Food tsar warns PM Johnson taxes on bangers and bacon could spark protests June 25, 2021 Boris Johnson’s food tsar Henry Dimbleby wants Brits to pay meat taxes to help tackle climate change but has warned of a potential backlash. Processed meats including burgers, bacon, chicken nuggets and ham could face a levy, according to a draft plan leaked to The Sun. Move could prompt backlash Henry Dimbleby is expected to [...]
‘Science superpower’: UK to pump £64m into post-pandemic clinical research June 23, 2021 The government has pledged a £64m injection into the UK’s clinical research system, off the back of Boris Johnson’s plans to make the country a “science superpower”. The investment will go towards the development and trial of new Covid-19 treatments and inoculations, to ensure a “front-footed approach in tackling the virus”, health secretary Matt Hancock [...]
No 10 rejects claims the G7 summit left ‘unwelcome gift’ of spike in Covid cases June 21, 2021 A spokesperson for the prime minister has dismissed claims that the G7 summit is to blame for a surge in coronavirus cases in Cornwall. “Obviously we don’t accept this claim,” the spokesperson told the Downing Street lobby briefing. “Attendees going to the G7 were tested before arriving and throughout the summit, and we’re not aware [...]
PM keen for UK workers to return to office but govt leaves decision up to businesses June 18, 2021 The Prime Minister is understood to be against large-scale working from home continuing beyond final lockdown restrictions easing, as the government hands discretion to “employers and employees”. Boris Johnson is opposed to the level of working from home seen during the pandemic becoming permanent and had hoped to ease guidance this month, The Telegraph first [...]
Prime minister calls harassment of BBC journalist Nick Watt ‘disgraceful’ June 15, 2021 Footage posted on social media showed anti-lockdown protesters verbally abusing and chasing Nick Watt, the political editor of BBC Newsnight, near Downing Street on Monday. On Twitter, the prime minister said: “Disgraceful to see the hounding of Nick Watt doing his job.” “The media must be able to report the facts without fear or favour – [...]
Whitehall shakeup: 22,000 roles may be moved out of London and external candidates for senior roles June 15, 2021 The government will today launch a reform programme that will see wide-scale reforms to the civil service, with jobs being moved out of Whitehall and senior jobs open to external candidates. The reforms include moving 22,000 civil servant roles outside of London by 2030, including 50 per cent of senior servant roles, and advertising all [...]
Rishi Sunak not expected to alter furlough scheme despite Freedom Day delay June 14, 2021 Rishi Sunak not expected to alter furlough scheme despite 'Freedom Day' being scrapped
G7: UK spends £8m to lengthen Newquay runway for Biden’s Air Force One June 11, 2021 The UK has reportedly spent over £7.8m to extend the runway at Newquay airport to allow US aircraft to land for the G7 summit. The runway had to be extended to allow US President Joe Biden to land on Air Force One amid concerns about the existing infrastructure being able to handle the large aircraft, it has [...]
As it happens: G7 leaders arrive in Cornwall ahead of summit June 11, 2021 World leaders from G7 countries are arriving in Britain ahead of the crucial summit to be held from today. The meeting between the world’s seven largest so-called advanced economies will run until Sunday, covering a range of issues including Covid recovery, climate change and trade. Several G7 leaders have already taken to Twitter upon arrival [...]
Pound wobbles as trade row engulfs start of G7 summit in Cornwall June 10, 2021 After a show of strength over recent months, the pound wobbles on the eve of the G7 summit, and although it’s likely to avoid a precipice, issues being debated at the top of the Cornish cliffs this weekend, risk another decline, according to Susannah Streeter, senior investment and markets analyst at Hargreaves Lansdown in London. [...]