To the surprise of some, and relief to others, the UK's top civil servant, Sir Mark Sedwill, confirmed he plans to stand down from the role in September. In a letter to Boris Johnson, he said it was the right time to go as the government moved to the next phase of its coronavirus recovery plan. Sir Mark's other role as national security adviser will be taken by Mr Johnson's chief Brexit adviser David Frost. COVID is rearing its ugly head in the city of Leicester, which might face a localised lock-down after a rise in coronavirus cases. Figures on 16 June showed about 25 per cent of the city's 2,494 cases so far were reported in the previous two weeks. Mayor Sir Peter Soulsby said there was "no immediate prospect" of a lock-down. In education news, the Government has pledged £1 billion for 50 major school building projects in England. There will be a further £560 million for repairs to crumbling school buildings.