Southern Rail strike: RMT offers to suspend industrial action if it gets what it wants August 9, 2016 The union striking on Southern Rail has offered to suspend its action – if it gets what it wants. The RMT union repeated offer to suspend Southern strike action around principles of ScotRail proposals and calls for urgent talks today. The union offered to suspend strikes on last Friday, but only if Southern meet the same [...]
Southern discomfort: Train operator only delivered 70 per cent of services on time August 9, 2016 The train operator at the centre of what is set to be the longest strike on the railways since the 1960s has seen the punctuality of its services plunge to just 70 per cent, new figures show. During July, Southern's operator Govia Thameslink only delivered 70 per cent of services on time across its franchises according [...]
Panic at the disco? Nightclubs are struggling to compete with bars and pubs August 8, 2016 The party could be winding down in the UK's nightclub scene, as revenues in the top 100 nightclubs have fallen nine per cent in the last year. A lack of access to funding and increased competition has left clubs struggling to compete with late-night bars and pubs, according to commercial lender Ortus Secured Finance. Turnover [...]
Theresa May has blasted Southern Rail strikers for heaping fresh misery on commuters August 8, 2016 Prime Minister Theresa May has condemned Southern Rail strikers for heaping “misery” on commuters, while also insisting she wants to work with the franchise's owner to improve service. Southern Rail RMT members began a five day strike earlier today, arguing that passenger safety is being compromised by plans for train drivers, rather than guards, to [...]
Uber just renewed its feud with London’s regulators August 8, 2016 Uber is turning to its customers to help it fight "bureaucratic" new rules imposed by Transport for London, including an English exam "harder than the test for British citizenship", renewing its feud with regulators in the capital. The billion-dollar company said the rules would "threaten the livelihood of thousands of drivers", reducing their numbers and thus increasing the [...]
Business groups slam RMT’s strike on Southern Rail August 8, 2016 Business groups have hit out at RMT's strike on Southern Rail, which parent Govia has said will bring misery to hundreds of thousands of commuters. London First said the strike is "totally unjustified" and punishes commuters. David Leam, infrastructure director at business group London First, said: "The RMT's strike is totally unjustified. It punishes the many commuters [...]
China dominates top spots in Global Cities 30 index while London’s place slides on Brexit vote August 8, 2016 China has claimed three of the top five spots in an inaugural Global Cities 30 index, while London has slipped from its intended fourth spot to 10th following the vote to leave the EU. Shanghai was crowned the top global city in the list, compiled by real estate fund Schroders out of an analysis of 161 cities, [...]
Southern Rail: Conductors to go on five-day strike after talks break down August 8, 2016 A five-day strike bringing “misery to hundreds of thousands of passengers” who use Southern Rail is to start this morning, sparking renewed calls from the London mayor for Transport for London to take control of Southern. The strike by conductors on Southern trains will start after the RMT union said talks broke down after Govia [...]
RMT has just offered to suspend next week’s Southern strike – but only if it matches an offer by ScotRail August 5, 2016 The RMT union has offered to suspend strikes on Southern Rail planned for next week – but only if Southern meets certain conditions. In an open letter to Southern managing director Charles Horton following two days of Acas talks, the union said it will suspend strikes as long as the company matches an offer made by [...]
Olympic jump! Here’s how far house prices have gone up in the area near London’s Olympic Park August 5, 2016 With the Rio 2016 Olympic Games kicking off today, it seems like an appropriate time to reflect on the London Olympics – and how they affected house prices. Research from Lloyds Bank has shown that house prices near the Olympic Park have risen by 53 per cent since September 2012, up from an average of £286,638 [...]