London First: Give more powers to City Hall to fund TfL May 28, 2020 Business group London First has this morning called on the government to devolve further powers to the Greater London Assembly in order to secure the long-term finances of Transport for London (TfL). In a new report produced in partnership with KPMG, the group argues that unless City Hall is given access to tax revenues via [...]
The City View: ‘End the lockdown now and cut taxes to avoid a depression’ – Dan Hannan May 28, 2020 In this episode Christian is joined by Dan Hannan, former Tory MEP now president of the Initiative for Free Trade. Subscribe to The City View Podcast: Apple / Google / Spotify / RSS Dan is a lockdown-sceptic and he makes a powerful case for reopening the economy and avoiding a crippling collapse in economic activity. In addition, he believes the government must [...]
London’s first skyscraper 55 Broadway to be converted into luxury hotel May 27, 2020 The former London Underground headquarters in St James’ Park will be converted into a luxury hotel after the development was given the green light by planning authorities. Westminster City Council has granted planning permission for Blue Orchid Hotels, part of the Integrity International Group, to transform the 55 Broadway complex into a new hotel. Transport [...]
Transport for London taps former New York transit chief as new boss May 27, 2020 Transport for London (TfL) has this afternoon named Andy Byford as its new transport commissioner. The former chief executive of the New York City Transit Authority will take over from his predecessor Mike Brown in July. Brown, who has held the role for five years, will take on a new position overseeing the renovation of [...]
Crisis is a chance for us to reset our air quality for good May 27, 2020 Air quality in London, the UK and indeed the whole world has improved significantly in a matter of weeks due to COVID-19 lockdown restrictions being put in place. New data now shows nitrogen dioxide levels have reduced by around 35% in the Square Mile since the beginning of lockdown, when compared to the average reading [...]
IATA chief: Don’t politicise quarantine measures May 26, 2020 The chief executive of global aviation body the International Air Transport Association (IATA) has warned governments not to use quarantine measures for political purposes. Over the Bank Holiday weekend, French authorities announced that all Uk visitors to the country would have to quarantine for 14 days in response to the UK’s decision to apply blanket [...]
The last mile is critical to mass adoption and inclusion. May 26, 2020 Global technology infrastructure projects providing the vital backbones for the modern world critically must have compatible last mile solutions in order for mass adoption of new tech to take place leading to mass inclusion – crypto and blockchain are no exception. Price Watch Bitcoin (BTC) has retreated somewhat from testing US$10,000 having had a pretty [...]
Boris Johnson will lead daily press conference amidst Dominic Cummings saga May 24, 2020 Boris Johnson will lead today’s daily press briefing at 5pm as calls continue to grow for his chief adviser Dominic Cummings to resign. Johnson has so far stuck by Cummings despite mounting pressure from a group of Tory backbenchers for allegedly travelling from London to Durham twice during the coronavirus lockdown. A joint investigation by [...]
Tory MPs call for Dominic Cummings to resign May 24, 2020 A growing group of Conservative MPs are calling for Dominic Cummings to resign after he allegedly broke lockdown to travel to Durham twice. Steve Baker, Simon Hoare, Damian Collins, Sir Roger Gale, Peter Bone, Caroline Nokes and Craig Whittaker have all called for Boris Johnson’s chief aide to resign this morning after new evidence came [...]
PM defends Cummings as report says adviser ‘made second Durham trip’ during lockdown May 23, 2020 Dominic Cummings reportedly made a second trip to Durham during lockdown, it has emerged this evening, as Boris Johnson resisted calls to sack his top adviser. Cummings drove 250 miles from London to Durham while his wife exhibited coronavirus symptoms in early April. Downing Street has stood by the Prime Minister’s top adviser, saying he [...]