Tory Rishi Sunak today announced changes to tax, furlough and Stamp Duty in his 2021 Budget . The Chancellor said he must take "unpopular" and "honest" decisions as he reversed some Tory Corporation Tax cuts and cancelled an Income Tax break for millions of Brits. He warned next year borrowing will hit £234bn or 10.3% of GDP - “an amount so large it has only one rival in recent history, this year”. And Covid spending including fiscal support has hit £407bn. But in reality the Chancellor put off many of the most painful decisions until later and gave businesses a huge tax break for now - one he claimed was the biggest in history. He also extended several breaks and Covid support schemes beyond the end of the roadmap. Mr Sunak said more than 700,000 people have lost their jobs since March and the economy has fallen by more than 10% - the fastest fall in more than 300 years. “It’s going to take this country and the whole world a long time to recover from this extraordinary … [Read more...] about Budget 2021 summary: Key announcements at a glance as Covid spending hits £407bn
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COVID-19: Pfizer and AstraZeneca vaccines ‘highly effective’ at preventing hospital admissions in over-80s, study finds
The Pfizer-BioNTech and Oxford-AstraZeneca coronavirus vaccines are both highly effective at preventing over-80s from being admitted to hospital, according to a new study. Researchers in Bristol found that 14 days after one dose of the Pfizer vaccine, it was 79.3% effective at preventing people in that age group from developing symptomatic illness severe enough to be admitted. For AstraZeneca 's COVID-19 jab, the effectiveness was 80.4%. Live COVID updates from the UK and around the world What EU leaders said about AstraZeneca vaccine - and the data forcing a rethink The study tallies up with the Public Health Scotland (PHS) and Public Health England (PHE) reports released in February and on Monday respectively. Advertisement Professor Adam Finn, professor of paediatrics and chief investigator of the study at the University of Bristol, said his team took a different approach, using a smaller geographical area and … [Read more...] about COVID-19: Pfizer and AstraZeneca vaccines ‘highly effective’ at preventing hospital admissions in over-80s, study finds
iCarly’s Jennette McCurdy quits acting saying she’s ‘ashamed and embarrassed’
Jennette McCurdy has confirmed that she has quit acting and has slated her own career as 'embarrassing'. The 28-year-old is probably best known for her part in Nickelodeon's iCarly, in which she starred with Ariana Grande . Jennette was particularly dismissive of her career as she spoken with actress Anna Faris on the Empty Inside podcast. The former child star said that due to the anxiety she used to feel when auditioning meant that she found acting "always, always, always" difficult. Jennette said that her acting was pushed by her mother and she was the one who would sign her up for roles. When she died a few years ago, Jennette took the decision to quit the profession and will not appear in the iCarly reboot that is being planned by Paramount+. She said: "I quit a few years ago because I initially didn't want to do it. "My mom put me in it when I was six and by sort of age, I guess, 10 or 11, I was the main financial support for my family." Financial pressures … [Read more...] about iCarly’s Jennette McCurdy quits acting saying she’s ‘ashamed and embarrassed’
Meghan Markle and Prince Harry’s Oprah interview ‘will be cancelled by ITV if Prince Philip’s health worsens’
MEGHAN Markle and Prince Harry's Oprah interview "will be cancelled by ITV if Prince Philip's health worsens." The bombshell tell-all interview is set to air in the US on Sunday - but the broadcast may be pulled off air in the UK due to Prince Philip’s ill health , sources claim. With the Duke of Edinburgh in hospital, aged 99, it is thought ITV is ready to pull the plug should Prince Philip deteriorate, reports Birmingham Mail . Sources say the mood at Buckingham Palace has "shifted" after the Duke was transferred to a new hospital earlier this week. One insider told the Daily Express : “I don’t imagine CBS will care but ITV won’t be able to broadcast it.” The 99-year-old royal is now battling an infection and a pre-existing heart condition at London's St Bartholomew's hospital. Public relations and crisis consultant Mark Borkowski warned that Harry and Meghan are at risk of a "real reputational mess" if they go ahead with the broadcast. Mr Borkowski said … [Read more...] about Meghan Markle and Prince Harry’s Oprah interview ‘will be cancelled by ITV if Prince Philip’s health worsens’