This is the twenty-second of a series of bulletins produced by ISE to update members on key data and policy on Covid-19. This covers the period 20/08/2020-25/08/2020.
You can access all of the Covid-19 bulletins on the ISE website.
Latest Covid-19 data
Data taken from Wikipedia and from the government’s Number of coronavirus (Covid-19) cases and risk in the UK webpage.
After a period of increase in July and August, the number of new Covid cases may have stabilised. The number of deaths continues to decline prompting new theories about why the disease seems to be becoming less deadly. Despite this there are continuing fears about a second wave or peak emerging in the autumn.
- As of the morning of the 25th August it says that the UK has had 326,614 cases and 41,433 deaths from Covid-19.
- New data from the Office for National Statistics on the social impact of the Covid-19 pandemic.
Ending lockdown
- Concerns about Covid-19 in Birmingham are leading to threats that the city will be put into local lockdown.
Schools
- As students receive their BTec grades, education secretary Gavin Williamson is under fire for his handling of the exam results.
- The Prime Minister has reasserted the importance of schools reopening in September and has been backed up by key government advisers and scientists. The government is preparing to fine parents who do not send their children to school and to put in place contingencies for further lockdowns.
Post-secondary education
- The government has launched a new service to support apprentices who have been made redundant.
- Universities are hoping to return to face-to-face teaching in the autumn. But, some staff have raised concerns about whether this endangers their health. Some scientists are arguing for mass testing of students.
The economy
- The global economy continued to be impacted by the pandemic. Global dividends have dropped over the last quarter.
- The UK economy is rebounding, but UK public debt is now more than £2tn.
The labour market
- Many furloughed workers have returned to work, but the scheme is still covering 12% of UK workers.
- Redundancies and job losses continue with Marks & Spencer announcing that they will cut 7000 jobs.
- Analysis suggests that the job losses will not be equally distributed across the country.
Working in the pandemic
- Managing work-life balance when working at home.
Was this article helpful?
YesNo
0 Comments