London firms back Transport for London’s English tests for private hire drivers November 28, 2017 London businesses are in favour of a controversial planned English test that private hire drivers face, according to a new poll from the London Chamber of Commerce and Industry. Transport for London plans to bring in a English language test for private hire drivers, and wants all drivers to be able to prove their ability [...]
Transport for London blames Brexit uncertainty for surprise fall in passenger numbers November 27, 2017 Transport for London (TfL) has blamed an unexpected fall in passenger numbers on Brexit uncertainty and "economic factors affecting the whole of the UK". The transport body said in its draft business plan for 2018/19 to 2022/23: We have seen lower growth in demand for our services than previously forecast for this year, largely owing [...]
London Thames Tideway milestone: The first tunnel boring machine to start digging the super sewer has arrived in the capital November 27, 2017 Tideway, the organisation building London’s new super sewer, announced today that the first of six tunnel boring machines (TBM) has arrived in the capital for the £4.2bn project. When fully assembled the boring machine that will weigh a total of 1,350 tonnes, and today made its way through central London along the river Thames ahead [...]
UK cities challenged to design drone uses of the future from emergency health services to parcel deliveries November 27, 2017 Cities across the UK have been invited to compete in thinking up innovative uses for drone technology, from flood search and rescue to inspection of attractions like the Blackpool Tower. The Flying High Challenge is being run by Nesta in partnership with Innovate UK to ascertain how drone technology can develop to meet the needs [...]
“Altercation” on Oxford Circus Tube platform to blame for terrorism scare, says Met, as search begins for two men November 25, 2017 British Transport Police (BTP) have said they believe an “altercation” between two men on an Oxford Circus station Tube platform was to blame for a terrorism scare last night. Read more: Police are reopening stations with “no evidence” of shots fired on London’s Oxford Street, after armed police attended an incident Armed officers from BTP [...]
What will innovation look like in 2018? Bird & Bird’s Digital Innovators tell us all about the year ahead November 24, 2017 In a year when quantum computing made major leaps forward and using your face as a password became a reality, you’d be forgiven for being hard pushed to imagine just how much further technology can take us. But 2018 will certainly be a year for driving even more innovation for the 50 up-and-coming companies chosen [...]
Focus On Pimlico: Twenty per cent cheaper than its neighbours and still central, house prices are increasing in SW1P November 23, 2017 Pimlico must be pretty quiet at the weekends. It’s been London’s pied a terre hotspot since the mid-Noughties, meaning many of its inhabitants escape the area for their country retreats every Friday night. “A third of homes sold in SW1V so far this year have been bought by a second home owner, more than anywhere [...]
The End of Cash? Beware sleepwalking into a world without hard currency November 23, 2017 As global wealth has accumulated over time, so the demand for hard cash has waned. A mere eight per cent of the world’s money is in notes and coins, according to estimates using World Bank data. Depending on where one looks, the days of physical currency seem numbered. In the UK, especially in London, cashless [...]
Autumn Budget 2017 at-a-glance guide: All the announcements by chancellor Philip Hammond you need to know November 22, 2017 Chancellor Philip Hammond has unveiled the Autumn Budget, saying the UK must “seize the opportunities” for Britain and promised to invest “to secure a bright future”. Now we’ve heard plenty about what was expected from today, from a concerted focus on housing, to a regulatory revamp for driverless cars and a slew of tech spending. [...]
Autumn Budget 2017: Hammond promises to replace European startup investment from the EIF with new fund post-Brexit November 22, 2017 A new fund from the British Business Bank was announced today by chancellor Philip Hammond, to help UK startup businesses grow in scale. Hammond promised that the UK would remain on the front line of technology and innovation post-Brexit, and that the government would “stand ready to replace EIF [European Investment Fund] lending if necessary”. [...]