Civil servants have to get back to the office, says former senior Johnson aide July 11, 2021 One of Boris Johnson’s former top aides has called for civil servants to get back to the office among warnings that “Whitehall is dead”. Lord Eddie Lister said that government departments in Whitehall had “corridors of empty rooms” and that young civil servants would not be able to learn on the job like this. Boris Johnson [...]
ONS: Widespread spike in UK Covid infections reflecting winter levels July 9, 2021 There was a “marked” increase in new Covid infections in the UK in the latest data collected on the virus by the Office for National Statistics (ONS). More than 400,000 people tested positive with coronavirus in the UK during the first week of July, according to the new ONS estimates – the higest level recorded [...]
Euro 2020: What an England win could mean for the UK economy July 9, 2021 “England don’t do that – they don’t win those types of games” so said a friend after the three lions beat Denmark 2-1 after extra time in their Euro 2020 semi-final on Wednesday. They do – just once every 55 years. Scenes of jubilation across London after Gareth Southgate’s men reached their first final since [...]
No masks, no distancing: Govt set to revise UK workplace guidance July 9, 2021 Ministers are preparing to publish new return to office guidance for businesses next week that will greatly reduce the number of measures recommended to curb the spread of Covid-19. Among the workplace recommendations set to move from obligatory to subject to a company’s discretion are face masks and social distancing, the Financial Times first reported. [...]
Covid-19 app sensitivity to be reviewed, amid rising infections July 9, 2021 The sensitivity of the NHS Covid contact tracing app will be reviewed, amid a rise in alerts as infections surge. The NHS Covid contact tracing app used in England and Wales may need to change as coronavirus restrictions change, Transport Secretary Grant Shapps said. He said that the end of the one metre plus rule [...]
Rishi Sunak calls on workers to return to the office July 9, 2021 Chancellor Rishi Sunak says Brits – especially younger workers – should return to the office as pandemic restrictions ease. The Chancellor expressed concerns that staff could lose crucial work experience while the economy returns. He said it was “really important” for younger staff especially, according to the Telegraph. Sunak admitted that working remotely and mostly [...]
Hiring in the City roars back to life July 9, 2021 The City is roaring back to life driven by financial services firms ramping up hiring activity as the spectre of Covid on the Square Mile recedes, new figures published today reveal. The number of jobs available in London’s financial services sector rose more than twofold over the last year, according to Morgan McKinley’s spring employment [...]
Rishi Sunak calls on other G20 countries to finalise global tax deal July 9, 2021 Rishi Sunak has called on other G20 countries to “maintain momentum” over a global tax deal on the eve of a Venice summit. Sunak will meet with other G20 finance ministers and central bank governors in a bid to endorse the global tax plan that has been agreed by the G7 and the Organisation for [...]
England’s Euro 2020 performance could rally consumer spending July 8, 2021 Chancellor Rishi Sunak said he expects a “bounce” in consumer spending thanks to England reaching the Euro 2020 final. England reached their first men’s football final in 55 years on Wednesday after they fought back to beat Denmark 2-1 after extra time. Speaking to the BBC, Simon French, chief economist at Panmure Gordon, said the [...]
NHS app self-isolation tracker could change if Covid cases see a summer spiral July 8, 2021 Chancellor Rishi Sunak has hinted that the way the NHS app ‘pings’ people for self-isolation could change as Covid-19 cases are expected to rise over the summer. Businesses have become increasingly frustrated with high staff absences due to employees being told to self-isolate. “I’ve spoken to the Health Secretary about this and he’s aware of [...]