A high-speed economy needs more than just a few extra trains February 18, 2020 History will show that productivity, not Brexit, was the economic issue of our age. And the new government has made a high-speed start. The focus on “levelling up” the UK economy — and a resultant focus on regional productivity — is completely right. The story of this country’s regional productivity is sometimes characterised solely as [...]
Tube fare dodging rates spike by almost 30 per cent February 17, 2020 Instances of fare dodging have increased by almost 30 per cent since 2016, leading to £116m of lost revenue for Transport for London (TfL) in a single year. TfL statistics, released by City Hall, show the number of warnings, penalty notices and prosecutions for fare dodging rose from 87, 948 in 2016-17 to 112,266 in [...]
Bakerloo Tube strike this weekend means FIVE London Underground lines will be out of action February 17, 2020 London commuters are bracing for travel chaos over the weekend as nearly half of all Underground lines are set to be closed amidst a Tube strike. Bakerloo line drivers from the National Union of Rail, Maritime and Transport Workers (RMT) are expected to walk off the job on Friday for a three-day strike over a [...]
Seven reasons why London will thrive regardless of Brexit February 17, 2020 In the three-and-a-half years since the UK voted to leave the European Union (EU) much has been written about how London’s status as a global leader in financial services could be weakened. However, with a diverse economy, highly skilled workforce, wide tourist demand, world-class universities and cultural appeal, London will not only survive Brexit, but [...]
Grant Shapps denies DfT talks with China over HS2 contract February 16, 2020 The transport secretary Grant Shapps has today denied reports his department has held talks with China over building the HS2 rail link. The Financial Times reported China’s state-run railway company had offered to build the line in five years at significantly reduced cost. Prime Minister Boris Johnson announced in parliament that the scheme would go [...]
Storm Dennis causes travel disruption around the UK February 16, 2020 A record number of weather warnings have been issued in England as Storm Dennis continues to batter the UK. The Met Office has a yellow warning for much of the UK which extends to amber in parts of Southern England. Most train companies have reported disruption to their services and several incidents have occurred on [...]
Exclusive: Sadiq Khan challenges Labour leadership candidates to sign London pledge February 16, 2020 Sadiq Khan has issued a challenge for all Labour leadership candidates to sign up to six pledges for London, including a promise to rid the party of antisemitism. The mayor of London has asked the three remaining candidates – Keir Starmer, Rebecca Long-Bailey and Lisa Nandy – to pledge to “stamp out antisemitism” within the [...]
Storm Dennis: UK braces for second weekend of flooding and travel disruption February 15, 2020 Just one week after Storm Ciara caused disruption across the country, the UK must now brace for Storm Dennis to wreak more havoc. There are severe weather warnings in place for most of the UK with up to a month’s worth of rainfall in some areas. The military has been deployed to provide extra support [...]
Coronavirus: What are the symptoms of Covid-19 and how can I avoid catching it? February 14, 2020 Having originated in China at the beginning of the year, a new coronavirus called Covid-19 has now spread to 24 countries, stoking fears of a pandemic. There have been nine confirmed cases in the UK, five of which were linked to the same person. The UK has raised the risk posed by the illness from [...]
Stockholm enters Global Cities top 30 for the first time February 14, 2020 With a strong economy and commitment to reducing its environmental impact, Stockholm is the first Scandinavian city to make the top 30 of Schroders’ Global Cities Index. Stockholm has become the first Scandinavian city to enter the top 30 of the Schroders Global Cities Index. This is because of its robust economy and committment to reducing [...]