Coronavirus deaths jump to 412 after bank holiday weekend lag May 27, 2020 Coronavirus-related deaths in the UK jumped to 412 today after falling earlier in the week following the bank holiday. The Department of Health said 37,460 people have died with coronavirus in total as of 5pm on 26 May, up 412 on the previous day. Yesterday, the Department of Health said 134 people had died with [...]
Brexit: EU must change ‘unreasonable’ political mandate for UK trade agreement May 27, 2020 European Union leaders will need to change their negotiating mandate in UK trade talks for a deal to be struck, according to Boris Johnson’s Brexit chief. Chief UK negotiator David Frost today said that the EU’s position would “need to evolve” on key areas such as fishing policy or else the UK will walk away [...]
EU unveils €750bn stimulus package for Covid-19 recovery May 27, 2020 The European Commission today unveiled a huge €750bn (£670bn) stimulus package to help lift the bloc out of a sharp recession caused by the coronavirus pandemic. The package is set to be divided between €500bn in grants and €250bn in loans, which will be borrowed on financial markets and dispersed to member states. Mandarins hope [...]
Coronavirus: Local lockdowns could be implemented in England May 27, 2020 English towns and cities could be placed back into full lockdown to suppress coronavirus “flare ups”, according to communities secretary Robert Jenrick. The local lockdowns would be implemented as a part of the government’s Covid-19 track and trace programme, which could be introduced as early as tomorrow. It will mean schools and non-essential retail businesses, [...]
Hong Kong police clash with protesters over Chinese anthem bill May 27, 2020 Hong Kong riot police fired pepper pellets at protesters today amid a backlash over draconian new legislation that would criminalise disrespecting the Chinese national anthem. Hundreds took to the streets around Hong Kong’s legislative council as MPs gathered to debate the controversial new bill. Riot police were deployed to disperse the protests and at least [...]
Government backtracks on review of lockdown fines for childcare reasons May 27, 2020 The government has backtracked on suggestions it may review fines for breaching the coronavirus lockdown where people said they were travelling for childcare-related purposes. At yesterday’s coronavirus briefing, health secretary Matt Hancock was asked by a member of the public if the government would commit to reviewing lockdown fines where someone was travelling for childcare, [...]
Coronavirus: Boris Johnson to face MPs amid Dominic Cummings row May 27, 2020 Boris Johnson will be grilled by senior MPs today as the prime minister faces growing pressure from within his own party to sack top aide Dominic Cummings. Johnson will appear in front of the Commons Liaison Committee for the first time since taking office, with MPs set to ask about the government’s handling of coronavirus. [...]
Matt Hancock defends Dominic Cummings as lockdown row continues May 26, 2020 Health secretary Matt Hancock this afternoon defended Dominic Cummings despite growing pressure on the government over Boris Johnson’s chief aide’s decision to drive to Durham despite the lockdown measures. Speaking at the government’s daily press conference, Hancock said that Cummings’ actions had been “within the guidelines”, saying that they allowed for exceptional circumstances such as [...]
UK coronavirus deaths top 37,000 after increase of 134 May 26, 2020 The UK’s death toll from coronavirus has risen by 134 to 37,048 according to figures released today by the Department of Health. Yesterday, the Department of Health said 121 people in the UK died with coronavirus, the second-lowest 24-hour death toll since March. However, there is usually a lag in the figures reported at weekends [...]
Sir Patrick McLoughlin appointed as Visit Britain chairman May 26, 2020 Former Conservative Party chairman and transport secretary Sir Patrick McLoughlin has been appointed as chair of the British Tourist Authority. McLoughlin, who was MP from Derbyshire Dales between 1986 and 2019, will chair the Visit Britain tourism board for three years from 1 June, it was announced this morning. He was government chief whip from [...]