Coronavirus live: Social distancing needs to be in place for most of a year, say government advisers March 20, 2020 1.35pm: Social distancing measures need to be in place for “most of a year” Scientists advising the government have said social distancing measures need to be in place for “at least most of a year” to combat the coronavirus outbreak. In a press conference last night, Prime Minister Boris Johnson said the UK could “turn [...]
Coronavirus: US stocks lift on stimulus measures despite Europe turmoil March 20, 2020 US stocks lifted slightly on the open this afternoon as traders reacted to massive amounts of government stimulus aimed at containing the coronavirus crisis. The S&P 500 dipped 0.5 per cent before rising just 0.1 per cent and the tech-heavy Nasdaq rose 1.3 per cent. The Dow Jones posted a 0.5 per cent rise shortly [...]
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 [...]
CMA launches coronavirus taskforce to stamp down on over-pricing March 20, 2020 The Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) has launched a taskforce to prevent businesses from taking advantage of shoppers during the UK coronavirus outbreak. The UK competition watchdog warned the outbreak has “prompted many concerns that businesses might exploit the situacion to take advantage of people”. Amid stockpiling of food and toilet roll across the UK, [...]
Coronavirus: Man arrested on Isle of Man for failing to self-isolate March 20, 2020 A 26-year-old man has been arrested on the Isle of Man for failing to self-isolate as the local govenrment imposes strict rules. The Manx government has demanded that anyone arriving on the island must quarantine themselves for a period of 14 days. The man arrested arrived yesterday via boat and failed to adhere to those [...]
Coronavirus: Follow government advice and pandemic will end sooner, says health secretary March 20, 2020 The health secretary has urged the public to follow government advice as it will allow life to return to normal sooner. Matt Hancock said adhering to social distancing measures would prevent “difficult situations” such as those seen in Italy, where hospitals have become overwhelmed. “The more people follow the public health advice, the quicker we [...]
Coronavirus to spark “severe” global recession March 20, 2020 | City Talk The coronavirus is having a severe effect on global economic activity and amidst considerable uncertainty we have attempted to gauge the impact and updated our forecasts. We now expect to see the world economy contract this year by 3.1%, before rebounding by 7.2% in 2021. The forecast incorporates a severe recession in the first half [...]
Key worker list: These UK staff can still send their children to school amid coronavirus crisis March 20, 2020 With schools across the country shutting their gates until further notice to help contain the spread of coronavirus, the government has released a list of so-called key workers deemed essential to the UK’s fight against the pandemic. Schools will be closed to the majority of children from 23 March, but have been asked to continue [...]
Coronavirus: Wetherspoon scraps dividend and warns on profit March 20, 2020 Wetherspoon boss Tim Martin has scrapped the pub chain’s dividend and issued a profit warning after Boris Johnson urged Brits not to visit pubs and restaurants amid the UK coronavirus outbreak. A rapid escalation in UK coronavirus cases has already seen a 4.5 per cent decline in Wetherspoon pub sales in the week to 15 [...]
Meggitt to help make ventilators but won’t give earnings guidance this year March 19, 2020 Meggitt has heeded the government’s call to help make ventilator by leading a consortium of firms in the sector in this effort. But the defence and engineering firm announced it could not give earnings guidance for the rest of the year, due to coronavirus uncertainty. Meggitt is one of Britain’s biggest companies with expertise in [...]