HS2 at risk of being ‘dismembered’ and never resurrected, peers warn government March 10, 2023 HS2 is at risk of being “dismembered” and never resurrected after further delays were announced by the Government, peers have heard. Cost-saving measures mean the construction of the Birmingham to Crewe leg of HS2 will be delayed by two years and services of the high speed rail line may not enter central London until the [...]
Government plans to delay HS2 will cost the UK more in the long term, London business group warns March 9, 2023 Delaying the construction of HS2 to save money will cost the UK more in the long term, a London business group has warned after reports the government is set to announce further delays to the already over budget and overdue project. “Delaying construction of HS2 to save money is a false economy. Failing to invest [...]
Black cabs: London’s electric taxis overtake diesel for first time with 6,000 now on capital’s roads March 7, 2023 London now has more electric black cabs than diesel powered ones for the first time, following widespread uptake of taxis in line with London’s net zero push. There are now more than 6,000 fully-electric black cabs in London’s taxi fleet, meaning electric taxis are now the most common type of Hackney carriage on the capital’s [...]
Greggs on a roll: Baker will boost its UK sites to 3,000 as later opening proves a hit with steak bake lovers March 7, 2023 Steak bake favourite Greggs said it expected to become a “significantly larger” business as it announced plans to grow its presence to 3000 sites following stellar sales figures. The budget bakery chain saw total sales up 23 per cent to £1.5bn in 2022, compared to £1.2bn the previous year, as consumers craved the brand’s new [...]
The Notebook: Nick Bowes on devolution, LA’s issues and why Lewisham is now home March 6, 2023 ACCESS to opportunities – well-paid jobs and high-quality study – is a major part of the levelling up agenda.Clearly, some parts of the UK don’t have the same access to jobs and education as others. London scores well, being home to amazing universities and colleges and thousands of high-end jobs. Many Londoners can see the [...]
Could A 4 Day Work Week Be Coming To Your Workplace? March 6, 2023 Four day work weeks have long been hailed as the future of work. But are we ready for such a monumental change in our working patterns and schedules? Earlier this month, 4 Day Week Global released its 2023 report, the contents of which have created quite a bit of debate across the fintech industries. The [...]
Sadiq Khan criticised for ULEZ cameras for ‘pay-as-you-drive’ charge plans March 5, 2023 London mayor Sadiq Khan has been criticised over plans to use ULEZ cameras for a possible future ‘pay-as-you-drive’ road user charging scheme. Transport for London (TfL) is looking into replacing existing schemes such as the congestion charge and the ultra low emission zone (ULEZ) with a “single, integrated road user” charge. Just 300 of the [...]
Offshore energy industry pleads with Hunt for help: Windfall tax ‘rocked investor confidence’ amid US threat March 2, 2023 The UK’s North Sea industry body has urged Jeremy Hunt to create an attractive investment climate to compete with rival energy markets.
London must be given power to direct its economy to arrest historic productivity decline, study urges March 2, 2023 London must be given greater power to direct its economy by central government to arrest a historic productivity decline, a new report out today has urged. Handing the capital more sway over tax and spending decisions, peeling back onerous planning rules and boosting graduate migration would help London return to being an economic growth engine [...]
Trekking for snow leopards – and the Yeti – in Ladakh, India February 27, 2023 We’re high up in trans-Himalayan Ladakh in India – dizzyingly high – and oxygen is hard to come by here. To reach the tiny village of Ulley, where we’re holed up in a local homestay, we’ve already passed through thundering mountain ranges, following lines of army trucks coiled like sunbaking snakes. We’ve motored up the [...]