Sajid Javid: Slash taxes and ramp up spending to fuel UK recovery June 23, 2020 Britain should reduce the National Insurance tax and pour money into infrastructure and the poorest regions of the country to boost the UK’s economic recovery from the coronavirus crisis, according to former chancellor Sajid Javid. Javid, who left the Treasury as part of Boris Johnson’s February cabinet reshuffle, warned against a return to the austerity [...]
Gilead to trial ‘inhaled’ version of coronavirus drug June 22, 2020 Pharmaceuticals giant Gilead Sciences is set to start human trials of an inhaled version of its remdesivir antiviral drug, the company announced today. Gilead said in an open letter that it was seeking healthy volunteers for Phase 1 trials this week, with the aim of launching human trials in August. Remdesivir is currently administered intravenously, [...]
US suspends work visas and green cards until end of 2020 June 22, 2020 The US government will suspend certain non-immigrant work visas and extend an existing ban on certain green cards until the end of the year, the Trump administration announced today, as America gr The suspension will include H-1B visas for high-skilled workers, which are frequently used by technology companies, and H-2B visas for seasonal guest workers. [...]
Apple WWDC 2020: Everything Apple announced June 22, 2020 Tech giant Apple today unveiled its latest product updates at the annual WWDC developer conference, streamed online from the Steve Jobs Theater in California for the first time. Usually a five-day, $1,600 event for tech developers to learn about the latest tools for making apps, the WWDC — which stands for Worldwide Developer Conference — [...]
Brits to reunite with grandparents as government eases shielding rules June 22, 2020 More than 2m vulnerable people will be able to leave their homes for the first time in over three months, the government said today, as Prime Minister Boris Johnson prepares to announce a wider easing of social distancing rules. Advisory guidance for more than 2.2m people who are currently shielding indoors will be eased from [...]
London Stock Exchange boss appointed as new FCA chief June 22, 2020 Chancellor Rishi Sunak has today appointed Nikhil Rathi, the current chief executive of the London Stock Exchange, as the permanent boss of the Financial Conduct Authority. Rathi will replace Christopher Woolard, who was serving as the FCA’s interim chief executive following former boss Andrew Bailey’s move to become governor of the Bank of England. The [...]
Reading attacks: Government undertaking ‘biggest overhaul of terrorism laws in decades’ June 22, 2020 The government is currently undertaking the “biggest overhaul” of anti-terrorism laws in decades, Priti Patel said today, as the home secretary visited the site of a terror attack in Reading that took place over the weekend. A 25-year-old man, named yesterday as Khairi Saadallah, is currently being detained under terrorism powers after the stabbings on [...]
German banks press EU for action on Brexit equivalence June 22, 2020 The Association of German Banks (BDB) has called for the EU to prioritise equivalence rules in discussions surrounding the UK’s upcoming exit, arguing they are vital for achieving market and financial stability on both sides. “Clarity regarding future market access arrangements should be provided at the earliest possible date,” the BDB said in a position [...]
Former chancellor backs government plans to slash VAT June 22, 2020 Former chancellor Ken Clarke has said cutting VAT would be the “sensible thing to do” as the government prepares to implement new measures to revitalise the British economy. Speaking to the BBC today, the Tory MP said: “I think coming out of the lockdown, sorting out the mess — including the recession after the coronavirus [...]
UK coronavirus deaths rise by lowest level since lockdown began June 22, 2020 The UK has recorded a further 15 deaths from coronavirus, marking the lowest daily increase since the beginning of lockdown. The Department for Health recorded 15 fatalities in the 24 hours up to 5pm yesterday, bringing the total UK death toll from the virus to 42,647. The figure marks the lowest daily increase since 15 [...]