Sadiq Khan’s TfL business plan will “leave the books resolutely unbalanced” December 8, 2016 The mayor's Transport for London (TfL) business plan has only just been announced, but it's already causing raised eyebrows. Step forward Keith Prince, Conservative London Assembly member, who has criticised the plan as "reckless" and warned that commuters will suffer. “Since May we’ve seen the mayor making wild spending promises with little real hint of [...]
OPEC’s celebrated and unexpected deal has papered over the market’s cracks December 8, 2016 The outcome of the Vienna meeting came as a pleasant surprise to oil markets. A deal had been hammered out and, despite the resistance, OPEC and Non-OPEC producers had agreed to cut a total of 1.8mbpd. Saudi Arabia − suffering from a major dent in its economy− has agreed to the largest cut. OPEC producers [...]
Minicab drivers in London are protesting against English language tests December 8, 2016 Minicab drivers in the capital will protest today against new rules on language tests which have been called "completely unfair". Drivers, represented by GMB union, will demonstrate at City Hall against the introduction of English language requirements by Transport for London. Hundreds of drivers are expected to turn out to protest against the "ludicrously priced" exam. All [...]
Major UK banks are in advanced talks to move to Paris, the head of the French financial regulator reckons December 8, 2016 Some of the UK's largest lenders are in "advanced" talks to move to Paris, the head of France's financial regulator has said. In a move which could lead to scores of UK-based banking roles moving to the French capital, Benoit de Juvigny told the BBC's Newsnight "large international banks" were already in the process of doing due [...]
A London Christmas Tube map has been created with all the best of the capital’s festive attractions December 8, 2016 Grinches be gone, and festive fans set your eyes on this. A rather spectacular Christmas Tube map has been created to showcase all the best of the capital's Christmas attractions, from the Harry Potter Shop for some last-minute gifts to Fortnum & Mason for swankier presents. There's the Southbank Winter Festival to Christmas at the Imperial [...]
TfL plans to save £800m as it sheds management layers and cuts jobs to deliver mayor’s spending ambitions December 8, 2016 Transport for London (TfL) has unveiled its five-year business plan to achieve the big investments Sadiq Khan has been announcing – and it involves trimming jobs to save £800m a year. The mayor has unveiled funding for a range of issues from £770m on London's cyclists to £200m on step-free access on the Underground, along with [...]
Small Business Saturday spending was up 15 per cent this year to £717m December 8, 2016 Fans of independent shops, rejoice! For Small Business Saturday shows no sign of running out of steam just yet. The fourth annual day was the biggest yet – at least according to new figures from American Express. A survey taken 36 hours following Small Business Saturday on 3 December, found around £717m was spent with small [...]
Conservative MP Bob Neill wants Grayling to resign over “cynical, party political move” on suburban rail services December 8, 2016 A leaked letter from Chris Grayling to former mayor Boris Johnson saying he wanted to keep suburban rail services "out of the clutches" of any future Labour mayor has prompted a flurry of criticism. And at the forefront of it, Bob Neill, former Conservative Party vice chairman and MP for Bromley and Chislehurst, has called for [...]
Sports Direct just bought a new corporate plane for $51.1m despite reporting its profits halved December 8, 2016 Sports Direct announced its profits had halved today, but that didn't stop the company from buying a brand new jet for $51.1m (£40.4m). The new corporate plane will join the company's corporate helicopter, a fleet of vehicles, a Best Western hotel and "several houses in and around Shirebrook" as the company's corporate assets and facilities. Read [...]
Ocado reports sales growth in final quarter December 8, 2016 Ocado has reported growth in sales and order numbers during the 16 weeks to 27 November, with year end sales up 15.1 per cent – but shares in the firm dropped almost four per cent at the market open. The grocery delivery service said group sales were up 14.5 per cent in the fourth quarter, from [...]