Union chiefs are now warning teachers it will ‘not be safe’ to mark pupils’ books when schools reopen, while casting yet more doubt on the government’s plans to bring children back to primary schools next month. Staff who are members of the UK biggest teaching union will be told to go through a 20-page checklist with … Read more
Pick of the bunch: Garden centres reopen again but plan your trip carefully to avoid disappointment Garden centres have reopened but they are likely to be frantically busy Seeds, compost and bedding plants are still available online or by mail order Large feature plants will be expensive, but terrific value and make focal points By … Read more
You know you are living in strange times when buying a bag of compost feels like a treat. Gareth Bressington could hardly contain himself as he loaded a sack on to his trolley at the Studley Green Garden Centre. ‘It’s for my partner’s mother,’ he explained. ‘She’s self-isolating.’ The simple gesture gratified him. A trip … Read more
Wales pre-empts PM with ‘modest’ loosening of lockdown measures These are the three ‘small’ changes announced by First Minister Mark Drakeford today: Outdoor exercise permitted more than once a day but must be ‘local’. Garden centres can reopen if they observe ‘social distancing’ rules. Councils can start planning to reopen libraries and rubbish tips. Wales … Read more
Tips across England were heaving today as cooped-up Brits rushed out to reopened refuse centres to dump their rubbish for the first time since the coronavirus lockdown. There were long queues from 7.30am, half an hour before dumps opened, in both Greater Manchester and Northumberland after councils were finally given the green light to open … Read more
With all driving tests suspended until 20 June 2020 due to coronavirus, there’ll be a backlog of learners desperate to take their practical test come the summer. If the lockdown has lifted by then, test bookings are expected to be choc-a-bloc for weeks. But should learners be going to their nearest test centre or hand-picking a … Read more
Tips across the country are heaving this morning as cooped-up Brits rushed out to reopened refuse centres to dump their rubbish for the first time since the coronavirus lockdown. There were long queues from as early as 8am at dumps in Greater Manchester and Northumberland after local councils were finally given the green light to … Read more
Garden centre boss is blasted as ‘wasteful’ for throwing away thousands of plants worth £125,000 when Covid-19 forced its closure Julian Winfield of Haskins Gardens Centres was slammed on social media The centre based near Southampton had to throw away flowers into the skip Social media users asked why they were not donated to care … Read more
Ministers are under growing pressure to allow garden centres to open immediately amid warnings the lockdown will force nurseries to dump 200 million unsold plants and hand rival European firms a major advantage. Former Tory Environment Secretary Theresa Villiers said it was illogical to allow supermarket chains to sell plants and flowers, but not garden centres … Read more
UK’s testing farce: Drive-thru centres are only swabbing ‘four people a day’ as ministers bring in the Army and Amazon to ramp up capacity – but are still only a FIFTH of the way to meeting 100,000 a day target with just six days to go By Stephen Matthews Health Editor For Mailonline Published: 12:22 … Read more