Letters: making it through the winter October 26, 2021 [Re: Budget 2021] We still need to see strong support for the nation’s 6 million small businesses coming through in the Chancellor’s Autumn Statement. There has been unprecedented support, yes, but withdrawing this now, all at once, would be a potentially damaging mistake. Firms face a tough combination of higher supply chain costs, higher energy [...]
Pandemic festivities: A ‘normal Christmas’ is on the horizon, says Sajid Javid October 25, 2021 A “normal Christmas” is on the way, providing everyone “plays our part”, health secretary Sajid Javid has said today. Responding to concerns that this Christmas could face the same fate it did last year, Javid told BBC Breakfast: “What we know about this virus is that it’s unpredictable and I don’t think any sensible health [...]
ULEZ from today: London’s £12.50 pollution charge zone for older vehicles 18 times larger October 25, 2021 From today, drivers of vehicles which do not comply with minimum emissions standards are being charged £12.50 to drive into London’s Ultra Low Emission Zone (Ulez). The new rules come as London’s pollution charge zone for older vehicles has been significantly expanded, by 18 times, affecting tens of thousands of London motorists. The Ulez has [...]
Bankers on track for record bonuses this Christmas October 24, 2021 City bankers could take home a bumper payout in time for Christmas following a year of record dealmaking and capital raising activity. With many city banks gearing up for bonus discussions in the coming weeks industry experts have predicted that bonuses could reach their highest level in over a decade, the Telegraph first reported. It [...]
Government eyes legal requirement for NHS staff to be vaccinated October 24, 2021 The government is looking at legally enforcing a Covid vaccine mandate for all NHS staff. Health secretary Sajid Javid wants to push through legislation requiring protection against the virus as a condition of employment as soon as possible, according to The Sunday Times. Some 106,351 NHS staff in England have not been vaccinated, around seven [...]
Scientific advisers urge government to add Covid protections now to avoid a ‘lockdown Christmas’ October 23, 2021 Two top scientific advisers have warned the UK is heading for another winter lockdown if the government does not reintroduce some Covid protection measures as soon as possible. Vaccines are “wonderful” but “not quite enough”, according to Professor Reicher, a member of the Scientific Pandemic Insights Group on Behaviours (SPI-B), which works with SAGE. “I [...]
Country house market sees strongest annual growth since 2007 October 22, 2021 The annual rate of growth for country homes hit its highest level since the first quarter of 2007. The annual rate hit 10.6 per cent in September with real estate experts anticipating a cooling of the market following the end of the stamp duty holiday. Average price growth in the category was 2.1 per cent [...]
Retail sales drop for fifth month in a row October 22, 2021 UK retail sales dropped in September for the fifth consecutive month but have bounced back from the pandemic, It marked the longest continuous stretch since records began in 1996, according to official figures. The Office for National Statistics (ONS) said retail sales volumes dropped by 0.2 per cent last month, following a 0.6 per cent [...]
Crypto analysts say Bitcoin run could continue up to Christmas October 21, 2021 Bitcoin is set for a period of wild volatility before reaching record values by Christmas, experts believe.
‘Headaches’ for Innocent as fruit for smoothies held up at ports October 21, 2021 Innocent’s CEO Douglas Lamont has warned decisions on hiking prices of the brand’s smoothies are “imminent,” as retailers face mounting cost pressures. Speaking to CityAM, Lamont said there were “huge challenges out there,” with cost pressures and limited driver availability. “We’ve all been quite battle-hardened [after the pandemic], in terms of keeping service levels. We’re [...]