EU leaders ‘to insist on tough enforcement powers’ for any Brexit deal October 12, 2020 EU leaders are reportedly set to insist on tough enforcement measures for any trade deal with Britain, warning that Boris Johnson’s bid to override the Brexit treaty shows the UK’s word cannot be trusted. Leaders will call on chief Brexit negotiator Michel Barnier to ensure that so-called level playing field guarantees for EU businesses competing [...]
Government set to unveil new UK coronavirus restrictions October 12, 2020 The UK government is today expected to announce a raft of new restrictions to tackle the growing second wave of the coronavirus pandemic. The Prime Minister will unveil a three-tier system designed to simplify the UK’s local lockdown restrictions. Leaders from the Liverpool City Region said last night that it will be placed in the [...]
London City boss: Airport testing can be ‘shot in the arm’ for economy October 12, 2020 The boss of London City airport has urged the government’s new travel taskforce to lay out how it will implement a coronavirus testing regime. Robert Sinclair said that doing so would “deliver a much-needed shot in the arm for business air travel, boosting economic growth across every region and every sector.” “We know the demand [...]
Business groups urge ministers to back negative emissions push October 12, 2020 Business groups have written to the Chancellor and a number of other Cabinet colleagues urging them to support negative emissions technologies to “build back better” from the coronavirus pandemic. In an open letter, industry heavyweights Drax, Heathrow Airport, BA owner IAG and the CBI called on ministers to show a “clear, unambiguous commitment” to support [...]
Hospitality and manufacturing jobs at risk as coronavirus accelerates rise of the robots October 12, 2020 Jobs in hospitality, leisure, and manufacturing are among the most likely to be lost as the coronavirus pandemic accelerates the automation of the economy. A new survey by the Royal Society of Arts, Manufactures and Commerce (RSA) shows that the pandemic has led to rapid digitalisation of swathes of sectors. In the hospitality industry, for [...]
UK considers plan to ‘disable’ Channel migrant boats with nets October 11, 2020 The government is considering plans to “disable” boats carrying migrants across the Channel by using nets to stop them from reaching the UK, according to the new man in charge of stopping illegal crossings. The UK has seen a marked increase in illegal Channel crossings this year, with more than 1,500 people crossing by boat [...]
Retail body accuses government on inaction on garment worker abuse October 11, 2020 The trade body for the UK retail sector has said that the government has carried out no “significant action” to protect textile workers from exploitaiton. In a letter to home secretary Priti Patel, the British Retail Consortium (BRC) said: “Despite numerous reports in the media, and a previous letter to the home secretary signed by [...]
Brexit: Boris Johnson warns of ‘significant gaps’ to bridge in EU trade talks October 11, 2020 Boris Johnson has told French President Emmanuel Macron that there are still “significant gaps” to be bridged to seal a post-Brexit UK-EU trade deal. A statement released by Downing Street said the Prime Minister told Macron on a phone call yesterday that he needed to see progress in the coming days, “notably in the areas [...]
England’s mayors to gain more control over NHS Test and Trace October 11, 2020 Mayors across England are set to gain more control over the NHS Test and Trace system as the government prepares to implement tougher Covid restrictions. The government will give local authorities access to the Test and Trace data and urge them to deploy volunteers to knock on people’s homes and tell them to self-isolate if [...]
Covid: Robert Jenrick does not rule out banning outside mixing October 11, 2020 Housing secretary Robert Jenrick would not rule out a potential ban on outside mixing this morning as Covid cases continue to rise. When asked today if there would be a ban on people meeting outside, Jenrick said “he couldn’t say” and that people should “wait to see what the PM says” on further restrictions. Daily [...]
