Opinion-in-brief: A real Australian-style points system would fill the gaps October 4, 2021 The shortage of HGV drivers has led to chaos at petrol stations, empty supermarket shelves and McDonald’s running out of milkshakes. Now, animals are being culled because of a lack of butchers and care homes are struggling to fill vacancies. Christmas, once again, is in peril. Britain voted to leave the European Union to “take [...]
Concoction of risks weighs on London markets October 4, 2021 A concoction of risks threatening to scupper the global economic recovery from the Covid-19 crisis weighed on London markets this morning. The capital’s premier index edged down 0.12 per cent to 7,018.60 points during the first couple of hours of trading today. Ongoing supply issues, severe shortages, accelerating inflation and the growing likelihood of central [...]
What the data tells us about the next phase of the Covid-19 pandemic October 4, 2021 What has been happening since the beginning of September in the US and UK? The Delta variant of Covid-19 is key to understanding the current trends around the reopening of the global economy. Countries that were aiming for so-called “Zero Covid” have found that this strategy doesn’t work so well against a virus that spreads [...]
Insulate Britain protestors cause ‘severe traffic problems in the capital’ October 4, 2021 Activists from Insulate Britain have launched their eleventh day of protest at four separate sites across London today. All blockages are expected to hinder the route for commuters travelling in and around London. UK Country Manager at travel mapping app Waze Ru Roberts warned commuters: “Climate change protests are causing tailbacks in London, with a current [...]
Shortages saga: A third of UK mid-size firms forced to slim down offerings October 4, 2021 With the UK’s supply chains riddled with labour shortages and continued Covid-19-related hang-ups, a third of mid-size firms have been forced to reduce their offering. More than 34 per cent of businesses already trimmed their product lines and services by mid-September – before the fuel crisis had gripped the nation, according to accountancy firm BDO. [...]
COP26: All UK electricity to come from renewable sources by 2035 October 4, 2021 All of the UK’s electricity is set to come from renewable sources by 2035, prime minister Boris Johnson is expected to announce ahead of the country’s hosting of COP26. The push for cleaner energy will see the Conservative party increase investments in renewable and nuclear energy, according to The Times. It comes amid an energy [...]
‘The British renaissance has begun’: Lord Frost to bait EU with triggering Article 16 October 4, 2021 Lord Frost will reportedly hazard to the European Union today that the UK is willing to trigger Article 16 unless the bloc gives the green light to replacing the Northern Ireland Protocol. Proposals have already been drawn up to replace the protocol and the Brexit minister will tell the Tory party conference that the country [...]
New Covid vaccine formulation could be needed by mid-2022, says BioNTech boss October 4, 2021 The boss of BioNTech, the German biotech firm behind the Pfizer Covid-19, has predicted that a new formulation for jabs will likely be needed by mid-2022. Scientists have warned that the virus could mutate in a way that means it is less resistant to vaccines. “This year [a different vaccine] is completely unneeded. But by [...]
Keir Starmer’s bid for Red Wall voters will leave the young out in the cold October 4, 2021 No one wants to hear a longer speech from Keir Starmer after his first performance in front of live crowds at Labour conference last week. The ninety minute monologue on his vision for the party’s future was, in short, a lot. But even in the midst of winding journeys through his personal history, segues on [...]
Ballooning infrastructure costs could be quelled if Whitehall embraced clear data October 4, 2021 Infrastructure is one of the government’s latest passions. It could be, in ministers’ eyes, a foundation for Global Britain and a way out of the economic decline that Covid-19 has brought in its wake. We have a National Infrastructure Strategy, and the prime minister, announcing it last summer, admitted it sounded “positively Rooseveltian” and pledged [...]
