Oxford Street: Former MP for the City and Westminster brands pedestrianisation ‘bullying’ September 17, 2024 A row has erupted over Sadiq Khan’s plans to pedestrianise Oxford Street as the area’s former MPs branded the move “bullying”. The mayor of London today unveiled proposals to ban traffic from the iconic central London retail destination, in what he hopes will reinvigorate the nation’s “most famous high street”. But Nickie Aiken, the former [...]
Sir Martin Sorrell: Labour’s working week reforms won’t help firms September 17, 2024 British businessman Sir Martin Sorrell has said that altering the working week will not boost productivity in the UK, pushing back on Prime Minister Keir Starmer’s pledges to transform Britain’s work culture.
Oxford Street: Sadiq Khan plans to pedestrianise iconic retail centre September 17, 2024 Sadiq Khan has announced plans to pedestrianise Oxford Street in a bid to reinvigorate the nation’s “most famous high street” and attract more shoppers. The mayor of London has announced the proposals to turn the road into a traffic-free avenue, alongside a wider regeneration of the shopping destination. Pedestrianisation plans would be delivered via the [...]
The Bank of England decision that really matters this week September 17, 2024 The Bank of England's interest rate decision later this week looks like a done deal. But there is another, arguably more important, decision you should be paying attention to, Chris Dorrell writes
Economic inactivity due to sickness could reach 4.3m, report warns September 17, 2024 The UK’s level of economic inactivity due to sickness could reach 4.3m by the end of this parliament, with an “unthinkable human and economic cost”, a health report has warned. A cross-party commission on health and prosperity, led by the Institute for Public Policy Research (IPPR), has published its findings on the future of Britain’s [...]
Yes, the UK needs more investment – just not necessarily by government September 17, 2024 After all, the public sector isn't always best suited to overseeing large scale investment projects like the disastrous HS2, writes Julian Jessop
Italian firms Leonardo and Marcegaglia to invest £485m in Britain, Starmer reveals September 16, 2024 Two Italian companies Leonardo and Marcegaglia are set to invest £485m into the UK, Sir Keir Starmer has announced. The news came during a joint press conference in Rome with the Prime Minister of Italy, Georgia Meloni, as part of Sir Keir’s trip to strengthen ties on migration, trade and defence. Aerospace firm Leonardo will [...]
West End: Tourist tax ‘disadvantage’ costs retailers hundreds of millions September 16, 2024 Retail business in London missed out on a projected £220m in the first half of 2024 due to the ongoing effect of the so-called tourist tax, despite continued growth in international visitor numbers. The number of international visitors to London was three per cent above pre-pandemic levels, but spending in the West End fell nearly [...]
‘Expensive triple lock’ needs to be reformed to get UK finances in order, OECD says September 16, 2024 "The current fiscal trajectory is unsustainable in the long term," the Paris-based organisation said.
‘Open for business’: Ministers head to Gulf states in bid to boost UK trade links September 16, 2024 Senior ministers are heading to the Gulf states for talks on boosting the UK’s economy via expanding trade links with the region and attracting international investment. Business secretary Jonathan Reynolds and trade minister Douglas Alexander are flying to Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, on their first joint international visit since the election, with Alexander then set to [...]