It is too early to start considering lifting lockdown restrictions in the UK even as vaccine targets for the most vulnerable appear to be on track, Prime Minister Boris Johnson said.
Dr Clive Dix, chairman of the UK’s vaccines task force, said he was “very optimistic” that a target of vaccinating all over-50s by May would be reached.
He said the UK was also "before the game" preparing for coronavirus mutations.
Dr Dix's optimism came as Mr Johnson warned against lifting lockdown orders early, as infection rates remain "very high" and political leaders in the EU were forced to defend the bloc's approach to delivering vaccines to member states and its sluggish start.
“I want to stress that it is still early days and we have rates of infection in this country, still very, very high,” Mr Johnson said in a video shared on his Twitter account.
“And more people, almost twice as many people in our hospitals with Covid now than there were back at the peak in April.
“So do remember how tough it still is, how high that rate of infection is, and that we must, must work together to get it done. So that’s the fundamental thing to get right. Stay at home, protect the NHS and save lives.”
He said 90 per cent of 75 to 79-year-olds and almost 90 per cent of the over-80s had been reached. Almost 11 million vaccinations had been administered.
“On February 22, I’m going to be setting out a road map as far as we’re able to, giving everybody some more clarity insofar as we can about how we hope to unlock, beginning, as you know I’m sure, with schools, we hope very much from March 8. But trying to set out the beginnings of a road map for a way forward for the whole country.
“As the vaccine programme intensifies and more and more people acquire immunity, [there will be] a steady programme for beginning to unlock.”
Anger is building in the EU as it lags behind inoculation campaigns in Israel, the UAE, the UK and US.
European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen defended the EU's response, saying countries operating on their own could move more quickly.
"I'm aware that a country might be a speedboat and the EU more a tanker. But this is the strength of the EU,” she said.
In Britain, Dr Dix said they would do everything possible to meet the inoculation goal.
"We will work day and night to ensure we meet whatever target that feasibly can be met," he said.
"So, I'm very optimistic that we will meet the May target."
MATCH INFO
Syria v Australia
2018 World Cup qualifying: Asia fourth round play-off first leg
Venue: Hang Jebat Stadium (Malacca, Malayisa)
Kick-off: Thursday, 4.30pm (UAE)
Watch: beIN Sports HD
* Second leg in Australia scheduled for October 10
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
Ten tax points to be aware of in 2026
1. Domestic VAT refund amendments: request your refund within five years
If a business does not apply for the refund on time, they lose their credit.
2. E-invoicing in the UAE
Businesses should continue preparing for the implementation of e-invoicing in the UAE, with 2026 a preparation and transition period ahead of phased mandatory adoption.
3. More tax audits
Tax authorities are increasingly using data already available across multiple filings to identify audit risks.
4. More beneficial VAT and excise tax penalty regime
Tax disputes are expected to become more frequent and more structured, with clearer administrative objection and appeal processes. The UAE has adopted a new penalty regime for VAT and excise disputes, which now mirrors the penalty regime for corporate tax.
5. Greater emphasis on statutory audit
There is a greater need for the accuracy of financial statements. The International Financial Reporting Standards standards need to be strictly adhered to and, as a result, the quality of the audits will need to increase.
6. Further transfer pricing enforcement
Transfer pricing enforcement, which refers to the practice of establishing prices for internal transactions between related entities, is expected to broaden in scope. The UAE will shortly open the possibility to negotiate advance pricing agreements, or essentially rulings for transfer pricing purposes.
7. Limited time periods for audits
Recent amendments also introduce a default five-year limitation period for tax audits and assessments, subject to specific statutory exceptions. While the standard audit and assessment period is five years, this may be extended to up to 15 years in cases involving fraud or tax evasion.
8. Pillar 2 implementation
Many multinational groups will begin to feel the practical effect of the Domestic Minimum Top-Up Tax (DMTT), the UAE's implementation of the OECD’s global minimum tax under Pillar 2. While the rules apply for financial years starting on or after January 1, 2025, it is 2026 that marks the transition to an operational phase.
9. Reduced compliance obligations for imported goods and services
Businesses that apply the reverse-charge mechanism for VAT purposes in the UAE may benefit from reduced compliance obligations.
10. Substance and CbC reporting focus
Tax authorities are expected to continue strengthening the enforcement of economic substance and Country-by-Country (CbC) reporting frameworks. In the UAE, these regimes are increasingly being used as risk-assessment tools, providing tax authorities with a comprehensive view of multinational groups’ global footprints and enabling them to assess whether profits are aligned with real economic activity.
Contributed by Thomas Vanhee and Hend Rashwan, Aurifer
David Haye record
Total fights: 32
Wins: 28
Wins by KO: 26
Losses: 4
More on Quran memorisation:
How to watch Ireland v Pakistan in UAE
When: The one-off Test starts on Friday, May 11
What time: Each day’s play is scheduled to start at 2pm UAE time.
TV: The match will be broadcast on OSN Sports Cricket HD. Subscribers to the channel can also stream the action live on OSN Play.
