Coronavirus infection rate remains stable across England August 14, 2020 Coronavirus infections across England are levelling off according to the latest figures from the Office for National Statistics (ONS). In its latest update, the ONS said the “small increase” seen in the rate of infection in July had stabilised. Current estimates suggest that 1 in 1,900 people have coronavirus, or 28,300 people in England. The [...]
Lockdown extended in north-west regions of England August 14, 2020 The government extended lockdown restrictions on regions of north-west England today, saying there was no evidence that the coronavirus infection rates in the areas had fallen. “The latest evidence does not show a decrease in the number of cases per 100,000 people in the area, and the health secretary, in collaboration with local leaders, has [...]
University is still the safest bet to a good life August 14, 2020 Every year without fail, school leavers and their parents have to hear the boasting, masquerading as reassurance, of some of society’s success stories. Here’s Jeremy Clarkson: “I got a C and 2 Us and I’m currently building a large house with far reaching views of the Cotswolds.” Lord Sugar goes further: “University is a waste [...]
Labour call for government U-turn on A-levels ‘fiasco’ August 14, 2020 The Labour Party has called today for the government to scrap its system for allocating A-level results after thousands of students’ results were downgraded by the statistical model used to moderate grades. Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer tweeted: “The unprecedented and chaotic circumstances created by the UK government’s mishandling of education during recent months mean [...]
France and the Netherlands placed on UK quarantine list August 14, 2020 From Saturday, people travelling to the UK from France and the Netherlands will have to quarantine for 14 days after a surge in cases in the countries. From 4am tomorrow, those returning from the countries, as well Monaco, Malta, Turks & Caicos and Aruba will be forced to self-isolate for two weeks. They follow Spain, [...]
It’s time for a fresh UK-China relationship August 14, 2020 The UK needs a fresh template for its relationship with China. Central to this should be a differentiation between strategic and non-strategic areas. This would allow UK businesses to know where the government has set its red lines. In 2015, the UK and China’s relationship was red hot—a “golden era”—with President Xi making a state [...]
Getting young people back to school in September is critical to their health August 14, 2020 Being at school is good for health. Even now, in the middle of a pandemic, schools can be important for wellbeing by keeping a sense of normality. Yet the parents, students and teachers weighing up the risks on how safe classrooms will be for young people in September might not be aware of the strong [...]
PM Johnson toughens enforcement measures ahead of lockdown easing August 13, 2020 Enforcement measures in the UK are set to get tougher ahead of further lockdown easing this weekend, with fines for breaking the rules set to double. Fines for repeat offenders of mandatory face covering rules will double to a maximum of £3,200 in the coming weeks, the government said today. New fines will also be introduced for [...]
Johnson says UK will be ‘ruthless’ over quarantine as French cases spike August 13, 2020 Prime Minister Boris Johnson has said said Downing Street is prepared to be “ruthless” with countries over quarantine rules, after he was asked whether France would be removed from the government’s safe-travel list. The UK has imposed a 14-day quarantine period for arrivals from countries such as Spain and Belgium, as infections rates rise and fears mount [...]
Irish PM: ‘Landing zone’ for a Brexit trade deal in sight August 13, 2020 The UK’s chief Brexit negotiator has today said an EU trade deal can be struck next month as the Irish Prime Minister also sees a potential “landing zone”. Boris Johnson’s chief negotiator – and close ally – David Frost said on Twitter today that “our assessment is that agreement can be reached in September”, with [...]