UK relaxes repayment terms for Covid Bounce Back Loans February 8, 2021 UK businesses that took out risk-free Covid loans will be given more generous repayment terms, after a recent warning that up to half of the £45bn in borrowing will not be paid back. The Treasury announced today that the 1.4m businesses who have taken out a Bounce Back Loan will be able to pay it [...]
UK supermarket chiefs call for online sales tax on firms like Amazon February 8, 2021 Some of the UK’s largest retailers, including Tesco and Asda, have called for Rishi Sunak to “rebalance the tax base” between online and bricks and mortar retail in an apparent push for a new digital sales levy on firms like Amazon. In a letter to Sunak, 18 chief executives and union bosses said “online retailers [...]
Labour calls for UK tax cut extensions before 3 March Budget February 7, 2021 Labour is calling for an extension to tax cuts for some of the UK sectors worst affected by the Covid pandemic. Shadow chancellor Anneliese Dodds today urged Rishi Sunak to extend the current VAT cut, from 20 per cent to five per cent, for retail and hospitality for another six months past March or or [...]
UK exports via sea to EU down 68 per cent since end of Brexit transition February 7, 2021 UK exports through sea freight to the EU in January plummeted by 68 per cent compared to last year, according to new data from the UK’s lorry lobby. Figures from the Road Haulage Association (RHA), which have been shown to Cabinet Office Minister Michael Gove, also revealed that up to 75 per cent of lorries [...]
UK will not issue vaccine passports, says Nadhim Zahawi February 7, 2021 The UK will not be issuing vaccine passports to allow people who have had Covid jabs to travel, according to vaccines minister Nadhim Zahawi. The Times reported on Friday that the government would implement Covid vaccine passports in time for summer, however Zahawi categorically denied the report today. Speak to Sky News, he said: “One, [...]
Government to invest £40m in helping businesses reduce carbon footprint February 6, 2021 The government is set to invest £40m in helping polluting industries reduce their carbon footprint as the Prime Minister attempts to cozy up to US President Joe Biden’s new green agenda. Businesses in Britain’s energy-intensive sectors, including pharmaceuticals, steel, paper and food and drink, will be able to apply for their share of the cash [...]
Pubs and restaurants could reopen in April without alcohol February 6, 2021 Pubs and restaurants could reopen as soon as April on the condition that they agree not to sell alcohol, according to reports. Ministers are considering a a temporary “booze ban” as part of the government’s roadmap for lifting lockdown set to be unveiled on 22 February, the Telegraph reported. Scientists are understood to be concerned that [...]
Ministers to seize control of the NHS in sweeping reforms February 6, 2021 Ministers will take direct control of the NHS amid ongoing frustration at its performance during the pandemic, marking the biggest reform for the health service for a decade. The plans are understood to have begun before the 2019 election, but have been accelerated amid mounting frustration from Number 10 over the state of the health [...]
Majority of adults in UK to be offered Covid vaccine by May February 5, 2021 Most adults in the UK will receive a Covid vaccine by the end of May, according to a senior government adviser, in a major boost for hopes of a return to normality by the summer. Samuel Kasumu, a senior adviser to the Prime Minister on ethnic minorities, revealed the target in a resignation letter leaked [...]
Government orders 50m doses of CureVac vaccine for new Covid mutations February 5, 2021 The government has signed a deal with German biotech firm CureVac for 50m doses of a new vaccine being developed to tackle emerging Covid mutations. The deal will see CureVac create “new varieties of vaccines based on messenger RNA technology to be developed quickly against new strains of Covid-19 if they are needed”, the Department [...]