Michael Gove has warned UK businesses of “bumpy” moments ahead as the new arrangement with the EU comes into effect while individuals have been told to check their phone contracts, health insurance and passports if they plan to travel to the EU. British citizens not travelling to the EU have also been told they face […]
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The number of workers made redundant in the UK has soared to a record high in the three months to October – the original date for the end of the job furlough scheme. Figures released by the Office of National Statistics (ONS) show 819,000 fewer workers on company payrolls compared to pre-pandemic levels – a […]
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The UK’s richest man and prominent Brexiter Sir Jim Ratcliffe has scrapped plans to manufacture his new 4×4 vehicle in Wales, choosing instead a former Mercedes-Benz factory in France. Ratcliffe’s Ineos company will build its Grenadier vehicle – described as the “British” successor to the iconic Land Rover Defender – after receiving “a unique opportunity […]
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Wales has announced a ban on alcohol sales in bars, restaurants and cafes starting on Friday (December 4), while shops in England will get the go ahead to trade 24-hours-a-day in the run up to Christmas and beyond. Wales’ first minister Mark Drakeford said the rising rate of coronavirus infection in Wales requires new rules, […]
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The chancellor’s plan to combat the UK’s worst recession for 300 years has been attacked for its cuts to international aid spending that one former Tory minister claims will cause “100,000 preventable deaths, mainly among children.” Critics have also hit out at other parts of Rishi Sunak’s historic spending review which will see the government […]
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The highly critical National Audit Office report into the government’s awarding of £18 billion in procurement deals has been overshadowed by infighting in the Labour party and the prime minister’s green plan for the UK. The parliamentary watchdog made a number of startling findings including a lack of transparency, failures to explain why certain suppliers […]
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Chancellor Rishi Sunak unveiled his fourth winter economic plan in six weeks by announcing the extension of the furlough scheme until March. It means the government will pay 80% of workers’ wages with companies paying national insurance and pension contributions. Support for self-employed had also been extended and the amount increased from previous Treasury statements. […]
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Boris Johnson will impose a national lockdown on England on Thursday to save the NHS from the second wave of coronavirus advancing through the country. Announcing the new lockdown which will last until at least December 2, Johnson said: “We must act now to contain this autumn surge”. The prime minister was warned the health […]
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Northern Tory MPs have hit out at a letter by 20 of their southern Conservative colleagues – pushing for Manchester to accept tighter Covid restrictions – as “ill advised”. Labour mayor of Greater Manchester Andy Burnham also hit back at what he called an “I’m alright Jack” letter signed by a score of Tory MPs […]
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Business leaders, metro mayors and northern politicians have given a mixed reaction to Rishi Sunak’s announcement that the government will pay 67% of wages for staff in businesses forced to shut because of Covid-19 restrictions. The chancellor described the expanded jobs support scheme as a safety net to protect jobs over a difficult winter period […]
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