PM plans further reopenings as he warns England to ‘be responsible’ July 3, 2020 Prime Minister Boris Johnson said the government will next week announce a timetable for the reopening of parts of the economy that remain shut such as swimming pools, gyms and nail bars. At a Downing Street press conference he said: “Next week we will set out a timetable for their reopening, though of course I [...]
Luke Johnson: 1m employees on furlough face redundancy September 23, 2020 Former Pizza Express boss Luke Johnson has warned that at least a million jobs could be lost in the hospitality industry as the government tightens restrictions. Speaking to BBC Newsnight, the restaurant mogul predicted that if the government cut all subsidies, “of the 3m [on furlough] at least a million, maybe more, will be made [...]
UK economy’s rebound cools amid coronavirus worries September 23, 2020 The UK economy’s recovery from lockdown “lost some of its bounce” in September as government support schemes were reduced and consumers worried about coronavirus, according to survey data. The first estimate of the IHS Markit/Cips composite purchasing managers’ index (PMI) slipped to 55.7 in September after jumping to 59.1 in August. The gauge measures how [...]
Michael Gove: Face coverings will not be mandatory in shops July 12, 2020 Face coverings will not be made mandatory inside shops by the government but it is “basic good manners” to wear one, according to Cabinet Office minister Michael Gove. Gove said today that he trusted “people’s good sense” to wear face coverings where necessary, without forcing people to do it by law. Pressure has begun to [...]
Swimming pools and gyms could reopen later in July June 24, 2020 It might be possible for swimming pools and gyms to open later in July if the UK continues to meet certain health tests, business secretary Alok Sharma said this morning. Speaking to Sky News, Sharma said: “I hope that we can allow leisure facilities to open at some point later on in July but only [...]
Rishi Sunak goes shopping as retail prepares to reopen June 14, 2020 Rishi Sunak visited a Waterstones yesterday as retail businesses across England prepare to reopen tomorrow. Sunak inspected some of the safety measures that the bookstore had implemented, such as screens between checkout workers and customers. England’s 7,000 high streets will open tomorrow as a part of the government’s easing of the lockdown. All shops that [...]
Placing London in Tier 3 would deliver ‘killer blow’ for hospitality venues December 8, 2020 Placing London in Tier 3 would represent a “killer blow” for the capital’s hospitality venues, the UK’s leading business bodies have told City A.M, amid fears that tougher restrictions lie on the horizon following a rise in infections. Latest data from Public Health England showed that London’s infection rate now stands at 169.6 per 100,000 [...]
Coronavirus: How business responded to Boris Johnson’s lockdown plan May 10, 2020 Business groups have welcomed Boris Johnson’s call for millions of people to return to work but called for clearer guidance on how to maintain safety standards and support furloughed employees. In a speech this evening Johnson said that anyone who cannot work from home — such as those in construction and manufacturing — should be [...]
Sadiq Khan: London’s hard-hit businesses need more support in Tier 3 December 14, 2020 The Mayor of London, Sadiq Khan, responds to the news that London is set to enter Tier 3 restrictions from Wednesday. The Government has decided to move London into Tier 3 from one minute past midnight on Wednesday morning. This is incredibly disappointing for our businesses who have suffered so much already this year. But [...]
UK draws up three-stage plan for easing coronavirus lockdown May 6, 2020 The UK has drawn up a three-point plan to ease the coronavirus lockdown, the Times reported. The government must review the lockdown by 7 May, but Prime Minister Boris Johnson has said he is worried that a speedy reopening could cause a second spike in cases. The first phase of relaxation will involve outdoor workplaces [...]