John Laing profit dips on coronavirus and energy troubles August 20, 2020 Profit at infrastructure investor and manager John Laing fell in the first half because of the impact of coronavirus and poor renewable energy performance it said today. The company said its total return fell six per cent in the six months to 30 June. John Laing said its net asset value (NAV) per share fell [...]
Pizza Express closures: A list of all 73 affected restaurants August 19, 2020 Pizza Express is closing 73 restaurants with 1,100 jobs at risk after its business was hit by the coronavirus lockdown. The casual dining chain, which struggled with a debt pile of over £1bn thanks to a series of private equity buyouts, made the cuts as part of a company voluntary arrangement (CVA) with creditors. The [...]
Government working with Heathrow on coronavirus testing August 19, 2020 Health secretary Matt Hancock said the government is working with Heathrow Airport on its plan to roll out testing of passengers to help end the two week quarantine for international travellers. The airport is reportedly planning to test passengers to help allow them avoid the 14-day quarantine for travellers arriving in the UK from countries [...]
Sureserve says strong trading allows it to consider ‘sustainable dividend policy’ August 19, 2020 Compliance and energy services company Sureserve today said its strong trading performance allowed it to “consider a sustainable dividend policy”. The Aim-listed company maintains and installs boilers, and makes sure homes are energy efficient among other services. Shares jumped nearly 12 per cent to 47p this morning. Sureserve said it had been awarded 21 contracts [...]
UK records 1,089 new positive coronavirus cases August 18, 2020 The UK recorded 1,089 new positive cases of coronavirus today, up from 713 yesterday, government figures showed. A further 12 people died after testing positive for covid-19 within 28 days. The UK has recorded more than 1,000 daily cases on eight out of the last 10 days. Earlier health minister Matt Hancock welcomed figures from [...]
Capita shares slide on coronavirus-triggered first-half loss August 18, 2020 Shares in outsourcer Capita fell more than 10 per cent today after it said it had fallen to a first-half loss because of the effects of the coronavirus pandemic. The company said its turnaround planned had been torpedoed by the economic effects of the virus outbreak. Shares in Capita, which provides consulting and digital services [...]
Wood Group shares jump despite fall in half-year profit August 18, 2020 Shares in oil services company Wood Group jumped more than nine per cent today as the market cheered its cost cutting and positive full-year projections. Wood Group said profit in the six months to 30 June fell 20.6 per cent as the coronavirus-driven oil price crash hit its global energy clients. Adjusted earnings fell 20.6 [...]
IoD chair resigns after less than two years in the role August 18, 2020 The chair of business advocacy group the Institute of Directors (IoD) has resigned after less than two years in the role. Charlotte Valeur took the job after its former chair Barbara Judge quit after a row over alleged racism, sexism and bullying. However, Valeur has now resigned less than two years into her three year [...]
Stobart Group to cut jobs after Easyjet scraps Southend and Stansted bases August 18, 2020 Stobart Group today said it would cut jobs at Southend and Stansted airports after Easyjet yesterday said it would pull the plug on its operations at the two sites. Shares in Southend Airport-owner Stobart Group fell 4.7 per cent to 28p this morning. Stobart Aviations Services provides check-in and baggage handling services to Easyjet at [...]
A-levels: pupils in England to receive predicted grades after major U-turn August 17, 2020 Pupils in England will receive teacher predicted grades for their A-level results after a major government U-turn. Teacher predicted grades will also be used for the upcoming GCSE results. Education secretary Gavin Williamson said: “This has been an extraordinarily difficult year for young people who were unable to take their exams. “We worked with Ofqual [...]