Electric scooter company Bird launches trial at the Olympic Park in a bid to change regulations November 6, 2018 US electric scooter sharing company Bird has launched a trial of its service today at the Olympic Park in east London. The use of electric scooters has boomed in the US and has begun to take off in Europe with cities such as Paris allowing their introduction. However, they are currently not legally allowed to [...]
Tube delays: Severe delays hit Metropolitan Line as commuters advised to use the bus instead November 6, 2018 Severe delays are affecting the Metropolitan Line after a signal failure, spelling commuter chaos for those heading to work from west London. The failure at Harrow-on-the-Hill means local buses are accepting tickets, said Transport for London (TfL). The delays come just a day ahead of strikes expected to wreak havoc on Tube lines. The Central [...]
Train union threatens Christmas ‘shutdown’ as commuters gear up for Central and Piccadilly Line strike on Wednesday November 5, 2018 Train driver union Aslef has threatened a widespread Christmas "shutdown" amid its ongoing industrial spat with Transport for London (TfL). Aslef said its executive committee will discuss resolutions from branches on the Northern and Hammersmith & City and Lines who have asked to be balloted for action. "Unless there is a rapid change of approach from management, [...]
Employers prepare to hand 180,000 workers a pay rise as real living wage increases November 5, 2018 Over a third of FTSE 100 companies are set to hand workers a pay rise this week as the real living wage rises to £9 an hour, an increase of 25p on the hourly rate. At least 180,000 staff and sub-contractors will receive the salary boost, which in London will rise by 35p to £10.55 an hour. The [...]
Our once-in-a-generation opportunity to ensure that the City is fit for the future November 5, 2018 Firms across the Square Mile have had to spend a disproportionate amount of time recently planning for the short term. With less than five months to go before the UK leaves the European Union, it is right that businesses urgently prepare for all possible outcomes, including a possible no-deal scenario. There are many pressing issues [...]
Is a ball pit in the office more of a hindrance than a help? Designers are calling time on tech playgrounds and creating offices that make you more efficient November 2, 2018 As the tech giants of Silicon Valley scrabble over the world’s best programmers, they’ve been inventing increasingly excessive office perks. We’ve all heard of them; Facebook’s ball pit, Google’s unlimited free food and on-demand masseuses, Reebok’s fitness classes. But while free concerts, haircuts and therapy puppies may get the talent to sign a contract, are [...]
Belfast has big plans to become the home of the Titanic and a top TV shooting location. But will that help the property market? November 2, 2018 A couple of weeks ago, a consortium of hedge funds clubbed together to raise $19.5m to buy bric-a-brac from the bottom of the ocean. At first glance, these 5,500 items bore no relation to each other; a bowler hat, the sleek curves of a bronze angel, a steel door. Their immense value derives solely from [...]
DEBATE: Channel 4 has chosen to relocate its headquarters to Leeds, but is this a sensible decision? November 2, 2018 Channel 4 has chosen to relocate its headquarters to Leeds, but is this a sensible decision? YES, says Olivia Utley, deputy editor at TheArticle. It is common knowledge that British regions are suffering from a brain drain to London. The latest analysis suggests that 30 per cent of all students will head to the capital upon [...]
Crossrail chief executive to step down as London Underground boss called in for ‘complex’ final stages of delayed project November 2, 2018 Crossrail chief executive Simon Wright will step down later this year after the government said it would bail out the delayed project with a £350m loan. Transport for London said Wright, who took the role in March, would step down by the end of the year “as planned” and be replaced by London Underground managing director [...]
Peak times: Virgin Trains scraps Friday afternoon peak fares November 2, 2018 Virgin Trains has scrapped its Friday afternoon peak-hour restrictions from London Euston station in a bid to ease overcrowding. The policy comes in the wake of growing commuter frustration over Friday evening travel, with passengers having to stand for hours amid the huge demand for the first Friday night off-peak trains at 7pm. Having trialled the [...]