Javid: Covid cases numbers to ‘get a lot worse before they get better’ July 12, 2021 Sajid Javid has warned that Covid cases numbers will “get a lot worse before they get better” as he confirms that England will go ahead with so-called freedom day next Monday. Javid said that the unlocking will still happen as Covid surges as there is “never a perfect time to take this step” and that [...]
Tory MP backtracks on criticising Marcus Rashford for missed penalty July 12, 2021 Tory MP Natalie Elphicke has backtracked on comments criticising England forward Marcus Rashford for missing a penalty in last night’s Euro 2020 final. The Dover MP said in a private message to a Conservative WhatsApp group last night that Rashford should have spent more time practicing penalties than politics in reference to the footballer’s campaigning [...]
Minister: Covid announcement on 19 July freedom day will give ‘clarity’ on face masks July 12, 2021 A health minister has said Boris Johnson’s announcement tonight on the 19 July shedding of restrictions will “give people more clarity” on the government’s stance on face masks after recent mixed messaging. Health minister Edward Argar also said the government’s stance on face masks is not confusing and that people will be able to “form [...]
Boris Johnson set to confirm 19 July as freedom day July 11, 2021 Boris Johnson has urged people to “remain vigilant and exercise caution” as he prepares to confirm that almost all Covid restrictions will be removed on 19 July. Johnson also warned people in a statement tonight that “cases will rise as we unlock” in just over one week’s time. Johnson announced last week that the next [...]
Civil servants have to get back to the office, says former senior Johnson aide July 11, 2021 One of Boris Johnson’s former top aides has called for civil servants to get back to the office among warnings that “Whitehall is dead”. Lord Eddie Lister said that government departments in Whitehall had “corridors of empty rooms” and that young civil servants would not be able to learn on the job like this. Boris Johnson [...]
Liz Truss reportedly thinks UK-US trade deal before 2023 is unlikely July 11, 2021 International trade secretary Liz Truss is reportedly resigned to not closing a UK-US trade deal before 2023 as she prepares to travel to Washington today. Truss will go to the US to meet Joe Biden’s Trade Representative Katherine Tai as a part of a five-day working trip, which will also include a stop in California. [...]
Nadhim Zahawi denies gap between vaccines will be cut to four weeks July 11, 2021 There are no plans to cut the gap between first and second Covid vaccines from eight weeks to four, according to vaccines minister Nadhim Zahawi. Zahawi said that protection from two doses of any of the approved Covid vaccines is more optimal at eight weeks than from four weeks. The Sunday Times reported today that [...]
Minister says people are ‘expected to wear face masks indoor’ after 19 July July 11, 2021 Vaccines minister Nadhim Zahawi has said people will be “expected” to wear face masks indoors after 19 July in an apparent shift in the government’s previous position. Boris Johnson said last week that face masks would be a “personal choice” after 19 July, but that the government would advise people that wearing them indoors is [...]
Rishi Sunak calls on other G20 countries to finalise global tax deal July 9, 2021 Rishi Sunak has called on other G20 countries to “maintain momentum” over a global tax deal on the eve of a Venice summit. Sunak will meet with other G20 finance ministers and central bank governors in a bid to endorse the global tax plan that has been agreed by the G7 and the Organisation for [...]
UK puts pen to paper on Norway, Iceland and Liechtenstein trade deal July 8, 2021 The UK has officially signed a £21.6bn trade deal with Norway, Iceland and Liechtenstein in a London ceremony today. The deal was agreed in principle last month and includes things a cut on tariffs for Norwegian fish exports and British pork and poultry exports. The Department for International Trade also said “the deal’s cutting-edge digital [...]
