This pandemic may lead to more trade barriers, but is that such a bad thing? March 25, 2020 The current crisis dominates everything, from trade to everyday life. But, within a relatively short space of time, it will pass. What next? What will be the “new normal” after coronavirus? A key policy aim across the west for many decades since the Second World War was to reduce barriers to international trade. But it [...]
PM warns Mike Ashley – obey the rules or face the consequences March 25, 2020 Prime Minister Boris Johnson has warned Sports Direct boss Mike Ashley to “obey the rules or to expect the consequences”, after the retailing heavyweight insisted staff must continue working during the coronavirus outbreak. During a bumper PMQs, Johnson was repeatedly asked about the situation facing workers, particularly self-employed, who currently have no additional support beyond [...]
Cupboard Love: Clever cooking for an isolated population March 25, 2020 In the first part of a new series on economical home cooking, top chef Mark Hix demolishes a whole duck. I’ve written a few times about people buying too much food, not looking after it in the fridge, and it consequently ending up in the bin. I’ve also written many times about getting the most [...]
ECSC shares rise as cybersecurity firm boosts revenue March 25, 2020 Shares in ECSC jumped almost 10 per cent this morning after the cybersecurity firm posted a sharp rise in revenue for the year. The figures ECSC’s organic revenue grew 10 per cent to £5.91m in the year to 31 December 2019. Revenue from its managed services division jumped 48 per cent to £2.59m. Adjusted earnings [...]
Qantas raises over AU$1bn to guard against coronavirus disruption March 25, 2020 Australian flag carrier Qantas has secured over AU$1bn (£501m) worth of new funding as the airline seeks to bolster its financial position against the ongoing coronavirus disruption. The debt, which has been taken out against seven of the airlines’ 787-9 planes, will hold for 10 years at an interest rate of 2.75 per cent. This [...]
London Stock Exchange to allow dividend delay over coronavirus disruption March 25, 2020 The London Stock Exchange is to allow companies listed on its market to delay the payment of dividends by up to 30 days as markets grapple with the impact of coronavirus. “As a result of market conditions and issuers implementing their contingency plans, the Exchange has received enquiries from issuers and their advisers regarding deferral [...]
Coronavirus: Parliament to shut down for four weeks March 25, 2020 Parliament will be suspended from tonight for at least four weeks in response to the government’s new coronavirus measures. The House of Commons is set to pass an emergency bill today that will bring forward the beginning of Easter recess by one week. It comes after some MPs were reportedly concerned that it was a [...]
Forget finishing the current seasons; this is a time for sport to ponder far bigger questions March 25, 2020 The now globally iconic slogan “Keep Calm and Carry On” was originally used on a 1939 British motivational poster, during the country’s preparations for World War II. With Covid-19’s outbreak and spread across Eurasia, much of British sport has appeared intent on summoning the spirit of this old poster. From the Cheltenham Festival to Champions [...]
Number of coronavirus deaths in Spain surpasses China March 25, 2020 A total of 3,434 coronavirus patients have died in Spain, surpassing the number of recorded deaths in China where the outbreak began. As Spain surpassed China’s 3,285 cases, Europe has now become the epicentre of the coronavirus outbreak. Spain has the world’s second-highest tally of coronavirus deaths, just behind Italy, which has recorded more than [...]
Debate: Is it appropriate for businesses to invoke a ‘wartime spirit’ during the coronavirus outbreak? March 25, 2020 As the coronavirus outbreak curtails practically every aspect of our daily lives, some have compared efforts to fight it to the fabled “wartime spirit” of World War II. Is this appropriate, asks City A.M.? Yes, says Rob Nowell, global marketing director at Edge by Ascential Around 80 years ago, World War II caused entire sectors [...]
