Friday newspaper round-up: Manufacturers, car production, Monsoon Accessorize
Britain’s manufacturers are poised to make tens of thousands of workers redundant after a worse-than-expected slump in orders, prompted by the pandemic that has left many firms struggling to survive. A survey by the manufacturers’ lobby group, Make UK, found that 25% of companies are already drawing up plans to cut jobs in the next six months. A further 45% say they are considering redundancies. – Guardian
The number of cars built in Britain last month plunged by 99.7pc as manufacturing collapsed due to the coronavirus lockdown. Just 197 cars were made according to stark industry figures that highlight the scale of the crisis in the automotive industry. That compared with the 71,000 produced in April 2019, which was a particularly weak month as it coincided with factory shutdowns around the UK's expected departure from the European Union. – Telegraph
More than 100 MPs have demanded that a lifeline self-employment support scheme is extended amid fears millions of workers face ruin if it ends on Monday. Politicians from all major parties - including four Conservatives - called on Chancellor Rishi Sunak to extend the programme until lockdown measures are relaxed further. – Telegraph
Monsoon Accessorize is set to file for insolvency, putting 3,500 jobs at risk as it becomes the latest high street victim of the pandemic. The retailer is on the brink of appointing administrators, in what its management hopes could provide breathing space to find a buyer or investor to salvage some of the business. – The Times
Amazon is to offer full-time jobs to 125,000 of the 175,000 part-time employees it hired in America this year to deal with a surge in demand during the coronavirus pandemic. The decision, announced yesterday by the $1.2 trillion technology group, suggests it is confident that it will hang on to the market share it has gained since the virus struck the US. Amazon’s ecommerce business powered ahead as Americans chose to shop from home during the lockdown. However, the company has been criticised for its treatment of warehouse workers. – The Times