IT has never been more necessary to keep up with the business news.

Despite the signs that social distancing restrictions will be eased on July 19, there is a lot of uncertainty around.

Covid cases are rising rapidly, though fortunately hospitalisations and deaths are not going up in line with that spread.

Meanwhile, the first coronavirus loan repayments have fallen due, and the furlough scheme is being tapered out before the lifting of restrictions.

The Daily Echo does its best every day to keep you up to date with the essential business stories – the positive and the troubling, the nationally important and the very local.

Listen to the clip below to hear business editor Darren Slade take you through the week’s key developments.

And to read the stories in full, click on the following links:

Lush boss Mark Constantine on loss in firm's annual accounts

Exclusive interview: Lush boss Mark Constantine on Covid, Brexit and the future of shopping in Poole

Redundancies planned at Ageas in Bournemouth

Cobham considers merger or takeover of Ultra Electronics

Gap to close all UK stores this year including in Bournemouth

Online fashion seller Highstreet Outlet growing after council grant

Closure of East Street in Wimborne to be extended 

You can follow Darren on Twitter, where he's @echodaz, or connect with him on LinkedIn.

To read all the latest business news, click here.