Klarna-challenger Zilch becomes first ‘buy now pay later’ firm to secure FCA licence November 23, 2020 The City regulator has issued its first licence to a Buy Now Pay Later (BNPL)company, months after launching an inquiry into the unsecured credit market. London-based Zilch has become the first company in the UK’s BNPL market to become fully licensed by the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA). Zilch has worked with the regulator for over [...]
Gyms and non-essential shops to open cross-country post-lockdown November 23, 2020 Gyms and non-essential shops in all areas are expected to be allowed to reopen when England’s national lockdown ends. This afternoon Boris Johnson will give details on England’s return to the ‘three tier system’ when lockdown ends on 2 December, the BBC reported. Although parts of the tier system will be tougher, the 10pm curfew [...]
Need a way out of recession? Look to the stars November 23, 2020 “We choose to go to the moon in this decade and do the other things, not because they are easy, but because they are hard; because that goal will serve to organize and measure the best of our energies and skills.” These words by President John F. Kennedy are as important today as they were [...]
Second national lockdown to drive Black Friday sales down 20 per cent November 23, 2020 The introduction of a second national lockdown will push Black Friday sales down 20 per cent as consumers wait for shops to reopen to bag a bargain. Nationwide Building Society predicted a drop off in spending on 27 November, compared to a previous forecast of a 12 per cent increase, due to the month-long lockdown. [...]
Bubbles and baubles: UK Covid restrictions set to be lifted for Chistmas November 22, 2020 The government is set to lift Covid restrictions on Christmas eve to allow for up to four households to form holiday bubbles. People in the four-household bubble will be able to interact indoors anywhere, including in pubs and restaurants. Downing Street has reportedly been in touch with the devolved governments of Wales, Northern Ireland and [...]
In pictures: Westminster gets festive as parliament unveils Christmas tree November 21, 2020 Westminster is gearing up for the start of the festive period after parliament’s mammoth Christmas tree was unveiled. The 43-feet tall Sitka spruce took up its traditional place in the grounds of the historic House of Commons. The prodigious plant began its life in Northumberland’s Kielder Forest, before being transferred to SW1 by Forestry England. [...]
Brits to be granted ‘week of Christmas freedom’ in lockdown easing plan November 21, 2020 Lockdown rules could be relaxed for a week over Christmas but Brits would face continued restrictions until late December, according to reports. Prime Minister Boris Johnson will next week announce a nationwide relaxation of Covid rules from 22 to 28 December, allowing several families to join in one “bubble”, the Telegraph reported. But the festive [...]
Vaccine by Christmas: Government ready to start vaccinating ‘next month’ November 20, 2020 The NHS is ready to start vaccinating people in England against coronavirus from next month, the health secretary confirmed today. “If the regulator approves a vaccine, we will be ready to start the vaccination next month with the bulk of the rollout in the New Year,” Matt Hancock said at a Downing Street coronavirus briefing. [...]
Coronavirus: R rate falls across UK to between 1 and 1.1 November 20, 2020 The UK’s coronavirus reproduction number has fallen slightly to a maximum of 1.1, according to official figures. The current estimate of Britain’s coronavirus R rate now stands between 1 and 1.1, down from a previous estimate of 1.1 and 1.2. It means on average every 10 people infected will infect between 10 and 11 other [...]
Just 30% of businesses commit to 2020 Christmas bonus November 20, 2020 Just three in 10 businesses that offer annual Christmas bonuses have committed to doing so in 2020. Numerous businesses have not confirmed if they will offer their traditional annual bonus, and a recent survey by expenses app ExpensesOnDemand found the sole focus for the majority of businesses is cash flow as they struggle to manage [...]