Fury at banks for charging over 12% interest rate on loans to help firms during coronavirus crisis 

Barclays was last night accused of charging struggling firms up to 12 per cent interest on Government-backed crisis loans. Major banks have also come under fire for telling company directors their personal assets will be seized if their businesses fail. The Coronavirus Business Interruption Loan Scheme was launched by 40 lenders on Monday as part … Read more

MARKET REPORT: British pharma shares climb as firms lead the virus war

Britain’s science and pharmaceuticals expertise was out in full force as a clutch of junior market-listed firms made strides in fighting coronavirus.  Novacyt and Yourgene surged after inking a manufacturing deal that will help Novacyt step up production of tests for the disease.  Yourgene’s state-of-the-art facility in Manchester will initially make critical components – but … Read more

Firms told to scrap fat-cat bonuses during the coronavirus crisis

Firms told to scrap fat-cat bonuses as they axe dividends and lay off staff during the coronavirus crisis By Daily Mail City & Finance Reporter Published: 21:50 GMT, 25 March 2020 | Updated: 21:56 GMT, 25 March 2020 Shareholder advisory service Pirc is urging firms to scrap executive payouts  Thousands of businesses have been urged … Read more

Shopping centre owners and other property firms say they face collapse

Shopping centre owners and other property firms warn they face collapse without support to replace lost rental income By Daily Mail City & Finance Reporter Published: 01:21 GMT, 25 March 2020 | Updated: 01:21 GMT, 25 March 2020 Shopping centre owners and other property firms have warned ministers that they face collapse without support to … Read more

From home shopping to online gaming, some firms are thriving: Here’s how you can spot them

It is hard to find a silver lining in the coronavirus crisis, but what is make-or-break for many business sectors – including travel, tourism and hospitality – might turn out to be a chance for others. With many people working from home, there is a huge opportunity for businesses that offer anything from online gaming … Read more

We’ll lend firms £250k in 48 hours to survive the economic crisis, say banks 

We’ll lend firms £250k in 48 hours to survive the economic crisis, say banks By Helen Cahill For The Mail On Sunday Published: 23:06 GMT, 21 March 2020 | Updated: 23:06 GMT, 21 March 2020 The new emergency loans will be interest-free for the first year Banks will tomorrow promise to hand small businesses interest-free … Read more

Panicked firms call insolvency experts as the crisis worsens amid lockdown

Panicked firms call insolvency experts as the crisis worsens amid lockdown By Harriet Dennys For Financial Mail On Sunday Published: 23:07 GMT, 21 March 2020 | Updated: 23:07 GMT, 21 March 2020 Hundreds of firms have contacted insolvency specialists after Boris Johnson put Britain into lockdown. R3, which represents 800 restructuring firms including KPMG, EY, … Read more

Tech firms cash in as office staff switch to working from home

Tech firms cash in as office staff switch to working from home during the coronavirus pandemic By Matt Oliver For The Daily Mail Published: 21:50 GMT, 20 March 2020 | Updated: 22:28 GMT, 20 March 2020 Technology companies are cashing in as millions of office staff switch to working from home during the coronavirus pandemic.  … Read more