UNDER PRESSURE

Joining the dots on the stories in today’s edition, it is clear that complex eco-system of organisations that ‘run’ London – you might have seen our mind-boggling graphic on this – is under immense pressure.

REFORM, RECLAD, RENEW?

There’s some big ‘stuff’ in this edition – tax reform and public sector finance, NHS restructuring, the latest on the Grenfell inquiry - and keeping track of how it all relates to life in the capital is no easy thing.

WE HAVE A PLAN

As we close the door firmly on January 2021, it does seem that the new month brings with it a greater sense of progress and momentum. We have a Plan at least, a London Plan that is, as well as falling Covid-19 case numbers and an fast-increasing proportion of vaccinated people.

LONDON STALLING?

Along with the dramatisation of the Government’s handling of the pandemic (is anyone really keen to relive this just yet?!), you could get quite the melodrama out of the row over street space.

BUDGET SEASON

The latest poll suggests that incumbent Labour Mayor Sadiq Khan retains a substantial lead over Conservative candidate Shaun Bailey. No huge surprise there, but an interesting question is begged. 

CARS, CALL-INS AND CLADDING

As our dear city faces a state of emergency, the usual January horizon-scanning takes on a somewhat more desperate tone, with every prediction accompanied by a monumental shrug of the shoulders. Who knows what this year will hold? No seriously, who knows? Can they get in touch?

GROUNDHOG DAY

It may not feel like it for those of us (still) working from home, but it is a New Year – and with it come new challenges and opportunities.

TIER 3 FOR LDN, R3 FOR LHR

Anyone who assumed a quiet run up to Christmas could not be further from the mark. This last edition of LDN in 2020 doesn’t even mention the words 'Brexit' or 'deadline' or 'fish', yet it is still packed with news.

CAPITAL UNCERTAINTY

This week's LDN weaves together some important issues relating to the future of the capital's infrastructure, at a time when the new London Plan has still not been formally adopted.

BACK TO BUSINESS (SORT OF)

The welcome news that London’s shops have re-opened (there was certainly a long queue at TK Maxx in Ealing at 10:30 this morning) has to be set against the backdrop of the Arcadia and Debenhams news, especially for the thousands of employees whose job prospects appear bleak.

NO TRAINS, NO PLANES

Today’s spending review is not great for London; our infrastructure projects are stuck, some of our key industries for jobs and growth are badly hurt and our local authorities are struggling. It’s tough out there right now, and the Government has its sights trained on fixing, well, anywhere but here.

BUDGETS, BALLOTS AND BICYCLES

Sometimes it is good to focus on smaller stories and this week some thoughts on LTNs and BIDs (if initial reaction is WTF, then those are Low Traffic Neighbourhoods and Business Improvement Districts respectively).