'Completely wrong'

The Independent's Morning Headlines email [The Independent]( June 28, 2023 [View online](   [Morning Headlines]( 1 /[Hancock says government was more concerned with counting bodybags than stopping Covid spread]( [Matt Hancock]( has admitted that the UK was not properly prepared for the [Covid]( pandemic – claiming officials were more concerned with counting bodybags than preventing the spread of the virus. Speaking at the [Covid inquiry]( on Tuesday, the former health secretary described the failure to plan as an “absolute tragedy” and repeatedly insisted that the government’s approach had been “completely wrong”. He conceded that pre-pandemic plans to protect [care homes]( had been “terrible”, saying the care sector was in “nowhere near good enough shape” when Covid struck. Mr Hancock also revealed that the UK came “within hours” of running out of vital medicines for intensive care units at the height of the pandemic – but said that the planning that had been undertaken in preparation for a no-deal [Brexit]( meant hospitals were able to cope. It came as Mr Hancock: - Attacked planning that revolved around finding “enough bodybags” and “burying the dead” - Admitted he had not attended any National Security Committee meetings on emergency planning - Said he “wasn’t enthusiastic” about no-deal Brexit robbing resources from health planning - Turned to victims’ families in the gallery to tell them he was “profoundly sorry” - Was heckled as he left the inquiry, with the bereaved shouting “Killer” and “How many have died?”   2 /[Tory party ‘knew about groping claims against Daniel Korski’ but put him on London mayor shortlist anyway]( Suspend mayoral candidate and launch a ‘thorough investigation’, says Labour 3 /[One in seven people in UK going hungry because they can’t afford to eat]( Many people referred to food banks are experiencing severe social isolation because they cannot afford to socialise 4 /[Nicola Bulley drowned accidentally after falling into cold water, inquest rules]( The 45-year-old is believed to have suffered cold water shock after falling into the River Wyre, court hears 5 /[Julian Sands confirmed dead after human remains identified as British actor]( The British actor, 65, had been missing for more than five months after failing to return from a hike THE BIG QUESTION How did dogs became my greatest adversary on the dating scene? I’ve worked hard to mask my lifelong animosity towards dogs. Their barks, their smells, the way they multiplied around me during the pandemic and filled my local parks with their poops, writes Oliver Keens. But two things recently have left me feeling like I’m the one in the doghouse. Firstly, following a long, excellent first date with someone I met [on an app](, after walks, wine, overshares and snogs, I was told the next day by text that she ultimately couldn’t see me fitting into her busy life as a “dog mum”. I’d been c**k-blocked by a cocker spaniel. Yet being in a degrading man-woman-dog love triangle wasn’t the final straw – it was finance, not romance. Recently someone told me, in the context of a possible career change, that dog care in a bougie neighbourhood nearby in East London costs around £40 a day. In my slightly fragile, single and insecure state, the idea that someone would spend hard cash on a dog, yet not want to spend time with me left me rattled. I was snubbed and thus obsessed with my canine opponents. I had to find out more. [For the full article click here]( Enjoy a year of unlimited digital access for just £99 £20 ✓ Full access to Premium news analysis ✓ Advert-free reading across web and app ✓ The Independent Daily Edition newspaper ✓ Puzzles, virtual event tickets and more [SUBSCRIBE NOW](   Watch / [Moment minke whale leaps from water off Scarborough coast in ‘unusual’ full breach]( NUMBER OF THE DAY 43% – The Royal College of Nursing has confirmed just 43 per cent of members returned a ballot, meaning the union has not met the 50 per cent threshold it needs to hold a new walk-out. [Read more]( QUOTE OF THE DAY “I understand why, for some, it will be hard to take that apology from me – I understand that. I get it. But it is honest and heartfelt.” – [Matt Hancock]( has admitted that the UK was not properly prepared for the [Covid]( pandemic – claiming officials were more concerned with counting bodybags than preventing the spread of the virus. 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