What counts as a substantial meal under new Tier 2 rules for pubs? December 2, 2020 Scotch eggs were first mentioned in the House of Commons in 1979 by Labour MP George Cunningham, who said the proposed introduction of pub meals was little more than a decoy to sell more booze. Pub food would “likely result in the sale of liquor — and that is what we are talking about rather [...]
Tier system may cause increase in chronic illness, government review finds November 30, 2020 Tougher restrictions under the new three-tier system may have a knock-on effect that could see a spike in “morbidity and mortality of certain long-term conditions”, a government review has found. In its analysis of the health and economic effects of the tier system, the government found that a modest rise in unemployment may exacerbate chronic [...]
Exclusive: Government U-turns on claim that ’70 per cent’ of England’s PPE is made in the UK November 27, 2020 The government has made an apparent U-turn on claims that 70 per cent of England’s personal protective equipment (PPE) supply is made in the UK, following an admission that it does not hold any official figures on where PPE is manufactured, City A.M. can reveal. The Department for Health and Social Care (DHSC) in September [...]
London to enter Tier 2 next Wednesday November 26, 2020 London will return to Tier 2 when England’s national lockdown lifts next Wednesday, the government has announced. Liverpool will join the capital on “high alert” on 2 December, while Manchester, Lancashire, Blackpool, Kent and Birmingham will enter Tier 3. Just three regions — the Isle of Wight, Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly — will [...]
Out of Covid isolation, Johnson to give press conference today November 26, 2020 PM Boris Johnson will hold a press conference later today to explain local Covid-19 restrictions, Reuters reports, meaning he will emerge from self isolation two weeks after attending meeting with a MPs infected with the novel coronavirus. Downing Street announced on 15 November that Johnson, who was admitted to intensive care in a London hospital [...]
Majority of vulnerable Brits to receive Covid vaccine by Easter, says Johnson November 23, 2020 The majority of vulnerable Brits should have received a vaccine against coronavirus by Easter, Boris Johnson tonight said. Speaking in a press conference after today’s announcement of a new, tougher system of restrictions for the winter, the Prime Minister hailed the prospect of a number of working vaccines. “With a favourable wind we should be [...]
MPs demand answers from Rishi Sunak on PPE procurement November 20, 2020 MPs have demanded an explanation from chancellor Rishi Sunak on the government’s awarding of contracts to procure personal protective equipment (PPE) during the pandemic, following a damning report from the UK’s accounts watchdog. At least £18bn-worth of PPE contracts signed by the government showed “a lack of transparency” and were missing essential paperwork, the National [...]
Boris Johnson tests negative for coronavirus November 17, 2020 Boris Johnson has tested negative for coronavirus after taking a rapid Covid-19 test, the Prime Minister’s spokesperson has confirmed. Johnson will continue to self-isolate at Number 10 despite not having the virus and claiming he was “bursting with antibodies”, after being told to do so by NHS Test and Trace. The PM on Sunday announced [...]
Labour turns spotlight on Covid deals between government and Tory donors November 15, 2020 The Shadow Leader of the House of Commons, Valerie Vaz, has said a public inquiry is needed following the publication of a ‘map’ of deals between the UK government, multiple Conservative Party donors, several Tory MPs and some of their family members. Vaz, Labour MP for Walsall South, calls for an investigation into claims made [...]
Cummings to leave Downing Street with immediate effect November 13, 2020 Boris Johnson’s chief adviser Dominic Cummings is leaving Downing Street immediately. Cummings will continue to work until mid-December, and another senior aide will serve as temporary chief of staff, Johnson’s office said on Friday. “The Prime Minister has today asked Sir Edward Lister to take on the role of chief of staff for an interim [...]