Actively inactive: Identifying tension in the UK labour market October 16, 2020 The Covid-19 crisis and resulting responses to curb the spread of infections has caused tension to form in pockets of the UK labour market. Given how important it is to tackle economic inactivity if we are to speed the UK’s recovery, it is vital that these new labour market dynamics are recognised, and that steps [...]
UK retail sales return to growth after lockdown exit roadmap announced March 9, 2021 UK retail sales returned to growth in February after the government revealed plans to ease the coronavirus lockdown measures. The Prime Minister set out the roadmap to exit lockdown on 22 February – with some plans reported in the preceding days – prompting shoppers to buy non-food items such as school uniforms and going out [...]
Barclaycard defends decision to cut customers’ credit limits by 95 per cent April 20, 2021 Barclaycard has defended cutting some customers’ credit limits after a backlash from people complaining they had been reduced by over 95 per cent. Some customers complained that their limits had been significantly reduced despite having never missed a payment. It was pointed out that Barclaycard had made the reductions at a time when some people [...]
Before the Bell: Europe lags behind as Germany and France hit pause on AstraZeneca vaccine March 16, 2021 After an initially positive start markets in Europe rolled over and finished yesterday in negative territory, after Germany, followed by France, Italy and then Spain said they were pausing the rollout of the AstraZeneca vaccine over concerns that it might be a contributory factor in certain cases where blood clots have been reported. The suspensions [...]
UK signs post-Brexit trade deal with Norway and Iceland December 8, 2020 The UK just signed in London a post-Brexit rollover trade deal with Norway and Iceland. The agreement covers trade in goods, and ensures 95 per cent of goods trade with Norway and over 90 per cent with Iceland will remain tariff-free, providing businesses with certainty that they can continue to operate on the same terms [...]
Corona Impact Series: How the chronicle of a storyteller from Dalston turned into a virtual tale April 30, 2021 In this series, City A.M. looks at the financial and economic impact of the ongoing pandemic on a range of small and medium-sized businesses across London. This week: How a creative provider of experience in East London was pushed to go entirely digital overnight, without losing its authenticity and immersiveness. “As Covid hit and the bottom fell out [...]
AgriDex selects L3COS and tokenisation for $9 trillion global food and agriculture marketplace March 10, 2021 Global food and agriculture industry supply chain platform AgriDex has selected L3COS to create its blockchain-based transparent marketplace.
Oxford vaccine ‘to be approved before the new year’ December 19, 2020 The Oxford vaccine is expected to be approved before the end of the year, making it the second Covid vaccine to be approved in the UK. It is believed the vaccine will be approved on 28 or 29 December after final data is provided to the health regulator on Monday. The UK has ordered 100 [...]
Car sales pick up in March as market shows signs of life April 6, 2021 Car sales rose 11.5 per cent in March as the UK market began to show signs of life after a dire year for the automotive industry. According to data from the Society from Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT), sales remain around 37 per cent below the monthly average for March between 2010-2019. The third month [...]
Consumer confidence edges up after hitting record low July 27, 2020 Consumers in the UK are emerging from the last three months in a slightly more positive mood, a closely-watched industry gauge showed today, with plans to start spending again. Consumer confidence at the end of the second quarter climbed just one percentage point to minus 17 per cent, up from a record low in the [...]