Government starts hunt for company to build HS2 trains in £2.75bn contract January 20, 2017 It's full steam ahead for HS2: the government's now after a company to sign a £2.75bn contract to make a fleet of high speed trains for the project. Up to 60 high specification trains to transport passengers at around 225mph on the new rail service, will be needed. The government said hundreds of jobs will be [...]
In the doghouse? Pets at Home shares fall on softer merchandise sales January 19, 2017 Pets at Home's latest update announced "softer than anticipated" merchandise sales – knocking its share price down more than nine per cent, at the time of writing, to 216.40p. The figures Group revenue rose 4.4 per cent to £203.7m, though merchandise revenues were flat at £177.4m. The growth was propelled by its services business (including veterinary practices [...]
Full steam ahead for new HS2 West Coast Partnership franchise: Government unveils checklist for prospective bidders January 19, 2017 The government has laid out details for prospective bidders on the new franchise that will run the InterCity West Coast and HS2 services, with the winner set to be announced in November next year. The new franchise – the West Coast Partnership – is scheduled to start on 1 April 2019, and the operator will be [...]
London mayor Sadiq Khan issues London-wide air quality alert due to pollution “crisis” January 19, 2017 The mayor has issued air quality alerts across the capital, with moderate pollution expected until the weekend across 17 boroughs. Some boroughs in particular are expected to have the worst of it today: Westminster, City of London, Hammersmith, Kensington and Chelsea, Kingston and Hounslow and Wandsworth. There is also a chance of moderate nitrogen dioxide [...]
Over 60 per cent of UK workers apply for jobs they’re not qualified for – and most get rejected January 19, 2017 Scratching your head over a job rejection you didn't see coming? Could it be because you weren't actually qualified for it? You may scoff, but apparently more people than you'd think apply for jobs they don't actually have the credentials for. Over 60 per cent of UK workers have done so, according to a study of [...]
French aircraft engine maker Safran launches €8.5bn takeover of aircraft seat maker Zodiac Aerospace January 19, 2017 Safran has launched an agreed €8.5bn (£7.4bn) bid for aeroplane seat maker Zodiac Aerospace, creating the world's third-largest aerospace supplier by revenue. Philippe Petitcolin, Safran's chief executive said the acquisition represents "a unique opportunity" and said his company's industrial expertise will "accelerate the return to their historical levels of profitability in the seats and cabin activities". He [...]
Lloyds Banking Group takes the top spot on Stonewall’s top 100 LGBT employers as banking and legal dominate the list January 19, 2017 Lloyds Banking Group has taken the top spot of Stonewall's top 100 LGBT employers list. Banking and legal dominated the list of the charity's most inclusive employers. Lloyds, which came second to MI5 last year, launched a new colleague volunteering programme and formed official partnership with lesbian, gay, bi and trans (LGBT) charities. Law firm [...]
Who flies by private jet? A look at today’s typical customer January 19, 2017 Who flies private jet? Well, according to PrivateFly’s bookings, the average jet user is a 41-year-old male, who opts for a small “air taxi” jet from London to Paris. The private jet booking platform has unveiled the characteristics of the typical private jet frequenter, using data from users over the past 12 months. Read more: [...]
Ditch the congestion charge for road pricing, London Assembly Transport Committee tells Sadiq Khan January 19, 2017 The current congestion charge is "no longer fit for purpose" and road pricing should be rolled out instead, says the London Assembly Transport Committee. In London Stalling, a report released today, the committee urges the mayor to change the current system and bring in a way of charging people for road usage that is targeted at [...]
John McDonnell will join striking British Airways cabin crew at Heathrow January 18, 2017 Shadow chancellor John McDonnell is joining members of British Airways' cabin crew who are starting a three-day walkout tomorrow. Unite the union said its general secretary Len McCluskey and the shadow chancellor will be joining the picket lines at Heathrow tomorrow in a dispute over pay. McDonnell, whose Hayes & Harlington constituency covers Heathrow Airport, said: [...]
