Business

UK pub group Marston’s hints at more job slashes as new virus curbs kick in

Editorial Bureau October 15, 2020

LONDON (UK) – Amid the new round of coronavirus curbs in Britain, pub operator Marston’s said on Thursday that as many as 2,150 employees currently on furloughs would be affected because of a drop of 30% in annual sales. “The introduction of these further restrictions and

Europe

Ireland witnesses sharp rise in COVID-19 jobless claims

Editorial Bureau October 13, 2020

DUBLIN (GERMANY) – The number of people seeking temporary Irish jobless benefits will increase by up to 115,000 if the government implements stricter COVID-19 restrictions, according to the public expenditure department forecast on Tuesday. Ireland last week shut indoor restaurant and pub service for at least three weeks when it moved all counties up to […]

UK

Surveys say consumers apprehensive about new COVID restrictions

Ren Leen October 13, 2020

LONDON (UK) – According to surveys published on Tuesday, consumers ramped up their expenditure sharply last month. Some households began their Christmas shopping early ahead of possible new coronavirus restrictions. Credit card provider Barclaycard said spending increased at the fastest rate. Separate data from retailers exhibited sales values at major store chains,

UK

UK must act now, says deputy chief medical officer

Editorial Bureau October 11, 2020

LONDON (UK) – The deputy chief medical officer for England said on Sunday that Britain is at a “tipping point” in the coronavirus crisis. He also said that the country must act now to stop history repeating itself, urging people to follow the rules. With the number of cases rapidly rising particularly in the north […]

Finance

Defaults, fraud could bleed British COVID loan scheme of 26 billion pounds

Editorial Bureau October 7, 2020

LONDON (UK) – The UK’s spending watchdog said on Wednesday that criminals might have hoarded billions of pounds by exploiting a government scheme to help British businesses affected by the pandemic crisis and large losses are expected from companies unable to repay loans. Britain introduced the Bounce Back Loan Scheme in early May to help […]

UK

Prince William voices for action on climate change

Editorial Bureau October 5, 2020

LONDON (UK) – Prince William has voiced his concerns about rising sea levels and the impacts climate change has had, in a television documentary to be aired in Britain on Monday, the ITV channel reported. William was talking about the same during an interview, on the royal Sandringham Estate, which is located in East Anglia. […]

UK

Britain should tackle structural racism, say Harry and Meghan

Editorial Bureau October 1, 2020

LONDON (UK) – Meghan and Prince Harry urged Britain to tackle “structural racism” which they blamed for holding young people of colour back, said The Evening Standard in a report. The grandson of Queen Elizabeth said in an interview with the newspaper that the country would be a better place if Whites understood more about […]

UK

University students will be able to go home for Christmas, says Williamson

Editorial Bureau September 29, 2020

LONDON (UK) – Students of British universities will be able to go home for Christmas despite the pandemic lockdowns which have impacted the student community in many parts of the country, said Education Secretary Gavin Williamson on Tuesday. “We are going to work with universities to make sure that all students are supported to return […]

UK

UK should woo talented people from around the world: Johnson

Editorial Bureau September 29, 2020

LONDON (UK) – Prime Minister Boris Johnson said on Tuesday he supported attracting talented people from overseas to the country in the wake of the migrant advisory committee reporting shortages of workers in certain professions. “I remain very, very open to this country being a beacon for scientific geniuses who want to come here, talented […]

UK

As Brexit talks get underway, Britain, EU still remain far apart

Editorial Bureau September 28, 2020

BRUSSELS/LONDON (BELGIUM/UK) – A post-Brexit trade agreement was still some way off, said the EU and Britain on Monday, adding that differences were still there as they began their negotiations in Brussels. Britain quit the bloc last January and is holding discussions on striking a new trade agreement which will come into existence next year […]