Political News
Initial weekly US jobless claims continue to soar
The US jobs market continued to deteriorate at a rapid pace during the last week for which data were available.
Almost 70% of UK firms apply for job retention plan - ONS
Two thirds of UK companies applied for the government’s emergency scheme to pay workers who are laid off temporarily during the coronavirus crisis, said the latest report from the Office for National Statistics on Thursday.
Banks' emergency SME loans reach £4.1bn
Banks have lent more than £4. 1bn to small businesses under the government's programme to help firms struggling during the Covid-19 crisis.
UK coronavirus deaths 35% higher than initially reported - ONS
England and Wales’ coronavirus related deaths are 35% higher than the daily figures for deaths in hospitals released by the government on 17 April.
Boris Johnson warns against early relaxation of lockdown
Boris Johnson said it was too early to lift the Covid-19 lockdown as the prime minister returned to work after contracting the virus.
True number of China coronavirus cases may quadruple official tally
Around 232,000 Chinese are believed to have been infected during the first wave of the Covid-19 coronavirus in China in February, dwarfing an official estimate roughly of 55,000 people.
WTI higher as Trump threatens to destroy Iranian gunboats
President Trump threatened on Wednesday to destroy any Iranian gunboats that harassed US ships at sea, triggering a so-called 'short squeeze' in US oil futures according to analysts.
Italy to significantly ease lockdown from 4 May, Conte says
Italian authorities will ease the Mediterranean country's lockdown measures significantly, possibly as soon as in a fortnight.
British homes to face £43bn drop in disposable income over the spring
UK households will have around £43bn less cash to spend on essentials between April and June as the coronavirus crisis hits the national economy and sends the country into recession.
Workers with no university degree worst off in Covid-19 crisis
Workers without a university degree will be the worst affected by the economic crisis triggered by the Covid-19 virus that has already led to hundreds of thousands of layoffs, reduced hours and furloughs.
Boris Johnson reluctant to end lockdown too soon - report
The prime minister is understood to be "cautious" about easing lockdown restrictions too soon, it was reported on Monday, despite senior cabinet ministers previously signalling otherwise.
Rishi Sunak extends furlough scheme until end of June
UK Chancellor Rishi Sunak announced on Friday the decision to extend the scheme allowing businesses to furlough employees during the Covid-19 crisis until the end of June.
Expert predicts 40,000 deaths in UK due to Covid-19
A British health professor told lawmakers on Friday that the UK government had been too slow to act to protect Britons from the Covid-19 outbreak and predicted that the death toll from the pandemic could reach 40,000.
Car finance, payday lenders warned on payments during Covid crisis
Payday lenders and car financing firms were warned by Britain's financial regulator to ease off customers struggling to make payments amid the Covid-19 pandemic.
HS2 construction to begin amid coronavirus lockdown
The controversial HS2 high-speed rail project has been given the official go-ahead by Westminster, even amid the national Covid-19 coronavirus lockdown.
Trump halts WHO funding as he shifts blame on US Covid-19 effort
President Donald Trump suspended US funding to the World Health Organisation as he sought to deflect increasing criticism of his administration's response to the coronavirus pandemic.
UK likely to extend coronavirus lockdown as science experts meet
The government’s top scientific advisers are set to meet on Tuesday to review the effectiveness of the coronavirus lockdown even as ministers anticipate an extension.
Trump tariffs on China could cost the US in coronavirus fight
The US could suffer some negative consequences of President Trump’s tariffs on Chinese imported goods as it could need critical medical products made in China to combat Covid-19.
UK finance minister warns economy could shrink 30% due to Covid-19 crisis
The UK’s finance minister Rishi Sunak warned the government that the economy could shrink around 30% as a result of the coronavirus lockdown.
Spain eases some restrictions on workers as Italy records lowest death toll since March
Monday marks a return to regular activity for some non-essential businesses that were placed in a temporary period of “hibernation” in March as new Covid-19 cases are lower and Italy records lowest death rate since March.