Autumn Statement 2016: As expected Philip Hammond has pledged more than £1bn for broadband and 5G November 23, 2016 The chancellor Philip Hammond has – as expected – pledged more than £1bn for broadband and 5G in his Autumn Statement. He said: My ambition is for the UK to be a world leader in 5G. That means a full-fibre network; a step-change in speed, security and reliability. He also revealed the government will offer business rates relief on new [...]
Autumn Statement 2016: There will be an extra £1.1bn invested in English transport networks says chancellor Philip Hammond in his Autumn Statement November 23, 2016 As part of his £23bn to be spent on innovation and infrastructure over five years the chancellor Philip Hammond has announced there will be an extra £1.1bn invested in English transport networks, "where small investments can often achieve big wins". Some of this will go on rail. Hammond said the transport secretary will set out more details [...]
How the chancellor can unlock more private capital for infrastructure November 23, 2016 Chancellor Philip Hammond is widely expected to outline a more flexible approach to deficit reduction when he delivers his first Autumn Statement today. Flexibility seems wise, given the scale of uncertainty as the UK prepares to leave the EU. Ministers have identified investment in infrastructure as a means to boost the UK’s competitive standing. In [...]
The boss of BA had no idea Heathrow expansion would demolish his £200m HQ November 23, 2016 The boss of BA Willie Walsh was left rather surprised to find that the expansion of Heathrow airport would end up demolishing his £200m headquarters, it turns out. He may be a powerful man in the world of airlines, but Walsh revealed the firm received "no formal warning of the proposed demolition", speaking to the Guardian. [...]
Chancellor Hammond must focus on the quality of infrastructure spending, not its quantity November 22, 2016 Keynes is back, or so it seems. Both left and right wing movements across the West are calling for greater government borrowing to finance infrastructure projects. In the US, Donald Trump is proposing to invest $500bn. In the UK, Labour’s John McDonnell wants an even more lavish £500bn programme, equivalent to around a quarter of [...]
Lufthansa cancels 876 flights tomorrow because of pilots’ strike November 22, 2016 Lufthansa has cut 876 out of 3,000 flights scheduled for tomorrow as it seeks a temporary injunction to avoid strike action that'll affect 100,000 passengers. Pilots are planning a 24-hour day strike – the latest interruption to Lufthansa's operations as a long-running pay dispute wages on. Read more: Inmarsat's wifi deal with Lufthansa takes off [...]
Minicab drivers are staging an anti-Uber protest in Westminster November 22, 2016 A fresh anti-Uber protest has hit the capital, aimed at piling more pressure on the Mayor of London to "take action" against the startup. Minicab drivers are staging a protest from Edgware Road, past Transport for London's offices in Victoria and which arrives at Westminster at 2.30pm. Members of drivers union United Private Hire Drivers (UPHD) are calling on Sadiq [...]
“It’s like Dad’s Army”: Michael O’Leary criticises government for “lunatic optimism” over Brexit November 22, 2016 Nobody could ever accuse Michael O’Leary of being bland. The Ryanair boss was vocal about his concerns ahead of Brexit and now he's speaking out once more over how the government is handling Britain’s departure from the European Union. Speaking at the Airport Operators Association’s annual conference, he criticised the government again for its approach and reaffirmed [...]
Gatwick boss Stewart Wingate wants government to approve his “complementary scheme” to Heathrow expansion November 21, 2016 The government gave Heathrow expansion the go-ahead last month, but Gatwick chief executive Stewart Wingate isn't feeling despondent. His focus is still on getting the government to give Gatwick the green light too. Speaking at the Airport Operators Association's annual conference, Wingate said: "My objective is to secure an additional runway at the earliest opportunity." "I [...]
Chris Grayling says the world of aviation will be prioritised in Brexit negotiations November 21, 2016 Airlines were among the first to battle Brexit turbulence and transport secretary Chris Grayling has now pledged the aviation industry will be prioritised in Brexit negotiations. Speaking at the Airport Operators Association’s annual conference, Grayling said: "I can give that assurance." The industry remains uncertain over its standing in Europe and elsewhere in the world going forward, while [...]