Confidence among Britain’s biggest businesses has hit a record high according to new figures published as parts of the economy reopen from lockdown. A quarterly poll by Deloitte of finance directors at leading UK companies showed optimism was at its highest level since the survey was launched 13 years ago. Sentiment has been boosted by
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Cyber security company Darktrace will on Monday fire the starting gun on a £3bn London flotation – crystallising a stake worth tens of millions of pounds for its 38-year-old chief executive. Sky News has learnt that Darktrace’s board plans to issue an expected “intention to float” announcement before the stock market opens on Monday morning.
England’s coronavirus restrictions will be eased further on Monday, with pubs and restaurants allowed to serve customers outdoors. Hairdressers will reopen, as will non-essential shops, indoor gyms, swimming pools, libraries, zoos and nail salons. The celebration will be slightly muted, however, by the period of national mourning in place following the death of the Duke
David Cameron has reportedly told friends it was a mistake to send private text messages to Chancellor Rishi Sunak to help his employer gain access to a coronavirus loan scheme. The former prime minister caused controversy after it emerged he had been trying to secure access for finance company Greensill Capital, which later collapsed and
The owner of the vast Stanlow oil refinery in north-west England is in urgent talks about its future amid growing concern that it could be nearing collapse. Sky News has learnt that Essar Oil UK, which bought the site at Ellesmere Port from Shell in 2011, has been in discussions for weeks about efforts to
Jet2’s chief executive says the travel company will suspend flights and holidays until at least 23 June due to uncertainty over the government’s travel proposals. Steve Heapy said he had been “extremely disappointed at the lack of clarity and detail” in the plans, which were announced overnight. He added: Because of the continued uncertainty that
A third of people who have managed to save money during the coronavirus pandemic are planning not to spend it, even as restrictions ease. A survey found that 56% of people have managed to save during the UK’s lockdowns but 33% plan to sit on the money they have put aside. Another third say they
Most airlines have struggled during the coronavirus pandemic, but two newbies are bravely planning to enter the US market in the coming months. Avelo Airlines announced on Thursday that it will start flying later in April to 11 destinations from its hub in Burbank, California. It currently has three Boeing 737 jets but plans to
ASOS, the online fashion retailer, has reported a 275% leap in half-year profits as it benefits from coronavirus restrictions that have hammered high street rivals. The company, which snapped up the Topshop, Topman, Miss Selfridge and HIIT brands earlier this year following the collapse of Sir Philip Green’s Arcadia empire, reported a 24% increase in
HSBC is planning to move more than 1,200 of its staff to permanent work-from-home contracts, according to a report. Around 70% of the bank’s 1,800 call centre staff serving UK retail customers from bases in England, Wales and Scotland volunteered not to return to the office, according to the Unite. The union told news agency
The chief executive of Virgin Media is to take the helm of Britain’s biggest mobile network operator, it will announce this week as it seeks regulatory approval for its £31bn tie-up with O2. Sky News has learnt that Lutz Schuler, who has run Virgin Media since mid-2019, will be named on Wednesday as chief executive
UK Deliveroo riders are expected to strike over pay and conditions as unconditional trading commences in the company’s shares. Hundreds of riders are expected to strike on Wednesday, with socially-distanced protests planned in London, York, Reading, Sheffield and Wolverhampton. The Independent Workers’ Union of Great Britain (IWGB) said the riders want the living wage, safety
Thousands more high street jobs are to disappear as part of a deal that could nonetheless salvage approximately half of the workforce at the stricken clothing chain Peacocks. Sky News has learnt that up to 200 of the chain’s 400-plus stores and 2000 jobs will be saved by an investment consortium which has agreed to
The future of collapsed fashion chain Peacocks has been secured under a deal that will see its high street presence halved compared to pre-coronavirus crisis levels. As Sky News reported on Monday, administrators confirmed that 200 of the 400 stores and 2,000 jobs had been saved by a senior executive – with backing from a
The former boss of Britain’s most influential financial lobbying group is throwing his weight behind the trial of a service that it wants to become a national solution to the disappearance of thousands of bank branches across Britain. Sky News has learnt that Stephen Jones, who ran UK Finance until last year, has joined OneBanks
The British cybersecurity company Darktrace is this weekend finalising plans for a £3bn stock market listing, despite the shadow cast over technology ‘unicorn’ floats in London by this week’s Deliveroo’s disastrous debut. Sky News has learnt that Darktrace’s board – led by new chairman Gordon Hurst – wants to issue an expected intention to float