Alok Sharma tests negative for coronavirus June 4, 2020 Business secretary Alok Sharma has tested negative for coronavirus, after he was seen visibly unwell in the House of Commons yesterday. Sharma took to Twitter to announce he was Covid-free this evening, after a day of speculation that other cabinet members would have to self-isolate if the business secretary tested positive. “Huge thanks to everyone [...]
Face coverings mandatory on TfL network from 15 June June 4, 2020 It will be mandatory for commuters to wear face coverings on all English public transport networks from 15 June, including on Transport for London (TfL). Transport secretary Grant Shapps made the announcement at today’s press briefing, adding that non-compliance would lead to a refusal of travel and fines. Shapps said there would be exemptions for [...]
Pubs say ‘time running out’ to be ready for 4 July reopening June 4, 2020 The UK’s pub lobby has warned the government that its members urgently need clarity on how it will reopen the sector if they are going to be ready by the target date of 4 July. The British Beer and Pub Association (BPPA) said today that pubs will need at least three weeks’ notice for when [...]
Boris Johnson and Rishi Sunak could have to self-isolate if minister tests positive for Covid-19 June 4, 2020 Rishi Sunak and Boris Johnson could be told to self-isolate for 14 days after the pair had a meeting with Alok Sharma before he fell ill, Downing Street has confirmed. A spokesperson for Johnson said Sharma had a meeting with the Prime Minister and chancellor for 45 minutes on the economy, but that they all [...]
Alok Sharma self-isolates while awaiting coronavirus test result June 4, 2020 Business secretary Alok Sharma has been tested for coronavirus after he was visibly unwell in the House of Commons chamber yesterday. Sharma is currently self-isolating as he awaits his test result, with Northern Ireland secretary Brandon Lewis saying today that it was hopefully just severe hayfever. The business secretary was visibly uncomfortable during a House [...]
Boris Johnson tells UK to brace for mass unemployment June 3, 2020 Boris Johnson has warned of “many, many job losses” after the coronavirus crisis and has pledged to invest in retraining the UK’s young people. The Prime Minister said high levels of unemployment, as a result of the crisis, was “inevitable” and that his government would be “activist and interventionist” in dealing with job losses. The [...]
UK quarantine: Boris Johnson says UK will ‘certainly develop’ air bridges June 3, 2020 The government “will certainly be developing” air bridges with other European countries to ensure quarantine-free travel, according to Boris Johnson. The Prime Minister said at the daily press briefing that work was underway to create exemptions for the 14-day quarantine for inbound travellers, which will begin next Monday. Home secretary Priti Patel today unveiled the [...]
Coronavirus loans: George Osborne calls for future government ‘debt forgiveness’ programme June 3, 2020 The government should implement a future “debt forgiveness” programme for companies borrowing through its coroanvirus loan schemes, according to former chancellor George Osborne. Osborne said small and micro businesses “who are engines of growth” should have their debts written off in several years’ time if they are still carrying debt burdens from the government’s emergency [...]
George Floyd London protests: Thousands gather in Hyde Park June 3, 2020 Thousands of people descended on Hyde Park this afternoon to take part in protests organised by Black Lives Matter London in response to the killing of George Floyd. The peaceful protest began at 1pm, with crowds chanting “no justice, no peace” and waving signs in solidarity with demonstrators in the US. Jessie, 22, told the [...]
Boris Johnson says ‘shielded’ MPs will be able to vote by proxy in parliament June 3, 2020 Boris Johnson has said that vulnerable MPs who have been forced to shield away during the coronavirus lockdown will be able to vote in the House of Commons by proxy in an apparent U-turn. Johnson said at today’s Prime Minister’s Questions (PMQs) that MPs who “have particular difficulties, because they are shielded or they are [...]
