London’s Islamic finance boom shows that flexibility and innovation are in the City’s DNA March 20, 2017 In recent years, the UK has stepped up its game in Islamic finance. In 2014, for example, it became the first country outside the Islamic world to issue a sovereign sukuk, the Islamic equivalent of a bond. With such significant developments taking place here in the UK, I was very much looking forward to a trip [...]
Ranked: Average rent prices of the world’s top financial cities spanning London to Hong Kong to Frankfurt March 18, 2017 The capital's renters who work in the City may not be getting a raw deal when it comes to rent – at least not when London’s stacked up against the globe’s other top financial cities. London is the leading financial hub based on the latest rankings in the Global Financial Centres Index by the Z/Yen Group. That considers elements [...]
From Singapore to London: Here are the cities with the best infrastructure in the world March 18, 2017 It's official: London's not quite at the top when it comes to cities with the best infrastructure. In fact, it's not in the top three globally. First place goes to Singapore, followed by Frankfurt and Munich in joint second, Copenhagen in fourth and Dusseldorf in fifth. The capital does though, rank fairly highly, coming joint sixth with [...]
An anti-racism march is being held in London today by Stand Up to Racism to defend EU nationals’ rights and protest Trump’s ban March 18, 2017 Thousands are expected to take part in today’s anti-racism march in the capital to mark UN Anti-Racism Day and campaign for EU workers in the UK and against the “toxic scapegoating of migrants”. Organisers Stand Up to Racism said: “As Theresa May prepares to trigger Article 50 with ‘hard Brexit’ while contributing to the toxic [...]
Tower Hamlets regains its powers two years after corruption scandal March 17, 2017 Tower Hamlets has had most of its powers returned two years after a corruption scandal that saw its mayor, Luther Rahman, removed from office. Today the department for communities and local government (DCLG) said that Tower Hamlets once again has power over awarding contracts and grants. DCLG also removed one of the four government-appointed commissioners that [...]
Big Ben to the Shard: See how London’s skyline has changed (and what could have been) over 100 years March 17, 2017 In 1930 London's tallest buildings included Battersea Power Station, Big Ben and St Paul's. A century later, those buildings will not only be dwarfed by modern icons like the Shard, the Walkie Talkie and the Cheesegrater, but soon-to-appear 22 Bishopsgate and the Mitsubishi Tower. Then there are the towers that could have been – the [...]
Transport for London (TfL) has updated its walking Tube maps to cover Zone 3 and National Rail stations March 17, 2017 Transport for London's (TfL) walking maps have just become even handier. The indispensable guides to walking times and steps between stations have been expanded and now encompass Zone 3 and National Rail stations. So they're the ideal tools for when a Tube strike is on the horizon and you need to scope out other options. Read [...]
South East business leaders urge government to commit to Crossrail 2 as a project of “national importance” March 17, 2017 Business leaders, including the bosses of Heathrow and Gatwick airports, have urged the government to make Crossrail 2 a priority and enable "rapid progress" on the project. A group of more than 70 leaders from across the South East have written to chancellor Philip Hammond and transport secretary Chris Grayling, saying the infrastructure project is of "national importance". [...]
London mayor Sadiq Khan has no plans to follow in Paris’ footsteps and trial free public transport days to curb air pollution March 17, 2017 London mayor Sadiq Khan has said he has "no plans" to trial free public transport days in a bid to cut air pollution, saying the move would cost Transport for London (TfL) £12m in lost revenue. Over in Paris, authorities announced a few days in December where people could use public transport for free after a [...]
Celebrate St Patrick’s Day in style: here are six of the best things to do this weekend March 17, 2017 If you didn’t have enough of drinking during London Beer Week, rejoice: for it is St Paddy’s day, and London is celebrating, hard. To ensure you don't miss out, here's are the best things to do for St Patrick's Day in London. Today Father Ted-A-Thon St Patrick’s Day Special at The Grand, Clapham Celebrate Craggy [...]