Heathrow passengers ‘pay higher fares’ thanks to British Airways dominance September 12, 2019 Heathrow passengers could be paying as much as 10 per cent more on fares because they lack an alternative to flying with British Airways, a new study has found. British Airways’ parent company IAG currently operates over half of all take-off and landing slots at Heathrow. The next largest groups are Lufthansa, which controls eight [...]
Hong Kong’s bid for London Stock Exchange whips up a storm September 11, 2019 A blockbuster plan to merge the London Stock Exchange with its Hong Kong counterpart faces an uphill battle after being met with scepticism from politicians and investors alike today. Read more: Hong Kong bourse proposes merger with LSE Hong Kong Exchanges and Clearing (HKEX) shocked the City this morning after revealing a surprise £32bn bid [...]
Tube drivers threaten disruption on Jubilee, Central, Northern and Victoria lines over noise levels September 11, 2019 Tube drivers have threatened disruption on four London Underground lines after voting overwhelmingly in favour of industrial action in a dispute over noise levels. Drivers who are members of the RMT rail union voted by over 95 per cent in favour of industrial action in a ballot covering the Jubilee, Central, Northern and Victoria Lines [...]
Scottish court rules parliament suspension unlawful September 11, 2019 The Prime Minister’s suspension of parliament has been ruled unlawful by judges at Scotland’s highest civil court. Appeal court judges, chaired by Lord Carloway, Scotland’s most senior judge, overturned an earlier ruling that the courts did not have the powers to interfere in Boris Johnson’s decision to prorogue parliament. Read more: Boris, Brexit and the backstop: What [...]
Government unveils scheme to keep foreign students in Britain September 10, 2019 The government will today reveal new plans allowing international students to stay in the UK for two years after they finish their course. The initiative let graduates work, or look for work, at any skill level. Business groups have been calling for the move as part of a more liberal migration policy. Post-study visas were [...]
British Airways pilots threaten further strikes unless stalemate is broken September 10, 2019 British Airways pilots are threatening further strike action if the current pay row with the airline is not resolved. The British Airline Pilots’ Association (Balpa) union has called on BA to engage in further talks to avert the planned strike on 27 September. Read more: Shares in British Airways owner IAG bounce as strike enters [...]
How does geopolitics impact investment returns and what can you do about it? September 10, 2019 | City Talk Geopolitics can significantly impact investment returns; whether it’s trade wars, actual wars, populist politicians or terrorist attacks. And as we discussed earlier this year in our “Inescapable investment truths for the decade ahead”, geopolitical risks are on the rise and will play a major role in the years to come. So, what does this mean [...]
‘Customers aren’t ready’: Sainsbury’s ends till-free store pilot at Holborn branch September 10, 2019 Sainsbury’s has said not all customers are ready for a till-free store as it ended a smartphone-only pilot scheme at a central London branch. The three-month trial came to an end as the supermarket reintroduced a manned till and two self-checkout points in it’s Holborn Circus store. Read more: Sainsbury’s partners with Deliveroo on pizza [...]
Lords approved HS2 Birmingham-Crewe extension before parliament shutdown September 10, 2019 The House of Lords last night approved the High Speed Two (HS2) extension from Birmingham to Crewe before parliament was suspended for five weeks. The controversial railway, which will link London to the north in stages, is currently subject to an independent review chaired by former HS2 chair Douglas Oakervee and critic Lord Berkeley, which [...]
The Secret River review: Edinburgh Festival hit a triumph at the National Theatre September 10, 2019 A smash at the Edinburgh Festival, The Secret River has transferred to the National Theatre. Slow-paced, thoughtful and direct, it demonstrates a basic truth; that the process of colonisation is inherently violent. Will Thornhill was living in Dickensian poverty in early 19th century London; forced into thievery, and – like Magwitch – transported to New [...]