15 March 2023

Spring Budget 2023

“A Budget for Growth” Chancellor of the Exchequer, Jeremy Hunt, delivered his first Spring Budget on 15 March declaring it was “A Budget for Growth.” The fiscal update included a range of new measures, some of which had been widely trailed prior to Budget day, in order to achieve growth “by removing obstacles that stop […]

28 September 2020

The Week in Review

“If we follow these simple rules together, we will get through this winter together” Last week began with the government’s most senior science and medical advisers issuing a stark warning about the rise in coronavirus cases witnessed over recent weeks. At a Downing Street data briefing, Sir Patrick Vallance and Professor Chris Whitty said that, […]

21 September 2020

The Week in Review – 21 September

 “Everything is being done that we possibly can to increase testing capacity” All over the country, people have been struggling to get tested for coronavirus, with appointments paused and the system under immense pressure as demand spikes. Some people in need of a test have reported being directed to sites located hundreds of miles from […]

14 September 2020

The Week in Review – 14 September

“It is so important that we take these tough measures now” With the number of coronavirus cases rising across the UK, the Prime Minister was back on the Downing Street podium last Wednesday to announce new measures. As we enter the autumn, with the country at a critical moment and the average rate of new […]

7 September 2020

The Week in Review – 7 September

“Massive milestone” Millions of children in England and Wales returned to school last week. For many, it was the first time in attendance since March, due to the disruption caused by the pandemic. Pupils started adjusting to life in a class or year group bubble, with a raft of precautionary measures in place, such as […]

1 September 2020

The Week in Review – 1 September

“Our priority is to get children back to school safely” As Storm Francis lashed the UK last week, another storm was brewing as the government took a late U-turn regarding the use of face coverings in schools in England. From the beginning of September, secondary pupils and adults in local lockdown areas of England and […]

24 August 2020

The Week in Review – 24 August

“A new approach to public health” Last week, as the COVID-19 global death toll passed 800,000, Health Secretary Matt Hancock launched a new body tasked with a “single and relentless mission” of protecting people from external health threats including pandemics and infectious diseases. Mr Hancock said the National Institute for Health Protection will combine Public […]

17 August 2020

The Week in Review – 17 August

“There are going to be bumpy months ahead” In the week when global coronavirus cases passed the 20 million mark, on home shores, the latest official labour market statistics released on Tuesday revealed the largest drop in employment for over 10 years. In response to the data, the Prime Minister cautioned, “Clearly there are going […]

10 August 2020

The Week in Review – 10 August

“We have to look forwards” Last week, the Bank of England (BoE) released the minutes of the latest Monetary Policy Committee (MPC) meeting which concluded on 4 August, during which members unanimously voted to maintain the base rate at a historic low of 0.1%. The MPC feel the current rate and monetary policy remain suitable, […]

3 August 2020

The Week in Review – 3 August

“Our assessment is that we should now squeeze that brake pedal” At a Downing Street briefing on Friday, the Prime Minister announced that further easing of lockdown restrictions in England was to be postponed for at least two weeks. This was one of several policy changes announced during the week which collectively aim to suppress […]