UK consumer confidence jumps on stronger than expected economic rebound July 23, 2021 UK consumer confidence rose for the sixth month in a row in July driven by the economy recovering much faster than initially expected. GfK’s latest consumer confidence index edged up two points to minus seven this month, marking the strong improvement in households’ outlook since the initial Covid unlocking in April of this year. The [...]
COVID-19 and the economic impact on UK businesses July 23, 2021 The COVID-19 pandemic has left a lot of business struggling, but how bad is the overall outlook for them? We’ve spoken to Michelle Elliot CA, partner at FRP based in Glasgow, about whether we can expect a tsunami of insolvencies or if UK businesses are coping better than expected. Michelle is a Chartered Accountant and [...]
Lorry drivers and factory workers get exemption from Test and Trace app to halt shortages July 22, 2021 Lorry drivers and factor workers in the food and drinks sectors will be exempt from the Test and Trace app and will instead be tested every day for Covid-19 as the government tries to ease shortages caused by the so-called “pingdemic”. The government announced tonight that “daily contact testing will be rolled out to critical [...]
Tory MPs threaten to boycott party conference over Covid vaccine passports July 22, 2021 A pair of Tory MPs are threatening to boycott the party’s conference in September if Covid vaccine passports are required for entry, with more expected to follow. Backbencher Mark Jenkinson was the first to take to Twitter this afternoon to protest any potential vaccine passport being used for the event, after Boris Johnson announced they [...]
The world’s most refreshing summer drinks, from Ribena to Rooh Afza July 22, 2021 What do you drink in heatwaves? A lightly chilled Bardolino or an easy-drinking Beaujolais? Cider? Coconut water? Homemade elderflower cordial? Iced mint tea? Robinson’s Barley Water? Sachets of healthy, re-hydrating Dioralyte? For me it has to be Ribena. Dr Vernon Charley, a scientist at Long Ashton Agriculture and Horticulture Research Station near Bristol, invented “Ribena” [...]
Doctors call for strike action over ‘derisory’ pay offer as Covid hospitalisations rise July 22, 2021 Thousands of doctors have condemned the government’s “shambolic and derisory” 3 per cent pay rise offer to NHS staff in England, threatening industrial action as Covid hospitalisations soar. Lobbying organisation The Doctors’ Assocation (DAUK) said the 3 per cent offered “does not come close to what staff deserve” and was an “insult” from the government [...]
GSK taps insider to run spin-off consumer health business July 22, 2021 The current boss of Glaxosmithkline’s consumer healthcare division will take over the top job when the unit is spun off into its own business next year. The demerger, which will see majority ownership of the new firm transferred to its shareholders, is the biggest shake-up of the pharma giant’s business in decades. GSK chairman Jonathan [...]
Shapps: Government to review £27bn roads plan after Covid-19 reshaped travel July 22, 2021 The government is set to review its £27bn roads investment plan after Covid-19 reshaped travel, the transport secretary said today. Lockdown measures like working from home and online shopping have had permanent impacts on the UK’s travel routines. “In the last eighteen months, fundamental changes have occurred in commuting, shopping, and business travel, which before [...]
Exclusive: London Mayor Khan expects one in three Hong Kong migrants to settle in capital July 22, 2021 With over 34,300 applications for the Hong Kong BN(O) visa scheme by the end of March, London Mayor Sadiq Khan expects that up to a third will choose to settle in the capital. In an exclusive interview with City A.M. this afternoon, Khan sent a clear message to Hongkongers who have or intend to move [...]
Mercedes to invest €40bn in electric cars over next decade July 22, 2021 Mercedes-Benz will invest €40bn (£34.3bn) into battery electric vehicles over the next decade, owner Daimler announced today, as the race to ditch the internal combustion engine continues apace. The German marque said that by the end of the decade the majority of its sales would be of electric vehicles, but did not commit to a [...]
