Global markets slump amid fears of mutant virus and UK border chaos December 21, 2020 The FTSE 100 and US and European stocks tumbled on Monday while the pound slumped after countries banned travel from the UK over fears of a new coronavirus strain. Adding to the gloom on markets was the impasse in post-Brexit trade talks between the UK and the EU. Rising coronavirus cases in Britain, on the [...]
Pound plummets as countries ban UK travel and Brexit talks falter December 21, 2020 The pound fell off a cliff on Monday after France, Germany and others cut transport links with the UK amid fears of a new coronavirus strain, while Brexit talks reached another impasse. Sterling dropped 2.1 per cent against the dollar to $1.323. It also fell 1.2 per cent versus the euro to €1.089. The FTSE [...]
New: ‘Health protocol’ to be put in place in hours to get freight moving, says French transport minister December 21, 2020 “A solid health protocol” will be put in place in the coming hours so flows of goods between the UK and France can resume, the French transport minister has said. There has been chaos at Dover this morning after the French government banned all travel from the UK for 48 hours, including freight drivers, prompting [...]
In our lifetimes, cities will smell like the countryside December 21, 2020 Imagine taking a deep breath of urban air, and enjoying its crisp freshness as it fills your lungs. It’s not something city dwellers have experienced for centuries, if ever. Even before the industrial revolution, smoke and ordure hung heavy in the air. But we are now within grasp of the end of fossil fuels — [...]
Lost the plot: City A.M’s pick of the best books of 2020 December 18, 2020 Whether it was a period of furlough, a cancelled trip or endless weekends with no pubs, restaurants, museums or cinemas open: there has definitely been more time for most of us to get stuck into a good book this year. As we turn the last page of 2020, whether you’re looking for a page-turner during [...]
London and southeast in Tier 3: What are the rules? December 17, 2020 Most of the southeast of England is set to join London in Tier 3 from midnight on Friday, as the government scrambles to contain a sharp spike in coronavirus cases. The move will see Bedfordshire, Buckinghamshire, Berkshire, Peterborough, and the whole of Hertfordshire move into the highest level of restrictions from 0.01am on Saturday. It [...]
Tory mayoral candidate under fire for using fake City Hall logo on campaign leaflets December 16, 2020 The Conservative party’s candidate for London mayor has drawn sharp criticism for using fake City Hall coats of arms on campaign letters sent out to voters. The letters from Shaun Bailey were branded with messages saying “Do not ignore”, alongside fake City Hall insignia with a cod Latin motto underneath. They also warned Londoners their [...]
Supreme Court gives Heathrow third runway the green light December 16, 2020 The Supreme Court has this morning ruled that Heathrow’s controversial third runway expansion plans can go ahead. The verdict means that the UK’s highest court has overturned the Court of Appeal’s February decision to block the £14bn project on environmental grounds. However, in a year in which air travel has plummeted to historic lows due [...]
Mobility firm Bolt raises €150m in biggest ever funding round December 16, 2020 Mobility firm Bolt this morning announced that it had raised €150m (£135m) from investors as the battle to take control of the urban transport market hots up. The firm, which is London’s second biggest ride-hailing app, said that the funding round was its biggest yet. Bolt follows fellow mobility firms Tier and Voi in raising [...]
Amazon to cut vehicle use in the City December 15, 2020 Amazon has teamed up with the City of London Corporation to reduce the number of delivery vehicles from City streets.