Quarter of workers furloughed

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Government pays quarter of wages

The coronavirus job retention scheme is now paying the wages of over 6.3 million furloughed workers who can't work because of the lockdown. That’s 23% of the UK’s total employed workforce. The government has paid over £8 billion in wages so far, with an average monthly payout of £1,269.

Priority is saving lives

67% of people around the world think it’s more important for governments to save lives than to restart economies. That’s according to the Edelman Trust Barometer, a global poll which measures peoples’ trust in institutions. Its findings seem to suggest that “lockdown fatigue” isn’t yet affecting populations as severely as expected.

Trade talks begin

The first round of talks between the UK and the US will begin today with video conferencing sessions between trade officials. Business groups representing small businesses say a trade deal is important for small firms looking to boost their exports.

Car industry stalls

Car sales in the UK dropped 97% in April as consumers retreat. But it’s a coronavirus double whammy for the car industry. Amid the downturn, Volkswagen has warned that it’s also getting more expensive to make cars*. Why? Factories that produce the parts are operating at lower capacity, driving up the costs across the supply chain.

Cat scammers

If you’ve been tempted to get a new furry friend to keep you company, you’re not alone. But those online ads may not be what they seem. In the last two months, 669 people have been conned into buying kittens and puppies that don’t exist. Action Fraud says customers should research the seller and ask to see videos of animals before sending any money.

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