Miners, tracking a jump in commodity prices, were the top boost to the FTSE 100, while financials gained as a "desk top" stress test by the Bank of England showed top lenders can withstand the economic fallout of the COVID-19 pandemic.
In further signs of the business hit from the health crisis, aero-engine maker Rolls-Royce fell 4.3% after reports that it was considering cutting up to 8,000 jobs to weather the global aerospace sector slump.
Britain's biggest telecoms group BT tumbled 8.6% to the bottom of the FTSE 100 as it suspended its dividend until 2021-22 and pulled its financial outlook.
In a bright spot, insurer RSA jumped 5% after it estimated its exposure to the outbreak at just 25 million pounds ($31 million) and said most of its business interruption policies did not offer cover.