Rishi Sunak to set out new economic emergency measures as billions more sought for Yorkshire

SUNAK’S STRATEGY

He has already ordered over £130bn of emergency economic measures in response to coronavirus through policies such as the furlough scheme, but Chancellor Rishi Sunak - still only a few months into the job - is under pressure to come up with more public spending as a wave of redundancies linked to the pandemic continues to grow.

On Wednesday, the Chancellor will deliver an economic update which he promises will set out “the next stage in our plan to secure the recovery” following Boris Johnson announcing last week he intends to fast-track infrastructure investment and slash property planning rules to help the economy recover from lockdown.

Last week saw thousands of job losses announced by a variety of retail groups and John Lewis confirming its intention to close some of its department stores for good, with aerospace giant Airbus UK announcing 1,700 jobs will be lost in the UK.

In a sign of the demand for support, Sheffield City Region Mayor Dan Jarvis is calling on the Government to make an immediate £1.7bn investment in South Yorkshire to help the region’s long-term economic fightback.

ARCHBISHOP ARRIVES

On Thursday, the new Archbishop of York Stephen Cottrell is to be confirmed in a virtual service - but his time in the role is already beginning under something of a cloud as he replaces John Sentamu.

Bishop Cottrell apologised last week after it emerged that domestic violence allegations made against a parish priest that were reported to him a decade ago were not investigated properly. He was cleared of any wrongdoing after concerns were raised with the Church of England’s National Safeguarding Team but the investigation into the original allegations and their handling is still ongoing.

His confirmation service will be broadcast entirely via video conference, due to coronavirus restrictions.

The service, which had been due to take place in York Minster, will be in two parts: a legal ceremony with readings, prayers and music; and a film marking the start of Bishop Stephen’s ministry as Archbishop of York. Bishop Stephen will then offer his first address as Archbishop of York.

GRENFELL INQUIRY RESUMES

The Grenfell Tower inquiry, which was put on hold in March as a result of the pandemic, is scheduled to resume on Monday.

The public inquiry into the disaster is due to resume in London limited attendance hearings.

The fire in June 2017 claimed 72 lives and more than 70 other people were injured.

MEGXIT MARKED

This Thursday marks 100 days since Megxit, when the Duke and Duchess of Sussex quit as senior royals to begin a new life in Los Angeles.

Last week, Harry outlined his personal commitment to tackling institutional racism, warning it has no place in society but that it remains endemic.

His words came after Meghan, who became the first mixed race person to marry a senior royal, delivered an impassioned Black Lives Matter speech to her old high school following the death of George Floyd in the US, sharing her “absolute devastation” at racial divisions.

ROLLERCOASTER RIDE

A new theme park aimed at young families is to open its doors in Yorkshire this weekend.

Gulliver’s Valley Theme Park in Rotherham will start welcoming in members of the public from Saturday, after its originally planned opening date in June was cancelled due to coronavirus.

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