Manchester Airport backs Virgin Atlantic bailout as airlines call for more support April 12, 2020 The boss of Manchester Airport has pleaded with the chancellor to save Virgin Atlantic from collapse as UK airlines urge the government to extend its support during the coronavirus crisis. Manchester Airports Group chief Charlie Cornish said Virgin was the biggest long-haul carrier at the airport, flying nearly 1m people a year to New York, [...]
Former business secretary Greg Clark leads calls for overhaul of coronavirus loan scheme April 9, 2020 Former business secretary Greg Clark MP today branded the government’s coronavirus loan scheme for small and medium-sized businesses a “disappointment” and called for an overhaul of the programme. “It hasn’t been taken up as widely as was touted when it was first launched. Since it was there to provide finance for businesses in substantial quantities [...]
Boris Johnson ‘getting better’ but remains in intensive care with covid-19 April 9, 2020 Prime Minister Boris Johnson is “getting better” a government minister said today, but remains in intensive care suffering from covid-19. Johnson, 55, was admitted to St Thomas’s hospital in London on Sunday evening with a persistent high temperature and cough. On Monday he was moved to the hospital’s intensive care department after his condition worsened. [...]
Coronavirus: UK tech sector ‘at risk’ as firms miss out on loans April 8, 2020 The thriving UK tech sector is under threat as firms are missing out on a £330bn coronavirus support plan, Deliveroo, Citymapper and more have warned. In a letter to chancellor Rishi Sunak, 12 of the UK’s most prominent tech chiefs today called for an urgent meeting with officials to find a way for tech firms [...]
UK’s wage subsidy scheme on track for April roll out April 8, 2020 The government’s wage subsidy scheme is on track to be open on schedule as the nation’s top taxman warns it could be targeted by fraudsters. The Job Retention Scheme sees the government pay 80 per cent of wages, up to £2,500 a month, for employees that have been unable to work during the Covid-19 crisis [...]
Coronavirus business loans hit £450m but doubts about scheme remain April 8, 2020 UK banks have now lent £453m through the government’s coronavirus business loans scheme as it picks up following an overhaul, although a large number of firms are still struggling to access the cash they need. The Treasury said today that more than 2,500 loans for business had been approved as of yesterday via the coronavirus [...]
‘Urgent action’ must be taken to protect more workers, says Treasury committee April 8, 2020 Urgent action must be taken to provide economic relief for those not covered by the government’s coronavirus support packages, according to parliament’s Treasury committee. Mel Stride, chair of the Treasury Select Committee, wrote to chancellor Rishi Sunak today to ask for an extension of the government’s self-employed coronavirus package in particular. The committee said it [...]
Rishi Sunak to hand £750m in assistance to UK’s charities April 8, 2020 Chancellor Rishi Sunak has unveiled a £750m package to assist the country’s frontline charities during the coronavirus pandemic. Charities providing essential services and supporting vulnerable people will be eligible to receive direct funding from the government out of a £360m pool. These will include hospices, St Johns Ambulance, victims charities, vulnerable children charities and citizens [...]
Boris Johnson’s condition is ‘improving’ as he battles coronavirus April 8, 2020 Prime Minister Boris Johnson remains in intensive care in St Thomas’ hospital, but his condition is “improving”, chancellor Rishi Sunak has said. Speaking at this afternoon’s press conference, Sunak added that Johnson has “been sitting up in bed and engaging positively with his clinical team”. The chancellor said that the Prime Minister’s hospitalisation was a [...]
UK coronavirus death toll jumps by 938 to pass 7,000 April 8, 2020 The UK coronavirus death toll has jumped by 938 to hit 7,097, the Department of Health has confirmed. The figure marks an increase on the 786 fatalities recorded yesterday, as the daily death toll continues to grow ahead of the Easter weekend. Health officials have warned that the long weekend could see the peak of [...]