cityam--2020-07-16--UK firms cut a total of 85,000 jobs amid coronavirus pandemic

The coronavirus pandemic has battered the UK economy since it arrived in early 2020 – and no sector has remained unscathed , with more than 100,000 job cuts planned during the pandemic .
The government ’ s furlough scheme has allowed millions of people to keep getting a paycheck , but fears are growing that when this is phased out many will have no job to return to .
As a result , some of the UK ’ s biggest companies have been forced to cut thousands of jobs .
In total , UK companies are set to make a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , and they are cutting 120,840 roles overall .
35,000 of these cuts relate to HSBC ’ s restructuring programme , which had been paused due to the pandemic .
Here is a rundown of which UK firms have been hardest hit .
When British Airways bought Spanish airline Iberia in 2011 , forming parent company IAG , it was in part to make the company more resilient to market shocks .
But they did not anticipate a shock this big , or this long-lasting , with the vast majority of flights grounded @ @ @ @ @ @ @ things returning to normal any time soon .
As a result , BA announced that it was holding consultations to cut 12,000 jobs , leading MPs to brand it a “ national disgrace ” .
Richard Branson ’ s airline had spent much of the last year campaigning to be recognised as a “ second flag carrier , ” behind arch-rival BA .
Now , the company is fighting for survival , cutting at least 3,000 jobs and pulling out of Gatwick Airport .
Chief executive Shai Weiss said : “ We have @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 36 years ago but none has been as devastating as Covid-19 and the associated loss of life and livelihood for so many.
” Virgin Atlantic announced the return of flights to 17 destinations in June and called on the government to scrap its 14-day quarantine for inbound travellers .
Read more : Virgin Atlantic to restart flights to 17 destinations in August Easyjet has been one of the strongest performers in UK aviation in recent years , but like it ’ s peers , it has had nowhere to fly for nearly three @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is cutting about 30 per cent of its staff , equating to 4,500 jobs .
Easyjet boss Johan Lundgren said : “ We realise that these are very difficult times and we are having to consider very difficult decisions which will impact our people , but we want to protect as many jobs as we can for the long-term.
” Read more : Easyjet boss warns that more jobs could be lost due to quarantine plans Ryanair boss Michael O ’ Leary has a reputation for not mincing his words , and as @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to cut 3,000 jobs , he complained that foreign airlines such as Lufthansa have had more support than Ryanair .
“ Air France and Lufthansa are subsidy junkies hoovering up state aid , ” he said on BBC Radio 4 ’ s Today programme .
Ryanair employees who survive the round of cuts will be forced to take pay cuts as much as one-fifth of their salaries .
Read more : Ryanair set to cut up to 3,000 jobs due to coronavirus The Irish airline is also part of IAG , along with @ @ @ @ @ @ @ been forced to cut 900 jobs .
It has faced widespread criticism for slashing some staff ’ s pay by as much as 70 per cent ( yes , you read that right ) .
Baggage handler Swissport has been faced with much the same issues as the rest of the aviation industry , and it announced on 24 June that it would cut 4,175 jobs – about half of its workforce .
“ This is devastating news .
At least 4,000 workers – and possibly many more – will lose jobs which @ @ @ @ @ @ @ GMB national officer Nadine Houghton said .
“ With Swissport now considering job cuts on this scale we have deep concerns about the viability of many of our regional airports and the benefits for regional connectivity that they bring.
” The UK ’ s main international airport saw passenger numbers drop to an all time low in May , down 97 per cent on normal levels .
It has already cut about 500 managerial jobs , but has launched a voluntary redundancy scheme for the rest of its workforce .
About one-third of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
John Holland Kaye , Heathrow CEO , told City A.M. last month that as many as 25,000 jobs could go at the airport unless the government relaxes quarantine rules to boost travel .
The owner of British Gas has been hit hard by the pandemic , and is looking to cut nearly one-fifth of its workforce , or 5,000 jobs .
More than half of these will be in management roles , with the company trying to slim down its operation and reduce bureaucracy .
Of its 40-strong leadership team , 20 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ exit .
The UK ’ s second largest energy supplier is planning to cut 2,600 jobs following its merger with SSE .
Ovo , which closed a £500m deal for SSE ’ s retail arm this year , said the coronavirus pandemic had accelerated its integration plans for the businesses .
The oil giant plans to make 10,000 people redundant across the globe , including an estimated 2,000 UK job cuts .
It comes after the coronavirus dramatically reduced global demand for oil .
In an email to staff , chief executive Bernard @ @ @ @ @ @ @ has plunged well below the level we need to turn a profit .
“ We are spending much , much more than we make – I am talking millions of dollars , every day.
” Read more : Oil prices hit highest levels since early March as Opec+ pledges cut compliance Europe ’ s largest planemaker Airbus said that it will cut 1,700 jobs in the UK as part of 15,000 redundancies around the world .
The UK ’ s Unite union said plans by Airbus to cut 1,700 jobs in Britain will @ @ @ @ @ @ @ including at its two biggest factories .
Unite said 1,116 manufacturing jobs would be lost , with Airbus ’ largest UK factories in North Wales and Bristol to be affected , along with 611 office jobs .
Manufacturing giant Bombardier today said it will cut 2,500 jobs in its aviation division as the coronavirus crisis sparks a slump in demand .
Its Northern Ireland manufacturing plant will account for 600 UK job cuts .
The jet engine maker has long been one of the jewels in the crown of British manufacturing .
But @ @ @ @ @ @ @ cutting 9,000 jobs , of which 3,000 will be in the UK .
About 1,500 of these UK job cuts will be at its Derby headquarters , where it is partway through building a massive new engine manufacturing facility .
Chief executive Warren East said : “ This is not a crisis of our making .
But it is the crisis that we face and must deal with.
” Read more : Rolls-Royce to swing axe at 9,000 employees over coronavirus The luxury car manufacturer has around 4,200 employees , but nearly a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ near future .
The company had hoped to grow its sales while it embarked on a restructuring plan , allowing it to avoid cutting UK jobs .
However , it said this plan was “ clearly derailed by the impact of the pandemic ” .
Since its disastrous Initial Public Offering in 2018 , Aston Martin has been struggling , and the coronavirus could not have come at a worse time .
The firm is also looking to cut costs in other areas , including contractor numbers , marketing and travel , as @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
It comes months after Lawrence Stroll , the billionaire fashion tycoon , took over the firm in January .
CEO Andy Palmer was sacked under a management shake-up in late May .
Read more : Aston Martin to cut 500 jobs as business reset continues The British manufacturing giant is to cut 1,100 jobs from its UK factories .
It will likely affect people working at Halewood on Merseyside , and Solihull and Castle Bromwich in the West Midlands .
Read more : Jaguar Land Rover falls to half a billion loss @ @ @ @ @ @ @ massive redundancy plan that had been put on pause after the outbreak of coronavirus , with 35,000 jobs set to be cut worldwide .
The job cuts will be made over the medium term , while the lender will also freeze almost all external recruitment , chief executive Noel Quinn said in a memo sent to the bank ’ s 235,000 staff worldwide .
HSBC had postponed the job cuts , part of a wider restructuring programme to cut $ 4.5bn ( £3.6bn ) in costs , in March .
At the time @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of the coronavirus pandemic meant it would have been wrong to cut staff .
Read more : HSBC to cut 35,000 jobs as bank resumes redundancy plan Outsourcing giant G4S will cut more than 1,150 jobs as part of a restructuring of its cash solutions division .
The firm said it was streamlining its cash handling service to “ better align it with the needs of our customers ” .
US consultancy firm Accenture , which employs 10,000 people in the UK , will make up to 900 roles redundant .
The firm @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in the middle of this month .
It expects between 700 to 900 employees to depart .
In a note to staff seen by the Guardian , which first reported the cuts , Accenture said : “ We went into the crisis with an overcapacity of people relative to demand .
The crisis has caused additional strain on the business due to lower demand and reduced national attrition .
Manufacturing firm Johnson Matthey announced that it will cut 2,500 jobs over the next three years as a result of the pandemic .
The @ @ @ @ @ @ @ had knocked its underlying profit by £60m as it unveiled its annual results earlier this month .
In a statement , Johnson Matthey boss Robert MacLeod said that although the firm had already made £120m in cost savings , it needed to be “ even more efficient ” to maintain its competitiveness .
The Restaurant Group – at least 1,500 UK job cuts The owner of Wagamama , Frankie & Benny ’ s and Chiquito initially said in March that most Chiquito branches and all of its Food & Fuel pubs would not @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 1,500 UK job cuts .
Then , in June , it announced plans to close 125 of its sites , mostly Frankie & Benny ’ s , as the company seeks to push down rents to weather the financial storm of the coronavirus crisis .
The closure puts around 3,000 jobs at risk .
Read more : Restaurant Group to close 125 sites as it looks to cut costs Monsoon Accessorize founder Peter Simon bought the struggling business out of administration earlier this month , in a move aimed at saving both brands @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Simon will try to renegotiate with landlords to get a better deal on the remaining 162 store leases , meaning that if this is unsuccessful , more redundancies could be around the corner .
Clarks is preparing to slash 900 corporate roles , which will be partially offset by the creation of 200 new jobs .
Around 700 workers are expected to leave the footwear retailer over the next 18 months , as the company “ reviews funding options with selected advisers ” to address the short-term liquidity needs caused by the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ out of administration by Hilco in April , resulting in 1,800 UK job cuts .
The company ’ s digital brands were later bought out by fast fashion retailer Boohoo .
Read more : Boohoo buys Oasis and Warehouse as revenue rockets in lockdown The fashion and accessories brand said in June it will cut a quarter of its global workforce , and has started a consultation with the 470 staff at risk .
Read more : Mulberry looks to cut a quarter of workforce John Lewis has announced it will not reopen @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 1,300 jobs at risk .
The retailer said the stores , which include its Birmingham ’ s Bullring store , had been struggling before the pandemic hit .
Around 1,300 employees will enter consultations over potential redundancies .
The department store said it will attempt to offer alternative jobs within the business , such as at Waitrose or online , to workers that are made redundant .
Last month century-old shirtmaker TM Lewin went into administration , with 600 jobs lost as a result .
The company will close all 66 of its @ @ @ @ @ @ @ trading online , after a company hired to restructure the menswear company decided its high street offering was beyond saving .
Read more : Shirt and tie retailer TM Lewin ‘ falls into administration ’ with 600 jobs lost The decision came less than two months after the 122-year-old retailer was bought by Stonebridge Private Equity through its subsidiary Torque Brands .
Boots has announced it will close 48 stores and cut 4,000 jobs after months of closure during lockdown .
The pharmacy chain has said it will shift its focus to online @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , after its website saw a 78 per cent increase in sales over lockdown .
Burger King has warned up to 10 per cent of its stores could close , putting up to 1,600 jobs at risk .
Chief executive Alasdair Murdoch said the restaurant chain could close between five and 10 per cent of its 530 restaurants , which could affect 800 to 1,600 jobs .
“ If we can possibly avoid it , we will , ” Murdoch told the BBC .
Catering company SPP , which owns Upper Crust , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to the ongoing damage to the travel sector .
The job cuts will largely affect SSP ’ s UK head office and UK operations , the company said , at a cost of between £8m and £10m .
Read more : Upper Crust owner SSP to slash 5,000 jobs as coronavirus knocks travel sector Coronavirus has forced SSP to find cost savings as travel bans and UK-wide lockdowns led to a severe drop in revenue .
Travis Perkins will cut 2,500 jobs – around nine per cent of its workforce – as a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ merchant said the losses would result from the closure of around 165 of its branches , plus UK job cuts within its distribution , administration and sales functions .
Yesterday the BBC said it will axe 520 jobs in its news department as a result of the coronavirus crisis , marking 70 more redundancies than the broadcaster had originally planned .
The BBC said in January that it intended to axe 450 jobs within its news department , but plans were put on hold due to the pandemic .
The redundancies are separate @ @ @ @ @ @ @ BBC ’ s regional news units announced last week .
The paper announced plans to cut 180 jobs in both its editorial and commercial departments , after revenue plunged more than £25m during the coronavirus crisis .
Read more : Guardian to axe 180 jobs as revenue plunges The newspaper group said the job cuts will mostly affect its advertising , Guardian Jobs , marketing and Guardian Live departments , with 70 additional redundancies in its editorial unit .
The job cuts will reduce the Guardian ’ s overall workforce by 12 per @ @ @ @ @ @ @ would get rid of 350 jobs from its UK arm , roughly five per cent of its staff .
The firm said it needed to reshape its business in light of the pandemic .

UK firms cut more than 106,000 jobs amid coronavirus pandemic
British Airways is one of many UK companies making a collective 98,000 job cuts during the pandemic
The coronavirus pandemic has battered the UK economy since it arrived in early 2020 – and no sector has remained unscathed, with more than 100,000 job cuts planned during the pandemic.
The government’s furlough scheme has allowed millions of people to keep getting a paycheck, but fears are growing that when this is phased out in October many will have no job to return to.
Some of the UK’s largest companies including British Airways, Marks & Spencer and BP have cut thousands of jobs with further announcements expected in the coming months.
In total, 106,319 UK job cuts are the direct or indirect result of the pandemic. But including HSBC’s 35,000 redundancies planned before coronavirus struck, the total is closer to 150,000.
Here is a rundown of which UK firms have been hardest hit.
British Airways – 12,000 jobs
When British Airways bought Spanish airline Iberia in 2011, forming parent company IAG, it was in part to make the company more resilient to market shocks.
But they did not anticipate a shock this big, or this long-lasting, with the vast majority of flights grounded for months, and little hope of things returning to normal any time soon.
As a result, BA announced that it was holding consultations to cut 12,000 jobs, leading MPs to brand it a “national disgrace”.
Virgin Atlantic – at least 3,000 jobs
Richard Branson’s airline had spent much of the last year campaigning to be recognised as a “second flag carrier,” behind arch-rival BA. Now, the company is fighting for survival, cutting at least 3,000 jobs and pulling out of Gatwick Airport.
Chief executive Shai Weiss said: “We have weathered many storms since our first flight 36 years ago but none has been as devastating as Covid-19 and the associated loss of life and livelihood for so many.”
Virgin Atlantic is cutting more than one-third of its workforce
Virgin Atlantic announced the return of flights to 17 destinations in June and called on the government to scrap its 14-day quarantine for inbound travellers.
Easyjet – 4,500 jobs
Easyjet has been one of the strongest performers in UK aviation in recent years, but like it’s peers, it has had nowhere to fly for nearly three months. As a result, it is cutting about 30 per cent of its staff, equating to 4,500 jobs.
Easyjet boss Johan Lundgren said: “We realise that these are very difficult times and we are having to consider very difficult decisions which will impact our people, but we want to protect as many jobs as we can for the long-term.”
Ryanair – 3,000 jobs
Ryanair boss Michael O’Leary has a reputation for not mincing his words, and as he announced that he would be forced to cut 3,000 jobs, he complained that foreign airlines such as Lufthansa have had more support than Ryanair.
“Air France and Lufthansa are subsidy junkies hoovering up state aid,” he said on BBC Radio 4’s Today programme. Ryanair employees who survive the round of cuts will be forced to take pay cuts as much as one-fifth of their salaries.
Ryanair boss Michael O’Leary has bemoaned the state aid given to competitors such as Lufthansa
Aer Lingus – 900 jobs
The Irish airline is also part of IAG, along with British Airways and Iberia. It has cut 900 jobs. It has faced widespread criticism for slashing some staff’s pay by as much as 70 per cent (yes, you read that right).
Marks & Spencer – 7,950 jobs
The supermarket chain announced in mid-August that it was slashing 7,000 jobs within three months after coronavirus hit its already struggling business.
Marks & Spencer said the cuts would focus on its central support centre, regional management and UK stores. The job losses come on top of a previously announced round of 950 store management roles announced in July.
Swissport – 4,175 jobs
Baggage handler Swissport has been faced with much the same issues as the rest of the aviation industry, and it announced on 24 June that it would cut 4,175 jobs – about half of its workforce.
“This is devastating news. At least 4,000 workers – and possibly many more – will lose jobs which are essential to regional economies,” GMB national officer Nadine Houghton said.
“With Swissport now considering job cuts on this scale we have deep concerns about the viability of many of our regional airports and the benefits for regional connectivity that they bring.”
Heathrow airport – at least 500 jobs
The UK’s main international airport saw passenger numbers drop to an all time low in May, down 97 per cent on normal levels.
It has already cut about 500 managerial jobs, but has launched a voluntary redundancy scheme for the rest of its workforce. About one-third of its 7,000 strong workforce is at risk.
John Holland Kaye, Heathrow CEO, told City A.M. last month that as many as 25,000 jobs could go at the airport unless the government relaxes quarantine rules to boost travel.
Centrica – 5,000 jobs
The owner of British Gas has been hit hard by the pandemic, and is looking to cut nearly one-fifth of its workforce, or 5,000 jobs.
More than half of these will be in management roles, with the company trying to slim down its operation and reduce bureaucracy. Of its 40-strong leadership team, 20 are likely to be heading for the exit.
Centrica is the owner of British Gas
Ovo Energy – 2,600 jobs
The UK’s second largest energy supplier is planning to cut 2,600 jobs following its merger with SSE.
Ovo, which closed a £500m deal for SSE’s retail arm this year, said the coronavirus pandemic had accelerated its integration plans for the businesses.
BP – 10,000 jobs
The oil giant plans to make 10,000 people redundant across the globe, including an estimated 2,000 UK job cuts. It comes after the coronavirus dramatically reduced global demand for oil.
In an email to staff, chief executive Bernard Looney said: “The oil price has plunged well below the level we need to turn a profit.
“We are spending much, much more than we make – I am talking millions of dollars, every day.”
BP blamed job cuts on plummeting oil prices
Airbus – 1,700 UK job cuts
Europe’s largest planemaker Airbus said that it will cut 1,700 jobs in the UK as part of 15,000 redundancies around the world.
The UK’s Unite union said plans by Airbus to cut 1,700 jobs in Britain will affect its operations across the country, including at its two biggest factories.
Unite said 1,116 manufacturing jobs would be lost, with Airbus’ largest UK factories in North Wales and Bristol to be affected, along with 611 office jobs.
Bombardier – 600 UK job cuts
Manufacturing giant Bombardier today said it will cut 2,500 jobs in its aviation division as the coronavirus crisis sparks a slump in demand. Its Northern Ireland manufacturing plant will account for 600 UK job cuts.
Rolls-Royce – 9,000 jobs
The jet engine maker has long been one of the jewels in the crown of British manufacturing. But that was not enough to stop it cutting 9,000 jobs, of which 3,000 will be in the UK.
About 1,500 of these UK job cuts will be at its Derby headquarters, where it is partway through building a massive new engine manufacturing facility.
Chief executive Warren East said: “This is not a crisis of our making. But it is the crisis that we face and must deal with.”
Rolls-Royce is expected to cut 20 per cent of its workforce
Bentley – 1,000 UK job cuts
The luxury car manufacturer has around 4,200 employees, but nearly a quarter of those will go in the near future.
The company had hoped to grow its sales while it embarked on a restructuring plan, allowing it to avoid cutting UK jobs. However, it said this plan was “clearly derailed by the impact of the pandemic”.
Aston Martin – 500 jobs
Since its disastrous Initial Public Offering in 2018, Aston Martin has been struggling, and the coronavirus could not have come at a worse time.
The firm is also looking to cut costs in other areas, including contractor numbers, marketing and travel, as it battles its way back to profitability.
It comes months after Lawrence Stroll, the billionaire fashion tycoon, took over the firm in January. CEO Andy Palmer was sacked under a management shake-up in late May.
Jaguar Land Rover – 1,100 UK job cuts
The British manufacturing giant is to cut 1,100 jobs from its UK factories. It will likely affect people working at Halewood on Merseyside, and Solihull and Castle Bromwich in the West Midlands.
Jaguar Land Rover is one of Britain’s biggest car makers
HSBC – 35,000 jobs
HSBC is resuming a massive redundancy plan that had been put on pause after the outbreak of coronavirus, with 35,000 jobs set to be cut worldwide.
The job cuts will be made over the medium term, while the lender will also freeze almost all external recruitment, chief executive Noel Quinn said in a memo sent to the bank’s 235,000 staff worldwide.
HSBC had postponed the job cuts, part of a wider restructuring programme to cut $4.5bn (£3.6bn) in costs, in March.
At the time, the lender said the extraordinary circumstances of the coronavirus pandemic meant it would have been wrong to cut staff.
Long before the pandemic hit the UK properly, HSBC was forced to clear its research department earlier this year as a worker was found to have coronavirus
TSB – 929 jobs at risk
TSB has told cashiers that their jobs will be phased out at the start of 2021, following a steep decline in customers banking in its branches due to the pandemic.
Those affected by the cuts will have to retrain, change roles or take voluntary redundancy, according to a staff memo seen by Reuters.
A total of 929 staff will be involved in the restructuring, a TSB spokesman said.
G4S – 1,150 job cuts
Outsourcing giant G4S will cut more than 1,150 jobs as part of a restructuring of its cash solutions division.
The firm said it was streamlining its cash handling service to “better align it with the needs of our customers”.
Accenture – up to 900 job cuts
US consultancy firm Accenture, which employs 10,000 people in the UK, will make up to 900 roles redundant.
The firm will start consulting on the job cuts in the middle of this month. It expects between 700 to 900 employees to depart.
In a note to staff seen by the Guardian, which first reported the cuts, Accenture said: “We went into the crisis with an overcapacity of people relative to demand. The crisis has caused additional strain on the business due to lower demand and reduced national attrition.
Johnson Matthey – 2,500 UK job cuts
Manufacturing firm Johnson Matthey announced that it will cut 2,500 jobs over the next three years as a result of the pandemic.
The FTSE 100 company said that the crisis had knocked its underlying profit by £60m as it unveiled its annual results earlier this month.
In a statement, Johnson Matthey boss Robert MacLeod said that although the firm had already made £120m in cost savings, it needed to be “even more efficient” to maintain its competitiveness.
The Restaurant Group – at least 1,500 UK job cuts
The owner of Wagamama, Frankie & Benny’s and Chiquito initially said in March that most Chiquito branches and all of its Food & Fuel pubs would not reopen after the lockdown, leading to 1,500 UK job cuts.
Then, in June, it announced plans to close 125 of its sites, mostly Frankie & Benny’s, as the company seeks to push down rents to weather the financial storm of the coronavirus crisis. The closure puts around 3,000 jobs at risk.
A closed sign in the window of Wagamama
Monsoon Accessorize – 545 jobs
Monsoon Accessorize founder Peter Simon bought the struggling business out of administration earlier this month, in a move aimed at saving both brands but cutting 545 jobs in the process.
Simon was on track to reopen 157 stores of the original 230 by the end of July, 57 more than planned following landlord negotiations.
That would save potentially 2,400 jobs after Monsoon Accessorize fell victim to the coronavirus lockdown.
Clarks – 900 UK job cuts
Clarks is preparing to slash 900 corporate roles, which will be partially offset by the creation of 200 new jobs.
Around 700 workers are expected to leave the footwear retailer over the next 18 months, as the company “reviews funding options with selected advisers” to address the short-term liquidity needs caused by the pandemic.
Clarks is one of many non-essential retailers forced to close for three months under lockdown
Oasis and Warehouse – 1,800 jobs
Oasis and Warehouse were bought out of administration by Hilco in April, resulting in 1,800 UK job cuts.
The company’s digital brands were later bought out by fast fashion retailer Boohoo.
Mulberry – 470 UK job cuts
The fashion and accessories brand said in June it will cut a quarter of its global workforce, and has started a consultation with the 470 staff at risk.
John Lewis – 1,300 jobs at risk
John Lewis has announced it will not reopen eight stores after lockdown, putting around 1,300 jobs at risk.
The retailer said the stores, which include its Birmingham’s Bullring store, had been struggling before the pandemic hit.
Around 1,300 employees will enter consultations over potential redundancies. The department store said it will attempt to offer alternative jobs within the business, such as at Waitrose or online, to workers that are made redundant.
TM Lewin – 600 job cuts
Last month century-old shirtmaker TM Lewin went into administration, with 600 jobs lost as a result.
The company will close all 66 of its physical stores, and will only continue trading online, after a company hired to restructure the menswear company decided its high street offering was beyond saving.
The decision came less than two months after the 122-year-old retailer was bought by Stonebridge Private Equity through its subsidiary Torque Brands.
High street staple TM Lewin will close all of its physical stores as a result of the pandemic, with 600 jobs to be lost.
Boots – 4,000 jobs
Boots has announced it will close 48 stores and cut 4,000 jobs after months of closure during lockdown.
The pharmacy chain has said it will shift its focus to online sales by investing in its digital platform, after its website saw a 78 per cent increase in sales over lockdown.
Burger King – 1,600 jobs at risk
Burger King has warned up to 10 per cent of its stores could close, putting up to 1,600 jobs at risk.
Chief executive Alasdair Murdoch said the restaurant chain could close between five and 10 per cent of its 530 restaurants, which could affect 800 to 1,600 jobs.
“If we can possibly avoid it, we will,” Murdoch told the BBC.
SSP Group – 5,000 job cuts
Catering company SPP, which owns Upper Crust, said it would slash 5,000 jobs due to the ongoing damage to the travel sector.
The job cuts will largely affect SSP’s UK head office and UK operations, the company said, at a cost of between £8m and £10m.
Coronavirus has forced SSP to find cost savings as travel bans and UK-wide lockdowns led to a severe drop in revenue.
Travis Perkins – 2,500 UK job cuts
Travis Perkins will cut 2,500 jobs – around nine per cent of its workforce – as a result of the pandemic.
The builders merchant said the losses would result from the closure of around 165 of its branches, plus UK job cuts within its distribution, administration and sales functions.
Building materials and DIY group Travis Perkins announced the loss of 2,500 jobs and the closure of 165 branches.
DW Sports – 1,700 jobs at risk
Gym chain and sportswear retailer DW Sports has collapsed into administration, putting 1,700 jobs at risk.
DW Sports closed 25 of its 75 stores and ceased trading through its website immediately.
The remaining 50 retail sites will continue to trade, but have been moved into closing down sales.
DW Sports said it is “inevitable” that some of its 73 gyms will permanently close following the coronavirus lockdown.
Pizza Express – 1,100 job losses
Pizza Express is planning to close 67 UK restaurants due to the coronavirus pandemic, putting 1,100 jobs at risk, as the casual dining chain put itself up for sale.
The company announced that it will launch a company voluntary arrangement (CVA) in the “near future”, which will see it close 15 per cent of its 449 restaurants in the UK.
Pizza Express has appointed investment bank Lazard & Co to launch a sales process. It will also divest its business in China.
“The Covid-19 crisis has had a profound impact on the entire hospitality sector, with the UK-wide lockdown reducing revenues significantly,” Pizza Express said in a statement this morning.
“The business and its advisers have therefore undertaken an extensive review of its operations to plan appropriately for the future.”
Dixons Carphone – 800 roles cut
Dixons Carphone has announced it will slash 800 roles as part of a store management restructuring plan.
The retailer, which owns Carphone Warehouse and Currys PC World, said the job cuts were part of a plan to create “one joined up business”.
Dixons Carphone said it will remove retail manager, assistant manager and team leader roles, as well as business adviser positions in stores without a business hub.
It will create new sales manage, customer experience manager and operational excellence manager roles as t seeks to integrate its electricals and mobile teams.
Debenhams – 6,500
Debenhams has axed 2,500 jobs as it seeks to reduce costs following the coronavirus lockdown, in the latest blow for the struggling UK high street.
The department store chain, which permanently closed 20 stores during lockdown, said the trading environment is “clearly a long way from returning to normal” after lockdown restrictions were lifted.
The latest round of cuts are on top of the 4,000 redundancies announced since May, the BBC reported, meaning the high street brand has now cut a third of its workforce during the coronavirus pandemic.
BBC – 970 job cuts
The BBC said it will axe 520 jobs in its news department as a result of the coronavirus crisis, marking 70 more redundancies than the broadcaster had originally planned.
The BBC said in January that it intended to axe 450 jobs within its news department, but plans were put on hold due to the pandemic.
The redundancies are separate to the 450 job cuts in the BBC’s regional news units announced last week.
Guardian Media Group – 180 job cuts
The paper announced plans to cut 180 jobs in both its editorial and commercial departments, after revenue plunged more than £25m during the coronavirus crisis.
The newspaper group said the job cuts will mostly affect its advertising, Guardian Jobs, marketing and Guardian Live departments, with 70 additional redundancies in its editorial unit.
The job cuts will reduce the Guardian’s overall workforce by 12 per cent.
Arup – 350 job cuts
Engineering consultancy Arup said it would get rid of 350 jobs from its UK arm, roughly five per cent of its staff.
The firm said it needed to reshape its business in light of the pandemic.
Pret A Manger – 1,000 jobs
The sandwich chain said in July that it would close 30 stores putting 1,000 jobs at risk. The lockdown and moved to home working hurt Pret which relies heavily on office workers and commuters picking up sandwiches and drinks at its city centre locations.
Natwest – 500 jobs
The bank said in August that it would closed one of its London offices and slash up to 500 jobs.
Natwest said it will carry out a voluntary redundancy plan affecting 550 roles in its branches and premier banking service. It will also close its Regents House office in Angel, which served as one of the bank’s biggest tech hubs and can house roughly 2,500 employees.
In total roughly 800 staff members are expected to leave in the redundancy round once part-time workers are included, Reuters reported, citing the Unite union.


cityam--2020-07-16--Kremlin-backed Cozy Bear hackers target UK coronavirus vaccine secrets

Kremlin-linked cyber criminals have been allegedly hacking universities and organisations developing coronavirus vaccines in an attempt to steal sensitive information , according to the UK ’ s cyber security body .
The hacking group known as APT29 – also known as Cozy Bear and The Dukes – has allegedly been trying to steal information across the globe from vaccine trials .
Read more : Russians tried to swing UK election with US trade papers used by Corbyn The National Cyber Security Centre ( NCSC ) put out a joint statement with partner organisations in the US and Canada , claiming @ @ @ @ @ @ @ as part of Russian Intelligence Services ” .
It comes just an hour after foreign secretary Dominic Raab announced that Russian hackers had also tried to interfere with the UK election by “ amplifying ” leaked documents that Labour released at a press conference on 27 November .
It is believed that the UK ’ s two coronavirus vaccine projects at Oxford University and Imperial College have likely been targets and the NCSC is currently working with them to be aware of future attacks .
APT-29 has also been targetting labs working on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ its partners are currently working under the assumption that the Russian government has commissioned the attack in an attempt to beat other countries to finding a Covid-19 vaccine .
City A.M. understands that the cyber security agency believes the information being collected would be provided to the very highest levels within the Kremlin .
NCSC director of operations Paul Chichester said : “ We condemn these despicable attacks against those doing vital work to combat the coronavirus pandemic .
“ Working with our allies , the NCSC is committed to protecting our most @ @ @ @ @ @ @ this time is to protect the health sector .
“ We would urge organisations to familiarise themselves with the advice we have published to help defend their networks.
” Responding to the news , Raab said : “ “ While others pursue their selfish interests with reckless behaviour , the UK and its allies are getting on with the hard work of finding a vaccine and protecting global health.
” The Prime Minister ’ s official spokesman added : “ The attacks which are taking place against scientists and others doing vital work @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Working with our allies , we will call out those who seek to do us harm in cyber space and hold them to account.
” The announcement coincides with several announcements about Russian interference in the UK .
Raab released a statement today confirming it is “ almost certain that Russian actors sought to interfere in the 2019 general election through the online amplification ” of confidential UK-US trade negotiation documents .
The government is not pinning blame on Russian actors for the release of the documents , but only for amplifying their @ @ @ @ @ @ @ any suggestion that the actors are linked to the Russian state , however there is an active criminal investigation into the leak of the report .
Former Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn held a press conference on 27 November to widely release the documents , which he said showed the “ NHS was for sale ” in UK-US trade negotiations – a claim widely disputed .
This morning , it was announced by Westminster ’ s Intelligence and Security Committee that it would release its long-awaited report into Russian interference in UK politics next @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Lewis as its chair last night , after he refused to vote for Downing Street ’ s candidate Chris Grayling .
Lewis promptly had the Tory party whip removed for the rebellion .
Read more : Report into Russian interference in UK politics to be published next week The Prime Minister ’ s spokesman said any suggestion that the release of the two Russia hacking stories today was to overshadow the release of a potentially embarrassing report was “ nonsense ” .
He said that the timing of the NCSC announcement was agreed @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and Canada , while news of the trade document leak could not be announced until the Intelligence and Security Committee had been formed .

Kremlin-backed Cozy Bear hackers target UK coronavirus vaccine secrets
City A.M. understands that the cyber security agency believes the information being collected would be provided to the very highest levels within the Kremlin.
Kremlin-linked cyber criminals have been allegedly hacking universities and organisations developing coronavirus vaccines in an attempt to steal sensitive information, according to the UK’s cyber security body.
The hacking group known as APT29 – also known as Cozy Bear and The Dukes – has allegedly been trying to steal information across the globe from vaccine trials.
The National Cyber Security Centre (NCSC) put out a joint statement with partner organisations in the US and Canada, claiming that the hackers “almost certainly operate as part of Russian Intelligence Services”.
It comes just an hour after foreign secretary Dominic Raab announced that Russian hackers had also tried to interfere with the UK election by “amplifying” leaked documents that Labour released at a press conference on 27 November.
It is believed that the UK’s two coronavirus vaccine projects at Oxford University and Imperial College have likely been targets and the NCSC is currently working with them to be aware of future attacks.
APT-29 has also been targetting labs working on Covid-19 therapeutic treatments.
The NCSC and its partners are currently working under the assumption that the Russian government has commissioned the attack in an attempt to beat other countries to finding a Covid-19 vaccine.
City A.M. understands that the cyber security agency believes the information being collected would be provided to the very highest levels within the Kremlin.
NCSC director of operations Paul Chichester said: “We condemn these despicable attacks against those doing vital work to combat the coronavirus pandemic.
“Working with our allies, the NCSC is committed to protecting our most critical assets and our top priority at this time is to protect the health sector.
“We would urge organisations to familiarise themselves with the advice we have published to help defend their networks.”
Responding to the news, Raab said: ““While others pursue their selfish interests with reckless behaviour, the UK and its allies are getting on with the hard work of finding a vaccine and protecting global health.”
The Prime Minister’s official spokesman added: “The attacks which are taking place against scientists and others doing vital work to combat coronavirus are despicable.
“Working with our allies, we will call out those who seek to do us harm in cyber space and hold them to account.”
The announcement coincides with several announcements about Russian interference in the UK.
Raab released a statement today confirming it is “almost certain that Russian actors sought to interfere in the 2019 general election through the online amplification” of confidential UK-US trade negotiation documents.
The government is not pinning blame on Russian actors for the release of the documents, but only for amplifying their existence online.
There has not been any suggestion that the actors are linked to the Russian state, however there is an active criminal investigation into the leak of the report.
Former Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn held a press conference on 27 November to widely release the documents, which he said showed the “NHS was for sale” in UK-US trade negotiations – a claim widely disputed.
This morning, it was announced by Westminster’s Intelligence and Security Committee that it would release its long-awaited report into Russian interference in UK politics next week.
The committee elected MP Julian Lewis as its chair last night, after he refused to vote for Downing Street’s candidate Chris Grayling.
Lewis promptly had the Tory party whip removed for the rebellion.
The Prime Minister’s spokesman said any suggestion that the release of the two Russia hacking stories today was to overshadow the release of a potentially embarrassing report was “nonsense”.
He said that the timing of the NCSC announcement was agreed with two other countries, the US and Canada, while news of the trade document leak could not be announced until the Intelligence and Security Committee had been formed.


cityam--2020-07-16--Shamima Begum wins right to return to the UK

Shamima Begum has won the right to return to the UK to challenge the Home Office ’ s decision to revoke her British citizenship in person .
Begum , who left East London in 2015 to join the Islamic State ( Isis ) in Syria , won an appeal against a ruling by the Special Immigration Appeals Commission ( Siac ) earlier this year that found the Home Office ’ s decision to strip her British citizenship did not violate her human rights .
Under international law , it is only legal to revoke a person ’ s citizenship if @ @ @ @ @ @ @ country .
Siac ruled that Begum was not rendered stateless by the decision because she was entitled to Bangladeshi citizenship .
Former home secretary Sajid Javid has slammed the Court of Appeal ’ s ruling as a “ national security risk ” that would serve as a “ lightning rod ” for extremists .
“ Whilst I respect the Court… there are important principles at stake .
Any restrictions of rights and freedoms faced by Ms Begum are a direct consequence of the actions that she has taken , in violation of both @ @ @ @ @ @ @ said Javid .
“ This is not solely a matter of justice , it is also a matter of national security.
” Javid said the move will create a “ national security risk that can not be fully mitigated , even with the diversion of significant resources ” .
He added : “ A consequence of this individual walking our streets would be that it serves as a lightning rod for both Islamist and far-right extremists.
” Begum left Bethnal Green in London aged 15 to join Isis at the height of its @ @ @ @ @ @ @ s territorial defeat four years later , she was found in a Syrian refugee camp , nine months pregnant .
Then-home secretary Javid stripped her of her British citizenship , arguing that the Isis bride had the right to become a Bangladeshi citizen since her mother was born there , even though Begum herself had never visited Bangladesh .
Javid claimed the Isis bride would present a threat to national security if she were granted the right to return to the UK .
The move prompted a high-stakes legal battle in which Begum @ @ @ @ @ @ @ was unlawful because it left her stateless .
At a hearing at the Court of Appeal last month , Begum ’ s lawyers also argued that she could not effectively challenge the decision while she was banned from returning to the UK and remained in a camp in northern Syria .
The Court of Appeal has now ruled that “ the only way in which she can have a fair and effective appeal is to be permitted to come into the United Kingdom to pursue her appeal ” .
Lord Justice Flaux said @ @ @ @ @ @ @ on the facts of this case , outweigh the national security concerns , so that the leave to enter appeals should be allowed.
” The judge found that “ the national security concerns about her could be addressed and managed if she returns to the United Kingdom ” .
In its ruling , the court said : “ If the Security Service and the Director of Public Prosecutions consider that the evidence and public interest tests for a prosecution for terrorist offences are met , she could be arrested and charged upon her @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in custody pending trial.
” In widely-watched TV interviews with British media upon her discovery in the Isis caliphate , Begum claimed she was “ just a housewife ” during her four year stint with the terror group .
Begum married a young Dutch fighter called Yago Riedijk three weeks after arriving , and gave birth to three children while living in the camp .
Her children have all since died .
A Home Office spokesperson said : “ This is a very disappointing decision by the Court .
We will now apply @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and to stay its effects pending any onward appeal .
“ The government ’ s top priority remains maintaining our national security and keeping the public safe .
”

Shamima Begum wins right to return to the UK
(via Getty)
Shamima Begum has won the right to return to the UK to challenge the Home Office’s decision to revoke her British citizenship in person.
Begum, who left East London in 2015 to join the Islamic State (Isis) in Syria, won an appeal against a ruling by the Special Immigration Appeals Commission (Siac) earlier this year that found the Home Office’s decision to strip her British citizenship did not violate her human rights.
Under international law, it is only legal to revoke a person’s citizenship if they are entitled to citizenship in another country.
Siac ruled that Begum was not rendered stateless by the decision because she was entitled to Bangladeshi citizenship.
Former home secretary Sajid Javid has slammed the Court of Appeal’s ruling as a “national security risk” that would serve as a “lightning rod” for extremists.
“Whilst I respect the Court… there are important principles at stake. Any restrictions of rights and freedoms faced by Ms Begum are a direct consequence of the actions that she has taken, in violation of both government guidance and common morality,” said Javid.
“This is not solely a matter of justice, it is also a matter of national security.”
Javid said the move will create a “national security risk that cannot be fully mitigated, even with the diversion of significant resources”.
He added: “A consequence of this individual walking our streets would be that it serves as a lightning rod for both Islamist and far-right extremists.”
Begum left Bethnal Green in London aged 15 to join Isis at the height of its power. Following the terror group’s territorial defeat four years later, she was found in a Syrian refugee camp, nine months pregnant.
Then-home secretary Javid stripped her of her British citizenship, arguing that the Isis bride had the right to become a Bangladeshi citizen since her mother was born there, even though Begum herself had never visited Bangladesh.
Javid claimed the Isis bride would present a threat to national security if she were granted the right to return to the UK.
The move prompted a high-stakes legal battle in which Begum’s lawyers argued that the decision was unlawful because it left her stateless.
At a hearing at the Court of Appeal last month, Begum’s lawyers also argued that she could not effectively challenge the decision while she was banned from returning to the UK and remained in a camp in northern Syria.
The Court of Appeal has now ruled that “the only way in which she can have a fair and effective appeal is to be permitted to come into the United Kingdom to pursue her appeal”.
Lord Justice Flaux said: “Fairness and justice must, on the facts of this case, outweigh the national security concerns, so that the leave to enter appeals should be allowed.”
The judge found that “the national security concerns about her could be addressed and managed if she returns to the United Kingdom”.
In its ruling, the court said: “If the Security Service and the Director of Public Prosecutions consider that the evidence and public interest tests for a prosecution for terrorist offences are met, she could be arrested and charged upon her arrival in the United Kingdom and remanded in custody pending trial.”
In widely-watched TV interviews with British media upon her discovery in the Isis caliphate, Begum claimed she was “just a housewife” during her four year stint with the terror group.
Begum married a young Dutch fighter called Yago Riedijk three weeks after arriving, and gave birth to three children while living in the camp. Her children have all since died.
A Home Office spokesperson said: “This is a very disappointing decision by the Court. We will now apply for permission to appeal this judgment, and to stay its effects pending any onward appeal.
“The government’s top priority remains maintaining our national security and keeping the public safe.”


cityam--2020-07-16--Russians tried to swing UK election with US trade papers used by Corbyn

Russian actors attempted to interfere in the 2019 UK Election by disseminating a leaked confidential document later released by the Labour party , according to foreign secretary Dominic Raab .
Raab released a statement today , confirming it is “ almost certain that Russian actors sought to interfere in the 2019 general election through the online amplification ” of confidential UK-US trade negotiation documents .
Read more : Jeremy Corbyn : ‘ Secret documents confirm NHS on the table in post-Brexit trade talks ’ It comes as it was revealed this afternoon that Kremlin-linked cyber criminals have been allegedly hacking @ @ @ @ @ @ @ an attempt to steal sensitive information .
The hacking group known as APT29 – also known as Cozy Bear and The Dukes – has allegedly been trying to steal information across the globe from vaccine trials .
There has not been any suggestion that the actors involved in the US trade document saga are linked to the Russian state , however there is an active criminal investigation into the leak of the report .
The government is not pinning blame on Russian actors for the release of the US trade documents , but @ @ @ @ @ @ @ The documents were uploaded to Reddit months prior to the election , before Russian hackers allegedly disseminated them during the election campaign period .
Before the Open newsletter : Start your day with the City View podcast and key market data Former Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn held a press conference on 27 November to widely release the documents , which he said showed the “ NHS was for sale ” in UK-US trade negotiations .
The claim was widely disputed , with trade experts saying the classified documents showed a routine overview of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ UK would “ continue to call out and respond to malign activity , including any attempts to interfere in our democratic processes ” .
“ Whilst there is no evidence of a broad spectrum Russian campaign against the General Election , any attempt to interfere in our democratic processes is completely unacceptable , ” he said .
“ It is , and will always be , an absolute priority to protect our democracy and elections.
” Serious questions will now be asked of Labour and where they got the documents from .
While @ @ @ @ @ @ @ find , the new revelation that Russian hackers passed around the documents to be seen will draw questions as to whether they were directly sent to Labour .
A spokesperson for the Labour Party said : “ We condemn any attempt by Russia , or any foreign power , to interfere in our country ’ s democratic processes .
“ Labour stands ready to work cross-party to protect our nation ’ s security .
That includes in our response to the publication of the long-awaited report by the Intelligence Security Committee on the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ comes as it was announced by Westminster ’ s Intelligence and Security Committee that it would release its long-awaited report into Russian interference in UK politics next week .
The committee elected MP Julian Lewis as its chair last night , after he refused to vote for Downing Street ’ s candidate Chris Grayling .
Lewis promptly had the Tory party whip removed for the rebellion .
Read more : Report into Russian interference in UK politics to be published next week The Prime Minister ’ s spokesman said any suggestion that the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ today was to overshadow the release of a potentially embarrassing report was “ nonsense ” .
He said that the timing of the NCSC announcement was agreed with two other countries , the US and Canada , while news of the trade document leak could not be announced until the Intelligence and Security Committee had been formed .

Russians tried to swing UK election with US trade papers used by Corbyn
Russian actors attempted to interfere in the 2019 UK Election by disseminating a leaked confidential document later released by the Labour party, according to foreign secretary Dominic Raab.
Raab released a statement today, confirming it is “almost certain that Russian actors sought to interfere in the 2019 general election through the online amplification” of confidential UK-US trade negotiation documents.
It comes as it was revealed this afternoon that Kremlin-linked cyber criminals have been allegedly hacking universities and organisations developing coronavirus vaccines in an attempt to steal sensitive information.
The hacking group known as APT29 – also known as Cozy Bear and The Dukes – has allegedly been trying to steal information across the globe from vaccine trials.
There has not been any suggestion that the actors involved in the US trade document saga are linked to the Russian state, however there is an active criminal investigation into the leak of the report.
The government is not pinning blame on Russian actors for the release of the US trade documents, but only for amplifying their existence online.
The documents were uploaded to Reddit months prior to the election, before Russian hackers allegedly disseminated them during the election campaign period.
Before the Open newsletter: Start your day with the City View podcast and key market data
Former Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn held a press conference on 27 November to widely release the documents, which he said showed the “NHS was for sale” in UK-US trade negotiations.
The claim was widely disputed, with trade experts saying the classified documents showed a routine overview of informal trade negotiations.
Raab said the UK would “continue to call out and respond to malign activity, including any attempts to interfere in our democratic processes”.
“Whilst there is no evidence of a broad spectrum Russian campaign against the General Election, any attempt to interfere in our democratic processes is completely unacceptable,” he said.
“It is, and will always be, an absolute priority to protect our democracy and elections.”
Serious questions will now be asked of Labour and where they got the documents from.
While there were on Reddit for anyone to find, the new revelation that Russian hackers passed around the documents to be seen will draw questions as to whether they were directly sent to Labour.
A spokesperson for the Labour Party said: “We condemn any attempt by Russia, or any foreign power, to interfere in our country’s democratic processes.
“Labour stands ready to work cross-party to protect our nation’s security. That includes in our response to the publication of the long-awaited report by the Intelligence Security Committee on the Russian threat to the UK.”
It comes as it was announced by Westminster’s Intelligence and Security Committee that it would release its long-awaited report into Russian interference in UK politics next week.
The committee elected MP Julian Lewis as its chair last night, after he refused to vote for Downing Street’s candidate Chris Grayling.
Lewis promptly had the Tory party whip removed for the rebellion.
The Prime Minister’s spokesman said any suggestion that the release of the two Russia hacking stories today was to overshadow the release of a potentially embarrassing report was “nonsense”.
He said that the timing of the NCSC announcement was agreed with two other countries, the US and Canada, while news of the trade document leak could not be announced until the Intelligence and Security Committee had been formed.


cityam--2020-07-16--Real estate investment firm Castleforge Partners closes third fund at over £270m

London-based real estate investment firm Castleforge Partners has today announced the close of its third commercial fund at over £270m .
Castleforge Partners III exceeded its predecessor by 15 per cent , even in the face of looming Brexit uncertainty and the global coronavirus pandemic .
The investment fund received support from existing investors , with around 60 per cent of capital from long-standing partners .
Read more : BoE governor calls on people to return to the office It also secured new commitments from institutional investors in North America , Europe and Latin America , including a private pension @ @ @ @ @ @ @ offices .
Co-founder Brandon Hollihan said : “ We are greatly appreciative of our investors , old and new , for their support and partnership .
It is an exciting time for Castleforge Partners , and we believe we are well positioned to access new opportunities and grow our business , whilst also supporting the communities in which we invest.
” Castleforge was founded a decade ago and since then has closed 40 deals and realised 17 .
Alex Hurst , Partner at Atlantic-Pacific , said : “ We are pleased to close @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the predecessor vehicle despite headwinds in the capital markets resulting from a trilogy of events incorporating Brexit , a snap election and a global pandemic .
We have enjoyed the second collaboration with Castleforge Partners and expect their focus on risk management and the unremitting evolution of their platform will serve investors well .
”

Real estate investment firm Castleforge Partners closes third fund at over £270m
London-based real estate investment firm Castleforge Partners has today announced the close of its third commercial fund at over £270m.
Castleforge Partners III exceeded its predecessor by 15 per cent, even in the face of looming Brexit uncertainty and the global coronavirus pandemic. The investment fund received support from existing investors, with around 60 per cent of capital from long-standing partners.
It also secured new commitments from institutional investors in North America, Europe and Latin America, including a private pension fund, endowment, foundation and family offices.
Co-founder Brandon Hollihan said: “We are greatly appreciative of our investors, old and new, for their support and partnership. It is an exciting time for Castleforge Partners, and we believe we are well positioned to access new opportunities and grow our business, whilst also supporting the communities in which we invest.”
Castleforge was founded a decade ago and since then has closed 40 deals and realised 17.
Atlantic-Pacific Capital served as the exclusive global placement agent.
Alex Hurst, Partner at Atlantic-Pacific, said: “We are pleased to close CFP III with commitments in excess of the predecessor vehicle despite headwinds in the capital markets resulting from a trilogy of events incorporating Brexit, a snap election and a global pandemic. We have enjoyed the second collaboration with Castleforge Partners and expect their focus on risk management and the unremitting evolution of their platform will serve investors well.”


cityam--2020-07-16--Coronavirus: Boris Johnson to announce £3bn for NHS in second peak preparation

Boris Johnson will announce more than £3bn in extra winter NHS funding tomorrow to prepare hospitals for a potential second peak of coronavirus .
The Prime Minister will make the announcement at a press conference tomorrow , along with the news that the government will publish another chapter of its “ roadmap ” to exiting the Covid-19 lockdown .
Read more : Sir Patrick Vallance : UK coronavirus response has not achieved a good outcome He will also pledge to have coronavirus testing capacity reach 500,00 a day by October to ramp up the NHS track and trace programme .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ beds are available in English hospitals for a potential second wave , while also being used to “ to relieve winter pressures on A+E and emergency care ” .
It comes after a new report from the Academy of Medical Sciences , which was commissioned by chief scientific adviser Sir Patrick Vallance , warned of a potential second coronavirus peak if the government does not take action now .
Before the Open newsletter : Start your day with the City View podcast and key market data The report said that there could be @ @ @ @ @ @ @ September to June next year if actions are not taken to reduce and keep down the Covid-19 rate of transmission , and bolster hospital resources .
“ Thanks to the hard work and sacrifices of the British people , the virus is under control and we have eased restrictions in a cautious , phased way , ” a Number 10 spokesperson said .
“ But the Prime Minister is clear that now is not the time for complacency , and we must make sure our NHS is battle ready for winter .
“ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ broad package of measures to protect against both a possible second wave , and to ease winter pressures and keep the public safe.
” The UK ’ s coronavirus official death toll is now at 45,119 , making it one of the highest in the world .
Vallance told a parliamentary committee today that the UK ’ s response to the coronavirus pandemic has not achieved a good outcome .
Vallance told a parliamentary committee today that he thinks about why the UK has had so many deaths “ a lot ” , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ down to many factors .
Vallance also said that he was “ sure ” that mistakes had been made during the crisis , while adding that he recommended the UK ’ s lockdown be imposed up to a week earlier than it actually was .

Coronavirus: Boris Johnson to announce £3bn for NHS in second peak preparation
The newly announced funding will mean extra beds are available in English hospitals for a potential second wave, while also being used to “to relieve winter pressures on A+E and emergency care”.
Boris Johnson will announce more than £3bn in extra winter NHS funding tomorrow to prepare hospitals for a potential second peak of coronavirus.
The Prime Minister will make the announcement at a press conference tomorrow, along with the news that the government will publish another chapter of its “roadmap” to exiting the Covid-19 lockdown.
He will also pledge to have coronavirus testing capacity reach 500,00 a day by October to ramp up the NHS track and trace programme.
The newly announced funding will mean extra beds are available in English hospitals for a potential second wave, while also being used to “to relieve winter pressures on A+E and emergency care”.
It comes after a new report from the Academy of Medical Sciences, which was commissioned by chief scientific adviser Sir Patrick Vallance, warned of a potential second coronavirus peak if the government does not take action now.
Before the Open newsletter: Start your day with the City View podcast and key market data
The report said that there could be a further 120,000 deaths from coronavirus from September to June next year if actions are not taken to reduce and keep down the Covid-19 rate of transmission, and bolster hospital resources.
“Thanks to the hard work and sacrifices of the British people, the virus is under control and we have eased restrictions in a cautious, phased way,” a Number 10 spokesperson said.
“But the Prime Minister is clear that now is not the time for complacency, and we must make sure our NHS is battle ready for winter.
“Tomorrow, he will set out a broad package of measures to protect against both a possible second wave, and to ease winter pressures and keep the public safe.”
The UK’s coronavirus official death toll is now at 45,119, making it one of the highest in the world.
Vallance told a parliamentary committee today that the UK’s response to the coronavirus pandemic has not achieved a good outcome.
Vallance told a parliamentary committee today that he thinks about why the UK has had so many deaths “a lot”, but added that the reason could be down to many factors.
Vallance also said that he was “sure” that mistakes had been made during the crisis, while adding that he recommended the UK’s lockdown be imposed up to a week earlier than it actually was.


cityam--2020-07-16--The City View: Jay Hambro on green manufacturing

Today Andy Silvester is joined by Jay Hambro , Chief Investment Officer at GFG Alliance .
They talk about green manufacturing , the opportunity for building back better and the need for government to invest in manufacturing .
Andy also looks at the latest unemployment numbers , Bank Chief Andrew Bailey ’ s call for a return to work and the breakdown of an EU-US data deal .
ETX Capital is one of the UK ’ s leading spread betting and CFD trading providers , offering services to retail , institutional , professional and high net worth customers via an @ @ @ @ @ @ @ years of experience in the financial markets , customers and service are always put first at ETX , and the company prides itself in offering a tailor-made trading experience to every customer .
The multi-device TraderPro platform delivers a fully customisable , award-winning trading technology with customisable charts , instant execution and over 5,000 markets to trade .
Disclaimer : Spread bets and CFDs are complex instruments and come with a high risk of losing money rapidly due to leverage .
76 % of retail investor accounts lose money when spread betting or @ @ @ @ @ @ @ consider whether you understand how spread bets or CFDs work and whether you can afford to take the high risk of losing your money .
Authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority with Financial Services register number 124721 .
ETX Capital provides an execution-only service and therefore any market analysis , opinion , commentary or other information provided during this webinar is for educational purposes only and is not intended to be a personal recommendation or construed as advice .
ETX Capital and the presenter are not financial or investment advisors and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ kind .
Any instruments that are mentioned throughout are cited only for illustrative and educational purposes .

The City View: Jay Hambro on green manufacturing
Subscribe to The City View Podcast: Apple / Google / Spotify / RSS
Today Andy Silvester is joined by Jay Hambro, Chief Investment Officer at GFG Alliance. They talk about green manufacturing, the opportunity for building back better and the need for government to invest in manufacturing.
Andy also looks at the latest unemployment numbers, Bank Chief Andrew Bailey’s call for a return to work and the breakdown of an EU-US data deal.
In association with ETX Capital
ETX Capital is one of the UK’s leading spread betting and CFD trading providers, offering services to retail, institutional, professional and high net worth customers via an award-winning trading platform. With over 50 years of experience in the financial markets, customers and service are always put first at ETX, and the company prides itself in offering a tailor-made trading experience to every customer. The multi-device TraderPro platform delivers a fully customisable, award-winning trading technology with customisable charts, instant execution and over 5,000 markets to trade.
Disclaimer: Spread bets and CFDs are complex instruments and come with a high risk of losing money rapidly due to leverage. 76% of retail investor accounts lose money when spread betting or trading CFDs with ETX. You should consider whether you understand how spread bets or CFDs work and whether you can afford to take the high risk of losing your money. Authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority with Financial Services register number 124721. ETX Capital provides an execution-only service and therefore any market analysis, opinion, commentary or other information provided during this webinar is for educational purposes only and is not intended to be a personal recommendation or construed as advice. ETX Capital and the presenter are not financial or investment advisors and do not recommend any instrument of any kind. Any instruments that are mentioned throughout are cited only for illustrative and educational purposes.


cityam--2020-07-17--Boris Johnson: Social distancing may end in November

Prime Minister Boris Johnson has said social distancing could be scrapped by November as the government tries to move the country back to “ significant normality ” before Christmas .
“ It is my strong and sincere hope that we will be able to review the outstanding restrictions and allow a more significant return to normality from November at the earliest , ” Johnson said in a speech from Downing Street .
Read more : England lockdown : Guidance on public transport and workplaces to be relaxed He said that as part of this plan , “ it may conceivably @ @ @ @ @ @ @ distancing measures , from the one-metre rule ” .
Johnson also said crowds could be able to return to sports stadiums in October in a major boost to the industry .
The one-metre rule – which says people who are not living together should stay one metre apart – came into force towards the end of June .
It replaced a two-metre rule .
The government hopes it will boost the economy by allowing more people to go to places like shops and restaurants .
Social distancing changes last on the list The @ @ @ @ @ @ @ England ’ s coronavirus lockdown .
He said people may use public transport for journeys immediately .
He also said that from 1 August the government will scrap its guidance that people should work from home .
“ We are going to give employers more discretion , ” he said .
“ And ask them to make decisions about how their staff can work safely.
” Read more : Boris Johnson says UK will move to local coronavirus lockdowns However , the government ’ s chief scientific adviser Sir Patrick Vallance yesterday said @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to stop working from home .
“ For many companies [ it ] remains a perfectly good option because it ’ s easy to do.
” The PM also said that most leisure businesses such as bowling alleys and ice-skating rinks could reopen from 1 August .
But he said nightclubs and soft-play areas will stay shut .

Boris Johnson: Social distancing may end in November
Prime Minister Boris Johnson has said social distancing could be scrapped by November as the government tries to move the country back to “significant normality” before Christmas.
“It is my strong and sincere hope that we will be able to review the outstanding restrictions and allow a more significant return to normality from November at the earliest,” Johnson said in a speech from Downing Street.
He said that as part of this plan, “it may conceivably be possible to move away from social distancing measures, from the one-metre rule”.
Johnson also said crowds could be able to return to sports stadiums in October in a major boost to the industry.
The one-metre rule – which says people who are not living together should stay one metre apart – came into force towards the end of June.
It replaced a two-metre rule. The government hopes it will boost the economy by allowing more people to go to places like shops and restaurants.
Social distancing changes last on the list
The PM announced a number of changes to England’s coronavirus lockdown. He said people may use public transport for journeys immediately.
He also said that from 1 August the government will scrap its guidance that people should work from home.
“We are going to give employers more discretion,” he said. “And ask them to make decisions about how their staff can work safely.”
However, the government’s chief scientific adviser Sir Patrick Vallance yesterday said he saw “absolutely no reason” to stop working from home. “For many companies [it] remains a perfectly good option because it’s easy to do.”
The PM also said that most leisure businesses such as bowling alleys and ice-skating rinks could reopen from 1 August. But he said nightclubs and soft-play areas will stay shut.


cityam--2020-07-17--Matt Hancock calls for 'urgent review' into England coronavirus deaths tally

Health secretary Matt Hancock has called for an “ urgent ” review into an official tally of coronavirus deaths that has been revealed to include people dying of other causes .
Public Health England ( PHE ) included people who tested positive for Covid-19 but died from other causes in its stats of coronavirus deaths in the country , the Evening Standard first reported .
Read more : Boris Johnson says UK will move to local coronavirus lockdowns “ The health secretary has asked Public Health England to conduct an urgent review into the reporting of deaths statistics , aimed @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of fatalities related to Covid-19 as we move past the peak of the virus , ” a Department of Health and Social Care spokesperson told City A.M. Order-Order also reported that England ’ s daily average coronavirus death rate of 72 could be inflated by as much as 100 per cent as a result .
That would mean fewer than an average of 40 people are dying of coronavirus each day .
A source told the Standard : “ We noticed that hospital deaths were falling but community deaths were up and wondered @ @ @ @ @ @ @ could have been tested positive in February , recovered , then hit by a bus in July and you ’ d be recorded as a covid death.
” PHE responded by saying there is no one way of counting coronavirus deaths .
“ In England , we count all those that have died who had a positive Covid-19 test at any point , to ensure our data is as complete as possible , ” PHW incident director Dr Susan Hopkins said .
“ We must remember that this is a new and emerging @ @ @ @ @ @ @ long term health problems for some of those affected .
Whilst this knowledge is growing , now is the right time to review how deaths are calculated.
” Read more : 66 more people die of coronavirus in the UK Some nations ’ death tallies do not count deaths 28 days after a positive coronavirus deaths but PHE does count these fatalities .
And those who have had Covid-19 but it was not recorded as a cause of death are also included in PHE stats .
The Department of Health ’ s tally @ @ @ @ @ @ @ tallies .
Yesterday it counted a total of 45,119 UK Covid-19 deaths .
A Reuters count including suspected deaths puts the number at 56,000 .

Matt Hancock calls for ‘urgent review’ into England coronavirus deaths tally
Matt Hancock is to call for an ‘urgent review’ into Public Health England’s coronavirus deaths tally after it reportedly included people who tested positive for Covid-19 but died from other causes
Health secretary Matt Hancock has called for an “urgent” review into an official tally of coronavirus deaths that has been revealed to include people dying of other causes.
Public Health England (PHE) included people who tested positive for Covid-19 but died from other causes in its stats of coronavirus deaths in the country, the Evening Standard first reported.
“The health secretary has asked Public Health England to conduct an urgent review into the reporting of deaths statistics, aimed at providing greater clarity on the number of fatalities related to Covid-19 as we move past the peak of the virus,” a Department of Health and Social Care spokesperson told City A.M.
Order-Order also reported that England’s daily average coronavirus death rate of 72 could be inflated by as much as 100 per cent as a result. That would mean fewer than an average of 40 people are dying of coronavirus each day.
A source told the Standard: “We noticed that hospital deaths were falling but community deaths were up and wondered why.
“It turns out you could have been tested positive in February, recovered, then hit by a bus in July and you’d be recorded as a covid death.”
BREAKING ….
Matt Hancock calling "urgent review" into a staggering fiasco at Public Health England.
They are counting people who die of natural causes as coronavirus deaths if they tested positive at any time previously.
Not clear how many deaths were recorded in this way — Joe Murphy (@JoeMurphyLondon) July 17, 2020
PHE responded by saying there is no one way of counting coronavirus deaths.
“In England, we count all those that have died who had a positive Covid-19 test at any point, to ensure our data is as complete as possible,” PHW incident director Dr Susan Hopkins said.
“We must remember that this is a new and emerging infection and there is increasing evidence of long term health problems for some of those affected. Whilst this knowledge is growing, now is the right time to review how deaths are calculated.”
Some nations’ death tallies do not count deaths 28 days after a positive coronavirus deaths but PHE does count these fatalities.
And those who have had Covid-19 but it was not recorded as a cause of death are also included in PHE stats.
The Department of Health’s tally of coronavirus deaths is lower than other tallies. Yesterday it counted a total of 45,119 UK Covid-19 deaths. A Reuters count including suspected deaths puts the number at 56,000.


cityam--2020-07-17--England lockdown: Guidance on public transport and workplaces to be relaxed

From 1 August employers will be asked to decide on whether to bring staff back to workplaces after the coronavirus lockdown , Boris Johnson announced today .
Restrictions on public transport will also be lifted from today , he said , with anybody now allowed to use any method of travel they wish .
Read more : Boris Johnson announces plans to allow local coronavirus lockdowns Speaking at a press conference , the Prime Minister said that employers would be given “ more discretion ” to make decisions to bring staff back .
Workers should only be asked to return @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
“ It is only right that we give employers more discretion , while ensuring employees remain safe ” , he said .
“ If employees think it would be better and more productive to come into the office and if they can work in a Covid-secure way in the office then there should be discussions between employers and employees and they should take a decision ” , he said .
“ People have discovered lots of ways of working in the last few months .
New patterns of work are emerging and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ differently .
“ Where employers think it ’ s time to come back and it can be done in a safe way that is what we think they should be doing but it ’ s for them and their employees to decide ” , he added .
Before the Open newsletter : Start your day with the City View podcast and key market data Yesterday the government ’ s chief scientific adviser Sir Patrick Vallance said that he could see no reason to relax the working from home advice .
Johnson said he @ @ @ @ @ @ @ it was a decision for individual employers to make .
However , he said that while ministers took the advice of its scientists “ very seriously ” , in the end , decisions on lifting restrictions were taken by elected officials .
The London Chambers of Commerce chief executive said it welcomed the “ improved clarity ” in Johnsons ’ announcement .
“ It is now essential that clarity and the change in tone towards what we can do ( rather than what we can not ) is reflected in the decisions of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ boroughs ” , chief executive Richard Burge said .
“ Employers should only be reopening offices once they have carried out a Covid-19 risk assessment , including consultation with their staff .
“ Commuting remains the biggest barrier for many employees returning to the office , and it ’ s imperative that businesses continue to play their part in mitigating London ’ s public transport dilemma during the pandemic ” .
The IoD ’ s director of policy Edwin Morgan that though many businesses were keen to return to workplaces there was still @ @ @ @ @ @ @ : Leicester lockdown to be eased on 24 July “ Directors need to balance the risks , and won ’ t want to increase the possibility of closures down the line by rushing back .
On top of this , not everything is in a company ’ s control .
“ Childcare is an issue for many employees , and even if the guidance is changed , some staff who use public transport will still be concerned .
Businesses will have to deal sensitively with these issues ” .
Next steps in reopening @ @ @ @ @ @ @ came as Johnson laid out the government ’ s new “ roadmap ” for further easing lockdown restrictions .
From the same date , restrictions on leisure facilities such as bowling alleys , skating rinks , casinos and beauticians will be relaxed .
Shielding restrictions for vulnerable people will also be paused at the end of this month .
The government will also pilot larger gatherings in sport stadia ahead of plans to bring back some spectators in October .
There was good news for those planning weddings as well , with 30 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ from next month .
British Chamber of Commerce director-general Adam Marshall said : “ Businesses that have so far been unable to open will be pleased to finally have a timetable for reopening so they can plan ahead .
“ Government must consider what further support they can offer to firms that will need to remain closed into the autumn , beyond the end-date for government support schemes and many businesses ’ cash reserves.
” Read more : London ’ s R rate could be as high as 1.1 Johnson said that the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ bring back conferences and business events later in the autumn .
He said that he hoped there would be a further return to “ normality ” in November at the earliest , “ possibly in time for Christmas ” .
Johnson said that relaxing the measures was contingent on the UK continuing to suppress the virus , but insisted that “ it is very important we hope for the best but plan for the worst .
”

England lockdown: Guidance on public transport and workplaces to be relaxed
From 1 August employers will be asked to decide on whether to bring staff back to workplaces after the coronavirus lockdown, Boris Johnson announced today.
Restrictions on public transport will also be lifted from today, he said, with anybody now allowed to use any method of travel they wish.
Speaking at a press conference, the Prime Minister said that employers would be given “more discretion” to make decisions to bring staff back.
Workers should only be asked to return if it is safe, Johnson said.
“It is only right that we give employers more discretion, while ensuring employees remain safe”, he said.
“If employees think it would be better and more productive to come into the office and if they can work in a Covid-secure way in the office then there should be discussions between employers and employees and they should take a decision”, he said.
“People have discovered lots of ways of working in the last few months. New patterns of work are emerging and companies are seeing opportunities to do things differently.
“Where employers think it’s time to come back and it can be done in a safe way that is what we think they should be doing but it’s for them and their employees to decide”, he added.
Before the Open newsletter: Start your day with the City View podcast and key market data
Yesterday the government’s chief scientific adviser Sir Patrick Vallance said that he could see no reason to relax the working from home advice.
Johnson said he agreed with the comments, insisting that it was a decision for individual employers to make.
However, he said that while ministers took the advice of its scientists “very seriously”, in the end, decisions on lifting restrictions were taken by elected officials.
The London Chambers of Commerce chief executive said it welcomed the “improved clarity” in Johnsons’ announcement.
“It is now essential that clarity and the change in tone towards what we can do (rather than what we cannot) is reflected in the decisions of the Mayor of London and the individual boroughs”, chief executive Richard Burge said.
“Employers should only be reopening offices once they have carried out a Covid-19 risk assessment, including consultation with their staff.
“Commuting remains the biggest barrier for many employees returning to the office, and it’s imperative that businesses continue to play their part in mitigating London’s public transport dilemma during the pandemic”.
The IoD’s director of policy Edwin Morgan that though many businesses were keen to return to workplaces there was still a lot of caution.
“Directors need to balance the risks, and won’t want to increase the possibility of closures down the line by rushing back. On top of this, not everything is in a company’s control.
“Childcare is an issue for many employees, and even if the guidance is changed, some staff who use public transport will still be concerned. Businesses will have to deal sensitively with these issues”.
Next steps in reopening ‘roadmap’ laid out
The announcements came as Johnson laid out the government’s new “roadmap” for further easing lockdown restrictions.
From the same date, restrictions on leisure facilities such as bowling alleys, skating rinks, casinos and beauticians will be relaxed.
Shielding restrictions for vulnerable people will also be paused at the end of this month.
The government will also pilot larger gatherings in sport stadia ahead of plans to bring back some spectators in October.
There was good news for those planning weddings as well, with 30 people to be allowed at wedding receptions from next month.
British Chamber of Commerce director-general Adam Marshall said: “Businesses that have so far been unable to open will be pleased to finally have a timetable for reopening so they can plan ahead.
“Government must consider what further support they can offer to firms that will need to remain closed into the autumn, beyond the end-date for government support schemes and many businesses’ cash reserves.”
Johnson said that the government was also looking at plans to bring back conferences and business events later in the autumn.
He said that he hoped there would be a further return to “normality” in November at the earliest, “possibly in time for Christmas”.
Johnson said that relaxing the measures was contingent on the UK continuing to suppress the virus, but insisted that “it is very important we hope for the best but plan for the worst.”


cityam--2020-07-17--London's R rate could be as high as 1.1

London's R rate could be as high as 1.1

London ’ s R rate could be as high as 1.1 , according to the government ’ s Sage advisory group .
The R rate – the reproduction rate of the virus – is between 0.8 and 1.1 in the capital as the government continues to ease lockdown measures .
It stands at 0.7 and 0.9 in the rest of the UK , Boris Johnson said today .
Read more : England lockdown : Guidance on public transport and workplaces to be relaxed Coronavirus infections in London could also be increasing at a rate of two per cent , Sage @ @ @ @ @ @ @ decreasing , with Sage publishing a range of minus three per cent to plus two per cent growth .
Both London and the south west ’ s R rates could have risen above one , the scientific body said today .
The east of England ’ s R rate is somewhere between 0.8 and 1 while the Midlands , south east and north west could also have hit one .
Just three regions of England – the Midlands , North East and Yorkshire and north west – are definitely seeing a decline in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ s statistics .
The data was published today as the Prime Minister committed to a further easing of England ’ s lockdown .
He said guidance on using public transport will be relaxed , while he will ask employers to decide whether staff can return to offices safely from 1 August .
Read more : Boris Johnson announces plans to allow local coronavirus lockdowns “ If employers think it would be better and more productive to come into the office and if they can work in a covid-secure way in the office then @ @ @ @ @ @ @ employees and they should take a decision , ” Johnson said .
“ People have discovered lots of ways of working in the last few months .
New patterns of work are emerging and companies are seeing opportunities to do things differently .
”

London’s R rate could be as high as 1.1
LONDON, ENGLAND – MARCH 25: Police Office and National Rail Staff are seen at an empty Waterloo Station on March 25, 2020 in London, England. British Prime Minister, Boris Johnson, announced strict lockdown measures urging people to stay at home and only leave the house for basic food shopping, exercise once a day and essential travel to and from work. The Coronavirus (COVID-19) has spread to at least 194 countries, claiming over 18,500 lives and infecting over 420,000 people. There have now been over 8,000 diagnosed cases in the UK and 422 deaths. (Photo by Alex Davidson/Getty Images)
London’s R rate could be as high as 1.1, according to the government’s Sage advisory group.
The R rate – the reproduction rate of the virus – is between 0.8 and 1.1 in the capital as the government continues to ease lockdown measures. It stands at 0.7 and 0.9 in the rest of the UK, Boris Johnson said today.
Coronavirus infections in London could also be increasing at a rate of two per cent, Sage warned. But they could also be decreasing, with Sage publishing a range of minus three per cent to plus two per cent growth.
Both London and the south west’s R rates could have risen above one, the scientific body said today.
The east of England’s R rate is somewhere between 0.8 and 1 while the Midlands, south east and north west could also have hit one.
Just three regions of England – the Midlands, North East and Yorkshire and north west – are definitely seeing a decline in coronavirus infections, according to Sage’s statistics.
The data was published today as the Prime Minister committed to a further easing of England’s lockdown.
He said guidance on using public transport will be relaxed, while he will ask employers to decide whether staff can return to offices safely from 1 August.
“If employers think it would be better and more productive to come into the office and if they can work in a covid-secure way in the office then there should be discussions between employers and employees and they should take a decision,” Johnson said.
“People have discovered lots of ways of working in the last few months. New patterns of work are emerging and companies are seeing opportunities to do things differently.”
More to follow.


cityam--2020-07-17--Boris Johnson says England will move to local coronavirus lockdowns

Prime Minister Boris Johnson has said councils and the central government will be able to implement local lockdowns to tackle coronavirus outbreaks in a major shift in policy .
“ From tomorrow , local authorities will have new powers in their areas , ” Johnson said .
“ They will be able to close specific premises , shut local outdoor spaces and cancel events.
” Read more : England lockdown : Guidance on public transport and workplaces to be relaxed “ These powers will enable local authorities to act more quickly in response to outbreaks where speed is paramount.
” @ @ @ @ @ @ @ order people to stay at home in certain areas , close premises and types of premises , and restrict transport systems .
In a major speech the PM said scientists now know much more about the virus .
That means “ we can control it through targeted local action instead , ” Johnson said .
“ Next week we ’ ll publish draft regulations which clearly set out how central government can intervene more effectively at a local level , ” he said .
He said local lockdowns in England will rely on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ To that end , he promised to increase coronavirus tests to 500,000 a day by the end of October .
Johnson said : “ It isn ’ t easy and for some it may seem unjust that people just a short distance away can live their lives as normal.
” But he said targeted action was now more appropriate .
Johnson also confirmed that he would make £3bn extra funding available for the NHS .
The government hopes this will ensure it can deal with a second wave of coronavirus cases in the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that the virus will be more virulent in the winter months , ” he said .
He said the specially-built Nightingale NHS hospitals will be maintained until the end of March next year and that the health system now has just under 30,000 ventilators to use .
The speech came after the government ’ s chief scientific adviser Sir Patrick Vallance yesterday said the UK had not achieved a good outcome when dealing with coronavirus .
“ It ’ s very difficult to know exactly where we stand at the moment .
It @ @ @ @ @ @ @ not been good in the UK , ” Vallance told MPs yesterday .
There have been more than 45,000 coronavirus deaths in the UK , according to government figures .
That is one of the worst tallies in the world .

Boris Johnson says England will move to local coronavirus lockdowns
Prime Minister Boris Johnson has said councils and the central government will be able to implement local lockdowns to tackle coronavirus outbreaks in a major shift in policy.
“From tomorrow, local authorities will have new powers in their areas,” Johnson said. “They will be able to close specific premises, shut local outdoor spaces and cancel events.”
“These powers will enable local authorities to act more quickly in response to outbreaks where speed is paramount.”
He said ministers will be able to order people to stay at home in certain areas, close premises and types of premises, and restrict transport systems.
In a major speech the PM said scientists now know much more about the virus. That means “we can control it through targeted local action instead,” Johnson said.
“Next week we’ll publish draft regulations which clearly set out how central government can intervene more effectively at a local level,” he said.
He said local lockdowns in England will rely on a strong test and trace system. To that end, he promised to increase coronavirus tests to 500,000 a day by the end of October.
Boris Johnson: Local lockdowns ‘may seem unjust’
Johnson said: “It isn’t easy and for some it may seem unjust that people just a short distance away can live their lives as normal.” But he said targeted action was now more appropriate.
Johnson also confirmed that he would make £3bn extra funding available for the NHS. The government hopes this will ensure it can deal with a second wave of coronavirus cases in the winter.
“It’s possible that the virus will be more virulent in the winter months,” he said.
He said the specially-built Nightingale NHS hospitals will be maintained until the end of March next year and that the health system now has just under 30,000 ventilators to use.
The speech came after the government’s chief scientific adviser Sir Patrick Vallance yesterday said the UK had not achieved a good outcome when dealing with coronavirus.
“It’s very difficult to know exactly where we stand at the moment. It’s clear that the outcome has not been good in the UK,” Vallance told MPs yesterday.
There have been more than 45,000 coronavirus deaths in the UK, according to government figures. That is one of the worst tallies in the world.