Coronavirus: US factory orders plunge to 11-year low April 1, 2020 US manufacturers suffered the biggest fall in new orders for 11 years in March as coronavirus dented demand, although the overall sector shrunk by less than expected, according to a closely watched survey. The ISM purchasing managers’ index (PMI) fell to a score of 49.1 in March, down from 50.1 in February. A score below [...]
Coronavirus: 20 per cent of small businesses could collapse within a month April 1, 2020 Almost a fifth of all the UK’s small businesses will collapse in the next month, despite the government’s current support measures, it is feared. According to accountancy group the Corporate Finance Network, the current coronavirus lockdown measures mean that 18 per cent of all SMEs will have to close within the next four weeks, putting [...]
UK coronavirus death toll jumps by more than 500 in a day to 2,353 April 1, 2020 The number of UK coronavirus deaths has jumped by more than 500 in a day, according to the latest figures from the Department of Health. The Department of Health said that as of 5pm yesterday, 2,352 people hospitalised in the UK who have tested positive for coronavirus have died. That means the death toll has [...]
Just 2,000 frontline NHS England staff have had coronavirus tests April 1, 2020 Hospitals have been urged by Number 10 to test more NHS frontline staff for coronavirus as it has been revealed that only 2,000 have been tested. The government has come under fire this past week for failing to reach its daily coronavirus testing target, with the UK falling behind other OECD countries. There were just [...]
Coronavirus: Imagine if the state could respond like this all the time? April 1, 2020 The effort has been extraordinary. Within a few days, entire hospitals have been constructed from scratch. Vast numbers of intensive care units and ventilators have been assembled at speed. The NHS, once a byword for bureaucracy, has been swift and nimble in getting ready for the Coronavirus emergency to come. Processes that would normally have [...]
Watchdog eases cash call cap to help firms raise cash amid coronavirus outbreak April 1, 2020 The Pre-Emption Group (PEG) has said existing investors in UK-listed companies should be allowed to buy a bigger share of rights issues, in a move that could make it easier for firms to raise cash amid the coronavirus pandemic. The Financial Reporting Council (FRC) said the Pre-Emption Group (PEG) of listed companies, investors and intermediaries [...]
2020 Edinburgh Festivals cancelled due to coronavirus April 1, 2020 The 2020 Edinburgh Festivals have been cancelled due to the coronavirus updates, organisers confirmed today. The Edinburgh Art Festival, the Festival Fringe, Book Festival, International Festival and Military Tattoo — all set to take place in August — have become the latest cultural events to fall victim to the pandemic. The five events together comprise [...]
Morrisons wins legal case over data breach liability April 1, 2020 The UK’s highest court has ruled that Morrisons is not legally liable for the actions of a disgruntled former employee who leaked the data of more than 100,000 workers. Supreme Court judge Lord Reed ruled this morning that the supermarket was not vicariously liable for the conduct of Andrew Skelton, who was jailed in 2015 [...]
Coronavirus: UK bank shares take a hit after dividend suspension April 1, 2020 Investors have pummelled UK banks today, sending the FTSE 350 banks index tumbling after lenders suspended dividend payments amid the coronavirus crisis. Barclays, HSBC, Lloyds, Royal Bank of Scotland, Standard Chartered and Santander all halted payouts yesterday following pressure from the Bank of England’s Prudential Regulation Authority (PRA). Traders have today responded by selling the [...]
UK taking too long to administer coronavirus tests, minister admits April 1, 2020 A cabinet secretary has admitted that it may be taking too long too long for the UK to reach its coronavirus testing targets amidst anger at the lack of progress. The government missed its target of testing 10,000 people per day last week and has fallen well behind other OECD countries, such as Germany who [...]
