NEWS

Face masks could be mandatory in English shops, hints Boris Johnson

The government is considering making masks mandatory in English shops, Boris Johnson has hinted. ‘As we get the virus down, in the way that we have, and we stamp out local outbreaks in the way that we are, I do think we need to be stricter in insisting that people wear face coverings in confined places,’ Mr. Johnson said yesterday, giving shops as an example – Guardian

Staff could get legal right to work from home under Conservatives – Telegraph

MPs warn about bias in predicted results for pupils in England – Guardian

Huge row erupts between UK and EU as Boris shuns bloc’s vaccines scheme – Express

Boris Johnson plans radical shake-up of NHS in bid to regain more direct control – Guardian

‘£80k for a damehood’ honours scandal exposed: Firm claims to know ‘people that matter’ to secure OBEs, MBEs and knighthoods – as leaked emails reveal cynical offer to help author Barbara Taylor Bradford become a dame by working with ex civil servants – Mail

COMMENT

China’s threat to free trade: America fears the next boss of the World Trade Organisation will be Beijing’s poodle – Alex Brummer, Mail

The smart way to stand up to China’s bullying – Matthew Parris, Times