Episode Details

• Boris Johnson announces ‘Roadmap’ out of COVID-19 Lockdown

• Up to half a million tenants may lose their home without financial help…

• US Tech stocks fall sharply for second day

• Free Software to help launch your online marketing business in 2021

Up to half a million tenants may lose their home without financial help, charities, landlords and lenders warn

Citizens Advice estimate that at least half a million private tenants are in arrears due to the impact of Covid-19.

And the Resolution Foundation told the BBC that 750,000 renters had fallen behind on housing costs in January - 450,000 UP on the previous year.

The think tank reported that just 3% of private renting families have been able to negotiate a lower rent over the last 10 months.

Earlier this week, the Housing Secretary, Robert Jenrick, announced that a ban on bailiff-enforced evictions in England would be extended until 31 March, which means hundreds of thousands of tenants are living on borrowed time.

Millions of buy-to-let landlords and property investors have mortgages to pay and rely on the rental income from tenants. Retired residential property landlords with no mortgages are dependent on rental income to supplement their pensions in retirement. 

Boris Johnson announces ‘Roadmap’ out of Lockdown, but little cheer for hospitality sector

Summary

Stage 1

From 8 March 2021

• Children can return to school 
• Two people can meet outside and have a coffee on a park bench
• One nominated person can visit care homes with PPE, no kissing
• University students can return for practical courses. 
• A review by the end of the Easter holidays for other university students
• Masks recommended in class for secondary school and parents and staff in primary schools
• Wraparound childcare can also return for vulnerable pupils and where needed for parents or carers to go to work, support groups or seeking medical care

From 29 March 2021

• People allowed to meet outside, with one other household or within "rule of six"
• The ‘stay at home’ rule ends, but the government will urge people to stay local
• Outdoor sport facilities reopen, including golf courses and tennis and basketball courts
• Formally organised outdoor sports can also restart
• Parents and children groups can return but are capped at 15 and must be outdoors. 
• Indoor groups can take place for vulnerable children and where parents needed for work
• Weddings attended by up to six people can take place in any circumstances

Stage 2

From 12 April 2021

• All shops allowed to open
• Restaurants and pub gardens able to serve alcohol to customers sitting outdoors
• Gyms and spas can reopen for individuals and households
• Hairdressers, beauty salons and "close contact services" can reopen
• UK domestic holidays away from home permitted 
• Self-contained accommodation can reopen for use by members of the same household
• Children allowed to attend indoor play activities, with up to 15 parents or guardians
• Zoos, theme parks and drive-in cinemas can reopen
• Libraries and community centres can reopen
• Weddings attended by up to 15 people can take place

Stage 3

From 17 May 2021

• People can meet in groups of up to 30 outdoors
• Six people or two households can meet indoors
• Pubs, restaurants and other hospitality venues can seat custom