Features - Page 160

First minister, Nicola Sturgeon has issued an apology following disputes over examination results in Scotland.

London based online market research agency FlyResearch has been issuing weekly polls to its research panel of over 3000 people throughout the coronavirus lockdown in the UK, in order to project how the outbreak and the implementing of social distancing has been impacting the daily life of UK citizens. This week, managing partner Greg Ward discusses the findings from the nineteenth wave of the Covid-19 tracker survey with the Leaders Council, published on August 5 and sourced from data collected on July 31.

Education secretary, Gavin Williamson, has claimed that there is little evidence of coronavirus transmission in schools, as educational establishments prepare to reopen as early as tomorrow.

In a move that leaves no room for interpretation, Ofqual have made poetry optional in the GCSE syllabus in a hope of alleviating some of the pressure felt by teachers and pupils as a result of the pandemic.

For the first time in 70 years, it will be possible to walk down the Pleasance and not be bombarded by flyers and performers alike. The arrival of the pandemic, and subsequent cancellation of both the Fringe and the International Festival, have left a gaping hole in August, none more so than for Zinnie Harris.

While the Covid-19 pandemic has placed enormous strain upon the health and social care sectors, recognition of the industry’s efforts has been apparent across the UK, with the weekly clap for carers, nurses, doctors and key workers one such gesture of appreciation. However, for one industry chief, Pericles co-founder Paulamaria Blaxland-de Lange, recognition of the sector’s struggles must now translate to tangible action in the shape of additional funding.

Covid-19 has taken its toll on the Met. Forced to abandon its annual gala at the beginning of the pandemic, the museum has now resorted to laying off dozens of employees, leaving the museum 20 per cent smaller than it was prior to the outbreak.

For most, sales of $2.5 billion amid a pandemic would be a cause for celebration. Yet for Sotheby’s, this almost 25 per cent decline in sales is anything but.

The recent weather in London lends itself to ice cream, perhaps more than elsewhere in the country. Thankfully, conceptual artist Heather Phillipson has answered the call, building a 31-foot statue of a dollop of cream, with a precariously positioned fly sitting atop it.

First came Tiger King, soon followed Normal People, then I May Destroy You, and just like that, Britons spent 40 per cent of their waking hours watching the telly.

On April 23rd the V&A was supposed to open an exhibition on the history of the handbag. Two months later, one on Alice in Wonderland had planned to follow. Now, after a closure of almost 150 days, the gallery is set to reopen, thought the format is a touch unclear.

Rishi Sunak has announced that the UK "will not hesitate" to add countries to the quarantine list in the hope of preventing the spread of Covid-19.

As businesses across the country respond to the current economic situation, the director of Corkills Motor Group spoke with The Leaders Council about the difference between leadership and management. Meanwhile the "Dominic Cummings effect" damages faith in the government.

As the Covid-19 pandemic continues to deal a significant blow to the UK economy and the knock-on effects are felt on businesses and supply chains, CEO of Derbyshire training provider Qualitrain Group, Richard Bates, tells the Leaders Council about how his firm is looking to deal with the loss of income streams by exploring means of innovating and seeking out new opportunities. Meanwhile, Douglas Ross, who was confirmed as the new leader of the Scottish Conservatives on Wednesday, has promised to produce an economic recovery plan within the next month.