Hitachi billion-pound deal to buy UK signalling could hurt TfL: regulator June 8, 2023 The UK’s competition watchdog has provisionally ruled that Hitachi’s 1.7 billion euro (£1.36 billion) proposed purchase of Thales’s rail infrastructure could drive up prices and reduce service quality for passengers. The findings could lead to the merger being blocked. The Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) said the deal involves two of the leading suppliers of [...]
The Notebook: Globalisation, vertical farming and indy cafes June 8, 2023 The Notebook is where interesting people say interesting things. Today it’s Edwin Morgan from vertical farmers Harvest London. Globalisation, as we once knew it, is dead”, the shadow chancellor Rachel Reeves boldly proclaimed to an audience in Washington last week. The speech was as much about keeping Labour in the news as it was a [...]
London deserves a mayor who champions hospitality for both residents and tourists June 6, 2023 London is a city steeped in history, from the Tower of London to Buckingham Palace. It has been the home to thespian greats who have performed in venues in the West End and in Shakespeare’s Globe. It’s also the major European city with the highest number of green spaces. If culture isn’t for you, then [...]
Eurostar forced to suspend London-Amsterdam route June 5, 2023 Eurostar’s London to Amsterdam route will be suspended for at least a year due to engineering works in the Dutch capital, it has been confirmed today. A spokesperson for Eurostar said: “We have received confirmation from the Dutch government that Eurostar will not be able to run the Amsterdam route from June 2024 until April [...]
Addison Lee drivers hit by Khan’s anti-car policies, chief exec says June 4, 2023 Addison Lee’s chief executive Liam Griffin has hit out at Sadiq Khan arguing that his policies, such as the congestion charge and expansion of ULEZ, are hurting the firm’s drivers. Griffin told Bloomberg that there has been “an agenda to slow London down rather than speed it up.” “When you look at bus lanes, when [...]
London Euston and Paddington deserted as 12,000 strike on FA Cup Final and Epsom Derby day June 3, 2023 Two of the busiest train stations in London were almost empty on Saturday morning as train strikes continue into their second day. Around 12,000 members of the drivers’ union Aslef and the Rail, Maritime and Train (RMT) union are on strike over pay and working conditions, affecting 15 train companies. Platforms at Euston Station in [...]
Evolving ESG June 2, 2023 As the world becomes more socially and environmentally conscious, impactful ESG policies have become integral to corporate strategies. Stakeholders at every level, be they shareholders, employees, or consumers are demanding more of them, and firms should look to embrace this as a chance to make radical positive change. These increasing public expectations have been accompanied [...]
Strikes by RMT members continue today causing travel disruption June 2, 2023 Strikes by railway workers continued on Friday, causing fresh travel disruption for passengers. Members of the Rail, Maritime and Transport (RMT) union employed by train operators across England walked out in a long-running dispute over jobs, pay and conditions. Train services were disrupted by the action, which comes almost a year after the RMT held [...]
Sustainable partnerships June 1, 2023 With increasing focus being placed on CSR and ESG policies, the push for firms to take action to help tackle the UK’s climate challenge has never been stronger. This moment of increased engagement presents businesses across the UK with a unique opportunity to form partnerships and collaborations to enhance processes, products, and services, all in [...]
ULEZ: Khan expands vehicle scrappage grants to help London businesses cope June 1, 2023 Sadiq Khan will extend grants to small businesses so they can replace vehicles which don’t meet emissions standards, ahead of August’s expansion of the controversial ULEZ scheme. The London mayor intends to expand the £110m ‘scrappage scheme’ from the end of July, with “tens of thousands more Londoners” to benefit as the Ultra Low Emissions [...]