Pets at Home remain dogged throughout pandemic as sales soar during lockdown November 24, 2020 Pets at Home has cemented itself as a rare winner during the pandemic, as the group notched double digit revenue growth in the six months to October following an “exceptional period of demand” during lockdown. The FTSE 250-listed firm thanked its allocation as an “essential” retailer during the coronavirus crisis for its 13 per cent [...]
Majority of vulnerable Brits to receive Covid vaccine by Easter, says Johnson November 23, 2020 The majority of vulnerable Brits should have received a vaccine against coronavirus by Easter, Boris Johnson tonight said. Speaking in a press conference after today’s announcement of a new, tougher system of restrictions for the winter, the Prime Minister hailed the prospect of a number of working vaccines. “With a favourable wind we should be [...]
Analysis: Why dismay over the Astrazeneca vaccine is misplaced November 23, 2020 Astrazeneca and the University of Oxford’s announcement this morning that their coronavirus vaccine proved 70 per cent effective in late-stage trials would have been bombastic three weeks ago. Alas, timing is everything — and in that time the world has seen a new US President, dozens of national lockdowns and two other (more) successful vaccine [...]
MPs pile pressure on government to shed light on ‘dodgy’ PPE deals November 23, 2020 Around a dozen MPs have ramped up pressure on the government to offer clarity on its procurement of personal protective equipment (PPE) during the pandemic, as further details of opaque contracts continue to emerge. Stephen Timms MP has written to the government on behalf of the the Work and Pensions Committee following a damning report [...]
Astrazeneca and University of Oxford vaccine 70 per cent effective November 23, 2020 The vaccine being developed by Astrazeneca and the University of Oxford is around 70 per cent effective in protecting against coronavirus, late-stage trials have shown. Researchers announced the vaccine proved an average of 70 per cent effective in more than 20,000 volunteers from across the UK and Brazil. There were 30 cases of Covid [...]
AA poised to accept £218m private equity takeover offer November 23, 2020 The AA has told two private equity groups it would be willing to accept a proposed 35p-a-share offer for the struggling motor group, the company said in a statement. The two private equity firms would also invest £380m to help reduce its debt pile of £2.6bn as part of the deal. Shares fell almost three [...]
Piece of Cake: Lockdown treats boost revenue 30 per cent at Cake Box November 23, 2020 Specialist dessert retailer Cake Box saw shares spike almost four per cent this morning, as it announced group revenue jumped just under a third in the first half of 2020. The cream cake specialist said group revenue hiked 30 per cent to £8.6m in the 20 weeks to 30 September — up from £6.6m in [...]
Vaccine by Christmas: Government ready to start vaccinating ‘next month’ November 20, 2020 The NHS is ready to start vaccinating people in England against coronavirus from next month, the health secretary confirmed today. “If the regulator approves a vaccine, we will be ready to start the vaccination next month with the bulk of the rollout in the New Year,” Matt Hancock said at a Downing Street coronavirus briefing. [...]
Johnson & Johnson forced to pay woman $120m over baby powder-cancer ‘link’ November 20, 2020 Johnson & Johnson has been ordered to pay $120m (£90.3m) in damages to a US woman who claimed the company’s baby powder caused her cancer. Speaking at a New York state court this afternoon, Justice Gerald Lebovits reduced the $325m payout a jury ordered Johnson & Johnson to pay out to Donna Olson and her [...]
Coronavirus vaccine ‘to be rolled out to all of England’ by January under leaked NHS plans November 20, 2020 The NHS’ current plan for a potential vaccine rollout could see England’s adult population start being vaccinated against coronavirus from January, with the whole population vaccinated by April, according to reports. Leaked documents seen by the Health Service Journal (HSJ) showed “everyone who wants to” will be vaccinated by early April under the government’s draft [...]
