Queen ‘disappointed’ with Prince Harry and Meghan’s decision to step back January 9, 2020 Queen Elizabeth is said to be disappointed that she was not consulted on Prince Harry and Meghan Markle’s shock decision to step away from their positions as senior royals. A statement, released on Instagram last night, from the Duke and Duchess of Sussex saying they wanted to become “financially independent” and split their time between [...]
City Hall needs a major shake-up if it is to deliver for London January 9, 2020 The immense challenges facing London are growing by the day, and meeting these requires not just a proactive national government but an effective administration at City Hall. The political power of the capital’s own local government is so often underestimated, but there can be no doubt that the mayor of London has the money and [...]
City of London appoints architects to re-design Smithfield Market January 8, 2020 The transformation of Smithfield Market has taken another step forward, with contracts awarded to design the new public space. The City of London Corporation is planning on combining the historic meat market with the New Spitafields vegetable market and the Billingsgate fish market in one site at Dagenham Dock. Read more: Extinction Rebellion group occupy [...]
Boozy boroughs: City of London tops list of boroughs who drink most often January 8, 2020 The City of London lived up to its boozy reputation in a new survey, topping a list of boroughs who go out for drinks most often. A survey by Babylon Health through its Healthcheck app revealed that residents of the Square Mile go out for 3.4 “drinking sessions” per week. Read more: City of London [...]
Sadiq Khan has increased press office spending by 26 per cent in four years January 8, 2020 Sadiq Khan has increased spending on the mayor of London’s press operation by 26 per cent since being elected, according to newly released figures. The mayor’s office spent £920,967.95 on communications officers in 2018-19, after his predecesor Boris Johnson spent £732,537.42 in 2015-16. Read more: Questions raised over Rory Stewart association with church under fraud [...]
Gracechurch developer bangs drum for a city with a ‘bright future’ January 7, 2020 As an overseas investor in the City of London, the election of the new Conservative majority government and the message it sends to people like me who are keen to invest in the UK economy is welcome. After three and half years of political turmoil, the UK can finally move forward as a country and [...]
Exclusive: City of London councillors call for associate guild to admit female members January 7, 2020 One of the City’s ancient trade guilds that does not accept female members is “tainting” the City of London, according to a group of councillors. The City of London Corporation has 110 associated Livery companies, which were traditionally trade associations and guilds for different crafts. Read more: Exclusive: City of London mulls over historic Lord Mayor selection reform The groups [...]
Minister refuses to confirm election pledge for temporary Hammersmith Bridge January 7, 2020 A transport minister has failed to stand by an election pledge by a fellow minister to build a temporary Hammersmith Bridge. In December, transport minister George Freeman joined environment minister Zac Goldsmith in a Twitter video to confirm that the government wanted to build the temporary river crossing alongside Hammersmith Bridge. Read more: Conservatives pledge [...]
TfL and Santander to mark 10-year anniversary of Boris bikes January 7, 2020 Santander and Transport for London (TfL) are set to celebrate the 10th anniversary of so-called “Boris bikes”. The hire scheme – officially known as Santander Cycles – began in July 2010 with 315 docking stations over eight boroughs and was informally named after Prime Minister, and then mayor of London, Boris Johnson. Read more: TfL [...]
London house prices rose twice as fast as the rest of UK in 2010s January 7, 2020 London house prices rose twice as fast as the UK average during the 2010s, a new report has shown, notching up a 66 per cent growth rate that was far faster than any other region. In the country as a whole, the average house price rose 33 per cent over the last decade as it [...]