Crystal ball time: What’s lined up in the Autumn Statement for transport and infrastructure? November 18, 2016 Infrastructure has become a bit of a theme ahead of Philip Hammond's first Autumn Statement. He has already announced the National Infrastructure Commission (NIC) is to become an executive agency with a budget, and apparently autonomy too. Rumour has it he's planning to invest up to £15bn in Britain's transport network and back dozens of [...]
The number of London workers with daily commutes of two hours or more is up by nearly a fifth November 18, 2016 You haven't imagined it: long commutes in the capital are increasing. The number of employees having to suffer through daily commutes of two hours or more has gone up nearly a fifth (17.2 per cent) over the past five years, according to new analysis from the Trades Union Congress (TUC). In 2015, 930,612 London workers had daily [...]
London’s still the number one city in Europe for digital startups November 18, 2016 Nobody is taking London’s crown as the best city in Europe for digital entrepreneurs. Not yet anyway. For the second year in a row, it has been crowned the best EU city for digital entrepreneurs. According to innovation foundation Nesta and the European Digital Forum’s European Digital City Index, the capital is still the best city [...]
Night Tube arrives on the Northern line: Here’s everything you need to know November 17, 2016 Frequenters of the Northern line, rejoice. For the day is nearly here. The Night Tube is coming to its fourth Underground line of the year tomorrow the 18 November, after already blessing the Jubilee, Victoria and (most of the) Central lines with its presence. And so far it's proving a hit with Londoners: passenger numbers are fifty per [...]
Toyota revs up electric car credentials with new in-house company November 17, 2016 Toyota is revving up its electric car credentials with the creation of an in-house venture company responsible for developing electric vehicles (EVs). It will be a virtual organisation, made up of four people: one from each of Toyota Industries Corporation, Aisin Seiki Co. Ltd., Denso Corporation and TMC. The body will be independent from other [...]
Britain’s used car sales motor to record levels as 2.1m vehicles changed hands from July to September November 17, 2016 Forget the very aesthetically appealing model debuts being wheeled out at the LA motor show, Brits are still feeling the love for used cars. According to the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT), growth in the used car market continued in the third quarter of this year, with buyers snapping up a record 2.1m vehicles, [...]
Strictly star (and former shadow chancellor) Ed Balls wants Bank of England independence reformed November 17, 2016 The star of Strictly Come Dancing 2016 has spoken out on the Bank of England's independence. Yes, that's right: former shadow chancellor Ed Balls has called for the BoE's independence to be curbed in response to growing "popular discontent". He has co-authored an academic paper on central bank independence saying: "We need a more nuanced approach [...]
Now Heathrow Airport’s trying to swoop in on the Christmas ad battle with this tear-jearker featuring two teddy bears November 17, 2016 First it was John Lewis that routinely took the crown for best Christmas ad. But in recent years other retailers have been upping the ante – from Sainsbury's to M&S to Waitrose's adorable robin. And now, not content with winning the battle over airport expansion (for now), Heathrow Airport has unveiled its very first Christmas ad [...]
A folding bike helmet made of paper scoops the 2016 James Dyson Award November 17, 2016 Occasional cyclists of London listen up, for designer Isis Shiffer has developed a helmet that you can whip out anytime, any place – and you can pop it in a handbag too. A recyclable folding helmet has won the international James Dyson Award. How's it foldable? Well, it's made of paper. Yes, you heard that [...]
