Dignity welcomes watchdog’s probe into high funeral prices March 28, 2019 Dignity has welcomed a competition probe into the funeral sector announced today. Read more: Dignity shares slide after regulator proposes funeral competition probe The Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) said it will carry out a full market investigation into the industry after voicing concerns over high prices and a lack of competition. Dignity, the UK’s [...]
Boeing planes may have ‘improperly manufactured’ parts, US authorities reveal June 2, 2019 Boeing's grounded 737 Max plane may have flaws in its construction, US regulators said this evening. The Federal Aviation Administration said that the plane maker had discovered potential problems with the leading edge slat tracks on the plane and the 737 Next Generation. The leading edge slats are flaps on the front of a wing which allow [...]
Extinction Rebellion threatens to use drones in 10-day Heathrow airport shutdown in third runway protest May 31, 2019 Climate protest group Extinction Rebellion has threatened to shut down London’s Heathrow airport for as long as 10 days this summer in protest at plans to build a third runway. Read more: Police charge 71 in relation to Extinction Rebellion protests The climate change activists will protest at the airport on 18 June before a [...]
HS2 Birmingham: The £435m station nobody wants to build July 11, 2019 HS2 has abandoned its initial hunt for a contractor to build its Birmingham station, after firms were unwilling to take on the risks associated with the £435m job. The railway said it will rethink the procurement process for its Curzon Street station so as to reduce contractor risk and increase competition. Read more: Business leaders [...]
Long commutes cost UK businesses 20m days of staff productivity May 29, 2019 Long commutes cost UK businesses an estimated £5.3bn a year, which is equivalent to 20m days worth of lost productivity, according to data released today. Read more: Here's how much a long commute impacts on your productivity and health British people spend more than 360 hours per year commuting to work, which equates to more [...]
London’s super sewer Thames Tideway Tunnel facing cost pressures November 24, 2018 The construction of London’s super sewer has hit cost problems due to a catalogue of engineering challenges, the project’s holding company has confirmed. Several cost pressures have been identified on the Thames Tideway Tunnel project, with total project costs for the six months to the end of September hitting £325.3m and bringing the total cost [...]
Galliford Try picks up £275m contract to build new Ealing Council base February 18, 2019 Construction firm Galliford Try has been tasked with building a new headquarters for Ealing Council in west London, in a £275m deal. As well as building council offices, the contract also includes building 470 new homes, half of which will be offered at social and London living rent prices, as well as a library. Read [...]
BBC’s Eastenders set revamp goes £27m over budget December 13, 2018 The BBC’s project to rebuild and enlarge the Eastenders set will be £27m over budget and take an extra two-and-a-half years to complete. The cost estimate for the construction project has soared 45 per cent from £59.7m to £86.7m, the National Audit Office (NAO) said today. The expected completion date of the project, known as E20, [...]
DEBATE: Should we be concerned about our freedoms as the UK is placed fourth in the Nanny State Index? May 1, 2019 Should we be concerned about our freedoms as the UK is placed fourth in the Nanny State Index? Alex Deane, a Conservative commentator, says YES. The Institute of Economic Affairs is right to criticise the UK by ranking it as one of the least free countries in terms of excessive regulation of alcohol, food, and tobacco. [...]
Arcadia to shut two dozen stores and withdraw from the US in radical rescue plan May 22, 2019 Sir Philip Green’s retail empire Arcadia will shut almost two dozen stores and slash up to 500 jobs as part of a restructuring plan revealed today. The high street stalwart said it has launched seven company voluntary arrangements (CVA) as part of a desperate plan to turn around its ailing fortunes amid torrid trading conditions. [...]