DEBATE: Was it the right decision to end the daily government press briefings? June 24, 2020 Was it the right decision to end the daily government press briefings? Eliot Wilson, co-founder of Pivot Point and a former House of Commons official, says YES. The coronavirus pandemic changed so much. One thing it brought was daily Downing Street press conferences, at which a senior minister would take questions, flanked by advisers or [...]
Brits back Boris Johnson’s lockdown lifting June 24, 2020 Almost two thirds of British people back the government’s plans to reopen pubs, restaurants, museums and hairdressers in England on 4 July, a new poll has found. A snap poll by Yougov yesterday found that 64 per cent of British people support Prime Minister Boris Johnson’s plans to reopen cinemas, galleries and pubs next month, [...]
Swimming pools and gyms could reopen later in July June 24, 2020 It might be possible for swimming pools and gyms to open later in July if the UK continues to meet certain health tests, business secretary Alok Sharma said this morning. Speaking to Sky News, Sharma said: “I hope that we can allow leisure facilities to open at some point later on in July but only [...]
Coronavirus: Government urged to prepare for UK second wave June 24, 2020 The UK’s health experts have called for an urgent review to prepare the public for a second wave of coronavirus infections. Health leaders have pressed the government to take quick action to prevent more coronavirus deaths and to protect the economy in the event of a second wave in winter across the UK. The open [...]
EU prepares ban on US travellers over high coronavirus case count June 24, 2020 The EU is said to be ready to issue a travel ban on US citizens and travellers from other countries, due to their high coronavirus infection rates. Documents seen by the New York Times showed American, Russian and Brazilian visitors to the EU would be unwelcome as their governments’ fail to control the virus’ spread. [...]
Brits rejoice! The era of black market hairdressers is coming to an end June 24, 2020 What I am about to tell you will shock you to your very core: there are some people out there walking the streets who have had haircuts. No, not the ones delivered by unsuspecting partners or housemates with about as much proficiency as a bow-wielding chimp wearing mittens. No, dear reader, these people have had [...]
Business didn’t get us into this mess, but with the right reforms it can get us out of it June 24, 2020 Back in March, City A.M. announced that it was suspending its print edition — partly due to concern about the drop-off in advertising revenue, but mostly because it seemed futile to distribute newspapers around London when workers had been told to stay at home. Recently, this paper’s editor made the welcome announcement that its print [...]
New lockdown guidance gets widespread approval in Westminster June 23, 2020 Prime Minister Boris Johnson’s announcement today that the two metre social distancing will be scrapped in favour of new “one metre-plus” guidance from 4 July was met with widespread approval from Westminster, as the public prepares to revitalise the British economy after months of lockdown. Business Ministers welcomed the new guidance as providing a lifeline [...]
Number 10 will no longer hold daily coronavirus briefings June 23, 2020 Downing Street will no longer hold daily press briefings, the government announced today, as England begins to emerge from months of lockdown ahead of a nationwide relaxation of social distancing rules. Number 10 said that this evening’s 5pm news conference will be the last to be held on a daily basis, as the rate of [...]
Lockdown eased: Boris Johnson cuts two-metre rule to ‘one metre-plus’ June 23, 2020 The Prime Minister has announced that the two-metre social distancing rule will be relaxed from 4 July, when pubs, bars, cafes, art galleries, museums, hotels and cinemas are set to reopen after months of closure. Boris Johnson today said a dramatic fall in the rate of infection means “we can now safely ease the lockdown [...]