Image copyright Sonia Hawkins Image caption Sonia Hawkins says more jobs will now have to go Chancellor Rishi Sunak admitted last week that his latest coronavirus economic support package won’t save all jobs. But as employers and employees digest the latest plans it’s clear many of them feel viable firms are being hung out to dry just as the economy… Read more →
Image copyright Arc Inspirations Image caption Martin Wolstencroft says restaurants have no idea how to plan for Christmas A resurgence of coronavirus has led the government to impose new restrictions on millions of people across the UK. For many restaurants, pubs and bars, the new rules have come just as business is picking up once again. “Another lockdown would be… Read more →
Image copyright Christopher Furlong Landlords have reacted with dismay to a further rent holiday for struggling businesses, saying it will hit pension schemes, savings, and lenders. The government extended the protection, which includes a moratorium on commercial evictions, on Wednesday. Business groups said the support, first introduced in April due to coronavirus, “will provide a respite” for firms. But landlords… Read more →
Media playback is unsupported on your device Media captionVivienne Jade Read started a new catering business during the coronavirus pandemic Lockdown has been a “blessing in disguise” for Vivienne Jade Read. Struggling to balance childcare and her work as an insurance consultant during the Covid restrictions, she decided to set up her own catering company. Vivienne is one of a… Read more →
Image copyright Grace Fletcher Former flight attendant Grace Fletcher says she and some former colleagues would do anything to get back into aviation. She loves her current job, helping vulnerable children in the prison service, but would also do anything to “reverse the clock,” she says, to the 27 years she spent working at Thomas Cook. “It was very sad… Read more →
Image copyright Getty Images Businesses in Wales face challenges preparing for a potential no-deal Brexit because of debt taken on to deal with coronavirus, according to leaders. Nine out of 10 members report cashflow problems over the pandemic, says the Federation of Small Businesses Wales. It comes as tensions in the trade talks between the UK and the EU increased… Read more →
Image copyright Getty Images Grants for English firms forced to close in local lockdowns “will not be enough” to bail them out, the British Chambers of Commerce (BCC) has said. The government unveiled the grants – worth up to £1,500 every three weeks – on Wednesday amid warnings of rising coronavirus infections. Chief Secretary to the Treasury Stephen Barclay said… Read more →
Image copyright Reuters Image caption Retail, manufacturing and construction have reported a strong rebound in growth Business activity in NI picked up last month, signalling economic recovery, but employment levels are continuing to fall, an Ulster Bank survey suggests. Every month, the bank conducts a survey of a representative sample of firms. It is considered a reliable indicator of economic… Read more →
Image copyright Reuters Image caption Rishi Sunak is the fourth UK minister to visit Scotland in recent weeks The chancellor is to visit Scotland later to highlight the benefits of UK government schemes for businesses during the coronavirus pandemic. Rishi Sunak said 65,000 businesses in Scotland had been supported through loan schemes, paying out £2bn. Mr Sunak is the fourth… Read more →
Image copyright Getty Images Image caption Those working in the events industry face an uncertain future A wave of “zombie companies” kept afloat during lockdown are on a cliff-edge going into the autumn, experts say. Analysis by the BBC shows a surge of firms went bust in March, then the rate slowed in the first few months of lockdown amid… Read more →