Last Year Saw A Big Jump In The Number Of Shops Closing – Retail
There was a sharp rise in the number of shops closing on the UK’s High Streets, shopping parades, and out-of-town shopping parks in 2022, according to the (CRR). More than 17,000 sites shut up shop – the highest number for five years. Total closures were nearly 50% higher than in 2021, the researchers said. The... Read More
Travel Warnings For Ice And Travel Disruption – Weather
Travel warnings have been issued for icy conditions on roads and pavements – as well as ongoing disruption on the railways. Two yellow ice alerts are in force for all of Scotland, Northern Ireland, and northern England until 11:00 on Monday. The main rail line between Glasgow and north west of England could remain closed... Read More
Knighthoods For MPs Who Caused Boris Johnson Headaches
Two MPs who caused trouble for ex-PM Boris Johnson have received knighthoods in the New Year Honours list. Labour’s Chris Bryant and Conservative Julian Lewis, who chair the standards and intelligence committees respectively, have both been honoured. Sir Tom Scholar, the top Treasury civil servant sacked by former PM Liz Truss, becomes a Knight Grand... Read More
Flu Rise Warning In England – NHS
There were more than 3,700 patients a day in the hospital with flu last week – up from 520 a day the month before, the latest data from NHS England shows. Of these, 267 people needed specialized care in critical care beds last week. NHS England warns pressures on the health service continue to grow... Read More
The UK’s Problems Will Not All Go Away In 2023 – Rishi Sunak
2022 was tough and the UK’s problems will not go away in 2023, Rishi Sunak has warned in his New Year’s message. The prime minister said the government was taking “difficult but fair” decisions to “get borrowing and debt under control”. He promised that his government would put “people’s priorities first”. He also said the... Read More
At Least 30 Children Have Died In UK Since Mid-September – Strep A
At least 30 children have died in the UK from invasive strep A since 19 September, new figures reveal. In total, 122 people have died in England from the invasive form of the bacterial infection, UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) data shows. Of these, 25 of the deaths were under-18s. There have been a further... Read More
Deloitte Cuts UK Office Temperatures By 2C To Save Energy
Deloitte is reducing temperatures in its UK offices in a bid to cut costs and carbon emissions. The thermostat is being lowered by 2C across 22 sites, some of which were also temporarily closed over Christmas, to reduce energy consumption. The consultancy and accountancy firm informed staff of the plans this month, which are expected... Read More
Covid In China: Checks On Visitors Under Review – UK Health Minister
The UK government is reviewing whether to introduce Covid restrictions on visitors from China, the defence secretary has said. Ben Wallace said the Department for Transport would take medical advice and talk to the Department of Health. Earlier, an ex-health minister urged the government to consider testing arrivals from China for Covid. A number of... Read More
Airport, Rail And Driving Test Staff Resume Action – Strikes
Border Force staff have begun the second in a series of strikes at UK airports until New Year’s Eve. Around 1,000 members of the PCS union, many of whom work in passport control, are walking out from 28-31 December. Rail disruption will also continue on Wednesday and Thursday, with TSSA union members at Great Western... Read More
Landmark Pub To Close Forever On New Year’s Eve – Air Balloon
A historic landmark pub will serve its final customers on New Year’s Eve. The Air Balloon on the A417 at Birdlip, Gloucestershire, is being demolished to make way for a major road upgrade. It has been called the Air Balloon for at least 220 years and gave its name to a roundabout joining major local... Read More