Sunak to crack down on Covid support fraudsters with new taskforce February 27, 2021 A new fraud taskforce to crack down on people who have exploited the government’s Covid-19 support schemes will be unveiled at next week’s Budget. The Treasury has announced that it will put £100m into a new Taxpayer Protection Taskforce to investigate those who fraudulently made use schemes such as furlough and the Self Employment Income Support [...]
Carbon capture: Here’s what you need to know about the Elon Musk-backed tech February 27, 2021 Elon Musk is nothing if not divisive. But if there’s one thing about the world’s richest man that people tend to agree on, it’s that he’s good at picking winners. So when the Tesla and SpaceX founder announced – via tweet, naturally – that he would contribute $100m to the best carbon capture and storage [...]
Construction firm Kier set for £150m equity raise and division sale – report February 26, 2021 Construction firm Kier is reportedly finalising plans for an £150m equity raise and the sale of one of its divisions in a bid to fix its balance sheet. Sky News reported that the FTSE 250 firm was planning to announce the raise alongside its half year results in April. It is also putting the finishing [...]
Coronavirus: 40-49 year olds next to be offered Covid vaccine February 26, 2021 People aged 40-49 will be the next group to be prioritised for coronavirus vaccine, the Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation (JCVI) has today announced. For phase two of the programme, some had argued that vaccines should be offered on the basis of how much risk different occupations faced. But the body, which advises the [...]
Last anti-HS2 protestor removed from Euston Square Gardens tunnel February 26, 2021 The last anti-HS2 protestors have been safely removed from a tunnel underneath Euston Square Gardens, the rail firm said today. After three protestors left the tunnel yesterday, the final activist departed today, after 31 days underground. In total, nine people had hidden in the tunnel system, which had been dug in secret and was first [...]
FTSE 100 falls as bond sell-off knocks equities February 26, 2021 The FTSE 100 fell this morning as equities were hit by a global sell-off in bonds due to growing concerns about rising inflation. London’s blue chip index was down 0.5 per cent at 6,618 points, along with the FTSE 250, which also fell 0.5 per cent. Despite the fall, the FTSE 100 is still set [...]
Tullow Oil signs new $1.7bn loan agreement February 26, 2021 London-listed Tullow Oil today said that it had agreed a new $1.7bn (£1.2bn) loan agreement with its banks, giving the exploratory firm liquidity of $900m. The loan comes as the company continues to negotiate with its creditors over financing its $2.4bn debt pile. Shares in the firm rose 5.5 per cent on the back of [...]
Fewest cars produced in January since 2009 February 26, 2021 Last month saw the weakest January for car production since the financial crisis as a combination of the pandemic and global supply issues knocked the industry. Just 86,052 cars were built last month, down 27.3 per cent year on year, and the lowest number since 2009. It also marked the 17th straight month of declining [...]
Norwegian Air posts £1.1bn loss as restructuring process goes on February 26, 2021 Beleaguered Norwegian Air today posted a loss of 12.8bn Norwegian crowns (£1.1bn) as the carrier continues its bid for survival through restructuring. The airline said that just 15 of its 131 aircraft were operating flights in the final quarter, mainly flying domestic routes within Norway. It carried just over 500,000 people during the period, down 92 per cent [...]
London City boss joins calls for global approach to lifting travel restrictions February 26, 2021 The boss of London City airport has today joined calls for the government to lead the way in implementing a set of “globally recognised travel standards” to get the capital thriving again. His comments came as business body London First said the government should champion measures allowing visitors with either proof of vaccination or a [...]
