Covid crisis has exposed the Scottish nationalists once again May 27, 2020 In London, the Covid virus is disappearing rapidly. Hospital trusts are increasingly reporting days with no new cases at all. During the crisis, there has been a proliferation of home-made signs in rural locations telling city dwellers, with varying degrees of politeness, to turn back and go home. Will we now see messages at junctions [...]
UK coronavirus deaths top 37,000 after increase of 134 May 26, 2020 The UK’s death toll from coronavirus has risen by 134 to 37,048 according to figures released today by the Department of Health. Yesterday, the Department of Health said 121 people in the UK died with coronavirus, the second-lowest 24-hour death toll since March. However, there is usually a lag in the figures reported at weekends [...]
Sir Patrick McLoughlin appointed as Visit Britain chairman May 26, 2020 Former Conservative Party chairman and transport secretary Sir Patrick McLoughlin has been appointed as chair of the British Tourist Authority. McLoughlin, who was MP from Derbyshire Dales between 1986 and 2019, will chair the Visit Britain tourism board for three years from 1 June, it was announced this morning. He was government chief whip from [...]
Retail footfall soars over bank holiday weekend May 26, 2020 Retail footfall soared over the weekend compared to the Easter bank holiday as shoppers made the most of the relaxation of lockdown restrictions in England. High street footfall surged 49 per cent yesterday compared to Easter Monday, while coastal towns saw visitor numbers jump 62 per cent. Footfall at retail parks was up 42 per [...]
BoE not remotely close to decision on negative rates, says chief economist May 26, 2020 The Bank of England’s chief economist has said the bank is not remotely close to any decision on taking interest rates below zero to cope with the pandemic. Andy Haldane said the key factors for the BoE to consider were the consequences of negative rates for banks and lenders, which would squeeze margins. “Those are [...]
Inflation post Covid-19: to be or not to be? May 26, 2020 We spoke to two experts who argued the case for and against inflation in the near future and what it means for investments. Abdallah Guezour, Head of Emerging Market Debt and Commodities, and Keith Wade, Chief Economist, discuss the outlook for inflation in the midst of the Covid-19 crisis. Abdallah argues the case for inflation [...]
Treasury extends CLBILS loan size to £200m as total support hits £32bn May 26, 2020 The Treasury is extending the CLBILS loan size to £200m after announcing more than £32bn in loans and guarantees have been awarded to UK firms. Chancellor Rishi Sunak today announced that businesses have benefitted from over £32bn in loans and guarantees to support them during the coronavirus crisis. With lockdown restrictions limiting business, Sunak introduced [...]
Coronavirus-related deaths in England and Wales fall to six-week low May 26, 2020 Deaths involving coronavirus fell to a six-week low in the week to 15 May, according to figures released today by the Office for National Statistics (ONS). Of the deaths registered during the week to 15 May, 3,810 mentioned coronavirus, 120 fewer than in the previous week. The total number of deaths registered in England and [...]
UK coronavirus death toll rises by 121 to 36,914 May 25, 2020 A further 121 people in the UK have died with coronavirus, bringing the total to 36,914. The increase in deaths is the second-lowest 24-hour increase since March, and includes deaths in hospitals, care homes and the wider community. Although UK coronavirus deaths and cases are declining, there is usually a lag in the figures reported [...]
Jaguar Land Rover in talks over government loan May 25, 2020 Jaguar Land Rover is reportedly in talks with the government to secure a loan due to the financial impact of Covid-19. The carmaker submitted the largest bespoke loan request of the coronavirus crisis to ministers in recent weeks, according to Sky News. Jaguar Land Rover has seen sales plunge by more than 30 per cent [...]