Fear of coronavirus likely to ‘drag’ on UK economy, says BoE official July 23, 2020 People’s fear of catching coronavirus is likely to stop them from going out to spend normally and “drag on the economy,” a Bank of England policymaker has said. Jonathan Haskel, a member of the Bank’s monetary policy committee (MPC), said the “path of recovery” therefore depends on public and private health measures bringing coronavirus under [...]
Record UK manufacturing slump continues but optimism grows July 23, 2020 The decline in UK manufacturing orders eased somewhat in July but the sector remained mired in its deepest downturn on record, according to a closely watched survey. The CBI industrial trends survey’s gauge of total orders rose to minus 46 in July from minus 58 in June. That was its highest reading since March but [...]
Track and trace app ‘ready in weeks’ June 9, 2020 The NHS track and trace app will be ready in time for the next stage of lockdown easing next month, according to reports. Whitehall sources suggested that an upgraded version of the trial app used on the Isle of Wight was almost ready, the Times reported. The app had been due to launch alongside the [...]
London mayoral election should be postponed, says Electoral Commission March 12, 2020 The 7 May mayor of London election should be postponed due to the spread of coronavirus, according to the Electoral Commission. The electoral watchdog wrote to the government today to say all May polls should be postponed “to mitigate the impact on voters, campaigners and electoral administrators”. This is in direct opposition to mayor of [...]
‘The worst is yet to come’: WHO casts doubt on global coronavirus recovery June 30, 2020 The World Health Organisation (WHO) has warned the worst of the coronavirus pandemic is “yet to come” if governments around the globe do not overcome their divisions. Head of WHO, Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, yesterday said that “although many countries have made some progress, globally the pandemic is actually speeding up”. “Unless we address the problems [...]
Government extends anti-eviction measures for businesses June 19, 2020 Commercial landlords will be unable to evict struggling companies until the end of September, after the government extended anti-eviction measures. The move comes as part of the government’s support package for companies hit by the coronavirus pandemic. The suspension of the forfeiture of evictions will come as a relief in particular to pubs, cafes and [...]
A menu of options to keep our restaurants alive June 4, 2020 You all know the image: a politician enjoying a pint or a meal at their local restaurant. There are handshakes all round and a picture is posted on Twitter. It is — rightly — a scene that shows MPs or councillors backing businesses, particularly the small and medium sized enterprises which make up the lifeblood [...]
UK’s economic reopening takes off as Europe lags further behind April 7, 2021 Friday’s bumper US payrolls report saw both the DAX and Stoxx600 post new record highs yesterday, following on from similarly record sessions in the US on Monday, and while the FTSE100 continues to lag behind, the FTSE250 was still able to close within touching distance of a record close. China and the US aside, which [...]
Bank of England goes big with £150bn stimulus amid second lockdown November 5, 2020 The Bank of England will inject £150bn more stimulus into the UK economy to help it handle a new England-wide lockdown, and predicted that growth would go into reverse in the final three months of the year. The big increase in bond-buying – which came as the BoE left interest rates untouched at 0.1 per [...]
‘Unfair’ Covid-19 business grant scheme means more Scottish firms could go under April 14, 2020 Concerns are growing among Scottish businesses that the SNP government’s failure to match Westminster’s coronavirus economic support will force a string of retail and hospitality chains to go bust. English hospitality, tourism and leisure chains have been offered government grants of up to £25,000 per property, as long as the building’s rateable value is less [...]