HS2: delayed, but running

Get straight to the good stuff every day with the Multiply Minute; a lightning-quick round-up of the money news and how it affects you.

Go-ahead for HS2

The government is set to give HS2 the green light today, approving plans for a high-speed line between London, Birmingham, Manchester, and Leeds. The controversial project, which is due to be finished by 2040, is over budget and behind schedule. The project’s supporters say speedier travel times will help to create jobs and rebalance the UK's economy.

Value-for-money uni courses?

New government plans for an Ofsted-style ranking system could help would-be undergrads to choose where and what to study. But courses are expected to be judged by how much graduates earn, with courses that produce low-earning grads labelled as “low quality”. Experts have warned that the plans would punish arts and humanities subjects, as well as universities outside London whose graduates stay on and work locally.

Property surveyors independent?

The property regulator is planning a shake-up of the industry (paywall) including stricter rules for valuers. Its concern? Possible conflicts of interest at big firms such as Savills, JLL, Knight Frank, and Cushman & Wakefield. The scrutiny comes as surveyors face accusations that they might be slapping optimistically high price labels on retail properties.

London’s Chinatown suffers

As the coronavirus outbreak takes hold, businesses in London are taking a hit. Footfall to shops and restaurants in the capital’s Chinatown is down by as much as 50% as fearful customers stay away and fewer tourists are travelling from China.