Hospitality: A quarter of Britain’s pubs and restaurants still to reopen after lockdown May 31, 2021 One in four of Britain’s restaurants, pubs, bars and other licensed premises have yet to reopen despite the return of inside service. Around 25,000 venues across Britain are still shut, according to new hospitality data from CGA and AlixPartners, shared with City A.M. this morning. The data shows similar trading numbers in England (76.6 per cent) and Scotland [...]
‘Risky’ FTSE firms could be shunned by worried auditors fearing backlash May 29, 2021 There are worries that the crushing weight of public criticism combined with record-breaking fines could see perceived ‘risky’ FTSE companies shunned by auditors. Following large-scale collapses like Carillion and Patisserie Valerie, the audit sector has faced harsh criticism, having come under both the media and government’s spotlight for failing to do their jobs properly. According [...]
Sterling on track for fourth week of gains despite dip against US dollar May 28, 2021 Sterling on track for fourth week of gains despite dip against US dollar
Who will be the winners from the UK’s lockdown lifting? May 28, 2021 The UK continues its steady emergence from lockdown. Shops, gyms and outdoor hospitality reopened in April, with hotels, cinemas and indoor dining now following suit. All being well, further restrictions could be lifted in June. The lockdowns of the last year have undoubtedly benefited online grocers and food delivery services. But we’ve reached a crucial [...]
UK business optimism hits five-year high, so why has London slipped? May 28, 2021 Economic optimsim across the UK has reached its highest level in five year, but for some London businesses the reopening enthusiasm has waned.
Sunak claim that Cameron and Greensill got no special treatment branded as ‘not credible’ May 27, 2021 Rishi Sunak has said Greensill Capital and David Cameron were not given preferential treatment by government – a claim blasted as “not credible” by the chair of a prominent Westminster committee. Sunak told MPs on the Treasury Select Committee that Greensill Capital’s failed bid for a large government loan “did not occupy a huge amount [...]
MPC member: Smooth furlough transition could see earlier rate rise May 27, 2021 An interest rate rise could be necessary in the first part of next year if the UK’s transition out of the furlough scheme does not come with a hike in unemployment, a Monetary Policy Committee member said today. Dr. Gertjan Vlieghe said that he expected an interest rate rise to become appropriate “only well into [...]
BoE likely to hike interest rates next year, policymaker Vlieghe says May 27, 2021 The Bank of England is likely to hike interest rates “well into” next year although it could come earlier if the economy rebounds quickly, a policymaker has said. Gertjan Vlieghe, who is set to leave the Monetary Policy Committee in August, is one of the few BoE officials to speak publicly about interest rate rises. [...]
Sales at Pets at Home pass £1.4bn as Brits pick up furry companions May 27, 2021 Revenue at Pets at Home jumped nearly eight per cent in the last year, as coronavirus-led lockdowns persuaded more households to get a pet. Revenue at the pet care retailer jumped 7.9 per cent to £1.14bn in the group’s 2021 financial year. Retail revenue reached £1bn for the first time despite Covid-19 restrictions, and revenue [...]
Dom’s day out: Cummings blames PM for tens of thousands of Covid deaths as he reveals Number 10 chaos May 26, 2021 Dominic Cummings has laid the blame for tens of thousands of Covid deaths at the feet of Boris Johnson and Matt Hancock in an explosive seven-hour hearing in which the former Number 10 aide pulled the curtain back on a year of chaos inside government. Cummings told MPs that Johnson was “unfit” to be Prime [...]