Our secret envy of Lords: Why we shouldn’t expect – or insist – on our Lords being more lordly than us August 4, 2015 Only the media and legions of middle England curtain-twitchers appear to have taken a sharp and judgemental intake of breath at the ‘shocking’ revelations that guess what – another over privileged life peer likes a line and spending company with ladies of the night. And Lord Sewel accompanied his session by openly taking the [...]
Markit UK construction PMI: Growth loses momentum in July August 4, 2015 The UK's construction sector unexpectedly lost momentum in July as growth in housebuilding and civil engineering slowed. The widely watched Markit/CIPS UK construction purchasing managers’ index (PMI) slowed to 57.1 in July, from 58.1 a month earlier, also missing economists' expectations for a reading of 58.4. Any number above the crucial 50 mark implies expansion. Growth [...]
Sweden’s Arlanda airport creates climate simulator to let passengers try out the weather at their destination August 4, 2015 Stockholm’s Arlanda airport is helping its passengers acclimatise to their destinations with a climate simulator. Forget checking the forecast before you travel – this Swedish airport is letting you try out the weather conditions at your destination before takeoff, with a climate portal that gives you the physical experience of Dubai’s desert heat or Hong [...]
Labour leadership contest: Three reasons why Jeremy Corbyn could be the City’s new best friend August 4, 2015 Jeremy Corbyn is rumoured to be leading in the Labour Party’s leadership election. Without doubt he is setting the pace. The result is that words like ‘hard left’ are being bandied about, especially by his opponent’s camps. But is he bad news for the City? As the author of some of the economic policies [...]
The gender pay gap can’t be closed while the Tories have their heads in the sand August 4, 2015 David Cameron displayed a higher than usual level of complacency the other week, writing an article in the Times in which he celebrated “a recent slew of good news” for gender equality. Out in the real world, things are quite a bit less rosy. Progress towards genuine equality has slowed in recent years. In fact, across the [...]
Alibaba makes former Goldman Sachs executive its new president August 4, 2015 Alibaba has appointed former Goldman Sachs vice-chairman Michael Evans as its new president to lead the group's push into new international markets. Read more: As Jack Ma goes on a US charm offensive, does Alibaba pose a real threat to Amazon and Ebay? A Goldman Sachs veteran of 20 years, including a nine-year stint as its [...]
If you’ve a grip on the Calais migrant crisis Philip Hammond, why don’t you come take a look? August 4, 2015 We British know how to queue, that is without a doubt. But last Wednesday I was sitting in a cab in Calais next to a lorry driver from Yorkshire in one of the most unpleasant queues of my life, while gangs of young men wandered past us eyeing up which UK bound lorry they thought [...]
If you’ve a grip on the Calais migrant crisis Mr Hammond, why don’t you come take a look? August 4, 2015 We British know how to queue, that is without a doubt. But last Wednesday I was sitting in a cab in Calais next to a lorry driver from Yorkshire in one of the most unpleasant queues of my life, while gangs of young men wandered past us eyeing up which UK bound lorry they thought [...]
Piccadilly Tube and Heathrow Express train lines around airport knocked out by power surge August 4, 2015 Update: The chaos caused by this morning's power cut at Heathrow is still creating major headaches for travellers coming in and out of the airport today. As well as causing major disruption to both Tube and train services into Heathrow Airport, passengers flying from Terminal Five have now been told their bags may not [...]
100 people evacuated at The Shard after fire breaks out on 33rd floor August 4, 2015 The Shard has been evacuated after a fire broke out in one of the London landmark's restaurants on the 33rd floor this morning. Around 100 customers were evacuated from restaurants on levels 31, 32 and 33 by staff, and there have been no injuries. The Brigade was called by 1112. Seven fire engines [...]