Steve Coogan’s ‘perfect’ Jaguar E-Type up for sale July 19, 2020 As Alan Partridge, Steve Coogan refused to drive a Rover 100 (“They’ve rebadged it, you fool!”) and lusted after a Lexus (“the Japanese Mercedes”). Later, as Tommy Saxondale, he cherished his Ford Mustang Mach 1, but drove a Renault Kangoo (“Grab a pew in the Kangoo”) for work. In real life, Coogan has rather more [...]
Firefighters tackle blaze at Blackpool’s historic Central Pier July 17, 2020 Around 50 firefighters have been tackling a blaze which broke out overnight at Blackpool’s historic central pier. Emergency services were alerted to the incident at around 3 o’clock in the morning, with 10 crews involved in the effort. Lancashire Fire and Rescue Service said that they found a ride and workshop on the pier on [...]
66 more people die of coronavirus in the UK July 16, 2020 An additional 66 people have died of coronavirus in the UK, government officials confirmed, taking the total number of fatalities to 45,119. According to figures from the Department of Health, there have also been 642 new positive cases of the virus. That means 292,552 people have now tested positive for coronavirus in the UK. The new [...]
Russians tried to swing UK election with US trade papers used by Corbyn July 16, 2020 Russian actors attempted to interfere in the 2019 UK Election by disseminating a leaked confidential document later released by the Labour party, according to foreign secretary Dominic Raab. Raab released a statement today, confirming it is “almost certain that Russian actors sought to interfere in the 2019 general election through the online amplification” of confidential [...]
European Central Bank holds interest rates as it eyes recovery July 16, 2020 The European Central Bank (ECB) has left interest rates on hold at record lows and kept its huge bond-buying programme at its current size as it waits to see whether a Eurozone economic recovery takes hold. The ECB left its key deposit rate at minus 0.5 per cent. It will continue its purchases under the [...]
FCA hires accountancy firm BDO to help monitor Wirecard July 16, 2020 The Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) has drafted in a team of accountants to aid with its monitoring of Wirecard. The City watchdog has hired BDO to work on its response to the Wirecard crisis, according to Sky News. The FCA reportedly appointed the firm to ensure the now insolvent German firm complies with a series [...]
FTSE 100 slips as US-China tensions continue July 16, 2020 The FTSE 100 continued to fall today as US-China tensions and mixed Chinese economic data outweigh optimism over a coronavirus vaccine. Britain’s main stock index stood 0.4 per cent down at 6,267 points just after midday. The FTSE 250 index of smaller companies slipped further, falling 0.6 per cent. Germany’s Dax fell 0.6 per cent, [...]
UK to borrow record £385bn in bond markets to fund Covid support July 16, 2020 UK government fundraising in the bond markets will hit a record £385bn between April and November after it announced plans to raise £110bn more from September. The unprecedented bond sales come as the government racks up the biggest peacetime budget deficit in hundreds of years. It has spent big to keep the economy on its [...]
London faces ‘historic rise in unemployment,’ warns Sadiq Khan July 16, 2020 There could be an “historic rise in unemployment” in London if the government does not do more to protect jobs amid the continuing coronavirus pandemic, mayor of London Sadiq Khan will warn today. The number of Londoners claiming unemployment benefits has already shot up around 185 per cent since the start of the pandemic, today’s [...]