Post-transition border controls faced their first test yesterday (4 January) on the first working day of the year, but the flow of freight moving across the Dover-Calais strait remained slower than usual. France's new €50m smart border infrastructure was largely unused with traffic flowing at around a fifth of its normal level.
New facilities include super computers to track infectious diseases, airborne sensors to monitor greenhouse gas emissions, and a unique floating offshore wind testing lab. UK science facilities to be upgraded with £213 million government investment enabling researchers to respond to global challenges such as COVID-19 and climate change.
New VAT rules for overseas firms selling goods into the UK are leading some EU businesses to stop trade with the UK. VAT is now collected by HMRC at the point of sale rather than the point of importation, requiring overseas sellers to register with HMRC and account for VAT themselves, when the sale is lower than a value of £135.
Consulting on Making Scotland's Future - a draft recovery plan for manufacturing which proposes a set of actions for delivery over the next 12 months which has been designed with industry, public sector, trade union and academia. Since original publication on 4th December 2020, the consultation period has been extended and will now close on 12th February 2021.
UK-Ghana trade is in limbo with a continuity deal not agreed between the two countries before the end of the transition period. Ghana is one of many countries the UK previously had preferential trading arrangements with through its membership of the EU.
The UK and EU secured a free trade agreement (FTA) on Christmas Eve (almost 10 months from the start of the talks) which will maintain tariff-free trade once the current transition period finishes on Thursday night (31 December 2020, 11pm GMT). Although the protracted negotiations didn't reach a conclusion on key areas such as financial services, the deal marks the end of a turbulent period in UK-EU relations.
Trial underway to increase test access in remote and rural areas. Coronavirus (COVID-19) testing will be available from two fire stations in Thurso and Lochgilphead this month, as part of a trial to increase testing access in remote and rural areas.
Businesses in the retail, hospitality and leisure sectors are to receive a one-off grant worth up to £9,000, the Chancellor has announced. Chancellor announces one-off top up grants for retail, hospitality and leisure businesses worth up to £9,000 per property to help businesses through to the Spring.
Around 55% of Self Assessment customers have already filed their return, and HMRC is urging others to do so by 31 January. Around 5.4 million Self Assessment customers have less than a month to complete their tax return, HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) announced today (5 January 2021), ahead of the deadline on 31 January.
DINGWALL, Dingwall & Highland Marts Ltd., (January, 5th) sold 10 prime cattle. Prime bullocks (1) averaged 211.0p (-5.0p) and sold to 211.0p per kg and £1,297.65 gross.
A year and a half ago we launched the IFS Deaton Review of Inequalities. When we did so, the chair of the Review, Nobel Laureate Sir Angus Deaton, raised the possibility that inequalities may prove a threat to our economic, social and political systems unless they are tackled effectively.
Prime Minister Boris Johnson gave a statement at the coronavirus press conference. Good afternoon, I want to update everybody about vaccines.
Statement given by the First Minister Nicola Sturgeon at a media briefing in St Andrew's House, Edinburgh on Tuesday 5 January 2021. [b]See the video at bottom of this page[b] Good afternoon everyone and since this is the first media briefing of the new year let me wish all of you a happy new year.
Ministers must improve the way they use and communicate science advice or risk repeating mistakes made during the coronavirus crisis. This paper draws on interviews with key players including current and former officials, scientific advisers and SAGE members.
Guidance on new stay at home regulations coming into effect on 5 January 2021. Stay at Home To minimise the risk of spreading the virus, you must stay at home as much as possible.
Urgent action to bring virus under control. Mainland Scotland is to go into lockdown from midnight tonight with a new legal requirement forbidding anyone from leaving their home except for essential purposes.
Statement given by the First Minister to the Scottish Parliament. I'm grateful to you, Presiding Office for this recall of Parliament today.
Prime Minister Boris Johnson's address to the nation on coronavirus on 4 January 2021. Since the pandemic began last year, the whole United Kingdom has been engaged in a great national effort to fight Covid.
GPs in Dundee start administering first doses to over-80s. Patients in Tayside have been among the first in Scotland to receive the Oxford/Astrazeneca coronavirus (COVID-19) vaccine.
A joint statement from the UK Chief Medical Officers (CMOs) recommending that the UK COVID-19 alert level move from level 4 to level 5. Following advice from the Joint Biosecurity Centre and in the light of the most recent data, the 4 UK Chief Medical Officers and NHS England Medical Director recommend that the UK alert level should move from level 4 to level 5.
