Ex-chancellor Philip Hammond warns business must be prepared for coronavirus lockdown exit plan April 20, 2020 Former chancellor Philip Hammond has warned that the government must make sure businesses are well prepared for a coronavirus lockdown exit plan. Hammond said it is “vital that business is ready for the green light” when restrictions are lifted in order to mitigate the risk of corporate collapses and job losses. “We don’t know whether [...]
UK pubs face permanent closure without extra support, industry warns April 20, 2020 Thousands of UK pubs could struggle to survive the coronavirus lockdown without additional financial support, the industry has warned after the government indicated that the sector could be among the last to see restrictions lifted. The British Beer & Pub Association (BBPA) has called on the government to announce extra support for the industry amid [...]
US oil price turns negative for first time ever April 20, 2020 US crude oil futures turned negative for the first time in history today as storage space filled up and demand fell to coronavirus lockdowns across the world. The May US WTI contract CLc1 fell $19.06, or 104.3 per cent, to a discount of 79 cents a barrel, after touching an all-time low of minus $1.43 [...]
London property: Number of new homes on the market drops across all boroughs April 20, 2020 The London property market has been hit by the UK’s coronavirus lockdown, with all boroughs suffering a sharp decline in the number of new homes on the market. Outer boroughs such as Hillingdon and Bromley have seen the steepest drop, with the number of new homes for sale falling 91 per cent since restrictions were [...]
UK coronavirus death toll rises to 16,509 April 20, 2020 The UK coronavirus death toll has hit 16,509 after a further 449 people were confirmed to have died in hospital after testing positive for Covid-19. The figure, which includes deaths as of 5pm yesterday, is the lowest daily increase in deaths for two weeks. However the number of reported hospital fatalities is often lower on [...]
Ex-Home Office chief Sir Philip Rutnam launches legal action against Priti Patel April 20, 2020 Former Home Office chief Sir Philip Rutnam has launched legal action against home secretary Priti Patel. Sir Philip, who was the most senior civil servant in the department, today lodged an employment tribunal claim for unfair dismissal and whistleblowing against Priti Patel, according to civil service union FDA. A government spokesperson said: “We do not [...]
Coronavirus: Primark agrees £370m deal with suppliers after backlash April 20, 2020 Primark has agreed to pay an extra £370m to suppliers after the budget retailer was criticised for cancelling orders during the coronavirus lockdown. The high street giant announced this morning that it will now “take all product that was both in production and finished, and planned for handover by 17 April”. Primark had previously committed [...]
UK coronavirus lockdown: Consumers spend more on video games and online shopping April 20, 2020 Britons have been spending more on video games and with Amazon, Apple and Argos during the UK coronavirus lockdown, according to the latest research. Digital bank Starling said its customers spent almost 300 per cent more on Playstation and Nintendo in the week ending 5 April compared to the week to 15 March, before the [...]
UK house prices dip as coronavirus lockdown makes sales ‘almost impossible’ April 20, 2020 UK house prices dipped during the coronavirus lockdown as experts warned the housing market was barely functioning due to the restrictions. The latest data from Rightmove showed that the average price of property coming to market dipped 0.2 per cent to £311,950. In April last year UK house prices increased 2.1 per cent. However, Rightmove [...]
Coronavirus: Knight Frank and Rightmove call for stamp duty holiday to reignite market April 20, 2020 Estate agent Knight Frank and property platform Rightmove have both backed a stamp duty holiday as part of a package of measures to reignite the housing market after the coronavirus lockdown is lifted. The companies have separately called for a stamp duty holiday to be among a range of measures designed to stimulate the market, [...]
