Joe Biden calls Boris Johnson in second diplomatic call as President-elect November 10, 2020 Boris Johnson has scored a diplomatic victory by being the second world leader to speak to President-elect Joe Biden since his victory in the US election. The pair spoke for 20 to 25 minutes from 4pm, after Biden made his first call to Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau yesterday. Biden reportedly then rang French President [...]
90 per cent of UK trade not covered by free trade deals post-Brexit November 10, 2020 Only 10 per cent of all UK cross-border trade will be covered by current free-trade agreements after 31 December, City AM understands. Fifty-two countries currently have free trade deals in place with the UK for the end of the Brexit transition period. These agreements account for only 10 per cent of the UK’s total cross-border [...]
Persimmon to pay extra dividend on back of ‘robust’ summer performance November 10, 2020 Housebuilder Persimmon today announced that it would pay an interim dividend of 70p per share in December after fending off the challenges of the coronavirus pandemic. The extra payout comes on top of a 40p per share dividend paid in September, and means that the company will have fully replaced its previously delayed 110p per [...]
Spending slipped ahead of lockdown but takeaways and web services stayed popular November 10, 2020 Spending slipped ahead of lockdown but takeaways and web services stayed popular
US Election: Biden’s (almost certain) win: How it happened November 6, 2020 Live updates on the US Presidential Election 2020 as Donald Trump and Joe Biden go head to head. Rolling coverage as Americans vote.
Watchdog slams Number 10 for failing to prepare Brexit borders November 6, 2020 The UK faces “widespread disruption” after the government failed to prepare for post-Brexit border controls for British businesses, the public spending watchdog has warned. In an 85-page document released today, the National Audit Office (NAO) slammed the government for insufficient customs brokers, unprepared border sites and failure to develop adequate customs software. The report found [...]
Rishi Sunak extends furlough scheme until end of March November 5, 2020 Chancellor Rishi Sunak has extended the furlough scheme until the end of March, following days of wrangling over fresh financial support for businesses during the second national lockdown. The furlough scheme, which was due to wind down last Saturday, will be rolled out for the next five months — a year after it was first [...]
Trainline posts £40m loss as passenger numbers evaporate November 5, 2020 Trainline this morning posted a £43m loss as the coronavirus pandemic hammered the number of passengers making rail journeys. In its first half results, the FTSE 250 firm said that sales fell 81 per cent to £358m in the period to the end of August, including the three month initial lockdown in the spring. Passenger [...]
Lloyds ramps up cost-cutting measures, axing 1,000 more jobs November 4, 2020 Lloyds is set to axe over 1,000 jobs, as Britain’s biggest domestic lender ramps up cost-cutting efforts despite returning to profitability during the third quarter. Lloyds will cut 1,070 roles across its commercial and retail bank and has announced plans to create 340 new positions. Read more: Lloyds profit beats forecasts on pandemic mortgage boom [...]
Online shopping boom could cause Christmas chaos, Post Office warns November 3, 2020 A boom in online shopping and parcel deliveries could cause Christmas chaos this festive season, the Post Office said as it warned the public to send their gifts earlier than usual to avoid a last-minute rush. More than a fifth of Brits have already decided to send presents through the post rather than give them [...]