London sees biggest drop in Covid case rate as capital stays indoors January 21, 2021 London has reported the biggest drop in Covid case rates among English regions, as scientists’ warnings that hospitalis may soon be overwhelmed reverberate around the capital. The average number of infections in London fell to around 630 per 100,000 people last week, according to the latest official figures — down from 865 in the first [...]
Millions of Brits still missing out on self-employment grants January 21, 2021 The government has faced mounting calls to increase the number of grants for self-employed workers, after the spending watchdog yesterday warned millions are still missing out on financial support. A survey of more than 6,000 households released today by the Office for National Statistics’ (ONS) found that only 24 per cent of self-employed people had [...]
UK reports a record 1,820 daily coronavirus deaths January 20, 2021 The UK has recorded a further 1,820 Covid-related deaths in the past 24 hours, marking the highest daily jump since the start of the pandemic. The figure takes the total number of fatalities within 28 days of a positive Covid test to 93,290. A further 38,905 people tested positive for coronavirus in the past 24 [...]
Maskforce: TfL beefs up enforcement of face coverings January 20, 2021 Transport for London (TfL) has hardened its stance against passengers refusing to wear face coverings, after figures released today showed it has handed out almost 2,000 fines for mask-flouters. TfL announced it has expanded its team of enforcement officers to crack down on a “small minority” of the public refusing to comply with social distancing [...]
London is lowest-vaccinated region in England despite highest population density January 20, 2021 London is currently the lowest-vaccinated region in England, according to the latest official figures, despite having the highest population density. Data from NHS England showed that just under 440,000 people in London have been vaccinated against coronavirus to date — the lowest figure for any English region. The figure is almost half the number of [...]
Sadiq Khan backs CBI’s calls for furlough extension January 19, 2021 The mayor of London has backed calls from the CBI for further financial support for businesses, saying current deadlines create a "financial cliff edge"
London schools could be first to reopen in ‘regional return’ for pupils, says medical adviser January 19, 2021 Schools in London could be among the first to reopen after England’s third national lockdown as infection rates across the capital continue to decline, the deputy chief medical officer has said. Speaking to MPs at an education committee meeting, Dr Jenny Harries said there would “likely” be regional differences in Covid measures once England exits [...]
Scotland extends lockdown until at least mid-February January 19, 2021 Scotland has extended its nationwide lockdown until at least the middle of February, first minister Nicola Sturgeon has announced. The Scottish premier told MSPs that transmission of the virus appeared to be on the decline, but was still too high to lift restrictions. Speaking in the Scottish Parliament, Sturgeon said: “The Cabinet decided this morning [...]
Dido Harding defends £1,000-a-day consultants for Test and Trace January 18, 2021 NHS Test and Trace boss Dido Harding has defended spending upwards of £1,000-a-day on consultants for the beleaguered contact tracing programme. During a grilling from the Public Accounts Committee, Harding told MPs she felt it was “appropriate” to bring in external help in “extreme emergency circumstances using short-term contingent labour and consultants for some of [...]
Patient admitted to hospital ‘every 30 seconds’ as Covid hospitalisations hit record January 18, 2021 “Someone is admitted to hospital with coronavirus every 30 seconds,” the health secretary has said, as hospitalisations continue to hit fresh heights amid the rapid spread of new Covid mutations. There are currently 37,475 people in UK hospitals with coronavirus, with more than a tenth on ventilators. “That is the highest that it’s been throughout [...]