Labour’s Ian Murray: We need universal basic income to beat coronavirus March 20, 2020 The government must introduce a universal basic income to protect the UK’s most vulnerable workers amid a coronavirus-fuelled economic downturn, Labour deputy leadership contender Ian Murray warned this week. He also called on Boris Johnson to step up measures to protect businesses in the wake of the Covid-19 pandemic – or risk “local community businesses [...]
Government’s coronavirus business interruption loan scheme ‘not fit for purpose’, says consultancy March 20, 2020 The government’s coronavirus business interruption loan scheme “is not fit for purpose”, according to international consultancy and economic analysis firm Fideres. The London-based company, which specialises in competition economics, says the government’s strategy fails to meet three basic criteria. Fideres argues that the loan scheme is not simple, fast or fair. The consultancy says it [...]
Coronavirus: UK death toll rises by 39 to 177 March 20, 2020 A further 39 people to have tested positive for coronavirus have passed away today, according to NHS England. It brings the death toll in the UK to 177 with 167 of those coming in England. There have been six deaths in Scotland, three in Wales and one in Northern Ireland. The majority of them are believed to be in [...]
London coronavirus outbreak: Tube travel plunges 70 per cent March 20, 2020 The number of Londoners taking the Tube has plummeted 70 per cent amid the coronavirus outbreak, Transport for London (TfL) confirmed today. The number of London Underground commuters will fall even further as people are urged not to take public transport, TfL also warned. Bus journeys have fallen 40 per cent too, London’s transport body [...]
Coronavirus: Jaguar Land Rover halts production at all UK plants March 20, 2020 Britain’s largest car manufacturer Jaguar Land Rover is to suspend all production at its UK production plants from next week in an effort to minimise the spread of Covid-19. The Coventry-based automotive firm, which has plants in Solihull, Bromwich and Halewood, said manufacturing would resume on 20 April, “subject to review of the rapidly-changing circumstances.” [...]
Coronavirus: British Airways pilots to take 50 per cent pay cut March 20, 2020 British Airways pilots will take a 50 per cent pay cut in April and May as it battles to survive the impact of the coronavirus outbreak. BA’s 4,500 pilots will take two weeks of unpaid leave each month but the reduction to their wages will be spread over the next three months, according to Sky [...]
Chancellor Rishi Sunak to announce wage bailout plan March 20, 2020 Chancellor Rishi Sunak is set to announce a massive wage bailout package today to battle the UK coronavirus outbreak. Business groups yesterday pressed the government to step in to help pay workers’ wages. They want protection for millions of jobs as the number of UK coronavirus cases spiked again. Britain’s death toll from coronavirus reached [...]
Coronavirus: Spain death toll surpasses 1,000 as Germany threatens curfews March 20, 2020 The death toll in Spain due to coronavirus has surpassed 1,000 as it climbed by 235 today. There are now 19,980 confirmed cases of Covid-19 across the country, while Germany has threatened to impose strict curfews. More than a third of the cases in Spain are in the capital of Madrid. Army specialists were sent [...]
Travis Perkins suspends dividend and delays Wickes de-merger March 20, 2020 Builders’ merchant Travis Perkins has suspended its dividend due to coronavirus uncertainty. The company also announced its intention to delay its long planned de-merger of DIY retailer Wickes. However, the group announced in its trading update a strong balance sheet with cash deposits of £185m. Boss Nick Roberts said: “Our highest priority is the health [...]
What does life look like after coronavirus? March 20, 2020 Right now, the priority for all countries must be to confront the immediate challenges of the coronavirus pandemic: ensuring access to healthcare, maintaining the flow of essential supplies, and managing the economic fall-out that risks seeing businesses and individuals devastated through no fault of their own. But historically, periods of national crisis have often been [...]