News

Tougher coronavirus restrictions affecting millions more come into force

Millions more people will be under tougher coronavirus restrictions in the next 24 hours as the Government increased financial support for businesses and employees affected by the measures. Greater Manchester moved into the highest alert level, Tier 3, on Friday morning, and Wales will introduce its two-week “firebreak” lockdown at 6pm..

Nearly half of people do not fully understand lockdown rules study finds

Nearly half of the public in England do not “fully understand” the current coronavirus lockdown rules, a study suggests. Researchers found that around half of adults (51%) in the country said they understand the current Covid-19 restrictions. Only 13% of the respondents said they “fully understand” them..

Wales prepares to enter two week firebreak lockdown

Wales will enter a two-week “firebreak” lockdown at 6pm on Friday in an attempt to protect the country’s NHS from being overwhelmed by the resurgence of coronavirus. The Welsh Government has said the “sharp and deep” lockdown, brought in to coincide with half-term holidays, could be enough to avoid a longer and “much more damaging national lockdown” in the months ahead..

Trump and Biden clash on coronavirus and race in final debate

The second and final presidential debate between President Donald Trump and Democratic challenger Joe Biden was a much more civil affair than last month’s widely-panned first debate. With a mute button in place this time around, the candidates interrupted each other far less frequently, even as they clashed on issues ranging from the coronavirus to crime and global warming..

Liverpool hospitals treating more coronavirus patients than at peak of pandemic

Hospitals in Liverpool are treating more coronavirus patients than they were during the peak of the first wave of the pandemic, the medical director has said..

Russia and Iran obtain voter information ahead of US election officials say

Russia and Iran have obtained US voting registration information and are aiming to interfere in the presidential election, the government’s national intelligence director said. John Ratcliffe, the intelligence director, and FBI Director Chris Wray told a news conference the US will impose costs on any foreign countries interfering in the 2020 US election..

Five month undercover county lines drug sting leads to 53 arrests

Fifty-three people have been arrested after a five-month undercover investigation into a drug dealing network thought to be responsible for 33 county lines. Metropolitan Police officers held 47 men and six women, aged 16 to 48, during raids carried out over six weeks, including warrants in Greenwich and Bexley, south-east London, as well as Kent and the Thames Valley..

Chancellor expected to announce more business support for Tier 2

The Chancellor is set to announce a new support package for businesses affected by Tier 2 restrictions, according to reports. Rishi Sunak will unveil a new plan to help firms, particularly pubs and restaurants, who have seen their trade drop as a result of the social restrictions in the “high” Covid-19 category..

More areas of England are to be placed under Tier 3 restrictions

As from Saturday, Sheffield, Barnsley, Rotherham and Doncaster will move to the highest tier.

End of Eat Out to Help Out scheme pushes UK inflation higher

UK inflation was pushed higher last month as the end of the Government’s Eat Out to Help Out saw restaurant and cafe prices bounce back, according to official figures. The Office for National Statistics (ONS) said Consumer Prices Index (CPI) inflation rose to 0.5% in September from 0.2% in August..