Britain's state-run health service is preparing itself to begin a Covid-19 vaccination programme in 2020. AFP
Britain's state-run health service is preparing itself to begin a Covid-19 vaccination programme in 2020. AFP
Britain's state-run health service is preparing itself to begin a Covid-19 vaccination programme in 2020. AFP
Britain's state-run health service is preparing itself to begin a Covid-19 vaccination programme in 2020. AFP

Six charts behind England's second Covid-19 lockdown


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"No responsible prime minister can ignore the message of those figures," said Boris Johnson as he announced that from this Thursday, England would be placed into a second national lockdown.

Two weeks ago the UK Prime Minister rejected calls for a circuit breaker saying "we are going to do it with the local, the regional approach that can drive down and will drive down the virus if it is properly implemented".

These charts, presented during the announcement of the lockdown, help to explain why Mr Johnson decided to embark on a rapid about-turn.

UK Chief Medical Officer Chris Whitty said that the R rate had been going up very rapidly, citing Office of National Statistics data which estimates about 50,0000 new cases a day, although he acknowledged that the rate would have been much higher "if people were not doing social distancing and other things".

These maps show how cases have been steadily increasing everywhere with a particular concentration in the north of England.

These charts show how the case rate across the UK has started to increase almost everywhere. Gov.uk
These charts show how the case rate across the UK has started to increase almost everywhere. Gov.uk

This chart emphasises the regionality of the case rate but Mr Whitty pointed out that cases were rising everywhere as justification for taking national action.

Infection rates are rising everywhere but concentrated in the North. Gov.uk
Infection rates are rising everywhere but concentrated in the North. Gov.uk

This heat map reaffirms the concentration of cases in the north but also shows that people aged 16 to 29 are the most likely age group to be infected.

16-29 year-olds are the most likely to have coronavirus. Gov.uk
16-29 year-olds are the most likely to have coronavirus. Gov.uk

NHS facing collapse without action

Of course it is not the escalating case rate alone that has persuaded Mr Johnson to get out his national padlock again - it is the potentially dire consequences of this increase.

This chart shows how hospital admissions have risen precipitously during October.

Hospital admisions are shooting up among the over 75s. Gov.uk
Hospital admisions are shooting up among the over 75s. Gov.uk

Boris Johnson's Chief Scientific Officer, Patrick Vallance, said hospitalisations could comfortably exceed those of the first wave, and cited NHS forecasts that show the extra available beds will be exceeded in mid-November - meaning that the NHS could effectively collapse in six weeks without action.

The number of people in inpatient beds with Covid has escalated steeply in October. Gov.uk
The number of people in inpatient beds with Covid has escalated steeply in October. Gov.uk

The warning wasn't lost on Mr Johnson who said that "the risk is for the first time in our lives, the NHS will not be there for us and our families".

The corollary of more hospitalisations is more deaths.

"Unless we act we could see deaths in this country running at several thousands a day," said the prime minister.

This chart shows that whilst Covid deaths are yet to come close the levels seen during the first wave of the virus, they are beginning to sneak up with the North West the most adversely affected.

North West is where Covid deaths are rising most. Gov.uk
North West is where Covid deaths are rising most. Gov.uk

Whether the second lockdown will be sufficient to stall the rise in fatalities remains to be seen. Mr Johnson did finish on a more sanguine note, saying he was "optimistic this will feel very different and better by spring".

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1. Black holes are objects whose gravity is so strong not even light can escape their pull

2. They can be created when massive stars collapse under their own weight

3. Large black holes can also be formed when smaller ones collide and merge

4. The biggest black holes lurk at the centre of many galaxies, including our own

5. Astronomers believe that when the universe was very young, black holes affected how galaxies formed

Why your domicile status is important

Your UK residence status is assessed using the statutory residence test. While your residence status – ie where you live - is assessed every year, your domicile status is assessed over your lifetime.

Your domicile of origin generally comes from your parents and if your parents were not married, then it is decided by your father. Your domicile is generally the country your father considered his permanent home when you were born. 

UK residents who have their permanent home ("domicile") outside the UK may not have to pay UK tax on foreign income. For example, they do not pay tax on foreign income or gains if they are less than £2,000 in the tax year and do not transfer that gain to a UK bank account.

A UK-domiciled person, however, is liable for UK tax on their worldwide income and gains when they are resident in the UK.

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Tearful appearance

Chancellor Rachel Reeves set markets on edge as she appeared visibly distraught in parliament on Wednesday. 

Legislative setbacks for the government have blown a new hole in the budgetary calculations at a time when the deficit is stubbornly large and the economy is struggling to grow. 

She appeared with Keir Starmer on Thursday and the pair embraced, but he had failed to give her his backing as she cried a day earlier.

A spokesman said her upset demeanour was due to a personal matter.

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