Sumer Group, champions of SMEs, leading the way towards economic growth Partner They tackled Brexit head-on, survived Covid, coped with the impact of the war in Ukraine and battled rising costs. The latest growth forecast from the Office for Budget Responsibility presents a further challenge with the OBR reducing their expectations for productivity growth by 0.3ppts to 1 per cent. In times of uncertainty these businesses have [...]
Labour rail pledge in doubt after £3bn private contract to run London Overground London Mayor London Mayor Said Khan has caused a row within the Labour party after First Group was awarded a £3bn deal to operate the London Overground, a move which seemingly flies in the face of Labour’s manifesto commitment to bring railways back into public ownership. On Tuesday the London-listed transport group revealed that it would begin [...]
Lime boss calls on UK businesses to ‘keep bikes off busy pavements’ Transport and infrastructure Lime is calling on UK businesses to help tackle London’s e-bike congestion and the patchwork of borough regulations by providing dedicated parking bays for riders. The bright green bikes have become a symbol of London’s fractured cycling landscape. Yet, under the company’s ‘London action plan’, the micromobility giant claims firms could play a direct role [...]
The Notebook: I was a control officer during President Trump’s last state visit – here’s what to expect this September 16, 2025 The overriding priority during this week’s state visit by Donald Trump will be ensuring nothing goes wrong, unfortunately that means different things to both sides, says Michael Martins During President Trump’s last state visit, I was the landmark on Downing Street to show where the President’s car, the Beast, should park. That was the plan [...]
Coco di Mama boss: ‘Extreme’ tube strikes pressuring hospitality at crucial time September 11, 2025 Coco di Mama’s boss has said that the significant tube strikes this week have put pressure on the sector at a difficult time. The strikes, which began on September 7, have caused mass disruption in the City as Londoners attempt to find other ways to get to work or opt to stay at home. “It’s [...]
What happened to Sadiq Khan’s promise to end Tube strikes? September 11, 2025 Sadiq Khan promised there would be no Tube strikes under his mayoralty. So where is he now, asks James Ford.
Tube strikes: Union leader says £72,000 salary is not enough September 10, 2025 RMT chief Eddie Dempsey has claimed that tube drivers on £72,000 a year were not making enough to buy a home in London, reflecting the union boss’ militant position on ongoing tube strikes. The union boss told Times Radio he made “no apologies” for the ongoing strike as he said the salary, which is around [...]
The Debate: Is it time for driverless trains on the Tube? September 10, 2025 As London is crippled once again by Tube strikes, we ask whether driverless trains are really the answer in this week's Debate.
Tube strikes: Sadiq Khan urged to compensate hospitality sector September 9, 2025 Mayor of London Sadiq Khan has been told to ease the financial burden on the hospitality sector as firms face the crunch of tube strikes. Khan, who was criticised for his absence as the strikes got underway, has been urged to give the sector a “rent and rate holiday” so they can weather the strikes. [...]
Tube strikes: RMT threatens Elizabeth Line disruption next September 9, 2025 As Tube strikes stretch into a third day of disruption, the RMT trade union has now threatened to hit the Elizabeth Line with industrial action. From Sunday evening, tube drivers went on strike over the working hours of union members, who enjoy a salary of around £65,000, as RMT’s new boss Eddie Dempsey is demanding [...]