Collision of pandemic and Brexit pushes £18bn loss in travel services trade November 22, 2021 The collision of the pandemic and leaving the European Union (EU) has tipped an £18bn loss in travel services trade, according to the latest figures. While total service exports and imports grew in the second quarter, trade in services remained well below levels seen prior to Covid-19, the Office for National Statistics (ONS) revealed. Weaker [...]
HMRC to recoup less than half of the £5.8bn lost from pandemic fraud and mistakes November 21, 2021 HM Revenue & Customs (HRMC) have admitted it will struggle to recoup the the estimated £5.8bn it paid out incorrectly during the pandemic, through fraudulent claims or departmental mistakes.
Arrests in The Hague after another night of anti-lockdown violence in The Netherlands November 21, 2021 Dozens of rioters have been arrested after another night of anti-lockdown disorder in the Netherlands, during which fireworks were thrown at officers in The Hague. The unrest came a day after police opened fire on protesters in Rotterdam amid what the port city’s mayor called “an orgy of violence” that broke out at a protest [...]
Covid: WHO ‘very worried’ about Europe surge November 20, 2021 The World Health Organization (WHO) has reportedly said it is concerned about the spread of Covid-19 in Europe, following the announcement of a full lockdown in Austria.
German disease control head warns of ‘terrible Christmas’ as hospitals reach breaking point November 18, 2021 The head of Germany’s disease control agency has warned the country faces a “really terrible Christmas” amid news that overrun hospitals are sending patients abroad. German politicians are debating measures that would replace the nationwide epidemic rules, which will expire at the end of the month. It comes as the country’s hospitals face an overwhelming [...]
Delta variant pushes Covid rates back to January levels with most Coronavirus infections among schoolchildren November 18, 2021 New data released this morning suggests that Coronavirus rates in England are similar to what they were in January this year, just after the peak of the second wave. During mid-October to early-November 2021, the prevalence was 1.57 per cent – the same as January – compared to 0.83 per cent in September. According to [...]
Fresh restrictions blanket new Covid epicentre – Europe November 18, 2021 Ireland has become the latest European country to impose fresh Covid-19 restrictions, as the continent becomes the epicentre of the pandemic. From today, the country’s population will work from home where possible, though universities will not sink back into online teaching. Hospitality has also been impacted, with bars and restaurants having been ordered to [...]
Fedex to ditch Hong Kong base over strict Covid quarantine rules November 17, 2021 Fedex has announced plans to relocate pilots based in Hong Kong overseas as a result of the territory’s tough Covid rules. The move undermines Hong Kong’s position as a global logistics hub and reflects the longevity of its stringent quarantine measures. “As the global business environment continues to evolve and with the pandemic requirements in [...]
Antivaxxers targeting Tesco Christmas ad set to complain to advertising watchdog November 17, 2021 The antivaxxers who began the #BoycottTesco trend at the weekend have reportedly arranged a campaign to complain to the Advertising Standards Authority. Tesco became the latest subject to antivax protest after it included a double vaccinated Santa in its Christmas advert. Antivaxxers, those who have been against the Covid-19 vaccine rollout, took to Twitter to [...]
Coronavirus around us: After Netherlands and Scotland, new Covid restrictions announced in Ireland November 17, 2021 Micheal Martin, Ireland’s Taoiseach, last night announced a range of fresh measures to address a worrying rise in Covid-19 cases, which has left Ireland’s health system under severe pressure heading into the winter. Yet he also said that he could not be sure the measures will be enough to curb the spread of the virus. [...]