Brief. Me - December 22, 2024 12:49 pm
In today’s briefing update, we look at Sunday’s top stories. The papers cover the government’s vaccination plans, Brexit fury and online giants facing a ‘tax raid’.
In our special feature, we look at how the wealthy are skipping the vaccine queue.
Also featured: The latest Covid-19 figures, Sports, business and entertainment news.
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Online giants including Amazon and Asos – whose revenues have soared during the pandemic – could face a “double tax raid” later this year, according to the Sunday Times.
The governor of the Bank of England, Andrew Bailey, tells the Observer that he is braced for Britain to go on a spending spree once lockdown restrictions are eased.
The Sunday Telegraph reports that a £5bn fund to pay for the removal of dangerous cladding from blocks of flats in England could be announced in the next seven days.
The Mail on Sunday claims that David Beckham has signed a “lucrative” agreement to promote Qatar ahead of next year’s football World Cup in the country.
Below are our top picks of the Sunday Papers.
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Vaccines at work for under-50s from spring
The Sunday Telegraph says nearly 30 million people under 50 years old will be vaccinated at work from the spring under proposals being considered by ministers. Under the plan, front-line emergency services, teachers, delivery drivers and supermarket workers would be among those at the front of the vaccines queue after all those who are older or vulnerable have been offered a jab.
Read the full story on the Telegraph
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Online giants face tax raid on booming sales
The Sunday Times reports that online retailers like Amazon which have done well during the pandemic are facing a double tax raid under plans being drawn up by the government. Leaked emails seen by the paper reveal that Treasury officials have summoned tech firms and retailers for a meeting this month, ahead of the Budget, to discuss how an online sales tax would work. Ministers hope the tax would help plug the black hole in the country’s finances while also stemming the collapse of the high street, the paper says.
Read the full story on the Times
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Starmer Ally: Covid is ‘a gift that keeps on giving’
The Mail on Sunday says Keir Starmer is facing a “backlash” after one of his senior frontbenchers described the pandemic as a “gift that keeps on giving” for lawyers. Lord Falconer used the phrase during a briefing for a top City firm, according to the paper. The peer insists he was referring to the changes in the law triggered by the pandemic but a source close to Lord Falconer told the paper he regretted his choice of words.
Read the full story on the Daily Mail
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Boris: Youth deserve the nation’s thanks
Boris Johnson has told the Sunday Express there are “no limits” to what the country’s young people can achieve, as he vowed not to let the pandemic damage their prospects. He acknowledged the “immense sacrifice” made by younger generations, who he said “deserve the thanks of the nation”.
Read the full story on the Express
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Fury at Gove as exports to EU slashed by 68% since Brexit
The Observer leads with figures showing the volume of exports going through British ports to the EU fell by 68% last month compared with January last year – a drop the paper says was mostly a result of problems caused by Brexit. The data, based on a survey of Road Haulage Association (RHA) members, was detailed in a letter from the group’s chief executive to Cabinet Office Minister Michael Gove.
Read the full story on the Guardian
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750,000 OAPs rebel over TV licence
The Sunday Mirror reports that 750,000 over-75s have “rebelled” by refusing to pay their TV licence fee. The broadcaster withdrew free licenses for most of the age group last August – but Dennis Reed of the pensioners campaign group Silver Voices said “a hard core are resisting”.
Read the full story on the Daily Mirror
UK Weather Forecast
Sunday 7th February 2021
Sunrise 07:30
Sunset 17:03
Today
Much of the UK will have a cold afternoon with brisk easterly winds bringing snow showers in places. Parts of the southeast and East Anglia will see heavier snow developing. Often cloudy for most.
Tonight
Staying cold and windy over much of the UK tonight. Further outbreaks of snow in places, initially most frequent in the southeast and East Anglia but snow spreading further west and north later.
Tweet of the Day
𝐌𝐕𝐏 𝐱𝟑 🏆🏆🏆
AARON RODGERS! #GoPackGo pic.twitter.com/UxShTi4HKn
Treat of the week
https://wtxnews.com/2021/02/04/effy-stonem-and-the-enduring-appeal-skins/
Renaissance
“Toto, I’ve a feeling we’re not in Kansas anymore.” THE WIZARD OF OZ (1939)
A bit of Nostalgia from our entertainment people
Featured Story
Wealthy skipping vaccine queue
What are the papers saying?
‘There absolutely will be a black market’: How the rich and privileged can skip the line for Covid-19 vaccines
Athletes, politicians, and other wealthy or well-connected people have managed to get special treatment throughout the pandemic, including preferential access to testing and unapproved therapies. Early access to coronavirus vaccines is likely to be no different, medical experts and ethicists told STAT. It could happen in any number of ways, they said: fudging the definition of “essential workers” or “high-risk” conditions, lobbying by influential industries, physicians caving to pressure to keep their patients happy, and even through outright bribery or theft. – Read on
The Rich Skip
The Rich Are Skipping the Vaccine Queue. What Are We Going to Do About It? – Novarda Media
Super-rich skip coronavirus vaccine queue by jetting abroad to get jabs – The Telegraph
Covid vaccines: Outrage after casino boss jumps queue for jabs – BBC News
Private members club brags of flying super-rich overseas for ‘luxury’ Covid vaccines – the London economic
‘It’s like the Hunger Games out there’: Hollywood elite desperate for Covid-19 vaccine offer $10k bribes to doctors in a bid to skip the line and receive jab early – Daily Mail
American health care is a caste system. Covid vaccine distribution shouldn’t be. – msnbc
Global Covid-19 updates
GLOBAL COVID-19 TODAY
CORONAVIRUS CASES: 106,404,126
DEATHS: 2,321,761
RECOVERED: 78,062,307
Business news
Lastminute.com failed to meet Covid refund deadline – BBC Business
London venues turn to crowdfunding for survival – FT News
Banks finalise bonus plans amid threat of pandemic backlash – Sky Business
Wall Street Week Ahead: GameStop frenzy reveals potential for broader market stress – Reuters
Sports News
England 6-11 Scotland: ‘A collective Calcutta Cup win for the ages’ – Read on
Super Bowl 2021: Tom Brady and Patrick Mahomes go head to head – preview – Read on
Leon Spinks: Ex-heavyweight champion who shocked Muhammad Ali dies aged 67 – Read on
Andy Murray angry at missing Australian Open & questions LTA protocols – Read on