DEBATE: Should businesses sign a new ‘social contract’ in exchange for government support? March 30, 2020 Should businesses sign a new “social contract” in exchange for government support? YES, says James Kirkup, director of the Social Market Foundation. Taxpayers are offering unprecedented support to business during this crisis, and will be paying for it for years to come. To avoid a backlash that harms business and the UK economy afterwards, we [...]
City Moves for 30 March – Who’s switching jobs at Matterport, Allica Bank and Acxiom? March 30, 2020 Today’s City Moves includes Matterport, Allica Bank and Acxiom Matterport Matterport, the spatial data capture firm, has announced the appointment of Robin Daniels as chief marketing officer (CMO). Robin will lead Matterport’s worldwide marketing strategy at a time of rapid growth for the company. He will drive all marketing and communications initiatives globally to bring [...]
Why the UK’s startup sector is worth saving March 30, 2020 Covid-19 has already destroyed so much. Lives, livelihoods, freedom of movement. For those on the frontlines, whether in the NHS, social care or supermarkets, or in the country’s many sick beds, the battle is fierce. As the dominoes of our economy have tumbled, the government has quickly stepped in. First to safeguard business. Then to [...]
A more sustainable capitalism will emerge from Covid-19 March 30, 2020 The main concern that is paralysing the financial markets right now is uncertainty. Investors and the business community are questioning how long this crisis will last, and when consumer and investor confidence will return, with no end in sight. But while none of us can predict the future, when it does return, one possible outcome [...]
These are difficult times — but London is strong, and the City will get through this March 30, 2020 If this crisis has shown us anything, it is that the Square Mile really can keep calm and carry on in the face of adversity. In just over a week, the majority of the City’s half a million employees have adapted to working at home remarkably quickly, thanks to technology such as video conferencing, and [...]
China is using the coronavirus crisis to its advantage March 30, 2020 It is easy to lose your bearings while in self-isolation. Trust me, as I’m into the fourth week of quarantine here in Milan, I entirely understand. But baseline realities matter even more in a genuine crisis. One such truism was put best by John Stuart Mill: all it takes for evil to triumph in the [...]
Coronavirus: FTSE 100 falls as oil prices plummet March 30, 2020 The FTSE 100 has slipped lower after the coronavirus situation worsened in the UK over the weekend and oil prices tumbled to an 18-year low. Britain’s FTSE 100 index was 1.2 per cent lower at midday at 5,446 points. It had fallen 5.3 per cent on Friday after rallying strongly over the previous three days. [...]
Coronavirus sets UK on course for deepest recession since 2008 March 30, 2020 The UK is set for the deepest recession since the 2008 financial crisis as the coronavirus pandemic ravages the economy. The Centre for Economics and Business Research (CEBR) predicts the UK economy will shrink marginally in the first quarter year, by 0.5 per cent, before contracting a staggering 15 per cent in the second quarter. [...]
Uber to provide free journeys and meals for NHS staff March 30, 2020 Uber has committed to providing 200,000 trips and 100,000 meals to NHS workers on the frontline of the coronavirus crisis. Free rides up to the value of £15, as well as £10 Uber Eats vouchers, will be given to anyone with an NHS email address, which includes many of the 300,000 nurses in the UK. [...]
Coronavirus: Government slams ‘breath holding’ advice amid fake news crackdown March 30, 2020 Specialist government units have been forced to rubbish claims that holding your breath for 10 seconds is a test for coronavirus amid a surge in misinformation about the pandemic. Number 10’s Rapid Response Unit identified the claim in posts circulating on Facebook and Whatsapp that claimed to come from a board member at Stanford Hospital. [...]
