Christmas relaxation of restrictions will likely spell January lockdown November 18, 2020 England could face a month-long lockdown in January in exchange for five days of relaxed restrictions over Christmas, the UK’s health chiefs have suggested. Dr Susan Hopkins, chief medical adviser to NHS Test and Trace, initially told a Downing Street briefing this morning that advice from Sage showed “for every day that we release [measures] we [...]
Marks & Spencer launches ‘innovation hub’ to expand plant-based food range November 18, 2020 Marks & Spencer (M&S) has announced the launch of a “innovation hub” to develop sustainable food products. The retailer announced today that the nine-strong innovation team, which will launch in January, will seek to capitalise on emerging trends, such as veganism and environmental causes, to become “more relevant” to its customers. Research will include soya-alternative [...]
Ex-Australia PM Tony Abbott pushes for UK-Australia trade deal to be closed this year November 18, 2020 Former Australian Prime Minister Tony Abbott has today put pressure on the UK to wrap up a trade deal with his home nation before the end of the year. Abbott, who is now a top trade adviser to the UK government, said he wanted both sides to “put all their cards on the table” before [...]
English cricket fans set to be welcomed back to grounds for full summer of international action November 18, 2020 English cricket chiefs have announced a full programme of international action — with fans in attendance — for next summer. England’s men’s will play India in a five-Test series starting August, following white-ball matches against Sri Lanka and Pakistan. The women’s side will host one-day and Twenty20 series with South Africa and New Zealand, while [...]
Hospitality boss warns 660,000 jobs lost before second lockdown pushed sector into ‘intensive care’ November 17, 2020 Around 660,000 hospitality jobs were lost this year before the second coronavirus lockdown was implemented, the industry trade body told MPs today The pandemic had already wiped out 20 per cent of jobs in the sector, which was previously the third biggest employer in the country, by the end of September, UK Hospitality boss Kate [...]
Asda sales growth slows but grocer forecasts bumper online Christmas November 17, 2020 Asda’s sales growth slowed in the third quarter as lockdown restrictions lifted and hospitality businesses reopened, the supermarket announced this morning as it said customers are already stocking up for a “very different” Christmas this year. The grocer’s like-for-like sales excluding fuel were up 2.7 per cent in the three months ended 30 September, compared [...]
Tesco, M&S and Sainsbury’s face allegations of worker exploitation in India November 17, 2020 UK retailers including Marks & Spencer (M&S), Tesco and Sainsbury’s are facing calls to apologise following allegations of worker exploitation in their supply chains. Supermarket supplier workers in India reportedly said they do not get toilet breaks or sufficient breaks to drink water or eat lunch. One member of staff told the BBC they were [...]
Swissport axes 3,000 jobs after ‘refusing’ to access furlough scheme November 17, 2020 Baggage handler Swissport is making 3,000 employees redundant after refusing to put them on furlough, according to a leading union. There was a wave of redundancies ahead of the 31 December deadline for the furlough scheme, which sees the government pay 80 per cent of employees’ wages. The Chancellor Rishi Sunak belatedly extended the scheme [...]
UK retail footfall ‘more resilient’ in second lockdown November 16, 2020 Retail footfall has been more resilient during the second coronavirus lockdown compared to the first closure of non-essential stores in March, the latest analysis showed. Between Thursday and Saturday footfall in retail destinations rose by an average of 13.2 per cent from the same three days in the week before, when the lockdown began. Shoppers [...]
Business interruption case heads to the Supreme Court November 16, 2020 A landmark legal battle between the City regulator and leading insurers over business interruption payouts heads to the Supreme Court today. Hundreds of thousands businesses that were forced to close or faced significant losses amid the pandemic made claims on their business interruption insurance. But leading insurers disputed the claims arguing their policies did not [...]