City may never be the same as five-day-a-week commute ends, says former Bank of England deputy March 29, 2021 Home working is here to stay and the end of the five-day-a-week office commute will change the shape of London dramatically, according to former Bank of England deputy governor Sir Charlie Bean. The switch will impact the economy “in ways we don’t fully foresee”, the former deputy governor for monetary policy at the Bank said [...]
London reports zero Covid deaths as city dwellers enjoy new freedoms from today March 29, 2021 No Covid-related deaths have been recorded in London, according to official figures, as small outdoor gatherings were allowed for the first time today.
More than 41,000 UK hospitality venues have outdoor space for 12 April reopening March 29, 2021 More than 41,000 pubs, bars and restaurants have some kind of outdoor space which could allow them to reopen on 12 April, according to new figures published this morning. The latest monthly Market Recovery Monitor by CGA and AlixPartners has revealed that just over 38 per cent of licensed premises in the UK say they [...]
Covid-19, a year on: A breakdown of trust between the police and the public March 28, 2021 In March last year, police were given extraordinary powers. Hastily drawn up regulations granted them the ability to ensure people stay at home, except for essential reasons. People across the country accepted an incredible curtailing of their liberties, and, in doing so, accepted the police force’s role to enforce the lockdown. Time and time again, [...]
Government to offer free home Covid tests for businesses in back to work push March 28, 2021 The government is set to offer businesses free home test kits for employees, in a bid to get staff back to the workplace after almost a year of home working. In a major expansion of the government’s workplace testing scheme, all businesses with more than 10 employees who cannot offer on-site testing will be eligible [...]
Government mulls four-tier traffic light system for summer travel March 27, 2021 The government is said to be considering a four-tier traffic light system that could allow Brits to travel abroad for summer holidays this year. The prime minister’s global travel taskforce is weighing up plans submitted by Heathrow Airport that includes an ‘amber’ three-day quarantine option. The proposals also include an extensive testing regime designed to [...]
Vaccine passports could be ‘counterproductive’, government adviser warns March 27, 2021 Forcing punters to show vaccine passports to gain access to pubs could be counterproductive, a top government adviser has warned. Professor Stephen Reicher, a behavioural scientist, said the policy could make the problem of vaccine hesitancy even worse and lead to “social apartheid”. Ministers are considering the use of vaccine passports for hospitality venues such [...]
Boris Johnson: England lockdown lifting still on track March 27, 2021 Prime Minister Boris Johnson today said England’s plan for easing coronavirus lockdown measures was still on course, despite worries about a third wave of the virus sweeping Europe. The prime minister said he was looking forward to getting a haircut and enjoying a pint of beer in a pub garden following the next stage of [...]
Britain ‘close’ to striking vaccine deal with EU amid supply row March 27, 2021 Britain is said to be close to striking a vaccine deal with the EU that will remove the threat of the bloc cutting off supplies of the jabs. After a week of tense diplomacy the two sides are expected to ink an agreement as early as this weekend under which the EU will remove its [...]
Covid-19: Over-70s could get booster jabs from September March 27, 2021 Brits aged 70 and over could start receiving booster Covid-19 jabs from September to protect them from new variants of the virus. Vaccines minister Nadhim Zahawi said the booster doses will go to people in the top four priority groups, which includes the clinically vulnerable and frontline NHS and social care staff, as well as [...]