Khan: Tourist tax-free shopping u-turn bad for London’s businesses October 18, 2022 Sadiq Khan has slammed the government’s decision to u-turn on a plan to give tourists tax-free shopping. The Mayor of London said he “absolutely” shared the concerns of West End businesses, who have expressed disappointment that the capital will lag behind other cities’ in efforts to welcome high-spending foreign visitors. “VAT-free shopping for international tourists [...]
Met chief vows to ‘confront culture’ that allowed corrupt officers to remain in ranks October 17, 2022 Met Commissioner Sir Mark Rowley has vowed to “confront the culture, systems and leadership that have let down the public and staff alike” following a damning report by Baroness Louise Casey. In her review – which was published interim today before final publication in the spring – Baroness Casey reported that hundreds of corrupt police [...]
TfL to seek injunction against Just Stop Oil activists October 16, 2022 Transport for London (TfL) is preparing to apply for an injunction against Just Stop Oil activists after a fortnight of protests in the capital. Members of the campaign group sprayed paint over an Aston Martin showroom and blocked Park Lane in central London in their latest action on Sunday morning. The activists, who have been [...]
Sadiq Khan announces return of in-person New Year’s Eve fireworks display to capital October 14, 2022 Up to 100,000 people will return to the banks of the Thames for London’s spectacular New Year’s Eve celebrations after two years of Covid cancellation. Ticketholders will be able to watch the fireworks display in the centre of London for the first time since 2019, Mayor Sadiq Khan has announced. Coronavirus restrictions prevented the display [...]
A global London campaign just the tonic for Mayor-PM relations October 13, 2022 In the run-up to Liz Truss’ election by the Conservative party as Prime Minister, the Mayor of London Sadiq Khan wrote in these pages that it was time to turn a new leaf in the capital’s relationship with Downing Street. It is no secret that he and Johnson didn’t see eye to eye – clashing [...]
West End has 109 per cent sales boost but retail leaders call for ‘urgent’ business reform October 10, 2022 West End retailers are calling for fresh support and radical reform to help continue their pandemic recovery. The organisation representing 600 outlets and hospitality firms in Bond St, Oxford St, Regent St and Mayfair announced the district is returning to pre-coronavirus levels, but that it still needs help to stop it faltering. The New West [...]
Mayor’s ULEZ poll contradicts consultation reports October 10, 2022 A new poll commissioned by London mayor Sadiq Khan over the ULEZ expansion to Greater London directly contradicts reports of consultation responses against the decision. Figures published today by YouGov show that 51 per cent of Londoners are in favour of the expansion plans, against an opposition of 27 per cent. Out of this majority, [...]
Conservative police chiefs are smoking something if they crack down on cannabis October 6, 2022 The benefits - in terms of health, economics and crime - of decriminalisation would be far greater than slapping more restrictions on weed.
GLA Conservatives launch investigation into ULEZ expansion consultation October 3, 2022 GLA Conservatives have launched an investigation into the consultation on the ULEZ expansion after allegations emerged. Nick Rogers, GLA Conservatives’ transport spokesperson, wrote to London mayor Sadiq Khan demanding the consultation be opened to public scrutiny after the Telegraph this weekend reported that votes against the expansion might have been improperly removed. “TfL has excluded [...]
London’s summer heatwave sparked plunge in footfall as Mayor warns against climate crisis October 3, 2022 The summer heatwave saw London visitors plunge as commuters swap the City for the shade, says London Mayor Sadiq Khan. Speaking at the Reuters IMPACT Conference later today, the Mayor will reveal that on 18 July, when temperatures in London exceeded 35 degrees, there were 385,640 daytime workers in central London, when 518,000 workers would usually be [...]