An organisation advising the EU and UN about health has been accused of trying to influence politicians on behalf of giant food companies. The International Life Sciences Institute, based in Washington DC, is influenced by, and working to help, the companies which fund it, scientists said in a study. The institute, funded by Coca Cola … Read more
Airlines, rail and bus companies in Britain could be temporarily nationalised to help them through the coronavirus outbreak, Grant Shapps suggested today. The Transport Secretary told MPs good organisations ‘shouldn’t be going bust’ as a result of problems caused by the spread of the infection. He said a lot of different responses will be required, … Read more
Oil companies were hammered as the price of crude slumped below $30 a barrel. Shares in Shell and BP – two of the largest firms listed on the London Stock Exchange – slid as oil prices edged towards lows they last touched during a major commodity crisis four years ago. The oil market had already … Read more
Cruise lines keen to attract passengers in the face of the coronavirus outbreak are introducing a tempting package of offers to entice them on board. The spread of the virus has led to port closures and itinerary changes as well as on-board restrictions and even, in extreme cases, entire ships being quarantined, leaving many reluctant … Read more
Aviva and Direct Line have become the latest insurance giants to stop selling travel cover to new customers in response to the coronavirus outbreak. Holidaymakers who have already booked trips but do not have cover are being left stranded by the insurance industry, as insurers pull the plug on selling cover. The pair followed in … Read more
Banks set to hand £20bn in emergency cash to small firms crippled by coronavirus By Daily Mail City & Finance Reporter Published: 23:09 GMT, 12 March 2020 | Updated: 00:27 GMT, 13 March 2020 Britain’s biggest banks pledged last night to immediately make available £20billion of emergency cash to small and medium-sized enterprises brought to … Read more
We’re giving firms the tools to fight this crisis, says Business Secretary ALOK SHARMA By Business Secretary Alok Sharma For The Daily Mail Published: 21:50 GMT, 11 March 2020 | Updated: 22:26 GMT, 11 March 2020 The UK is well prepared to tackle coronavirus but, of course, businesses clearly face challenges in multiple areas. These … Read more
Government will REFUND coronavirus-related sick pay for ALL small and medium-sized firms for up to 14 days as Chancellor reveals a £2bn fighting fund to keep companies afloat Rishi Sunak announced government will cover cost of sick pay for small firms Firms with fewer than 250 staff able to claim back coronavirus-related sick pay Fighting … Read more
More than £150billion was wiped off the value of Britain’s leading companies yesterday as the FTSE 100 endured its sharpest one-day fall since the height of the 2008 crash. On what was termed a new Black Monday, panic over coronavirus and a collapse in oil prices sent the world’s financial markets into meltdown – sparking … Read more
George Osborne warns that banks could grind the economy to a halt by slashing lending if Coronavirus causes firms to fail as he urges Chancellor Rishi Sunak to ‘vaccinate’ businesses in Wednesday’s Budget Ex-politician raised spectre of banks refusing to lend money if firms start failing Thousands of ill workers and consumers could be forced … Read more