Is the British motorist falling out of love with diesel cars? February 7, 2017 Ever since news of the VW emissions scandal broke in 2015, the automotive industry has been waiting for a sign that British motorists are falling out of love with diesel cars. The latest new car sales data published by the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT) shows a definite swing away from diesel in [...]
London is a monument to the benefits of openness and internationalism February 6, 2017 "London is open”. This much-publicised campaign, launched by mayor of London Sadiq Khan and garlanded with column inches and broadcast coverage, is doing a great job of communicating the fact that the world’s greatest city wants nothing to do with the protectionism that seems to be appearing elsewhere in the world. We stand as a [...]
Bank of America Merrill Lynch is looking for new space in the City despite Brexit uncertainty February 5, 2017 Bank of America Merrill Lynch (BAML) has started its search for new office space despite the uncertainty of the City of London's future following the Brexit vote. The US banking giant is currently located near St Paul's Cathedral, but as its lease expires in 2022, the bank has started looking at other buildings that could [...]
Generation rent? Now the government wants to help you out February 5, 2017 The government will this week turn its attention to so-called generation rent, with promises of new measures aimed at helping those who are unable, or not yet ready, to jump on the housing ladder through home ownership. It is pledging to look at new ways of encouraging the building of more affordable rented homes across the [...]
London won’t host the Super Bowl anytime soon, but NFL will remain international in age of Trump and Brexit says league’s UK boss February 4, 2017 For NFL fans in London, watching the Super Bowl this Sunday night will follow a familiar routine of staying up late, finding a comfy position on the couch with plenty of snacks to keep you going, perhaps sneaking a quick snooze in at half-time and then fighting on through until the final down — just [...]
Next week’s Tube strikes are off: RMT suspends action February 3, 2017 Planned Tube strikes for next week have been suspended, the Rail, Maritime and Transport (RMT) union has announced. It had met with London Underground (LU) bosses this week at conciliation service Acas to try and avoid more strike action taking place from Sunday. More than 3,000 of the union's members were poised to walk out from 6pm on Sunday until [...]
A new complex is planned for the Greenwich Peninsula – but it has no affordable housing February 2, 2017 Images of the new landmark development at the Greenwich Peninsula have been unveiled, a project London mayor Sadiq Khan has tipped as a "new cultural district" for the capital. The scheme from developer Knight Dragon will provide new apartments, as well as offices, hotels, shops, bars and a theatre, over 1.4m square feet. The complex has [...]
Sadiq Khan splurging £33m a year on “ridiculous” free travel for the flatmates of TfL staff February 1, 2017 A perk for the flatmates of Transport for London employees is costing London taxpayers more than £33m a year in lost revenue, according to new figures. A new analysis by London Assembly Tories has called on mayor Sadiq Khan to scrap the “ridiculous” benefit, currently available to anyone sharing a residence with a TfL worker. [...]
Mayor’s concessions to the unions over Tube strikes will cost £17m a year, say GLA Conservatives February 1, 2017 Efforts to avoid a repeat of this month's hugely disruptive Tube strike will come at a hefty cost, GLA Conservatives have warned. London Underground (LU) bosses have been in fresh talks with the RMT union to try and avoid more walkouts starting at the end of this week. As part of its proposals made to both the RMT [...]
Sadiq Khan to tell diplomats from around the world to reject Trump’s travel ban January 31, 2017 London mayor Sadiq Khan will tonight tell an audience of international diplomats to reject US president Donald Trump's harsh new restriction on travel into the US. Trump introduced a 90 day suspension on arrivals from seven Muslim majority Middle Eastern and African countries over the weekend, though the Foreign Office has claimed that British passport holders [...]