIN, said: “Public concerns about adverse health impacts associated, both directly and indirectly, with incinerators and poor air quality are not assuaged by PHE statements. “People want to see much stronger regulation of waste incinerators and other industrial processes that contribute to worsening air quality.” Dowen said that as well as public health concerns, data shows that areas with high incineration rates have lower recycling rates. He said the growth of incineration of waste which can and should be recycled went against government policy statements on creating a circular economy. “Incineration is an expensive and outdated technology that has no part to play in the closed-loop circular economy towards which we are moving.” The Environmental Services Association, which represents the UK waste industry, said: “Energy recovery facilities serve a vital public function and, in accordance with the waste hierarchy, divert millions of tonnes of UK waste from landfill every year. “Their operation is approved by Public Health England and permitted by the Environment Agency, and each plant is only granted a permit if the agency determines it is in an appropriate location; any and all appropriate risk mitigation is in place; and the plant can meet its permit conditions. In particular, very strict emissions limits are imposed upon them, and performance against these limits is monitored closely by the Environment Agency.” 

  Published Date: 2020-07-31 

 Police are ready to set up roadblocks, create diversions and close off sections of Bournemouth beach to prevent a repeat of last month’s chaotic scenes as a heatwave sweeps parts of the UK. With temperatures forecast to hit 33C in parts of southern England, some officers have been asked to work extended shifts and weekend leave has been cancelled for others as the emergency services and the local council brace themselves for another major influx of visitors. The moves come as the prime minister, Boris Johnson, urged people not to lose focus and risk spreading Covid-19. He said on Thursday: “Broadly speaking, the only way to control coronavirus is if everybody collectively obeys the social distancing rules and works together to drive the virus down. “What I’m saying to people is: don’t lose focus, don’t lose discipline, continue to observe those guidelines, and if you have symptoms, get a test.” A major incident was declared during June’s hot spell when as many as half a million people descended on the beaches at Bournemouth and Poole. Supt Richard Bell, of Dorset police, said plans had been put in place to cope with another possible surge. But Bell said: “We are definitely not asking people to stay away. We welcome all visitors, but ask them to respect the environment and the community.” He said the force did not expect the beaches to be as crowded this time because hotels, campsites, pubs and restaurants are open. In June, the beach was one of the few places people could go to. A plan is also in place for Lulworth Cove in Dorset, another spot that has attracted crowds this summer. Bell said a one-way system used when the Camp Bestival was being staged would swing into operation if it got too busy. Specific operations are being run to make sure powerboat and jetski users do not put anyone in danger and to patrol spots where drinking has become popular during lockdown. The local authority, BCP council, has brought in new powers to tow vehicles away if they have been left in dangerous spots and is also asking people to use a new app it has developed that pinpoints busy parts of the beaches. Cornwall council also asked people to plan their visits carefully. Rob Nolan, cabinet member for environment and public protection, said: “Visitors should be aware it’s not the Cornwall they would expect.” He said many campsites, B&Bs, pubs and restaurants were running at 50% capacity. “Do your research, book ahead,” he said. Meanwhile, the Royal National Lifeboat Institution (RNLI) and HM Coastguard urged every parent to be aware of the potential dangers of the water, especially rip currents. On Sunday, eight teenagers were rescued after being caught in a strong, fast-moving current off the beach at Aberdovey in mid-Wales, while at the start of the month RNLI lifeguards rescued 12 bathers who were swept off their feet by a rip current into rough seas at a beach in Cornwall. Gareth Morrison, RNLI head of water safety, said: “We are seeing a spike in incidents this summer involving these potentially deadly currents, which move even faster than an Olympic swimmer and can quickly drag people into deep water a long way from the shore.” Labour’s shadow tourism minister, Alex Sobel, welcomed much needed returning business to tourist towns, but urged people to act sensibly. Referring to the packed beaches, Sobel said: “Particularly at that point, people had been locked down for so long, and [there was] the sense of relief and euphoria. We’re probably at a slightly different place now – the restrictions have been easing gradually over the last six weeks, so it might be better now. “But people really do need to act sensibly. If we don’t observe social distancing, we are increasing the chance of us having a local epidemic, which would mean local lockdown [and] potential for people who are going to those beaches becoming ill.” 

  Published Date: 2020-07-31 

 Former Crewe coach is serving 30-year jail term after being convicted of 50 child sexual offences in 2018 The convicted child sex offender and former football coach Barry Bennell has pleaded guilty to nine sexual offences. The 66-year-old former Crewe Alexandra coach, also known as Richard Jones, entered the pleas at Chester crown court on Friday via video link from HMP Littlehey in Cambridgeshire. He admitted three counts of buggery and six counts of indecent assault in relation to two complainants between 1979 and 1988. The victims were aged between 11 and 14 at the time. Barry Bennell: the predatory Pied Piper who made stars and shattered lives Read more Bennell, formerly a scout for Manchester City, is serving a 30-year jail sentence after being convicted of 50 child sexual offences in 2018. The latest case was adjourned for medical reports on the defendant to be prepared. The judge, Patrick Thompson, said he would have to put himself in the position of the judge who sentenced Bennell in 2018 and decide how much extra he could have imposed had he been aware there were two more complainants. He added: “It is important the two victims have the opportunity to come to court.” He adjourned the case to 5 October. Play Video 7:38 Barry Bennell: unmasking of football paedophile who ruined young lives – video explainer Eleanor Laws QC, defending, asked that Bennell not be required to attend court in person for his sentencing. She said: “Notwithstanding that these are serious matters, and ordinarily one would expect his attendance, he is, as your honour might know, not very well. Even if there were not a pandemic, he is vulnerable in terms of his health.” Thompson said he would allow Bennell to attend by video link. He told Bennell: “You have pleaded guilty to very serious matters. You will receive a custodial sentence, the length of that is to be determined by me.” Bennell is serving his fourth jail term having previously been sentenced for similar offences involving 16 other victims. The latest charges were brought by the CPS after it reviewed a file of evidence from Cheshire police relating to allegations of non-recent child sexual abuse.