Ken sheds tear at launch of his full manifesto April 11, 2012 LABOUR’s Ken Livingstone shed a tear yesterday at the launch of his full manifesto to be Mayor of London, later describing how the “awesome responsibility” of ensuring that he wins on 3 May was affecting him. Livingstone became visibly emotional while watching an election broadcast of his supporters declaring “Come on Ken, London needs you!” [...]
Paddick and Livingstone unveil manifestos to take on Johnson April 10, 2012 BORIS JOHNSON ■ Fight for London to keep a “fair share” of its tax. ■ Bid to take over suburban rail services in the style of London Overground. ■ Refuse to buy Tube trains that require a driver and push for automated trains. ■ Free travel for every person over 60. ■ Three more police [...]
Boris outlines growth ideas in economic plan April 4, 2012 BORIS Johnson yesterday pledged to create more than 200,000 jobs in the capital as he unveiled his economic manifesto ahead of next month’s election. Calling London “the economic engine room of the nation”, the current mayor said he would invest £221m in transforming high streets and supporting small businesses, and would launch a new London [...]
Pret A Manger sets its sights on expansion April 4, 2012 PRET A MANGER is to create 550 jobs in Britain and step up its expansion plans abroad after it unveiled soaring revenue and earnings growth in 2011. Chief executive Clive Schlee said the sandwich chain plans to “invest heavily in future growth” with at least 44 shop openings this year, of which 24 will open [...]
Councils bring court case over HS2 plans April 2, 2012 FIFTEEN local councils yesterday launched a judicial appeal against the government’s £33bn High Speed Two rail expansion plans. A group of councils under the name 51m have lodged the legal challenge because they claim residents from London Euston to the Midlands have not been consulted over the scheme. The rail link, which in its current [...]
FTSE posts big rise as US and China manufacturing data ease concerns April 2, 2012 BRITAIN’S top share index posted its biggest daily rise in two months yesterday, up nearly two per cent as manufacturing data from the world’s biggest economies eased concerns over sluggish growth, offsetting uncertainty in Europe. Rising shares of mining companies also helped. London’s blue chip index climbed 106.44 points, or 1.9 per cent to 5,874.89. [...]
Fuel drivers set for talks to halt strike April 1, 2012 TRADE unionists and fuel haulage firms are due to meet this week in a bid to avoid a strike. The Unite union has said it will take part in talks with dispute resolution group Acas and the seven tanker companies, where more than 2,000 drivers have voted in favour of industrial action. However, thousands of [...]
Boris warns of fuel strike emergency March 29, 2012 BORIS Johnson has warned the government is not taking the escalating fuel crisis seriously enough, City A.M. has learned, and has instructed London officials to start planning for an emergency. In a letter to communities secretary Eric Pickles, seen by City A.M., the Mayor of London said the UK was facing a “potential fuel emergency” [...]
Rail firms line up to take on UK franchises March 29, 2012 THIRTEEN companies are vying to take on more rail routes in the UK, the Department for Transport revealed yesterday. Rail minister Theresa Villiers welcomed the “strong interest” in the three franchises up for grabs – the Great Western line between Penzance and Paddington, the Essex Thameside route and London’s Thameslink services. This is part of [...]
Ken promises to freeze the congestion charge March 29, 2012 KEN Livingstone yesterday launched his transport manifesto with a pledge to keep the congestion charge at £10 for the next four years. The Labour mayoral candidate also confirmed that he would not reintroduce the charge’s controversial western extension zone, even though he thinks Boris Johnson was wrong to scrap it. Promising a “better deal for [...]