Ministers tell parents that reopening classrooms is safe amid fears many will keep children away

Ministers last night reassured parents that reopening primary schools today is safe amid fears many will keep their children away. Housing Secretary Robert Jenrick said it was ‘extremely important’ children went back to school. It comes as a study suggested up to half of families may shun sending their youngsters to lessons due to worries … Read more

Churches can reopen for individual prayer in June but worshippers will be banned from singing

Churches will be allowed to reopen for individual prayers from mid-June, though singing and mass gatherings will remain banned to stop the spread of coronavirus. Places of worships were expected closed until July 4, alongside hairdressers, cinemas and pubs.  However, Housing Secretary Robert Jenrick told today’s Downing Street briefing that the plan was to allow … Read more

Churches can reopen for individual prayer in June but worshippers will be banned from singing

Churches will be allowed to reopen for individual prayers from mid-June, though singing and mass gatherings will remain banned to stop the spread of coronavirus. Places of worships were expected closed until July 4, alongside hairdressers, cinemas and pubs.  However, Housing Secretary Robert Jenrick told today’s Downing Street briefing that the plan was to allow … Read more

Cabinet minister accused of bias in £1billion planning row

Cabinet minister Robert Jenrick who is accused of bias in £1billion planning row was lobbied by the developer at a Tory fundraising dinner just weeks before approving the luxury housing project The Housing Secretary last night admitted that tycoon Richard Desmond and his team raised the subject of their 1,500-home planning application with him Later … Read more

Ministers vow to build 3,300 homes over a year to ‘end rough sleeping for good’ in £160m drive

Government homelessness investment is being fast-tracked to ensure more than 3,000 new homes for rough sleepers aided during the coronavirus pandemic.  The investment will be available in the next 12 months and will see £160million of a £281million four-year pot brought forward to be spent this year. It aims to prevent those taken off the … Read more

Cafes, pubs and restaurants will be able to sell food and drink from street stalls within weeks

Cafes, pubs and restaurants will be able to sell food and drink from street stalls within weeks under plans to ease lockdown Pubs, cafes and restaurants with outdoor seating allowed to reopen in June The move is hoped to help bolster the hospitality industry for another month  Small open-air weddings in front of churches could … Read more

Families face higher council tax bills and worse public services

Councils facing a £5billion cash shortfall caused by the ongoing coronavirus pandemic could charge families higher council tax for worse public services. Before the lockdown local authorities bought shopping centres and office blocks to make up for lost money after government cuts.  Since 2016 local authorities have borrowed £6.6billion in total to pay for this type of retail.  … Read more

Families face higher council tax bills and worse public services

Councils facing a £5billion cash shortfall caused by the ongoing coronavirus pandemic could charge families higher council tax for worse public services. Before the lockdown local authorities bought shopping centres and office blocks to make up for lost money after government cuts.  Since 2016 local authorities have borrowed £6.6billion in total to pay for this type of retail.  … Read more