Exit strategy: How and when Boris Johnson will end the UK lockdown May 7, 2020 The Prime Minister is set to reveal a “roadmap” to end UK lockdown measures on Sunday, but what does the exit strategy look like, and when will measures be eased? Last week, Boris Johnson said the UK had “passed the peak” and today chairs a Cabinet meeting that will focus on what restrictions can be [...]
Sadiq Khan unveils plans to transform roads for walkers and cyclists post lockdown May 6, 2020 London mayor Sadiq Khan has unveiled a new plan to transform the capital’s streets to accommodate a huge increase in walking and cycling once lockdown measures lift. Under the “Street Space” initiative, pavements will be widened and extra cycle lanes put in to allow people to travel to work while maintaining social distancing. Writing in [...]
London small business boss blasts Barclays over coronavirus loan scheme May 5, 2020 Small businesses are at risk of collapse due to stringent eligibility rules for emergency coronavirus loans, the boss of a London marketing agency rejected for a loan has warned. Richard Cox, co-founder of The Village Communications, accused banks of a “complete lack of interest” in helping small firms that were struggling to stay afloat during [...]
Coronavirus: England and Wales death toll falls for first time since lockdown began May 5, 2020 The number of deaths in England and Wales fell for the first time since the coronavirus lockdown began, according to data released today for the week to 24 April. England and Wales recorded 21,997 total deaths for the week to 24 April, Office for National Statistics (ONS) figures revealed. That is a decline of 354 [...]
TfL should increase fares to promote social distancing, says think tank May 4, 2020 Transport for London (TfL) should increase fare prices at peak times once the coronavirus lockdown is eased, according to one of the country’s top think tanks. The Institute for Fiscal Studies (IFS) released a new report today, suggesting measures such as increased fare prices would act as a disincentive for people catching public transport once [...]
England’s coronavirus hospital death toll sees smallest rise since March May 4, 2020 England’s coronavirus hospital death toll rose 204 to 21,384 today, the lowest daily increase since late March. NHS England said that three of the 204 patients who died from coronavirus had no underlying health conditions. The UK has recorded 187,842 confirmed cases and 28,446 deaths, according to Johns Hopkins University data. Last week, Prime Minister [...]
Government outlines workplace rules for UK companies to relax lockdown May 4, 2020 Companies must limit hot desking and introduce protective screens once the UK lockdown eases and people return to offices, a government document says. Staff canteens will stay closed while ministers will push employers to encourage home-working and stagger shift times, the draft document reportedly suggests. The business department has drawn up seven such documents that [...]
Five tests to end UK coronavirus lockdown: Which ones have we met? May 2, 2020 Prime Minister Boris Johnson yesterday claimed we are “past the peak and on the downward slope” of the coronavirus outbreak. And he has promised to release a “comprehensive plan” next week that outlines how to end the UK lockdown. “I will be setting out a comprehensive plan next week to explain how we can get [...]
Westminster approves £150m Cavendish Square health hub underneath Oxford Street April 29, 2020 Developers have today been given the green light for a £150m plan to transform Cavendish Square into a subterranean health and wellness hub. Property firm Reef Group has outlined proposals to turn a 1960s car park below the Georgian square in the West End into specialist facilities for the healthcare sector, as well as premium [...]
London pedestrian traffic jumps as UK coronavirus lockdown fatigue sets in April 28, 2020 Pedestrian traffic across the capital jumped last week despite restrictions on movement as UK coronavirus lockdown fatigue began to set in and more people got back to work. In the seven days to 27 April the Central London Streets index was 10.70, down 90 per cent on this time last year but an increase of [...]