Universal Credit support to be reviewed by govt January 25, 2021 The government plans to review the support those on welfare receive during the pandemic, the work and pensions minister said today. Minister Therese Coffey, when asked whether a boost to Universal Credit would be extended, said that the benefit is being reviewed. “We’re in active discussion with the Treasury, working together to try and make [...]
10.5m Brits could not last another month without income January 22, 2021 One in five of adults in the UK could not support their household for one month if they lost their source of income, a report revealed. After a third lockdown gripped the nation, 10.5m British adults have been found to have no financial buffer, digital financial coaching app Claro said today. With financial strain disproportionately [...]
Navalny aide sent to prison to stifle tomorrow’s mass protests in Russia January 22, 2021 The press secretary for poisoned Russian opposition leader Alexei Navalny has been sentenced to nine days in prison today following a police roundup of several opposition aides. Navalny aide Kira Yarmysh tweeted during her arrest today, saying that police threatened to break down her door while detaining her. Continuing to tweet from custody, she said [...]
London mayoral election campaigns kick off despite lockdown January 22, 2021 The London mayoral election seems to kick off in earnest today as one of the underdog candidates will tour London in a Covid-secure tech bus. Mayoral candidate Brian Rose will go up against a current Mayor Sadiq Khan and travel the city in a tech-fitted bus, which includes a live-streaming TV studio. The businessman – [...]
London buses converted into temporary ambulances to ease Covid pressure January 21, 2021 Two London buses have been converted into temporary ambulances to alleviate the pressure of Covid-19 on the NHS across the capital. Starting the service in the next few days, NHS staff have been prepped and vaccinated to transport up to four patients in the makeshift ambulances which have been stripped of seats and adapted with [...]
Tate & Lyle appoints new finance chief following CFO’s departure for Tesco January 21, 2021 Tate & Lyle announced this morning the appointment of a new chief financial officer. Vivid Sehgal will take up the role in May but he plans to join the board of directors in March to work alongside the current chief financial officer Imran Nawaz. Current CFO Nawaz announced his departure in October as he moves [...]
Return of the Ma: Alibaba’s Jack is back after three-month lack January 20, 2021 Alibaba founder Jack Ma has made his first appearance today since disappearing from the public eye in October, driving up shares in the e-commerce giant. Speaking to a group of teachers over a video call, Ma eased concerns over his absence following Beijing’s regulatory crackdown on his e-commerce empire. Alibaba has been subject to an [...]
City Moves for 20 January: Who is switching jobs in the Square Mile this week? January 20, 2021 Snakes and Ladders provides a roundup of the most important hires and job moves across the City, every Wednesday afternoon. Email [email protected] to be featured. Real estate and construction companies appear to be bustling in the capital with new projects and appointments across the UK. This week, Cromwell, Redrow and Savills boosted their firms with new appointments and [...]
British Gas engineers extend strike over company’s fire-and-rehire policy January 20, 2021 British Gas engineers extended their second five-day strike to seven this morning amid the company strategy to fire and rehire workers on poorer conditions, union GMB said. GMB National Secretary Justin Bowden said: “British Gas engineers are being fired and rehired and have been left with no choice but to take action again.” However, according to British Gas parent company Centrica, it has [...]
British lawyer pulls out of high-profile Hong Kong case following ‘pressure’ from UK January 20, 2021 A British prosecutor set to lead the case against media mogul Jimmy Lai and several pro-democracy activists has withdrawn after ‘pressure’ from the UK, Hong Kong’s Department of Justice said this morning. Hired by the Hong Kong government, David Perry QC indicated that “the trial should proceed without him”, the Department of Justice said in [...]
