Jul 8, 2020 05:21 PM
Morgan: 'Utterly disgusting' that free parking for NHS to be scrapped
https://www.standard.co.uk/news/uk/nhs-p...91881.html
INTRO: Piers Morgan has hit out at ministers for the “utterly disgusting” move to scrap free hospital car parking for NHS workers in all but "certain circumstances". The fees were waived in March, as lockdown took hold, after the Department of Health and Social Care (DHSC) provided funding, meaning NHS trusts did not have to shoulder the extra cost. The waiver also encouraged NHS staff to avoid public transport, where Covid-19 can spread more easily.
But now the DHSC has said the free parking will continue only for “key patient groups and NHS staff in certain circumstances” as the pandemic eases, although no further timeline has been given. Ministers have confirmed the fees by private companies, which can be as much as £3.50 an hour, or £77 a day at Guy’s and St Thomas’ NHS Foundation Trust, London “cannot continue indefinitely”, the i newspaper reports.
“For years we’ve said this should never be happening anyway, it seems to be utterly ridiculous that doctors, nurses and surgeons and everybody else in the healthcare system have to pay for the privilege of going to hospitals to save our lives,” Mr Morgan fumed. He said it was “particularly obscene” during a global pandemic that has claimed the lives of hundreds of NHS workers... (MORE)
Bookings surge at UK campsites as holidaymakers shun foreign travel
https://newseu.cgtn.com/news/2020-07-08/...index.html
EXCERPTS: UK campsites are enjoying a surge in demand, with millions of people flocking to websites to book outdoor holidays this summer. The fear factor over traveling abroad is driving up demand for camping staycations and attracting holidaymakers who wouldn't normally be tempted to stay in a tent. [...] "We've had a million people visit the site [Pitchup.com] over the last week, who have made bookings for almost 100,000 people now. So, it's phenomenal and although, obviously, some of that is pent-up demand, we are continuing to see these very large increases on a day-by-day basis."
[...] Like so many other activities, the camping experience has changed because of the coronavirus crisis. Campsites have to place pitches further apart, which has caused a reduction in capacity for some. Social distancing is still enforced at sites, shared kitchens are shut and time slots permitted for showers are strictly allocated. All this has changed priorities for customers considering what camping gear to buy.
[...] That feeling of independence and freedom that camping gives people after months of lockdown, is reflected in boosted sales for camping stores, where customers have been snapping up individual shower tents and toilets in record quantities... (MORE - details)
https://www.standard.co.uk/news/uk/nhs-p...91881.html
INTRO: Piers Morgan has hit out at ministers for the “utterly disgusting” move to scrap free hospital car parking for NHS workers in all but "certain circumstances". The fees were waived in March, as lockdown took hold, after the Department of Health and Social Care (DHSC) provided funding, meaning NHS trusts did not have to shoulder the extra cost. The waiver also encouraged NHS staff to avoid public transport, where Covid-19 can spread more easily.
But now the DHSC has said the free parking will continue only for “key patient groups and NHS staff in certain circumstances” as the pandemic eases, although no further timeline has been given. Ministers have confirmed the fees by private companies, which can be as much as £3.50 an hour, or £77 a day at Guy’s and St Thomas’ NHS Foundation Trust, London “cannot continue indefinitely”, the i newspaper reports.
“For years we’ve said this should never be happening anyway, it seems to be utterly ridiculous that doctors, nurses and surgeons and everybody else in the healthcare system have to pay for the privilege of going to hospitals to save our lives,” Mr Morgan fumed. He said it was “particularly obscene” during a global pandemic that has claimed the lives of hundreds of NHS workers... (MORE)
Bookings surge at UK campsites as holidaymakers shun foreign travel
https://newseu.cgtn.com/news/2020-07-08/...index.html
EXCERPTS: UK campsites are enjoying a surge in demand, with millions of people flocking to websites to book outdoor holidays this summer. The fear factor over traveling abroad is driving up demand for camping staycations and attracting holidaymakers who wouldn't normally be tempted to stay in a tent. [...] "We've had a million people visit the site [Pitchup.com] over the last week, who have made bookings for almost 100,000 people now. So, it's phenomenal and although, obviously, some of that is pent-up demand, we are continuing to see these very large increases on a day-by-day basis."
[...] Like so many other activities, the camping experience has changed because of the coronavirus crisis. Campsites have to place pitches further apart, which has caused a reduction in capacity for some. Social distancing is still enforced at sites, shared kitchens are shut and time slots permitted for showers are strictly allocated. All this has changed priorities for customers considering what camping gear to buy.
[...] That feeling of independence and freedom that camping gives people after months of lockdown, is reflected in boosted sales for camping stores, where customers have been snapping up individual shower tents and toilets in record quantities... (MORE - details)