City’s top economists toast end of plan B Covid-19 curbs January 19, 2022 The City’s top economists today toasted the government’s decision to scrap plan B Covid-19 curbs, hailing the move as a sign that Britain’s economy is getting back to being fully operational. Hope was ignited among experts that the influence Covid-19 and accompanying restrictions on daily life has exerted on the health of the British economy [...]
Lime invests £20m in London after hitting five million rides record January 19, 2022 E-scooter and e-bike provider Lime will invest £20m in London over the next year and a half after hitting 5 million rides. The company will use part of the funding to upgrade its network of e-scooters, bringing to market its latest model, trialled during Christmas. The new electric scooters will have a new braking system [...]
Gas prices drop amid milder weather and LNG boost January 19, 2022 Gas prices have slumped despite seemingly favourable geopolitical trends amid milder weather and an LNG boost to formerly flagging supplies.
Face masks and working from home scrapped as Plan B restrictions axed in England January 19, 2022 Boris Johnson has scrapped England’s Plan B Covid restrictions, which include a call to work from home if possible and for mandatory face masks in indoor public settings. They also included mandatory Covid certificates for large events and night clubs. From next Wednesday the restrictions, brought in last month to slow the spread of Omicron, [...]
‘John Lewis of sleep’: Eve Sleep shares sink 30 per cent despite accelerated lockdown growth January 19, 2022 Mattress retailer eve Sleep has reported lifted group revenue growth on 2019 levels with sleepy shoppers keen to opt for premium products. However the ‘sleeptailer’ saw shares sink 30 per cent on Wednesday after admitting Covid infection rates had “placed additional strain” on deliveries. The group posted two year group revenue growth of 11 per [...]
WH Smith takes pandemic beating as spending dips at its travel stores in airports and train stations January 19, 2022 WHSmith has revealed the Omicron variant led to a fall in spending at its travel stores in airports and train stations during the final four months of 2021. The retailer added that high-street sales managed to improve during the same period – including in December as infection rates rose – however, overall, the company’s sales [...]
Average UK house price was £271,000 in November as 2021 prices ‘defy gravity’ January 19, 2022 UK average house prices increased 10.0 per cent over the year to November 2021, up from 9.8% in October 2021, official figures have revealed. According to the Office for National Statistics house price index, the average UK house price was £271,000 in November. This was £25,000 higher than the same time the year prior. Jamie [...]
Wetherspoons hits out at pub closures following ‘partygate’ scandal January 19, 2022 Wetherspo has slammed the government in a fiery trading update, criticising pub closures over the past two years.
City of London launches grant scheme for Omicron-hit Square Mile businesses January 18, 2022 Retailers and hospitality businesses that have been hit by a collapse in footfall due to work from home guidance will be able to apply for a grant from the City of London Corporation, it was confirmed last night. The Corporation, the Square Mile’s governing body, has put in the majority of the money behind the [...]
Johnson sacrificed the Tories low tax reputation and will pay the price for it January 18, 2022 THE TORIES are becoming a high-tax party because they have become a low-growth party. So said the Shadow Chancellor Rachel Reeves recently. And she’s right. The Conservative Party has increased taxes to a 71-year high. Government spending is the most it has been since the late 1970s. Meanwhile, our economic recovery remains fragile. Despite solid [...]