Global coronavirus cases rise by largest ever daily amount May 20, 2020 The number of new coronavirus cases reported worldwide rose by the largest ever daily amount over the last 24 hours, according to new figures from the World Health Organization (WHO). A total of 106,000 new cases were reported — the highest since the pandemic began. Roughly two-thirds of these came from just four countries. “We [...]
Government seizes £150m from dormant bank accounts for Covid-19 response May 20, 2020 The government is raiding dormant bank and building society accounts across the UK to help fund its response to the coronavirus crisis. Roughly £150m will be seized to help charities, social enterprises and vulnerable individuals during the pandemic, culture secretary Oliver Dowden said today. This includes £71m that will be sourced through the government’s dormant [...]
Crispin Odey: Governments may ban private gold ownership May 20, 2020 Hedge fund tycoon Crispin Odey has warned that governments may ban private ownership of gold if they lose control of inflation in the wake of the coronavirus crisis. The price of gold has soared since the beginning of the Covid-19 pandemic as jittery investors flock to safe haven assets amid a wider recession. Odey said [...]
UK inflation: What are people buying during coronavirus lockdown? May 20, 2020 There was further confirmation of the economic impact of the Covid-19 crisis this morning when new figures revealed a slump in inflation. The UK inflation rate tumbled to just 0.8 per cent in April, down from 1.5 per cent the previous month and marking the lowest level since August 2016, according to the Office for [...]
TUC calls for shake-up of UK economy during Covid-19 recovery May 20, 2020 The Trades Union Congress (TUC) has urged the government to roll out a raft of radical economic reforms to tackle the “despair of mass unemployment” and aid the UK’s coronavirus recovery. In a report published today the TUC, which represents most UK unions, called for the creation of a national recovery council to oversee an [...]
Government doubles investment for coronavirus startups May 20, 2020 The government has doubled its investment to support startups borne out of the coronavirus crisis. Business secretary Alok Sharma has today announced the government is doubling investment in the Fast Start Competition to £40m. The programme was launched in April and is being managed by Innovate UK. It is part of a £211m investment package [...]
Superdrug launches UK coronavirus test to check for antibodies May 20, 2020 Superdrug has launched a UK coronavirus test to allow the general public to check whether they have already had Covid-19. The high street retailer will sell the coronavirus antibody test, which it said is accurate and reliable, through its Online Doctor service for £69 from today. The UK coronavirus test will not be on sale [...]
Coronavirus: Government launches £500m Future Fund for startups May 20, 2020 Startups that have been impacted by the coronavirus outbreak will now be able to apply for emergency support under the government’s £500m Future Fund scheme. The fund, which opened for applications today, will offer UK-based startups convertible loans of between £125,000 and £5m to support continued growth and innovation across a range of sectors. The [...]
Facebook launches new shopping feature to help small firms move online May 19, 2020 Small businesses will be able to open a single online store selling products through Facebook and Instagram thanks to a new feature launched by the tech giant today. Facebook Shops, which will be rolled out over the coming months, allows customers to buy products through a firm’s business Facebook page or Instagram profile, or through [...]
UK coronavirus death toll rises by 545 as official total passes 35,000 May 19, 2020 A further 545 people have died from coronavirus in the UK as the official total death toll passed 35,000. Speaking at the government’s daily briefing, environment secretary George Eustice said the country’s death toll now stood at 35,341. Another 2,412 people have tested positive for coronavirus since yesterday, he added. The figure is a sharp [...]