Corona Impact Series: How the pandemic accelerated this e-scooter provider’s expansion plans March 12, 2021 In this series, City PM looks at the financial and economic impact of the ongoing pandemic on a range of small and medium-sized businesses across London. This week: How an e-scooter startup from Slough plans to conquer the capital as it is taking advantage of favourable post-pandemic government policies. Electric scooters are increasingly a common [...]
Thailand joins Nordic countries in halting Astrazeneca vaccine rollout March 12, 2021 Thailand has joined a list of countries in delaying the rollout of the Astrazeneca vaccine over reports of blood clots among patients, as scepticism over the Oxford vaccine continues to spread across the globe. Denmark, Iceland and Norway suspended vaccinations using the Astrazeneca jab yesterday during an investigation into a blood clot-related death of a patient in [...]
Rishi Sunak defends Eat Out To Help Out but rules out repeat this summer March 12, 2021 The chancellor has defended last year’s Eat Out To Help Out scheme despite concerns it caused a spike in coronavirus cases, though he ruled out reintroducing it after lockdown restrictions are lifted. In evidence to MPs yesterday, Rishi Sunak that there was so much “pent-up” demand for meals and pints out among consumers that there [...]
England banned from Easter holidays in Wales March 12, 2021 People in England will not be allowed to holiday in Wales when self-catered accommodation reopens at Easter, First Minister Mark Drakeford has said. Drakeford told BBC Radio 4’s Today programme that he hoped tourism would be open to people outside of Wales by the summer if coronavirus cases continue to fall at the current rate. [...]
Furlough scheme ‘disproportionately’ affects women, study finds March 12, 2021 The government’s furlough has “disproportionately” affected women, who are over-represented in jobs most vulnerable to closures during the pandemic, according to a new study. Research carried out by the Global Institute for Women’s Leadership at King’s College London found women were more likely to be furloughed for longer periods of time than men during the coronavirus [...]
Analysts: UK economy ‘like a punchdrunk boxer hanging off the ropes’ March 12, 2021 UK’s GDP shrank by 2.9 per cent in January, it was announced this morning, blowing a “cold snap” through the UK economy as a third national lockdown was imposed. Analysts were torn as to whether the harsh fall is a glass of cold water to the face, or better than what was forecast. January’s figures [...]
Where to eat and drink outdoors in London from 12 April March 12, 2021 With exactly a month to go until bars and restaurants with outdoor seating are allowed to reopen on 12 April, we’re daring to dream of a time when we can meet up with friends and support the hospitality industry. We’ve collected a list of our favourite outdoor spots across London, which we’ll update throughout the [...]
Novavax vaccine 86 per cent effective against Kent variant of Covid-19 March 11, 2021 Novavax tonight said that its Covid-19 vaccine was 86.3 per cent effective against the so-called Kent variant of coronavirus. The pharma firm said that the vaccine was even more effective against the original strain of the disease, with efficacy clocking 96.4 per cent. It added that the vaccine was 100 per cent effective in preventing [...]
EU regulator approves Johnson & Johnson’s one-shot Covid vaccine March 11, 2021 The European Medicines Agency (EMA) has authorised Johnson & Johnson’s one-shot coronavirus vaccine, in a major boost for the EU’s vaccine portfolio amid ongoing shortage disputes. The EU medicines regulator today announced its recommendation for the J&J vaccine to be used in all over-18s “after a thorough evaluation” of data found the jab met the [...]
France eases restrictions on travellers from the UK March 11, 2021 France has today become the latest country to lift restrictions on travellers from the UK, its foreign ministry has announced. According to a statement from the Quai d’Orsay, travellers from the UK, as well as six other countries, will no longer need a “compelling reason” to travel to France. However, people will still be required [...]
