UK schools could close for TWO MONTHS under plan to contain coronavirus

Emergency plans are being drawn up by health officials to contain the coronavirus which could see schools closed for at least two months. Football matches, concerts and other mass gatherings may also need to be suspended, the chief medical officer Professor Chris Whitty said. Professor Whitty has refused to rule out anything, but is understood … Read more

Armed forces´ equipment plan `unaffordable´, watchdog…

MoD’s equipment plan has £13bn funding black hole meaning military may not be able to expand its F-35 fighter jet fleet, watchdog warns MoD’s predicts £183.6b spending between 2019 and 2029, an overrun of £2.9b However in the ‘worst-case scenario’ this extra spending could rise to £13 billion NAO warned reluctance on ‘difficult decisions’ means … Read more

Tokyo Olympics ‘may not have a plan to tackle coronavirus’

Tokyo Olympic organisers may not have planned for what to do in the case of a global disease outbreak, the man behind five successful bids has warned. Terrence Burns, who worked on winning bids for two summer and three winter Olympics, said the bid committees are not typically asked to explain what they would do … Read more

£2bn Stonehenge tunnel plan ‘scrapped’ after UNESCO survey

Two mile tunnel underneath Stonehenge is set to be scrapped over funding problems after survey uncovered issues that could send costs soaring to £2billion Controversial plans to tunnel under Stonehenge are set to be scrapped  The A303 upgrade in Wiltshire involves work around the World Heritage Site  Planners wanted to dig a £2bn 1.8 mile … Read more

EU ministers play hardball as they sign off negotiating plan

What happens next in Brexit trade wrangling?  Today: EU ministers signed off the negotiating mandate for Michel Barnier in Brussels. It will be published this afternoon. The Brexit inner Cabinet finalised the UK’s approach in Westminster.  Thursday: The UK’s negotiating proposals will be put before Parliament. Monday: Talks on the trade deal are due to … Read more