Travis Perkins suspends dividend and delays Wickes de-merger March 20, 2020 Builders’ merchant Travis Perkins has suspended its dividend due to coronavirus uncertainty. The company also announced its intention to delay its long planned de-merger of DIY retailer Wickes. However, the group announced in its trading update a strong balance sheet with cash deposits of £185m. Boss Nick Roberts said: “Our highest priority is the health [...]
What does life look like after coronavirus? March 20, 2020 Right now, the priority for all countries must be to confront the immediate challenges of the coronavirus pandemic: ensuring access to healthcare, maintaining the flow of essential supplies, and managing the economic fall-out that risks seeing businesses and individuals devastated through no fault of their own. But historically, periods of national crisis have often been [...]
We can all perform small acts of heroism at this time March 20, 2020 It is a very unusual person who has not felt fear this week. As a society, we tend to think that we are in control, yet what is happening around us tells us we are not — maybe we never have been. As a former government chief nursing officer, I know we have the very [...]
CMA launches coronavirus taskforce to stamp down on over-pricing March 20, 2020 The Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) has launched a taskforce to prevent businesses from taking advantage of shoppers during the UK coronavirus outbreak. The UK competition watchdog warned the outbreak has “prompted many concerns that businesses might exploit the situacion to take advantage of people”. Amid stockpiling of food and toilet roll across the UK, [...]
Coronavirus: RFU ends all rugby competitions in England except for Premiership March 20, 2020 The Rugby Football Union has today confirmed that all competitions in England except for the Gallagher Premiership will end early following the coronavirus outbreak. The move applies to “all league, cup and county rugby in England”, while a decision on the Premiership will be taken in due course. In a statement, the RFU said it [...]
Bank of England cancels stress tests over coronavirus March 20, 2020 The Bank of England has cancelled this year’s stress test of major banks in Britain, saying it could be hard to implement new global capital rules while lenders are focused on supporting customer lending amid the coronavirus pandemic. The central bank’s decision to scrap the test of the UK’s eight top banks comes after the [...]
CMC’s shares jump as it raises forecast again after trading volume surge March 20, 2020 Trading platform CMC Markets surged in early trading as it boosted its annual earnings target for the fourth time in less than six months. CMC expects net operating income ahead of market consensus at £219m, and profit before tac of £72.9m. Shares jumped 16.11 per cent to 156.75 on the FTSE small-cap index. CMC said: [...]
Coronavirus: Man arrested on Isle of Man for failing to self-isolate March 20, 2020 A 26-year-old man has been arrested on the Isle of Man for failing to self-isolate as the local govenrment imposes strict rules. The Manx government has demanded that anyone arriving on the island must quarantine themselves for a period of 14 days. The man arrested arrived yesterday via boat and failed to adhere to those [...]
Coronavirus: Follow government advice and pandemic will end sooner, says health secretary March 20, 2020 The health secretary has urged the public to follow government advice as it will allow life to return to normal sooner. Matt Hancock said adhering to social distancing measures would prevent “difficult situations” such as those seen in Italy, where hospitals have become overwhelmed. “The more people follow the public health advice, the quicker we [...]
