Is there any method to the market’s madness? August 11, 2020 “Unprecedented” has been the most overused phrase to describe this year’s events. “Mystifying”, however, might be the word a visitor from Mars would use to describe some of 2020’s market moves. The world economy is set to see the largest contraction since the Second World War, and the UK the largest fall in economic activity [...]
The City is the best regulated financial centre in the world — it must shun those calling for a bonfire of regulation August 11, 2020 As we approach the end of the Brexit transition period, the siren voices advocating for a bonfire of the current regulatory system grow louder. Their argument is that regulation is costly, stifles innovation, and holds back our banks and financial institutions. They look at other jurisdictions, such as the United Arab Emirates (UAE) and in [...]
The future of urban transport is human-powered August 11, 2020 In recent months there has been precious little to celebrate as the pandemic has taken away so much and pushed us apart into isolation. Much of the rapid change we have had forced upon us has been negative. But there’s one change that we can choose to make that will benefit all and create the [...]
London to receive £50m of extra winter NHS funding August 10, 2020 Boris Johnson has confirmed £300m in extra winter NHS funding for England, with London hospitals in line for £49.6m, as the government prepares for a potential second coronavirus wave. The extra funding was announced last month for hospitals to prepare for a potential second wave and the government has today how it has allocated the [...]
Fiat Chrysler accuses General Motors of making ‘preposterous allegations’ August 10, 2020 Fiat Chrysler has said a recent filing by rival General Motors was like a “third-rate spy movie”, asking a US federal judge to dismiss its request to reinstate a racketeering lawsuit. Fiat Chrysler, which is set to merge with French carmaker PSA next year, said the filing was “full of preposterous allegations”. General Motors had [...]
TSB to phase out branch cashier roles in job cuts August 10, 2020 TSB has told cashiers that their jobs will be phased out at the start of 2021, following a steep decline in customers banking in its branches due to the pandemic. Those affected by the cuts will have to retrain, change roles or take voluntary redundancy, according to a staff memo seen by Reuters. A total [...]
NHS Test and Trace to cut 6,000 staff August 10, 2020 The government plans to cut 6,000 staff from the NHS Test and Trace scheme by the end of August, it said today. Those who are left — approximately 12,000 employees — will work alongside local public health teams to reach more people who could be infected and increase their contacts in communities. The tactic is [...]
Lebanon PM Hassan Diab and his government resign after Beirut explosion August 10, 2020 Lebanon’s Prime Minister Hassan Diab and his entire government have resigned, after a massive explosion in Beirut last week destroyed much of the city, killing more than 200 people and wounding 7,000. The Prime Minister addressed the nation at 6.30pm local time, telling the nation that endemic corruption caused the blast, which left 300,000 people [...]
Tech giants join legal challenge against Trump worker visa ban August 10, 2020 A number of tech giants have pledged their support to a legal challenge against a ban on foreign worker visas by US President Donald Trump, aimed at preserving jobs for Americans during the pandemic. Apple, Microsoft, Amazon, Facebook, Netflix and Twitter were among 52 companies that signed the legal brief, which was filed in a [...]
UK economy: Britain braced for GDP and jobs hit August 10, 2020 The full extent of the Covid-19 crisis on the UK economy is set to be laid bare this week with the release of two key reports. While economists have been at odds over the speed of the country’s recovery from the pandemic, this week’s figures from the Office for National Statistics (ONS) are likely to [...]