The things they say
“What we will do is continue to put our arms around the people of this country going through a very tough time and come up with the appropriate creative and imaginative schemes to keep them in work and keep the economy moving.”
– Prime Minister Boris Johnson, after he was challenged about the prospect of support being withdrawn from firms and workers despite the latest coronavirus restrictions. “I’m quite prepared to accept that a government will make mistakes in a pandemic like this and one or two U-turns is probably a sign of a government listening and then changing. But when you have got 12 in a row, the only conclusion is serial incompetence.”
– Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer. “What we need is the Government, particularly our Prime Minister, this man sitting down with his Union Jack talking utter nonsense, that’s where we need leadership.”
– Julian Metcalfe, the founder of Pret a Manger and boss of the Itsu chain of restaurants.
“We are testing much more than we were earlier on in the outbreak and our local Health Protection teams are working with local councils and directors of public health to manage the increase.”
– Public Health England medical director Yvonne Doyle as the number of daily coronavirus cases in the UK rose to more than 6,000 for the first time since May. “This morning, I am warmly welcoming you to Bristol Beacon. A symbol of hope and community. A focal point for music in the city. A gathering space, illuminating the way ahead. A place of welcome, warmth and light.”
– Louise Mitchell, chief executive of the Bristol Music Trust, on the new name for the music venue previously known as Colston Hall, after a 17th century slave trader. “We remain optimistic that a solution will be found but we should also be very clear that if it is not, then the outlook for many clubs in the period ahead will be very challenging.”
– English Football League chairman Rick Parry on the decision to delay the return of spectators to sports venues.