Sadiq Khan is on track to have “the worst strikes record” of any London mayor, say GLA Conservatives February 22, 2017 The mayor is on track for the "worst strikes record of any mayor", Greater London Authority Conservatives said today. In the latest clash between Conservative London Assembly members and Sadiq Khan, Keith Prince, the deputy chair of the Assembly's Transport Committee, said today's walkout on the Central and Waterloo & City Lines will by the fourth strike in [...]
A London estate agent has demanded Sadiq Khan offers firms a Crossrail levy holiday as the business rates row continues February 22, 2017 Sadiq Khan's comments on business rate rises in the capital clearly haven't gone down well with some… The mayor said yesterday he was "shocked" by business rate rises set to hit the capital – but a boss at estate agent and consultancy Colliers International has said the mayor can take action himself, and called on Khan to do more. [...]
Our overly centralised tax system has exacerbated the business rates debacle February 22, 2017 Business rates may not be the most captivating subject for most City A.M. readers. But the impact of a delayed revaluation on our shops, pubs and cafes might well be. Changes affecting the £25bn a year tax that ultimately goes to pay for social care, schools, Tube trains and roads are due to come into [...]
London’s Tory MPs band together to battle business rate plans February 21, 2017 London's Tory MPs are banding together to propose reforms to business rates as the pressure builds on chancellor Philip Hammond. Wimbledon MP Stephen Hammond told City A.M. that MPs were reflecting the fact that capital business faces some of the steepest increases in the country. “The pressure is building at a time when it's very difficult [...]
In full: The letter Sadiq Khan sent to chancellor Philip Hammond on business rates February 21, 2017 London mayor Sadiq Khan has joined forces with a host of business groups to write to chancellor Philip Hammond, warning him about how business rate changes will hit the capital. Business rates changes will come into effect on 1 April, and the new taxes are tied to rents across the UK. As rents have jumped [...]
Sadiq Khan “shocked” at business rate rises that threaten small firms February 21, 2017 London mayor Sadiq Khan has said he is "shocked" by the business rate rises set to hit the capital, and has told chancellor Philip Hammond the tax changes could wipe out firms across the city. He has warned that the changes to commercial property taxes, which will come into effect on 1 April, could force the closure [...]
Spending sprees and strikes prove Sadiq Khan is using London as a springboard for his real ambitions: the Labour leadership February 21, 2017 A hypothesis: Sadiq Khan plans to cut and run after a single four-year term as mayor of London. In the meantime he will say and do anything he can to boost his popularity, regardless of the consequences. His motivation? To present himself as a quick-fix, ready-made alternative to the current Labour leader. Khan’s supporters may [...]
Politicians must tread carefully on M&A intervention February 20, 2017 It is common in business and politics today to talk about "signals". Brexit is either a signal of our desire to cut ourselves off from the world, or a sign that we’re set to become a kind of expansionist high-seas merchant. From immigration to Donald Trump, foreign policy to international aid, perceptions are increasingly being [...]
Amazon creates thousands of new jobs in another win for post-Brexit UK and Expedia expands London office February 20, 2017 Amazon is the latest US tech giant to commit to the UK after the vote for Brexit, promising to create thousands of new jobs by the end of the year. Some 5,000 full-time jobs will be created across Amazon's business in the UK, bringing total headcount to 24,000 by the end of 2017. The plans include jobs [...]
Khan says Trump’s visit should be scrapped over “cruel and shameful” travel ban February 19, 2017 Prime Minister Theresa May should scrap plans for US President Donald Trump to visit the UK over his “cruel and shameful” policies, London mayor Sadiq Khan has said. Trump was offered a state visit to the UK just days after being elected, but the plan has proved controversial, with protests erupting over the President's attempts to ban [...]