News

News. 5^th November
You may remember that there was a report about a company, Randox, because they were given a large contract to provide testing kits and to carry out tests for the virus.  The kits were sub-standard and could not be used and there was big row because they were not able to process the tests they received in the right time.  Well, now they have been given another contract for £347 million.  There was no competition for this money – it was just given.  One conservative MP is paid £100 thousand a year to be a consultant to the company.  There are questions about how this deal was arranged.  Yesterday there was a story about the £45 million fraud with another company where PPE was paid up front but never delivered.  There are going to be calls to investigate how all this money has been given away.
The vaccine that is being developed by the team in Oxford is progressing very well.  There were some reports it could be ready by Christmas.  The head of the team says there is only a small chance that it will be ready then because the results have got to be analysed first to make sure the vaccine actually works.
Because of lockdown there are no Santa’s grottos this year.  One company is now offering Facebook video calls to Mr Claus at the North Pole.  Kids can talk to Santa and also have some reindeer training or have a virtual sleigh ride.  Another company is “santascallingyou.co.uk” and they have trained actors to call children on Zoom.