Commuter hell might get worse: RMT to ballot station staff across Govia Thameslink Railways July 27, 2016 Already reeling from upheaval on Southern Rail, commuters may enter the next circle of hell as RMT is to ballot staff across Govia Thameslink Railways (GTR). The union says it is to ballot station staff for industrial action over the threat to jobs, pay and safety from the impact of ticket office closures and the [...]
Four good things that have happened in the UK since the Brexit vote July 27, 2016 Who could blame us for worrying over our economic fate after the Brexit vote? We were afraid that the economy was heading for certain death and we wouldn't be able to rescue it. Here we are, over a month after the vote and it looks like there may be some light at the end of [...]
Six steps to housing heaven: How Theresa May can kick-start a house-building revolution July 26, 2016 The new Prime Minister has been in place for two weeks now, and is getting to work to achieve her positive agenda of uniting the country and promoting all parts of it, so no one is left behind. To deliver this, there has been substantial focus on housing delivery. The social case for housing is [...]
Mayor of London Sadiq Khan launches London Finance Commission 2 in his latest push for devolution July 26, 2016 Mayor of London Sadiq Khan has launched a new finance commission as part of his latest push for devolution in the wake of the Brexit vote. Khan has tasked the London Finance Commission to bring forward a new, beefed-up set of devolution proposals, arguing that “nothing should be ruled out” when it comes to giving London [...]
VCs have invested $200m in UK tech since Brexit July 25, 2016 The UK's tech sector is defying the Brexit blues, with more than $200m (£152.5m) of venture capital cash ploughed into startups since the vote to leave the EU on 24 June. Top tech leaders heralded the 42 deals which have been made in the past month as the data is an early indicator that the UK [...]
MPs call for “urgent” decision on airport expansion July 24, 2016 A final decision on expanding the UK's airport capacity needs to be made "urgently", a group of MPs have said, with further delay putting the economy at risk. A report from the British Infrastrucutre Group (BIG), a cross-party group led by Grant Shapps, urged Theresa May to make a decision "to show the new leadership's mettle". Read more: Heathrow [...]
It’s International Busking Day: Here’s what’s happening in Trafalgar Square today July 23, 2016 Today is International Busking Day, and the capital is celebrating with a line-up of our favourite musicians, in Trafalgar Square from 12pm to 8pm. Although mayor Sadiq Khan launched it yesterday with the likes of Corinne Bailey Rae, Olly Murs and an awkward photoshoot with British pop rock band The Vamps, today’s line-up includes London’s best-known [...]
London travel watchdog calls for action on Southern Rail July 22, 2016 London TravelWatch has called for an independent review of the Southern Rail franchise, after the train company slashed the number of services it provides. The independent travel watchdog, which is funded by the London Assembly, said it was greatly concerned "about the continuing poor performance and unreliability that Southern Rail passengers are facing". London TravelWatch [...]
Heathrow boss says Brexit means airport expansion plans need to move forward as company reports revenue grew to £1.3bn in first half of 2016 July 22, 2016 Heathrow boss John Holland-Kaye today said expanding the west London airport will give Britain the post-Brexit boost it needs, as the company reported revenue and profit grew in the six months to 30 June. Revenue was up one per cent to £1.32bn, from £1.31bn in the same period of 2015, while pre-tax profit jumped 8.7 [...]
Sadiq Khan urges Transport for London to take “immediate control of Southern Rail” until problems are resolved July 20, 2016 Transport for London should take immediate control of Southern Rail until problems on its lines are resolved, the mayor of London has said. Sadiq Khan has come out today to voice concern over the service and state he urgently wants to put a top TfL team in charge of failing Govia Thameslink Railways' Southern franchise. [...]