London boroughs prepare for £9.5bn business rates hike November 1, 2016 Business rates across all the boroughs of London will rise by £9.53bn over the next five years, according to new analysis. The government has re-evaluated the business rates payable for the first time in seven years, and the new tax rate will come into effect in April next year. Research by business rates specialists CVS [...]
Commuter group sets out legal grounds for judicial review against DfT November 1, 2016 Pressure group the Association of British Commuters (ABC) has sent a letter before action to transport secretary Chris Grayling. That's ahead of bringing a judicial review of the Department for Transport (DfT) for its handling of the Southern Rail franchise. The letter sets out the legal grounds on which the group is applying for permission to [...]
Sadiq Khan hits out at Boris Johnson for “mess” left at Old Oak Common November 1, 2016 Sadiq Khan has given his full backing to the huge regeneration at Old Oak Common, but lashed out at his predecessor Boris Johnson for leaving the plans in "a mess". Laying out the findings of his review of the Old Oak and Park Royal Development Corporation (OPDC), the London Mayor criticised Boris Johnson for rushing the [...]
Thames Tideway Tunnel moves £7m Blackfriars Millennium Pier to make way for the “super sewer” November 1, 2016 If you frequent Blackfriars you may have noticed its pier moved yesterday. Well it's all part of the work that's underway for the mammoth Thames Tideway Tunnel; Blackfriars Millennium pier needed to get shifted to prepare for construction of the long-awaited "super-sewer". The 25km tunnel will tackle the pollution of the tens of millions of [...]
Sadiq Khan says Night Tube services will start on the Piccadilly line from 16 December November 1, 2016 The Mayor of London, Sadiq Khan, has announced that Night Tube services will start on the Piccadilly line on Friday 16 December – sticking to his pledge to have five lines running by the end of the year. It follows the launch of the service on the Central, Victoria and Jubilee lines, with the Northern [...]
Premium Bonds stand the test of time and celebrate their 60th birthday today November 1, 2016 There aren't many government initiatives that go pretty much untouched for 60 years. But the iconic Premium Bond celebrates its diamond anniversary today and while some elements may have changed, the central idea remains the same. Harold Macmillan launched Premium Bonds in 1956 as part of a government initiative to encourage post-war Britons to save more. The [...]
Powa play: Dan Wagner ready for legal battle with former director Ben White over collapse of fintech unicorn November 1, 2016 With its multi-billion-dollar valuation, plush Heron Tower headquarters and outspoken founder, British fintech “unicorn” Powa was billed as Britain’s answer to Google – until, in February this year, it sensationally collapsed into administration. Now City A.M. can reveal the collapse is set to trigger a bloody courtroom battle as two of the story’s protagonists go head [...]
New New Scotland Yard? Met Police leaves home of 49 years October 31, 2016 The Metropolitan Police today left its New Scotland Yard HQ after 49 years. The building, close to Victoria, will now be known simply as 10 Broadway after being sold for £370m. The police force has relocated to a new, slimmed down premises known as Curtis Green on the Victoria Embankment. Read more: Met Police launch investigation into [...]
Heathrow’s already started spending on its third runway October 31, 2016 The government's backing of Heathrow airport expansion has triggered £50m of supply chain investment. Suffice to say the airport was ready and raring to go ahead of the government's decision to green light its expansion last week. Heathrow said the government's backing meant that £50m will be invested before the end of next year, creating 2,700 new British [...]
This week’s Southern strikes are set to go ahead with RMT dismissing Govia deadline as “more threats and bullying” October 31, 2016 Govia Thameslink Railway (the parent company of Southern Railway) is playing hardball. It's now told the Rail, Maritime and Transport (RMT) union it will rescind its "full and comprehensive offer" if strike action, planned for later this week (4 and 5 November) goes ahead. Essentially, it's the last chance for RMT to accept GTR's previously [...]