Filled with HS2 fever? No? Then let’s think up something better August 27, 2019 HS2, the unloved child of British infrastructure, looks like a goner. And while those into trains might spot that there is a review underway, there can be little doubt that this in itself sends a terminal signal to a project that once seemed to offer a glimpse of what a brave new British future might [...]
HS2 faces the scrap as Boris Johnson kicks off review August 21, 2019 The controversial HS2 high speed rail line could be scrapped after the government launched a review into the scheme following mounting concerns over its cost and deliverability. Transport secretary Grant Shapps officially kicked off the review into the high speed line, which will connect London to Birmingham from December 2026, and Birmingham to Manchester and [...]
‘Dearth of supply’ sees London office vacancies drop to lowest level since 2007 August 19, 2019 A supply starved market and weakened investment has led to vacancy rates in London offices falling to their lowest level since 2007, a new report has found. The amount of available office space in London has fallen 19 per cent over the past year, with vacancies in the City dropping 27 per cent, according to [...]
Arsenal and West Ham among latest Premier League clubs proving why a director of football is now necessary August 15, 2019 They go by a number of titles, working tirelessly throughout the transfer window to recruit the best players and maximise value. Whether labelled as sporting director, director of football or something else, the responsibilities are similar. The position is a growing phenomenon in England, and in some instances those in the role are becoming cult [...]
Adrian the hero but Pulisic and Firmino impress in Liverpool’s Super Cup victory over Chelsea on penalties August 14, 2019 Adrian played just five times for West Ham last season – all cup games, the last of which was a miserable FA Cup defeat against AFC Wimbledon in January. Over the summer he was without a contract, training alone. Fast-forward to just his second game for Liverpool, and his first start for his new club [...]
From subsidies to social unrest, China is keeping markets awake August 13, 2019 August has already been eventful for US-China relations. Last week, China suspended purchases of US farm products in response to an escalation in American tariffs, meaning that President Donald Trump won’t get the great agriculture orders that he tweeted about so enthusiastically in June. African Swine Fever means that there are fewer pigs in China [...]
By trolling Anthony Scaramucci, Trump has crossed a line August 12, 2019 When I woke up on Sunday, like a lot of entrepreneurs and people who work in the media, I reached for my smartphone to check Twitter (Mrs B was still asleep; I am an early riser). One story that caught my eye straight away was President Trump – where would Twitter be without him, or [...]
Why fired-up Liverpool can end Manchester City’s Premier League reign and Manchester United could fall out of the top six August 8, 2019 What separates Manchester City and Liverpool from the rest of the Premier League is that they have settled squads which excelled last season, playing to their optimum level almost every week in a brilliant title race that City eventually just edged. Sustaining that lead is so difficult and this is why Pep Guardiola got such [...]
Lessons in investing from England’s Cricket World Cup victory August 7, 2019 It may not have felt like it at times during the final but England started the Cricket World Cup as clear favourites to win the tournament. Forget the weight of money that tends to distort domestic teams’ odds ahead of a major sporting event. Independent data had England ranked as the top one-day cricket side [...]
Scrapped: Government cancels bidding for Southeastern rail franchise as fresh search for operator begins August 7, 2019 The government has faced accusations of running Britain’s railways “on the hoof” after it scrapped the bidding process for the Southeastern rail franchise, making it the latest botched procurement by the Department for Transport (DfT). Officials will now have until 1 April 2020 to choose the next franchise operator. Go-Ahead Group, which currently operates the [...]