UK retail sales suffer worst fall in 25 years due to lockdown April 16, 2020 UK retail sales suffered the worst decline on record last month due to the coronavirus lockdown, however food and online sales jumped as Brits stayed at home. Total UK retail sales decreased 4.3 per cent in March, against a drop of 1.8 per cent in 2019, which is the worst fall in 25 years, following [...]
UK coronavirus lockdown set to be extended until early May April 16, 2020 The UK coronavirus lockdown is set to be extended today until early May, according to multiple media reports. The UK government is expected to announce a three-week extension to the coronavirus lockdown later today. Health minister Matt Hancock told the BBC this morning that the virus would “run rampant” if lockdown measures were lifted now. [...]
Coronavirus: Barratt Developments furloughs 85 per cent of staff April 16, 2020 Housebuilder Barratt Developments today announced it has temporarily laid off 85 per cent of its staff through the government coronavirus job retention scheme. Furloughed employees will receive full pay until at least the end of next month, the company said this morning. The developer also said both the executive and non-executive teams had agreed to [...]
PZ Cussons: ‘Exceptionally high demand’ in UK for Carex hand wash, sanitiser gel and Imperial Leather soap April 16, 2020 PZ Cussons said today it was experiencing “exceptionally high demand” in the UK for Carex hand wash, sanitiser gel and Imperial Leather soap as people wash their hands more during the coronavirus outbreak. The company said its focus remains on “sourcing, producing and distributing” these products. PZ Cussons said it continues to “face challenges in [...]
Dunelm boss takes 90 per cent pay cut as retailer seeks coronavirus loan April 16, 2020 The chief executive of Dunelm will take a 90 per cent pay cut, the homeware retailer announced this morning as it confirmed it is eligible for a coronavirus loan. Chief executive Nick Wilkinson will be paid 10 per cent of his salary for at least three months, while chairman Andy Harrison and other non-executive directors [...]
Bank lobby chief says changes to coronavirus loan scheme may be necessary April 15, 2020 The head of Britain’s banking lobby group has said the government’s coronavirus business loan scheme may need to change in order to increase lending to smaller businesses. UK Finance chief executive Stephen Jones told the Treasury Select Committee today that the government may need to guarantee 100 per cent of loans for small businesses, instead [...]
Apple unveils second generation version of budget iPhone SE April 15, 2020 Apple today unveiled the second generation model of its budget iPhone SE as the tech giant looks to tap into demand for more affordable smartphones. The new iPhone SE resembles the design of the iPhone 7 launched in 2016, with a smaller 4.7-inch retina display and the traditional Touch ID fingerprint sensor, rather than facial [...]
UK ‘probably’ at coronavirus peak, says chief medical officer April 15, 2020 The UK is likely now in the peak of its coronavirus outbreak, according to the government’s most senior health adviser. Chief Medical Officer Chris Whitty said at today’s daily press briefing that the UK was “probably reaching the peak overall” of the country’s outbreak and “that’s what the flattening” of the increase in new cases [...]
Guardian, Financial Times and Telegraph furlough staff as coronavirus hits newspaper revenue April 15, 2020 The Guardian, Financial Times (FT) and Telegraph today said they will furlough dozens of employees as the coronavirus outbreak decimates advertising revenue for news organisations. Guardian Media Group (GMG), which runs the Guardian and Observer, said it expects revenue for the first six months of the financial year to fall by £20m due to a [...]
Business minister searching for ways to protect businesses which pay using dividends April 15, 2020 Business minister Paul Scully is trying to find ways of protecting business owners who pay themselves through dividends during the coronavirus crisis. Such businesses are currently not covered by the Treasury aid programmes. The Financial Times reported that Scully, whose portfolio covers the UK’s small businesses, is looking for solutions to cover such firms. Chancellor [...]