‘Vaccine passports’ will not be required for the pub, says Michael Gove December 1, 2020 So-called ‘vaccine passports’ will not be required to visit the pub, Michael Gove has said. Speaking on Sky News this morning the minister for the Cabinet Office said vaccine passports would not be required to visit the pub, and nor was he aware of any discussions taking place on such an idea. Just yesterday Nadim [...]
The best medicine for the Covid economy? Tax reform December 1, 2020 In last week’s Spending Review, the scale of the economic challenge facing Britain was made unequivocally clear: the worst drop in GDP for centuries, unprecedented peacetime borrowing, and lasting scarring effects on productivity and the labour market. The chancellor is keen to stress that these problems will require a concerted response in the years ahead. [...]
Tory MPs urge PM to sanction UK banks in Hong Kong for China cooperation December 1, 2020 Boris Johnson should threaten to sanction UK financial services firms operating in Hong Kong to push back against Beijing’s draconian security laws, according to a new report from top Tory backbenchers. A report from Westminster’s China Research Group, which is led by Conservative MPs Tom Tugendhat and Neil O’Brien, says the UK should sanction banks [...]
Labour calls for government to ‘strengthen’ new security and investment laws November 30, 2020 Labour is calling for the government to go even further on its new legislation that seeks to curb foreign investment that is a threat to national security. The party has said it supports Boris Johnson’s Security and Investment Bill, but it wants the government to enshrine in law the type of threats that would count [...]
Biden urged to take on Big Tech amid lobbying fears November 30, 2020 US president-elect Joe Biden has been urged to confront Big Tech amid concerns about the number of tech executives linked to the incoming administration. Thirty-two advocacy groups today penned a letter to Biden urging him to hold companies such as Google, Facebook and Amazon to account, arguing that their business practices harmed American consumers and [...]
Tier system may cause increase in chronic illness, government review finds November 30, 2020 Tougher restrictions under the new three-tier system may have a knock-on effect that could see a spike in “morbidity and mortality of certain long-term conditions”, a government review has found. In its analysis of the health and economic effects of the tier system, the government found that a modest rise in unemployment may exacerbate chronic [...]
Public may need immunity passport for ‘restaurants, bars, and cinemas’, says vaccine minister November 30, 2020 The government is looking at ways to enable businesses to establish whether customers have received a coronavirus vaccine before allowing them onto their premises, the vaccine minister has announced. Nadim Zahawi, the business minister who was appointed vaccine tsar over the weekend, told BBC Radio 4’s World at One: “We are looking at the technology, [...]
Breaking: Booze banned in Welsh pubs from Friday November 30, 2020 Pubs, bars, restaurants and cafes in Wales will be forced to close on Friday as the country tightens its national restrictions ahead of Christmas, first minister Mark Drakeford has announced. From 6pm on Friday, hospitality venues will be banned from serving alcohol at any point of day or night. Food will only be available via [...]
Retailers allowed to open 24 hours over Christmas period, says minister November 30, 2020 Retailers will be able to operate 24 hours during the Christmas period through a relaxation of trading rules in a bid to boost spending on the UK’s High Streets. Communities secretary Robert Jenrick wrote for the Telegraph that he wanted councils to temporarily waive rules that restrict the hours shops can stay open in the [...]
Liz Truss names new chief negotiator for UK-US trade talks November 30, 2020 International trade secretary Liz Truss has today named a new lead negotiator for UK-US trade talks in preparation for an incoming Joe Biden administration. Amanda Brooks OBE will now lead talks, after her predecessor Oliver Griffiths moved to become the chief of the newly formed Trade Remedies Authority – an independent trade watchdog. Brooks was [...]