What the other papers say this morning September 12, 2012 FINANCIAL TIMES UBS looks to cap banker bonuses UBS is looking at capping bankers’ bonuses following regulatory and investor pressure. Switzerland’s largest bank by assets is considering a range of options including putting a lid on executives’ bonuses, increasing the time for deferred pay to five years and aligning its absolute remuneration level with the [...]
Branson rails at MPs over First Group win for West Coast line September 10, 2012 FIRST Group chief executive Tim O’Toole yesterday hit back at Richard Branson’s Virgin Trains, telling MPs that his rival was “flat out wrong” to claim First could not achieve continued revenue growth on the West Coast Main Line. “Contrary to Virgin’s depiction of their stewardship in recent years, since they’ve been in revenue support, they’ve [...]
Nationalisation looms for West Coast train line September 9, 2012 THE DEPARTMENT for Transport is preparing to take the West Coast rail franchise under state control after Sir Richard Branson mounted a legal challenge to the decision to award the line to FirstGroup. The train route was meant to come under First’s control in early December after it won the bid to operate the London-to-Glasgow [...]
Boris admits discussing return to parliament with Goldsmith September 9, 2012 BORIS Johnson yesterday admitted discussing a return to the House of Commons with leading Conservative backbencher Zac Goldsmith. The Mayor of London met with the MP for Richmond Park last week to talk about their shared opposition to a third runway at Heathrow. While there, it is understood the pair talked about Westminster rumours that [...]
To nest or invest is the crucial decision buyers must make September 9, 2012 FOR most, buying a property is likely to be the most expensive purchase that they will ever make. As such, one of the key decisions that buyers face is where to buy their property. The average price of a London property currently stands at £302,000, according to Nationwide. But the performance of house prices have [...]
Puglia takes on the family challenge September 9, 2012 IT’S ONE of those dilemmas that make you bone-deep thankful to be born in the twenty-first century, austerity notwithstanding. Two hundred years ago my ancestors faced problems like: “Will I be transported to a hellish penal colony if I steal that pie to feed my children?”. One hundred years ago: “Those Germans are looking feisty, [...]
UK rail franchise Southern hits Go-Ahead’s full-year profits September 6, 2012 UK TRANSPORT group Go-Ahead yesterday posted a drop in full-year profit, as its rail businesses felt the heat. Full-year profit for the year to 30 June came in at £94.2m, down from £97.6m the year previously, despite a rise in revenue to £2.4bn, an increase of 5.5 per cent from last year. Over the year, [...]
Boris threatens election over third runway… September 5, 2012 BORIS Johnson yesterday refused to rule out standing in a parliamentary by-election if the government backs a third runway at Heathrow. Asked whether he was willing to campaign on the issue within the House of Commons, the Mayor told the BBC: “My job is to follow the interests of the people of London.” His comments came [...]
City Views | What do you think of the reshuffle? September 5, 2012 MATTHEW ARGENT JEFFERSON YOUNG Based on public opinion and not necessarily his record I was surprised Osborne kept his job. A fresh face in the higher ranks of the government would have been good. But I would still have him over Ed Balls any day. DJAMOL ARIPOV LONDON BRAND MANAGEMENT I’m surprised about the government [...]
As the coalition debates whether to expand airport capacity, which is the best option? September 5, 2012 HEATHROW Tim Yeo Britain needs the third Heathrow runway because Boris Island is too expensive, too late and in the wrong place. Building Boris Island requires billions of taxpayers’ money. Expanding Heathrow does not require a penny. No aircraft could take off from Boris Island before 2030. The third runway could be operating in 2020 [...]