Now London must “take back control”, says London mayor Sadiq Khan June 28, 2016 Following the UK's vote to leave the EU, Sadiq Khan has said that the capital needs to "take back control" to protect "jobs, wealth and prosperity". Speaking among business leaders to demand more autonomy for London, Khan said that further devolution would be to the benefit of the whole country. "As much as I might like the [...]
HS2 completion timetable “unrealistic”, says National Audit Office June 28, 2016 The Department for Transport set an “unrealistic timetable” for the completion of High Speed 2 (HS2), the National Audit Office (NAO) has said. A report out today says the 2026 target for the opening of phase one of HS2 is “at risk despite good progress with some major procurements”. Read more: Why peers must press [...]
Focus On Harrow: Why this north west London suburb is popular with families and first time buyers June 24, 2016 The north west London suburb of Harrow is all too often synonymous with the prestigious boys’ boarding school with which it shares its name. Certainly, the school has influenced the growth of central Harrow through the centuries; following a big expansion of the school in the 19th century, housing was built for its staff resulting [...]
It’s Independence Day for Britain: Now the country needs to find a global role June 24, 2016 “You will think me transported with Enthusiasm but I am not – I am well aware of the Toil and Blood and Treasure, that it will cost Us to maintain this Declaration, and support and defend these States. Yet through all the gloom I can see Rays of ravishing Light and Glory. I can see [...]
These are the seven fintech startups being backed by Mastercard June 21, 2016 Mastercard is backing seven fintech startups hoping to change the way we use money and disrupt the finance world. London startups Revolut and Everledger are among the tech firms chosen for Mastercard's six month Start Path programme from among more than 500 applications from 60 countries. The startups, from as far afield as Israel and Argentina and announced at London [...]
Learn to sword-fight with Adrian Paul, star of TV show The Highlander June 21, 2016 The idea: Adrian Paul, star of the ‘90s fantasy TV spin-off Highlander: The Series, now travels the globe training fans in the art of stage combat. I expected the gathering to be attended exclusively by middle-aged men called Gareth. In reality, it was far more varied, with a more or less even split of men and [...]
London needs to up its quality of life to compete internationally June 21, 2016 Londoners interact with different elements of the city, and seemingly different centuries, on a daily basis. On one hand, London is the tech capital of Europe. Since 2010, the number of digital businesses in east London's Tech City alone has soared from 250 to over 3,000 according to Gerard Grech, chief exec of Tech City [...]
Rail commuters could see annual fares rise by more than £100 in the aftermath of a Brexit vote, Remain campaigners say June 21, 2016 Annual rail fares could face hundred-pound increases according to new figures. Fares between London and Oxford could climb by more than £150, while an annual fare from Ashford to London could rise £165. Annual travel between Liverpool and Manchester would rise by £80. Rail far rises are currently capped by inflation, but Remain campaigners have [...]
The UK needs a global, connected capital city, and Brexit would put all of that at risk June 21, 2016 London is a connected, global city – an attractive place to work, do business, and to set up a headquarters. Central to that appeal are its bonds with Europe. We’ve always been a trading city, and there are historic reminders of that at London City Airport. Located in London’s Royal Docks, the steel tracks that [...]
Tech is now everywhere – and fundamental to London’s growth June 20, 2016 The third London Technology Week will formally start today in Shoreditch with entrepreneurs, academics and government leaders coming together to celebrate technology – the city’s fastest growing industry. A lot has changed since the inaugural launch in 2014. London now has a global reputation for producing world-class tech companies, with more unicorns than any other [...]