Skip to content
Search

Latest Stories

'Carrot and stick': UK to pay self-isolating low-paid workers £500, levy up to £10,000 for breaches

LOW-INCOME workers told to self-isolate from Sunday (28) will receive a government lumpsum payment of £500.

The government also announced that hefty fines – up to £10,000 – will be levied on people breaching self-isolation rules, in what was described a “carrot and stick approach” on Monday (21).


The Test and Trace support payment of £500 will apply to low-paid people who cannot work from home and have lost income as a result of self-isolation.

Describing self-isolation as “one of the most powerful tools for controlling the transmission of Covid-19”, a government spokesperson noted that the support scheme will help people on low incomes “self-isolate without worry about their finances”.

Local authorities have been directed to “quickly set up these self-isolation support schemes”, expected to be in place by October 12. People told to self-isolate starting from September 28 will receive backdated payments.

Meanwhile, the fines start at £1,000, similar to the penalty for breaking quarantine after international travel. But they could go to up to £10,000 for “repeat offences and for the most egregious breaches, including for those preventing others from self-isolating”.

For instance, a government spokesperson said, business owners who threaten self-isolating staff with redundancy will be penalised, sending a “clear message” that such cases “will not be tolerated”.

Prime Minister Boris Johnson said the “best way we can fight this virus is by everyone following the rules and self-isolating if they’re at risk of passing on coronavirus”.

“And so, nobody underestimates just how important this is… new regulations will mean you are legally obliged to do so if you have the virus or have been asked to do so by NHS Test and Trace,” he added.

“People who choose to ignore the rules will face significant fines. We need to do all we can to control the spread of this virus, to prevent the most vulnerable people from becoming infected, and to protect the NHS and save lives.

“And while most people are doing their absolute level best to comply with the rules, I don’t want to see a situation where people don’t feel they are financially able to self-isolate.”

As part of the plan, NHS Test and Trace call handlers will regularly contact people who are self-isolating, and will be authorised to “escalate any suspicion of non-compliance to local authorities and the police”.

Law enforcement resources will be deployed to “check compliance in highest incidence areas and in high-risk groups, based on local intelligence”.

They will also have powers to investigate and prosecute “high-profile and egregious cases of non-compliance”.

More For You

Sands Extends Special Father’s Day Support to Bereaved Fathers

The charity is encouraging individuals to honour a bereaved father with a special online dedication

iStock

This Father’s Day, Sands charity offers vital support to bereaved fathers

As Father’s Day approaches, the UK’s leading pregnancy and baby loss charity, Sands, is extending vital support to grieving fathers and their families. With Sunday, 15 June, likely to be a challenging day for many, the charity is making special efforts to ensure bereaved dads do not feel alone.

Sands has announced extended hours for its confidential Freephone Helpline (0808 164 3332), which will be open from 10 am to 12 pm on Father’s Day. This service offers a safe, non-judgmental space for those affected by pregnancy or baby loss to talk and seek support. Support is also available via email (helpline@sands.org.uk) and through the charity’s online community atwww.sands.community.

Keep ReadingShow less
Sadhvi Bhagawati Saraswati to Celebrate 25 Years of Monastic Life on June 11

Sadhviji, a renowned spiritual teacher and author

Parmarth Niketan

Sadhvi Bhagawati Saraswati to celebrate 25 years of monastic life on June 11

Parmarth Niketan will mark the 25th sanyas anniversary of Pujya Sadhvi Bhagawati Saraswatiji on 11 June, honouring her quarter-century of spiritual service and dedication since she took monastic vows in 2000.

The ceremony will be held on the sacred Shri Rama Katha stage at Parmarth Niketan in Rishikesh and will feature blessings from several prominent spiritual leaders. Among those attending are Pujya Swami Chidanand Saraswatiji, Pujya Swami Ramdevji, mahamandaleshwars Rajendra Dasji, Ravindra Puriji and Harichetnanandji, as well as Pujya Sadhvi Ritambharaji, Pujya Acharya Balkrishanji, Dr Chinmaya Pandyaji and others.

Keep ReadingShow less
NHS Issues Emergency Appeal for 200,000 Blood Donors as Supplies Dwindle

NHS Blood and Transplant (NHSBT) is aiming to boost the number of active donors to one million to meet growing demand

iStock

NHS appeals for 200,000 more donors as blood stocks fall dangerously low

The NHS has launched an urgent appeal for more people to come forward for blood donation, warning that a shortage of over 200,000 donors in England could pose a risk to public safety. NHS Blood and Transplant (NHSBT) is aiming to boost the number of active donors to one million to meet growing demand.

Blood supplies under pressure

Currently, fewer than 800,000 people – just 2% of England’s population – give blood regularly. This small group kept the NHS running last year, but officials say more support is needed. A severe drop in supply last year led to an amber alert, and NHSBT warns that without more blood donations, the situation could escalate to a red alert, meaning hospitals may not have enough blood for patients in critical need.

Keep ReadingShow less
Arnold Schwarzenegger

“Stop whining and get to work,” urging people to push ahead with climate solutions

Getty Images

Arnold Schwarzenegger urges action on climate, tells critics to 'stop whining'

Arnold Schwarzenegger has called on environmentalists to stop complaining about US President Donald Trump’s climate policies and instead take action. Speaking at the Austrian World Summit in Vienna on 3 June, the actor and former California governor said focusing on local efforts could still make a difference.

“I keep hearing, ‘What’s the point of fighting for a clean environment when the US government says climate change is a hoax?’” Schwarzenegger said. “You can’t just sit around and make excuses because one guy in a very nice White House on Pennsylvania Avenue doesn’t agree with you.”

Keep ReadingShow less