No trace of coronavirus on London Tube or buses, study finds February 19, 2021 No traces of coronavirus have been found in London’s Tubes, buses and stations, according to a wide-ranging new study. Experts from Imperial College London have been taking air and surface samples from journeys on London’s transport network each month since October. Scientists mimicked a typical commuter journey on London’s bus and Tube network, and repeated [...]
London at risk of being ‘levelled down’ by pandemic, leading business groups warn Rishi Sunak February 19, 2021 A coalition of powerful business groups has urged the chancellor to outline stringent support measures for the capital, as they warned London risks being “levelled down” by the pandemic. In a letter to Rishi Sunak, the heads of groups representing more than 6,000 businesses including Heathrow Airport, the Ritz and Fortnum & Mason, said months [...]
London coronavirus cases plummet to 1 in 100 as lockdown makes its mark February 19, 2021 The percentage of people testing positive for coronavirus in London has plummeted as current lockdown measures continue to push down Covid transmission. Around 1 in 100 Londoners had Covid in the week to 12 February, according to the latest figures from the Office for National Statistics (ONS) — down from 1 in 63 the week [...]
Northern Ireland extends lockdown to 1 April February 19, 2021 The Stormont Executive has agreed to extend Northern Ireland’s lockdown to 1 April. Some restrictions will be lifted however, with a phased reopening of schools. Children in primary school will be allowed to go back to school on 8 March. They will then return to remote learning on 22 March to allow the return of [...]
London Mayor Sadiq Khan becomes latest politician to have Covid-19 jab February 19, 2021 London Mayor Sadiq Khan has become the latest politician to be vaccinated against the coronavirus. Khan, 50, received his first dose of the Pfizer jab this morning at a vaccination centre in Mitcham. Khan suffers with asthma. People aged 16-64 with underlying health conditions are being included in the second phase of the vaccine rollout. [...]
Screenshot: Will Facebook regret going nuclear over Australian news? February 19, 2021 This week **Media Moment of the Week: A jumbo jab mix-up **Will Facebook regret going nuclear in Australia? **Arm’s getting chippy Media Moment of the Week: A jumbo jab mix-up When Liam Thorp received a text inviting him for his first Covid jab he was confused, given the healthy 32-year-old is pretty low down the [...]
January retail sales drop 8.2 per cent as third lockdown takes high street ‘to the edge of the abyss’ February 19, 2021 Retail sales volumes dropped by 8.2 per cent last month, compared to December, as the third national lockdown affected sales across the sector. All sectors experienced a decline in sales last month, except non-store retailers and food stores, reporting growth of 3.7 per cent and 1.4 per cent, respectively, compared to the final month of [...]
Rishi Sunak to extend business rates relief and furlough February 19, 2021 Rishi Sunak is set to extend business rates relief and the furlough scheme into the summer, offering further support to companies battered by coronavirus restrictions. In his Budget next month the chancellor is expected to announce that the year-long business rates holiday for the retail, hospitality and leisure sectors will continue beyond the previous end-date [...]
Speedy vaccinations give more UK SMEs hope of a revenue rebound in 2021 February 19, 2021 Small and medium sized enterprises (SMEs) across the UK have been offered a glimpse of hope this morning, as nearly a quarter have surpassed their pre-pandemic levels of output.
Daily Mail owner sells education business for £293m amid pandemic woes February 18, 2021 The Daily Mail and General Trust (DMGT) has announced the sale of its education technology business for around $410m (£293.4m) as it scrambles to free up cash during the pandemic. The Daily Mail owner has signed two separate contracts to offload Hobsons, which provides education and career advice for students. He added that they were [...]