M&S declares war on Aldi over ‘obvious’ copy of Christmas gin December 16, 2021 Marks and Spencer has launched legal action against discount supermarket rival Aldi, over what it alleges is a copycat gin. Aldi’s ‘The Infusionist’ gold-flake gin liqueur range has been accused of copying M&S’ Light-Up Gin, in papers filed at the High Court earlier this month. M&S registered three varieties of its designs earlier this year, [...]
Letters: Festive cheer in short supply December 16, 2021 [Re:New virus rules pass, yesterday] For many small businesses, the run up to Christmas was to be the saving grace of 2021. Even before Omicron arrived, that just didn’t turn out to be the case, with supply chain issues, fuel and energy costs, finance costs and delays across sectors leading to a big mountain to [...]
Covid-19: No Plan-C Omicron restrictions before Christmas, says health minister December 16, 2021 Families and businesses concerned about another set of tighter Covid-19 restrictions ahead of Christmas Day have no reason to worry according to a UK health minister this morning. Health minister Gillian Keegan said the Government was “not intending to make any more restrictions” between now and Christmas Day. She said Boris Johnson “won’t hesitate” to [...]
Believe it or not, there are still reasons to be cheerful for 2022 December 16, 2021 There are, it is fair to say, many reasons to feel a tad disheartened at the minute. Yesterday’s record number of Omicron cases was hardly cheering. Neither is the sight of empty streets and shuttered businesses on a quick stroll around the City. But, believe it or not, there are reasons to be cheerful. Plenty, [...]
Hospitality pleads Chancellor for support amid ‘deja vu’ of mass cancellations reminiscent of March 2020 December 16, 2021 Pubs and restaurants have condemned the Chancellor’s “silence” over support measures for businesses after mass cancellations amid a surge in Omicron Covid cases. England’s chief medical officer, Chris Whitty, said the public should be considering “de-prioritising” certain social events in order to ensure they can visit family at Christmas. Fears of the highly transmissible Omicron [...]
Two-pronged or two-punch? Boris’ Plan B closes in December 16, 2021 The Prime Minister doubled down on his Plan B approach yesterday evening after daily Covid-19 cases hit a record high with 78,610 new infections on Wednesday. Chief Medical Officer Chris Whitty warned that more records would be broken, with the Government “throwing everything” at the new Omicron variant. While the exact ratios are not yet [...]
Taxman takes the festive cheer out of Christmas December 16, 2021 British households are set to be stung by a Christmas tax of over £190 on their festive shopping this year, reveals new research published today. The average UK household will have to cough up £191.75 on their festive shopping this year, according to the TaxPayers’ Alliance (TPA). John O’Connell, chief executive of the TaxPayers’ Alliance, [...]
Shaun Bailey apologises ‘unreservedly’ for lockdown-breaking Number 10 party December 15, 2021 Former Tory London mayoral candidate Shaun Bailey has quit a top committee role in the London Assembly, after being accused of breaking lockdown last Christmas to party in Number 10. Bailey, who is one of nine Conservatives on the 25-member London Assembly, will no longer sit as chair of the body’s Police and Crime Committee [...]
‘Let’s keep giving Omicron both barrels,’ says Johnson as Covid cases hit new record December 15, 2021 Prime minister Boris Johnson has doubled down on his Plan B approach, as Covid-19 cases hit their highest since March last year. Meanwhile, chief medical officer Chris Whitty offered a sobering warning on the rise of cases. Around 45 per cent of adults in England have received their booster jabs, Johnson said, as the government [...]
Covid-19 cases hit highest since March 2020 December 15, 2021 Daily Covid-19 cases have hit their highest since the pandemic began in the UK around March last year. The UK recorded around 78,610 cases of coronavirus on Wednesday, with 4,237 being cases of the new Omicron variant. The latest figures take the total confirmed cases of the Omicron variant to 9,243. Another 68,868 people have [...]