UK’s new tariff regime creates path for EU trade deal, says trade experts May 19, 2020 The government’s newly announced tariff regime has helped lay the path for a UK-EU free trade deal, according to trade experts. The Department of International Trade announced its new “global tariff” today for when the UK leaves the post-Brexit transition period with the EU on 31 December. It includes scrapping £30bn of taxes on imports, [...]
Coronavirus: 6,000 jobs at risk as Cafe Rouge and Bella Italia owner faces collapse May 18, 2020 The owner of restaurant chains including Cafe Rouge and Bella Italia has filed notice of intent to appoint administrators, putting 6,000 jobs at risk. Casual Dining Group, which also runs the Las Iguanas chain, said the move will give it 10 working days’ respite as it weighs up potential restructuring options. Earlier today the company [...]
TV scripts get coronavirus rewrite as broadcasters resume filming May 18, 2020 TV scripts will have to be rewritten and stars will be made to apply their own makeup under new coronavirus safety guidelines outlined by the UK’s major broadcasters today. The BBC, ITV, Channel 4 and Sky were among the broadcasters to sign up to a new framework that will allow filming to resume on popular [...]
Government to review 14-day quarantine plan every three weeks May 18, 2020 The government will review its 14-day quarantine measure for incoming travellers to the UK every three weeks, the prime minister’s spokesman has said. Speaking at a briefing for journalists, the spokesman said: “Any changes brought in will be subject to a rolling review every three weeks to ensure they are in line with the latest [...]
Public trust in UK government’s coronavirus response continues to fall May 17, 2020 The public’s trust in the UK government’s coronavirus strategy is in freefall, according to the latest polling. An Opinium/Obsever poll out today shows the government now has a net -3 rating for how it has handled the coronavirus, after having a +60 rating in mid-March. A YouGov/Sky News poll out today also showed a -2 [...]
Heathrow Airport to begin temperature screening trial this week May 17, 2020 Passengers arriving at Heathrow Airport’s terminal two will from Thursday be screened to see if they have high temperatures in an attempt to identify whether they have coronavirus. The airport will implement thermal screening technology in the immigration area, which will automatically scan anyone passing through the terminal. Later, it will also begin to use [...]
Michael Gove says 17,000 recruited to administer coronavirus tracing app May 17, 2020 Seventeen-thousand people have been recruited to administer the government’s coronavirus tracing programme, with the rollout of the app expected by the end of the month. Cabinet Office minister Michael Gove said today that 17,000 of the 18,000 required contract tracers had been hired and that Britons across the country will be able to download the [...]
Woodford protege Mark Barnett leaves Invesco after 24 years May 15, 2020 Woodford protege Mark Barnett is leaving Invesco after 24 years, after a disappointing few months. Invesco confirmed the departure after Sky News reported Barnett would be leaving the firm after a difficult few months for the fund manager. It comes just weeks after he was sacked by Perpetual Income and Growth Trust after more than [...]
Suits you: TM Lewin bought by private equity firm SCP May 12, 2020 British menswear brand TM Lewin has today been acquired by SCP Private Equity via special purpose vehicle Torque Brands. TM Lewin, which was established in 1898, was sold to SCP for an undisclosed amount by Bain Capital Credit which acquired the shirt-and-tie retailer in 2015. SCP has acquired the business as a going concern, taking [...]
Coronavirus: Contact-tracing app to launch in mid-May May 12, 2020 The coronavirus contact-tracing app will be rolled out across England in mid-May, health secretary Matt Hancock confirmed today. The NHS app, which authorities hope will help to track the spread of the virus, was launched on a trial basis on the Isle of Wight last week. Hancock today said the government was “pleased” with progress [...]