Coronavirus: Chinese data to show devastating slump April 12, 2020 Analysts are predicting that new data released this week could show China’s first-quarter GDP falling by as much as 10 per cent. With the virus originating in the country, it was the first to be hit by the widespread economic disruption that has become the norm in most developed countries. Speaking to the Sunday Times, [...]
HM the Queen: Coronavirus will not overcome us April 12, 2020 In what is believed to be her first Easter message, the Queen has told Brits that the Covid-19 pandemic will not “overcome us.” In an audio message recorded from self-isolation, the Queen said that “we need Easter as much as ever.” The monarch said that the Easter story could bring hope at a difficult time [...]
HMRC offers COVID-19 extension for import VAT and duty payments due on 15 April April 10, 2020 The payment of VAT and duties can be a significant cash flow burden on businesses and HMRC has recognised this in the number of easements introduced in response to the COVID-19 crisis. The Chancellor announced on 20 March that VAT payments due from 20 March to 30 June could be deferred until 31 March 2021. [...]
Matt Hancock urges public to stay at home over Easter as PPE plan published April 10, 2020 Health secretary Matt Hancock has urged people to stay at home over the Easter weekend in order to protect the NHS from the coronavirus crisis. “However warm the weather, however tempting your local beach or park, we need everyone to stay at home”, he added. Hancock’s plea came as the death toll in the UK [...]
Coronavirus: US consumer prices fall by largest amount in five years April 10, 2020 US consumer prices fell by the largest amount in five years in March due to the impact of coronavirus, with further decreases expected as the virus squeezes demand for goods and services. The US labor department said that the consumer price index dropped 0.4 per cent last month due to plummeting prices for petrol, hotels, [...]
NHS England reports 866 more deaths as global fatalities approach 100,000 April 10, 2020 NHS England has reported 866 more deaths from coronavirus in the last 24 hours, taking the total number of those who have died in England’s hospitals to 8,114. Those who died were aged between 27 and 100, and 56 of them had no known underlying health condition, it said. The largest number of hospital deaths [...]
Coronavirus: Calls for price controls dismissed as ‘economically illiterate’ April 10, 2020 Economists have hit back at Which? after the consumer watchdog said that the government should enforce price controls on certain items to prevent so-called “price gouging” during the coronavirus pandemic. The calls came after the consumer group said it had found that items such as handwash, cleaning products, and baby formula were selling at vastly [...]
Coronavirus: UK consumers ease up on stockpiling in run up to Easter April 10, 2020 UK consumers spent an additional £83m on groceries last week, but sales are down by 2.6 per cent compared to the same period in 2019, suggesting the nation has eased up on stockpiling. Grocery sales in the UK have increased significantly over the past weeks, as a result of stockpiling, amid health fears around the [...]
Coronavirus: Universities call for state aid with income set to plunge April 10, 2020 The UK’s universities have written to the government to request financial assistance as they brace for an estimated £800m drop in income this academic year. In an open letter sent to the chancellor and the education secretary, sector body Universities UK warned that higher education establishments could lose as much as £7bn in international student [...]
Renault to seek loans of up to €5bn to protect against coronavirus April 10, 2020 The chairman of French car giant Renault has said that the firm could seek loans of up to €5bn to protect it against damage from the coronavirus pandemic. Speaking on French radio, Jean-Dominique Senard said: “We are working on the idea of bank loans that would be guaranteed by the state and later reimbursed. This [...]
