West End bemoans business rates delays as reform heads for the long grass October 15, 2021 Central London bosses last night said another delay to business rates reform would be a “further blow” for beleaguered bars and restaurants. Chancellor Rishi Sunak has reportedly delayed a fundamental review of the levy, further rubbing salt in the wounds of West End businesses teetering on the brink after several lockdowns and fledgling return of [...]
Editorial: Transport for London needs a funding model fit for a modern capital September 22, 2021 On the tube, mind the gap is supposed to be a cautionary warning for absent-minded tourists. Alas over the course of the pandemic it’s become something rather more serious – a constant, if pithy, reminder of the black hole at the heart of Transport for London’s finances. London is a great global city, but the [...]
Sadiq Khan’s £15 congestion charge is preventing London’s bounce back from the pandemic August 20, 2021 There is rarely such a thing as a temporary regulation or tax, even those instituted in response to an emergency. Politicians enjoy the power to regulate and even more the receipt of taxes. But regulation and taxes are the enemy of innovation and business, especially small businesses. The damage they do can take years to correct. [...]
‘Green’ status should be default for most of world, say BA and Easyjet bosses August 2, 2021 The UK’s airline industry has called for more countries to be added to the “green list” for travel this week, and it should be the “default” for most places. Transport secretary Grant Shapps is due to update the current traffic light system for international travel later this week. In a letter to Shapps signed by [...]
WH Smith’s airport takeover is InMotion after Dixons Travel shop deal July 8, 2021 WH Smith's airport takeover is InMotion after Dixons Travel shop deal
Traffic light system could cost UK airports £2.6bn this summer June 9, 2021 The UK’s airports risk losing at least £2.6bn for the second year running this summer under the current traffic light travel system, as more travel and aviation leaders called for the scheme to be scrapped. Compared to last summer’s travel corridor system, trade body the Airline Operator’s Association (AOA) said that there were far fewer [...]
UK says any global tax deal must tackle Big Tech ahead of G7 meeting May 27, 2021 UK says any global tax deal must tackle Big Tech ahead of G7 meeting
Full reopening key for West End landlord Shaftesbury after its £338m loss over winter lockdown May 25, 2021 West End landlord Shaftesbury banking on a summer revival after its £338m loss over winter lockdown
UK tells airlines to avoid Belarusian airspace and suspends state carrier’s license over ‘hijacking’ May 24, 2021 The UK has joined a number of other countries in instructing airlines to avoid Belarusian airspace after a commercial flight was intercepted by a fighter jet and diverted to the country to arrest a journalist. Transport secretary Grant Shapps tweeted that he had instructed the UK’s Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) to ask planes to steer [...]
London shopper numbers surge as return of indoor dining drives up trips to city centre May 24, 2021 shopper numbers surge as return of indoor dining drives up trips