Support for Conservative party lags behind Labour days after NI tax hike September 10, 2021 Support for prime minister Boris Johnson’s Conservative party has slumped to its lowest level since 2019’s election, according to a new YouGov poll. The poll, first shared with the Times, showed that support for the Conservatives has dipped to 33 per cent, while Labour’s support has climbed to 35 per cent. While it is just [...]
Metropolitan Police Federation backs Cressida Dick extension, batting off ‘armchair critics’ September 10, 2021 The Metropolitan Police Federation has backed Met Police Commissioner Dame Cressida Dick, batting off “armchair critics” who have called for her replacement. Dick is set to be offered a two-year extension to her tenure, according to the Evening Standard earlier this week, ahead of exiting the role in April next year after five years leading [...]
More traffic looms over cities if rail fails to win back commuters hearts September 10, 2021 Cities like London could be struck by more traffic jams and business closures if train commuting fails to meet pre-pandemic levels, the rail industry has warned. Train commuting is at just 33 per cent of 2019 levels, according to the Rail Delivery Group (RDG), with some commuters opting for cars instead. Commuters were deterred from [...]
Oxford Nanopore bets on London with IPO, to top up its £2.5bn valuation September 9, 2021 Oxford Nanopore, whose DNA technology has been used to sequence global variants, is set to float in London, in a listing that could secure a valuation north of £2.5bn. The biotech firm is the latest technology heavyweight to confirm its intentions for an initial public offering (IPO) in the UK’s capital, which has been on [...]
Khan launches London fund to welcome Afghan refugees after donations flood in September 9, 2021 Following a surge of donations, Mayor of London Sadiq Khan launched a new “London Refugee Response” fund to support the resettlement of Afghan refugees. About 9,000 refugees have arrived in the UK so far from Afghanistan, with up to 3,500 having arrived in London. The fund is a collaboration between City Hall, London councils and The London Community Foundation, set up [...]
City Moves: Who’s switching jobs in the Square Mile this week? September 8, 2021 City A.M.’s Millie Turner provides a roundup of the most important hires and job moves across the City, every Wednesday afternoon. Email citymoves@cityam.com to be featured. Exclusive: Kin Fund Services poaches secretarial lead from Flutter Alternative investment fund manager and fund administrator Kin Fund Services, part of Kin Group, has poached Deirdre Quinn from FTSE 100’s Flutter Entertainment, City A.M. can reveal. [...]
Revenue lifts at fresh food provider Bakkavor, but labour shortages bite September 8, 2021 Fresh food provider Bakkavor’s revenue has lifted above pre-pandemic levels, despite “unprecedented challenges in labour availability” which risk its operations running stale. Like-for-like revenue swelled by 6.4 per cent to £924.9m in the six months to 26 June, and 1.2 per cent ahead of the same period in 2019. The Fitzroy headquartered-based company, which [...]
Beerfest-Lite set to light up Guildhall Yard September 7, 2021 | City Talk Cooling beers and fabulous food will be on offer later this week at Guildhall Yard as visitors take a breather from this week’s mini heatwave. The fun-packed event, called Beerfest-Lite, will take place from noon to 9pm on Thursday (September 9). Beers on offer will be supplied by Meantime, Windsor and Eaton, Hook Norton and [...]
Rush hour on the Thames: London’s famous river home to over 3,600 seals September 7, 2021 The river Thames is home to a staggering 2,866 grey seals and 797 harbour seals following the most recent pupping season, researchers from the Zoological Society of London (ZSL) said today. The Thames’ healthy seal population is a promising sign the river is teeming with life, conservationists have said, despite a dip in numbers over [...]
BBC director of news Fran Unsworth to exit next year September 7, 2021 The BBC’s director of news and current affairs, Fran Unsworth, is set to depart next year after four decades with the corporation. Unsworth said she feels the time is right to exit the coveted position, which she entered in 2018, after having a “ringside seat” at some of the world’s most era-shaping events. The departing [...]