Coronavirus: How business responded to Boris Johnson’s lockdown plan May 10, 2020 Business groups have welcomed Boris Johnson’s call for millions of people to return to work but called for clearer guidance on how to maintain safety standards and support furloughed employees. In a speech this evening Johnson said that anyone who cannot work from home — such as those in construction and manufacturing — should be [...]
Boris Johnson sets out new Covid-19 alert levels for lockdown exit May 10, 2020 Prime Minister Boris Johnson has unveiled a new Covid-19 alert system that will measure the level of risk from the pandemic and determine the UK’s lockdown exit strategy. In a speech this evening Johnson said the Covid Alert Level will be determined primarily by the reproductive rate of the virus — known as R — [...]
Virgin Atlantic launches desperate plea for government support as buyout firms circle May 10, 2020 The chief executive of Virgin Atlantic has issued a last-ditch plea for a government bailout as a string of buyout firms circle the troubled carrier. Sir Richard Branson’s airline has failed to impress the Treasury with its request for a £500m taxpayer-funded rescue package, with chancellor Rishi Sunak stating support would be given only as [...]
Retailers call for shop reopenings based on safety standards May 10, 2020 The reopening of shops after the coronavirus lockdown should be based on safety standards rather than size or business type, a top retail chief has said. Helen Dickinson, chief executive of the British Retail Consortium (BRC), said she expected a “gradual lifting” of the restrictions, with schools and transport the first to reopen. But she [...]
Banking boss raises prospect of further changes to Coronavirus Business Loan Scheme May 8, 2020 There could be further changes to the Coronavirus Business Interruption Loan Scheme (CBILS) as more data emerges on the number of rejected applications, according to the head of the banking industry group, UK Finance. Stephen Jones, chief executive of UK Finance, said: “I think as the data gets better we will continue to find where [...]
Adverts in adversity: Johnny Hornby on the case for advertising through Covid-19 May 8, 2020 There’s no doubt the advertising industry has taken a battering in recent weeks, with the coronavirus crisis sparking the biggest fall in ad spend on record. In fact, with TV production on hold, it seems brands may have to turn to Zoom to keep their campaigns going. The downturn comes as little surprise. Marketing budgets [...]
The City View podcast, from City PM, with Stephen Jones – CEO of UK Finance May 8, 2020 Listen to our daily City View podcast as we chart the economic fallout and business impact of the coronavirus pandemic. In this episode, Christian is joined by Stephen Jones, CEO of banking industry group UK Finance, which is at the heart of the Coronavirus Business Interruption Loan Scheme (CBILS). Subscribe to The City View Podcast: [...]
Car use on the rise as drivers await easing of lockdown measures May 8, 2020 The UK’s drivers have begun to use their cars more than earlier in the coronavirus lockdown period, an study by the RAC has found, ahead of Sunday’s announcement of how the measures will be eased going forward. Comparing data from last week to that in the second week of lockdown, the RAC found that the [...]
Any easing of lockdown restrictions will be modest, says Raab May 7, 2020 Foreign secretary Dominic Raab has said that any easing of the UK’s current lockdown restrictions will be modest. In the Downing Street briefing, he said there is “no change in the rules” over the bank holiday weekend before Boris Johnson’s statement on Sunday. He emphasised that the Prime Minister would reveal details of a “roadmap” [...]
Exit strategy: How and when Boris Johnson will end the UK lockdown May 7, 2020 The Prime Minister is set to reveal a “roadmap” to end UK lockdown measures on Sunday, but what does the exit strategy look like, and when will measures be eased? Last week, Boris Johnson said the UK had “passed the peak” and today chairs a Cabinet meeting that will focus on what restrictions can be [...]
