NEWS
Ministers consider £500 payment for positive Covid test
In order to persuade more people to take Covid tests, ministers are considering paying £500 to everyone who tests positive under plans that would cost the state almost £2billion a month. Discussions have been prompted by Cabinet Office polling which suggests that only 17 per cent of people with symptoms are coming forward for testing for fear of having to self-isolate. Under the current system, only those on a low income who cannot work from home and are eligible for benefits are entitled to a ‘support payment’ of £500 — Telegraph
Lockdown may run into summer, No 10 warns — Times
Seventy Tory MPs demand Prime Minister publishes timetable for lifting lockdown in March — Mail
Decriminalising non-payment of the licence fee off the cards for now, Government confirms — Telegraph
Schools could be shut until after Easter holidays as scientists warn classrooms should remain closed until Covid-19 cases falls dramatically — Mail
Justice Department asks Supreme Court to reverse Trump Twitter decision — Epoch Times
COMMENT
The EU diplomat row shows Brexiteers were right: Brussels does aim to become a superstate — Patrick O’Fylnn, Telegraph
