Travel policy ‘in disarray’ after u-turn on Portugal quarantine “British travel policy was in “disarray” last night as England decided against new quarantine measures for Portugal, despite tough restrictions being imposed by Scotland and Wales. In a surprise move, Westminster confirmed that Portugal would not be removed from England’s list of quarantine-free destinations even though Covid-19 […]
Tax increases will put the brakes on recovery, business leaders warn Sunak “Senior Tories and business chiefs have told Rishi Sunak that putting up taxes on businesses and pensions to pay huge coronavirus costs could damage the economy. The chancellor wants to use the autumn budget to start repairing public finances after he said last […]
Sunak ‘plans triple tax raid on the wealthy’ to pay for virus response “Treasury officials are drawing up plans for a £30bn tax raid on the wealthy, businesses, pensions and foreign aid — to plug a hole in the nation’s finances caused by the coronavirus crisis. Under proposals that are due to form the centrepiece […]
Coronavirus 1) Hancock warns of extensive lockdowns “England could face nationwide restrictions and very extensive local lockdowns in the event of a second wave of coronavirus this winter, the health secretary has warned. Matt Hancock said that under a “reasonable worst-case scenario” Britain could find itself contending with a surge in coronavirus and a bad […]
Get Britain back to work, senior Tories tell Johnson “Boris Johnson is facing calls from senior Tory MPs to give a “clear and consistent message” that it is safe for people to go back to work, amid warnings of “devastating consequences” for town and city centres. Matt Hancock, the health secretary, opened a cabinet rift by […]
Coronavirus victims ‘will be paid to go into quarantine’ “Coronavirus sufferers and their contacts will be paid to quarantine themselves amid signs that increasing numbers are refusing to self-isolate because of financial worries. People on low incomes who test positive for Covid-19 will be paid £132 for their 10-day isolation period, while people who have come […]
Secondary school pupils will wear facemasks after U‑turn “Boris Johnson will make masks mandatory for all secondary school children in areas with high levels of coronavirus amid a backlash from Tory MPs over another policy reversal. Pupils over the age of 11 will have to wear face coverings while moving around schools when they reopen next […]
Boost for Johnson in effort to reopen schools “Boris Johnson was given a boost on Monday in his efforts to reopen all schools in England next month after teaching unions lent their conditional support to the move and local authorities indicated they would not stand in the prime minister’s way. Previous efforts by ministers to […]
Nothing will have a greater effect on our children’s life chances than returning to school, says Johnson “Boris Johnson will directly appeal to parents to send their children back to school, amid fears they are the final stumbling block in the Government’s efforts to return youngsters to full-time education. The Prime Minister will say on […]
Exams crisis 1) Williamson “was on holiday as exams fiasco unfolded…” “Gavin Williamson cancelled a crucial meeting to go on holiday the week before the A-level exams fiasco, raising fresh questions about the future of the embattled education secretary. Three officials say Williamson was away in the week beginning August 3 in the seaside town […]
Johnson and Sunak split over reform of pensions “Rishi Sunak’s plans to shelve pension protections to stop big rises are being resisted by Boris Johnson who fears that they would lead to a backlash from older voters. The chancellor has publicly raised concerns about the “anomaly” caused by the “triple lock”, which is used to calculate […]
Middle-class children may be forced to take gap year “Middle-class children may be forced to take a gap year after ministers told universities to favour poorer children where places were tight. Michelle Donelan, the universities minister, has told vice-chancellors that all students should be guaranteed their first-choice course if they have the grades, although they […]
Williamson ‘was warned’ about risk of exam fiasco… “Gavin Williamson was warned directly that the A-level and GCSE grading system could lead to hundreds of thousands of students being given the wrong results but decided to push ahead, The Times can reveal. A senior source at the Department for Education disclosed that Sir Jon Coles, a […]
Williamson criticised for blaming officials “Gavin Williamson has been warned against “scapegoating” officials after the A-level grading fiasco and urged to announce an independent inquiry. The Times has been told that Jonathan Slater, permanent secretary at the Department for Education, could be ousted. Mr Williamson also repeatedly refused to say yesterday that he had confidence in […]
Exams U-turn 1) Williamson ‘set to quit before he’s sacked’… “Gavin Williamson was branded a ‘lame duck’ Education Secretary last night as senior Tories urged him to quit over the exams fiasco. MPs believe he will ultimately get the boot when the Prime Minister reshuffles his Cabinet this autumn. But former ministers insisted he should […]