Starmer accuses No 10 of ‘industrial-scale partying’ during pandemic January 16, 2022 Labour leader Keir Starmer has accused Downing Street of “industrial-scale partying” during the pandemic, and the UK’s first lockdown. “I think he broke the law. I think he has as good as admitted he broke the law,” said Starmer, referring to Downing Street’s apology to the Queen for one party which occurred the night before [...]
WH Smith faces investor revolt over executive pay January 16, 2022 WH Smith faces a revolt from investors after it was announced boss Carl Cowling was in line for a £550,000 bonus despite the firm not paying back government pandemic support.
Protests in London as Priti Patel’s Policing Bill heads into critical vote January 16, 2022 Protesters flocked London’s streets over the weekend to protest Priti Patel’s Policing Bill, which will be tabled for a critical vote by peers tomorrow. The Bill, if passed, will grant police new powers to clamp down on demonstrations, including extended stop and search powers and longer sentences. The so-called ‘Kill the Bill’ protests have cropped [...]
England on track to shed all Covid restrictions this month, Dowden says January 16, 2022 England is on track to shed Covid restrictions implemented last month including the country’s work from home advice, Tory party chair Oliver Dowden has said. Dowen said “it all seems to be heading in the right direction” as Omicron cases in the UK begin to sharply drop and hospitalisations plateau. Patients in intensive care have [...]
Sir Martin Sorrell eyes up ad-tech with new £110m venture capital fund January 16, 2022 Advertising boss Sir Martin Sorrell is launching a £110m venture capital fund aimed at early-stage ad-tech companies.
BBC to swallow licence fee freeze to buffer cost of living January 16, 2022 The BBC is set to swallow a two-year license fee freeze, which could see the broadcaster having to find savings of more than £2bn over the next six years. Ministers will unveil the plan this week, though it has been reported to be one of a number of announcements being tabled in Downing Street in [...]
Tory party chair says Johnson will ‘improve’ boozy Downing Street culture January 16, 2022 Boris Johnson is committed to “upping [the government’s] game” and “improving” the boozy culture in Downing Street, Tory party chair Oliver Dowden has said. Dowden said the many lockdown-breaking parties that happened in Downing Street were “unacceptable” and that “I’m angry about what happened”. There is now overwhelming evidence there was a culture of Covid [...]
Rail operators scrap hundreds of trains amid Covid-induced staff shortages January 16, 2022 Several railway operators – including Avanti West Coast and South Western Railway (SWR) – were forced to introduce a reduced timetable as a result of Covid-induced staff shortages. SWR announced last week that from Monday 17 journey planners will be adjusted on a weekly basis, with updates being communicated at the end of each week, [...]
Private equity firms readying bids for Boots after owner puts chain on sale for £7bn January 16, 2022 Private equity firms are readying to enter the auction for high street chemist Boots after its American owner Walgreens Boots Alliance put the chain on the market for £7bn.
Covid tests no longer required for fully vaccinated travellers January 16, 2022 Fully vaccinated travellers will no longer need to take a Covid-19 test when retuning to the UK in time for February’s half-term. Transport secretary Grant Shapps is understood to be in favour of the move – which will likely be announced on 26 January and will save Brits hundreds of pounds in Covid testing – [...]
