Here’s the real Plan B for Britain: We need a competition revolution May 14, 2012 NO ONE can dispute that the UK economy needs more growth. It seems that the coalition’s essential austerity measures are not enough. But despite its cheerleaders, the usual Plan B, based on debt-financed infrastructure spending, won’t make any difference to growth – while denting confidence. One such plan suggested £30bn in spending. Over three years, [...]
RAPID RESPONSES May 14, 2012 Brown belt building [Re: Restrictions choke London, Friday] Tim Leunig has a balanced view of development. He recognises the role of open space, green belts and “fingers”, and transport links. But I disagree with him on the creation of new suburbs. He himself says why: Los Angeles. Do we really want urban sprawl stretching from [...]
London thrives as conference sector takes off May 13, 2012 BORIS Johnson has boosted London’s conference industry, forcing the capital up the international rankings and putting the city on a path to becoming the world’s top location for professional gatherings, an industry body declared today. London hosted 115 conferences last year, according to the International Congress and Convention Association (ICCA), putting it at number seven [...]
Deloitte offers tech advice in new digi-arm May 13, 2012 BIG FOUR accountancy firm Deloitte has joined the digital revolution and will today launch a new division to cater for clients seeking tech advice. Deloitte Digital, a practice of over 800 employees globally with 100 staff based in the UK, will provide strategy, creative and implementation advice across the areas of mobile, web, social and [...]
Boris in race to boost London’s growth by 2020 May 10, 2012 BORIS Johnson yesterday issued a rallying cry to his staff, demanding they do everything possible “to create jobs and growth” in the capital, in a speech seen exclusively by City A.M. Addressing employees of the Greater London Authority (GLA) at City Hall, the mayor asked them to produce a “2020 vision” for London that will [...]
Archaic restrictions choke London and hinder its sustainable growth May 10, 2012 NINETEENTH century London grew as no city had ever grown before, from 1m people in 1800, to 7m by 1900. Growth was spontaneous. People across the country saw London’s opportunities and moved to the big smoke. And yes, it was smoky then! Builders responded to increased demand, creating the terraced houses, Victorian villas, and mansion [...]
Boris expands his mayoral team May 9, 2012 Mayor of London Boris Johnson yesterday appointed more members to his team as he prepares for a second term in office. Conservative London Assembly member Victoria Borwick has been announced as his deputy mayor, replacing Richard Barnes who lost his seat in last Thursday’s election. Fellow Assembly member James Cleverly has become London’s fire chief, [...]
Eurozone elections will precipitate Greek exit May 7, 2012 A FRESH Eurozone crisis was always inevitable – the question was over its timing. At least now we have some clarity. What angry voters in France and Greece have done is to precipitate the next stage of the slow unravelling of Europe’s flawed structures. Greece would have gone bust and quit the euro regardless of [...]
Olympics stress test: Londoners to practise for the Games this week by working from home May 7, 2012 LONDONERS will this week stress test the capital’s readiness for this summer’s Olympics, with just over two months to go until the Games begin. Organised by Deloitte and Canary Wharf Group, up to 100 London firms will today and tomorrow perform a trial run of their plans for the Olympics, “to warm up for the [...]
New York launches bike scheme May 7, 2012 New York is following in the footsteps of London and Paris with its own bicycle-sharing scheme, which will be supported by $41m of sponsorship from Citigroup. The New York Transportation Department, which unveiled the scheme alongside Citi chief Vikram Pandit yesterday, said it will make 10,000 bikes available at 600 stations across Manhattan and Brooklyn [...]