News- UK

Companies ready to defy Boris Johnson's planned return to work Guardian analysis finds many large England-based firms opt to keep staff working at homeEngland: sector-by-sector look at work plans of major employersFuture shape of offices: proposals to make workplaces safeA slew of England’s biggest businesses are set to defy the government’s push to get workers back into offices in August, a Guardian analysis shows, with many big businesses sticking to home working arrangements or delaying a partial return until September at the earliest.Law firms, insurers, energy providers and tech firms are among those reacting cautiously to the change in government advice, which means from Saturday employers can decide whether staff can safely come back to offices. Some companies, such a...

Friday briefing: Lockdown extended in parts of England's north People ‘not abiding to social distancing’, says Matt Hancock … Trump sets up undermining of election outcome … Met figures show UK climate crisis impact Welcome to Friday morning with me, Warren Murray. Continue reading... Go to Source

Lockdown tightened in parts of northern England with ban on indoor meetings Bar on households meeting inside in Greater Manchester, West Yorkshire and East LancashireCoronavirus – latest updatesSee all our coronavirus coverageAdditional lockdown restrictions are to be imposed over large swathes of northern England after a surge of coronavirus cases caused largely by people “not abiding to social distancing”, Matt Hancock has said.The health secretary announced on Thursday evening that from midnight, people from different households in Greater Manchester, parts of East Lancashire, West Yorkshire and Leicester would not be able to meet each other indoors. Continue reading... Go to Source

Climate crisis exerting increasing impact on UK, says Met Office Extreme heat, less frost and snow, and trees coming into leaf earlier among signs in 2019More extreme heat, less frost and snow, and trees coming into leaf earlier are among the signs seen in 2019 that the climate crisis is exerting an increasing impact on the UK, the Met Office’s annual climate report shows.The year was 1.1C above the 1961-1990 average and the all-time high temperature record was broken in July when Cambridge hit 38.7C. The record-high for winter was also broken, with 21.2C in February at Kew Gardens in London. Continue reading... Go to Source

Lifestyle changes could delay or prevent 40% of dementia cases – study Addressing 12 factors such as excessive drinking and air pollution exposure may have significant effect, experts say Excessive drinking, exposure to air pollution and head injuries all increase dementia risk, experts say in a report revealing that up to 40% of dementia cases worldwide could be delayed or prevented by addressing 12 such lifestyle factors.Around 50 million people around the world live with dementia, including about 850,000 people in the UK. By 2040, it has been estimated there will be more than 1.2 million people living with dementia in England and Wales. There is currently no cure. Continue reading... Go to Source

'Tone-deaf' ministers reject BAME review of English curriculum Exclusive: schools minister rejects proposal by cross-party MPs for more black input into history syllabusCalls for a review to add more black, Asian and ethnic minority (BAME) history to the English national curriculum have been turned down by the government, the Guardian has learned.Nick Gibb, the schools minister, said there were no plans to hold a review of the syllabus after 30 cross-party politicians wrote a letter demanding that black historians and leaders be asked to offer revisions to what is taught, as well as new topic ideas. Continue reading... Go to Source

Covid-19: England had highest excess death levels in Europe by end of May While England did not have highest peak mortality, it had longest continuous period of excess mortality, data showsCoronavirus – latest updatesSee all our coronavirus coverageEngland had the highest levels of excess deaths in Europe in the first wave of the coronavirus pandemic, according to data showing the effect of the virus across the continent.Data analysis released by the Office for National Statistics showed that, while England did not have the highest peak mortality, it did have the longest continuous period of excess mortality. Continue reading... Go to Source

Trump suggests delaying presidential election as dire economic data released Trump makes incendiary proposal after repeating false claim that mail-in voting would result in ‘fraudulent’ resultsDonald Trump on Thursday morning floated the idea of delaying November’s presidential election, justifying the extraordinary suggestion by repeating his false claim that widespread voting by mail from home would result in a “fraudulent” result.Trump’s incendiary proposal was dropped in a Thursday morning tweet, as the US was reeling from bad economic news, digesting the death toll of 150,000 having been reached in the coronavirus pandemic and preparing for the funeral of Congressman John Lewis in Atlanta. In it he claimed without evidence that “universal m...

Grime artist Solo 45 jailed for 24 years for multiple rapes Musician Andy Anokye held four women against their will and repeatedly raped themThe grime artist Solo 45, whose real name is Andy Anokye, has been jailed for 24 years for holding four women against their will and raping them repeatedly.His victims described how he beat and threatened them with weapons, held a cloth with bleach over their faces and waterboarded them, recording much of the abuse on his mobile phone. Continue reading... Go to Source

Young, British & Black: the voices behind the UK’s anti-racism protests The death of George Floyd in the US sparked the UK’s biggest anti-racism protests in centuries. We spoke to 50 young people at the heart of these rallies Continue reading... Go to Source

'We couldn't be silent': the new generation behind Britain's anti-racism protests Young black activists reveal what inspired them to organise the country’s biggest race equality rallies for centuriesIn their own words: the voices behind the UK’s anti-racism protestsMapped: how George Floyd’s death sparked a wave of UK protestsOn 26 May, in the early hours of the morning, 21-year-old Natasha was scrolling through Twitter when she came across a video that would not only change her life but lead to hundreds of thousands of people taking part in the most widespread anti-racism protests in Britain for centuries.“After George Floyd died, everybody knew exactly where they were,” she said. Continue reading... Go to Source

How George Floyd's death sparked a wave of UK anti-racism protests Exclusive: across 260 towns and cities, thousands defied lockdown to join largest anti-racism rallies since slavery eraIn their own words: the voices behind the UK’s anti-racism protests‘We couldn’t be silent’: the new generation behind Britain’s protestsThe killing of George Floyd by a white police officer took place thousands of miles away in the US, but his cries that he could not breathe, in a distressing video that was seen across the world, resonated deeply with people in the UK.The extent of that feeling is revealed in an exclusive Guardian analysis, which has identified 260 towns and cities that held protests in June and early July – from Monmouth in south Wales to Shetland in ...

UK negotiators have only engaged with issues 'in last week or two', says EU Exclusive: No 10 had ‘change of attitude’ after pressure from business, says commissioner British negotiators in the trade and security talks with the EU have only started to engage with the most contentious issues “in the last week or two” after pressure from business groups, the European commissioner for trade has said.In an interview with the Guardian, Phil Hogan, who oversees the EU’s negotiations, said there had been “a change of attitude” by Downing Street in July as they realised time was running out but that the talks were “not as advanced as we would like”. Continue reading... Go to Source

Madeleine McCann police in Germany 'find cellar' during allotment search Cellar reportedly found on plot used by suspect in disappearance of British girl from Portuguese hotel in 2007 German police searching an allotment plot used bythe prime suspect in the disappearance of Madeleine McCann have reportedly found a cellar once believed to have belonged to a garden house which was torn down at the end of 2007.German media have been reporting on the apparent development, though police have yet to comment. Continue reading... Go to Source

UK coronavirus live: people should book holidays but 'be aware quarantine could be imposed', says minister Arrivals in England could face new quarantine restrictions; government signs deal for ‘promising’ potential vaccinesBelgium, Luxembourg and Croatia may join England’s quarantine listTesting for Covid-19 on arrival in UK is no ‘silver bullet’, says ministerUK signs deal for 60m doses of potential vaccineStudies exploring Covid-19 links with ethnicity awarded £4mGlobal coronavirus updates – live 12.49pm BST Q: When will large weddings be allowed to go ahead?Sturgeon says she will give a general update to the Scottish parliament tomorrow on lockdown rules. 12.47pm BST Sturgeon says she will not judge people who are going on holiday. (Yesterday...

Five Eyes alliance could expand in scope to counteract China Plans mooted to pool strategic resources and lessen west’s dependency on China The Five Eyes intelligence alliance could be expanded to include Japan and broadened into a strategic economic relationship that pools key strategic reserves such as critical minerals and medical supplies, according to centre-right MPs working internationally to decouple the west from China.The coronavirus crisis has revealed the west’s key strategic dependencies on China, and plans will be announced shortly under Five Eyes auspices for a major increase in production of rare and semi-rare metals from Australia, Canada, and America in order to reduce dependency on Chinese stocks. Continue reading... Go to Source

Huge growth in free school meals urged to tackle food poverty crisis Report warns of the looming impact of the climate emergency and hits out at faux-healthy sweetsUp to 1.5 million more children in England should get free school meals to help tackle a growing crisis of food poverty and unhealthy eating, according to a blueprint billed as the first national food strategy since war rationing.The government-commissioned report also warns that the climate crisis will be the source of the next food emergency, demands more than £2bn for farmers to improve the countryside, and condemns faux-healthy food labelling by big brands - including the idea of “healthy” Marks & Spencer Percy Pig sweets. Continue reading... Go to Source

Covid-19 test a week after UK arrival 'could halve quarantine time' Scientific modelling shows different approaches to testing could catch up to 94% of casesCoronavirus – latest updatesSee all our coronavirus coverageTesting travellers a week after their arrival in the UK could catch 94% of coronavirus cases and halve quarantine times, scientific modelling has suggested, as ministers consider proposals to reduce the 14-day self-isolation for those coming from high-risk countries.Boris Johnson said on Tuesday that Europe was beginning to experience a second wave of Covid-19 infections, increasing the pressure to find measures to prevent the spread of cases to the UK. Continue reading... Go to Source

UK coronavirus live: Boris Johnson says 'signs of second wave of pandemic' in parts of Europe British PM’s warning comes after Spain is critical of UK for extending non-essential travel advice to Canary and Balearic islands Brexit will deliver double shock to UK economy, study findsBerlin couple test positive for coronavirus after Manchester visitWhich countries can UK holidaymakers visit without restrictions on arrival?Global coronavirus live: latest updates 12.49pm BST 12.48pm BST Sturgeon is now taking questions at the briefing.Q: What is happening with regard to enforcement of quarantine rules? How many fines have been issued?All of that leads me to pretty much advise to be very, very cautious about foreign travel now. Continue reading... Go to Source

Brexit will deliver double shock to UK economy, study finds Exclusive: LSE report says even sectors unscathed from coronavirus crisis will be severely impactedA Brexit hit is looming for sectors that have emerged relatively unscathed from the Covid-19 pandemic, new data has showed.A report from the London School of Economics says Brexit will deliver a double shock to the economy – with worsening business conditions for those sectors that have survived the impact of coronavirus and lockdown measures – whether Boris Johnson secures a deal with the EU or not. Continue reading... Go to Source

Madeleine McCann: German police search garden in Hanover German police said last month they identified a 43-year-old German citizen as a suspectGerman police investigating the disappearance of Madeleine McCann in Portugal in 2007 have searched a garden plot in the northern city of Hanover in connection with their investigation, prosecutors said.Julia Meyer, a spokeswoman for the prosecutor’s office in Braunschweig confirmed reports on Tuesday that police investigators had been at the site since Monday with an excavator in connection with the case. Continue reading... Go to Source

BAME representation in UK's top jobs has barely risen in past three years Colour of Power survey finds issue not addressed despite government-backed targetsThe proportion of black, Asian and minority ethnic people in some of the 1,100 most powerful jobs in the UK has barely moved over the past three years, according to a study that highlights the lack of non-white representation across key roles.Only 51 out of the 1097 most powerful roles in the country are filled by non-white individuals, an increase of only 1.2%, or 15 people, since 2017, the Colour of Power survey by consultants Green Park and not-for-profit organisation Operation Black Vote said. Continue reading... Go to Source

Residents to get new decision-making powers in cycling 'revolution' Measures include watchdog to ensure quality and safety of walking and cycling routesCycling ambitions for England move up a gear with No 10 plansResidents will get powers to banish through-traffic from local streets and councils will be prevented from building substandard cycle lanes under what Downing Street has billed as a revolution for cycling and walking in England.The plans will see the creation of a watchdog to ensure new cycle and walking routes are up to standard, intended to act as a transport equivalent of the schools inspectorate, Ofsted. Continue reading... Go to Source

Revealed: NHS could take over social care, swelling budget to £150bn Exclusive: former Cameron policy chief drafted in to help with Johnson’s pledge to fix social care in England Camilla Cavendish: the woman charged with shaking up social care Social care could be brought under the control of the NHS in England in a controversial move that would cause the health service’s budget to soar to £150bn, the Guardian has learned.Downing Street has drafted in David Cameron’s former policy chief Camilla Cavendish to help finalise proposals designed to honour Boris Johnson’s pledge to “fix the crisis in social care”. Continue reading... Go to Source

Foreign Office neglected Britons abroad after Covid-19 travel bans, says report MPs say ‘cost-cutting’ to blame for government’s slowness to charter repatriation flightsCoronavirus – latest updatesSee all our coronavirus coverageThe Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO) neglected British citizens stranded abroad during the peak of the Covid-19 outbreak, failing to organise charter flights swiftly or communicate meaningfully with those marooned, a damning report by MPs has said.Efforts to repatriate 1.3 million British nationals stranded overseas amid global travel bans, were too slow, too impersonal with “clear failings” in the government response, the foreign affairs committee concluded. Continue reading... Go to Source

Cut in stamp duty has only really benefited London, says Zoopla Property website says sales jumped by 27% in first two weeks of stamp duty holidayCoronavirus – latest updatesSee all our coronavirus coverageThe government’s stamp duty cut to reboot Britain’s virus-stricken property market has benefited London most and had little impact elsewhere so far, according to Zoopla.In a reflection of the disproportionate benefit for wealthier buyers, the property website said that agreed house sales in the capital jumped by 27% in the first two weeks of the stamp duty holiday. Continue reading... Go to Source

UK extends Spain non-essential travel advice to holiday islands Thousands more holidays to be cancelled in latest coronavirus blow to tourism industryCoronavirus – latest updatesSee all our coronavirus coverageThousands more holidays are set to be cancelled after the UK government’s recommendation against all but essential travel to mainland Spain was extended to include the Canary and Balearic islands.The news will come as a further blow to the tourism industry and the Spanish government, which had lobbied hard for the removal of quarantine restrictions for tourists returning from the islands. Continue reading... Go to Source

Met uses software that can be deployed to see if ethnic groups 'specialise' in areas of crime Exclusive: Origins software produced by Trevor Phillips’s firm allows users to profile suspects, says companyThe Metropolitan police have been using software that can be deployed to help identify whether different ethnic groups “specialise” in particular types of crime, the Guardian can reveal.The Origins programme, produced by Webber Phillips, a consultancy run by Prof Richard Webber and the former Equality and Human Rights Commission chair Trevor Phillips has been described by the former as conferring the ability “to profile perpetrators and victims” of crimes. Continue reading... Go to Source

Revealed: oil giants help fund powerful police groups in top US cities Investigation portrays fossil fuel industry as common enemy in struggle for racial and environmental justice in AmericaBig corporations accused of driving environmental and health inequalities in black and brown communities through toxic and climate-changing pollution are also funding powerful police groups in major US cities, according to a new investigation. Related: Trump is using federal agents as his 'goon squad', says Ice's ex-acting head Continue reading... Go to Source

Cheshire prison worker warned of problems before death of baby Manager of mother-and-baby unit at Styal Prison wrote to politicians about her concerns for pregnant inmatesThe former manager of a prison mother-and-baby unit warned just months before the stillbirth of a baby there that such a tragedy was likely to happen because of concerns about conditions for pregnant women at the prison, the Guardian has learned.Tamsin Morris, a lawyer, who previously managed the mother-and-baby unit at Styal Prison in Wilmslow, Cheshire, wrote to the MP for the area, Esther McVey, to the Ministry of Justice and to the mayor of Manchester, Andy Burnham, in February of this year, raising concerns about conditions for pregnant women at the prison in the wake of the stillbirth of a baby at HMP Bronzefield...