Gyms plead for government aid as fitness firms feel weight of Omicron December 22, 2021 Gym bosses have pleaded for government help after Omicron has caused attendance numbers at exercise classes to plummet in recent weeks. A work from home directive and scientists’ messaging to avoid socialising in the weeks before Christmas has caused people to shun fitness firms, one boss told CityA.M. While pubs and restaurants are eligible for [...]
Former PM Tony Blair calls unvaccinated ‘not just irresponsible’ but ‘idiots’ December 22, 2021 Former prime minister Tony Blair said those that refuse a Covid-19 vaccine are ‘idiots’, as around one third of Londoners remain unvaccinated. “If you’re not vaccinated and you’re eligible… You’re not just irresponsible, you’re an idiot,” Blair told Times Radio today. “It is in their own interest, never mind the public.” It is thought the [...]
Christmas in Canary Wharf: UK’s largest banks face £8.5bn HMRC bill with £35.8bn of tax under consideration December 22, 2021 Large banks face a potential £8.5bn tax liability from the UK tax authority, according to new figures obtained by Freedom of Information (FOI). The FOI to HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC), carried out by City law firm DLA Piper, showed that, at the end of March 2021, additional tax liability under investigation had increased by [...]
Met refers itself to watchdog over Downing Street Christmas party scandal December 22, 2021 The Metropolitan Police has referred itself to a watchdog for police over how it handled an alleged Christmas party in Downing Street last year during Covid restrictions, according to reports. Baroness Jones, a member of the Green Party, submitted a complaint over the Met’s refusal to investigate reports of an unlawful Christmas gathering at No.10 [...]
Hong Kong Racing Tips: Size and Moreira the Savvy pick for a festive feast December 22, 2021 WITH Christmas Day fast approaching, bettors at Happy Valley will be banking on trainer John Size and jockey Joao Moreira to pay for their festive expenses over the holiday period. Size and Moreira completed a hat-trick at the city track a week ago and they won’t be big odds to replicate that feat again when they combine [...]
Hong Kong Racing Tips: Vincy can Warm up Christmas for Valley punters December 22, 2021 FORMER Australian champion jockey Blake Shinn is the man to provide plenty of pre-Christmas celebrations when he climbs aboard unpredictable but talented galloper VINCY in the competitive one mile three-furlong Marble Handicap (12.15pm) at Happy Valley today. With victories in the Melbourne Cup, Golden Slipper and Doncaster Mile on his CV, plus a Sydney jockeys premiership medal [...]
Tackling homelessness is the key to become a fairer society December 22, 2021 We are only as strong as our weakest link. In our society, this is homelessness – an issue that leaves a moral stain on our country. If we are serious about levelling up society, guaranteeing a safe home for everyone is the only place to start. The Big Birmingham Sleep Out is a fantastic event [...]
Mild or not: Omicron variant doubles risk of catching Covid aboard a plane December 22, 2021 As millions of people prepare to fly home for Christmas an industry expert has warned that Omicron doubles the risk of being infected on a plane.
Covid-19: Self-isolation period cut from 10 days to seven with negative result December 22, 2021 People self-isolating with Covid in England can now end their quarantine three days early as long as they receive two negative test results, the health secretary has announced. Under previous rules, people had to self-isolate for a full 10 days if they were infected with Covid-19. Now they can curtail that period by producing negative [...]
Omicron, inflation and shortages compound to spike UK businesses December 22, 2021 A cocktail of Omicron, soaring inflation and ongoing worker shortages are spiking UK businesses, reveals a fresh study released today. Business confidence in the UK economy dipped nine percentage points over the last three months to minus six, according to the Recruitment and Employment Confederation (REC). The emergence of the Omicron variant of coronavirus has [...]