The COVID-19 pandemic has thrown the economy into chaos. People are being laid off, businesses are struggling and entire industries have been thrown into uncertainty due to the global outbreak of the virus. Small business owners and workers have been affected the most acutely. Many have had to shut down […]
Year: 2020
‘Low skilled’ workers around the EU may not meet the requirements of a “points-based” visa system proposed by the government
New immigration plans set to be put in place could result in sectors struggling to recruit staff according to those in the industries. The stated post-Brexit Immigration plans aim to encourage employers to invest in retaining staff and to develop automation technology. Many representatives from sectors like nursing, farming and catering are concerned that under this […]
Council considering safety changes to Newcastle’s busiest roads during lockdown
Newcastle City Council are considering implementing safety changes to some of Newcastle’s busiest roads. More space could be designated to pedestrians and cyclists to help keep to social distancing rules, whilst also improving safety when exercising. There have been calls from environmental campaigners to add other measures to help locals […]
Thousands sign petition against MPs receiving £10,000 ‘Work-from-home’ fund
Thousands of people have come together to sign an online petition to prevent Members of Parliament from receiving £10,000 each as a ‘work-from-home’ allowance. The £10,000 work-from-home fund was made accessible for MPs to claim, helping them to support themselves and their staff, as well as any additional office costs […]
Durham County Council launches children’s online storytelling scheme
DURHAM County Council library services have launched online storytelling sessions for children to enjoy at home in response to the ongoing pandemic. The initiative comes after the closure of schools and the council’s libraries, where authors would normally come to narrate stories and poems for a child audience every […]
Newcastle Catering Business Donates Cup Cakes to NHS Staff
A North East business has shown its appreciation to health workers by baking and donating cupcakes to NHS staff in Newcastle. MK Catering donated 200 cupcakes to frontline staff who are fighting the Covid-19 pandemic at the Royal Victoria Infirmary on Friday last week. In the next week, they’re due […]
Newcastle charity maintains connection with bereaved children despite CoVid-19
St Oswald’s Hospice has continued to support children through family bereavements despite social distancing measures brought in due to the Covid-19 pandemic. The charity has worked quickly to find new ways of offering its services, one of which is the Child Bereavement Support service. As well as face time calls, […]
Comfort-eating during COVID-19 lockdown
We’ve all been there in different circumstances, comfort-eating could be your way of dealing with grief or a heartbreak but during this lockdown, it’s mostly because we are bored. This lockdown has made many people to do a series of different things like in the United States of America where […]
Summer-Like Weather During COVID-19 Lockdown
In the north-east, the sun has been shining, people have been getting their drinks and suncream out but it’s going to rain when we leave the house, isn’t it? Back in March, weather forecasters had predicted it would be the ‘hottest ever’ spring with temperatures going up to 24 degrees […]
Will our music scene bounce back after Boris’ bum note?
#The CoronaDiaries Music journalist and University of Sunderland journalism graduate and mediahub intern Jordan Davidson – who runs the SPOTLIGHTUK.co.uk music coverage website – reflects on the possible damage done to the regional music scene by the rather confused and disjointed initial government response to the coronavirus crisis. […]