Breaking: Macron tests positive for coronavirus December 17, 2020 French President Emmanuel Macron has tested positive for coronavirus, throwing a potential spanner in hopes of clinching a last-minute Brexit deal. The Elysee palace this morning announced Macron had tested positive after showing early symptoms. The French premier will now self-isolate for seven days, though he will continue to carry out his duties remotely. Spanish [...]
EY chair: ‘Nobody wants to go back to full time in the office’ December 17, 2020 Almost nobody will want to go back to working five days a week in the office post-pandemic, according to EY UK chair Hywel Ball, after employees have enjoyed the convenience of home working for most of 2020. Speaking to City A.M. Ball said offices were likely to look very different post-pandemic, and that staff would [...]
Working capital for the capital: an interview with Lloyds Bank Commercial Banking’s SME London regional director, Paul Evans December 16, 2020 BBLS. CBILS. Furlough. Lockdown. ‘You’re on mute…’. Just some of the acronyms, words and expressions that have dominated 2020. “A very unusual year in every context” is how Paul Evans, Lloyds Bank Commercial Banking’s long-serving SME (small and medium-sized enterprise) London regional director, reflects on an unprecedented 12 months. Evans has been with Lloyds Bank [...]
Govt rejects £33m proposal for more passport booths at Dover leaving longer queues more likely December 16, 2020 The UK cabinet office has rejected a £33m proposal to double the capacity for French government passport checks at Dover, dooming UK passengers to long delays at the border post-Brexit. The port of Dover, which handles 2.2 million passenger vehicles each year, requested the funding in October to help it to pay for additional Brexit-related [...]
London in Tier 3: Will the City return to normal after Covid? December 15, 2020 The decision to move London into Tier 3 at midnight on Wednesday, following substantial rises in Covid-19 cases, may mean further delays to City workers returning to the office. This will come as another disappointment to the City as it had planned to entice workers back into their offices during a ”back to work week” [...]
‘I just feel like crying’ – chefs react to ‘cruel’ Tier 3 restrictions December 14, 2020 London restaurateurs and chefs reacted with frustration and despair at the “cruel” news London will enter Tier 3, a period of virtual lockdown that will see bars and restaurants closed until the new year. Unlike the first lockdown, Tier 3 allows non-essential shops to remain open, adding to criticism from the hospitality sector that it [...]
Why it’s too soon to scrap the office December 14, 2020 The fraction of the UK workforce currently working from home stands at around a third — far above pre-pandemic level of just five per cent. Productivity seems to have remained largely stable since the great shift to remote work. And it has proved popular with many workers, who have seen immediate benefits such as greater [...]
Navy patrol ships on standby to protect UK from EU’s fishy business December 11, 2020 Four Royal Navy patrol ships are on standby for 1 January in case of a no-deal Brexit, ready to help to protect the UK’s fishing waters. The 80-metre long armed vessels would have the power to halt, inspect and impound all EU fishing boats operating within the UK’s exclusive economic zone (EEZ), which can extend [...]
Professional services firms to be called on to help make sense of Brexit December 11, 2020 Professional services firms will play an important role in deciphering a Brexit deal – should the UK get one – or what the rules will be in the event of a no-deal scenario. Time is running out for the UK and the EU to agree a post-Brexit trade deal. On the last day of the [...]
Sport at Christmas: Why the festive period is a gift for canny PRs seeking impactful coverage December 10, 2020 Did we take for granted just how much incredible sport usually takes place throughout the festive period? In football, we have Boxing Day and New Year’s Day fixtures. Rugby, meanwhile, sees the annual Big Game in which Harlequins head across the road to Twickenham for the ultimate booze-filled day out for 80,000 fans. Inevitably, it [...]