What now for British economy with UK-EU trade deal reached?
by Pan Pylas, The Associated Press
Posted Dec 24, 2020 2:24 pm EDT
Last Updated Dec 24, 2020 at 2:26 pm EDT
LONDON The last-minute trade deal between the U.K. and the European Union means businesses will be spared new tariffs and border disruption at the start of the new year – an economic shock that would have compounded the employment and financial troubles inflicted by the pandemic.
News of the agreement Thursday brought sighs of relief from the offices of corporate bosses and politicians, as well as from consumers anticipating produce shortages and transport workers facing the potential of long backups at border crossings.
UK extends salary support program to contain unemployment vancourier.com - get the latest breaking news, showbiz & celebrity photos, sport news & rumours, viral videos and top stories from vancourier.com Daily Mail and Mail on Sunday newspapers.
LONDON (AP) The British government on Thursday extended its salary support program by another month through to the end of April as it tries to keep a lid on unemployment as coronavirus restrictions slam businesses.
The government confirmed it would carry on paying 80% of the salaries of those workers retained by firms rather than fired. It also extended its government-guaranteed COVID-19 business loan schemes for two months until the end of March.
“We know the premium businesses place on certainty, so it is right that we enable them to plan ahead regardless of the path the virus takes, which is why we’re providing certainty and clarity by extending this support, said Treasury chief Rishi Sunak.
Bitcoin hits all-time high rising above $20,000
Published
The volatile virtual currency has gained more than 170% this year amid stock market turmoil.
On Wednesday Bitcoin jumped 4.5% to as much as $20,440 buoyed by demand from large investors keen on its potential for quick profits.
There are also expectations that it may gain more widespread traction as a payment method from the likes of Starbucks and Microsoft.
But it has been a bumpy ride for investors, with the cryptocurrency passing $19,000 in November before dropping sharply. Very nervous
Bitcoin is widely traded much like real currencies such as the pound and the US dollar. But it also has growing support as a form of payment with PayPal among the most recent adopters of digital currencies.