International
Coronavirus cost jobs at a third of small firms open in May - global Facebook surveyJul 15th, 2020 via Reuters UK - Business News
One small firm in three around the world was obliged to cut jobs to stay open through the coronavirus pandemic in May, a survey showed on Wednesday, underlining how hard the outbreak has slammed the world economy.
UK
FTSE 100 rises amid hopes over coronavirus vaccineJul 15th, 2020 via City AM - News
The FTSE 100 opened higher as investors grew hopeful about a coronavirus vaccine after a Moderna treatment showed positive signs in a trial. London’s blue-chip index climbed 0.7 per cent to 6,220 points.
UK small businesses 'optimistic for the future' despite coronavirus crisis
Jul 15th, 2020 via City AM - Business
Most UK small and medium sized businesses (SMEs) are optimistic about the future despite the huge challenges created by the coronavirus pandemic, according to the latest research.
Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme statistics: August 2020
Jul 15th, 2020 via Gov.uk - Publications
HMRC will publish Official Statistics covering the Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme on Friday 21 August at 9:30am.
Coronavirus: £350m Aberdeen Harbour project delayed until 2022
Jul 15th, 2020 via BBC - Scotland
Completion of the £350m expansion of Aberdeen Harbour has been delayed until 2022 due to the impact of coronavirus. Aberdeen Harbour Board has said between six and eight months has been added to the construction timescale.
Burberry proposes 500 job cuts as coronavirus crisis has 'severe impact' on sales
Jul 15th, 2020 via The Independent - News
Burberry has announced plans to cut its workforce following a decrease in “luxury demand” during the coronavirus crisis. The British fashion label, which is best known for its trench coats and signature check, said it plans to cut 500 jobs worldwide in a bid to reduce costs by £55m.
Day-to-Day Impact
Coronavirus: Matt Hancock rejects face coverings for officesJul 15th, 2020 via BBC - Front Page
There are no plans to make face coverings mandatory for office workers in England, Matt Hancock has said. The health secretary told BBC Breakfast people working in offices will not need to cover up, despite a newspaper report suggesting they would have to.
Coronavirus: Lab 'difficulties' caused slower test processing
Jul 15th, 2020 via BBC - Wales
Slower coronavirus test processing speeds in Wales last week were due to a "series of difficulties" at one laboratory, the first minister says. Fewer tests were conducted but 66.3% of results came back within 48 hours, the worst performance during the pandemic.
Coronavirus: Credit card spending fell 50% at start of lockdown
Jul 15th, 2020 via BBC - Front Page
Credit cards spending dropped by nearly half at the start of lockdown as people played safe with their finances and shunned big purchases.
Coronavirus: Minister says new mask rules do not apply to offices
Jul 15th, 2020 via BBC News - UK
Play How to wear a face covering correctly and safely 15 July 2020 Hancock: Mask rules don't apply to offices 15 July 2020 UK social distancing rules - one metre or two metres?
Boris Johnson promises independent inquiry into coronavirus pandemic
Jul 15th, 2020 via The Independent - News
Boris Johnson has for the first time committed himself to an independent inquiry into the handling of the coronavirus pandemic in the UK.
Coronavirus: Union wants mandatory face coverings in NI shops
Jul 15th, 2020 via BBC World - Northern Ireland
Shop workers in Northern Ireland want face coverings to be mandatory in stores, according to the Union of Shop, Distributive and Allied Workers (Usdaw). The policy is being implemented in Scotland and takes effect in England on 24 July. Usdaw's Raymond Neal said shops should provide security to "enforce" the ...
Coronavirus: £5.3m fund to help town centres' recovery
Jul 15th, 2020 via BBC - Wales
A new £5.3m fund to help town centres recover from the Covid-19 pandemic has received a mixed reaction from traders. Visiting Rhyl in Denbighshire, Deputy Minister for Housing and Local Government Hannah Blythyn said the capital funding moved from the Transforming Towns scheme would support traders and improve public safety.
Coronavirus: R number 'lower than thought' before lockdown eased in England
Jul 15th, 2020 via BBC - Front Page
The rate of coronavirus infections in England was significantly reduced before lockdown eased in May, according to a government-commissioned study. Imperial College research showed there were on average 13 positive cases for every 10,000 people and the reproduction number - or R - was 0.57.
Global Situation
Tokyo declares coronavirus red alert as situation 'rather severe'Jul 15th, 2020 via Reuters UK - World News
Tokyo raised its coronavirus alert to the highest “red” level on Wednesday, alarmed by a recent spike in daily new cases to record highs, with Governor Yuriko Koike describing the situation in the Japanese capital as “rather severe”.
Healthcare
Largest testing programme for coronavirus publishes its initial findingsJul 15th, 2020 via Gov.UK - All Government Announcements
Over 120,000 volunteers tested across England between 1 May and 1 June as part of the country’s largest study into coronavirus.