US lawmakers poised to vote on $900bn stimulus package December 20, 2020 US lawmakers could vote on a $900bn (£665bn) stimulus package as early as today after Republicans and Democrats reportedly reached a compromise on Federal Reserve lending programmes. If Congress fails to act, much of the support aimed at the unemployed so far will expire. Other stimulus programmes are due to come to an end before [...]
Brexit talks continue as UK demands EU withdraw “unreasonable demands” December 20, 2020 Sticking points including fisheries and the level-playing field continue to plague Brexit talks as they enter the final stages. The European Parliament has set an effective deadline of midnight today if it is to be ratified in time for the UK’s departure on December 31. Health Secretary Matt Hancock told Sky News this morning: “We [...]
Tier 4: What does it mean for travel? December 20, 2020 Londoners may have been plotting to get home and see their families this Christmas, either in the UK or abroad, but those plans have been thrown into chaos by new Tier 4 restrictions. What are the new rules? The Government warns that “you must not leave your home to travel unless for work, education or [...]
Another London leisure landmark closes its doors for good December 20, 2020 Cafe de Paris, which opened in 1924 and only shut during the Blitz when it suffered a direct hit, will close its doors thanks to lockdown restrictions. Maxwell’s Restaurants, which owns Cafe de Paris as well as the Tropicana Beach Club, entered liquidation last week. The Sunday Times first reported the news. Some 400 jobs [...]
Publish which firms get furlough cash, government told December 20, 2020 The government should publish a list of companies that have received furlough money to increase transparency around the scheme, amid fears of waste and fraud, parliament’s spending watchdog has said. The cross-party Public Accounts Committee (PAC) also said that chancellor Rishi Sunak’s repeated extensions to the scheme at short notice caused uncertainty that could have [...]
High street burns, but Issa brothers mull a fiddle with Nero December 20, 2020 Asda owners EG Group are offering to fund a legal challenge against Caffe Nero over its controversial rescue deal, it was reported today. The Group, owned by the petrol station tycoons the Issa Brothers, has hired lawyers as well as property agents Christie’s and CWM as part of an effort to overturn the coffee chain’s [...]
Tier 4 lockdown until widespread vaccine rollout, Health Secretary warns December 20, 2020 Matt Hancock has warned that an effective lockdown across London and the South East will continue until a sizable part of the population is vaccinated. Speaking to Sky News this morning, Hancock warned that the new variant of the Covid-19 virus was “out of control.” “Given how fast the variant spreads it is going to [...]
Mayor: The toughest Christmas since the Second World War December 20, 2020 Writing exclusively for City A.M., Mayor of London Sadiq Khan says he can “barely contain his anger at the confusion and chaos” sowed by Downing Street’s Christmas promises The last-minute announcement of tougher restrictions to control the spread of Covid-19 over Christmas is a bitter blow for millions of Londoners. Our city faces the toughest [...]
Mayor blasts “irresponsible promises” from No.10 amid Tier 4 chaos December 19, 2020 Sadiq Khan tonight criticised the Government’s “irresponsible promises” for raising expectations ahead of the Christmas period. In a dramatic afternoon statement, Prime Minister Boris Johnson announced London would be moving into a lockdown similar to that saw in spring, from midnight tonight. It means that the capital’s residents will no longer be able to meet [...]
London in Tier 4: What are the rules? December 19, 2020 London, the South East and the East of England have been put into a new ‘Tier 4’ in a bid to contain a new spike in coronavirus cases. Christmas for those living in the affected areas has been essentially cancelled, with harsh restrictions imposed on the areas and families warned not to mix households. The [...]
