Thames freeport bid could be ‘transformative’ for region, says estuary chief January 6, 2021 The envoy for the Thames Estuary has said a bid to develop one of the UK’s new freeports on the river would be “transformative” for the region. Kate Willard, who is spearheading redevelopment attempts along the Thames, was speaking after Forth Ports and DP World unveiled their plan for a freeport on the estuary at [...]
FTSE 100 roars to highest closing level since early March January 6, 2021 The FTSE 100 charged higher today as the blue-chip bourse closed at its highest levels since before the Covid-19 pandemic beared down on the UK in early March.
HS2 minister: Covid crisis has ‘strengthened’ case for high speed rail link January 6, 2021 The case for the controversial HS2 rail link has been bolstered by the coronavirus pandemic, the minister responsible for the project has told lawmakers. Speaking to the Transport Select Committee, Andrew Stephenson hit back at growing concerns that the current crisis has made the high speed line unnecessary. “You can argue that Covid has affected [...]
UK PMIs: Services activity contracts again in December January 6, 2021 UK business activity contracted again last month despite the lifting of lockdown restrictions, new data revealed today. The IHS Markit/Cips purchasing managers (PMI) index for services scored 49.4 in December, with any score below the 50 mark indicating contraction. The reading was up on November’s score of 47.6, when much of the economy was stuck under further [...]
Topps Tiles warns of sales hit from new lockdown January 6, 2021 Topps Tiles this morning warned that it would take a sales hit from the new lockdown, which has forced the firm to close its aisles to customers. The warning came as the London-listed firm said that sales had increased 20 per cent on a like-for-like basis for the first three months of the new financial [...]
Hong Kong police arrest 53 pro-democracy activists in dawn raids January 6, 2021 Hong Kong police have today arrested 53 pro-democracy activists in a series of dawn raids in Beijing’s biggest crackdown on the city-state since introducing controversial new security legislation last year. Almost 1,000 police officers were involved in raids on 72 premises across the city, which saw some of the former British province’s most prominent activists [...]
UK can still be gateway to Europe for car giants after Brexit, says auto boss January 6, 2021 The UK can still be the gateway to Europe for foreign carmakers despite the challenges of leaving the EU, the head of the country’s biggest auto trade body has said. Mike Hawes, the chief executive of the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT) said that the UK would still be able to compete with [...]
Rail services to be cut in half under new lockdown – report January 5, 2021 Rail services are set to be slashed in half during the new coronavirus lockdown in a bid to save taxpayer money. The Telegraph reported that ministers were finalising plans to pare back timetables to similar schedules to those put in place in March, when the first lockdown began. At that time, trains ran on a [...]
FTSE 100 inches back into the green on new lockdown business support January 5, 2021 The FTSE 100 inched back into the green this afternoon despite news of a third lockdown as the Treasury unveiled a new business support package. London’s blue-chip index slipped 0.1 per cent at lunchtime but picked back up as US markets opened to stand 0.3 per cent higher at 6,589 points. Investors’ optimism came as [...]
Honda halts Swindon car production for second time in a month due to supply chain disruption January 5, 2021 Honda this afternoon said that it would halt production at its plant in Swindon due to supply chain disruption – the second time it has done so in a month. In a statement, the carmaker said that production would stop today and tomorrow, with a view to starting again on Thursday. It said that the [...]
