Call for review into exams ‘fiasco’ and depression doubles

Here are five things you need to know about the coronavirus outbreak this Tuesday evening. We’ll have another update for you on Wednesday morning.

Twice as many adults in Britain are reporting symptoms of depression compared to this time last year. That’s according to figures from the Office for National Statistics, which surveyed 3,500 adults who were followed up over the course of 12 months. Under-40s, women, those with disabilities and people who said they would struggle to meet an unexpected cost of £850 were the most likely to show symptoms.

We’re now into the third week of the government’s Eat Out to Help Out scheme, which sees diners get half price meals (up to a maximum discount of £10) at participating restaurants on Mondays, Tuesdays and Wednesdays throughout August. New figures from the Treasury show that in the first fortnight, the scheme was used more than 35 million times – that’s equivalent to “over half of the UK taking part” said Chancellor Rishi Sunak. Read more here on how the scheme works.

There has been a further easing of restrictions in Leicester, which was the first area of the UK to go into a local lockdown at the end of June. From Wednesday, businesses including beauty salons, nail bars, spas, massage and tattoo parlours, and body piercing services will be able to reopen. Health Secretary Matt Hancock said the infection rate had fallen to a safe enough level to allow the changes. But restrictions on gatherings in private homes and gardens remain in place.

Last year, Karen Penny set off westwards from her home in Gower, south Wales, on a 20,000-mile trek around Britain and Ireland. She was motivated to raise funds and awareness of dementia and Alzheimer’s disease, after her husband’s parents died of the condition. She got as far as Shetland in Scotland before Covid-19 hit, and returned home. Now, five months on and undeterred, she is resuming her journey.

What questions do you have about coronavirus?

In some cases, your question will be published, displaying your name, age and location as you provide it, unless you state otherwise. Your contact details will never be published. Please ensure you have read our terms & conditions and privacy policy.

Use this form to ask your question:

If you are reading this page and can’t see the form you will need to visit the mobile version of the BBC website to submit your question or send them via email to YourQuestions@bbc.co.uk. Please include your name, age and location with any question you send in.