It will need all hands to the pump to get London back where it should be Giving our global London a reboot will require more than wishful thinking Last year was for many the most challenging year in living memory. Repeated lockdowns, the loss of loved ones, business closures, job losses and a complete shift in how we live our lives. Our great capital city has also undergone sudden and dramatic changes. As the pandemic took hold in March it was eerily empty, [...]
London’s businesses can lead a UK-wide economic recovery As the focus shifts from the immediate health crisis of Covid-19 to slowly easing the lockdown, the capital’s business leaders are committed to playing their part. Early this week, I brought together some of London’s most prominent businesses, representing all sectors of the economy, to map out solutions that support a business-led recovery. From Heathrow, [...]
Activists shouldn’t be too quick to celebrate the court’s Heathrow decision Activists shouldn't be too quick to celebrate the court's Heathrow decision When thinking about yesterday’s Court of Appeal ruling on the Heathrow expansion, it’s important to remember what it is not. The Court of Appeal threw out objections about noise and air pollution. And they made it clear that they were not ruling on whether Heathrow expansion should happen – that is a decision for parliament. [...]
Get Brexit done, yes — but now onto the urgent domestic agenda December 17, 2019 It may have seemed like a lifetime, but the six-week election campaign period has finally drawn to a close. And at the end of January, the UK is set to leave the EU — at the fourth attempt. With a thumping majority, the Prime Minister should face little challenge in getting his withdrawal agreement through [...]
Londoners need homes – and a full review of green belt land October 8, 2019 Building more homes is not just common sense, but good business sense too. London needs more homes to keep talent here and to maintain social cohesion and diverse communities. This is not a controversial view. Londoners know that we are in the grip of a housing crisis: a YouGov survey commissioned by London First and [...]
Boris must remember his success as a pro-business London mayor June 24, 2019 As the final two leadership candidates embark on a tour of the country to sell their vision for Britain to Conservative party members, the business leaders I speak to are clear on what they need: the next Prime Minister must be able to facilitate a successful future for our economy, society and communities, while bringing [...]
Out for justice: Britain must fight for its status as a global legal hub May 8, 2019 The UK legal sector is in rude health. There are almost 10,000 private practice firms across the country, and over 200 foreign law firms with offices in London. Together, they support a total of 342,000 jobs and make a sizeable contribution to the UK’s trade surplus of around £4.4bn. But as we kick off London [...]
It’s time to stop arguing about expanding Heathrow – and get building May 2, 2019 Thankfully for the UK economy, the High Court yesterday quashed a challenge brought against the government’s decision to expand Heathrow Airport. No one questions the need for scrutiny. Indeed, detailed consideration for how to manage the impact of the expansion on local people – which for some will be significant – lies ahead through the [...]
