Why the government must give more support to London’s hospitality sector October 1, 2020 Hospitality and tourism have felt the force of Covid-19 like no other sector. Green shoots started to emerge during the summer months, as Eat Out to Help Out, a staycation boom and the warm weather put much-needed cash in the registers of hotels and restaurants across the UK. While London remained quiet, there was some [...]
London faces emergency two-week lockdown as UK hospital deaths hit highest since July September 29, 2020 Ministers are drawing up plans to enforce sweeping lockdown measures across the country including a ban on household mixing in London, as new coronavirus infections continue to rise. Pubs, restaurants and bars may be forced to shutter for two weeks in both the North of England and in London, marking a return to so-called circuit [...]
Night-time businesses slam 10pm curfew as ‘devastating’ September 22, 2020 Businesses in the UK’s night-time economy have slammed the Prime Minister’s announcement of a 10pm curfew on venues for up to six months as “devastating”, and warned that it will lead to wide-scale business collapse and unemployment. Boris Johnson today announced a 10pm curfew on all hospitality and leisure venues in England in a bid [...]
Rishi Sunak considers German-style wage subsidy scheme September 23, 2020 Chancellor Rishi Sunak is weighing up a new scheme to subsidise workers’ wages to replace furlough, perhaps along the lines of the German short-time work scheme, as he tries to limit the economic impact of the latest coronavirus restrictions. It comes after Prime Minister Boris Johnson implemented new rules that will see pubs shut at [...]
Brand London: How will the capital change after Covid and Brexit? April 29, 2021 As the UK gradually emerges from lockdown, the deserted streets of London are beginning to show hints of their former vibrancy. But a return to normality will be far from straightforward. Not only has London been left reeling from the Covid-19 pandemic, it is still working through the fallout from Brexit, which has sparked a [...]
Chancellor Rishi Sunak to unveil lifeline for virus-hit businesses March 17, 2020 Chancellor Rishi Sunak is today expected to unveil a raft of additional measures to help the economy amid fears the coronavirus outbreak could put some firms out of business. In a joint press conference with Prime Minister Boris Johnson, scheduled for today, the chancellor will offer a larger bail-out fund for struggling firms, according to [...]
Brits binge eat, drink more and exercise less during lockdown July 27, 2020 People in the UK have been binge eating, drinking more alcohol and exercising less during the coronavirus lockdown, according to a new study. An online survey of around 800 adults in England were asked about their health and habits during lockdown in late June and early July. It found a sharp rise in anxiety and [...]
Rishi Sunak rolls out more financial support after sinking businesses demand immediate lifeline January 5, 2021 Rishi Sunak has set out plans to offer more financial support to businesses struggling under England’s third nationwide lockdown. Retail, hospitality and leisure businesses are set to receive a one-off grant of up to £9,000 per property to help them survive. Taxpayers will fork out another £4bn for the business grants, which will benefit more [...]
Reading attacks: Government undertaking ‘biggest overhaul of terrorism laws in decades’ June 22, 2020 The government is currently undertaking the “biggest overhaul” of anti-terrorism laws in decades, Priti Patel said today, as the home secretary visited the site of a terror attack in Reading that took place over the weekend. A 25-year-old man, named yesterday as Khairi Saadallah, is currently being detained under terrorism powers after the stabbings on [...]
Revealed: Government’s 50-page plan to end coronavirus lockdown May 11, 2020 The government has published a 50-page coronavirus recovery strategy that outlines key dates to restart the UK economy after lockdown. Prime Minister Boris Johnson today advised that “non-essential” English retailers could be allowed to open as soon as 1 June. Some pubs, restaurants and cinemas could open as early as 4 July as a part [...]