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Microsoft co-founder and philanthropist Bill Gates set off a debate in the aviation industry when he predicted late last year that more than 50% of business travel would permanently disappear post the COVID-19 pandemic as companies cozy up to working from home. Gates said companies would retain a "very high threshold" before sending their employees packing on business trips. While many aviation industry experts have dismissed Gates' forecast as way too dire, they tend to agree that some portion of business traffic might have gone away for good thanks to conferencing platforms such as Zoom, Microsoft Teams or Google Meet and the feasibility of working from home. Any fall in business travel would deal a big blow to an industry already devastated by the pandemic. Airlines rely on lucrative business trips to lure leisure passengers by offering them tickets at a discount. US airlines raked in half their revenue from business travelers before the pandemic even though they accounted … [Read more...] about Zoom vs. handshake battle to impact business air travel’s fate

Today is International Women's Day : and Archewell, the foundation created by the Duke and Duchess of Sussex , celebrates this on its internet home page. Harry and Meghan declare: 'Let's unleash a groundswell of real acts of compassion for the women in your life.' How unfortunate, then, that last week allegations of bullying by the Duchess of her former staff at Kensington Palace emerged, especially as all the alleged victims were women. Meghan's PR team in Los Angeles immediately denounced the claims as 'defamatory', adding that she was 'saddened by this latest attack on her character, particularly as someone who has been the victim of bullying herself . . . She is determined to continue her work building compassion around the world.' Today is International Women's Day: and Archewell, the foundation created by the Duke and Duchess of Sussex, celebrates this on its internet home page (pictured) Meghan's PR team in Los Angeles immediately denounced the … [Read more...] about DOMINIC LAWSON: After those Meghan Markle bullying claims, why so many who say ‘be kind’ don’t seem to practise what they preach

Marks & Spencer (M&S) says it is now offering goods online in more than 100 countries after a major expansion of its markets. The food, fashion and homewares retailer, which has been cutting back on stores domestically and abroad in recent years under its Never the Same Again transformation programme, said it had added 46 websites to its international portfolio. The launch, which takes in nations including Argentina, Iceland and Pakistan, was part of the focus to "turbocharge" online sales as shoppers increasingly turn to digital channels for clothing and groceries. Retail worst hit in COVID jobs crisis The shift in consumer behaviour has been hastened by the COVID-19 pandemic in that it has forced 'non-essential' retail stores to be shuttered and wary supermarket shoppers to clamour for delivery slots. M&S is the retail partner in Ocado's delivery network in the UK. Advertisement The company pointed to its most … [Read more...] about M&S moves to ‘turbocharge’ online sales in 46 new countries

The Bank of England governor has sounded a relatively optimistic note on the economy, predicting that the coronavirus shock would cause less long-term damage than most recessions. Andrew Bailey also told a Resolution Foundation event that he expected to cut the Bank's unemployment forecast following last week's budget and that the Bank's forecasts suggested the COVID-19 pandemic and lockdown could leave a 1.75% dent in Britain's permanent output level - lower than some forecasters and smaller than the 3% hit expected by the Office for Budget Responsibility. In a speech, the governor said "I see reasons to believe that the longer-term negative economic effects of the COVID shock will be smaller than we have seen in the past, particularly in the 1980s and early 1990s." Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player Tax burden to reach highest level since 1960s However Mr Bailey added that arguably a deeper concern was two trends which … [Read more...] about COVID-19: Bank of England governor downplays fears of deep scarring

A union leader has told Sky News "the jury's out" on whether schools in England will have to close again. Asked if she was confident that pupils would not have to go back to remote learning at some point in the future, Dr Mary Bousted replied: "No, I'm afraid I'm not." Live COVID updates from the UK and around the world Schools reopen across England - here are the new safety measures Pupils in England are returning to the classroom as the third COVID-19 lockdown begins to be eased . Schools remained open during lockdown for vulnerable children and the children of key workers, but the majority of pupils had to contend with remote learning. Advertisement All children are able to head back into school, but secondary schools can stagger the return of students over the week to allow for mass testing. Dr Bousted, the joint general secretary of the National Education Union, said members feared the government "hasn't … [Read more...] about COVID-19: Union leader says ‘jury’s out’ on whether schools in England will have to close again