Revealed: The London bus drivers ‘abandoned’ to the pandemic February 2, 2021 London bus drivers have told City A.M. they were “abandoned” by their employers and unions alike and forced to fend for themselves as the coronavirus pandemic swept across the UK. Speaking on condition of anonymity, a number of drivers revealed to City A.M. the personal risks to which they have been exposed while keeping essential [...]
Virgin Money adds £18m fresh provisions for troubled loans February 2, 2021 Lender Virgin Money has set aside a further £18m this quarter to protect its balance sheet from potential loan losses, as it reported a “modest” increase in the number of customers needing additional support after exiting pandemic payment holidays. The new £18m this quarter is in addition to £726m the company is holding on its balance sheet [...]
Amazon earnings: What to expect amid a record-breaking tech boom February 1, 2021 Amazon enjoyed a stellar 2020, so all eyes will be on the ecommerce giant tomorrow night as it reports earnings for the final quarter of the year. Apple last week kicked off tech earnings season with bumper revenue of $111.4 (£81.5bn) — its best ever quarter, while Facebook also beat expectations. Amazon is also expected [...]
Sadiq Khan: London needs post-war plan for Covid recovery February 1, 2021 A post-war-style programme is needed to breathe life back into London following the Covid-19 pandemic, mayor Sadiq Khan said today. The mayor said the government had to accept that London was the “country’s biggest asset”, adding that “ministers can’t take for granted that once restrictions are lifted things will simply return to normal”. He called [...]
The UK has applied to join the CPTPP trading bloc – but what is it? February 1, 2021 The UK government last week formally applied to join the 11-country Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP) trading bloc, ushering in a new post-Brexit era. International trade secretary Liz Truss told the BBC yesterday that a potential entry into the bloc would secure “future growth” as the UK would move closer to developing, [...]
PwC’s new leader of FS: ‘The outcome of Brexit on financial services is still unknown’ February 1, 2021 Last month Isabelle Jenkins was named the new leader of financial services at PwC UK, after spending 17 years as a partner at the firm. Jenkins replaced Andrew Kail, who held the role over the last four and a half years. In her first interview as leader of financial services at the Big Four firm, [...]
Von der Leyen under pressure to resign as EU Commission President over vaccine debacle January 31, 2021 European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen is reportedly under pressure to resign her post, after a disastrous and shortlived decision to block vaccines traveling to the UK. The call to block vaccines entering the UK, after a dispute with drugmaker AstraZeneca over supplies of its vaccines, would have breached the Belfast Good Friday peace [...]
FTSE 100 closes lower but US stocks rebound from slump and brush off dire data January 28, 2021 FTSE 100 closes lower but US stocks rebound
Post-Brexit Special: UK business leaders on access to EU talent January 28, 2021 Since the turn of the year, UK companies exporting into the EU have to fill out a set of customs declaration forms and some goods, like agricultural products, have to undergo rigorous checks at the border. This has led to border disruption and delays. These issues are scrutinised in the first instalment of this 2-part [...]
Exclusive: Friendship app Yubo to expand workforce 10-fold this year, says CEO January 28, 2021 In a year that saw UK schools close their doors and social gatherings move to video platforms, Gen Z ‘friendship’ platform Yubo saw live streams increase by 550 per cent, with streamers spending an average of two hours per day on the app. Since its launch in 2015, the platform that connects people based on shared interests has [...]