Germany to reopen shops and restart football in lockdown easing plan May 6, 2020 Germany’s federal government and its 16 states have agreed a plan to loosen lockdown restrictions, with shops to reopen and Bundesliga football to restart. Social distancing rules will continue for another month in Germany and schools are likely to only gradually reopen. Germany’s states have agreed to take responsibility for the timing of the reopening [...]
The proposal to scrap jury trials is an assault on the cornerstone of our justice system June 26, 2020 You might have missed it in the outpouring of excitement over the reopening of pubs next weekend, but coronavirus could be about to claim a new victim: trial by jury. On Tuesday, while the Prime Minister was unveiling a mass relaxation of lockdown restrictions, justice secretary Robert Buckland was informing MPs that legislation to dramatically [...]
Fears for jobs at Pret A Manger after ‘leaked video reveals sales downturn’ June 22, 2020 A leaked video revealing how Pret A Manger’s sales have plummeted throughout the coronavirus lockdown has prompted fears that job cuts could be on the cards at the sandwich chain. In the clip, Pret boss Pano Christou told staff in an online meeting that an announcement about the “job situation” would be made on 8 [...]
UK coronavirus lockdown: Sports Direct asks if staff count as key workers March 24, 2020 Mike Ashley’s Sports Direct and Evans Cycles stores will now remain closed unless the government gives them permission to stay open during the UK coronavirus lockdown. Bosses earlier claimed the stores are vital to the health of the nation, giving staff so-called key worker status. Under new measures announced by Prime Minister Boris Johnson last [...]
UK unemployment rises ahead of coronavirus hit March 17, 2020 UK unemployment rose in the three months to January although Britain continued to add jobs, suggesting the labour market tightened before coronavirus began to spread through the country. Unemployment rose to 3.8 per cent, up 0.2 percentage points from the previous quarter. Yet the employment rate also rose, hitting 76.5 per cent, a joint record [...]
Exclusive: Westminster denies firms business rates relief for empty offices during lockdown June 17, 2020 Central London companies whose staff abandoned offices to work remotely during the coronavirus lockdown have been refused business rates relief, City A.M. can reveal. Westminster City Council has refused to grant the relief to office-based businesses such as accountants, law firms, and consultancies despite their workspaces remaining empty over the period. The move has sparked [...]
FTSE 100 surges after restrictions ‘not as tough’ as feared but US stocks mixed September 23, 2020 The FTSE 100 jumped as it continued to recover from Monday’s rout, while US stocks were mixed as investors weighed up the chances of fresh stimulus. London’s blue-chip index was up 1.7 per cent at 5,926 points, edging it closer to the 6,000 threshold. The FTSE 250 was up 1.05 per cent. Read more: Coronavirus: [...]
Sterling falls to six-month low as UK tightens virus measures March 17, 2020 Sterling dropped to its lowest level against the dollar in roughly six months today as the UK ramped up its measures to halt the spread of coronavirus. The pound fell as much as 0.6 per cent to $1.219 this morning — its lowest level since early September. Against the euro it edged up 0.2 per [...]
UK coronavirus deaths jump by 186 to hit 43,414 June 26, 2020 UK coronavirus deaths increased by 186 overnight days before England is set to ease its lockdown, official data showed today. That took the official UK death toll to 43,414, according to Department of Health data. However, including suspected cases, UK coronavirus deaths are believed to have exceeded 50,000. Today’s figure is the third day running [...]
Coronavirus lockdown: Boris Johnson tells millions to get back to work May 10, 2020 Thousands of workplaces across England have been told to open up from tomorrow and people will be able to spend more time outside from Wednesday, after Boris Johnson outlined the government’s three-stage roadmap for easing the coronavirus lockdown. The Prime Minister said during a pre-recorded address tonight that “anyone who can’t work from home” such [...]