Breaking Economic News
Covid-19 could leave 24m in poverty, warns World Bank
The economic impact of the Covid-19 pandemic could leave 24 million people trapped in poverty in East Asia and the Pacific (EAP), the World Bank warned on Tuesday.
Gatwick closes North terminal, reduces flight hours from April 1
Gatwick Airport said it would close one of its two terminals from April 1 and operate flights for eight hours daily as the Covid-19 impact hammered demand for air travel.
Covid-19: UK self-employed to receive 80% of salary
Self-employed workers hit by the coronavirus crisis will receive a government grant worth 80% of earnings under a new scheme unveiled on Thursday, but would have to wait until June to get the cash, Finance Minister Rishi Sunak said on Thursday.
UK heads for deep recession as business activity slumps
The coronavirus caused a record slump in UK business activity even before the government imposed extraordinary measures to curb the spread of the disease, a closely watched survey showed.
Covid 19: UK govt urges Britons travelling abroad to return home
The UK government advised all Britons travelling abroad to return home immediately, an hour before Prime Minister was due to address the nation on the coronavirus crisis.
Covid-19: UK govt suspends rail franchises to stop firms collapsing
The UK government effectively renationalised the railways on a temporary basis as it suspended all franchise agreements to help train companies avoid collapse due to the coronavirus pandemic.
Covid-19: UK to guarantee wages for up to 3 months
The British government unveiled an income guarantee for workers affected by the coronavirus pandemic covering up to 80% of salaries in a socialist gamble unthinkable a week ago.
Covid-19: UK orders pubs, restaurants, cinemas, gyms to shut from tonight
The UK government ordered all cafes, bars, pubs and restaurants to close from Friday night to stop people congregating and increasing the risks of spreading the coronavirus.
Bank of England cancels 2020 stress tests in response to Covid-19
The Bank of England said it had cancelled its annual stress tests for major banks to help them focus on lending during the coronavirus crisis.
Coronavirus: Johnson pledges law to protect renters
The government would bring forward emergency legislation to protect private renters from eviction if they fell ill with the coronavirus, Prime Minister Boris Johnson said on Wednesday.
Euro 2020 football championship postponed for a year
The European football Championship due to be played this summer has been postponed for a year, the continent's ruling body decided on Tuesday, as the disruption caused by the coronavirus continued globally.
Avis Budget placed on negative watch by S&P as demand slumps
Car rental giant Avis Budget was placed on negativewatch by ratings agency S&P which expected “materially weaker” operating results as demand for vehicles at airports slumped due to the coronavirus pandemic.
EasyJet cancels more flights; calls for govt backing to save industry
EasyJet said government backing would be needed to save the European airline industry from the impact of the coronavirus as it warned it may have to ground a majority of its fleet.
Coronavirus: US extends travel ban to UK, Ireland
The US government said it was extending its travel ban to the UK and Ireland from Monday in response to the coronavirus pandemic.
Coronavirus: Ryanair cancels Poland flights as country locks down
Ryanair cancelled all flights to Poland until the end of the month after the government there decided lock down the entire country to contain the spread of the Covid-19 coronavirus.
Swedish central bank lends $51bn to companies
Sweden’s central bank said it would lend up to SKR 500bn ($51bn) to domestic companies via banks to maintain the supply of credit during the coronavirus pandemic.
Norway cuts rates in surprise announcement
Norway's central bank made an unexpected cut in its key policy rate to 1% from 1. 5% to counter the economic impact from the coronavirus pandemic, adding that it was prepared to make further cuts.
UK BUDGET: Govt unveils £30bn package to combat coronavirus impact
UK Finance Minister Rishi Sunak unveiled a £30bn package of measures to combat the economic impact of the coronavirus and reassure jittery markets as he also pledged a major fiscal boost over the next five years.
Reactions to BoE interest rate cut to combat coronavirus impact
Market and industry reactions to the bank of England's emergency cut in its base rate to 0. 25% from 0. 75 as part of a package of measures to combat the economic impact of the coronavirus.
Bank of England slashes base rate by 0.5% in response to Covid-19
The Bank of England slashed its base rate to 0. 25% from 0. 75% on Wednesday in an emergency move to combat the economic impact of the coronavirus.