Quarantine exemption ‘very welcome’ says owner of North Sea support vessels
A North Sea support vessel firm has welcomed a government move to exempt oil workers from quarantine rules.
government
SPONSORED: Protecting jobs and supporting business
The Government has announced an unprecedented package of support to protect jobs and support business across the UK during the coronavirus outbreak.
SPONSORED: Private firms working for the public good in coronavirus outbreak
People working for a wide range of private companies have been standing side-by-side with public sector staff on the front line during the coronavirus outbreak.
Furlough scheme extension ‘a lifeline’ for Scottish food and drink businesses
Scotland’s leading food sector bodies have welcomed this week’s announcement of the Government furlough scheme extension, which will give struggling businesses “a lifeline”.
SPONSORED: Extraordinary kindness across our communities
The United Kingdom is pulling together as one, with people from all regions and all four nations of the country helping each other through the coronavirus pandemic.
Coronavirus test slots run out for second day as booking website reopens
Coronavirus tests for key workers through the Government’s new booking website have run out in England for a second day in a row.
Coronavirus: Asda working with Government to help get supplies to vulnerable
A supermarket giant has said it was working with the Government to help get supplies to those in need.
Coronavirus: Struggles ahead for north-east families as restrictions placed on funerals
Councils across the UK are placing different restrictions on the number of mourners allowed to attend funerals amid the coronavirus crisis.
UK’s coronavirus death toll reaches 281
The coronavirus death toll in the UK has reached 281, the Government said.
Coronavirus: School leaders warn of struggle to care for key workers’ children
The list of parents deemed key workers in the fight against coronavirus is so extensive that schools might struggle to cope with the volume of children still attending despite closures, leaders have warned.
Coronavirus: UK fishing industry ‘will go bust’ in weeks without urgent intervention
Coronavirus could see hundreds of fishermen “go bust in the next two weeks” unless there is urgent government intervention, ministers have been warned.
Health, social care and food staff among ‘essential’ workers on Covid-19 list
Frontline health and social care staff, people involved in food production and delivery, and utility workers are among a list of workers deemed “essential” to the Covid-19 response.
Covid-19: Government under fire after key worker list delayed
The Government has been criticised after it delayed releasing a list of essential workers whose children will continue to be cared for at school amid the Covid-19 pandemic.
Coronavirus: Britons in Spain urged to return home before hotels close
Britons in Spain have been urged by the Foreign Office to return before March 24 when all Spanish hotels close.
Coronavirus economic measures: Key points
Chancellor Rishi Sunak has vowed that the Government will give people “all the tools” they need to get through the coronavirus crisis.
Holidaymakers face tough choice over Italy travel ban
Thousands of holidaymakers face losing money if they adhere to official travel advice to avoid Italy because of the coronavirus.
Rishi Sunak set to confirm £5bn investment for faster broadband in Budget
A £5 billion investment to roll out faster broadband across the UK by 2025 is expected to be confirmed by the Chancellor in this week’s Budget.
North-east voting gets under way in General Election as polls open
Voters will go to the polls today to elect their next government.
Row rages on over pension concerns
Councillors have gone head to head in a long-running row over changes to the state pension age.
Passport photo checker falsely flags black man’s lips as open mouth
A young black man hoping to renew his passport online was stunned when the automated photo checker mistook his lips for an open mouth.
Collection of personal information on Government portal probed by data watchdog
The UK’s data and privacy watchdog is looking into how personal data on the Government’s main website is collected after it was reported the portal is being used to target users in preparation for Brexit.
Ben Fogle to donate BBC show salary to help over-75s who cannot pay TV licence
Ben Fogle has said he will donate his entire salary from a BBC series to subsidise TV licences for over-75s, following plans to strip the concession from millions of pensioners.
Hundreds of thousands back calls to save free TV licences for over-75s
The Government is facing calls to take back responsibility for funding free TV licences for the over-75s amid an outcry over plans to strip the concession from millions of pensioners.
Hundreds of north-east residents hit by ‘loan charge’ controversy
According to new figures, 420 letters were sent out across the city – 160 in Aberdeen South and 90 in Aberdeen North.
Government reveals experts joining new AI Council
The Government has confirmed the line-up of its new Artificial Intelligence (AI) Council, the independent committee that will discuss how to promote the adoption and ethical use of the technology.
Extra time for people in Aberdeen seeking citizenship and visa advice
Extra time has been put aside for people in Aberdeen seeking advice about citizenship and visas, a UK Government minister has said.
Social media bosses ‘accountable for harmful content under Government plans’
Social media bosses could be held personally accountable for harmful content published online under new Government plans, it has been reported.
Gove plans ban on most-polluting log burner and open fire fuels
The most polluting log burner and open fire fuels will be banned as part of an ambitious strategy to tackle air pollution announced by the Environment Secretary.
UK Space Agency on the hunt for young entrepreneur space ideas
Young people are being asked to come up with bright ideas on how data collected from space can be used to benefit the UK’s economy, health or the environment.
Back pain management app among new government fund winners
An app that helps people self-manage lower back pain is among the winners of a government fund designed to help those with health conditions remain in employment.