KentOnline

Kent’s Police and Crime Commissioner has been speaking to the KentOnline Podcast about how officers in the county will deal with the new lockdown.Matthew Scott has recently criticised a counterpart in the West Midlands for saying officers should have more powers to force their way into the homes of suspected lockdown rule breakers.He also talks about why he’s calling for members of the force to be higher up the Covid vaccination priority list.In today’s episode you can also hear from the chair of the Kent Association of Headteachers who says schools desperately need more tech to help children learn from home.And a Rainham family have released a video as they desperately search for information on their missing dog which they think was stolen.

Days after it was confirmed GCSE and A-level exams will not go ahead this summer, the government has confirmed how grades will be decided.Gone is the controversial algorithm used last year with teacher assessment being used instead.In today’s podcast, hear from an education law expert who has also been speaking about university students who are paying thousands to study at home.We’ve also been looking at children’s mental health as they spend much more time in doors during lockdown this time around.A counsellor from Childline has been chatting to us, along with the editor of My Kent Family who is home schooling her two children.Plus the boss of Britain’s oldest brewer, which is based in Faversham, says his pubs are available to become Covid vaccination centres.

It’s feared the third national lockdown in England could last until March.
The Prime Minister announced the measures last night in yet another bid to try and get the spread of coronavirus under control.
In today’s podcast, hear from Tunbridge Wells MP Greg Clarke who’s confident the roll out of the vaccine will help things get back to normal sooner rather than later.
We’ve also been speaking to a student who was due to take A level exams and is now waiting to find out how he’ll be graded instead.
What’s the future for the high street? The Chancellor has announced a financial package to help – we get reaction from the Kent Invicta Chamber of Commerce.
And, a personal trainer says we should still try and stay as active as possible – even though this lockdown is in the middle of winter.

It is feared we could be heading for another national lockdown as coronavirus cases continue to rise.The Prime Minister will address the nation tonight as Kent starts the year in tough tier 4 restrictions.Many schools across the county are closed – we’ve been speaking to a leading headteacher about the challenges of testing pupils when they re-open.Also in today’s podcast, more testing facilities are opening across the county, but just how accurate are the results? We’ve been speaking to a GP about the chances of getting a false positive.The daughter of a Maidstone bus driver who died after contracting Covid-19 has revealed how he worked throughout the pandemic despite concerns he could get ill.In Brexit news we hear from a fishermen who isn’t happy with the trade deal that’s now in place.And in sport, the Gillingham manager has been reacting to their defeat at the weekend to Plymouth Argyle.

It’s feared non-essential shops in Kent could be forced to close again if coronavirus infection rates don’t fall.
Kent will remain in Tier 3 over Christmas and New Year – hear from the man in charge of public health in the county who says news of a new variant is concerning.
Also in today’s podcast, find out why a car park in Chatham has been renamed.
We hear from a Syrian family who have been speaking about moving to Kent as refugees.
Jason Derulo has been chatting to our sister radio station kmfm.
And Gillingham’s Alex MacDonald is confident they’ll get back to winning ways as they travel to take on Rochdale this weekend.

The health secretary has issued a stark warning to the people of Kent as it was confirmed the county would remain in Tier 3.
Cases of coronavirus are continuing to rise so pubs, restaurants and other leisure and hospitality venues must remain closed over Christmas.
Matt Hancock urged residents to behave as if they had the virus in a bid to try and reduce infection rates.
Also in today’s podcast – the message from health care workers as hospitals in the county come under extreme pressure.
NHS staff in Kent are to receive Christmas meals thanks to a charity.
And David Walliams has sent a message to a Kent school – find out why.

Three families will still be able to get together over Christmas in Kent despite rising Covid cases.The Prime Minister has confirmed a relaxation of coronavirus restrictions for five days from next Wednesday (December 23) will go ahead.We’ve been chatting to shoppers in Chatham to find out what their festive plans are.Also in today’s podcast, as the end of the Brexit transition period gets ever closer we’ve been speaking to some leading figures in the freight haulage industry.There are real concerns about delays at the Port of Dover and Eurotunnel at Folkestone after December 31 – they’ve been speaking about the impact it could have on drivers.And the Gillingham manager has been speaking about last night’s defeat to Accrington Stanley.

It’s a big day in the fight against coronavirus as a mass roll out of the first vaccine gets under way in Kent.Nine sites are opening in the county over the next few days so the most vulnerable patients can have the jab.It’s less than two weeks since Pfizer / Biontech vaccine was approved for use in the UK – we’ve been speaking to Dr Jack Jacobs from Hamstreet Surgery near Ashford.Also in today’s podcast, a Whitstable woman who was told she had cancer, only to find out after 18 months of chemotherapy that wasn’t the case, speaks about her ordeal.A Strood mum is at the centre of a High Court battle over her the treatment given to her severely brain damaged daughter.And, we hear from the Gillingham boss ahead of their game against Accrington Stanley tonight.

As Brexit negotiations continue, one Kent MP says Boris Johnson should stand down if he fails to secure a deal with the EU. Could more follow in his footsteps? 
And opinion is split on schools in areas with high Covid-19 infection levels remaining open for the final week of term.

There are calls for some schools in Kent to close early for the Christmas break as cases of coronavirus continue to rise.Seven parts of the county are in the top 10 for the highest infection rates in England.Hear from he chair of the Kent Association of Head Teachers – you can also vote in our poll.Also in today’s podcast, a Kent MP says the Prime Minister should resign if the UK doesn’t leave the EU with an acceptable trade deal.We’ve been speaking to North Thanet’s Sir Roger Gale and have reaction from our political editor.And, the Gillingham boss has been reacting to their loss to Doncaster Rovers at the weekend which ended a run of five league games without defeat.