Crossrail will be ‘mothballed’ without extra funding, TfL chief warns November 21, 2020 The troubled £19bn Crossrail project is at risk of being “mothballed’ unless it receives urgent additional funding, London’s transport chief has warned. Transport for London (TfL) commissioner Andy Byford this week urged the Department for Transport to provide £80m of immediate support to keep the rail link on track, Sky News reported. In a letter [...]
London business groups urge Sunak to give capital its fair share in spending review November 19, 2020 A pair of London business advocacy groups have called for the capital to receive significant amounts of funding in Rishi Sunak’s spending review next week amid fears the city could be overlooked. London First and the London Chamber of Commerce and Industry told City A.M. that it was vital the capital was not forgotten by [...]
Exclusive: Sadiq Khan’s PR budget soars by 33 per cent in four years November 19, 2020 Sadiq Khan has increased City Hall spending on public relations by 33 per cent over the course of his term in office, according to newly released figures. Numbers released by City Hall through a freedom of information request show the mayor spent £977,912 on press office costs for 2019/20, compared to £732,537 in 2015/16. Spending [...]
Crossrail 2 ‘still needed in the future’ despite cash drought November 18, 2020 London’s Crossrail 2 is “ready to be restarted” in the future despite London mayor Sadiq Khan earlier this month agreeing to shelve the £33bn project in return for a bailout for Transport for London (TfL). Khan agreed to put the north-south rail project on ice as part of a last-ditch financial package from Westminster to [...]
Exclusive: UK investors turn to property as they brace for a recession November 17, 2020 UK investors worried about the government’s handling of the pandemic and Brexit are turning to property as they brace for a recession. A survey of over 1,000 investors by FJP Investment reveals nearly two thirds – 62 per cent – are concerned that the government’s mishandling of the pandemic will result in a long-term recession. [...]
UK Brexit chief says trade deal could be struck ‘early next week’ November 17, 2020 The UK’s chief Brexit negotiator David Frost has reportedly told Prime Minister Boris Johnson to expect a trade deal with the EU “early next week”. The Sun reported that Frost said there was a “possible landing zone” that could be reached as early as next Tuesday. Britain and the EU are entering a key phase [...]
Exclusive: Ministers risk ‘catastrophic’ outcome for financial services in Brexit talks, warns mayor November 16, 2020 Sadiq Khan has today warned that the Government risks a “diminished country” if it fails to protect the financial services industry in Brexit negotiations.
Government must shield, not sacrifice, financial services in Brexit negotiations November 16, 2020 The health and success of London’s financial businesses is pivotal to the national interest. Banks and other financial institutions that operate out of the Square Mile and Canary Wharf play a vital role in financing businesses, start-ups and critical infrastructure projects in every corner of the UK.
Sadiq Khan forced to cut budget by £38m after Covid leaves black hole November 16, 2020 Sadiq Khan has revised the Greater London Authority’s budget downward by £38m after a drop in revenue due to the Covid crisis. A statement from City Hall said the drop in spending is “because of a forecast unprecedented loss of business rates and council tax income, caused by Covid-19, and the government’s refusal to adequately fund local and [...]
Khan: By 2022 40% of new Met recruits should come from BAME background November 13, 2020 London mayor Sadiq Khan is launching an action plan to address the low level of trust and confidence that many Black Londoners feel towards the Metropolitan Police Service. Writing in today’s Independent, Khan said as part of his action plan he would like to see as many as two in five new recruits to the [...]