Dominic Cummings to make statement as resignation calls grow May 25, 2020 The Prime Minister’s chief adviser Dominic Cummings is to make a statement and take questions later today, Downing Street has confirmed. Cummings is facing calls for his resignation after being accused of breaching lockdown rules by travelling to his parents’ house in Durham. In the Downing Street briefing on Sunday, Boris Johnson said Cummings had [...]
Recruitment boss warns of ‘tsunami of job losses’ once furlough scheme ends May 25, 2020 The UK is facing a “tsunami of job losses” once the furlough scheme comes to an end, according to the boss of Britain’s biggest recruiter. James Reed, chairman of online jobs site Reed, told the Telegraph he feared the labour market is heading towards a “day of reckoning” when the government’s job retention is wound [...]
Durham Police formally asked to investigate if Dominic Cummings broke the law during lockdown May 25, 2020 A police chief has formally written to Durham Constabulary to request they “establish the facts” about Dominic Cummings’ visit during lockdown and whether he broke the law. Acting police and crime commissioner, Steve White, has written to Durham’s chief constable Jo Farrell “asking her to establish the facts concerning any potential breach of the law [...]
Watch: Islington neighbours heckle Dominic Cummings on way home May 25, 2020 Dominic Cummings was accused of being a “hypocrite” by neighbours as he returned to his Islington home just hours after being backed by Boris Johnson. Footage posted on social media last night shows Cummings being heckled after being accused of breaching lockdown rules when he travelled 260 miles to his parents’ home. Neighbours shouted “shame”, [...]
Jaguar Land Rover in talks over government loan May 25, 2020 Jaguar Land Rover is reportedly in talks with the government to secure a loan due to the financial impact of Covid-19. The carmaker submitted the largest bespoke loan request of the coronavirus crisis to ministers in recent weeks, according to Sky News. Jaguar Land Rover has seen sales plunge by more than 30 per cent [...]
Security officials launch review into Huawei role in 5G network May 25, 2020 Security officials have launched a review of Huawei’s involvement in Britain’s 5G network after fresh US sanctions. The US commerce department earlier this month said it would extend the sanctions to require licences for sales to Huawei of semiconductors made abroad with American technology. The UK government has since confirmed that the National Cyber Security [...]
Southbank Centre could be closed until next April due to coronavirus May 25, 2020 The Southbank Centre has warned it is at risk of closure until at least April 2021, and is calling on the government for further support. The arts venue is forecasting a best case scenario of a £5m loss at the end of the 2020/2021 financial year, as a result of the Covid-19 crisis. However, that [...]
Project Birch: Government prepares rescue plan for largest British firms May 25, 2020 The Treasury has indicated it is prepared to rescue large British firms severely hit by the coronavirus crisis under its “Project Birch” bailout plan. It follows indications that a number of big British companies are seeking government aid to navigate through the crisis. These include Jaguar Rover, which is reportedly in talks with the government [...]
Boris Johnson plans to meet Trump in the US next month May 22, 2020 Prime Minister Boris Johnson could travel to the US next month to meet President Donald Trump for the G7 summit. The plans were outlined in a Downing Street briefing earlier today, according to the Sun. Trump has already cancelled the summer G7 meeting but yesterday said he was considering changing the date so leaders can [...]
Mortgage payment holidays extended until October May 22, 2020 The financial watchdog has today extended payment holidays to support those struggling to pay their mortgage due to coronavirus. The Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) said banks can extend the mortgage holidays for a further three months up to the end of October. It comes after chancellor Rishi Sunak extended the furlough scheme to October to [...]