News And Announcements
Shopper numbers fall as second lockdown comes into force
The UK retail sector saw footfall tumble last week, industry data showed on Monday, as fresh lockdown restrictions came into force.
Ireland warns on lack of progress on Brexit trade deal
Ireland's foreign minister warned talks about a post-Brexit trade deal remained at an impasse as discussions entered a crunch week.
Japanese economy rebounds from Covid-19 low
Japan’s economy rebounded strongly in the last quarter, government data showed on Monday, beating forecasts.
Pimco boss warns of fragile markets after pandemic
The Covid-19 crisis will leave the global financial system in a fragile state even after the pandemic subsides, the investment chief of Pimco, the giant bond fund, warned.
Ticketmaster fined £1.25m over customer data breach in 2018
The Information Commissioner’s Office fined Ticketmaster £1. 25m for losing over a million British customers’ personal payment card details in 2018.
Eurozone Q3 GDP revised down a touch
Eurozone GDP grew a touch less than initially estimated in the third quarter, according to figures released by Eurostat on Friday.
UK reports increase in emergency borrowing, debt crisis concerns grow
The UK is reporting a rise in emergency borrowing due to the pandemic, triggering worries that the country could be “sleepwalking into a debt crisis”.
UK economy grows by record 15.5% in Q3 as Covid restrictions eased
The UK economy grew by a record 15. 5% in the third quarter as lockdown measures were eased, but slowed in September, according to figures released on Thursday by the Office for National Statistics.
Housing market to slow after mini-boom - RICS
The housing market is expected to stay busy for the rest of 2020 before slowing down as the stamp duty holiday draws to a close and the economy remains in trouble, a survey published on Thursday showed.
Government report calls for capital gains tax overhaul
A government body has recommended cutting the annual allowance on capital gains tax and bringing rates closer in line with income tax as part of a far-reaching review commissioned by the Chancellor Rishi Sunak.
EU-UK trade talks set to extend into following week
Britain and the European Union are likely to miss the mid-November deadline to close a post-Brexit trade deal but the two sides have signalled that they will continue.
Government seeks legislation to prevent foreign takeovers of UK assets
The UK government is considering new legislation that would halt ‘back door’ acquisitions of UK firms by overseas buyers even years after the deal was concluded.
IATA demands government support to prevent 'employment catastrophe'
Governments must provide ongoing financial support for the aviation industry if mass job losses are to be avoided, the industry has warned.
Positive vaccine news could drive up global growth expectations, says Goldman
Positive news flow on a Covid-19 vaccine is likely to boost risky assets further, Goldman Sachs said in a note on Tuesday, but in contrast to the initial US election relief, it has the potential to drive global growth expectations higher alongside lower uncertainty on the recovery.
Investor sentiment drops sharply in Germany
Investor sentiment in Germany fell sharply in November, a closely-watched survey showed on Tuesday, as fears grow that the country is heading for another recession.
Renewables set to hit record level in 2020 despite Covid-19 crisis
The International Energy Agency expects renewable energy installation to hit a record level in 2020 despite the economic crisis brought on by Covid-19.
UK to have 10m doses of Pfizer/BioNTech Covid-19 vaccine by end-2020, if approved
Britain will have 10m doses of the Covid-19 vaccine being developed by Pfizer and BioNTech by the end of 2020.
UK committee to consider overhaul of broadcasting regulations
A committee appointed by the UK government will consider whether broadcasting regulations need to be remodeled to secure high-quality television for the future.
UK grocery sales rise but shoppers resist stockpiling
Grocery sales continued to grow in October, but there was little evidence of stockpiling ahead of the second national lockdown, industry research showed on Tuesday.
UK unemployment rate rises as pandemic continues to dent jobs market
The UK unemployment rate rose in September as the coronavirus pandemic continues to dent the jobs market, according to figures released on Tuesday by the Office for National Statistics.