Coronavirus latest: UK ‘superspreader’ discharged from hospital February 12, 2020 This page collects all the latest news about the coronavirus outbreak, now called Covid-19 The man connected to 11 cases of the coronavirus has been discharged from hospital having made a full recovery from the illness. Business Steve Walsh, who contracted the illness on a work visit to Singapore before passing it to others on [...]
Plus500’s 2019 profits sink after regulatory crackdown February 12, 2020 Plus500 revealed plummeting profits for its 2019 financial year today, but said market volatility boosted trading volumes in the second half. The figures Earnings before interest, tax, depreciation and amortisation (Ebitda) sank 62 per cent year on year from $506m (£390.2m) to just $192.3m. Two-thirds of that was booked in the second half of the [...]
Dunelm posts higher profits as like-for-like sales rise February 12, 2020 Profit jumped at furnishings firm Dunelm in the first half of its latest financial year, it said today, as like-for-like sales also improved. The figures Profit before tax leapt 19.4 per cent year on year to £83.6m as revenue rose six per cent to £585m. Like-for-like sales climbed 5.6 per cent. However, free cash flow [...]
JD Sports may have to sell off Footasylum, says CMA February 11, 2020 Shoppers could be worse off online and in store if JD Sports’ acquisition of Footasylum goes ahead, the UK’s competition watchdog found today. The Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) warned the merger could lead to fewer discounts and worse customer service, as well as less choice in its preliminary ruling. “We’re currently concerned that shoppers [...]
Tui offsets Boeing 737 Max hit with higher holiday demand February 11, 2020 Tour operator Tui today said stronger holiday demand would partly offset an extra hit of as much as €245m from the longer grounding of the Boeing 737 Max. The plane’s longer than expected journey to return to the skies after two fatal crashes will drag on Tui’s profit for its 2020 financial year. But strong [...]
UK coronavirus: Brighton GP practice closes after positive test February 10, 2020 A GP practice in Brighton has closed after a member of staff tested positive for coronavirus, it is reported. The County Oak medical centre in Brighton closed this afternoon, urging patients to contact the NHS 111 phone service with any health concerns. It came as the government upgraded coronavirus to a “serious and imminent” threat [...]
Easyjet warns passengers of ‘very low’ coronavirus risk February 10, 2020 British airline Easyjet has warned passengers there is a “very low” risk of coronavirus infection after discovering one customer has since been diagnosed with the illness. Public Health England is now notifying all passengers on the Easyjet EZS8481 flight from Geneva to London on 28 January that they are at risk of infection. It comes [...]
UK appoints first female US ambassador February 7, 2020 The government has appointed a new US ambassador after the last person to hold the post quit in the wake of leaked messages about President Donald Trump. Dame Karen Pierce will become the new UK ambassador to the US at a crucial time – with Trump reported to have been “livid” about Prime Minister Boris [...]
UK house prices leap 4.1 per cent in bumper January – Halifax February 7, 2020 UK house prices jumped 4.1 per cent in January on an annual basis to come close to a two-year high, fresh figures from Halifax showed today. Homes rose 0.4 per cent in value compared to December, and climbed 2.3 per cent on a quarterly basis, Halifax’s house price index revealed. Russell Galley, managing director of [...]
Ofgem to lower the energy price cap by £17 for 15m households February 7, 2020 Ofgem will cut the energy price cap by £17 from April as lower wholesale costs drive the price downwards, the regulator confirmed today. That will leave the default price cap at £1,162 for April to September, down from its previous level of £1,179. Ofgem said 11m households will benefit from the lower cap. The pre-payment [...]
