Letter: Is the government right to focus on obesity as its top public health issue? July 29, 2020 Re: Is the government right to focus on obesity as its top public health issue? People with obesity are at a much greater risk of serious Covid-19-related complications and death. They are also more likely to require hospitalisation, ICU admission, and mechanical ventilation. Hence, addressing obesity makes sense not only as a way to prevent [...]
Twitter limits Donald Trump Jr’s account over coronavirus video July 28, 2020 Twitter said today it has limited access to Donald Trump Jr’s account for 12 hours, following a tweet he had posted which violated its misinformation policy on coronavirus. The eldest son of US President Donald Trump posted a video yesterday of doctors talking about the drug hydroxychloroquine as a treatment for coronavirus. In the video, [...]
Rishi Sunak’s deputy says targeted relief an option after furlough scheme ends July 28, 2020 Treasury minister Steve Barclay has ruled out extending the government’s furlough scheme past October, but left the door open for targeted relief to some sectors. The scheme is due to end on 31 October, with government payments decreased in September and October. Barclay said today that there would be no extension to the scheme, echoing [...]
Treasury unveils plan to speed up delivery of government projects July 28, 2020 Treasury minister Steve Barclay has unveiled the government’s plan to make his department “the new radicals” and transform Whitehall’s decision making processes. Barclay told centre-right think tank Onward today that the Treasury would become more like a Silicon Valley company by ensuring public sector projects operate at greater speed and by using better data to [...]
Oldham hit with new lockdown measures after spike in coronavirus cases July 28, 2020 Some lockdown measures have been reintroduced in Oldham after a “dramatic” spike in cases of coronavirus over the weekend. Residents should not allow social visitors into their homes and must keep a safe distance of 2m from others. Those who are shielding have been told to continue doing so for another two weeks, until 14 [...]
UK tax rises: How will Rishi Sunak pay down the coronavirus deficit? July 28, 2020 Rishi Sunak’s first five months as chancellor has seen him shower the UK economy with hundreds of billions of pounds, helping make him the most popular government figure. However, talk has already turned to the ballooning deficit – predicted to be around £350bn this year – and how to reduce it to more manageable levels. [...]
Calorie labelling to cost British businesses ‘tens of millions’ each year July 28, 2020 The Prime Minister’s announcement that restaurant and takeaway firms must introduce calorie labels on their menus will cost British businesses “tens of millions” of pounds each year, according to a new report. Boris Johnson yesterday announced the government will introduce compulsory calorie labels for restaurant, supermarket and takeaway meals as part of measures to crack [...]
Former speaker John Bercow to be denied peerage July 28, 2020 Former speaker John Bercow is expected this week to be denied a life peerage, after being nominated in Jeremy Corbyn’s resignation list. Bercow is set to be denied by the House of Lords Appointments Commission due to persistent bullying allegations while he was House of Commons speaker. The commission is also expected to deny the [...]
Banks lend £49bn to SMEs to survive coronavirus fallout July 28, 2020 Banks have now lent out £49.4bn through the three main government-backed loan schemes, according to Treasury data released today. Banks have given out £33.7bn through the bounce back loan scheme (BBLS) up until the week ending 26 July. The programme sees the government guarantee 100 per cent of bank loans worth up to £50,000 to [...]
Spain quarantine to be cut to 10 days for returning Brits July 28, 2020 Quarantine for people arriving from Spain and other countries designated high-risk coronavirus zones will be cut to 10 days under new plans, it is reported. The government is set to introduce a fresh policy later this week requiring those arriving from high-risk countries to be tested for coronavirus eight days after they land, the Telegraph [...]