Vaccine passports could be ‘counterproductive’, government adviser warns March 27, 2021 Forcing punters to show vaccine passports to gain access to pubs could be counterproductive, a top government adviser has warned. Professor Stephen Reicher, a behavioural scientist, said the policy could make the problem of vaccine hesitancy even worse and lead to “social apartheid”. Ministers are considering the use of vaccine passports for hospitality venues such [...]
Boris Johnson: England lockdown lifting still on track March 27, 2021 Prime Minister Boris Johnson today said England’s plan for easing coronavirus lockdown measures was still on course, despite worries about a third wave of the virus sweeping Europe. The prime minister said he was looking forward to getting a haircut and enjoying a pint of beer in a pub garden following the next stage of [...]
Online used-car unicorns Cinch and Cazoo gear up for funding boost March 27, 2021 Two British online used-car startups are going head-to-head in a £10bn race to raise new capital as they look to cash in on a rapidly-growing sector. Cinch, which is part of the private equity-backed Constellation Automotive Group, is in talks to raise roughly £500m of fresh funding from investors, Sky News reported. The discussions could [...]
Boris Johnson slams ‘disgraceful’ attacks on police after Bristol riots March 27, 2021 Prime Minister Boris Johnson has criticised protesters after bricks and glass bottles were thrown at police officers during a third night of clashes in Bristol last night. More than 1,000 people clashed with police in the city centre last night during the ‘Kill the Bill’ demonstration against the government’s Police and Crime Bill. In a [...]
‘Snotty tweets’: Amazon clashes with Elizabeth Warren over taxes and unions March 27, 2021 Amazon has become embroiled in a rare public row with US senator Elizabeth Warren over issues including its tax and employment practices. The dispute kicked off on Thursday when the Massachusetts senator posted a video accusing Amazon of “exploiting loopholes and tax havens to pay close to nothing in taxes”. The ecommerce giant replied saying [...]
Britain ‘close’ to striking vaccine deal with EU amid supply row March 27, 2021 Britain is said to be close to striking a vaccine deal with the EU that will remove the threat of the bloc cutting off supplies of the jabs. After a week of tense diplomacy the two sides are expected to ink an agreement as early as this weekend under which the EU will remove its [...]
Covid-19: Over-70s could get booster jabs from September March 27, 2021 Brits aged 70 and over could start receiving booster Covid-19 jabs from September to protect them from new variants of the virus. Vaccines minister Nadhim Zahawi said the booster doses will go to people in the top four priority groups, which includes the clinically vulnerable and frontline NHS and social care staff, as well as [...]
MPs launch inquiry into power of social media influencers March 26, 2021 MPs have launched an inquiry into the power of influencers amid concerns about a lack of regulation over how social media stars promote products online. Influencers have been gaining prominence in recent years thanks to the continued growth of social media use and the popularity of hit reality shows such as Love Island. But they [...]
Ofcom to build Manchester tech hub as it gears up for new online role March 26, 2021 Ofcom today unveiled plans to open a new tech hub in Manchester as it prepares to take on its new role as the UK’s first online regulator. The media watchdog said its new base, which is set to be up and running by the summer, will create 150 new jobs by 2025. The organisation will [...]
ITN warns of UK ‘news desert’ without broadcasting revamp March 26, 2021 The UK could be at risk of a digital “new desert” where audiences are unable to access high-quality news online unless effective regulation is brought in by Ofcom, ITN has warned. The production giant, which produces news programmes for ITV, Channel 4 and Channel 5, warned against a situation where “significant numbers of people can [...]
