Rising prices see Brits working three more days a year February 10, 2014 On average people are having to work three more days a year to pay for essential items such as gas, water and electricity compared to 2010, according to research carried out exclusively for ITV News. In 2013, the rising cost of utilities meant the average UK employee had to work for 20.1 days (based on [...]
What the other papers say this morning – 26 March 2014 March 25, 2014 FINANCIAL TIMES Banks pay out $100bn in US fines Wall Street banks and their foreign rivals have paid out $100bn in US legal settlements since the financial crisis, according to Financial Times research, with more than half of the penalties extracted in the past year. The sum reflects a substantial shift in political attitudes towards [...]
London needs Crossrail Two but the Treasury doesn’t have to fund it February 9, 2014 IT MIGHT seem absurd to be talking about Crossrail 2 when Crossrail 1 has only just hit the halfway mark. But the uncomfortable truth – and I mean this literally for London’s rail users – is that, as soon as it opens, Crossrail 1 will be full to bursting. We are playing a desperate game [...]
Union suspends Tube strike after last-ditch talks May 6, 2014 A PLANNED three-day strike by London Underground (LU) workers was called off yesterday just hours before it was due to take place, after both sides called a truce. Members of the RMT union were set to walk out at 9pm last night in a row over LU’s plan to close all Tube ticket offices and [...]
Wrong kind of concrete brings Victoria line to a rush hour halt January 23, 2014 THE LONDON Underground’s Victoria line was plunged into disarray yesterday, after a bizarre incident in which a signal room was flooded with wet concrete. Services were completely stalled between Warren Street and Brixton during one of the busiest times of the day, putting nearly half of the line out of action, with severe delays on [...]
MPs stand up for British institutions after French Embassy slurs January 14, 2014 Last week, City A.M. editor Allister Heath wrote this piece: France’s failed socialist experiment is turning into a tragedy In response, the French Embassy has launched something of an (un)diplomatic rejoinder: 10 accounts on which City A.M. has got it wrong on France The embassy has levelled that France has a better health service, roads, [...]
The City A.M. article that sparked a diplomatic row January 14, 2014 BRITISH members of parliament leapt to the defence of the UK yesterday after a column by City A.M editor Allister Heath – in which he referred to the country’s “failed socialist experiment” – sparked a diplomatic row with the French ambassador. In a 10-point list attacking the article, the French embassy criticised the NHS, defended its [...]
Reactions to the chancellor’s statement March 19, 2014 THINK TANK’S TAKE Director at the Adam Smith InstituteEamonn Butler The libertarian think tank applauded the freedom granted to pensioners. “At last Britain's private pension savers will be treated like responsible adults. As lifetimes have lengthened and financial uncertainty has abounded, annuity rates have fallen, leaving savers much worse off then they expected. The rule [...]
What the other papers say this morning – 13 December 2013 December 12, 2013 FINANCIAL TIMES Bitcoin start-up fundraises $25m A Silicon Valley company that allows speculators and merchants to trade Bitcoin has raised $25m (£15.3m) in venture capital funding in the largest investment so far in a virtual currency business. As a result of the deal, San Francisco-based Coinbase will have two of the most prominent venture capitalists [...]
Think tank says HS2 must link up with regions October 20, 2013 NEW research on the controversial High Speed 2 project has found that the scheme could benefit the British economy – providing it is properly joined up to the rest of the rail network. The Independent Transport Commission found that the £42.6bn link between London, Birmingham, Manchester and Leeds will help regenerate regions near the route [...]