• Takeaway app will notify customers if surge testing is happening in their postcode area
• New tool is in addition to surge testing, enhanced contact tracing and genomic sequencing being deployed to control and suppress variants

From today Deliveroo will notify customers through their app and website to let them know if surge testing is happening in their area, as part of efforts to strengthen the decisive action already taken by the government to tackle rising cases of variants of concern across the country.

This new tool means that when customers are using the Deliveroo app, notifications will be visible targeted in areas where the new COVID-19 variant is known to be spreading fastest. These are areas where surge testing is being offered by the local authority, including areas of where additional support packages are in place, including for testing, tracing and self-isolation.

Messages will be displayed to customers after the checkout stage of placing their order on the app, and they will be advised to visit their local authority’s website to find out more information on where surge testing is being offered in the area. The Deliveroo app banner will also link to the government’s website with more information on how people can get tested.

In addition to surge testing, the government is providing additional support packages to stop the spread of the Delta variant which includes surge testing, tracing, isolation support and maximising vaccine uptake. This has been rapidly deployed across areas including Greater Manchester, Lancashire and Cheshire.

Health and Social Care Secretary Matt Hancock said:

We are using every tool at our disposal to stop the spread of variants of concern, and thanks to Deliveroo, this new partnership will reach even more of the public to help us test as many people as possible and identify variants of concern.

The government is committed to sending these variants into retreat and through our offer of free, twice-weekly testing combined with the phenomenal progress of our vaccination programme, we are doing everything we can to protect loved ones.

This further support follows extensive COVID-19 surveillance and, thanks to the UK’s world-leading genomic sequencing capability, the government has detected a number of cases of the Delta (B1.617.2) variant in these communities. Latest figures from Public Health England show that numbers of the Delta variant in the UK have risen by 29,892 in the last week.

Testing, isolation and vaccinations will help suppress and control the spread of the virus and variants in both the short and longer term, when used in combination with people following existing guidance such as hands, face, space and fresh air.

Deliveroo reaches over 60% of the UK population, including areas where surge testing is deployed. The delivery company works with 50,000 riders and 44,000 restaurants across the UK and during the course of the pandemic has delivered 1 million free meals to NHS workers and vulnerable groups.

Will Shu, CEO and founder of Deliveroo, said:

We wanted to do our bit to help NHS Test and Trace when they asked. It’s vital that people have the information they need to keep themselves and their loved ones safe. We’ve used our network to support the NHS throughout the pandemic and will continue to do so however we can. We hope this and other measures the government is taking will accelerate the return to normality we all want to see.

With around one in three people not showing symptoms of COVID-19, everybody who lives or works in postcodes where surge testing is taking place is strongly encouraged to take a COVID-19 PCR test, whether they are showing symptoms or not.

Additional surge testing is finding and isolating variants of concern quickly. Enhanced contact tracing will be used for individuals testing positive with a variant of concern. In these instances, contact tracers will look back over an extended period in order to determine the route of transmission.

By using PCR testing, positive results can be sent for genomic sequencing at specialist laboratories, helping us to identify variant of concern cases and their spread.

People with symptoms should book a free test online or by phone so they can get tested at a testing site or have a testing kit sent to them at home. Those without symptoms should visit the local authority website for more information. People should also continue using twice-weekly rapid testing alongside the PCR test as part of surge testing.

The service is being provided at no extra cost to NHS Test and Trace.

• Over 2 million new users since the inclusion of COVID-19 vaccine status service on 17 May
• Over 50,000 people have registered their organ donor preference
• Over 600,000 prescriptions requested and over 50,000 GP appointments booked via the app in the last month, saving valuable clinician time

There have been over 2 million new NHS App users since the COVID-19 vaccination status service was added on 17 May, with almost 5 million distinct users logging into the app in the last month.

The positive impact of this increase in downloads is potentially life-saving as over 51,000 people have registered their organ donation preference via the app since 17 May. This is over 5 times more than in the month of April.

Organ donation saves and improves thousands of lives each year and registering a preference helps NHS specialist nurses to quickly understand what people want to happen and enables them to discuss this with their family.

In the last month, over 614,000 repeat prescriptions have been ordered and over 50,000 GP appointments have been booked via the app, saving patients and clinicians valuable time.

Health and Social Care Secretary Matt Hancock said:

Technology undoubtedly plays a huge role in how we deliver healthcare now and in the future and it is great to see so many people downloading, using and benefitting from the NHS App.

It is vital we embrace the momentum we have built in using technology and innovation in the health and care sector over the last year as we look beyond the pandemic to improve treatment, care and the experiences of patients.

The app is one of the first internationally compliant systems in the world to demonstrate vaccine status. The COVID-19 vaccine status service allows users to easily show their proof of vaccine, if required for international travel, and has been designed in line with World Health Organization (WHO) interim guidance.

As well as accessing COVID-19 vaccine status, the NHS App provides a wide range of personalised services, including:

• GP appointment booking
• ordering repeat prescriptions
• viewing GP and hospital records
• registering organ donation preference

Minister for Innovation Lord Bethell said:

The NHS App is a fantastic tool that allows people to not only access their COVID-19 vaccine status, but also access NHS services more easily.

It is great to see over 6 million users now registered on the app and it is a prime example of how technology can make the health service more efficient and easier to access. I encourage those who have not yet done so to download it and see the benefits for yourself.

Matthew Gould, Chief Executive of NHSX, said:

The COVID-19 status service was stood up in weeks, by a team working flat out to deliver on time an important service for users.

It has been good to see it used to open up sporting events, facilitate travel, and encourage the use of NHS services online.

Simon Bolton, Interim Chief Executive at NHS Digital, said:

We’re delighted that the NHS App has proved so popular over the past month, and is helping people to quickly and easily provide proof of their vaccination status. We’re also seeing a big increase in the use of other features in the app, from registering organ donation preferences to booking appointments and ordering repeat prescriptions.

The COVID-19 vaccine status service in the NHS App and NHS website has been built with user privacy and security at its heart, to ensure personal information is safe and secure at all times.

Between 17 May and 15 June 2021, there have been 2,737,842 new users to the NHS App.

Between 17 May and 14 June 2021, 4,902,183 distinct users logged into the NHS App.

Between 17 May and the end of 14 June 2021, via the NHS App there were:

• 51,406 organ donation preferences made
• 614,096 prescriptions requested
• 50,826 appointments booked

This compares with the month of April 2021:

• 1,521,361 distinct users log in
• 9,232 organ donation registrations
• 393,009 repeat prescription orders
• 30,238 appointments booked

• Over 2 million new users since the inclusion of COVID-19 vaccine status service on 17 May
• Over 50,000 people have registered their organ donor preference
• Over 600,000 prescriptions requested and over 50,000 GP appointments booked via the app in the last month, saving valuable clinician time

There have been over 2 million new NHS App users since the COVID-19 vaccination status service was added on 17 May, with almost 5 million distinct users logging into the app in the last month.

The positive impact of this increase in downloads is potentially life-saving as over 51,000 people have registered their organ donation preference via the app since 17 May. This is over 5 times more than in the month of April.

Organ donation saves and improves thousands of lives each year and registering a preference helps NHS specialist nurses to quickly understand what people want to happen and enables them to discuss this with their family.

In the last month, over 614,000 repeat prescriptions have been ordered and over 50,000 GP appointments have been booked via the app, saving patients and clinicians valuable time.

Health and Social Care Secretary Matt Hancock said:

Technology undoubtedly plays a huge role in how we deliver healthcare now and in the future and it is great to see so many people downloading, using and benefitting from the NHS App.

It is vital we embrace the momentum we have built in using technology and innovation in the health and care sector over the last year as we look beyond the pandemic to improve treatment, care and the experiences of patients.

The app is one of the first internationally compliant systems in the world to demonstrate vaccine status. The COVID-19 vaccine status service allows users to easily show their proof of vaccine, if required for international travel, and has been designed in line with World Health Organization (WHO) interim guidance.

As well as accessing COVID-19 vaccine status, the NHS App provides a wide range of personalised services, including:

• GP appointment booking
• ordering repeat prescriptions
• viewing GP and hospital records
• registering organ donation preference

Minister for Innovation Lord Bethell said:

The NHS App is a fantastic tool that allows people to not only access their COVID-19 vaccine status, but also access NHS services more easily.

It is great to see over 6 million users now registered on the app and it is a prime example of how technology can make the health service more efficient and easier to access. I encourage those who have not yet done so to download it and see the benefits for yourself.

Matthew Gould, Chief Executive of NHSX, said:

The COVID-19 status service was stood up in weeks, by a team working flat out to deliver on time an important service for users.

It has been good to see it used to open up sporting events, facilitate travel, and encourage the use of NHS services online.

Simon Bolton, Interim Chief Executive at NHS Digital, said:

We’re delighted that the NHS App has proved so popular over the past month, and is helping people to quickly and easily provide proof of their vaccination status. We’re also seeing a big increase in the use of other features in the app, from registering organ donation preferences to booking appointments and ordering repeat prescriptions.

The COVID-19 vaccine status service in the NHS App and NHS website has been built with user privacy and security at its heart, to ensure personal information is safe and secure at all times.

Between 17 May and 15 June 2021, there have been 2,737,842 new users to the NHS App.

Between 17 May and 14 June 2021, 4,902,183 distinct users logged into the NHS App.

Between 17 May and the end of 14 June 2021, via the NHS App there were:

• 51,406 organ donation preferences made
• 614,096 prescriptions requested
• 50,826 appointments booked

This compares with the month of April 2021:

• 1,521,361 distinct users log in
• 9,232 organ donation registrations
• 393,009 repeat prescription orders
• 30,238 appointments booked

Thank you, Mr President. And I would also like to thank the Special Envoy for her briefing today. We support her ongoing efforts towards a peaceful return to democracy in Myanmar.

The United Kingdom continues to condemn the military coup in Myanmar and to reiterate our call on the military to respect the human rights of the people of Myanmar as well as their democratic wishes.

Mr President, I wish to make three points:

First, the international community and UN continue to have an important role to play in addressing the crisis in Myanmar. The Security Council has to date issued two robust and unified statements in condemnation of the military’s actions. The adoption of today’s General Assembly resolution sends another clear message to the military that the international community does not accept their actions, and will continue to stand with the people of Myanmar and call for the release of all those arbitrarily detained.

We reiterate our support for ASEAN and the central role they are playing in responding to the crisis. The Five Point Consensus is an important agreement. We support ASEAN attempts to implement it and ensure the crisis is not perpetuated. We call on the Tatmadaw to implement commitments they have made and work constructively with ASEAN.

Secondly, as we heard from the Special Envoy today, what began as a political coup is fast becoming an economic and humanitarian crisis. The UN estimates that 200,000 people have been displaced in border areas since 1 February. With 60% of healthcare facilities not functioning, COVID and other lifesaving vaccinations cannot be administered. The military’s blocking of supply routes and the coup-induced banking crisis are adding to human misery.

Since the coup, the UK has provided $7.5 million in new humanitarian funding for the Red Cross, the UN, and local and international NGOs in Myanmar. We have also reprioritised $3.3 million of humanitarian funding towards urgent needs in Kachin, Rakhine and Karen States. But full, unhindered humanitarian access for UN and other humanitarian agencies, including access to the most vulnerable communities, is vital to address this developing humanitarian catastrophe.

We have not forgotten the plight of the Rohingya. The coup has added to their suffering. And it is vital that displaced and vulnerable communities, whether still in Myanmar or sheltering overseas, including the Rohingya, as well as vulnerable host communities, receive humanitarian assistance.

Finally, it is our view that only action will alter the military’s course. The UK has had an arms embargo in place since 2017, and since February, we have imposed sanctions on the two principal military conglomerates – a key source of revenue for the military – as well as a total of 25 military leaders. We encourage others to consider what measures they can take to support the people of Myanmar on a path back to prosperity, democracy and stability, and to ensure those responsible for human rights violations and breaches of International Humanitarian Law are held to account.

Once again, I thank the Special Envoy for her continued efforts.

Thank you, Mr President.

A Stockton-on-Tees man has had his jail sentence increased following an intervention by the Solicitor General, Rt Hon Lucy Frazer QC MP.

Aaron Chapman, 22, was charged with multiple counts of assault and wounding taking place in September 2020. On 10 September 2020, police were called by Chapman’s partner after he returned to her flat following a physically violent argument the evening before. The two attending police officers formed the impression that Chapman was under the influence of drugs and advised that they would be searching him for weapons. Chapman then turned violent and attacked the two officers, kneeing and kicking them both, as well as head-butting one of them. It then required five officers to place him in leg restraints and physically carry him from the flat into a police van. He was subsequently bailed on the condition that he would not visit his partner’s address and that he would not contact her, directly or indirectly.

On the morning of 30 September, Chapman was staying at a hotel with his partner, in contravention of his bail conditions. At 5am that morning, without warning, Chapman attacked his victim in a sustained and violent assault. He punched her repeatedly to the face, causing bruising to both the left and right cheek. He also punched her to the left eye, fracturing her left cheekbone and causing a cut above it, as well as punching her right eye, causing it to swell and fill with blood. He then bit her on her right arm, as well as biting her right index finger with force sufficient to make it bleed. He continued to attack her by biting her nose with such force that he bit the end of the victim’s nose off. He then spat it at her and left his victim in the hotel room.

When Chapman was arrested, he sought to blame his victim, stating that she had caused those injuries to herself, and claimed that his victim had attacked him with a knife.

Chapman was convicted of two counts of assaulting an emergency worker, and one count of wounding with intent. On 12 April 2021, he was sentenced to 5 years’ imprisonment at Teesside Crown Court.

Following the Court’s decision, the Solicitor General referred Chapman’s sentence to the Court of Appeal under the Unduly Lenient Sentence (ULS) scheme.

On 18 June the Court found Chapman to be a Dangerous Offender and ruled that the sentence was unduly lenient. The Court increased the original sentence to 8 years’ imprisonment, followed by 3 years on license.

After the hearing at the Court of Appeal the Solicitor General, Rt Hon Lucy Frazer QC MP, said:

“Chapman violently assaulted and abused his partner on multiple occasions and attacked two emergency workers who were simply doing their duty. I referred his sentence because I felt it was too low, and to drive home how seriously this government takes both domestic abuse and violence against emergency workers. I am glad that the Court of Appeal has increased his sentence, and felt that the assaults on the two police officers should have been given more weight in the original sentence.”