London brought to a standstill as tube strike closes entire network and RMT lock horns with Sadiq Khan March 15, 2023 A strike by London Underground drivers has closed the entire network. Transport for London’s website shows no services are running on any Tube lines. The Docklands Light Railway and Elizabeth line are part-suspended because of the industrial action. Drivers in Aslef and the Rail, Maritime and Transport union (RMT) walked out in a dispute over [...]
CMA probes Asda’s £611m Co-op petrol station takeover deal over fears it could hike fuel prices March 14, 2023 Asda’s £611m takeover over of 132 Co-op petrol stations has come under scrutiny from the UK’s competition watchdog over concerns the deal was likely to push up fuel prices. After the supermarket snapped up the sites last October the Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) launched a Phase 1 investigation at the start of this year [...]
The Dart: Luton Council defends expensive ticket for new light rail dubbed UK’s most expensive line March 13, 2023 Luton Council has defended the cost to passengers of its new light rail shuttle service, amid claims it is the UK’s most expensive line. The Dart (direct air-rail transit) will launch commercial services between the Bedfordshire airport and Luton Airport Parkway – its nearest mainline railway station – in the coming weeks. One-way fares will [...]
Why there’s more to green energy than heat pumps, radiator boss urges for scheme to be widened March 13, 2023 The government needs to expand the scope of its heating plans to improve energy efficiency across the home, argued a leading radiator boss.
Spring budget: Back to work, childcare and post Brexit customs – what do we know so far? March 13, 2023 This Wednesday, Chancellor Jeremy Hunt will stand on the steps of No11 Downing Street – holding the famous Budget 2023 red box. Of his five predecessors, just Rishi Sunak was even in post long enough to reach this point. Political turmoil aside, his spring statement will also follow months of financial chaos, after economic shocks [...]
Heathrow reports busiest day since Christmas 2019 on half term getaway and lifting of Asia covid restrictions March 13, 2023 Heathrow Airport has exceeded pre-pandemic passenger levels for the first time since coronavirus, thanks to the February half-term rush and lifting of restrictions in east Asia. The good news was fuelled by a late getaway last month as millions of Brits took the chance to escape freezing Britain for some sun. Figures from the airport [...]
Uber trialing free childcare in bid to coax parents to become drivers March 13, 2023 Uber is trialling free childcare for drivers as part of efforts to encourage more parents of young children to sign up to the minicab app platform. The company announced it is offering 10 hours of free childcare for 1,000 of its UK drivers. Uber said its drivers on average earn £34 an hour in London [...]
Tube and rail strikes THIS WEEK: How will industrial action affect London commuters and hospitality? March 11, 2023 Parts of Britain’s rail network – including London’s underground system – will be closed during next week’s Budget day strikes, bringing the country to a standstill and hitting hospitality hard. Hospitality bosses have warned the impact of the strikes will hit pubs, bars and restaurants hard, with an estimated £2.5bn having already been lost in [...]
FirstGroup: Train and bus giant’s profits surpass targets as share price edges higher March 10, 2023 Transport operator FirstGroup said profits for the year are set to surpass previous targets after a pick up in bus and train demand. The firm, which runs TransPennine Express, saw shares edge higher after it said adjusted operating profits for the 2023 financial year will be above previous guidance. It said this comes after increased [...]
HS2 at risk of being ‘dismembered’ and never resurrected, peers warn government March 10, 2023 HS2 is at risk of being “dismembered” and never resurrected after further delays were announced by the Government, peers have heard. Cost-saving measures mean the construction of the Birmingham to Crewe leg of HS2 will be delayed by two years and services of the high speed rail line may not enter central London until the [...]