MPs to question American and European corporates to bolster defences against foreign takeovers August 15, 2016 MPs will quiz bosses of American and European corporates on how the UK can bolster its defence against foreign takeovers. The business select committee will launch an inquiry into Prime Minister Theresa May's industrial strategy and what it could end up meaning for business. The committee is expected to use the summer to draw up the [...]
London cabbies welcome a review of new Uber rules August 15, 2016 London's black cab drivers expect the Mayor of London to look again at the way the industry is regulated in the capital after arch-rival Uber called on the Mayor of London to do just that. Business groups and entrepreneurs yesterday backed a rethink, calling on Sadiq Khan to review the new rules governing Uber and other minicab firms [...]
The roller-coaster ride that is the Southern Rail dispute takes a new turn as talks break down August 15, 2016 Arbitration talks to end the dispute between the Rail, Maritime and Transport (RMT) Union and Southern Rail have broken down. In news that will send shivers down the spines of many of the capital's commuters, the RMT said that Southern had rejected "solid" proposals in relation to the role of guards (or "second persons") on the trains. [...]
Letting agents expect the Night Tube will push up rents near stations on the 24-hour service August 15, 2016 Letting agents are predicting there will be rent rises for homes near the tube stations that will be open for 24 hours on weekends as part of London's new Night Tube service. The service will start on the Central and Victoria lines on 19 August, making it easier for people living in places such as Epping and Walthamstow to [...]
Wealth managers and IFAs are looking to wine investments as a post-Brexit safe haven August 15, 2016 A rise in demand for asset diversification and safe havens could drive an increased appetite for wine investments in the next 12 months following the UK’s Brexit vote. More than a quarter of wealth managers and independent financial advisers (IFAs) believe demand will increase over the next year, according to research among 101 intermediaries by [...]
London Chamber of Commerce warns immigration charges will open up skills gap August 15, 2016 The London Chamber of Commerce warned today that many businesses will struggle to meet the costs of new immigration charges, leading to a skills gap. A survey it conducted with ComRes showed less than a quarter of London business execs believe their firm can afford the £1,000 annual charge per non-EU employee which comes into effect next April. [...]
GTR vows to modernise services as talks with RMT end without agreement August 15, 2016 Govia Thameslink Railway (GTR) has vowed to move ahead with its modernisation plans after talks with RMT ended without any agreement. GTR, the parent company of embattled Southern Rail, said it will move forward after talks broke down with the RMT union at Acas. An Acas spokesperson said: "Acas conciliation talks have ended without the sides reaching [...]
Bovis Homes’ sales hit immediately after the EU referendum August 15, 2016 Bovis Homes' sales were hit by the Brexit vote, but have stabilised since as the market absorbs the news that the UK will be leaving the EU. Chief executive David Ritchie said sales were impacted in the weeks immediately following the EU referendum, but have increased since then to become "more of a normal summer market". [...]
Downing St hires top IoD policy wonk Jimmy McLoughlin August 15, 2016 Downing St has hired top policy wonk Jimmy McLoughlin from the Institute of Directors to take on a business relations role. McLoughlin has been deputy head of policy and head of external relations at the IoD since 2014, leading on areas such as entrepreneurship and the digital economy. It is understood he was given leave [...]