New Thames Estuary development plan could add £115bn to UK economy July 21, 2020 The Thames Estuary growth board has today launched a new development initiative that could add up to £115bn to the UK economy. Named the “Green Blue”, the scheme comprises 30 individual projects in the south-east, with the potential to create 1.5m jobs. These include infrastructure developments such as the Lower Thames Crossing, as well as [...]
The road towards a greener, cleaner Square Mile July 20, 2020 As the UK starts to rebuild its economy in the wake of the Covid-19 crisis, it is crucial that the plan is developed with tackling climate change at its heart. We need to shape a greener, fairer and more resilient City. And we want the whole Square Mile to play its part. That’s why last [...]
Coronavirus roadmap: When will England’s lockdown end? July 18, 2020 Boris Johnson has outlined a roadmap for the end of England’s lockdown, giving hope that coronavirus social distancing could end before Christmas. Johnson changed tack on government guidance to work from home where possible in a speech on 17 July. Instead employers will be asked to discuss with employees whether and how they can safely [...]
Met Office mistakes huge swarm of flying ants over London for rain July 17, 2020 Flying ants have once again taken to the skies of London, with swarms so big that the Met Office weather radar has mistaken them for rain. On Sunday, millions of the bugs filled the skies across the country on what is known as “Flying Ant day”. Undeterred, the winged insects have returned in huge swarms [...]
London’s R rate could be as high as 1.1 July 17, 2020 London’s R rate could be as high as 1.1, according to the government’s Sage advisory group. The R rate – the reproduction rate of the virus – is between 0.8 and 1.1 in the capital as the government continues to ease lockdown measures. It stands at 0.7 and 0.9 in the rest of the UK, [...]
Exclusive: Uber’s UK boss ‘optimistic’ it will win back London licence July 16, 2020 Uber’s UK boss is “optimistic” that the firm will win back its licence in the capital when courts decide in September. Transport for London (TfL) banned the ride-hailing app in London at the end of last year. It said Uber had unlicensed operators upload photos on other people’s accounts, leading to at least 14,000 trips [...]
Beyond lockdown: The tech trends to watch July 16, 2020 Covid-19 has indelibly altered the way we live and work. As lockdown restrictions ease, it is vital that British businesses address the implications of the pandemic as part of their long-term strategies. However, rather than viewing this as a “restart”, companies should make the most of this opportunity to “rethink” their approach to a post-lockdown [...]
Tube cleaners accidentally scrub out Banksy coronavirus artwork July 15, 2020 Artwork worth potentially hundreds of thousands pounds by street artist Banksy was removed from a London Tube carriage accidentally, after cleaners had no idea about the value of the works. Transport for London (TfL) removed the artwork, after the world-renowned artist painted a series of his trademark rats posing with face masks, due to TfL’s [...]
Lockdown London: A tale of two cities July 14, 2020 On Sunday evening, a friend and I had a game of tennis in a small unremarkable suburban local park. Surrounded by terraced houses, it is the kind of park of which there are 3,000 dotted across the capital. Too hilly for a game of football but with a couple of rarely used tennis courts for [...]
Decline in London’s business activity eases as economy reopens July 13, 2020 There was a marked easing in the downturn in business activity across the capital last month, as the economy picked up and lockdown restrictions loosened. Natwest’s London Business Activity Index – which monitors the combined output of London’s manufacturing and service sectors – rose from 30.3 in May to 46.2 in June. Anything below 50 [...]