News

Main points from today Outdoor pools can reopen to the public from 11 July. Indoor gyms, pools and leisure centres can reopen on 25 July. Measures in the Gov Guidance to allow this are as follows:- Limiting the number of people using the facility at any one time, for example by using a timed booking … Read more

Main points from today The Chancellor, Rishi Sunak, today set out a ‘Plan for Jobs’ that will ‘spur the UK’s recovery from the Coronavirus outbreak.’ The ‘Plan for Jobs is the second part of a three-phase plan to secure the UK’s economic recovery from coronavirus. The third phase will focus on rebuilding, with a Budget … Read more

Main points from today No briefing today. Latest HMRC coronavirus (COVID-19) statistics published today show the following:- Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme – as at 5th July, 9.4million jobs furloughed by 1.1 million employers, with a total value of £27.4 billion. Self-Employment Income Support Scheme – as at 5th July, 2.7 million claims made with a … Read more

Main points from today No briefing today. In an emergency budget this coming Wednesday, the Chancellor is expected to announce that firms are to be paid £1,000 bonuses to hire young people as part of economic recovery. 44,236 total deaths with 16 deaths yesterday, the lowest since March.  The 7 day rolling average is down … Read more

Main points from today The PM led the special briefing today. He said:- We are now reporting regularly fewer than 1,000 new cases each day. We need to move away from blanket, national measures, to targeted, local measures.  So instead of locking down the whole country, we will lock down specific premises or local areas … Read more

Main points from today Education Secretary, Gavin Williamson, led the special briefing today. 1.6 million children already back at school. From 20th July restrictions on class sizes lifted in early years settings. He confirmed that detailed guidance had been issued (please see details below from earlier today for our school clients). Unlimited home testing kits … Read more

The Government has published the guidance for schools to follow to enable a full re-opening in September.  The purpose of this article is to give a brief overview.  The full guidance runs to 35 pages. Actions for schools during the coronavirus outbreak What all schools will need to do during the coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak from … Read more

Main points from today Flexible furlough scheme starts today.  Businesses will have the flexibility to bring furloughed employees back to work part time. 829 new cases yesterday.  43,906 total deaths with 176 deaths yesterday.  7 day rolling average to 26th June 117 deaths (lowest since March). Latest Guidance (employment and business) Furlough and Holiday Pay … Read more

Main points from today Ofqual have confirmed that exam boards must make exams available in all GCSE, AS and A level subjects in the additional autumn series and varying the normal rules that allow exams only to be held in May and June, (see below for full announcement). First local lockdown imposed in Leicester.  Jamie … Read more

Main points from today Education Secretary, Gavin Williamson, told LBC radio the planned return of all pupils in England will be “compulsory”.  He added that parents could be fined unless there is a “good reason” for their child’s absence. He said a detailed plan on how the government will bring all children back to the … Read more