The FTSE 100 and the pound fell sharply today as a new strain of Covid prompted an escalation of the crisis gripping the nation.
Sentiment was not being helped by more indications that the EU trade deal negotiations are at an impasse.
The FTSE 100 tumbled 1.7 per cent to 6,416, while the FTSE 250 closed down 2.1 per cent to 19,692. The pound has also dropped below $1.34.
In company news, the administrators of collapsed retail group Arcadia have agreed the sale of its Evans brand, e-commerce and wholesale business to Australian firm City Chic Collective for £23million.
Mike Ashley’s Frasers retail empire has issued a profit warning, saying that previous guidance of a 20 per cent to 30 per cent boost in profits this year is unlikely to be achieved.
The Port of Dover closed to all freight vehicles leaving the UK for the next 48 hours after France imposed an inbound travel ban from 11pm last night
