Green shoots of recovery in the IPO market September 23, 2020 | City Talk IPOs of all shapes and sizes were understandably shelved by the turmoil in global markets in the first half of the year. It would be a brave company that would launch their newly-listed firm into a global stock market that was in the midst of its biggest and most dramatic rout in years. It is [...]
Skating on thin ice: Covid-19 reveals the financial fragility of the self-employed September 23, 2020 Despite the sheer unpredictability and overwhelming nature of the coronavirus outbreak, there have been some positive outcomes since the UK went into lockdown, from the value and resilience of the National Health Service to the revelation that many businesses are able to continue as normal with employees working from home. But the pandemic has undoubtedly [...]
Incentives are a better way to tackle Covid-19 than blanket lockdowns September 23, 2020 A great deal of government policy during the Covid crisis has involved regulation. Given a choice, economists usually prefer to use incentives. Altering the relative costs and benefits of an action is a well-established way to alter behaviour. Perhaps the government has been listening. A big stick will now be waved at people who fail [...]
Boris Johnson: We must work ‘together’ to avoid second full lockdown September 22, 2020 Boris Johnson has warned that the country must follow the new coronavirus restrictions “together” if the country is to get through the winter without a second full lockdown. In a televised address to the nation this evening, the Prime Minister said that “now is the time for us all to summon the discipline, and the [...]
City firms begin to send workers home after new government rules September 22, 2020 City firms have begun to send workers home after the government today told people to begin working from home again where they can. About 1,000 Barclays staff will revert to home working due to the new coronavirus advice, the bank said today. Although around 22,000 employees had remained working from the lender’s offices during the [...]
UK records highest daily coronavirus cases since May September 22, 2020 The UK has recorded the highest daily number of coronavirus infections in four months, as the Prime Minister today announced fresh measures to crack down on a second wave sweeping the country. A further 4,926 people tested positive for coronavirus in the UK over the last 24 hours, marking the highest daily figure since 7 [...]
Night-time businesses slam 10pm curfew as ‘devastating’ September 22, 2020 Businesses in the UK’s night-time economy have slammed the Prime Minister’s announcement of a 10pm curfew on venues for up to six months as “devastating”, and warned that it will lead to wide-scale business collapse and unemployment. Boris Johnson today announced a 10pm curfew on all hospitality and leisure venues in England in a bid [...]
Sadiq Khan calls for emergency business support as London restrictions loom September 22, 2020 Mayor of London Sadiq Khan has called on the Prime Minister to introduce emergency financial support for businesses affected by the new 10pm curfew and warned that extra restrictions lay on the horizon for the capital. Khan said he has had “constructive” conversations with Boris Johnson today about the new 10pm curfew for hospitality and [...]
Irn-Bru owner AG Barr shares pop despite slump in revenue September 22, 2020 Irn-Bru maker AG Barr shares hiked this morning as it clung onto its revised full-year expectations despite receiving a hammer blow during the coronavirus crisis. The figures Revenue fell 7.6 per cent year on year to £113.2m for the six months to 25 July. Profit before tax climbed 19.4 per cent to £16.6m over the [...]
UK sports bodies call for emergency government support September 22, 2020 Britain’s leading sports bodies have called for emergency government support to prop them up through a second wave of coronavirus, as ministers prepare to scrap the scheduled reopening of stadiums across the country. A coalition of more than 100 organisations including the Premier League, Rugby Football Union and the England and Wales Cricket Board have [...]