Bitesized Blighty: August 2, 2019
Bank of England governor Mark Carney has hit back at accusations that he is stirring fear about Brexit, warning that the UK would be hit by an “instantaneous” economic shockwave if it cannot strike a deal with the EU. Carney said this morning it is “not helpful” to deny the challenges that a no-deal scenario would bring. He said there would not only be disruption at Britain’s borders, but such a situation would render a “substantial number” of businesses “no longer economic”. Amongst those worst affected would be the automotive sector, food and chemicals and transport industries.
Plastic bag sales by the biggest supermarkets in England have halved in the last year, government data shows. Asda, Marks and Spencer, Morrisons, Sainsbury's, the Co-op, Tesco and Waitrose sold 549 million single-use plastic bags in 2018-19, down from one billion in the previous year. Since 2015, when a 5p charge was introduced to tackle plastic pollution, the number being used is down by 90%. Customers now buy, on average, 10 bags a year compared to 140 bags in 2014. Environment Secretary Theresa Villiers said the figures were "a powerful demonstration that we are collectively calling time on being a throwaway society."
Britain rejoiced this week as international cricket returned to our screens in the form of The Ashes. Consisting of a five-test match series, this historical contest between England and Australia will take us through until the 16th September. England will be hoping that a mixture of experience and new talent will be enough to regain the special Urn after last year’s drubbing down under. The current match is happening now in Edgbaston, Birmingham. Next week, the players move to North London where they will entertain a full-house crowd at the home of Cricket, Lord’s. 