Business London Press

Londoners evacuated after gas main rupture

News

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20/12/2022

Londoners evacuated after gas main rupture

More than 1,300 shoppers and workers were evacuated in London when a gas main ruptured this afternoon.

London Fire Brigade (LFB) said that its firefighters were attending a rupture on Seething Lane, in the heart of the Square Mile.

The service said around 1,300 people in nearby shops and offices had been told to leave the area.

The LFB followed this with an update shortly afterwards, that read: “Around 1,300 people have been evacuated due to the 24 inch gas main that has ruptured on Seething Lane junction of Crutched Friars. Fenchurch Street station is not affected. Please avoid the area if possible.

Seething Lane in the City of London is located the west of the bustling Tower Hill area and just south of the busy Fenchurch train station. It connects All Hallows-by-the-Tower, Byward Street, with St Olave’s Church, Hart Street.

Royal Mail staff will strike again before Christmas

News

Helen Greaney

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19/12/2022

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Royal Mail staff will strike again before Christmas

Royal Mail staff will strike in the 2 days before Christmas after turning down negotiation offers.

Workers are in an ongoing feud over pay, jobs and conditions and some have already taken industrial action on December 9, 11, 14 and 15.

Now members of the Communication Workers Union (CWU) will walk out on December 23 and 24, dashing the hopes of last minute Christmas shoppers.

A period of calm

CWU general secretary Dave Ward said: “An offer extended to the company to suspend the strikes and establish a period of calm from now until 16 January 2023, as well as the union and the company both signing a joint statement incorporating Royal Mail’s latest promise of no compulsory redundancies, was rejected almost immediately.

“For Royal Mail Group to reject our offer just hours after receiving it demonstrates that they were never serious about saving Christmas for customers and businesses.

“When a company openly boasts of having built a £1.7 billion fund to crush its own workers rather than use that money to settle the dispute and restore the service, then you know dark forces are clearly at work.

“Their sole intention is to destroy the jobs of postal workers and remove their union from the workplace.

“Our members will not stand for this, and further action will take place in 2023.

“Our message to the public and businesses is that postal workers do not want to be here, but they are facing an aggressive, reckless and out-of-control chief executive committed to wrecking their livelihoods.”

“Work together to deliver Christmas”

A Royal Mail spokesman said: “Throughout December, we have urged the CWU to call off their strike action and work together to deliver Christmas for our customers.

“The CWU have consistently refused our offer to do so, choosing instead to repackage old pay offers, absent of the change needed to fund the pay deal, in the misleading guise of new proposals to resolve the pay and change dispute.

“Our priority is to deliver for our customers, and this has never been more important as we approach Christmas.

“We would like to thank the increasing number of posties returning to work each strike day. They have been joined by thousands of employees from across the business who have swapped their regular day jobs to work in the operation as we focus all our efforts on delivering Christmas for our customers.”

Online streaming services should be regulated by Ofcom, says PM

Technology

Helen Greaney

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18/12/2022

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Rishi Sunak has proposed a law change for streaming services that would see them regulated.

The Media Bill announced by Boris Johnson’s May government, had muted giving Ofcom regulation over streaming companies based overseas. Sunak is not changing this agenda.

Netflix viewers cannot currently complain about the content.

Prince Harry’s docu-series

But the discussion is back on the agenda following the release of the docu-series Prince Harry and Meghan Markle.

Ofcom says it has received complaints regarding the show, but cannot act as Netflix’ is based in the Netherlands.

If online streaming services are regulated it would mean they could be investigated for complaints regarding, for example, misleading footage.

Defamatory claims

So far the Harry and Meghan series has been attacked for making “defamatory claims” against the British Royal family and using stock footage to exaggerate some of its claims.

Ofcom currently only regulates services based in the UK but Netflix is regulated by the Dutch media regulator, the Commissariaat voor de Media.

Under Ofcom regulations, streaming services could be liable for penalties up to £250,000 for misconduct and misrepresentation of facts.

Netflix has showed support for the proposed Media Bill, saying that it is in favour of the measures.

Give the gift of time this Christmas, says Gubbe

News

Helen Greaney

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15/12/2022

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A LONDON care company is encouraging relatives to give the ‘gift of time’ this Christmas.

Gubbe was debuted in Finland to combat loneliness using helpers, who are often students working part-time alongside their studies, through a subscription-based service.

Now it’s urging Brits to remember their older neighbours and relatives during the festive season.

It comes as Age UK warned that 1.5million people feel more lonely at Christmas than any other time of year.

The isolated elderly

Sandra Lounamaa, co-founder of Gubbe, said: “We launched Gubbe in London in October following a number of successful years operating in Finland and Sweden, where we have thousands of customers.

“The Covid pandemic has isolated the elderly immensely in Nordic countries.

“They live further away from their families than ever and the long-lasting effect on mental health has been brutal. We are now seeing how needed this service is in the UK.

“Last year we had over 300 new customers who purchased our service as a Christmas present for the elderly and we are expecting to see hundreds more this year.”

Buddy

Gubbe means ‘buddy’ or ‘friend’ and specifically refers to an older person.

The company offers a subscription-based service to help seniors stay active by pairing them with young people, often students, who they share similar interests with.

A Gubbe helper can do household chores or caregiving tasks. It’s available to both private homes and nursing homes.

Heartwarming visits

Sandra, who launched the service after struggling to spend as much time as she would like with her own grandmother, said: “Around 75% of our Gubbe visits occur normally during the holiday season, meaning there are thousands of Gubbe visits happening during Christmas Eve and Christmas Day. This is truly heartwarming to see.

“Throughout the month of December we also help older people to decorate their house, visit a Christmas market or church service, make Christmas presents, go for a walk, or call relatives together.

“Some of our customers also order the service so they have someone keeping them company on Christmas Eve or Christmas Day.

“This time of year can be incredibly difficult for people who are already isolated because it only serves to heighten the feelings of loneliness.

“Often Christmas is the season when relatives really wake up to the reality of loneliness for their elderly relatives. It’s a shame it takes a special holiday for people to realise how lonely life can be all year round for some people. It’s so important to extend a hand of friendship to older people.”

Gubbe also runs programmes with UK companies who can sponsor weekly visits for the elderly.

“Broken NHS dental system” adding to A&E strain

Health
News

Helen Greaney

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13/12/2022

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LONDON’S struggling A&E departments are being jammed with thousands of people complaining of toothache, new figures have revealed.

Around 5,500 attended the capital’s accident and emergency units for dental-related issues between April 2021 and April 2022.

Dr Theo Sioutis, specialist dental director at London-based MyHealthcare Clinic, which obtained the data via a Freedom of Information request, said: “Hospital A&E departments across the country are under huge strain. The broken NHS dental system is only adding to this worrying situation.

“Millions of Brits are unable to access dental care on the NHS due to a lack of provision, meaning some may be forced to ignore problems they would otherwise address.

“A perfect storm”

“This is creating a perfect storm where these issues are getting worse, and leaving people suffering toothache and other dental-related pain to seek help in their local A&E departments.”

The figures, collected from the individual London health trusts, showed 5,469 people attended 13 A&E departments across the capital for dental-related issues in the 12 months up to April this year.

That was an increase on the 4,945 who showed up between April 2020 and April 2021.

As well as toothache, the complaints also included abscesses, dental fractures and loose teeth.

Dr Sioutis added: “There are some dental problems that are more serious than others but A&E is for emergency, life and death situations, not minor issues.

“I imagine most people feel they have no other option if they have been unable to see an NHS dentist. Sometimes a dental issue which starts off small can develop into something more serious if it has been left untreated for a long time.”

The state of NHS dentistry has been a hot topic for a number of years, with the Covid pandemic exacerbating existing struggles.

Service on its last legs

Earlier this year Eddie Crouch, chairman of the British Dental Association, warned: “What we’re seeing isn’t a recovery, but a service on its last legs.

“NHS dentistry is lightyears away from where it needs to be. Unless ministers step up and deliver much-needed reform and decent funding, this will remain the new normal.”

His urgent call to arms came as research showed just a third of adults in England saw a dentist in a two-year period between March 2020 and March 2022.

Dr Sioutis continued: “We are seeing an influx of patients who are looking to go private because of the NHS backlog.

MyHealthcare Clinic is a London-based doctor-led healthcare business providing personalised private medical, dental and specialist medical care all under one roof.

“Many of these people have been in pain for months and are simply unable to wait any longer.”

Major disruption as snow causes chaos

Helen Greaney

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12/12/2022

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London commuters faced major disruption this morning as the city woke up to white streets.

There were widespread delays across the capital’s tube network with lines facing delays and cancellations, and the Northern and Central Lines majorly affected.

Meanwhile the railways weren’t much better. Travellers were advised to check their routes to work due to heavy snow forecast and temperatures set to dip as low as -10C.

Network Rail urged people to avoid services at key London stations including London Bridge and King’s Cross where possible.

On the DLR there was no service between Bank/Tower Gateway and Westferry due to a signal failure in the Limehouse area.

Up in the sky

Heathrow and London City Airport both faced freezing conditions which caused delays and cancellations, with passengers advised to check their flight status with their airline.

Heathrow scrapped 119 flights whilst 91 services were cancelled at Gatwick today.

According to aviation analytics firm Cirium, 316 flights were cancelled today.

The mayhem continues as Londoners prepare for continued strikes on the rail and train network in the run-up to Christmas.

Road conditions

The heavy snow has also impacted the road network with thousands of drivers reporting breakdowns.

There is no service between Bank/Tower Gateway and Westferry due to a signal failure in the Limehouse area.

The AA has advised motorists to adjust their driving to the freezing conditions on Monday morning.

Sean Sidley, AA patrol of the year, said: “On a frosty morning, hazards like black ice can prove lethal if you don’t adjust your speed and driving style in colder weather.

“Always leave plenty of space behind other vehicles as stopping distances can be 10 times longer on icy roads. Allow extra time, as there may be delays to your normal routes, and make sure you pack winter essentials in the car such as warm, waterproof layers, a shovel, a torch, fully charged mobile phone and a flask of hot drink.”

House prices face largest monthly drop in four years

Helen Greaney

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09/12/2022

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House prices face largest monthly drop in four years

House prices in the UK dropped by 2.1% between November and December, the biggest fall for four years, according to Rightmove’s monthly index.

The average price of a house coming to the market has dropped to £7,862. The average price is now £359,137.

The online estate agent said this was a “bigger dip than usual at this time of year” and said would-be buyers were waiting to see if the market was calmer next year.

Prices will also drop by an overall average of two per cent next year, the property firm believe.

Higher mortgage rates

House prices have been hit by higher mortgage rates, after September’s mini-budget which left minimal options for homeowners.

Tim Bannister, Rightmove’s director of property science, said: “Though we would always expect prices to drop in December, as motivated sellers try to capture the attention of a buyer before Christmas with a competitive price, this monthly dip is the largest we’ve seen for four years.

“Economic headwinds including rapidly rising mortgage costs mean that some would-be buyers may have paused their plans for the foreseeable future.”

The end of 2022 will see new seller asking prices 5.6 per cent higher than a year ago, compared to growth of 6.3 per cent last year.

Health chiefs warn householders to warm rooms to 18C as cold snap sets in

Helen Greaney

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08/12/2022

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Millions of Brits are warned to brace themselves as temperatures are set to plummet to minus 10C this week, sending energy bills rocketing.

Frost has hit higher northern areas this morning with snow forecast in some parts of Scotland.

The Met Office and UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) have issued severe cold weather alerts for England and have advised people to heat their rooms to at least 18 degrees.

A dramatic drop in temperatures could increase health risks to vulnerable people and disrupt deliveries further.

Met Office forecaster Dan Stroud said: “Into Tuesday night an organised band of showers will sink south, (with) that wind changing direction and coming in from the north, turning it colder with an increasing risk of some frost, mainly in central and western areas.

“Once that wind rears around to the north, we’re going to pull in that colder arctic air, so the story will be about cold and frost.”

Amber cold weather alert

A level three (amber) cold weather alert was sent out on Monday warning of severe conditions in England between Wednesday evening and next Monday morning.

Social and healthcare services will be required to respond to protect high-risk groups.

But a cold snap heading over from the Arctic will be spreading into the country from late Wednesday.

Word of warning

Age UK has advised maintaining a supply of food and medicine to reduce the number of outdoor trips and torches with spare batteries in case of a power cut.

Homeless people in London are to be sheltered after the Severe Weather Emergency Protocol (SWEP) was activated for the first time this winter to provide emergency accommodation for rough sleepers.

Dr Agostinho Sousa, consultant in public health medicine at the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA), said older people and those with heart or lung conditions are particularly at risk from the cold weather, adding: “If you have a pre-existing medical condition, you should heat your home to a temperature that is comfortable for you.

“In rooms you mostly use, such as the living room or bedroom, try to heat them to at least 18C if you can. Keep your bedroom windows closed at night. Wearing several layers of clothing will keep you warmer than one thicker layer.”

On the roads

Select Car Leasing has advised motorists to check their vehicles are winter ready, with properly inflated tyres that have good tread.

Managing director Graham Conway said: “Roads can be much more perilous during the colder months, with snow and ice as well as fallen leaves making the surface slippery for drivers.

“We advise all motorist to carry out regular checks of tyres, brakes and lights to ensure their vehicles are ready for the challenges this cold snap brings with it.”

Ambulance staff to strike this month over pay and conditions

Health

Helen Greaney

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07/12/2022

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A mass walkabout by paramedics and emergency care workers will take place on December 21 and 28.

But unions have been told NHS staff must commit to respond to heart attack and stroke 999 calls, by health secretary Steve Barclay.

More than 10,000 staff across England and Wales are expected to strike over pay and conditions according to GMB.

The union said its members at nine regional ambulance services would walk out.

Army back-up

Crews are due to cover emergency category one incidents during the strike which includes times where a patient has stopped breathing and has no pulse.

But questions have been asked as to whether all category two conditions which can include strokes, burns or epileptic fits would be covered.

The Army has been told it may be called upon to provide emergency backup.

GMB, Unison and Unite unions are co-ordinating industrial action across England and Wales in a dispute over pay and conditions.

The December 21 strike happens a day after Royal College of Nursing (RCN) members stage a second day of strike action over pay.

“We hope negotiations reach a resolution”

A London Ambulance Service spokesperson said staff were already under significant pressure, adding “Should the industrial action go ahead, we will do everything we can to maintain lifesaving services for our sickest and most seriously injured patients. We hope negotiations reach a resolution so that this strike does not take place.”

Sara Gorton, Unison head of health, said: “Ambulance managers will be drawing up cover plans for each service. Unions will discuss those and ensure appropriate responses to emergencies on strike days.

“But instead of speculating about the consequences of a strike, Steve Barclay should be focusing all his energies on stopping action from happening.”

Mr Barclay said he was “open to talks with the trade unions” to resolve the dispute but added that if all public sector workers were given a pay rise in line with inflation it would cost £28 billion.

£400 million saved for the public purse by national fraud squad

Finance
News

Helen Greaney

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06/12/2022

0

New data from the cabinet shows that the government’s efforts to fight fraud have saved more than £400 million for the public purse.

The latest figures show taxpayers’ money – which is equivalent to healthcare costs for 130,000 people – has been saved by the National Fraud initiative (NFI), bringing total counter fraud savings to £2.4 billion.

The savings were made thanks to cutting-edge software which identifies businesses and people trying to steal public money.

The National Fraud Initiative enables organisations to use data and match records so they can pick up where people or businesses are taking the government for a ride.

Fraudulent activity

Around 42,000 disabled blue badges were also found to be fraudulent.

And there were more than 225,000 cases where discounted travel cards of people who had died or didn’t qualify for concessions have now been blocked.

Around 7,000 people who were clogging up the social housing waiting lists of 102 councils despite not being eligible have been identified and removed, opening up affordable housing for those who need it.

Minister for the Cabinet Office Jeremy Quin said: “British people work hard for every penny and they rightly expect the government to put everything they’ve got into protecting taxpayers’ money.

“Money stolen from the government through fraud is theft from every taxpayer.

“This report shows we saved the taxpayer £443 million. When the country is tightening its belt, the government must do the same.

“We set up a new anti-fraud authority which is designed by and led by fraud experts whose express mission is to take the fight to fraudsters.”

Housing fraud

In one example case study, an individual in Sandwell was offered social housing but then claimed to a neighbouring council that they were homeless and were offered temporary housing. The NFI software allowed this person to be identified – they are now in arrears of almost £100,000.

The fraud clampdown comes after Chancellor Jeremy Hunt announced in the Autumn statement, the UK would set aside almost £80m to tackle fraud.

It also showed 7,000 people had been on waiting lists for social housing despite not being eligible.

Chief secretary to the Treasury John Glen said the government is coming down hard on fraudsters, using cutting edge data to track them and recover public money.

Interim CEO of the Public Sector Fraud Authority, Mark Cheeseman, said: “Every day, people are attacking taxpayer funded services for their own gain. The Public Sector Fraud Authority, where the National Fraud Initiative is now based, is part of a wider investment across government to rise to this challenge.”

A period of calm

“Work together to deliver Christmas”

Prince Harry’s docu-series

Defamatory claims

The isolated elderly

Buddy

Heartwarming visits

“A perfect storm”

Service on its last legs

Up in the sky

Road conditions

Higher mortgage rates

Amber cold weather alert

Word of warning

On the roads

Army back-up

“We hope negotiations reach a resolution”

Fraudulent activity

Housing fraud

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