British Army to establish 80 new vaccine centres in Scotland January 18, 2021 British Army soldiers will help to launch 80 new Covid-19 vaccine centres throughout Scotland over the next four weeks. The deployment follows a ‘patchy’ vaccine roll-out in Scotland, according to the British Medical Association. The Ministry of Defence (MOD) said it had deployed 98 soldiers to identify suitable sites and support vaccine deliveries. Matt Hancock [...]
Trust TV Highlights: Lowland Investment Company January 18, 2021 | Sponsored Whilst COVID-19 has undoubtedly brought its unique challenges, value has been predominantly out of favour since well before the emergence of the virus, and for most of the last decade. Right now, it’s rarely been cheaper … and the premium applied to growth never higher. Adversity brings opportunity. Has the pandemic ushered in an era [...]
Audi latest carmaker to delay production amid parts shortages January 18, 2021 Audi has become the latest carmaker to be forced into delaying production due to a global shortage of semi-conductors. The German auto giant has had to put more than 10,000 of its staff on furlough as a result of the lack of chips, chief executive Markus Duesmann told the FT. The production pause comes after [...]
Govt gets 123 complaints over tendering of public procurement contracts January 18, 2021 The government has received 123 official complaints over the tendering of public procurement contracts, commercial law firm EMW said this morning. The research follows scrutiny of government procurement practices throughout the pandemic, with questions being raised over how PPE contracts have been awarded during Covid-19. Principal at EMW James Geary said: “Covid PPE contracts have [...]
Exclusive: UK tech still needs the EU, says TechUK boss January 18, 2021 As thousands of businesses breathe a sigh of relief now the Brexit deal has been agreed, one leading tech figure thinks the EU remains important for the UK. Julian David, chief executive of TechUK, spoke to City A.M. about his thoughts on the Brexit deal for the tech sector and the future for the industry [...]
Johnson to discuss ‘Singapore of Europe’ plans with business leaders January 18, 2021 Boris Johnson will hold talks with business leaders today about cutting red tape, as ministers draw up plans to turn Britain into the “Singapore of Europe” now it has left the EU. The Prime Minister will speak to 30 senior leaders about “regulatory freedom” and reforming EU rules, The Times reported today. Leaders from BP, [...]
Dominic Raab demands immediate release of Alexei Navalny January 18, 2021 The UK has demanded the immediate release of Alexei Navalny after he was arrested at a Moscow airport yesterday. Kremlin critic Navalny was detained by police as he got off the plane on his first return to Russia since being poisoned last year. Writing on Twitter, foreign secretary Dominic Raab said: “It is appalling that [...]
Former Hong Kong lawmaker rejects HSBC explanation over frozen bank accounts January 18, 2021 Former Hong Kong lawmaker Ted Hui has renewed his criticism of HSBC despite the bank’s CEO expressing regret for freezing his bank accounts. Noel Quinn, HSBC chief executive, had written to Hui last week explaining that the bank was unable to operate the accounts and was instructed to act by the police. Hui, who fled [...]
An increase in distressed investment expected January 18, 2021 | City Talk In autumn 2020 we conducted our Restart Capital Survey of over 500 SME business and over 100 investors. There was a feared wave of corporate insolvencies with 35% of the business respondents expecting to be out of business within 12 months (and 43% of medium sized enterprises). 84% of the business respondents considered themselves distressed [...]
Remote working – striking a balance January 18, 2021 | City Talk Presenteeism has long been associated with working life in the city, viewed by many employers and employees as essential for getting known and getting ahead. However, in response to the Covid 19 pandemic, businesses have had to cope with an abrupt move to mass remote working, in a way many never would have imagined feasible [...]