Firms ready to restart within three weeks, says business group
Simon Read Business reporter PA Media Are employees prepared for the return to work? Most firms believe they could be ready to restart business with just three weeks’ notice. That’s according to the latest British Chambers of Commerce Coronavirus weekly survey of firms. BBC News talked to companies in five different sectors to find out […]
Climate change: Will insect-eating dogs help?
Roger Harrabin BBC environment analyst Yora Do you fret that your pet pooch is blamed by environmentalists for turning rainforests into poo in the park? Have no fear – you can now fatten Fido on black soldier flies instead of Brazilian beef. A pet food manufacturer now claims that 40% of its new product is […]
Many firms ‘have not considered Brexit effect’
Why is it so hard to reach a Brexit deal? Only half of UK firms that trade internationally have considered the impact of Brexit on their business, says the British Chambers of Commerce. It said only 52% of them had carried out a risk assessment ahead of the end of the Brexit transition period on […]
Government ‘will support agriculture in no-deal’
Conor Macauley BBC NI Agriculture & Environment Correspondent Government “will support agriculture if no-deal Brexit happens” The government is prepared to support the agricultural sector if needed in a no-deal Brexit, a cabinet minister has said. Defra secretary Theresa Villiers met representatives of NI’s agri-food industry in Belfast on Wednesday. Her comments follow stark warnings […]
White Paper sets out post-Brexit rules for migrants
The home secretary sidesteps a question about immigration targets The measure, which would last until 2025, is intended to protect parts of the economy reliant on overseas labour. The idea was described as “shocking” by campaign group Migration Watch. Home Secretary Sajid Javid said the new system would be based on UK needs rather than […]
‘Wylfa supply chain jobs could drain away to England’
Brian Meechan BBC Wales business correspondent BBC Fruit and vegetable supplier Ffrwythau D.J. Fruits in Porthmadog cannot find premises to expand Jobs created by a £12bn nuclear power plant could be lost to England because of a lack of business premises, according to a property expert. The Wylfa Newydd plant would employ around 9,000 people, […]
Cannabis-laced beer and dog treats excite big firms
Jill Treanor & Daniele Palumbo BBC News Reuters Big companies are scrambling to grab a share of the $150bn (£119bn) global cannabis market, eyeing products as diverse as beer and dog treats. The report by the ratings agency says growth may be volatile, because of the changing regulatory framework. But it points to growth in […]
Nigeria’s Supreme Court rules CBN naira redesign invalid
Nduka Orjinmo BBC News, Abuja Getty Images Some people queued overnight outside banks to try and get cash Nigeria’s Supreme Court has ruled that old banknotes remain legal tender until the end of the year, bringing relief to millions affected by a chaotic redesign of the naira notes. The justices said that not enough notice […]
Whisky production to resume despite virus concerns
Andrew Picken BBC Scotland News SWA A number of whisky bottling plants which suspended work due to coronavirus are set to reopen. The GMB Scotland union says facilities owned by Edrington, Inver House and North British have approached staff about coming back to work. Other firms in the whisky and spirits industry, such as Diageo […]
Lightning strike ‘partly to blame’ for power cut
Ian Westbrook BBC Business reporter PA Media Train passengers were guided by torchlight at some stations during the power cut The National Grid outage affected homes, businesses and transport, and while power was restored quite quickly, disruption continued into the next day. That could lead to a financial penalty. The investigation – what happens next? […]