Decision letter and Inspector’s Report for a called-in decision for redevelopment of the site to provide a mixed use scheme of 441 residential units (Class C3) including 50% affordable housing with ancillary facilities, flexible uses (within Classes A1, A2, A3 and B1) and a nursery (Class D1). Comprising buildings of 12, 13, 16, 17 and 18 storeys in height with associated cycle parking, car parking, play space, landscaping and public realm improvements

The weekly statistics from the 14th week of NHS Test and Trace show in the most recent week of operations (27 August to 2 September):

• testing capacity increased by 7.7% from the previous week to 1,576,881 (pillars 1 and 2)
• 82.7% of people who tested positive and were transferred to the contact-tracing system were reached and asked to provide information about their contacts
• 79.4% of contacts where communication details were given have been reached and told to self-isolate
• 89.6% of in-person tests results were received the next day after the test was taken
• pillar 1 testing capacity was at 575,381, an increase of 0.08% since the previous week
• pillar 2 testing capacity was at 1,001,500, an increase of 12.7% since the previous week
• pillar 3 testing capacity was at 840,000, the same as the previous week
• pillar 4 testing capacity was at 82,700, an increase of 93.7% since the previous week

Statistics from the 14th week of operation of NHS Test and Trace show that since the service launched:

• 358,294 people have been reached by the service. This includes both those testing positive and their contacts
• 87% of all contacts where communication details were given have been reached and told to self-isolate

Interim Executive Chair of the National Institute for Health Protection Baroness Dido Harding, said:

NHS Test and Trace is working and every week we consistently reach the majority of people testing positive and their contacts. We have now reached almost 360,000 people who may be at risk of unknowingly passing on the virus, helping to curb its spread.

We are doing more testing for the British public than other comparable European countries and we are adding thousands more tests a day. The figures show we have seen a significant increase in the demand for tests, but given the concerning rise in cases over the last couple of days, it is still vital for anybody who has symptoms to book a test and follow the advice you receive if you are contacted by NHS Test and Trace.

New booking slots and home testing kits are made available daily and please remember to protect yourself, loved ones and the public by washing your hands, covering your face and making space. And for those who don’t have symptoms or haven’t been told they must have a test, we would please ask you to reconsider as it might could be taking a test away from someone who really needs it.

Employer testing guidance

Creating a mass testing programme from scratch, which has carried out more than 16 million tests, is helping us get back to a more normal way of life. Alongside the NHS Test and Trace service, the government is aware that some employers want to introduce their own internal testing programmes.

High-quality testing provides confidence and clarity. The government has today published guidance for employers and third-party healthcare providers around voluntary testing in the workplace. This is to ensure all new private testing programmes are as reliable and effective as possible, and developed in accordance with legal obligations and best practice. The guidance makes clear that employers must not advise individuals without symptoms to get a test through NHS Test and Trace, but may offer alternative private provision in accordance with the guidance.

All positive results must be reported to Public Health England (PHE), so that they are automatically passed to the NHS Test and Trace service to trace contacts and prevent further transmission.

Testing eligibility guidance

Today we are also updating guidance to make it clear you should only get a free NHS test if you have coronavirus symptoms or have been asked to get a test.

See the guidance on coronavirus (COVID-19) testing.

Background information

We are increasing the number of testing sites to 500 by the end of October. We have more than 400 in operation, added 19 last week and expect 17 more this week.

We have increased the number of local or walk-in test sites to over 70 with further opening each week.

As part of the drive towards a target of 500,000-a-day testing UK capacity by the end of October the government has announced the addition of new Lighthouse laboratories in Newport and near Loughborough to the national lab network and work is ongoing to expand this even further in the coming months.

Testing per capita: Reporting methodologies vary, but data suggests the UK is testing at a higher rate per capita than countries of comparable size, including Germany and Spain. Currently, for every 1,000 people, the UK tests 2.54 people each day, whereas Germany tests 1.88 and Spain tests 1.91

Tests in the UK are carried out through a number of different routes:

• pillar 1: swab testing in PHE labs and NHS hospitals for those with a clinical need, and health and care workers
• pillar 2: swab testing for the wider population, as set out in government guidance
• pillar 3: serology testing to show if people have antibodies from having had COVID-19
• pillar 4: blood and swab testing for national surveillance supported by PHE, the Office for National Statistics (ONS), and research, academic, and scientific partners to learn more about the prevalence and spread of the virus and for other testing research purposes, such as the accuracy and ease of use of home testing

With permission, I’d like to make a further statement on coronavirus.

We’ve done much as a nation to get this virus under control.

And so we have been able to restore so much.

Just one example: figures today show that radiotherapy services in England have now returned to pre-pandemic levels.

And this is good news and will save lives.

But as I said to the House on Tuesday, we are seeing some concerning trends, including an increase in the number of positive cases, especially but not only among younger people.

As the Chief Medical Officer said yesterday, we must learn from the recent experience of countries like Belgium who successfully put in place measures to combat a similar rise in infections.

And so today, Mr Speaker, I’d like to update the House on a number of new measures that will help us to get this virus under control to make the rules clearer, simpler and more enforceable.

First, Mr Speaker, we are putting in place new rules on social contact.

We have listened to feedback – from the public and the police.

And we are simplifying and strengthening the rules, making them easier to understand and easier to enforce.

In England, from Monday, we are introducing the rule of 6.

Nobody should meet socially in groups of more than 6 – and if you do, you will be breaking the law.

This will apply in any setting, indoors or outdoors, at home or in the pub.

It replaces both the existing ban on gatherings of more than 30 and the current guidance on allowing 2 households to meet indoors.

There will be some exemptions.

For example, if a single household or support bubble is larger than 6, they can still gather. Places of education and work are unaffected.

COVID secure weddings, wedding receptions and funerals can go ahead, up to a limit of 30 people.

Organised sport and exercise is exempt.

Mr Speaker, these are not measures that we take lightly.

I understand that for many they will mean changing long-awaited plans or missing out on precious moments with loved ones.

But this sacrifice is vital to control the virus for the long term – and save lives.

And I vow that we will not keep these rules in place for any longer than we have to.

Stronger enforcement

Second, Mr Speaker, we are putting in place stronger enforcement.

Hospitality venues will be legally required to request the contact details of every party.

They will have to record and retain these details for 21 days, and provide them to NHS Test and Trace without delay when required.

This system is working well voluntarily, with minimal friction. And is very effective. But it isn’t in place in all venues and so it is only fair that it is followed by all.

We are supporting local authorities to make greater use of their powers to close venues that are breaking the rules and pose a risk to public health, and fines will be levied against hospitality venues that fail to ensure their premises are COVID secure.

Keeping education going

Mr Speaker, our goal, as much as possible, is to protect keeping schools and businesses open, while controlling the virus.

The data show that while the cases among 17- to 30-year-olds are rising, the number of cases among the under-16s remain very low.

And we all know how important it is to keep schools open.

As the Chief Medical Officers have said, the long-term risks to children’s life chances of not going to school are significant – and far greater than the health risks of going back to school. The latest data confirms this.

University students will also soon be returning.

The Department for Education has published the updated guidance for universities on how they can operate in a COVID secure way.

This includes a clear request not to send students home in the event of an outbreak in order to avoid spreading the virus across the country.

If you are a student who is about to return to university or go to university for the first time, then please, for the sake of your education and your parents’ and grandparents’ health, follow the rules and don’t gather in groups of more than 6 people.

Test and trace

Mr Speaker, our ability to test and trace on a large scale is also fundamental to controlling the virus, as we’ve discussed in the House many times.

The latest data shows that we are doing more testing per head than other European countries like Germany and Spain. And we have record capacity – we’ve increased capacity by over 10,000 tests a day over the last fortnight.

And while there have been challenges in access to tests, the vast majority of people get their tests rapidly and close to home.

The average distance travelled to a test site is 6.4 miles and 90% of people who book a test travel 22 miles or less.

We already have more than 400 testing sites in operation – we added 19 last week and plan 17 more this week.

However, as capacity has increased, we have seen an even faster rise in demand, including a significant increase from people who do not have symptoms and are not eligible for a test.

This takes tests away from people who need them.

So, if you have symptoms of coronavirus, or are asked by a clinician or local authority to get a test, then please apply.

But if you do not have symptoms and haven’t been asked, then you are not eligible for a test.

At the same time, we are developing new types of test, which are simple, quick and scaleable.

They use swabs or saliva and they can be turned around in 90 or even 20 minutes.

The so-called Operation Moonshot, to deploy mass testing, will allow people to lead more normal lives, and reduce the need for social distancing.

For instance, it could mean theatres and sports venues could test audience members on the day and let in those with a negative result.

Workplaces could be opened up to all those who test negative that morning, and anyone isolating because they are a contact, or quarantining after travelling abroad, could be tested and released.

We are piloting this approach right now, and verifying the new technology.

Then it can be rolled out nationwide.

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I am looking forward to rolling out this programme and this work, which has been underway for some time already.

I am absolutely determined that we will get there.

And if everything comes together, and if the technology comes off, it will be possible even for challenging sectors, like theatres, to get closer to normal before Christmas.

Call to action

Finally, Mr Speaker, the most important thing that each and every one of us can do is to remember the small things that can make a big difference.

Hands, face, space and if you have symptoms, get a test.

Hands. Wash your hands, regularly and for 20 seconds.

Face. Wear a face covering over your mouth and nose if you are in an enclosed space and in close contact with people you don’t normally meet.

Space. Always stay 2 metres away from people you don’t live with. Or 1 metre with extra precautions, like extra ventilation, screens or face coverings.

And of course, if you have COVID symptoms, get a test and self-isolate.

Conclusion

Mr Speaker, coronavirus is a powerful adversary.

And when called upon, the British people have done so much to blunt the force of this invisible killer.

And now at this important juncture, we are being called upon once more to deliver our collective commitment, to follow the rules and to get this virus under control.

And I commend this statement to the House.