UK services sector ‘close to stalling’ as coronavirus cases surge November 4, 2020 The recovery in the UK services sector slowed sharply in October as a surge in coronavirus cases and new restrictions knocked the economy, a survey has shown. The IHS Markit/Cips services purchasing managers’ index (PMI) – a closely followed measure of the sector’s health – fell to 51.4 in October, down heavily from 56.1 a [...]
Four things to watch as the Bank of England sets interest rates November 4, 2020 The Bank of England’s group of interest rate-setters will announce their latest monetary policy decision tomorrow, albeit virtually. Since the last meeting in September, the government has announced a new month-long lockdown for England amid soaring coronavirus cases. Most analysts expect the Bank to launch more stimulus to support the economy during the winter. Here [...]
Realistic to end new England lockdown in December, says Chris Whitty November 3, 2020 The forthcoming national lockdown in England is designed to reduce Covid-19 transmission rates to the extent that it can end as scheduled on 2 December, chief medical officer Chris Witty said. Speaking to MPs, Whitty said the new lockdown, which is due to come into force on Thursday, could reduce the reproduction (R) number for [...]
Covid-19 vaccine prep to start from December – reports November 3, 2020 Doctors will be able to administer Covid-19 vaccines from the beginning of December.
Four Italian wines to help get you through lockdown November 3, 2020 On the day we ordinarily congregate to celebrate the foiling of Guy Fawkes’ infamous gunpowder plot, we will instead be locked inside wondering how our government has Fawked things up so much. Referring to himself by Italian version of his name, Guido, Fawkes was inspired by his tour of the continent and indeed Italy. How [...]
International testing success could allow reduced UK quarantine November 3, 2020 Quarantining international arrivals for just five days in Iceland has proved up to 90% effective.
Government extends coronavirus business loans ahead of Thursday’s England lockdown November 3, 2020 The government has extended applications for its coronavirus business support loan schemes ahead of England entering a second lockdown on Thursday.
Whole of Liverpool to be offered coronavirus tests in new trial November 3, 2020 Everyone in Liverpool will be offered free coronavirus tests on a regular basis as part of the UK’s first mass testing scheme. All those living and working in the city will be offered tests regardless of whether they have symptoms or not. It comes after the announcement of a new national lockdown in England over [...]
UK jobs market weak ahead of lockdown despite rise in vacancies November 3, 2020 The number of firms looking to add to their workforces grew in the third quarter after a historic contraction in the spring, but the UK jobs market remained weak ahead of the recently announced second lockdown, a survey has shown. In the third quarter, 37 per cent of firms attempted to recruit, according to the [...]
UK spooks block two cyber attacks per day as hackers exploit Covid-19 November 3, 2020 UK spooks blocked an average of almost two major cyber attacks per day last year as unscrupulous hackers tried to capitalise on the Covid-19 crisis. The National Cyber Security Centre (NCSC) handled 723 incidents between 1 September 2019 and 31 August 2020, up from an average of 602 incidents over the last three years. The [...]