Nearly 350,000 Londoners were still on furlough at the end of June despite the imminent easing of lockdown restrictions, according to new Government figures. Since it launched in March 2020, the furlough scheme has supported a total of 11.6 million jobs.
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Motorists without a permit can be slapped with a £130 fine for driving through Parsons Mead – dropped to £65 if paid within 14 days.
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A 59-year-old retiree has achieved his life-long ambition of studying art – and now creates pieces depicting men’s mental health issues. Paul Starns was not allowed to study art at sixth form when he was a teenager, as he was told by his teachers that “he had to take proper A Levels”.
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After weeks of “sky high” coronavirus numbers in Merton cases are finally falling – but the council’s public health boss has warned against celebrating too soon. Although the “scary numbers” seem to be behind us, Dr Dagmar Zeuner urged caution as we wait to see the result of restrictions lifting on July 19.
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Delays to bin collections in Sutton and Croydon could last until the autumn due to a shortage of HGV drivers. A combination of Brexit and the pandemic has been blamed for a shortage of qualified drivers as training, recruiting and keeping drivers has become more difficult.
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An Oxford university graduate from Bexley who was part of the first BAME drama society is fundraising £14,000 after being unable to receive additional student finance. Tumi Olufawo, 22, was the only person from Townley Grammar School, Bexleyheath to go to Oxford University in 2017 where she studied Politics, Economics and Philosophy.
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A tour guide and author is showcasing Brixton’s top Black cultural landmarks in her historic walking tours. Avril Nanton, 63, from Enfield, founded Avril’s Walks and Talks to showcase London’s statues, monuments, buildings, art and quiet back streets with a focus on the city’s rich Black history.
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The ‘most unpopular’ plans Lambeth Council has ever seen was unanimously defeated after major push-back from families. Lambeth planning bosses all voted against plans for a metal recycling centre West Norwood on yesterday evening. Stating that it would be detrimental to the character of the residential area.
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The “temporary” £15 Congestion Charge is set to be made permanent and its hours of operation reduced following a public consultation, TfL announced on Wednesday. As part of the Government’s emergency funding deal in June last year, the cost of the charge increased from £11.50 and it became enforceable until 10pm seven days a week.
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Pressure from school kids has forced Croydon Council to U-turn on plans to close two children’s centre. In a bid to save cash, the council wanted to shut Shirley Children’s Centre and stop services from Purley Oaks Children’s Centre. Over 1,365 responses with 725 people saying they disagreed with the changes, were submitted to a consultation that closed in June.
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Lambeth Council has cancelled permission for its own housing company to demolish homes on an estate. The council said it would be cheaper to axe the project than battle families in court over the plans.
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There are “worrying signs” that Croydon Council’s financial crisis is having an impact on the borough’s most vulnerable children – Ofsted say. Fears that cuts are affecting children’s service’s have been raised by an Ofsted inspector who visited the borough over two days in June.
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A grade I listed church is facing months of repair work after its crypt was buried two feet in sewage. St Cuthbert’s Church in Earl’s Court is facing thousands of pounds worth of damage and months of restoration work – as sacred music and historic vestments were ruined by the flooding.
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A block of 90 new flats could be built on the site of a former car dealership in Croydon. Initial plans for a for a new development at former Motor Village were heard by the council planning bosses.
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Lambeth Council has hired a firm that was fined £250,000 for failing to protect an employee, who died after breathing in toxic fumes.
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More than 900 fines are being issued every week as drivers fail to realise they’re going through a controversial road block in Lewisham. But the council insists it’s a significant improvement on previous fine figures.
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Southwark Council is sitting on £877,676 of your overpaid council tax because owed residents have failed to ask for it. There are 2,794 overpaid council tax accounts in the borough – a Freedom of Information request from the Local Democracy Reporting Service showed.
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A billionaire has been given permission to build an eight-storey private palace overlooking Hyde Park. Hong Kong-based property tycoon Cheung Chung-kiu has been granted permission to create a vast new home by partly demolishing and reconstructing 2-8A Rutland Gate in Knightsbridge.
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Campaigners have picketed Becket House, an immigration enforcement centre near London Bridge, in protest against the treatment of migrants. Campaign groups Migrants Organise, These Walls Must Fall and SOAS Detainee Support were protesting against the requirement for immigration applicants to attend Home Office reporting centres, whilst waiting for a decision on their applications.
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