Standard Chartered boss says US and UK ‘too late’ with coronavirus lockdowns April 2, 2020 Standard Chartered boss Bill Winters today criticised the response of authorities in the UK and US to the coronavirus pandemic. Winters said the US and UK had acted “too late” with their measures to contain the virus. “I find it interesting to listen to the debate now that we in the West, or in the [...]
Coronavirus: Online beer and wine shop reports 1,000 per cent surge in sales April 2, 2020 Londoners have been stocking up on alcohol supplies during the coronavirus lockdown, with one online craft beer reporting a 1,000 per cent increase in sales. Beer and wine supplier Rebellious Goods said its online business has seen 11 times more orders in March compared to February, while average order sizes are three times above pre-coronavirus [...]
Zoom vows to fix security issues as daily user numbers surge to 200m April 2, 2020 Zoom has vowed to focus its resources on fixing a string of security issues as the video conferencing app reported a surge in user numbers during the coronavirus crisis. The popular video service has faced fierce scrutiny over its security and practices in recent weeks after a number of bugs were exposed. The company today [...]
Coronavirus: Online prices rise for medicines and stockpiled goods April 2, 2020 The online prices of essential household products and long-life food increased as demand soared due to the coronavirus outbreak. The latest data showed that online prices for high-demand products increased 1.1 per cent on average between the weeks ending 22 March and 29 March as consumers faced restrictions on visiting physical stores. According to the [...]
WHO could alter coronavirus mask advice based on new evidence April 2, 2020 Official advice on wearing masks in public could change after new evidence suggested the measure could help protect people from coronavirus. The World Health Organisation (WHO) has so far advised only people with coronavirus symptoms should wear masks in public. Those caring for people with coronavirus should also wear masks, official guidance has maintained. But [...]
MPs call for clarity over coronavirus support for film and TV workers April 2, 2020 MPs have urged the government to clarify what support it will offer to people in the UK’s entertainment sector who are unable to work due to the coronavirus outbreak. The Digital, Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS) Select Committee warned there was a loophole in government measures that meant many workers could be excluded from existing [...]
Coronavirus: Saga seeks debt holiday and warns cruises could be suspended for six months April 2, 2020 Saga, the cruise operator and insurance provider for over-50’s, said this morning it plans to ask for a debt holiday as it warned that it could be forced to postpone holidays for up to six months. Saga’s share price dropped more than five per cent after it said full year revenue could be down around [...]
Coronavirus: Hotel Chocolat scraps dividend after £20m share placing April 2, 2020 Hotel Chocolat is the latest company to cancel its dividend in a bid to save cash during the coronavirus crisis. The high street chain said this morning that it has scrapped the proposed interim dividend, which was due to be paid to shareholders on 15 April, after raising an extra £20m through a share placing [...]
M&C Saatchi scraps dividend and cuts salaries due to coronavirus April 2, 2020 M&C Saatchi today said it has scrapped its 2019 dividend and cut salaries for senior staff members as the advertising agency battles a downturn sparked by coronavirus. The firm said a “very high proportion” of its top paid staff would take pay cuts, with board members and senior management committing to a 20 per cent [...]
Coronavirus: Could the crisis accelerate the need for ESG communications? April 2, 2020 As Britain digests daily press conferences about Covid-19, the words and actions of business leaders are starting to come under increased scrutiny. As small businesses across the country seek banking loans to stay afloat and employees face being furloughed or even made redundant – what leaders do today and how they communicate will have a [...]