Extinction Rebellion protests cost over £50m August 21, 2021 The cost of policing Extinction Rebellion protests are over £50m, and is expected to rise with more demonstrations planned over the next few weeks, according to reports. The Metropolitan Police’s gold commander for the demonstrations, Rachel Williams, said the figure included the response to two protests in 2019 and one in September last year, when [...]
Treasury refuses to bankroll Michael Gove’s single government login proposal August 21, 2021 Michael Gove’s plan to give every adult a single login for online interactions with the government, could be stalled by a funding dispute with the Treasury, according to reports. The Cabinet Office’s proposed plan, dubbed “one login for Government”, would result in people logging into a single online interface to conduct a host of activities [...]
Less rush hour traffic means major commuter train services could be cut next year August 21, 2021 Train operator Govia Thameslink are considering reducing services on major commuter lines into London, in anticipation of the end of “big spikes in rush-hour commuting”, according to reports. The train company operates the Thameslink, Great Northern and Southern lines which hundreds of thousands of people commuting into London and other cities use every day. The [...]
The hunt is on: 49-year-old Lee Peacock is London’s most wanted after two bodies found August 21, 2021 The police this morning is looking for a 49-year-old man as part of a murder investigation after two bodies were found within hours of each other at separate addresses in central London. The Metropolitan Police said in a statement they were appealing for information about the whereabouts of Lee Peacock, who they wished to speak [...]
Bidding war for Morrisons heats up as US private equity giant makes £7bn move August 20, 2021 A fresh £7bn bid for supermarket chain Morrisons has been put forward by US private equity firm Clayton, Dubilier & Rice (CD&R). The deal has been unanimously accepted by the board of the grocer and directors have said shareholders should vote in favour of the takeover at a meeting due in early October. It means [...]
Extinction Rebellion: City of London to be next climate campaign target August 19, 2021 Environmental activists have said they will begin a fresh campaign next week in the heart of the capital’s financial district. The fortnight-long campaign targets the City of London, which Extinction Rebellion activists blame for stoking climate change with fossil fuel investment chains. Extinction Rebellion (XR) has regularly staged demonstrations across the UK – targeting banks [...]
Three people arrested for opening fire into large crowd in Camden August 19, 2021 A man and two teenagers have been arrested by police investigating a shooting at a barbecue. Four people were injured when up to five males “indiscriminately” fired a weapon into a large crowd during the event in Clarence Gardens in Camden, north-west London, on Saturday. Officers arrested a 22-year-old man on suspicion of possession of [...]
First of its kind: Energy giant Wood secures £430m green transition loan August 19, 2021 London-listed energy and engineering giant Wood has secured a £430m government-backed green transition loan – the first of its kind in the fight against climate change. Firms operating in the UK’s “industrial heartlands”, like Aberdeen-headquartered Wood, will be backed by the government in its bid for net zero emissions by 2050, the government said in [...]
Low-traffic zones reduced as Ealing follows other London borough councils in scrapping car bans August 19, 2021 Low-traffic zones, a scheme to reduce traffic in residential areas have been a subject of controversy since they were first implemented in 2020. Harrow has already scrapped the majority of theirs, and now Ealing looks set to follow. The step in Ealing to challenge them follows major backlash against the zones and two local protests. [...]
Royal London insurance moves head office to EightyFen in heart of the City August 19, 2021 Mutual life insurance company Royal London has this morning announced it has taken up 55,000 sq ft of office space at 80 Fenchurch Street for its new headquarters in the City. The largest mutual life insurance company in the UK, with assets under management of £153bn, will enjoy panoramic views across London from the top [...]