Coronavirus contact tracking app sparks privacy fears April 12, 2020 Government plans to launch a mobile app that will track the spread of coronavirus infections have sparked warnings over privacy breaches. The NHS is preparing a contact tracking app that will alert users if they have come too close to someone who has tested positive for the virus. Ministers hope the technology will make it [...]
Coronavirus: Parliament to return on 21 April April 12, 2020 Parliament will still return after the Easter recess, the government has confirmed, following calls for a return of the House to debate key coronavirus measures. A spokeswoman for leader of the House Jacob Rees-Mogg said parliament will resume on 21 April, with “technological solutions” being prepared for consideration next week. “Parliament will return on 21 [...]
Coronavirus: UK commits £200m to Covid fight in developing countries April 12, 2020 The UK government will send £65m to the World Health Organisation as part of a wider financial package designed to stop the spread of the global pandemic in the world’s poorer countries. A further £135m will be distributed to other UN agencies, charities and international organisations. The additional money, which will count towards the UK’s [...]
Coronavirus: Chinese data to show devastating slump April 12, 2020 Analysts are predicting that new data released this week could show China’s first-quarter GDP falling by as much as 10 per cent. With the virus originating in the country, it was the first to be hit by the widespread economic disruption that has become the norm in most developed countries. Speaking to the Sunday Times, [...]
HM the Queen: Coronavirus will not overcome us April 12, 2020 In what is believed to be her first Easter message, the Queen has told Brits that the Covid-19 pandemic will not “overcome us.” In an audio message recorded from self-isolation, the Queen said that “we need Easter as much as ever.” The monarch said that the Easter story could bring hope at a difficult time [...]
HMRC offers COVID-19 extension for import VAT and duty payments due on 15 April April 10, 2020 | City Talk The payment of VAT and duties can be a significant cash flow burden on businesses and HMRC has recognised this in the number of easements introduced in response to the COVID-19 crisis. The Chancellor announced on 20 March that VAT payments due from 20 March to 30 June could be deferred until 31 March 2021. [...]
Matt Hancock urges public to stay at home over Easter as PPE plan published April 10, 2020 Health secretary Matt Hancock has urged people to stay at home over the Easter weekend in order to protect the NHS from the coronavirus crisis. “However warm the weather, however tempting your local beach or park, we need everyone to stay at home”, he added. Hancock’s plea came as the death toll in the UK [...]
NHS England reports 866 more deaths as global fatalities approach 100,000 April 10, 2020 NHS England has reported 866 more deaths from coronavirus in the last 24 hours, taking the total number of those who have died in England’s hospitals to 8,114. Those who died were aged between 27 and 100, and 56 of them had no known underlying health condition, it said. The largest number of hospital deaths [...]
Coronavirus: Calls for price controls dismissed as ‘economically illiterate’ April 10, 2020 Economists have hit back at Which? after the consumer watchdog said that the government should enforce price controls on certain items to prevent so-called “price gouging” during the coronavirus pandemic. The calls came after the consumer group said it had found that items such as handwash, cleaning products, and baby formula were selling at vastly [...]
Coronavirus: Universities call for state aid with income set to plunge April 10, 2020 The UK’s universities have written to the government to request financial assistance as they brace for an estimated £800m drop in income this academic year. In an open letter sent to the chancellor and the education secretary, sector body Universities UK warned that higher education establishments could lose as much as £7bn in international student [...]