Wage gap by race

THE CORONAVIRUS vaccine rollout is in full swing and so far over 6.5 million people have received a jab. Some of the most vulnerable people in society have now had vaccines from either Pfizer/BioNTech or Oxford/AstraZeneca. Prime Minister Boris Johnson has said that the target is to give the first dose of the vaccine to 15 million people in the four-key groups by mid-February. Health Secretary Matt Hancock last night said that over 70 per cent of the over 80s had now been vaccinated - meaning that the country is a step closer to protecting those who are most vulnerable to infection. Mass vaccination centres across the country have opened and GP surgeries along with pharmacies will also be giving out the jab. It is hoped more than 700 GP surgeries across the UK could be delivering the Oxford jab , which can be stored at fridge temperatures. How will I be contacted to get the Covid vaccine? All Covid vaccines are being given in order of greatest priority, … [Read more...] about How will I be contacted about the Covid vaccine?

COVID vaccines will be available from GP surgeries from today - as the race to protect Brits from the virus is ramped up. The Oxford/AstraZeneca jab can be stored at fridge temperatures making it easier to administer, unlike the Pfizer jab which requires storage at -70C. It's hoped more than 700 GP surgeries will be delivering vaccines by the end of the week - after the UK recorded the highest daily death toll since April. The UK reported a further 1,041 people had died within 28 days of testing positive for Covid-19 as of Wednesday. Record numbers are also currently in hospital with coronavirus, with a further 3,500 admitted in England on Monday. Some 1.3 million people have already received either the Pfizer/BioNTech or Oxford/AstraZeneca jab. And millions of extra Covid vaccines could be ready within weeks as approval times for fresh batches are slashed to just five days. The jabs will be given to those deemed most vulnerable to the virus first - and are … [Read more...] about Covid vaccines available in GP surgeries TODAY – all you need to know about getting yours

As of Tuesday, the German capital is one year into its five-year "rent freeze," and the data collected so far has given both opponents and supporters fuel for their arguments. A survey published last week by property ad portal ImmoScout24 found that while Berlin's average rent has indeed dropped in the past year, by 7.8%, the number of new flats on the market eligible for a rent reduction had dropped too — by some 30%. That has had a major effect on the competition for new apartments, ImmoScout24 said, with an average of 214 people answering each rental advert in January 2021, compared to 128 in the same month last year. Many cities around the world have some kind of rent control measures in place, but Berlin's rent cap law, in effect since February 2020, is unique. It meant that rents for 90% of Berlin's apartments were frozen for five years at the level they were at in June 2019. New rental contracts could not be above that level, and as of November 2020, any existing rents … [Read more...] about Berlin’s revolutionary rent cap — success or flop?

Boris Johnson has said he is "very optimistic" that England can finally return to normal life on June 21 under his four-step roadmap out of lockdown. However the Prime Minister warned that "nothing can be guaranteed", as the Government maintains a cautious approach to freeing Brits from the limits governing daily life. Plans to reopen schools and allow greater outdoor socialising in March, to reopen beer gardens, shops and salons in April, and to scrap most rules on social contact in May have offered hope to millions. However the PM has been clear that he will be governed by "data not dates" and the timetable could slip if the virus begins to spiral. Four tests must be met before England can move onto the next step of the roadmap, which include how the vaccine rollout is going and whether there are any new variants causing concern. The document states: "Around four weeks is required to see the impact of the previous step in the data and the Government has committed to … [Read more...] about Three things that could derail Boris Johnson’s timetable for easing lockdown

With Prime Minister Boris Johnson finally declaring the end of lockdown is firmly in our sights, many of us are desperate to book that long-awaited getaway. But just where and what can we do? Here are some of your holiday questions answered. When can we holiday at home? Domestic holidays will be allowed from April 12 - after Easter - although hotels and B&B’s will not open until at least May 17. When can we travel abroad? Foreign travel may also be given the go-ahead from May 17, although a review into restarting travel concludes on April 12. Depending on its findings, dates could change. Where can we go? Currently there are 33 countries on the high-risk list. Anyone travelling from these countries to the UK will need to quarantine in a government-approved hotel for ten days at a cost of £1,750. You will also need to take two coronavirus tests. It isn’t known how long this scheme will run for. Do you enjoy reading about politics? Sign up for all the … [Read more...] about Essential holiday questions answered – what you can and can’t book in UK and abroad