Matt Hancock’s plans to scrap Public Health England (PHE) is a “desperate attempt at blame shifting” for the government’s coronavirus failings, critics have said. The government has been accused of trying to “scapegoat” the organisation for their own failings in dealing with the pandemic after reports emerged that the health secretary will announce this week […]
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The government is considering introducing an age-tax on over-40s to help fund the UK’s crisis-hit social care sector. A report that ministers are studying radical plans to hike tax or national insurance contributions for people aged over 40 has caused outrage after the Guardian claims the new plans will compel people to “insure themselves against […]
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The UK’s most senior civil servant has announced he will stand down in September following months of tension at the heart of Downing Street. Number 10 has blamed the top mandarin for the government’s coronavirus failings as well as blocking reforms in Whitehall so the departure of Sir Mark Sedwill – the cabinet secretary, head […]
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Labour has called for an inquiry into the planning row surrounding the housing secretary Robert Jenrick and Tory donor and property developer Richard Desmond. Calls for Jenrick’s resignation have escalated since documents were released yesterday (Wednesday) revealing the secretary of state for housing and planning over-ruled advisors and was “insistent” Desmond’s controversial development was approved […]
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UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson is set to announce on Tuesday his new plans for the coronavirus lockdown, among which are the reopening of the hospitality sector and the reduction of two-metre social distancing rule. ITV.com reported on Monday that Johnson will sit with chief scientific adviser Patrick Vallance and chief medical officer for England […]
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Three Europe-based airlines have sued the UK government for its “flawed” plan to quarantine all inbound travellers, saying the move will threaten tourism and the economy. In a joint statement, British Airways, Easyjet, and Ryanair said that they sued the government to force judges to review a new rule from the British Home Office that […]
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Consumer spending in the United Kingdom contracted by over a third last month as a result of retail shops shutting to reduce the impact of the coronavirus on their businesses. Data from Barclaycard—Britain’s largest credit and debit card provider—showed that consumer spending in April plunged by as much as 36.5% as compared with the same […]
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The UK government is set to scrap sales tax on essential protective equipment as it seeks to help reduce the expenses of non-profit organisations such as care homes, charities, as well as businesses. On Thursday, the Ministry of Finance said the sales tax cut would save more than 100 million pounds for those buying medical […]
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Flag carrier British Airways Public Limited Company is set to lay off thousands of its employees amid the huge drop in air travel demand over fears of the coronavirus outbreak. The company revealed in a letter to the British Airline Pilots Association (BALPA) Union on Tuesday that it would let go of 1,130 flight captains […]
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The UK government is offering government-backed rescue loans to small businesses that took a beating from the global pandemic. The plan came after calls on the government to revamp its emergency loan scheme following denied support for thousands of cash-starved firms. Chancellor Rishi Sunak said small businesses are guaranteed of bounce-back loans with full backing […]
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