Nathan Law: I’m not entitled to lose hope in Hong Kong’s struggle January 17, 2021 City A.M. Editor Andy Silvester talks to Nathan Law, a pro-democracy activist from Hong Kong and one of TIME Magazine’s 100 most influential people on the planet – discussing the territory’s battle against repression, Beijing’s war on free expression and the need for a global solution to authoritarianism Nathan Law should not be in London [...]
Chancellor plots one-off Covid grant for benefit claimants January 16, 2021 The Chancellor is reportedly planning a one-off payment for benefit claimants instead of extending the temporary £20-per-week increase. Rishi Sunak met with the work and pensions secretary Therese Coffey on Friday to discuss the alternatives to the increase in universal credit payments, according to The Times. He increased universal credit and the basic working tax [...]
UK house prices: What will happen to property values in 2021? January 16, 2021 The UK residential property market boomed in 2020, with house prices ending the year at a record high, despite the shutdown of the sector during the first coronavirus lockdown. Government measures such as the stamp duty holiday helped revitalise the market, while the lifting of lockdown restrictions prompted a surge in demand. Lockdown also inspired [...]
Back to work Monday? Perhaps a four day week is good for all of us January 16, 2021 The idea of moving to a four-day working week has grown in popularity and momentum since Covid, and we’re beginning to see signs that British businesses are warming towards the prospect. Awin, a leading online marketing firm, is currently undertaking one of the biggest trials yet, with their 1,000 strong workforce – including 300 based [...]
Major UK business body calls for furlough scheme extension to July January 15, 2021 One of the UK’s largest business lobbies is calling for the government to extend the furlough scheme to July and to give out a fresh round of business grants worth £25,000 each. The British Chambers of Commerce (BCC) also called for temporary VAT cuts and business rates relief to be extended, with the group saying [...]
London needs offices to thrive to secure its global future January 15, 2021 Are cities dead? There are plenty who think so – but Britain should hope they’re wrong. “The history book has not yet been written for cities” is the rallying cry emanating from Government. Those were Rishi Sunak’s words, echoing the Prime Minister’s faith when he spoke with FTSE 250 leaders last week that, post-pandemic, we [...]
An introvert’s confession: I really need the office January 15, 2021 I’m an introvert. When people first get to know me they find it ridiculous I tell them this. I apparently do a very convincing impression of someone who isn’t panicking, but the truth is socialising is a very difficult thing for me. When faced with social situations, my flight or fight reflex kicks in, and [...]
New BBC chair Richard Sharp hints at licence fee reform January 14, 2021 The incoming chair of the BBC has hinted at a possible overhaul of the licence fee funding model as he vowed to shake up the culture of the public service broadcaster. Appearing in front of MPs today, Richard Sharp said he believed the licence fee was the “least worst” option and insisted it was fit [...]
Britishvolt: The batterymaker leading the charge towards the 2030 diesel car ban January 14, 2021 2020 was a dire year for the UK car industry, but buried amid the reports of tumbling vehicle sales was one piece of promising news. For the first time ever, sales of electric vehicles comprised 10 per cent of all new car sales, figures from auto body the Society for Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT) [...]
London Tories: Council tax hike is a result of Mayor’s mistakes January 14, 2021 Londoners are struggling. Businesses are closed. Our city’s streets are empty. And yet, it’s during the worst recession for 300 years, that Sadiq Khan has chosen to ask Londoners to pay for his mistakes. Khan’s whopping council tax rise couldn’t have come at a worse time. The Mayor wants to paint himself as the saviour [...]