Extend job retention scheme to stop unemployment spike, says think tank May 9, 2020 The UK’s coronavirus job retention scheme must be extended for three months in order to prevent joblessness from spiking, an employment think tank has said. Under the job retention scheme (JRS) the government pays 80 per cent of “furloughed” workers’ wages, up to a limit of £2,500 a month. In a report out today, UK [...]
Long queues and no discounts: London’s West End sets out rules as 600 shops prepare to reopen May 8, 2020 West End businesses have been advised to cut opening hours and abandon in-store promotions as London’s shopping and entertainment district prepares to reopen after the UK coronavirus lockdown. Retailers have been urged to only offer sales and promotions online to avoid drawing big crowds into stores. Visitor numbers will be managed with waiting areas to [...]
Boris Johnson announces target of 200,000 coronavirus tests a day by end of May May 6, 2020 Prime Minister Boris Johnson today announced a new target of 200,000 coronavirus tests a day by the end of May. On his return to Prime Minister’s questions in parliament after recovering from Covid-19 Johnson revealed the new target. Johnson said the government has a new “ambition” to reach 200,000 coronavirus tests a day by the [...]
Hiscox launches share placing and predicts business interruption insurance hit of £10m to £250m May 5, 2020 Lloyd’s insurer Hiscox launched an equity placing of 20 per cent of its share capital and said its business interruption insurance exposure could range from £10m to £250m today. Based on its share price at close the placing could raise approximately £400m. Hiscox is facing potential legal action from a group of policyholders who say [...]
Coronavirus: London’s NHS Nightingale to be placed ‘on standby’ May 4, 2020 London’s NHS Nightingale is being put “on standby”, with no new coronavirus patients expected at the temporary hospital. The Prime Minister’s spokesman said today that the makeshift hospital, located at the Excel centre, was being mothballed due to limited demand. The hospital was built to handle up to 4,000 Covid-19 patients, however fewer than 20 [...]
Back to work: The office will change forever May 4, 2020 After over a month of lockdown and with the Prime Minister announcing we are “passed the peak” of the virus, the UK is starting to consider what comes next. Understandably in such a complex situation, concrete details of phase two remain sparse. However, for many ministers, members of parliament, businesses and the public, the burning [...]