Blame restrictions on the supply of land for new homes for rising wealth inequality February 22, 2017 Official data released last week on house price increases in 2016, which among other things showed the Shetland Isles as the part of the UK which posted the biggest jump in prices last year (at 26 per cent), generated a lot of interest. Given that housing represents by far the most important component of wealth [...]
Our overly centralised tax system has exacerbated the business rates debacle February 22, 2017 Business rates may not be the most captivating subject for most City A.M. readers. But the impact of a delayed revaluation on our shops, pubs and cafes might well be. Changes affecting the £25bn a year tax that ultimately goes to pay for social care, schools, Tube trains and roads are due to come into [...]
In full: The letter Sadiq Khan sent to chancellor Philip Hammond on business rates February 21, 2017 London mayor Sadiq Khan has joined forces with a host of business groups to write to chancellor Philip Hammond, warning him about how business rate changes will hit the capital. Business rates changes will come into effect on 1 April, and the new taxes are tied to rents across the UK. As rents have jumped [...]
Sadiq Khan “shocked” at business rate rises that threaten small firms February 21, 2017 London mayor Sadiq Khan has said he is "shocked" by the business rate rises set to hit the capital, and has told chancellor Philip Hammond the tax changes could wipe out firms across the city. He has warned that the changes to commercial property taxes, which will come into effect on 1 April, could force the closure [...]
London is the most congested city in the UK, but which is the road with the heaviest traffic jams? February 21, 2017 Yesterday, London was revealed to be the most congested city in the UK – and the data by Inrix has also named the capital’s most congested roads. The top five most congested roads in the UK are to be found in London, unsurprisingly, and two happen to be in the city centre. So the question [...]
Heathrow tunnel leading into airport blocked due to demonstration February 21, 2017 Access to Heathrow Airport has been disrupted due to an impromptu climate change demonstration this morning, with five activists arrested for their part in the protest. The police were called at around 08:25AM to reports that a tunnel near the airport had been blocked to traffic by protesters. Three cars were obstructing the tunnel, with three protestors [...]
Drones will transform our cities – and we’re totally unprepared for the consequences February 21, 2017 Drones are everywhere – whether that’s delivering Domino’s pizzas in New Zealand or dancing behind Lady Gaga at the US Super Bowl. With the news that Amazon’s new drone delivery plan includes “package parachutes”, considering how drones will impact our cities in the future is an issue that London must address now. No longer limited [...]
Spending sprees and strikes prove Sadiq Khan is using London as a springboard for his real ambitions: the Labour leadership February 21, 2017 A hypothesis: Sadiq Khan plans to cut and run after a single four-year term as mayor of London. In the meantime he will say and do anything he can to boost his popularity, regardless of the consequences. His motivation? To present himself as a quick-fix, ready-made alternative to the current Labour leader. Khan’s supporters may [...]
London Underground users charged £365m for incomplete journeys February 20, 2017 London’s Tube travellers are leaving themselves open to over-charging by failing to “tap out” with oysters or bank cards at stations on the Underground network. TfL has charged its customers £365m over six years from cards with incomplete journeys, according to figures provided to the Evening Standard. During peak hours, the Tube network charges £7.80 [...]
There’s another anti-Trump protest planned for central London this evening February 20, 2017 Activists are planning another protest against US President Donald Trump in central London tonight. The demonstration will coincide with the House of Commons debate on whether the President should be granted a state visit to the UK. Tonight's action follows numerous other marches and protests against Trump in the capital, sparked in large part by the US leader's travel [...]