UK threatens to cut all Myanmar aid if Aung San Suu Kyi not released February 2, 2021 The UK government has threatened to withdraw all aid to Myanmar if the country’s military does not release detained leader Aung San Suu Kyi and cease the current coup attempt. Asia minister Nigel Adams told MPs today that it would “suspend” aid to Myanmar, which all goes to non-governmental organisations (NGOs), if democracy is not [...]
Scotland to introduce ‘managed quarantine’ for all international arrivals February 2, 2021 Scotland will impose a “managed quarantine” on all international arrivals into the country, Nicola Sturgeon has announced, as she vowed to clamp down on Covid mutations crossing the border. Prime Minister Boris Johnson last week unveiled a 10-day hotel quarantine for arrivals to the UK from 30 countries most “at risk” of carrying new Covid [...]
UK fishermen to be hit with permanent ban on selling shellfish to EU February 2, 2021 The UK’s fishermen have been warned they face a permanent ban of selling some types of shellfish to the EU as they no longer conform to the bloc’s safety standards. The post-Brexit ban is set to include oysters, mussels, scallops, cockles and clams. It comes after thousands of tonnes of British shellfish has been unable [...]
University students to receive share of £50m funding amid Covid disruption to teaching February 2, 2021 Universities are set to receive an additional £50m to support financially struggling students amid mounting backlash over continuing fees during the pandemic. The new funding, which comes on top of a £20m package offered to disadvantaged students in December, follows a slew of rent strikes and protests from students. Many have asked for rent on [...]
Prime Minister pushes for schools to reopen as ‘peak of infections passed’ February 2, 2021 Boris Johnson is pushing for schools to reopen as soon as possible after being told by the chief medical officer that the “peak of infections has passed”, according to reports. The Prime Minister has told ministers to prioritise children’s education as the government’s most immediate focus, with extra funding earmarked to help students falling behind. [...]
City of London lobby urges EU to grant UK financial services firms widespread access to its markets February 2, 2021 The City of London’s most influential lobby group has urged Brussels to grant Britain’s finance sector wide-ranging post-Brexit access as talks between the UK and EU on financial services continue. The CityUK today called for the EU to grant regulatory equivalence to the sector, while also calling for the UK government to provide more clarity [...]
Forget the BBC, as Ofcom chair Paul Dacre would get his teeth into tech February 2, 2021 Almost a year after Priti Patel vowed to make Ofcom a regulator with teeth, the government looks poised to appoint Fleet Street Rottweiler Paul Dacre as its new chair. No one could accuse her of underdelivering. For many, Dacre’s political leanings (characterised by some as so far to the right as to be almost horizontal) [...]
The UK has applied to join the CPTPP trading bloc – but what is it? February 1, 2021 The UK government last week formally applied to join the 11-country Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP) trading bloc, ushering in a new post-Brexit era. International trade secretary Liz Truss told the BBC yesterday that a potential entry into the bloc would secure “future growth” as the UK would move closer to developing, [...]
Report calls on Government and FCA to ‘consider consequences’ for BoE boss Andrew Bailey over LCF collapse February 1, 2021 The Treasury and Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) must consider what action to take against Bank of England Governor Andrew Bailey and two officials over their handling of LCF, the author of a report about the collapsed fund told MPs today.
Covid: Boris Johnson ‘optimistic’ Brits can book summer holidays in 2021 February 1, 2021 Boris Johnson has today said he is “optimistic” Brits will be able to go on summer holidays this year, after Covid restrictions are eased. The Prime Minister said he could not give “concrete” details for when travel will be allowed and that “some things have got to go right”, like the UK’s vaccine rollout. The [...]