Daily Mirror

Toilet roll giant: ‘Don’t panic,we’re flush with paper’

Huge job loss fear as travel industry reels

- Ben.glaze@mirror.co.uk @benglaze

an invisible killer and we’ve got to do everything we can to stop it.”

UKHospital­ity warned Mr Johnson’s advice to avoid pubs, clubs, restaurant­s and theatres, without financial aid, “will lead to thousands of businesses closing their

AIRLINES sparked fears of mass job losses after announcing drastic plans to ground most or all of their jets.

British Airways is grounding at least 75% of its fleet in April and May and cutting staff hours.

Virgin Atlantic announced it was axing four out of every five flights. The firm, owned by billionair­e Sir Richard Branson, asked staff to take eight

doors for good, and hundreds of thousands of job losses”. Chief executive Kate Nicholls said: “The Government has effectivel­y shut the hospitalit­y industry without any support. “This is catastroph­ic for businesses and jobs.

Idris Elba has tested positive weeks’ unpaid leave and offered voluntary redundancy.

The carrier appealed for a £7.5billion industry bailout, prompting anger.

Former Dragons’ Den star Duncan Bannatyne said: “They are just trying to get a soft loan.”

Ryanair is slashing capacity by up to 80% for two months. Package giant Tui is suspending most operations.

Over the past few weeks the industry has suffered unpreceden­ted drops in visits and many are on their knees.”

Theatres in the West End and around the UK will close from Monday in a bid to prevent the spread of coronaviru­s.

Airlines including easyJet, Ryanair, BA, Virgin Atlantic and Norwegian grounded flights. EasyJet warned

Staff at Manchester, Stansted and East Midlands airports are set to suffer pay or hours cuts and other measures.

Shares plummeted again yesterday across the industry, which supports half a million jobs. Expert Paul Charles said: “You will see airlines fold.”

Passengers hit by cancellati­ons are expected to be able to rebook or claim a refund.

there was “no guarantee” airlines will “survive. Tui suspended most of its holidays. P&O and Cunard cancelled cruises until April 11.

Rail services could be slashed as passenger numbers plummet.

Next month’s Grand National has been axed. Sir Elton John has cancelled a number of tour dates in North America. Actor Idris Elba, 47, announced he has tested positive for Covid-19 but has had no symptoms. The actor said: “I feel OK. No panic.”

Production on the third instalment of Fantastic Beasts And Where to Find Them has been postponed as has filming for Line of Duty.

Warner Bros also confirmed production on The Batman, starring Robert Pattinson has been halted.

The Royal Family is to cancel a catalogue of public events.

Loo roll firm Essity makes nearly 5 million rolls every day

BRITAIN’S biggest loo roll maker, Essity, has called on shoppers not to panic-buy, insisting it has a “massive stockpile”.

Essity, which makes Cushelle, Velvet and own-brand toilet tissue for major retailers, churns out approximat­ely 4.7 million rolls a day, and has 84 million already in a warehouse.

Spokesman Gareth Lucy said: “Yes, we’re supplying more than usual. But we are really well geared up for it. We’re used to fluctuatio­ns like this and we’re ready. The stock is there, so please don’t panic and don’t stockpile.”

Welfare expert Dame Louise Casey, who has advised both Labour and Tory Prime Ministers, says shoppers with a conscience should stop stockpilin­g and donate to their local foodbank instead.

Calling Covid-19 the “test of our generation”, Ms Casey said it should be remembered that thousands of people “in low-paid jobs, people on zero-hour contracts… [are] facing real difficulty.”

She also warned that Universal Credit is inadequate for helping those who may need to sign on for the first time – and urged the Government to explore “rental holidays” for those who could be left struggling to pay bills.

Trussell Trust bosses have urged the “generous public” to donate and help the hungry as their foodbank supplies and volunteer numbers dwindle.

Supermarke­ts may soon move staff from cafes and meat counters to store duties. And online giant Amazon is asking all depot staff to work overtime – similar to Christmas – to cope with orders on groceries and toilet paper.

Staff in its UK fulfilment centres are reportedly being compelled to do overtime, unless they have an excuse.

Although a source yesterday insisted doing overtime was not compulsory.

Essity’s Manchester factory

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BOG STANDARD
ROLL UP
NO SYMPTOMS BOG STANDARD ROLL UP

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