PM expected to relax social distancing measures tomorrow June 22, 2020 Prime Minister Boris Johnson is expected to reveal the outcome of a review into social distancing measures tomorrow, which could see the two-metre gap relaxed. Non-essential stores have already been allowed to reopen in England, while some services will resume in Wales today. Meanwhile a mandate to wear face coverings on public transport comes into [...]
Sadiq Khan urges ministers to build more London council houses to ease post-pandemic inequality October 21, 2020 Mayor of London Sadiq Khan has urged ministers to significantly increase the number of council houses in London, in a bid to offset increasing wealth disparities caused by the Covid-19 pandemic. Khan today launched a major new report calling on the government to “stop blocking the aspiration of London’s councils to build” and urging ministers [...]
Daily coronavirus cases hit highest level since 1 May September 23, 2020 There were 6,178 new confirmed cases of coronavirus in the UK today, the highest figure since 1 May, government data showed. The new figure is roughly a quarter higher than yesterday, when there were 4,926 cases, the Department of Health and Social Care said. There were also 37 new deaths from the disease, which is [...]
Two metre social distancing rule ‘would leave many small businesses unable to make profit’ June 10, 2020 Many of the country’s small companies will not be viable unless two metre social distancing rules are relaxed, the Federation of Small Businesses (FSB) has claimed. Ahead of non-essential shops reopening next week, FSB chairman Mike Cherry this afternoon added to pressure on the government to cut the nationwide two metre rule, which has already [...]
Sir Lenny Henry leads campaign urging black Britons to get Covid vaccine March 30, 2021 Comedian Sir Lenny Henry has led a fresh campaign urging black Britons to get vaccinated against coronavirus, after new figures revealed huge differences in vaccine uptake between ethnic groups. The BAFTA winner joined celebrities such as actors Chiwetel Ejiofor and Thandie Newton calling for people to “trust the facts about the vaccine, from our own professors, doctors, [...]
The government is ignoring Covid science and hospitality is paying the price, says D&D boss November 24, 2020 Des Gunewardena is Chairman and CEO of D&D London, the restaurant group behind brands including Bluebird, Angler, 14 Hills and Coq d’Argent. Here he lays out where the government has failed the hospitality sector and gives a plan for how it could still salvage something from the most important month of the year. So we’ve finally [...]
Retirement villages may offer high streets their needed post-pandemic revival May 24, 2021 Retirement village provider Audley Group and BlackRock Real Assets have embarked on a £500m joint venture into the retirement living sector in the UK, which could bring high streets the much-needed footfall for post-pandemic revival. The joint venture, confirmed yesterday, will fund the development of at least three retirement communities, which will be ready for [...]
PM threatens to ‘intervene’ over Manchester’s Tier 3 lockdown refusal October 16, 2020 Prime Minister Boris Johnson has urged Manchester’s mayor Andy Burnham to “reconsider” his opposition to new coronavirus restrictions, and said he would “intervene” if progress in talks is not made. Burnham has resisted the government’s plans to put Manchester under “high alert”, meaning it would face the tightest restrictions. The Labour mayor has argued that [...]
Brits ignore PM’s diet plea as spending on takeaways surges September 8, 2020 Worried about the nation’s weight, Prime Minister Boris Johnson launched an anti-obesity drive in July. But the latest spending data suggests Britons resoundingly ignored his advice. Spending on takeaways and fast food jumped 20.7 per cent year on year in August, according to Barclaycard data released today. That was the biggest rise since the measure [...]
Guinness owner Diageo delays full-year results on pandemic impact June 22, 2020 Diageo is pushing back the publication of its full-year results by five days to allow more time for its auditors to assess the impact of the coronavirus pandemic. “[The delay] will allow Diageo and its auditors, PwC, sufficient time to complete the process of preparing and reviewing the results, given the practical challenges of remote [...]