Boris Johnson. Image: Wikimedia

Prime Minister likely to be in hospital for a second night

The cabinet meeting scheduled on Tuesday has been postponed as housing minister, Robert Jenrick, said that the Prime Minister Boris Johnson may spend more nights in the hospital.

After being tested positive 10 days ago, the prime minister was admitted on Sunday evening to do routine tests for having persistent symptoms.

This comes after Mr. Jenrick stated that Mr. Johnson will continue to lead the country from the hospital.

If his condition worsens, Foreign secretary and first secretary of state, Dominic Raab, will take his place and be in charge.

Boris Johnson has tweeted he is in “good spirits” but officials are no longer describing his symptoms as “mild”.

They have said that the public will be updated with any changes in his condition.

Last night, on the advice of my doctor, I went into hospital for some routine tests as I’m still experiencing coronavirus symptoms. I’m in good spirits and keeping in touch with my team, as we work together to fight this virus and keep everyone safe.

— Boris Johnson #StayHomeSaveLives (@BorisJohnson) April 6, 2020

Debenhams will bring in administrators as stores remain closed

Debenhams in Leeds. Image: Wikimedia

Debenhams is on the brink of collapse as it has confirmed that it will appoint administrators for the second time within a year.

This is an attempt to protect the business from creditors that could push it into liquidation amidst the pandemic.

The company’s creditors will not be able to pursue legal action for 10 working days while the firm’s management team tries to arrange a deal.

It was only a year ago that the retailer had previously filed for administration and was supported by its lenders.  

Debenhams CEO, Stefaan Vansteenkiste, has said that it will “resume trading from our stores when government restrictions are lifted”.

The company has closed 142 stores across the UK during the coronavirus lockdown and has left the long-term job security for its 22,000 staff uncertain.

Debenhams has taken the tough decision that due to the current circumstances we will temporarily close our stores for trading from end of day today. UK and ROI customers will be able to shop with us online through https://t.co/QwQHTBTh9I and https://t.co/KVOUOWIVUl
Take care pic.twitter.com/l7PdTtst9E

— Debenhams (@Debenhams) March 23, 2020

New Labour leader, Keir Starmer, continues reshuffle of his shadow cabinet appointments

Keir Starmer at the 2020 Labour Party leadership election. Image:              Wikimedia

Richard Burgon, the former shadow justice secretary, has been removed from his role in the shadow cabinet by Labour’s new leader, Keir Starmer.

Amid this shuffle, Andrew Gwynne has resigned as shadows communities secretary after expressing his discontent of being sidelined as election coordinator under Jeremy Corbyn.

Starmer announced a list of appointments on Sunday that included former treasury minister Anneliese Dodds as shadow chancellor, Lisa Nandy as shadow foreign secretary, and Nick Thomas-Symonds will be the shadow home secretary. This group of MPs will form a committee dedicated to responding to the coronavirus.

Along with Burgon, Starmer has dismissed Barry Gardiner, Jon Trickett, and Ian Lavery from the shadow cabinet.

Stamer, who was formerly the shadow Brexit secretary under Corbyn, won the Labour leadership on Saturday  with 56.2% of the votes.

Starmer, who served as shadow Brexit secretary under Corbyn, secured a commanding win in the election on Saturday.

It’s time for change. Now let’s get that @UKLabour Government we so desperately need. Here’s the letter I sent @Keir_Starmer on Saturday. pic.twitter.com/OSUI21h5Bl

— Andrew Gwynne MP (@GwynneMP) April 6, 2020

New car sales drop by 44% in the UK

New car registrations plunged 44% compared to last year, a sharper drop than during the financial crisis.

March is normally one of the strongest months for new car sales, but this has been the weakest March in over 20 years.

New registrations fell by around 200,000 from last year, with a total of 254,584 cars being registered last month.

The coronavirus outbreak has caused closures of showrooms and has taken a heavy toll on the auto industry which was already hit by falling sales, new emission targets, and a declining demand for diesel vehicles.

The coronavirus crisis has also suspended car production and it is not clear when they will reopen.

The UK car industry is slowly grinding to a halt after BMW, Toyota and Honda said they would temporarily shut down their UK factories because of the coronavirus pandemic.https://t.co/WrrcdI85Im

— BBC Radio Wiltshire (@BBCWiltshire) March 19, 2020