Corona Impact Series: How a creative workspace was dragged into a work-from-home experiment February 12, 2021 In this series, Morning Wire looks at the financial and economic impact of the ongoing pandemic on a range of small and medium-sized businesses across London. This week: How a workspace provider with spaces across the UK, including in Soho and Westminster, gradually changed the work mindset of its office clients. No one could have [...]
Universities tell students to stay away until September February 12, 2021 St Andrews has become the latest UK university to announce all teaching will remain online until September, following announcements made by the University of Edinburg and the London School of Economics. This means thousands of students will spend almost the entire academic year learning online. Education secretary Gavin Williamson is expected to lay out plans [...]
UK GDP: How City analysts reacted to the record economic slump February 12, 2021 The City was hit with some sobering figures this morning, as the latest official data showed UK GDP suffered its largest annual fall on record. The economy shrank 9.9 per cent in 2020 as a result of the Covid-19 pandemic, but narrowly avoided a double-dip recession with growth of one per cent in the final [...]
Social distancing measures may stay in place until autumn February 12, 2021 Social distancing measures may have to stay in place until at least the autumn to push down circulation of coronavirus once the population is vaccinated, according to reports. Ministers are considering plans to place face masks and one-metre distances at the heart of the government’s lockdown exit strategy, the Times reported. The restrictions could stay [...]
Exclusive: Britain’s 10,000 law firms largely spared from pandemic onslaught February 12, 2021 Despite the pandemic, the number of law firms has remained steady, with 10,080 currently registered in the UK, according to new research. The number of firms is down only 2 per cent compared to last year, as 10,278 firms were registered in December 2019, according to accountancy and business advisory firm Hazlewoods. Though many firms’ [...]
ONS: Pandemic impact cuts through all major sectors February 12, 2021 The ONS published sector figures for services, trade, construction and production output this morning. Services The Index of Services grew by 1.7 per cent between November and December last year. The largest contribution to monthly growth was accommodation and food service activities, rising by more than 25 per cent. In December, the Index of Services [...]
Weightlifting: Virgin Active shareholders ‘set to inject’ £65m to see firm through pandemic February 11, 2021 Virgin Active shareholders are considering plans to inject £65m into the global gym chain as treadmills stand still during the pandemic, according to reports. Investors have tabled a proposed rescue package to lenders and landlords that would see them providing millions in funding over the next few months, Sky News reported. Landlords will likely be [...]
Tory MPs urge Prime Minister not to ‘backslide’ as he hesitates over lockdown exit date February 11, 2021 Senior Tory MPs have urged Boris Johnson not to “backslide” on commitments to provide an exit strategy from lockdown measures on 22 February, after the Prime Minister hesitated on a firm date for reopening schools. The PM has repeatedly stated he will provide a “roadmap” on 22 February outlining the government’s plans for exiting England’s [...]
Hotel quarantine: What do the new rules mean for arrivals travelling to London? February 11, 2021 Hotel quarantine: What do the new rules mean for arrivals travelling to the UK border?
Health secretary urges patience on summer holidays after booking his own trip February 11, 2021 The health secretary has urged people not to book summer holidays until there is further clarity over lockdown restrictions, despite booking his own trip to Cornwall. Asked if people should be booking vacations after the Prime Minister urged people to hold off on plans, Matt Hancock said this morning: “I do understand, of course, the yearning [...]