“We had a good three months of trading over summer when everything opened up and we had Eat Out to Help Out, and we even took on 16 new people in July. But we are having to seriously consider laying off large numbers of staff as business has died – […]
firms
Law firms hit with big increases in professional indemnity insurance
Law firms have been hit with huge increases in the cost of professional indemnity insurance as the economic downturn fuels fears of a spike in claims. Most firms were forced to accept increases of 20-30pc last week as the October renewal date for their professional cover passed, insurance brokers said. […]
City back in shutdown as firms send staff home
Britain’s biggest banks, law firms and accountants have cancelled plans to bring thousands of workers back to the office following new advice from ministers – dragging the City back into shutdown and sparking fresh fears for the tottering London economy. Some of the Square Mile’s biggest businesses have said that staff […]
Pressure selling from financial firms on the rise as watchdog tries to clamp down
Jonathan Cary of law firm RCP said firms had to ensure they had strict rules in place to protect customers. “Selling techniques which exploit consumers have been brought into sharp focus during the pandemic. The threat of a deep recession and finances being stretched further means some employees are resorting […]
Anger as Johnson leaves firms high and dry
Furious business chiefs stepped up calls for far-reaching taxpayer support on Tuesday after Boris Johnson imposed six months of new restrictions but left companies out on a limb. The demands came as Bank of England Governor Andrew Bailey also called for a “rethink” of the furlough scheme protecting more than 3m […]
Why Covid insurance ruling may mean more pain for small firms
Pulman’s lawyers, Mishcon de Reya, believe his claim is one of thousands that should now be paid following the decision. But for many businesses Tuesday’s complex 162-page judgment will not be the end of the matter. “It’s not all unbridled joy [for small businesses],” says Ravi Nayer, an insurance lawyer […]
‘Don’t make us die’ cry firms frozen out of Covid help
The government has spent billions supporting businesses through coronavirus. But some industries and individuals have fallen through the gaps, while others are not being allowed to reopen even as support starts to wind down. In the first of a three-part series looking at companies and individuals being failed by coronavirus […]
Firms demand urgent support as Covid restrictions tighten
Industry chiefs have called for urgent support for businesses amid warnings that tighter restrictions on social gatherings could deal a further body blow to consumer confidence. Social gatherings of more than six people will be illegal in England from Monday as part of new rules introduced by the Prime Minister […]
Small firms face being locked out of Sunak’s flagship youth jobs scheme
Thousands of small companies face being locked out of Rishi Sunak’s £2bn flagship jobs scheme after being told they must create at least 30 work placements or band together in a group to qualify. Business leaders warned that small firms will struggle to access the Kickstart scheme – which offers six-month paid placements for young […]
The eight steps firms must take to get Covid-conscious workers back into the office
Employers need to recognise that workers will be “reticent” to return which means they will have to have “a stringent strategy in place to protect staff and address concerns,” said Ann Francke, chief executive of the Chartered Management Institute. “This will be best achieved through consulting with staff and ensuring […]