TfL to run reduced service during coronavirus outbreak March 17, 2020 Transport for London (TfL) will run a reduced service on its network during the coronavirus outbreak, mayor Sadiq Khan has said. Weekday public transport in the capital will be cut back to a “Saturday-type service” over the next few days, Khan told Sky News today. This means weekday Tube and bus services will run at [...]
MPs blast government ‘delay’ in virus fake news crackdown March 17, 2020 MPs have lambasted the government over its ‘delayed’ attempt to clamp down on disinformation relating to coronavirus. Earlier this month the government launched a new cyber unit aimed at preventing the spread of fake news about the Covid-19 outbreak on social media. The team, assembled from departments across Whitehall, will also hold discussions with tech [...]
Sterling falls to six-month low as UK tightens virus measures March 17, 2020 Sterling dropped to its lowest level against the dollar in roughly six months today as the UK ramped up its measures to halt the spread of coronavirus. The pound fell as much as 0.6 per cent to $1.219 this morning — its lowest level since early September. Against the euro it edged up 0.2 per [...]
City Pub Group to slash jobs as coronavirus threat looms March 17, 2020 City Pub Group today said it will lay off staff across the company as it braces for a decline in footfall caused by the coronavirus outbreak. The upmarket pub chain said it will reduce employee numbers in its head office and at site level, while opening hours will be reviewed to cut out “non-productive” times. [...]
Chancellor Rishi Sunak to unveil lifeline for virus-hit businesses March 17, 2020 Chancellor Rishi Sunak is today expected to unveil a raft of additional measures to help the economy amid fears the coronavirus outbreak could put some firms out of business. In a joint press conference with Prime Minister Boris Johnson, scheduled for today, the chancellor will offer a larger bail-out fund for struggling firms, according to [...]
British stars drive UK record label revenue to fresh high of £1.1bn March 17, 2020 Revenue for UK record labels rose to just under £1.1bn last year, driven by the continued growth of streaming and investment in new music. The figures mark the fourth consecutive year of growth and is the highest level of annual trade income in more than a decade. Streaming income — driven by popular subscription services [...]
William Hill suspends dividend as sports cancellations hit betting firms March 16, 2020 William Hill today said it has suspended its dividend due to widespread sports cancellations, sending its shares crashing more than 35 per cent. The betting giant warned the postponement of key sporting fixtures would reduce its earnings by up to £110m. The company, which makes more than half its revenue from its sports book business, [...]
Primark owner shares halted after virus sales warning March 16, 2020 Shares in Primark owner Associated British Foods (ABF) were suspended for an hour this morning after the firm warned store closures would hit sales. The retail conglomerate’s shares were halted after falling sharply, which the London Stock Exchange said was due to an erroneous trade. Shares were down roughly 12.5 per cent when trading was [...]
Sirius Minerals shares suspended ahead of Anglo takeover March 16, 2020 Shares in Sirius Minerals were suspended this morning ahead of the embattled mining firm’s takeover by Anglo American. Shareholders earlier this month approved the controversial £405m acquisition by Anglo, which offered 5.5p per Sirius share. While most Sirius investors bought in at roughly 25p, the bid was accepted as the mining firm desperately sought funding [...]
Chinese economy nosedives as virus outbreak hits factories March 16, 2020 China’s factory production slumped to its lowest level on record in the first two months of the year as the coronavirus outbreak wreaked havoc for the world’s second-largest economy. Analysts said the shock was worse than the financial crisis decade ago and reinforced fears that the epidemic may have cut China’s economic growth in half [...]
