SUNDERLAND is a city divided over Kier Starmer’s full-scale national ‘circuit break’ lockdown to try to halt Covid-19. For Wearsiders, the lockdown rules have already had a profound impact on businesses and families, particularly with current lockdown restrictions preventing the mixing of households. However, due to the increase of […]
Covid-19
North East given tier three reprieve, but everyone must play their part to avoid it
PEOPLE in the North East of England must step up to protect the region’s jobs, businesses and health and stop it from being put in Tier 3 of coronavirus restrictions, the North of Tyne Mayor has said. The seven local authorities of Northumberland, Newcastle, North and South Tyneside, Gateshead, Sunderland […]
Universities face mounting pressure to switch to online classes amid Covid-19
UNIVERSITIES are facing growing pressure to move lessons online amid thousands of Covid-19 cases on campuses across the UK. The University and College Union (UCU) has launched a new petition demanding that the Government switches university classes from face-to-face to online immediately “where possible”. It comes after figures, which were […]
Home gym equipment shortage in North East could worsen with Tier 3 Restrictions
A SHORTAGE of home gym equipment in the North East could become more acute, as Tier 3 restrictions could soon be extended to the area, closing gyms and forcing everyone to work out at home once again. Demand increases and prices soar Demand for home gym equipment had increased so […]
UoS arts boss: ‘Creative industries are what make us human’
The past few days have seen a storm of controversy around apparent Government ‘contempt’ for the UK’s arts and creative industries (A&CI). The perception that ministers see careers in A&CI as somehow ‘disposable’ was reinforced by a government advert which said in these hard Covid times, creatives like the ballerina […]
Coronavirus update: Circuit breaker potentially soon, Raab slams Russian lies, death toll surge expected
HERE’S a round-up of today’s latest news on the coronavirus pandemic from around the UK. Professor John Edmunds said it is better to place a circuit-breaker lockdown sooner rather than later. Prof Edmunds, a member of the Scientific Advisory Group for Emergencies (Sage), said a “harsh” circuit-breaker akin to a […]
Coronavirus update: University cases, crime, tier battles and free school meals
HERE’S a round-up of today’s latest news on the coronavirus pandemic from around the UK. DURHAM University has said that 964 of their staff and students have tested positive for coronavirus in the seven days prior to Wednesday 14 October. This comes when Northumbria and Newcastle University confirmed over 1600 […]
Coronavirus update: lockdown arguments, drinking crowds and fears over hospitals and care homes
HERE’S a round-up of today’s latest news on the coronavirus pandemic from around the UK. Greater Manchester mayor Andy Burnham said the Government “has not discussed” whether his area will be moved into Tier 3 status later today. He tweeted: “Since one meeting on Friday, the Government has not […]
Jail for ‘despicable’ hospital raiders who struck at start of Covid-19 crisis
A GANG of four men who stole cylinders of painkilling gas from three North East hospitals at the start of the coronavirus crisis were “despicable” and their crimes “could have been catastrophic”, a judge has said. The men, from Norfolk, were each jailed for four years today (Tuesday 13 […]
City leader welcomes ‘steady-as-you-go’ approach to Covid in the North East
LEADERS of the North East’s seven local authorities – including Sunderland – today welcomed the Government’s decision yesterday not to introduce a tougher crackdown on Covid-19 for the region. A joint statement, supported by Sunderland Council leader Graeme Miller, said: “We were clear in our discussions with government that […]