UK inflation: What are people buying during coronavirus lockdown? May 20, 2020 There was further confirmation of the economic impact of the Covid-19 crisis this morning when new figures revealed a slump in inflation. The UK inflation rate tumbled to just 0.8 per cent in April, down from 1.5 per cent the previous month and marking the lowest level since August 2016, according to the Office for [...]
TUC calls for shake-up of UK economy during Covid-19 recovery May 20, 2020 The Trades Union Congress (TUC) has urged the government to roll out a raft of radical economic reforms to tackle the “despair of mass unemployment” and aid the UK’s coronavirus recovery. In a report published today the TUC, which represents most UK unions, called for the creation of a national recovery council to oversee an [...]
Government doubles investment for coronavirus startups May 20, 2020 The government has doubled its investment to support startups borne out of the coronavirus crisis. Business secretary Alok Sharma has today announced the government is doubling investment in the Fast Start Competition to £40m. The programme was launched in April and is being managed by Innovate UK. It is part of a £211m investment package [...]
Superdrug launches UK coronavirus test to check for antibodies May 20, 2020 Superdrug has launched a UK coronavirus test to allow the general public to check whether they have already had Covid-19. The high street retailer will sell the coronavirus antibody test, which it said is accurate and reliable, through its Online Doctor service for £69 from today. The UK coronavirus test will not be on sale [...]
Coronavirus: Government launches £500m Future Fund for startups May 20, 2020 Startups that have been impacted by the coronavirus outbreak will now be able to apply for emergency support under the government’s £500m Future Fund scheme. The fund, which opened for applications today, will offer UK-based startups convertible loans of between £125,000 and £5m to support continued growth and innovation across a range of sectors. The [...]
Facebook launches new shopping feature to help small firms move online May 19, 2020 Small businesses will be able to open a single online store selling products through Facebook and Instagram thanks to a new feature launched by the tech giant today. Facebook Shops, which will be rolled out over the coming months, allows customers to buy products through a firm’s business Facebook page or Instagram profile, or through [...]
UK coronavirus death toll rises by 545 as official total passes 35,000 May 19, 2020 A further 545 people have died from coronavirus in the UK as the official total death toll passed 35,000. Speaking at the government’s daily briefing, environment secretary George Eustice said the country’s death toll now stood at 35,341. Another 2,412 people have tested positive for coronavirus since yesterday, he added. The figure is a sharp [...]
Rishi Sunak warns swift economic recovery ‘not obvious’ May 19, 2020 Chancellor Rishi Sunak has poured cold water on hopes that the UK economy will make a rapid recovery from the sharp economic downturn caused by Covid-19. Speaking in front of the Lords economic committee today, Sunak warned it was “not obvious that there will be an immediate bounce back”. “It takes time to get back [...]
Coronavirus loans hit £22bn, but just 50 per cent of CBILS lending approved May 19, 2020 UK banks have only approved 50 per cent of applications to the coronavirus business interruption loan scheme (CBILS), data showed today, even as overall lending hit £22bn. CBILS lending data showed British lenders have distributed that cash to more than half a million UK companies, with over £14bn lent out in the form of bounce [...]
Coronavirus: What is the R number and why does it matter? May 19, 2020 Since the start of the Covid-19 crisis swathes of scientific and epidemiological terms have entered the day-to-day lexicon of normal Brits. One of these is the R number, which we’re told is key to tracking the spread of the virus and determining how and when the lockdown can be lifted. But what is the coronavirus [...]