Coronavirus: What to do if your house is on the market, and how prices might be affected March 27, 2020 The spread of Coronavirus has taken us all by surprise, with the unprecedented UK-wide lockdown posing a whole host of questions about how life’s milestones should be handled. Today, the government published guidance stating that people should avoid conducting viewings and delay moving house, even if the contracts have been exchanged. But what can you [...]
UK coronavirus: Government warns Brits not to move house March 27, 2020 The government has told people not to move house amid the UK coronavirus crisis as the housing market enters a standstill. Last night the government said: “We urge parties involved in home moving to adapt and be flexible to alter their usual processes. “There is no need to pull out of transactions, but we all [...]
Coronavirus: Car industry warns UK could produce 200,000 fewer cars this year March 27, 2020 The Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT) has warned that the coronavirus outbreak could see the UK produce 200,000 fewer cars in 2020, a fall of 18 per cent on last year’s total output. All of the UK’s car manufacturing factories are now on shutdown as the country complies by stringent restrictions designed to [...]
Mitsubishi considers Renault investment to prop up Nissan alliance March 26, 2020 Japanese conglomerate Mitsubishi is considering investing in Renault in one of a number of schemes being discussed to prop up the French carmaker’s alliance with Nissan. French media reported today that Mitsubishi was considering taking a 10 per cent stake in Renault, with other options including restructuring and cost savings plans. Sources told Les Echos [...]
Coronavirus: Moody’s downgrades outlook for Europe’s biggest banking systems March 26, 2020 Ratings agency Moody’s has downgraded the outlook for six of Europe’s biggest banking systems to “negative” as coronavirus threatens lenders’ profitability and asset quality. Moody’s said the banking systems of France, Italy, Spain, Denmark, the Netherlands and Belgium face a very difficult year and can therefore no longer keep their “stable” rating. The ratings agency [...]
Logistics industry calls on government to extend Brexit transition period to ease pressure on sector March 25, 2020 The UK’s logistics sector body the Freight Transport Association (FTA) is calling on the government to extend the current Brexit transition period to allow firms to concentrate on tackling the coronavirus pandemic. In a statement, the industry body said that “the challenges posed by the Covid-19 virus will make the effective implementation of any new [...]
ECSC shares rise as cybersecurity firm boosts revenue March 25, 2020 Shares in ECSC jumped almost 10 per cent this morning after the cybersecurity firm posted a sharp rise in revenue for the year. The figures ECSC’s organic revenue grew 10 per cent to £5.91m in the year to 31 December 2019. Revenue from its managed services division jumped 48 per cent to £2.59m. Adjusted earnings [...]
UK retailers most pessimistic since financial crisis amid coronavirus outbreak March 25, 2020 UK retailers are at their most pessimistic since the financial crisis as sales of non-essential goods plummet due to coronavirus containment measures, a survey has shown. However, grocers and other food firms have seen a surge in demand as Brits stockpile during the coronavirus lockdown, the CBI said today. This divergence of fortunes for Britain’s [...]
Coronavirus to bring UK house prices growth to ‘juddering halt’ March 25, 2020 The coronavirus outbreak is set to bring UK house prices to a “juddering halt” in the coming months, a top economist warned today. UK house prices fell 1.1 per cent between December and January. But they were 1.3 per cent up on the previous year, data released today showed. The Office for National Statistics said [...]
Estate agents urge government to extend coronavirus support March 22, 2020 Estate agents have urged the government to protect the industry as house viewings drop and sales activity slows due to coronavirus. The sector has called for the government to extend the business rates holiday, which applies to retail and hospitality firms, to estate agent companies. The UK’s housing market looked set to bounce back this [...]