Oxford vaccine could be rolled out by end of the year July 21, 2020 The lead developer of the University of Oxford’s coronavirus vaccine has said that it is possible that it will be rolled out by the end of the year. Speaking to the BBC, Professor Sarah Gilbert however cautioned that there was “absolutely no certainty” that this would be the case. Yesterday scientists hailed a major breakthrough [...]
Government borrowing hits record £128bn in coronavirus quarter July 21, 2020 Government borrowing rocketed to an all-time record £128bn between April and June 2020, official statistics showed today. That was a massive £103.9bn rise compared to the same period in 2019, and more than double the £55.4bn total borrowed in the previous financial year. June borrowing hit £35.5bn for the government, the Office for National Statistics [...]
EU leaders reach €750bn coronavirus recovery deal after marathon summit July 21, 2020 EU leaders have reached an “historic” deal on a huge coronavirus stimulus plan after a heated summit that lasted almost five days. Summit chairman Charles Michel tweeted “Deal” shortly after the 27 leaders reached an agreement in the early hours. “This agreement sends a concrete signal that Europe is a force for action,” he said [...]
Lockdown blues: Breakups and divorces support UK house prices July 21, 2020 The property market is currently defying gravity, with asking prices hitting an all-time high in July and spirits buoyant after the chancellor slashed the stamp duty homes tax. But estate agents say a less-publicised factor has been helping the property sector ride out economic turbulence better than most had predicted: A surge in lockdown breakups [...]
Exclusive: Ride-hailing app Ola launches new corporate service July 21, 2020 Ride-hailing app Ola will today launch a new service for its corporate clients, City A.M. can reveal. According to the Indian firm, Ola Corporate, which will be available to businesses across the UK, could save firms up to 25 per cent on their travel expenses. The firm said that it was cheaper than alternative services [...]
DEBATE: With one in three of us wanting to keep working from home, is it too soon to urge Londoners back to the office? July 21, 2020 With one in three of us wanting to keep working from home, is it too soon to urge Londoners back to the office? Ben Kelly, a commentator for Reaction, says YES. For months we were told to stay at home and hide from the deadly virus. Unfortunately — for the government and our economy — [...]
The Boohoo scandal shouldn’t shock anyone — modern slavery is a pandemic July 21, 2020 No brand today should be “shocked and appalled” at what happens in its own supply chain, as fast fashion brand Boohoo recently claimed to be. To know so little about the sourcing, processes and practices involved in creating a product you sell should be a crime itself. Tales of UK-based sweat shops and modern slavery [...]
Left out in the cold: The company directors who have fallen through the cracks in the Treasury’s support schemes July 21, 2020 On Friday, the Prime Minister set out the latest steps towards reopening Britain’s economy, providing encouragement for many businesses. Combined with the chancellor’s promise earlier this month of a half-price lunch, the message appears clear: it’s time to get going and move the economy forward again. But as we do, the government should also take [...]
MPs criticise government for slow coronavirus misinformation response July 21, 2020 MPs have lashed out at the government over its failure to respond to concerns regarding online harms during the coronavirus pandemic, calling for legislation to be introduced as a matter of urgency. Members of the Digital, Cultural, Media and Sport select committee published a report today in which they pushed the government to name the [...]
Revolut backer Balderton sinks £8m into detergent startup Smol July 21, 2020 Detergent delivery startup Smol has today closed an £8m funding round, led by London venture capital giant Balderton. The funding was supported by Jamjar Investments, the venture capital firm co-founded by the founder of Innocent Drinks. Launched in 2018 by former Unilever employees Paula Quazi and Nick Green, Smol delivers laundry and dishwasher detergent in [...]
