Published 20 December 2021 comments Comments Share close Share page Copy link About sharing Related Topics Coronavirus pandemic Boris Johnson says a photo of him, his wife and 17 staff members in the Downing Street garden with bottles of wine and a cheeseboard shows "people at work". The Guardian, which published the image , said the gathering took place in May 2020, after a press conference held during the first lockdown. At the time, there were strict restrictions on mixing. No 10 said work meetings often took place outside during summer months. Asked about the image on Monday, Mr Johnson told reporters: "Those were people at work, talking about work." Pressed on whether it was acceptable for people to be drinking whilst working, he replied: "I have said what I have to say about that." Bereaved mum's anger at No 10 garden photo Which … [Read more...] about Downing Street garden photo shows people working, says Boris Johnson
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UK weather: Unsettled conditions for Brits as sunny spells threatened by wind and rain
UK weather: Brighter and drier conditions forecast by Met Office Sign up for our news briefing, including a daily special Russia-Ukraine edition SUBSCRIBE Invalid email We use your sign-up to provide content in ways you've consented to and to improve our understanding of you. This may include adverts from us and 3rd parties based on our understanding. You can unsubscribe at any time. More info According to the Met Office, things look to be settling down into the weekend as high pressure moves in from the southwest. Heading into next week, there’s still plenty of detail to be determined, as much depends on how the high-pressure system moves in the latter stages of the weekend. Related articles 'They want to destroy everything' Zelensky issues warning 'Is this what all fuss is about?' New Partygate photos mocked Although details are still somewhat uncertain, the most likely outlook for next week at present is a … [Read more...] about UK weather: Unsettled conditions for Brits as sunny spells threatened by wind and rain
One-off £650 payment to be given to 8,000,000 of UK’s lowest income households
Rishi Sunak has said around eight million of the lowest income households will be sent a one-off payment of £650. The Chancellor told MPs: ‘We need to make sure that for those whom the struggle is too hard and for whom the risks are too great they are supported.’ Those on Universal Credit, Tax Credits, Pension Credit and legacy benefits will receive the payment automatically. This afternoon the government set out a £15 billion package of support in the House of Commons to help people deal with the cost of living crisis, with inflation at 9% and energy bills set to rise again in October when Ofgem raises the price cap. It comes the day after Sue Grey finally released her report into rule breaking gatherings in Downing Street while the country was in lockdown. Boris Johnson apologised for the breaches but refused to step down, despite several Tory MPs saying that they thought he should resign. Mr Sunak insisted that the government is ready to support those … [Read more...] about One-off £650 payment to be given to 8,000,000 of UK’s lowest income households
Every house in UK to receive £400 grant to help with rising energy bills
A grant of £400 will help struggling households cope with the energy bills crisis. Previously, a £200 loan in place for UK families was expected to be paid back. Rishi Sunak announced today this would no longer be the case, and increased its sum to £400. All households with a domestic electricity connection will be automatically eligible for the grant. Mr Sunak said: ‘The outlook for energy prices has changed. I’ve decided those repayments will be cancelled. So, for the avoidance of doubt, this support is now unambiguously a grant. ‘Furthermore, we have decided that the £200 of support for household energy bills will be doubled to £400 for everyone.’ He told the Commons: ‘We are on the side of hard working families with £6 billion of financial support.’ The grant comes in the form of a council tax rebate to households. Energy suppliers will deliver the discount to households with a domestic electricity meter over six months from October. Direct debit and … [Read more...] about Every house in UK to receive £400 grant to help with rising energy bills
Monkeypox hell: Covid-like tracker being developed to monitor spread as 80 cases rock UK
Monkeypox: Dr Chris outlines the main symptoms Sign up for FREE health tips to live a long and happy life SUBSCRIBE Invalid email We use your sign-up to provide content in ways you've consented to and to improve our understanding of you. This may include adverts from us and 3rd parties based on our understanding. You can unsubscribe at any time. More info The UK Health Security Agency is already releasing daily updates on the cases of the virus through press releases, in a bid to keep the public notified of the rapidly evolving situation. But now they are said to be taking things one step further. Related articles Putin's horror nuke plot exposed: 'Justify using his own!' UK exporting record levels of energy to France... as bills to SOAR. The Covid-dashboard took health authorities several weeks to develop and was finally launched in Spring 2020 after the virus had been rampaging across the country. Since … [Read more...] about Monkeypox hell: Covid-like tracker being developed to monitor spread as 80 cases rock UK
Abba legend Benny Andersson doesn’t find Eurovision fun anymore – but was impressed by the UK’s Sam Ryder
Abba legend Benny Anderson, 75, on being an avatar, why he tries not to see Eurovision and why he needs a beard trimmer. Hi Benny, we are talking two days before the premiere of Abba’s London live residency featuring avatars of the band. How are you feeling? I feel good. I do. I haven’t worried much about my part of the work, which is to see that it is good musically. The million-dollar question is whether the audience will connect to what’s going on up there. It takes them about two minutes before there is a bond between ‘us’ on stage and the band and the audience. Then they go, ‘OK, this is the real thing.’ You’ve had big opening nights for shows such as Chess and Mamma Mia! Does this feel like the highest stakes yet? It is higher stakes. This is a huge thing. We have been working for five-and-a-half years. The people at Industrial Light & Magic, who have created the digital versions of us, have really done a fantastic job. I’m looking at myself and We spent five … [Read more...] about Abba legend Benny Andersson doesn’t find Eurovision fun anymore – but was impressed by the UK’s Sam Ryder
Gaming sector in Scotland needs UK-wide network to thrive, report warns
The Scottish video games industry needs a UK-wide network in order to thrive, according to a report from Gordon Brown’s think tank. The Our Scottish Future paper warns the sector in Scotland risks being left behind in a market dominated by large international developers. The Grand Theft Auto franchise was created by the Scottish gaming sector, while Dundee-based 4J Studios developed the console version of Minecraft. The paper says the Scottish Government should make computer science a core part of the curriculum, increase the number of computing places at universities and expand funding for start-up companies. It also says the UK and Scottish governments should work to build a new UK-wide network, connecting firms and students with each other. Recommended What Rishi Sunak announced to tackle the cost of living crisis More Tory MPs withdraw support from PM over ‘shameful’ parties The paper’s author Ruairidh Macintosh said: “In … [Read more...] about Gaming sector in Scotland needs UK-wide network to thrive, report warns
Royal Navy emergency: Alert as Wildcat rescue chopper sounds 7700 ‘Squawk’ at 1,000ft
A Royal Navy Wildcat has sounded an urgent 7700 'squawk' from 1,000ft in the air (Image: NEWCASTLE CHRONICLE) Sign up for our news briefing, including a daily special Russia-Ukraine edition SUBSCRIBE Invalid email We use your sign-up to provide content in ways you've consented to and to improve our understanding of you. This may include adverts from us and 3rd parties based on our understanding. You can unsubscribe at any time. More info The KUA26 Wildcat HMA2 ZZ414 issued the alert as it travelled between East Devon and Yeovil in south Somerset. The 7700 code indicates a "general emergency" and typically means an engineering issue with the aircraft. Related articles Royal Navy to send warships to Black Sea and break grain blockade Royal Navy 'suggested' for Black Sea role sparking Russia clash fears It is not yet known why the 7700 signal was transmitted. The destination is not known. Writing for Flightradar24, Ken Hoke, a … [Read more...] about Royal Navy emergency: Alert as Wildcat rescue chopper sounds 7700 ‘Squawk’ at 1,000ft
Universal credit fraud costs taxpayers more than £5bn
By Michael Buchanan Published 2 hours ago Share close Share page Copy link About sharing Universal credit fraud hit a record high of 13% in the year to April 2022, costing the taxpayer more than £5bn. It marks an increase of almost three-quarters on pre-pandemic fraud levels, and a slight rise on the previous year. From the start of the pandemic, the government eased certain conditions to allow unprecedented numbers of people to access financial help. Fraud levels across all benefits were 3%, which the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) said was "unacceptable". The DWP statistics show one in four claims for universal credit was overpaid - either because of error or fraud. Total spending on benefits in 2021-22 went up by 2.1% or £4.1bn, mainly because of a rise in the number of universal credit claimants, and an inflation-linked increase to the payments. … [Read more...] about Universal credit fraud costs taxpayers more than £5bn
Partygate: PM says he will not resign following Sue Gray report
Published 15 hours ago Share close Share page Copy link About sharing Related Topics Coronavirus pandemic Boris Johnson has insisted he will remain as prime minister despite the "bitter and painful" judgement of a report into parties held in Downing Street during Covid restrictions. Excessive drinking, mistreatment of cleaners and security staff and Covid rule-breaking was highlighted in civil servant Sue Gray's report. She said the leadership in No 10 "must bear responsibility" for its culture. Some opponents have repeated their calls for Mr Johnson to quit. However in a press conference on Wednesday, the prime minister ruled out resigning, saying: "I've got to keep moving forward." Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer had earlier called on Conservative MPs to remove him, saying it was time for Mr Johnson "to pack his bags". Sue Gray report’s key findings at a … [Read more...] about Partygate: PM says he will not resign following Sue Gray report