Coronavirus: Regulators urge savers to avoid rash decisions on pensions April 1, 2020 Regulators today urged savers to not make any rash decisions in relation to their pensions during the coronavirus epidemic. The Pensions Regulator (TPR), the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA), and the Money and Pensions Service (MaPS), said fears over the impact of the pandemic on markets and personal finances may make savers more vulnerable to scams [...]
Coronavirus: Barclays, Lloyds, HSBC and RBS suspend dividends March 31, 2020 Barclays, the Royal Bank of Scotland, HSBC and Lloyds Banking Group said tonight they are suspending dividend payments this year because of the coronavirus pandemic. The banks said they had taken the decision after a request from the Bank of England’s Prudential Regulation Authority (PRA). The PRA also said it expected the banks to suspend [...]
M&A crashes across the globe as coronavirus freezes economic activity March 31, 2020 Dealmaking has plunged across the world as the calamitous health and economic impact of coronavirus sends M&A into the deep freeze. Data from Refinitiv showed global M&A activity in the first quarter is down 28 per cent on the same quarter last year at $697bn (£560bn). By number of deals, worldwide M&A has fallen 14 [...]
Laura Ashley’s administrators make 268 staff redundant and furlough 1,700 March 31, 2020 The administrators of Laura Ashley said today they had made 268 staff redundant and placed 1,669 on furlough. The staff being made redundant are drawn from across head office and back office functions. The administrators said they were in continued discussions with interested parties over a sale of the business. Rob Lewis and Zelf Hussain [...]
Felipe Massa interview: Formula E star on life in Brazil under coronavirus lockdown and a disruptive season with Venturi Racing March 31, 2020 The health crisis currently gripping the globe has forced people from far and wide to put their life on pause — and for Felipe Massa it has been no different. Used to racing at speeds of more than 200kmph and jet-setting around the world to compete in Formula E, Massa’s life, too, has come to [...]
Coronavirus: Energy industry in talks with government for state support March 31, 2020 The UK energy industry is in talks with the government over a rolling aid package to help protect vulnerable households and businesses from the coronavirus pandemic. Industry body Energy UK said that it was leading talks with the government over the additional financial support the sector might require. The Financial Times reported that energy companies [...]
Coronavirus: ‘Green shoots’ starting to show, says NHS boss March 31, 2020 NHS England’s medical director has said the UK’s social distancing measures have begun to yield “green shoots”, despite today’s largest single day rise in deaths. Stephen Powis said at today’s daily Covid-19 briefing that the rate of increase in infections had begun to plateau in the past few days, but warned “we’re not out of [...]
Minimum wage hike to go ahead despite coronavirus pressure on businesses March 31, 2020 The UK minimum wage is set to rise tomorrow as planned despite calls for the government to postpone the increase due to the coronavirus outbreak. The National Minimum Wage will increase 6.2 per cent from £8.21 to £8.72 per hour from 1 April, despite the economic challenges caused by the coronavirus pandemic. However, two thinktanks [...]
Trump calls for $2 trillion infrastructure spending amid coronavirus relief March 31, 2020 US President Donald Trump today called for a $2 trillion (£1.6 trillion) infrastructure spending package as part of the country’s upcoming coronavirus relief bill. Trump said the funds should be included in plans for a so-called Phase 4 stimulus package aimed at bolstering the economy during the pandemic. “With interest rates for the United States [...]
Hong Kong Betting Tips: Red Dragon can prove he’s a Super talented performer March 31, 2020 THERE are a couple of things to remember before betting at Sha Tin today. The draw normally plays an important role in determining the results on dirt racing in Hong Kong. Most of the time in races over six furlongs, statistics suggest horses can win from any draw, but when the weather is unsettled, like [...]
