UK supermarket chiefs call for online sales tax on firms like Amazon February 8, 2021 Some of the UK’s largest retailers, including Tesco and Asda, have called for Rishi Sunak to “rebalance the tax base” between online and bricks and mortar retail in an apparent push for a new digital sales levy on firms like Amazon. In a letter to Sunak, 18 chief executives and union bosses said “online retailers [...]
More than 12 million have had first dose of Covid vaccine February 7, 2021 More than 12 million people have had the first dose of a vaccine against Covid-19, the Department of Health and Social Care announced today. As of today, some 12,014,288 people have had a first dose of a vaccine against coronavirus. More than half a million individuals have had a second dose of a coronavirus vaccine, [...]
Labour calls for UK tax cut extensions before 3 March Budget February 7, 2021 Labour is calling for an extension to tax cuts for some of the UK sectors worst affected by the Covid pandemic. Shadow chancellor Anneliese Dodds today urged Rishi Sunak to extend the current VAT cut, from 20 per cent to five per cent, for retail and hospitality for another six months past March or or [...]
UK exports via sea to EU down 68 per cent since end of Brexit transition February 7, 2021 UK exports through sea freight to the EU in January plummeted by 68 per cent compared to last year, according to new data from the UK’s lorry lobby. Figures from the Road Haulage Association (RHA), which have been shown to Cabinet Office Minister Michael Gove, also revealed that up to 75 per cent of lorries [...]
Rolls-Royce to temporarily shut factories during the summer February 7, 2021 Rolls-Royce will temporarily shut down its jet engine factories for two weeks in the summer, in an attempt to save costs in the midst of the pandemic. The shutdown – the first in the company’s history – will affect all 19,000 staff in Britain, according to reports. Workers were told about the planned closure in [...]
UK will not issue vaccine passports, says Nadhim Zahawi February 7, 2021 The UK will not be issuing vaccine passports to allow people who have had Covid jabs to travel, according to vaccines minister Nadhim Zahawi. The Times reported on Friday that the government would implement Covid vaccine passports in time for summer, however Zahawi categorically denied the report today. Speak to Sky News, he said: “One, [...]
Oxford/AstraZeneca jab offers less protection against South African variant February 7, 2021 AstraZeneca has said its vaccine, developed with the University of Oxford, appeared to offer only limited protection against mild disease caused by the South African variant of Covid-19, based on early data from a trial. The study from South Africa’s University of the Witwatersrand and Oxford University showed the vaccine had significantly reduced efficacy against the [...]
Pandemic profiteers face tax hike on Covid winnings February 7, 2021 Companies that have cashed in a result of the coronavirus pandemic, including the likes of Amazon, will face a double tax raid under plans being draw up by the government. The government has summoned companies to discuss how an online sales tax would work, while plans are also being drawn up for a one-off “excessive profits tax,” the [...]
Rapid Covid-19 testing rolled out to businesses with more than 50 employees February 7, 2021 Workplace Covid testing is being offered to companies in England with more than 50 employees, for staff who cannot work from home during lockdown. Businesses with more than 50 employees are now able to access lateral flow tests, which can produce results in less than 30 minutes, according to reports. Officials said the move was [...]
Don’t let Covid spoil Valentine’s Day – bring the party home February 6, 2021 Usually the first busy night of the year for bars and restaurants, this Valentine’s Day promises to be a more subdued affair thanks to ongoing restrictions. But don’t let that spoil the romantic fun – here’s a list of some ways to bring the party to you on 14 February. Boisdale Valentine’s Night Dinner Kit [...]
