Coronavirus: NHS staff are let down by bureaucracy April 22, 2020 The praise for health workers dealing with Covid19 is universal. From cleaners and porters to the most distinguished consultant, all have played their part. But they are working in an administrative system almost Kafka-esque in its lunacy. An early example was when NHS workers turned up to be tested at the huge PHE complex at [...]
Bank governor Andrew Bailey warns against lifting coronavirus measures too quickly April 22, 2020 Bank of England governor Andrew Bailey has warned against lifting coronavirus lockdown measures too quickly and putting people’s safety at risk in a bid to boost the economy. Bailey added that a “false start”, when lockdown measures had to be reinstated, “would damage people’s confidence very severely”. The governor’s intervention come amid a heated debate [...]
Boohoo suffers coronavirus sales hit after bumper year April 22, 2020 Boohoo Group today posted a huge surge in revenue and profit for the full year but warned the outbreak of coronavirus had hit growth in March. The figures Boohoo’s revenue rose 44 per cent to £1.2bn in the year to the end of February 2020. Pre-tax profit jumped 54 per cent to £92.2m. Net cash [...]
Fever Tree sales remain strong as drinkers stockpiled for lockdown April 22, 2020 Fever Tree has enjoyed strong sales in its key markets as consumers increase the frequency and size of orders during the coronavirus lockdown. The tonic retailer said its “off-trade channel” which accounts for 55 per cent of group sales was characterised by a period of strong sales in the initial weeks of the crisis. As [...]
Brent crude tumbles overnight to lowest oil prices since millennium April 22, 2020 The price of worldwide benchmark Brent crude tumbled overnight as the global rout of oil prices continued on fears that storage space is rapidly running out. At its nadir, Brent crude fell over 18 per cent to $15.98, a level last seen before the turn of the millennium in mid-1999. As trading opened in London, [...]
Hiscox warns of $175m coronavirus insurance hit April 22, 2020 Insurer Hiscox has anticipated paying out up to $175m (£142m) in coronavirus insurance claims arising from restrictions on travel and mass gatherings. The insurer faces a $150m bill if travel restrictions and social distancing measures remain in place for six months from March. And that insurance sum could rise by another $25m if coronavirus restrictions [...]
The City View podcast from City A.M., with David Buik April 22, 2020 In this episode Christian is joined by legendary City commentator and market analyst, David Buik. Subscribe to The City View Podcast: Apple / Google / Spotify / RSS David is one of the best known and most recognisable financial commentators in the City with more than 40 years of experience behind him. His weekly emails [...]
Climate change remains key focus at LGIM as it ramps up pressure on boards April 22, 2020 Legal & General Investment Management (LGIM) is continuing to pressure corporate boards on climate change and governance, opposing the election of 4,000 company directors last year. The asset manager’s ‘Active Ownership’ report released today reveals it took sanctions against 11 companies named as laggards under LGIM’s climate impact pledge. Among these were Exxon Mobil and [...]
More than 70 per cent of firms have furloughed staff, BCC says April 22, 2020 More than 70 per cent of businesses have furloughed staff under the government’s coronavirus job protection scheme, according to a survey published today by the British Chambers of Commerce. According to the survey 71 per cent of staff have furloughed staff, up from 66 per cent a week earlier. The job retention portal went live [...]
