UK

UK government faces flak for COVID procurement

Ren Leen November 18, 2020

LONDON (UK) – The British government did not properly document key decisions nor was it open enough about billions of pounds of contracts handed out during the COVID-19 pandemic, its spending watchdog has said, as critics accuse ministers of running a “chumocracy”. The

Finance

UK inflation goes high as COVID affects some prices

Editorial Bureau November 18, 2020

LONDON (UK) – British inflation picked up by a little more than expected in October as the COVID-19 pandemic continued to affect the cost of goods, with clothing and food prices rising during the month, official data showed on Wednesday. Consumer prices rose 0.7% in annual terms, after a 0.5% rise in September, the Office […]

UK

Bailey demands banks to strive towards post-COVID recovery

Editorial Bureau November 17, 2020

LONDON (UK) – Britain’s economy is undergoing lasting changes as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic and the financial services industry must make a “major commitment” to support the investment that will be needed, Bank of England Governor Andrew Bailey said. While the pandemic was unlikely to prompt the huge shifts in Britain’s industrial

UK

PM Johnson goes into self-isolation after COVID-19 contact

Ren Leen November 16, 2020

LONDON (UK) – British Prime Minister Boris Johnson is self-isolating after coming into contact with someone who tested positive for COVID-19. This has come after the ongoing spat among his top advisers took Downing Street into a further state of chaos last week. A spokesman for the prime minister said on Sunday Johnson, who was […]

UK

UK records 194 new COVID-19 deaths

Editorial Bureau November 9, 2020

LONDON (UK) – The United Kingdom reported a total of 194 new deaths from COVID-19 on Monday, up from 156 a day earlier, and data showed the weekly total of 2,385 deaths was up by 28.6% compared with the previous seven-day period. Government data also recorded 21,350 new cases of the novel coronavirus, bringing the […]

UK

Oxford COVID-19 vaccine results likely to be out next month

Editorial Bureau November 4, 2020

LONDON (UK) – The University of Oxford hopes to present late-stage trial results on its COVID-19 vaccine candidate this year, raising hopes that Britain could start to roll out a successful vaccine in late December or early 2021. A vaccine that works is seen as a game-changer in the battle against the coronavirus, which has […]

UK

Britain’s National Grid cautions of tightness of systems for Wednesday

Ren Leen November 4, 2020

LONDON/OSLO (UK) – Britain’s National Grid has send out an electricity margin notice (EMN) for Wednesday evening as it seeks to increase spare capacity amid a tight power system. National Grid is responsible for ensuring supply and demand are balanced in Britain’s energy systems. The electricity system will be particularly tight between 16.30-18.30 GMT,

UK

PM Johnson says COVID tests to be rolled out on a scale never seen before

Ren Leen November 4, 2020

LONDON (UK) – British Prime Minister Boris Johnson said on Wednesday his government would roll out new types of COVID-19 testing “on a scale never seen before” when a new lockdown in England expires on Dec. 2. “At the expiry of this period on December 2 … we will be rolling out across this country […]

UK

UK records 397 COVID deaths, highest daily toll in months

Editorial Bureau November 4, 2020

LONDON (UK) – The United Kingdom reported 397 new deaths from COVID-19 on Tuesday, the highest daily figure since May 27. The government prepares to impose a national lockdown in England to prevent a wave of infections threatening the health service. The UK, which has the biggest official death toll in Europe from COVID-19, is […]

UK

Johnson says he will do whatever it takes to support British business

Editorial Bureau November 4, 2020

LONDON (UK) – British Prime Minister Boris Johnson promised on Wednesday to do everything it takes to support British businesses, so as to help them bounce back from the coronavirus pandemic. He said in a pre-recorded video address to the Confederation of British Industry annual conference, “We will do whatever it takes to back British […]