News and Opinion

Boris Johnson has said he would consider the introduction of an emergency universal income scheme to help those workers affected by coronavirus. Johnson said introducing a universal basic income to aid financially hit workers ‘will certainly be considered’ and agreed to hold talks with supporters of the proposed scheme. The prime minister’s comments came after […]

A report into the Windrush scandal will be published on Thursday, the Home Office has announced. Have your say Send your letters for publication to The New European by emailing letters@theneweuropean.co.uk and pick up an edition each Thursday for more comment and analysis. Find your nearest stockist here or subscribe to a print or digital […]

While a number of countries have reported rapidly increasing cases of coronavirus, there are some reported very few to no cases. JEREMY ROSSMAN tries to explain why. Since the COVID-19 pandemic began in Wuhan, China in December 2019, we have seen the virus spread to over 160 countries. Several countries have experienced large outbreaks, including […]

MPs have been told to stay away from Prime Minister’s Questions unless they are expected to be called to quiz Boris Johnson. Conservative and Labour whips are understood to have told their MPs not to attend the chamber unless they have a question listed on the order paper. The move comes after MPs expressed unease […]

The government is facing calls to do more to support the poorest in society over the coronavirus outbreak amid allegations the chancellor’s £350 billion package did ‘nothing’ to protect home renters and those on low incomes. Rishi Sunak has vowed to do ‘whatever it takes’ to buoy the economy when he set out his ‘unprecedented’ […]

The BBC has announced plans to scale back some of its news services as it focuses on ‘core’ output amid the coronavirus outbreak. The corporation’s director of news Fran Unsworth said that these are ‘unprecedented and difficult days’. The broadcaster will be operating a ‘core news service’ on the BBC News Channel which will replace […]

The government has again insisted it will not extend the Brexit transition period – despite no face-to-face talks taking place. The prime minister’s Europe adviser David Frost and Brussels’ chief negotiator Michel Barnier were due to hold talks on Wednesday, although the prospect of face-to-face discussions had already been ruled out due to the virus. […]

Trust in British society has been in short supply – and the Brexit vote did not help. As JON GOULDING explains, businesses have been trying to change public attitudes, but it requires the help of politicians too. You’d be hard-pressed to find someone who wouldn’t agree that in the run-up to the Brexit vote and […]

A majority of people across 12 different countries believe that the borders should be closed in their country to stop the coronavirus, but British people are the least supportive. UK citizens least likely to support closing the borders to stop coronavirus. Photograph: Ipsos Mori. – Credit: Archant A survey of 12,000 people across 12 major […]

Boris Johnson reportedly left manufacturers unimpressed after holding a conference call with where he joked his appeal could be dubbed ‘operation last gasp’. There are fears that the country is facing a shortage of the life-saving equipment, which is critical to help those that are suffering from the coronavirus. In a conference call, held with […]

The government should not offer billionaire Virgin boss Sir Richard Branson financial support until he has used his reserves, a shadow minister has claimed. Labour’s shadow transport secretary Andy McDonald urged Sir Richard to ‘look to his own considerable reserves’ and withdraw his proposal that Virgin airlines staff take eight weeks’ unpaid leave to mitigate […]

Boris Johnson has unveiled his top team to tackle the coronavirus outbreak, claiming that it is a ‘war’ that must be won. The prime minister unveiled a new ministerial structure tasked with convening at daily ‘C-19 meetings’ to refine measures set out at the Cobra emergency committee. It includes chancellor Rishi Sunak, health secretary Matt […]

The chairman of pub giant Wetherspoon has claimed that the government will make a tactical error if it resorts to a ‘de facto lockdown’ of pubs because of the coronavirus crisis. Tim Martin said Holland’s actions – admitting that most people will get the virus, while protecting the elderly and sick, thereby building up group […]

Parliament must find ‘modern, democratic way’ to hold the government to account during the coronavirus outbreak, the electoral reform society has said. Options being discussed by parliamentary authorities include ‘radically’ reducing the number of MPs present in the chamber or allowing party whips to act as ‘proxies’ for colleagues’ votes. But the Electoral Reform Society […]

A Tory MP has told her constituent to ‘get a life’ after he questioned whether £94 a week was enough for statutory sick pay during the coronavirus. https://twitter.com/Pauline_Latham/status/1238903676934160384 Twitter user @ML1Hughes, who describes himself as ‘a reader, a wildlife gardener and obedient servant of a cat’, tweeted his local MP fearing that the government’s statutory […]

Britain’s electoral laws are ‘out-dated, confusing and no longer fit for purpose’, according to the Law Commission. The commission has published a number of reforms aimed at modernising the Victorian-era laws and ensuring that ‘elections are fit for purpose in the 21st century’. Among their proposed reforms are responses to technological developments, such as the […]

Postponing elections can mean politicians not neccessarily good at their job stay in office for longer. But it is impossible to run them without making compromises. TOBY JAMES explains more. Local elections scheduled to take place in England and Wales in the first week of May – including the London mayoral vote – have been […]

A businessman is taking court action against the Brexit Party after failure to pay for election billboards. Brexit Party leader Nigel Farage during the general election campaign. Photograph: Dominic Lipinski/PA. – Credit: PA Wire/PA Images Victor Shields, director of Giant Advertising, has provided political billboards for the last 12 years to all major political parties. […]

For some spending two weeks in self-isolation is nothing to fear, for others it fills them with dread. Psychologist SARITA ROBINSON explains how you can avoid letting the situation affect your mental health. People who suspect they may have come into contact with the coronavirus are being advised to self-isolate (stay at home) for 14 […]

An expert has challenged Good Morning Britain presenter Piers Morgan to prove his ‘masters in public health’ after he challenging the UK’s stance on tackling coronavirus. Professor Jason Leitch, Scotland’s national clinical director, clashed with the outspoken breakfast show presenter after the debate focused on the UK and Scottish government’s response to the outbreak. The […]

Peers in the House of Lords have warned of a ‘double whammy’ from the UK from a rushed Brexit and the coronavirus outbreak. Former cabinet minister Lord Hain accused Boris Johnson of rushing towards an ‘extreme, hard Brexit’ since the Tories’ election victory in December. The Labour peer warned this would compound the ‘profound economic […]

The European Union is planning to shut its borders to non-essential travellers for at least 30 days in a dramatic move aimed at limiting the spread of coronavirus. European Commission president Ursula von der Leyen has proposed the measures, which will not apply to the UK. Von der Leyen said: ‘Here in Europe we are […]

With supermarket shelves selling out of hand santiser, it is possible to make your own at home. These scientists give their view on what is required to make it suitable for tackling coronavirus. To slow the spread of coronavirus we’re being told to wash our hands more, preferably with soap and water, or failing that, […]

Retailers have reported a rise in abuse of staff amid coronavirus panic-buying, despite supermarkets calling for calm from shoppers. It comes after a chaotic weekend for retailers, which saw their shelves emptied of essential items such as toilet rolls, cleaning products, dried pasta and tinned food, after the virus outbreak was classified as a pandemic. […]

Thousands of people have signed a petition calling for frontline NHS workers to be tested for coronavirus as a matter of priority. The online petition has gathered more than 25,000 signatures calling for health workers to be tested, so they can keep on working instead of going into isolation if they have a cold. Junior […]

School leaders are due to meet the education secretary to discuss the implications of schools being closed and exams being postponed, amid the coronavirus pandemic. Gavin Williamson is expected to meet representatives from the NAHT school leaders’ union, the Association of School and College Leaders (ASCL) and the Confederation of School Trusts (CST). Ahead of […]

What effect will the warmer weather have on COVID-19? JEREMY ROSSMAN, a lecturer in virology, explains that it could be beneficial for Britain. As the coronavirus death toll continues to rise, some have suggested that the approaching warmer spring weather in the northern hemisphere may slow or even stop the spread of the disease. US […]

Boris Johnson or one of his senior ministers will hold daily press conferences to update the public on the fight against the coronavirus outbreak, Downing Street has said. The prime minister will address the media over the pandemic alongside chief medical officer Professor Chris Whitty and chief scientific adviser Sir Patrick Vallance. The first of […]

WILL SELF on mortality, metaphors and the book that might help you deal with the coronavirus pandemic. People terrified of contracting coronavirus and dying from Covid-19 might be better off stocking up on copies of Susan Sontag’s Illness as Metaphor than dried pasta and hand-sanitiser. Indeed, in my more whimsical moments I imagine just this: […]

In an age of social media and 24-hour rolling news, fear is spreading faster than the coronavirus. JACK DEBIEC, an assistant professor in psychiatry, says there ways to slow it down. As cases of COVID-19 proliferate, there’s a pandemic of fear unfolding alongside the pandemic of the coronavirus. Media announce mass cancellations of public events […]

There has been a rush for people to buy hand santiser in supermarkets – but not all of them are effective against coronavirus. MANAL MOHAMMED, a lecture in microbiology, advises to make the most of soap. People can help fight the spread of the coronavirus by continuing to regularly wash their hands with soap and […]

LUNA WILLIAM on how Brexit threatens the Romani community from all angles – including their rights, mobility, support and access to services as well as a rise in discriminatory attitudes. The Romani community is one with a long and complicated history. Since its origin, members have faced prejudice, discrimination and persecution across Europe. Now Romani […]