London’s businesses can lead a UK-wide economic recovery June 12, 2020 As the focus shifts from the immediate health crisis of Covid-19 to slowly easing the lockdown, the capital’s business leaders are committed to playing their part. Early this week, I brought together some of London’s most prominent businesses, representing all sectors of the economy, to map out solutions that support a business-led recovery. From Heathrow, [...]
New poll finds Brits turn away from city life as attraction wanes June 12, 2020 There could be a dramatic shift in working life as cities become less attractive to Britons, a new poll has found. In an online survey by Ipsos Mori, 44 per cent of Britons say they expect cities to become less attractive places to live in the next few years. Just 19 per cent say their [...]
Guy’s and St Thomas’ hospitals to remove controversial statues June 11, 2020 The statues outside Guy’s and St Thomas’ hospitals in London will be removed, it was decided this evening. The statues, which feature Sir Robert Clayton and Sir Thomas Guy, are part of the arts and heritage collection owned by Guy’s and St Thomas’ Charity. Clayton, whose statue is outside St Thomas’ Hospital, was a powerful member [...]
Coronavirus deaths in UK rise by 151 to 41,279 June 11, 2020 The UK experienced another 151 coronavirus deaths yesterday, official data confirmed today. The Department of Health and Social Care’s official data showed 151 more people died to bring the UK’s total number of official coronavirus deaths to 41,279. That is substantially lower than a Reuters tally placing the overall UK toll closer to 52,000, including [...]
Test and trace system tells 26,985 to self-isolate in first week June 11, 2020 England’s new track and tracing system was able to contact two-thirds of the people who tested positive for coronavirus and were referred to it in its first week, and then succeeded in contacting 85 per cent of their contacts to ask them to self-isolate. Of the 8,117 who were transferred to the system, 2,710 were [...]
Poole to take down statue of Scouts founder Baden-Powell June 11, 2020 A statue of the worldwide founder of the Scouts is to be removed in Poole in the wake of anti-racism protests across the UK. The state of Robert Baden-Powell, who is remembered for establishing the Scouts movement in 1907, will be moved into storage today. Its presence in Poole has long been disputed by critics [...]
Goldman Sachs to ‘reopen UK base on 15 June’ after lockdown eases June 11, 2020 Goldman Sachs is thought to be planning to reopen its mammoth London headquarters again on 15 June. The investment banking giant reportedly sent an email to staff, telling them that the £1bn space was being prepared for “a safe and effective transition back to office when the time is right.” In the email, seen by [...]
Why we need to leave the statues alone June 10, 2020 The statue of slave trader Edward Colston was dramatically pulled from its plinth in Bristol and hurled into the harbour amid raucous, even jubilant, scenes. That a memorial to a trader in human souls would cause offence and anguish is beyond dispute, but its destruction and the manner of its downfall has sparked a debate [...]
Tower Hamlets removes Docklands statue of slave trader June 9, 2020 A statue of Robert Milligan, an 18th century slave trader, was being removed from its plinth outside a London museum today after officials decided it was no longer acceptable to the local community. The previously obscure statue, which stood in front of the Museum of London Docklands, came into focus after demonstrators taking part in [...]
Senior Tory figures trying to oust mayoral candidate Shaun Bailey June 9, 2020 Senior Conservative party figures are reportedly trying to replace London mayoral candidate Shaun Bailey with former chancellor Sajid Javid for next year’s election. Bailey trailed mayor of London Sadiq Khan by 25 per cent in March polling before the election, originally scheduled for May, was postponed to next year due to the coronavirus outbreak. Khan [...]