News And Announcements
UK govt warns against holiday bookings as restrictions may tighten
Britons should refrain from booking holidays overseas, warned the minister responsible for the Covid-19 vaccination programme on Tuesday, as tighter mobility restrictions could be on their way.
Yellen makes history as first female Treasury chief
Janet Yellen has been confirmed as the next US Treasury Secretary, the first woman to hold the role.
UK unemployment rate hits four-year high of 5%
The UK unemployment rate has reached 5. 0%, the highest in more than four years, official data showed on Tuesday.
Low-skilled workers, carers and service staff three times more likely to die from Covid-19 - ONS
The Office for National Statistics published a report on Covid deaths in 2020 by occupation on Monday which revealed that men working in low-skilled jobs in the care sector or in other service jobs were most at risk.
City centre rents hit hard as tenants move to suburbs
City centres in the UK are suffering from falling rents as tenants increasingly decide to move to the suburbs due to the pandemic.
UK shopper numbers rise despite lockdown restrictions
Footfall across UK retail destinations rose last week, despite severe weather conditions and the ongoing nationwide lockdown.
Johnson refuses to say when schools will reopen
Boris Johnson said he was considering relaxing some Covid-19 measures before mid-February but refused to say schools would be open as normal before Easter.
ECB to set up dedicated climate change unit
The European Central Bank is to launch a dedicated climate change unit as part of efforts across the eurozone to transition to a greener economy.
German business sentiment deteriorates in January
German business sentiment deteriorated in January as the second wave of the Covid-19 pandemic took its toll, according to a survey released on Monday by the Ifo Institute.
New Covid-19 strain may be deadlier, PM says
The Prime Minister said there was "some" evidence that the strain of Covid-19 first detected in the UK may be more lethal as well as more easily transmitted.
Heathrow workers to strike in February over fire and rehire dispute
Unite members working at Heathrow Airport will undertake renewed strike action in February in response to the increasingly “bitter” dispute with the company.
Retail sales suffer worst decline in 2020 since records began
Retail sales suffered their biggest ever year-on-year fall in 2020 as the Covid-19 pandemic took its toll, according to figures released on Friday by the Office for National Statistics.
UK business activity dented by third lockdown
Business activity tumbled in January as the third lockdown took its toll, putting the UK on course for a double-dip recession, according to a survey released on Friday.
Eurozone heads for double dip as business activity drops - PMI
Eurozone business activity fell faster in January as companies were affected by the Covid-19 crisis and tightening restrictions, a survey showed.
UK's £34.1bn December borrowing exceeds forecasts
The UK borrowed £34. 1bn in December, exceeding forecasts and recording the highest level for that month on record as Covid-19 forced the government to issue more debt, official figures showed.
UK consumer confidence continues to struggle
UK consumer confidence continued to struggle in January, a widely-watched survey showed on Friday, dragged down by concerns about the strength of the economy.
Pandemic forces at least 9m Britons to borrow more money in 2020
Around nine million Britons were forced to borrow more money as of December of 2020 due to the hit to their personal finances from the pandemic, a study by the Office of National Statistics showed.
Philly Fed index beats expectations in January
Manufacturing conditions in the Philadelphia region improved significantly in January, according to a survey released on Thursday.
UK lenders forecast slowing demand for mortgages
Demand for mortgages is expected to ease in the coming months, a Bank of England survey of UK lenders found on Thursday, while borrowing on credit cards is set to rise.
UK factory output flattens but further drop expected - CBI
UK factory output flattened in January after more than a year of declines but production is expected to drop again after orders fell, a survey showed.