Antibodies tests indicating who has already contracted coronavirus have been touted as playing an "increasingly important role" in halting the pandemic. The government has bought 10 million of them, in the hope they will identify who may have a level of protection against the virus. But a group of scientists is warning the tests are being rolled out to NHS and care staff in England without "adequate assessment". A positive test does not prove immunity or whether a person will not pass on the virus to others . As a result, the scientists say, they offer "no benefit" to hospitals and care staff. The results do not change what personal protective equipment staff must wear, for example. 

The academics also suggest there is little data on how well the test works for people at highest risk - including people belonging to some ethnic minorities and older patients. Health officials say gathering the results of these tests will help them understand more about the spread of disease. However, there is no consistency in approach across the UK. For example,  Scotland's chief medical officer has written to all health boards to say they should not offer "on-demand" antibodies testing to NHS staff, care workers or patients.

Housing Secretary Robert Jenrick has been under pressure since it emerged the Conservative Party received a £12,000 donation from a businessman behind a controversial planning application, two weeks after it was approved. In a bid to draw a line under the affair, Mr Jenrick has published messages he exchanged with developer Richard Desmond in the run-up to his decision.  They show the minister telling Mr Desmond he hoped to see him soon, having sat next to him at a dinner the night before. He then says they should not meet to avoid "any appearance of being influenced".

The developer sent Mr Jenrick six messages between that November evening and the decision being made in January - read the exchange in full.  Labour says they reveal "discrepancies" in Mr Jenrick's account and that separate emails within the ministry suggest he "rushed through" the application so Mr Desmond's company could avoid a new levy. The minister describes that claim as "not simply wrong but outrageous". Boris Johnson considers the matter "closed", according to No 10.

Councils across the UK are under huge financial pressure as a result of the coronavirus pandemic, a BBC investigation reveals. Local authorities have lost income from tourism and business rates, while offering council tax "holidays" and making emergency payments to families.  Of 173 to have responded, 148 councils predicted a budget shortfall. When combined, the figure tops £3.2bn. Five of them - Leeds, Wiltshire, Trafford, Tameside and Barnet - said that without further government support they may have to effectively declare themselves bankrupt. The government says it's "working on a comprehensive plan to ensure councils' financial sustainability" .

The newly released text messages between Housing Secretary Robert Jenrick and businessman Richard Desmond lead several front pages, with the i suggesting their content has left the Conservative minister "on the ropes". The Times says Mr Jenrick is under "mounting pressure", after documents made clear Mr Jenrick supported the £1m housing project in the face of opposition from his officials. But Mr Jenrick insists he had no knowledge of Mr Desmond making a £12,000 donation to the Conservative Party 12 days later. And, despite what the Daily Mail calls "Cosy texts that damn minister", the PM has backed his colleague. Meanwhile, the hot weather provides front-page images for many papers. The Daily Telegraph shows a packed beach at Bournemouth, with the caption "only mad dogs and Englishmen", noting that a sign pleads with people to stay home to avoid the danger of spreading coronavirus. "It's the Great British Bake Off," says the Daily Star, picturing a sunburned man.