Coronavirus: Tour operator Tui cancels holidays until mid-May April 8, 2020 The UK’s biggest package holiday firm Tui has extended the cancellation of its holidays for UK customers until mid-May among uncertainty as to when coronavirus travel restrictions will cease to apply. In a statement, the firm said that beach holidays for UK and Irish customers travelling up to and including 14 May would no longer [...]
NCA defeated in unexplained wealth order battle to seize three London homes worth £80m April 8, 2020 The National Crime Agency (NCA) has been defeated in a court battle to seize three London homes worth £80m from the family of a Kazakh government official. The High Court today dismissed the NCA’s attempt to use unexplained wealth orders (UWO) to seize the homes in Hampstead, Highgate and Chelsea. In her judgment Justice Lang [...]
Coronavirus: An economic evolution, not revolution April 8, 2020 The COVID-19 pandemic is the defining event for a generation and though its long-term effects remain uncertain, it is fair to say the ‘new normal’ we will return to will be significantly different to that we left. However, change was afoot long before the pandemic altered the way companies think, assess risk and manage their [...]
Coronavirus: Ikea opens Swedish food markets for key workers April 8, 2020 Ikea has opened the food markets at its London stores to serve key workers during the coronavirus pandemic. The Swedish retail giant has opened food halls at its Tottenham and Greenwich sites, which are located close to local hospitals. The Ikea markets will be open to NHS and emergency service workers as well as the [...]
Government to ask UK businesses to develop antibody testing kits April 8, 2020 Health secretary Matt Hancock is set to issue a rallying cry for British businesses to make antibody testing kits after millions purchased by the government had to be thrown away. The government will ask UK companies to help develop millions of the DIY finger prick testing kits to distribute to homes across the country. The [...]
Coronavirus: German economy could shrink almost 10 per cent in second quarter April 8, 2020 The German economy is set to shrink at the fastest rate since at least 1970 in the second quarter as coronavirus containment measures cause a deep recession, some of the countries top think tanks have said. German GDP will fall by 9.8 per cent in the second quarter of the year, the biannual joint economic [...]
Coronavirus: Holland & Barrett under pressure to close stores April 8, 2020 Health food shop Holland & Barrett is facing pressure to close its stores due to safety concerns amid the coronavirus pandemic. Holland & Barrett has been allowed to stay open as an essential retailer during the UK’s coronavirus lockdown. However, an online petition calling for the high street chain to shut its stores has received [...]
Coronavirus: A traffic light loosening gives the economy hope April 8, 2020 The strategy of exiting from the lockdown is far too important to be left in the hands of health professionals. The government’s advisors have played very valuable roles in helping to avert the sort of crisis which overwhelmed the health services in Northern Italy. Many who were seriously ill with the virus died unnecessarily because [...]
Lufthansa to close budget carrier Germanwings as coronavirus forces overhaul April 8, 2020 Lufthansa will close its low-cost subsidiary Germanwings as the flag carrier seeks to overhaul its business in response to the coronavirus crisis. The move came as the airline warned that it could take years for the airline industry to get back to pre-coronavirus levels of service. In a statement, Lufthansa said: “It will take months [...]
Asos shares jump after it raises £247m to beat coronavirus April 8, 2020 Fast fashion retailer Asos’ shares shot up today after raising £247m to strengthen its financial position amid the coronavirus crisis. The online retailer announced the fundraise last night as it warned of a “prolonged downturn” due to the outbreak. It said it has placed 15.8m new shares at a price of 1,560p per share. That [...]
