Chinese ambassador slammed for denying ‘chilling’ ethnic cleansing claims July 19, 2020 China’s ambassador to the UK has been widely criticised by MPs this morning for denying claims of ethnic cleansing against Uyghur Muslims in Northern China and instead drawing attention to the “beautiful” scenery in the region. Liu Xiaoming was shown footage during a BBC interview of hundreds of chained Uyhurs being loaded onto trains headed [...]
Coronavirus roadmap: When will England’s lockdown end? July 18, 2020 Boris Johnson has outlined a roadmap for the end of England’s lockdown, giving hope that coronavirus social distancing could end before Christmas. Johnson changed tack on government guidance to work from home where possible in a speech on 17 July. Instead employers will be asked to discuss with employees whether and how they can safely [...]
Business groups cautiously welcome easing of workplace restrictions July 17, 2020 Boris Johnson has announced that employers will be given “more discretion” to decide whether to bring staff back to workplaces after the coronavirus lockdown. From 1 August, firms will be able to ask staff to come back if it is safe to do so. “If employees think it would be better and more productive to [...]
Boris Johnson: Social distancing may end in November July 17, 2020 Prime Minister Boris Johnson has said social distancing could be scrapped by November as the government tries to move the country back to “significant normality” before Christmas. “It is my strong and sincere hope that we will be able to review the outstanding restrictions and allow a more significant return to normality from November at [...]
Matt Hancock calls for ‘urgent review’ into England coronavirus deaths tally July 17, 2020 Health secretary Matt Hancock has called for an “urgent” review into an official tally of coronavirus deaths that has been revealed to include people dying of other causes. Public Health England (PHE) included people who tested positive for Covid-19 but died from other causes in its stats of coronavirus deaths in the country, the Evening [...]
England lockdown: Guidance on public transport and workplaces to be relaxed July 17, 2020 From 1 August employers will be asked to decide on whether to bring staff back to workplaces after the coronavirus lockdown, Boris Johnson announced today. Restrictions on public transport will also be lifted from today, he said, with anybody now allowed to use any method of travel they wish. Speaking at a press conference, the [...]
Boris Johnson says England will move to local coronavirus lockdowns July 17, 2020 Prime Minister Boris Johnson has said councils and the central government will be able to implement local lockdowns to tackle coronavirus outbreaks in a major shift in policy. “From tomorrow, local authorities will have new powers in their areas,” Johnson said. “They will be able to close specific premises, shut local outdoor spaces and cancel [...]
Angela Merkel lowers hopes as talks start over €750bn EU Covid fund July 17, 2020 European Union leaders face “very, very difficult” negotiations over a €750bn coronavirus bailout fund, German Chancellor Angela Merkel has warned ahead of the start of talks today. EU heads of state today go into the first in-person leaders’ meeting for five-months to try to thrash out a deal over a huge fund that could kickstart [...]
Government reviewing response to ‘unacceptable’ Russia hack, says minister July 17, 2020 The UK is reviewing its response to Russian-backed attempts to steal coronavirus vaccine research, security minister James Brokenshire said this morning. Yesterday the National Cyber Security Centre (NCSC) issued a statement in conjunction with counterparts in the US and Canada saying that hacking group Cozy Bear had been attempting to steal Covid-19 research from institutions [...]
PM set to unveil ‘lightning lockdowns’ and £3bn Covid cash for NHS July 17, 2020 Prime Minister Boris Johnson is set to give local councils the capacity to implement “lightning lockdowns” without first notifying the government when he gives a major speech today. The PM is also set to announce more than £3bn extra funding for the NHS to ensure it can cope with a second peal of coronavirus cases [...]