The Thames is both an asset and a liability – due to the lack of East London road crossings September 20, 2015 After decades of post-war decline, the Thames has undergone a renaissance and is once again at the economic heart of London. However, if it is one of the capital’s greatest assets, it is also one of its greatest liabilities – because of the inability to get across the Thames by road in most of [...]
How London is leading the charge on a radical employee rent scheme February 5, 2015 Two years ago, Vodafone became one of the first big businesses to issue a warning over Britain’s housing costs. It said that the sheer cost of renting was making it harder for firms to attract talent. Within weeks, its concerns were echoed by the Confederation of British Industry (CBI) and KPMG’s London Business Survey. London’s [...]
Landlords found “ripping off” tenants should face stronger sentencing, says the Local Government Association September 19, 2015 Councils should have greater powers to fight rouge landlords found taking advantage of residents that are struggling to find “decent housing in the private rented sector”, the Local Government Authority has said. The rogue landlords need to face “stronger sentencing, tougher license conditions and potential blacklisting”, the LGA said in a statement. LGA housing spokesman [...]
HBOS report: Crisis probe is the Never-Ending Story November 19, 2015 It has been 2,617 days since Lloyds TSB’s merger with HBOS was struck. Today – at last – we will get the fullest account yet of why HBOS needed rescuing in the first place. The delay in publication isn’t the least shocking aspect of Britain’s banking crisis. If the purpose of such inquiries is to [...]
English devolution is go: Cornwall is first county to receive powers over employment, transport, business support, energy, health and social care July 17, 2015 Put down your pasty. Cornwall has become the first UK county to gain historic new powers under the government's push to give more power to local authorities. The county will now have more control over a host of key areas including employment and skills, transport, business support, energy, health and social care, public estate and [...]
Menzies profits hit by airport contract losses August 19, 2015 JOHN Menzies yesterday announced a steep fall in half-year profits after contract losses in its aviation arm. The logistics and airport services company reported pre-tax profits of £5.8m, a 58.6 per cent decline on the previous half-year total of £14m. In addition to the loss of contracts, operating profit in its ground handling operations was [...]
Prime Minister Narendra Modi visit: A new glorious chapter in UK-India relations is beginning November 12, 2015 The visit of India’s Prime Minister, Narendra Modi, is the second landmark trip to the UK in a month, following the successful state visit by President Xi of China. Today, Modi meets the Queen and this evening he will be greeted in a manner that is normally the preserve of rock stars, by over 60,000 [...]
MPs’ expenses: Labour leadership contender Andy Burnham has claimed most out all MPs so far this financial year September 10, 2015 Somewhat fortunately for Andy Burnham, the Labour leadership vote is now closed. Why? Because so far in this financial year he has claimed more expenses than any other MP in Westminster. In total he claimed £18,122.65 since April, according to data released by the Independent Parliamentary Standards Authority. Read more: Can geography tell us if [...]
Does size matter? English devolution may not lead to productivity gains, admits Treasury secretary Lord Jim O’Neill July 21, 2015 One of George Osborne's most senior Treasury colleagues has admitted that when it comes to solving the productivity puzzle, English devolution is little more than a punt. Commercial secretary to the Treasury Jim O'Neill, who heads up the City Growth Commission, has been tasked with replicating London's economic success in other cities throughout the UK. The group [...]
Here’s what would happen if London followed Paris’ example and banned diesel vehicles too December 8, 2014 Paris mayor Anne Hidalgo has called for a ban on diesel cars in the city by 2020, saying pollution was contributing to lower life expectancy and quality of life in France’s capital. What would happen if London followed suit? Boris Johnson is already considering increased taxes on diesel cars – but based on the fact Londoners are [...]