15 million shots by Feb

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Vaccinations ramp up

The 15,000 people most vulnerable to coronavirus will have received at least one jab by the middle of February, according to the UK’s vaccine minister Nadhim Zahawi. The UK is set to open 7 mass vaccination centres across the country to deliver 2 the million jabs a week needed to hit the target.

Small firms on the rocks

250,000 small businesses could go bust in the next 12 months without further government help, according to the Federation of Small Businesses. It has suggested some ideas for extra help, including support for up to 1.1 million self-employed workers who are currently excluded from the grant scheme.

Cladding homeowners hushed

Homeowners who are applying for funding to have flammable cladding removed from their flats have been told not to speak to the press without government approval. The government set up a £1.6 billion fund to cover the repairs to the most dangerous buildings, but warned that it might not stretch to cover all of the costs.

Shortages at Ocado

Online supermarket Ocado has warned that customers might notice more substitutions in their deliveries, as some suppliers reduce the choice of products on offer. It assured shoppers that there’s plenty of food available, but said some food producers are streamlining their output to cope with staff being off sick.