The cost of talent and housing threaten London’s digital crown March 2, 2017 The government yesterday unveiled its digital strategy – an action plan for growing the digital economy and making the UK the best place in the world to start and grow a digital business. This ambition is undoubtedly very welcome. London is already the best place in Europe for digital startups and scaleups, boasting excellent access [...]
Heathrow’s environmental charm offensive: Airport plans to cut late-running departures to reduce noise for locals February 28, 2017 Heathrow has unveiled a new "sustainability strategy", setting out ambitious goals to reduce the airport's environmental impact including making growth from the third runway carbon neutral. It also plans to halve the number of late-running departures to reduce noise for local communities in a voluntary Quiet Night Charter. As part of this strategy, the airport has [...]
Future of Garden Bridge hanging in the balance, says London politician February 28, 2017 The future of the Garden Bridge is hanging in the balance, despite being cleared of financial irregularities, according to a London Assembly member. Vauxhall MP Kate Hoey had complained to the Charity Commission about the project, citing concerns about spending by the Garden Bridge trust. Earlier this year, the trustees admitted the project could cost [...]
Power failures causing delays on all routes to and from London Kings Cross February 28, 2017 Commuters trying to travel in or out of Kings Cross today are facing delays and disruption due to power failures. National Rail said a signalling problem between Finsbury Park and London Kings Cross is causing delays of up to 20 minutes on journeys to and from London Kings Cross. This is expected to continue until 12:00pm. [...]
The costs of running a business in London are starting to outweigh the benefits February 28, 2017 The late, great Robin Williams once said: “Spring is nature’s way of saying, ‘Let’s party’.” When the chancellor stands up to deliver the last ever Spring Budget next week, however, small businesses in London are likely to be putting party plans on hold unless Philip Hammond can pull the miraculous business rates “rabbit out of the [...]
With the deal looking dead, is the likely failure of the LSE-Deutsche Boerse merger good news for London? February 27, 2017 Daniel Hodson, former chief executive of LIFFE and non-executive director of The London Clearing House, says Yes. At the heart of both the rationale and risk to London for this transaction is clearing. The London Clearing House (LCH), 57 per cent owned by the London Stock Exchange (LSE), is a City icon, a multitrillion highly [...]
The RMT is balloting London Underground workers for strike action over the “victimisation of Tube staff” February 27, 2017 More London Underground walkouts could be on the horizon as the RMT union has announced it's balloting station staff for strike action and action short of a strike. The RMT said it will be balloting station staff across its London Bridge group after one member was fired and two others disciplined for intervening to stop a "serious [...]
“World War II shell” found in Shoreditch High Street was not an explosive device, police say February 27, 2017 Shoreditch High Street was evacuated earlier this morning after a suspected World War II shell was discovered there – but police later said the item was not suspicious. Police were called at 8:35am to Shoreditch High Street, near the junction with Hackney Road, E1 "to reports of ordnance", a spokesperson said. Officers and specialist officers attended the [...]
London Stock Exchange expects the EU to block its £21bn mega-merger with Deutsche Boerse February 27, 2017 The London Stock Exchange’s controversial £21bn merger with Deutsche Boerse was thrown into chaos late on Sunday night, after it emerged that regulators in Brussels are likely to block the deal. Shares in the LSE tumbled by more than three per cent this morning after it revealed in a bombshell statement to the market that it [...]
Uber takes on TfL in High Court over English language requirements February 26, 2017 The car-booking firm Uber joins forces with three of its drivers this week to launch a High Court challenge to English language tests for minicab drivers. Under the proposals, put forward by Transport for London (TfL), private-hire drivers without UK qualifications will have to take a two-hour test to demonstrate their English language skills. Yet [...]
