Coronavirus: Government decision to take over rail network raises questions over Williams review March 23, 2020 The government’s decision to bring the UK’s rail network under the management of the Department for Transport for the duration of the coronavirus crisis has raised questions over the future of the rail franchising system. Former chairman of British Airways Keith Williams is currently conducting a “root and branch” review of the current system ahead [...]
Coronavirus: Boris Johnson’s designated survivor is Dominic Raab March 23, 2020 Foreign secretary Dominic Raab will take over prime ministerial duties if Boris Johnson is infected with coronavirus or is otherwise incapacitated. A Number 10 spokesperson, when asked who would take over in this situation, said today that Raab would fill-in as he was first secretary of state. “The prime minister has the power to delegate [...]
Greggs scraps dividend as all branches set to close due to coronavirus March 23, 2020 High street bakery chain Greggs has scrapped its dividend as it announced it will close its 2,050 branches across the UK due to coronavirus. The company, which suffered a 9.9 per cent drop in sales last week, said all of its stores will close at the end of the day tomorrow for up to three [...]
London retail footfall plunges as shops close amid coronavirus pandemic March 23, 2020 Retail footfall in central London plummeted last week as employees started working from home and shops start to close amid the coronavirus pandemic. Footfall in the capital plunged 63.3 per cent last week, as office workers were advised to stay home. In shopping areas on the outskirts of London footfall was down 21.9 per cent. [...]
Coronavirus: MPs call for emergency funding for cultural organisations March 23, 2020 MPs today called for urgent government support for cultural organisations hit by closures and postponements due to the coronavirus outbreak. The Tate galleries, V&A and Natural History Museum are among scores of cultural institutions that have been forced to close their doors due to the pandemic. The National Trust yesterday reversed its decision to keep [...]
US Federal Reserve announces unlimited bond-buying to tackle coronavirus slowdown March 23, 2020 The US Federal Reserve has pledged to buy a potentially unlimited amount of government debt and ramp up lending support to businesses in its latest massive intervention in an economy ravaged by coronavirus. “Aggressive efforts must be taken across the public and private sectors to limit the losses to jobs and incomes and to promote [...]
New York Times buys audio news platform Audm March 23, 2020 The New York Times today said it has acquired audio news platform Audm as it looks to tap into the growing popularity of on-demand listening. Audm, which was founded in 2016, turns longform written articles into audio tracks, which are then narrated by professional voice actors. The audio app gives subscribers access to hours of [...]
Coronavirus: Closed pubs and restaurants face multi-million pound rent bill March 23, 2020 The hospitality industry has urged the government to ban commercial landlord sanctions, as pubs and restaurants are facing a multi-million pound rent bill due this week. Pubs, bars and restaurants, which suffered a dramatic drop in footfall before they were forced to close on Friday night to slow the spread of coronavirus, are preparing to [...]
Alex Salmond acquitted of all sexual assault charges March 23, 2020 Former Scottish first minister Alex Salmond has been acquitted of all charges in his sexual assault trial. Salmond was facing a combined 13 charges of sexual assault and attempted rape against nine different women. The jury at the Scottish High Court in Edinburgh found him not guilty of all charges this afternoon, leaving him to [...]
Coronavirus: All non-essential stores reportedly set to close March 23, 2020 The government is reportedly set to order the closure of all non-essential shops in a bid to slow the spread of coronavirus. The decision to close all stores except for supermarkets and pharmacies is being discussed at an emergency Cobra meeting today and is expected to be announced at this evening’s government press conference, the [...]