The Standard

With universities returning, joining the school pupils already back at classes, and the increasing numbers of those going to the office, the UK’s track and trace system is under strain. One expert’s told the Evening Standard it's nowhere near the 70-80% coverage the system needs to be effective and it's only going to get worse as winter arrives. Our deputy political editor, Nicholas Cecil, says schoolchildren with nothing more than the common cold are adding to the problems, as they're being made to get a test before they can go back to class. Meanwhile, he says the government has a problem with persuading people that it can get the job done. 

And, our Tech correspondent Mark Blunden tells us about the researchers recreating conditions on Mars at a lab in Dorking. They're part of an international project to send a rover to the planet and search for signs of life. Coming after the news that something may have been found in the atmosphere over Venus, Mark says there's a lot of excitement about what else might be out there. 

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At the start of lockdown we stood with our neighbours and applauded key workers in the NHS. Now we are being told to report the people next door to the police. Policing minister Kit Malthouse says people should "absolutely" call police if there's a large social gathering in their street. Has the government created a snooper's charter with its new laws? Our court correspondent Tristan Kirk says the regulations have caused a stir in legal circles by banning "mingling" but not defining what that means. And he also says courts are not expecting to see many, if any, people convicted. 

David Cameron's become the fifth former prime minister to warn Boris Johnson not to break international law as up to 20 Conservative MPs threaten to join a rebellion in the Commons. The former Tory leader says defying the law us “the very, very last thing you should contemplate” and that he has “misgivings” about Mr Johnson’s tactics. Evening Standard political reporter Sophia Sleigh says Mr Cameron's words are more "measured" than those of other critics like John Major and Tony Blair, but the rising tide of rebellion appears to have Downing Street worried. 

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Boris Johnson's facing two significant revolts from within his own ranks over coronavirus and Brexit. Some backbenchers want under-12s exempt from the new 'rule of six' regulations on social gatherings. But our political editor, Joe Murphy, says it's the second rebellion that's causing the most problems for the PM: Major figures in the Tory party, like Lord Howard and Theresa May, are calling for a re-think over a bill that would overwrite a treaty already signed with the EU. We hear how that's making some MPs nervous, and why pressure from politicians in the US is also bearing down on the Cabinet. 

Also, we hear from an Oregon woman whose home town is being ravaged by wildfires. Half a million people have been evacuated in the State, and at least 10 have died. Vanessa Lamers describes how flames are destroying the area she grew up in, and why the air is becoming toxic. She also says that even when people return, there may not be much left for them to come back to.

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Boris Johnson's "moonshoot project" would see billions of pounds spent on testing kits that can deliver results that day, but his optimism has been met with scepticism and some scientists say the tech doesn't exist. Columnist Ayesha Hazarika tells us she thinks the scheme sounds like a fantasy, and what people really want are the hard facts. A former government advisor herself, she says Downing Street's communications are confusing the public, and it's time to get real. 

Also, the Evening Standard's deputy political editor Nicholas Cecil explains why a government minister's telling students to "take responsibility" in the bedroom during Freshers' Week. Health minister Lord Bethell's given the warning as universities open their doors, amid concerns it could lead to a further spike in coronavirus cases. But the NUS says students are being made "a scapegoat". 

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After the Evening Standard revealed the government's bringing in restrictions to limit social gatherings to six, it's now reported pubs may have a 10pm curfew. Meanwhile, the foreign travel quarantine rules, which vary across the United Kingdom, are still confusing passengers and putting people off holidays. Our associate editor Julian Glover says the situation has got too complicated for everyone, including ministers, and it's time for a reset... but he wonders if there's anyone in the cabinet who can do it? 

Also, last year Amazon’s revenues in the UK went up from £10.9bn to £13.7bn.  It's tax bill on all those billions is £293m pounds. MPs like Labour’s Margaret Hodge say that’s unacceptable. Evening Standard business journalist Mark Shapland explains how the company's accounts actually work, and why Amazon's founder Jeff Bezos, who is worth around £150bn himself, is getting little sympathy. 

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Boris Johnson's warning against “complacency” about Covid-19 among young people as he prepares the ground for a major crackdown on people holding parties in defiance of social distancing. The Standard understands that minsters are deeply concerned about gatherings held by young people, particularly as students head back to university in coming weeks. Our political editor, Joe Murphy, says Mr Johnson may announce moves to cut the legal maximum size of a gathering from 30 to possibly as few as six.

Also, a stage adaptation of the cult classic film Back To The Future is set to open in the West End — with original film actor Christopher Lloyd helping launch the show by picking up a copy of the Evening Standard. Back to the Future, The Musical will open at the Adelphi Theatre in The Strand on May 14 next year. We ask the show's producer, Colin Ingram, if Marty and Doc Brown can save the day for London theatre?

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Matt Hancock's dramatically raising hopes of a Covid-19 vaccine within months. The Health Secretary says it's “looking up” that a drug being developed by experts at the University of Oxford and pharmaceutical giant AstraZeneca would be granted approval for use soon after trials in several countries, including the UK, US and Brazil. But the Evening Standard's deputy political editor Nicholas Cecil says we've yet hear confirmation from the medical community, and with coronavirus cases rising again the government needs to deliver on its promises to retain public confidence. 

And, bust up or brinkmanship? Our associate editor Julian Glover looks at what's going on with Brexit. The Prime Minister's vowing he "won't back down" as alarms sound following reports the government's planning to overwrite parts of the Withdrawal Agreement. It could lead to trade talks collapsing in mid-October, and a "no deal" scenario returning to discussions. Could the UK really "prosper mightily" as the Prime Minister claims?

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The Evening Standard's learned millions of people could get free rides into London under bold plans to fight the slump caused by coronavirus. Free tickets for trains, buses and the Tube are being discussed as a radical way of getting the public to see for themselves that it is safe to go back to offices and to enjoy shops, restaurants, museums and galleries. The story was broken by our political editor Joe Murphy who says government and businesses are backing it, but they still have to work out which side's going to pay for it. 

Also, even Transport Secretary Grant Shapps thinks airport quarantine rules are confusing after some parts of the UK added Portugal and parts of Greece to their 'red lists' while England didn't. Meanwhile, with people abandoning their holidays the travel industry's being bit with another blow as Virgin Airlines announces 1,150 job losses. Travel journalist Simon Calder tells us the situation is a shambles, and predicts the entire system will be scrapped within a week. 

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Matt Hancock's defended Tony Abbott as “an expert in trade” after being quizzed over allegations that the former Australian Prime Minister is a "homophobic misogynist". But others in the Conservative party and beyond are questioning why Mr Abbot's being tipped for an advisory role to help secure post-Brexit deals around the world. Our political reporter Sophia Sleigh says the potential appointment is a controversial one, but the government doesn't look like it's going to change its mind for now. 

And, adverts for Dettol suggesting people miss "wearing a tie" and "proper bants" in the workplace are being mocked on social media. The posters on the underground are trying to encourage people to go back to the office, but reaction includes one person saying they're "firmly on the side of the 0.1% of bacteria" the disinfectant doesn't kill. The Evening Standard Susannah Butter says the public just wants to know if it's safe to get on the tube, and doesn't need "banter" to get them back behind a desk. 

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How can Londoners be expected to get on public transport when political leaders aren't being seen doing it themselves? The government's repeatedly called for people to go back to work, but commuter numbers on trains and busses don't seem to be rising. Meanwhile, car use does appear to be on the up. We speak to the Evening Standard's Sam Fishwick, who interviewed recently appointed TFL chief Andy Byford, who says he needs people like Boris Johnson and Sadiq Khan to make it clear that the tube, busses and trams are safe to use. 

Also, just after being roasted in Parliament by Sir Keir Starmer for several government U-turns during the pandemic, Boris Johnson made another one. Following pressure from councils in Bolton and Trafford plans to ease restrictions there have been dumped. Our deputy political editor Nicholas Cecil tells us the repeated reversals are causing disquiet on the Tory back benches, and endangering public confidence in Downing Street's handling of the coronavirus crisis. 

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