UK firms scrap dividend payouts to protect against disruption

Payouts to shareholders cancelled to protect balance sheets during coronavirus crisisCoronavirus – latest updatesSee all our coronavirus coverageUK-listed businesses are scrapping plans to pay dividends in a bid to protect their balance sheets against months of disruption, hitting private investors who rely on the payouts for an income as well as pension funds.Retailers, leisure groups and house builders have all cancelled plans for payouts to shareholders since last week in response to un