Sweden shows us whether lockdown was worth the economic cost August 26, 2020 Did Sweden get it right in its response to Covid? There is increasing interest in this question. Contrary to widespread belief, the Swedes did introduce a few legally enforceable restrictions on behaviour. For example, public gatherings of more than 50 people were forbidden in March. Private ones were exempt from the ban. But, overall, compared [...]
Boris Johnson: ‘Vitally important’ schools return next week August 24, 2020 Boris Johnson has said it is “vitally important” all English schools reopen next week and that he has a “moral duty” to ensure it happens. The government has begun its push to get English schools back full time for the start of the academic year in September, despite local lockdowns in some areas. Deputy chief [...]
Tesco creates 16,000 new permanent roles after online shopping boom August 24, 2020 Tesco will create 16,000 new permanent roles as it grows its online business to keep up with the surge in demand for home deliveries. The supermarket said this morning that most of the roles will be filled by temporary workers taken on during the coronavirus lockdown. The roles will include 10,000 pickers to assemble customer [...]
DEBATE: Are the life chances of the Covid-19 generation damaged beyond repair? August 24, 2020 Are the life chances of the Covid-19 generation damaged beyond repair? Emma Revell, head of communications at the Institute of Economic Affairs, says YES. Young people have had a rough pandemic. Months of education gone, exam grades tainted by confusion and uncertainty even after the U-turn, the future burden of spiralling public debt against a [...]
A-levels are the tip of the iceberg — biased algorithms are running our lives August 24, 2020 The A-levels debacle has laid bare the stark reality of relying on algorithms to make important decisions. Between the results being announced and the government’s U-turn four days later, public outrage had reached a fever pitch at the idea that an individual could have their life chances limited because of the results other people had [...]
Gavin Williamson was on holiday in lead-up to A-level results chaos August 23, 2020 Under fire education secretary Gavin Williamson cancelled a key meeting and went on holiday to the seaside a week before the A-level results fiasco, it has been revealed. The Sunday Times reports that Williamson went away to Scarborough, Yorkshire, on the week starting 3 August, just over a week before England’s A-level results came out. [...]
Lotus Esprit S3 review: Driving the coolest Bond car August 22, 2020 We sample a classic Lotus Esprit S3, a wedge-shaped British supercar that shines despite its flaws. Did we mention James Bond drove one?
We are facing a mental health crisis among our young people — one we cannot afford to ignore August 21, 2020 The cost of Covid-19 keeps climbing. So far, the government is forecast to borrow £400bn in this financial year alone. Whether we like it or not, that money will have to be paid back — but the longer social distancing measures remain in place, workers stay furloughed, and consumers save rather than spend, the greater [...]
Are the Democrats sleepwalking into the US election? August 20, 2020 The first three days of the Democratic National Convention have progressed in the same conservative, risk averse manner of Joe Biden’s campaign so far. Despite having addresses from three former presidents, one former presidential nominee and a host of party grandees, there will be little if anything that will be remembered from the past three [...]
Mothercare finalises franchise agreement to sell products in Boots stores August 20, 2020 Mothercare has finalised a franchise agreement with Boots to allow it to sell products in the high street pharmacy chain’s stores. The retailer, which shuttered all of its UK stores after collapsing into administration last year, will sell Mothercare branded clothing, home and travel products in Boots stores from the Autumn. The franchise agreement, which [...]