Christmas Special: Books of 2021 from Mayhem to Madness December 17, 2021 Back into the mayhem: Chief of Staff by Gavin Barwell Gavin Barwell was a middle-ranking minister when he lost his Croydon Central seat at the cack-handed 2017 general election. He was 45, bright, personable and loyal, and he had sensed that defeat might come, promising in his concession speech to spend more time with his [...]
Met Police will ‘make contact’ with attendees over alleged Covid breaches after Tory Christmas party December 16, 2021 Police officers are to speak to two people who attended a gathering at the Conservative Party headquarters over “alleged breaches” of Covid laws. Images this week revealed that campaign staff held a Christmas party at Conservative offices in London last year, when the country was under tough restrictions banning indoor socialising. The Metropolitan Police said [...]
Boris Johnson ‘joined staff for pizza party’ during first Covid lockdown December 16, 2021 The Prime Minister joined Downing Street staff for a party at No 10 during the first Covid lockdown last May, it has been reported. The claims – reported jointly by The Independent and The Guardian – outline that Boris Johnson spent 15 minutes at a “pizza party” with staff on 15 May 2020. Around 20 [...]
Harrods brings forward Boxing Day sale as central London footfall drops December 16, 2021 Luxury department store Harrods has brought forward its usual Boxing Day sale as footfall in central London continues to drop amid rising Covid cases. The sale will start on Friday and run into next year, although further discounts will be introduced on Boxing Day. Shoppers have shied away from visiting central London shopping destinations over [...]
Retail welcomes move for tougher sentences on those who abuse shop staff December 16, 2021 Businesses have welcomed the progression of legislation that will see people who commit violent offences against retail staff face tougher sentences. The House of Lords passed the government’s amendment to the Police, Crime, Sentencing and Courts Bill this week. The amendment will mean assaults on those serving the public or performing a public duty will [...]
Ryanair mocks absent Chancellor with ‘come back to help out’ tweet December 16, 2021 The Chancellor of the Exchequer faced criticism from Ryanair this afternoon, as the budget airline urged him to return to the UK and help out ailing businesses. Hospitality and tourism firms have been calling on Sunak to bring back pandemic support measures, as they face waves of cancellations amid a surge of Omicron cases before [...]
Mayor of London: Highest number of council homes started since 1970s December 16, 2021 The Mayor of London’s office has said it has “breathed new life into homebuilding” with some 4,689 new council homes started this financial year. Sadiq Khan said it was the highest number of new council homes since the 1970s, under the Mayor’s Building Council Homes for Londoners programme. The number of homes started annually had [...]
Staff absences sweeping London leave hospitals teetering on ‘dangerous situation’ December 16, 2021 The number of staff absences that have swept London as a result of the recent wave of Omicron has hospitals teetering on a “dangerous situation”, a medical expert has warned. Sickness levels among hospital workers, including doctors and nurses, has risen to around 10 per cent, leaving shifts and wards short-staffed, Royal Colle of Emergency [...]
TfL to slash congestion charge after 6pm, maintaining £15 cap December 16, 2021 Transport for London (TfL) announced today that from 21 February the congestion charge will be scrapped every day from 6pm, remaining operational on weekends between 12pm and 6pm. The £15 price cap will remain unchanged, the network added. Following a 10-week public consultation involving around 100,000 people, TfL has stated that the changes will prevent [...]
FTSE: Lloyds, Barclays and Natwest shares surge on Bank of England surprise interest rate hike December 16, 2021 London markets are up around one per cent this lunchtime after a surprise interest rate hike from the Bank of England saw Lloyds Bank, Barclays and Natwest shares take off. The capital’s premier FTSE 100 index was still up 0.99 per cent after the rates call from Threadneedle Street, while the mid-cap FTSE 250 index, [...]