Coronavirus: FTSE 100 falls ahead of US unemployment figures March 26, 2020 The FTSE 100 has fallen in early trading after two consecutive days of gains as investors await what is set to be dire US jobs data and an interest rate decision by the Bank of England. Britain’s main stock index was down 2.8 per cent at 5,530 points. It had climbed five per cent yesterday [...]
BoE and Treasury to resume coordinated response to prevent coronavirus slump March 26, 2020 The Bank of England (BoE) and Treasury will resume their coordinated drive to prevent the coronavirus-related economic shutdown from triggering a deep recession. The BoE, which has already made two emergency cuts to interest rates this month, is reportedly likely to hold off on further action when it makes a statement at noon after its [...]
Zoopla: Coronavirus could send UK house prices plunging March 26, 2020 UK house prices could plunge dramatically as the coronavirus outbreak causes demand to dry up, Zoopla has warned. The spread of Covid-19 is already having a big effect on the market, causing a 40 per cent drop in demand for housing in the seven days to 22 March, according to data from property website Zoopla. [...]
Time for a staycation? Mortgage payment holidays explained March 26, 2020 As part of its plan to reduce the economic damage done by staying at home during the coronavirus outbreak, the government has granted a holiday on what is many people’s biggest outlay: mortgage payments. For three months, those who are paying off their mortgage will get a temporary break from their monthly payments, one of [...]
Coronavirus crisis is putting the public good back at the heart of commerce March 26, 2020 Conservative chancellors are not usually known for their inspirational quotes. Rishi Sunak, however, channelled the mood of the nation when he unveiled his bold package to tackle the coronavirus crisis. Ending his speech on a stirring note, he set out how history would judge our response, highlighting the acts of kindness and decency that would [...]
Coronavirus: UK airlines ask government to waive regulatory charges March 25, 2020 The UK’s airlines have again called for the government to implement rescue measures to protect the industry against the impact of coronavirus, which has decimated the sector. The plea comes despite chancellor Rishi Sunak yesterday telling firms that state aid would only be considered as a “last resort” after they had exhausted other means of [...]
Self-employed bailout: What a freelancer coronavirus package could contain March 25, 2020 Rishi Sunak will tomorrow announce an economic relief package to assist Britain’s five million self-employed workers during the coronavirus outbreak. The package comes come a week after Sunak announced a raft of measures to help businesses and workers suffering from the fallout from Covid-19. Included among the measures was a guarantee to pay 80 per [...]
Coronavirus: London City Airport suspends all flights March 25, 2020 London City Airport has suspended all flights in and out of the airport for the foreseeable future. The airport will stop all commercial and private flights from this evening due to the fallout from the coronavirus. The airport only had a handful of flights today, with numbers sharply decreasing due to the travel restrictions imposed [...]
Freshfields and Slaughter and May advise government on covid corporate finance facility March 25, 2020 The Treasury and the Bank of England have called up Magic Circle law firms Slaughter and May and Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer to advise on the government’s emergency corporate covid financing facility (CCFF). The CCFF will purchase commercial paper, a debt instrument, from companies in order to boost their liquidity. It is available to UK companies [...]
PM warns Mike Ashley – obey the rules or face the consequences March 25, 2020 Prime Minister Boris Johnson has warned Sports Direct boss Mike Ashley to “obey the rules or to expect the consequences”, after the retailing heavyweight insisted staff must continue working during the coronavirus outbreak. During a bumper PMQs, Johnson was repeatedly asked about the situation facing workers, particularly self-employed, who currently have no additional support beyond [...]