David Cameron ‘did nothing wrong’ in his dealings with Greensill, says Kwasi Kwarteng March 30, 2021 David Cameron “did absolutely nothing wrong” in his dealings with Greensill Capital, according to a senior government minister. Business Secretary Kwasi Kwarteng said “everything was above board” with the former prime minister’s connection to the financial services company which collapsed earlier this month. Speaking on Sky News this morning, Kwarteng said that, with Cameron having [...]
COP26: Good fortune and lofty statements won’t tackle climate change, but business can March 30, 2021 It is the lines of the hapless but heroic Ted Hastings, in Line of Duty, which so often steal the show. Hastings’ common refrain “now we’re sucking diesel” should set the scene for COP 26, the 2021 United Nations Climate Change Conference in Glasgow this year. Taken literally, it is an outcome we badly need [...]
BBC to slash BBC Four shows but stops short of axing channel March 29, 2021 The BBC today said it will slash original programming on BBC Four as part of a wider effort to cut costs, though it stopped short of axing the channel altogether. In its annual plan published today, the broadcaster said it would shift away from commissioning a high volume of lower cost shows for the channel. [...]
Shaun Bailey matches Sadiq Khan pledge to rollout 4G on the Tube network March 29, 2021 Conservative mayoral candidate Shaun Bailey has today matched a pledge by Sadiq Khan to rollout 4G across the entire London’s Tube network, which would give commuters access to internet data on their phones for complete journeys. Green party candidate Sian Berry also backed the proposal, saying she had long pushed for 4G on the whole [...]
Bond investors and sustainability: is it all greenwash? March 29, 2021 With issuance of green, social and sustainability bonds expected to hit a record $650 billion this year, Schroders’ Head of Sustainable Credit Saida Eggerstedt tackles the topic of greenwashing. “We are in a boom era for borrowing linked to sustainability criteria,” according to Saida Eggerstedt, Schroders’ Head of Sustainable Credit. In 2020, the global issuance [...]
City Corporation launches consultation on a safer, greener Bank Junction March 29, 2021 The City of London Corporation has today (29 March) launched a public consultation on proposed improvements to Bank Junction, scheduled to coincide with the re-opening of the improved Bank station. Transport for London (TfL) has been upgrading and expanding Bank and Monument stations since April 2016, with works scheduled to be complete by late 2022. [...]
We should have scrapped BAME long ago, it’s meaningless and formalises otherness March 29, 2021 Scrap BAME as a term for minority communities, Boris Johnson will be told this week by the racial disparities commission. You can see why it was an attractive proposition for ministers and corporates: it’s an umbrella, a catch-all term for people who are not white. It sidesteps trying to navigate racially charged language which could [...]
City of London Corporation unveils plans to pedestrianize areas around Bank Station March 29, 2021 The City of London Corporation has today unveiled proposals to pedestrianize areas around Bank Tube Station to make the busy junction safer for walkers and cyclists. Under the plans revealed this afternoon, Threadneedle Street could be closed for motor vehicles between Bank Junction and Bartholomew Lane in both directions to create a walking and cycling [...]
City may never be the same as five-day-a-week commute ends, says former Bank of England deputy March 29, 2021 Home working is here to stay and the end of the five-day-a-week office commute will change the shape of London dramatically, according to former Bank of England deputy governor Sir Charlie Bean. The switch will impact the economy “in ways we don’t fully foresee”, the former deputy governor for monetary policy at the Bank said [...]
Cycle to work for a Covid-secure commute March 29, 2021 This summer, many people will be donning suits and heels again as offices open up to employees. After more than a year of working from home, the prospect of a change of environment, and time spent face-to-face with colleagues rather than on Zoom, will be refreshing and motivating. Navigating the daily commute might be a [...]