Londoners back Bailey pledge to reverse congestion charge June 23, 2020 Conservative London mayoral candidate Shaun Bailey has today submitted a petition to City Hall calling on Sadiq Khan to reverse the hike to the congestion charge. Bailey also said that he would undo the increase on the first day of his mayoralty, should he be elected next year. The petition, which has been signed by [...]
Coronavirus business loans hit £41bn, as approval rates stagnate June 23, 2020 British businesses have now borrowed £41bn in loans backed by guarantees from the government to cope with the impact of coronavirus, but approval rates are failing to improve. Approval rates for the coronavirus business interruption loan scheme (CBILS) remain stuck at 51 per cent, hitting a total of £10.53bn lent so far. As of 21 [...]
Japan gives UK just six weeks to secure post-Brexit trade deal June 23, 2020 Japan has given the UK a mere six weeks in which to strike a post-Brexit trade deal, which would be one of the shortest timetables for trade negotiations in history. Tokyo’s chief negotiator Hiroshi Matsuura told the Financial Times that both parties will have to “limit their ambitions” when it comes to agreeing the deal, [...]
Trump adviser walks back comments saying US-China trade deal is ‘over’ June 23, 2020 White House trade adviser Peter Navarro said on Monday the US trade deal with China “continues in place”, walking back on his earlier remarks that the pact was ‘over’, stoking volatility in markets already frazzled by the coronavirus pandemic. Navarro said his comments were taken “wildly out of context”, while US President Donald Trump confirmed [...]
PM to reopen cinemas, museums and galleries in England June 23, 2020 Museums, cinemas, galleries and other cultural venues are set to be allowed to reopen as long as social distancing measures are kept in place, Prime Minister Boris Johnson is expected to announce this afternoon. The easing would come into effect on 4 July, in tandem with the reopening of other parts of the hospitality industry [...]
Khan calls for London furlough extension as he warns of ‘looming unemployment crisis’ June 23, 2020 Mayor of London Sadiq Khan has urged the chancellor to extend the furlough scheme in London’s most deprived areas, as he warned of a “looming unemployment crisis” in the UK. Khan today called on Rishi Sunak to extend the Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme beyond the end of the lockdown to avoid a sudden surge in [...]
US suspends work visas and green cards until end of 2020 June 22, 2020 The US government will suspend certain non-immigrant work visas and extend an existing ban on certain green cards until the end of the year, the Trump administration announced today, as America gr The suspension will include H-1B visas for high-skilled workers, which are frequently used by technology companies, and H-2B visas for seasonal guest workers. [...]
Brits to reunite with grandparents as government eases shielding rules June 22, 2020 More than 2m vulnerable people will be able to leave their homes for the first time in over three months, the government said today, as Prime Minister Boris Johnson prepares to announce a wider easing of social distancing rules. Advisory guidance for more than 2.2m people who are currently shielding indoors will be eased from [...]
Reading attacks: Government undertaking ‘biggest overhaul of terrorism laws in decades’ June 22, 2020 The government is currently undertaking the “biggest overhaul” of anti-terrorism laws in decades, Priti Patel said today, as the home secretary visited the site of a terror attack in Reading that took place over the weekend. A 25-year-old man, named yesterday as Khairi Saadallah, is currently being detained under terrorism powers after the stabbings on [...]
German banks press EU for action on Brexit equivalence June 22, 2020 The Association of German Banks (BDB) has called for the EU to prioritise equivalence rules in discussions surrounding the UK’s upcoming exit, arguing they are vital for achieving market and financial stability on both sides. “Clarity regarding future market access arrangements should be provided at the earliest possible date,” the BDB said in a position [...]