London fights for its future (6do encyclopedia)



London is a global city, a diverse and culturally vibrant metropolis that is home to over 8 million people and attracts millions of tourists and new residents every year. However, London faces a number of challenges as it fights to secure its future and remain a thriving and dynamic center of commerce, culture, and innovation.

One of the biggest challenges that London faces is Brexit. With the UK having voted to leave the European Union in 2016, London is faced with the prospect of losing access to the EU’s single market, a critical source of investment, trade, and employment for the city’s businesses and residents. Many of the city’s residents, particularly those from other EU countries who work and live in London, are concerned about their future and the impact that Brexit will have on their lives.

In response to Brexit, London has taken steps to promote itself as a hub for business and innovation, leveraging its strengths in tech, finance, and creative industries. The city has established a number of innovation hubs and initiatives aimed at encouraging entrepreneurship and supporting the development of new business models and technologies. These initiatives have helped to attract startups and established companies from around the world, bolstering the city’s reputation as a global tech hub.

However, Brexit is not the only challenge facing London. The city also struggles with high levels of congestion, air pollution, and housing affordability. The housing crisis in particular has reached crisis proportions, with many residents struggling to find affordable and stable accommodation. This has led to rising levels of homelessness and a growing sense of inequality in the city.

In response to these challenges, the city has undertaken a number of initiatives aimed at improving housing affordability and reducing traffic congestion. The Mayor of London, Sadiq Khan, has implemented a number of measures aimed at reducing air pollution, including the introduction of a new ultra-low emissions zone and a commitment to electrify London’s entire bus fleet. Khan has also been vocal about the need to address the city’s housing crisis, and has introduced a number of policies aimed at increasing the supply of affordable housing.

Another major challenge that London faces is the rise of authoritarian populist movements around the world. London has long been a bastion of democracy and free speech, but the rise of populist leaders and movements in countries like the US, Brazil, and Hungary has sparked concerns about the future of democracy and human rights. London has responded to these challenges by reaffirming its commitment to democratic values, including the right to free speech, the rule of law, and the protection of human rights.

Overall, London faces a number of challenges as it fights to secure its future as a global city. These challenges include Brexit, congestion, pollution, and the rise of populist movements, as well as the ongoing fight for housing affordability and social justice. Despite these challenges, however, London remains a dynamic and resilient city, with a rich history and a vibrant cultural identity. By harnessing the power of innovation and entrepreneurship, and by striving to uphold democratic values and promote social justice, London can continue to thrive in the years ahead.


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London brokers braced for shake-up as equity market languishes

Financial Times

23-05-15 03:19


UK brokers and niche investment banks could face further consolidation as a stagnant London stock market squeezes an industry reliant on listings and take-overs. A lack of flotations and subdued activity has put pressure on the sector, while the ongoing international trade wars have undermined investor confidence. Such conditions have led to deals such as the recent purchase of Numis by Deutsche Bank. Scepticism about the near-term future of equity markets and low volumes of IPOs has also put key players, including Singer Capital Markets and WH Ireland, in the spotlight.

https://www.ft.com/content/49ae9bc0-82a6-4642-a00a-0f709f7fbe9e
EU under pressure to extend access to London clearing houses

Financial Times

23-05-14 20:19


Brussels plans forcing euro-denominated clearing from London to the EU have been opposed by Europe’s largest derivatives houses including BNP Paribas, Deutsche Bank and Société Générale, which are concerned about extra costs and less efficient clearing. Brussels’ blueprint poses a significant risk to financial stability, according to finance bosses. Officials from both sides are involved in talks at “the highest level” as the issue is sensitive and affects financial stability and the competitiveness of the City. The International Swaps and Derivatives Association says Brussels’ proposals are unworkable and could dissuade traders from clearing transactions.

https://www.ft.com/content/8d1350b8-ac86-43f2-a63a-f893a487a6cb
UK investors sound alarm over London exchange rule changes

Financial Times

23-05-03 19:16


The UK financial regulator is planning to introduce changes to British listing rules in order to increase the competitiveness of London’s stock exchange and prevent companies from fleeing the country. However, the move has raised concerns among investors that their voting rights will be diluted and that exposure to riskier shares will increase. The changes proposed by the Financial Conduct Authority would allow companies to list more easily on the London Stock Exchange, with London’s standard and premium markets merged into a single category. The proposals also permit dual class shares whereby founders have increased voting rights over shareholders.

https://www.ft.com/content/21d26570-5a0a-408f-9689-980ced746d81
LSE chief advocates better pay for UK executives to retain talent

Financial Times

23-05-03 13:21


Julia Hoggett, head of the London Stock Exchange, has said that UK executives need to be paid more if the country wants to retain ability and stop businesses from leaving the City in favour of listings elsewhere. "We should be encouraging and supporting UK companies to compete for talent on a global basis, so we remain an attractive place for companies to base themselves, stay and grow," said Hoggett in a statement posted on the LSE website. The comments come as asset managers and proxy advisers continue to vote against low executive pay policies in the UK and companies exit the London stock exchange.

https://www.ft.com/content/596e3474-51a0-4dc1-b865-929658ec74d5
Listings overhaul must stop London’s sucking sound getting louder

Financial Times

23-05-03 12:19


The biggest shake-up in listing rules since the 1980s could still fail to save London as a leading financial centre in Europe, according to an editorial in the Financial Times. The UK's financial regulator, the Financial Conduct Authority, has proposed radical changes, such as the introduction of flexible rules around dual-class share structures and the removal of key investor protections. However, the FT argues the overhaul could mark the "end of an era" for the London Stock Exchange, and the city needs to find a new competitive advantage as it faces competition from private equity and the US.

https://www.ft.com/content/6ac06232-8602-41bb-badd-a97fe41144d5
Revolut in shareholder battle with SoftBank as UK licence talks stall

Financial Times

23-05-19 18:19


Revolut is locked in a board clash with largest shareholder SoftBank who have demanded compensation for giving up its priority class of shares, which the Bank of England has made a condition for granting the crucial licence, according to people with knowledge of the situation. If Revolut does not simplify its ownership structure to win a long-delayed banking licence, the payments group cannot lend or benefit from the UK’s deposit insurance scheme, which impact the fintech’s expansion into the US, Australia, and Singapore. Regulators also request Revolut expand their group level board and add more technology expertise. SoftBank had demanded double the amount of common stock Revolut is offering in exchange for giving up the preferential rights linked to its current shareholding class.

The London-based fintech is now rushing to release its 2022 accounts, and hopes to release them next month, which it hopes will be approved by its auditors after it built new systems to better document exchanges and flows of money around the app. Despite a two-and-a-half year wait for the banking license, founder, Nik Storonsky, has criticized the “extremely bureaucratic regulator,” voicing his frustration of the delays. With its 30 million existing clients, Revolut needs the license to help it expand and continue competing against other digital banks and payment services.

Revolut’s locked discord tells a wider story about London and Europe’s continued dominance in fintech, with the fintech being a potential example of London losing its status, since Brexit, as Europe’s primary financial services hub, while the UK business secretary is seeking to prevent the company moving its headquarters. Regulatory concerns have spotlighted potential conflicts of interests with banks investing in fintech and purchasing fintechs outright, and Europe’s banking industry experiencing low profitability and increasing competition from global fintechs.


https://www.ft.com/content/e6ff1184-faae-4674-af4a-95321cf9f37b

It’s not just the equity market: insurance must be part of London’s competitiveness debate

Financial Times

23-05-22 18:19


Some senior officials in the London insurance and reinsurance market have warned that slow regulators and crudely drawn rules are causing it to lose ground. The global share of London's insurance market is now under 8%, stagnating over recent years, according to the London Market Group. It argues that issues include “a one-size-fits-all” regulation that creates undue administrative pressure and the slow pace of signoffs for regulatory authorisations. The group is calling for regulators to publish a comparative analysis of the UK versus other regions and for new metrics to identify issues more readily.

https://www.ft.com/content/a30afb7e-b27e-47e3-b7a5-8c8d518a879c