Polls

This week, the prime minister announced plans for the introduction of a ‘vaccine passport’ after June 21, where people will be required to prove they are Covid “safe” to get into a venue, gigs, travel or work setting.

The health secretary, Matt Hancock, faced criticism this week for proposing a 1% pay deal for NHS workers, with the pay rise branded as an “insult” and “kick in the teeth” to NHS heroes that have put their lives on the life to save others.

Unions representing school and college staff this week opposed the full reopening of schools on 8 March, urging the UK Government to implement a ”phased return” of English schools to avoid a risk of a surge in coronavirus cases.

Twenty consecutive opinion polls have shown that most people in Scotland now favour independence, compared to 2014 and following the UK’s exit from the EU.

The new Business Secretary, Kwasi Kwarteng, confirmed this week plans for the UK government to review UK workers’ rights post-Brexit, including rules governing the 48-hour week, rest breaks and holiday entitlements.

This week, UK leaders from all political parties universally condemned the violence and attempted coup by Pro-Trump right-wing extremists in the U.S. Capitol, which saw four people dead.

Boris Johnson announced this week that many parts of England would be placed in Tier 4 rules following a new strain of the virus, with Christmas festivities cancelled for almost 20 million people.

Carers UK and Carers Trust this week called on the UK Government to include unpaid carers on the priority list for coronavirus vaccine, alongside health and social care workers.

Research has shown that nearly three-quarters of care workers are paid less than the “Real Living Wage”, with more than 800,000 care workers paid less than £9.30 per hour.

England went into a second national lockdown this week, with around 600,000 business premises closed until 2nd December. Non-essential shops, gyms, pubs and restaurants are closed.