Britain must learn from France's e-scooter mistake
An e-scooter revolution is coming to Britain whether the country likes it or not. 'The revolution will hurt a little, but it's necessary,' declared the vice-president of one of Europe's leading e-scooter rental companies. Christina Moe Gjerde of Sweden's Voi Technology has said her ambition was to have 50,000 more e-bikes and scooters on the streets of Britain. 'You [Britain] are sitting on a gold mine,' said Moe Gjerde. 'Get it right and there's so much potential.'
Private e-scooters are illegal on English roads but rental companies have been operating rolling trial schemes for a number of years in many towns and cities. The government wants more e-scooters and e-bikes and is encouraging local authorities to initiate more pilots. This roll-out would be regulated with restrictions on parking and speed. Moe Gjerde acknowledged that these two issues are a 'problem' and reasons why e-scooters are so divisive.
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Scottish Sun
an hour ago
- Scottish Sun
Tottenham CONFIRM Thomas Frank as new manager after paying £10m to Brentford to replace axed Ange Postecoglou
Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) TOTTENHAM have confirmed Thomas Frank as their new manager. The Dane, 51, replaces Ange Postecoglou, who was axed just 16 days after winning the Europa League with Spurs. 7 Thomas Frank has left Brentford to join Tottenham Credit: Getty 7 Ange Postecoglou was sacked by Spurs 16 days after winning the Europa League Credit: Getty Tottenham quickly identified Brentford boss Frank as their primary target following Postecoglou's dismissal. Spurs have paid around £10million in compensation for Frank, who has signed a contract until 2028. SunSport revealed at the weekend that Frank had given the move the green light before Tottenham had even formally approached Brentford. The switch took time to be completed due to negotiations over backroom staff - specifically highly-rated head of coaching Justin Cochrane. The Bees wanted to keep the 43-year-old and were even prepared to consider him as a candidate to take over from Frank. But Cochrane, who previously worked as a youth coach at Spurs, has decided to leave the G-tech to join Frank as his assistant, along with head of performance Chris Haslam and analyst Joe Newton. Set-piece specialist Andreas Georgson arrives from Manchester United as a first-team coach. Cochrane is also a coach with England and has been working alongside Thomas Tuchel over the past week - and FA sources are expecting him to continue in that role. BEST ONLINE CASINOS - TOP SITES IN THE UK Spurs confirmed the appointment in a statement, which read: "Thomas has extensive experience in English football having joined Brentford in 2016 - since becoming one of the longest-serving current managers in the Premier League. "During his time at Brentford he transformed the Club, moving them up from the Championship to an established Premier League side, consistently and significantly outperforming expectations for an extended period of time. Ange Postecoglou's BEST Press Conference Moments 7 "In Thomas we are appointing one of the most progressive and innovative head coaches within the game. "He has a proven track record in player and squad development and we look forward to him leading the team as we prepare for the season ahead." Frank took over at Brentford in 2018 after two years as assistant. He guided them to the Premier League in his second full season, and has since established them in the top flight. Under Frank's astute management, the Bees achieved a tenth placed finish last term. Brentford finished seven places and a whopping 18 points above Postecoglou's Spurs. The Aussie boss saw Tottenham fall all the way to 17th in the Premier League. But his sacking still raised several eyebrows due to his Europa League triumph in Bilbao. Despite ending Spurs' 17-year trophy drought, securing Champions League qualification in the process, Postecoglou was axed 16 days on from beating Manchester United in the Europa League final. 7 Frank, 51, will now have an opportunity to manage in Europe Credit: Alamy 7 Justin Cochrane makes the move to N17 with Thomas Frank Credit: Getty 7 Postecoglou, 59, was axed despite ending Spurs' 17-year wait for a trophy Credit: Alamy An excerpt of Spurs' statement read: "Ange will always be remembered as only the third manager in our history to deliver a European trophy, alongside legendary figures Bill Nicholson and Keith Burkinshaw. "However, the Board has unanimously concluded that it is in the best interests of the Club for a change to take place. "Following a positive start in the 2023/24 Premier League season, we recorded 78 points from the last 66 PL games. "This culminated in our worst-ever PL finish last season. At times there were extenuating circumstances - injuries and then a decision to prioritise our European campaign. "Whilst winning the Europa League this season ranks as one of the Club's greatest moments, we cannot base our decision on emotions aligned to this triumph." 7 Spurs yesterday today that Postecoglou's assistant coaches Mile Jedinak, Nick Montgomery and Sergio Raimundo have all left. Ryan Mason has already left to take the reins at West Brom, but Ange's No2 Matt Wells and goalkeeping coach Rob Burch remain at Spurs. FRANK 'PERFECT' FOR SPURS Frank's move comes after nearly seven years with Brentford. During that time, the Dane managed Christian Eriksen for a successful six months in 2022 before the 33-year-old midfielder joined Manchester United. Eriksen, who spent seven seasons at Spurs between 2013-2020, said: 'Thomas is the right coach for Tottenham. 'I had Thomas at various times and I think he is the perfect match for Tottenham. It would be great if he takes on that challenge. 'His personality, his way of playing and his way of being make him a good fit. 'And the club, considering where they were last season - they won a trophy of course - but they are in the process of building something and I am sure that Thomas is a good man to bring in.' Eriksen's link-up with Frank three years ago saw him return to football seven months after suffering a cardiac arrest on the pitch playing for Denmark at the delayed Euro 2020. He moved on to United the following summer, but is leaving Old Trafford following three years there. The 144-cap Denmark star has stated he fancies a new challenge away from England, feeling he has 'had my turn' in the Premier League.
The National
4 hours ago
- The National
UK Government must 'urgently engage' with Scotland over migration
On Thursday, the Scottish Government led a debate on migration calling for the needs of Scotland's public services, businesses and communities to be 'supported, rather than harmed' by the incoming reforms. MSPs voted 67 in favour of the Scottish Government's motion, moved by Deputy First Minister Kate Forbes, and 42 against. A Scottish Tory amendment calling for a 'balance' to be struck on migration and 'reducing the numbers of illegal migrants who place added pressures on the welfare system and public services', did not pass. READ MORE: Mairi McAllan: I'm back and I want quick progress on housing emergency Scottish Labour's amendment in support of the UK Government's immigration plans also fell. In May, the Labour Government published an immigration white paper that contained sweeping changes to the system. The plans include ending automatic resettlement for those living in the UK for five years, moving to a decade, that migrants are required to display a higher standard of English, and an end to visa routes for care workers. Opening the debate, Forbes told MSPs: 'Migration is predicted to be the sole driver of population growth for decades to come. 'Right now, we need people to come here to live and work, to bolster our working age population.' (Image: Scottish Parliament) The Deputy FM reiterated calls for a bespoke approach to be taken towards Scotland's migration. She said: 'When I was first elected, I was often struck by the fact that there was a cross party support for the post graduate visa from both the Conservatives and Labour, a tailored nuanced approach with cross party support, and that's what we want to see again. UK ministers could choose to support us on this.' Forbes added: 'Migration enriches our society. It makes a net contribution to our economy, our public services and our public finances, it's the fertilizer that helps us to thrive, innovate and grow. 'In the face of these demographic challenges, we can't push them away. READ MORE: John Swinney and Anas Sarwar clash over reports of SNP secret meeting 'There are some things that we can do within devolved powers, but what we can't do is expand the workforce completely without control over that. And so I invite members from across the chamber to join us in making this call today.' MSP Liz Smith, Tory spokesperson for social security, said that debates around migration are generally based on 'increasingly unhelpful and damaging rhetoric which can border on racism and which clearly helps absolutely no one at all'. 'I agree that the current system of immigration controls is not working,' she added. 'In particular, I think the very high level of illegal immigration is a major concern, as is the fiscal cost associated with that, both in terms of accommodation and public service provision.' (Image: Scottish Parliament) Smith said she 'quite strongly' opposes a Scottish immigration system because of 'inherent complications', she did note the 'demographic challenges' of an aging population. Later in the debate, she claimed the debate on migration should not be framed as one of 'Scotland against the rest of the UK'. 'I think this debate is much more about different sectors across the UK,' Smith added. 'I don't like the idea that we often get into constitutional debate about this. I think it's much more to do with the sectors.' (Image: Scottish Parliament) Scottish Labour's Michael Marra said that any immigration system has to be 'safe, legal and well managed'. 'It's absolutely essential,' he added. 'Eleven months ago, the UK Labour Government inherited a chaotic broken system. 'Fixing that system will take time. 'Without any doubt, it's right that the UK Government has taken those steps necessary to ensure that immigration is safe, it's fair and also crucially that it meets the needs of our economy. READ MORE: SNP leadership challenge would not be a good idea, says John Swinney 'Because meeting those needs of the economy that's actually part of the basis of make sure that enjoys public support, which is absolutely crucial.' Scottish Greens MSP Maggie Chapman, joining the debate remotely, told the chamber that she wanted to 'challenge the toxic narratives that define UK immigration policy'. 'We must be absolutely clear immigration is a societal good, not a problem to be managed,' she said. 'We should celebrate it.'
The Guardian
6 hours ago
- The Guardian
Rogue imports of ‘Dubai chocolate' may threaten Britons with allergies, FSA says
Pistachio-filled 'Dubai chocolate' is one of the UK's hottest food trends but officials are warning that rogue imports could pose a serious threat to people with allergies. With shoppers clamouring to get their hands on the bars, the Food Standards Agency (FSA) said it has identified a 'number of products that pose a health risk to consumers with allergies'. Although most of the chocolate is 'safe' to eat, the body says it is concerned that some bars do not have reliable labels. It is also possible they contain banned additives and dyes. Its officials are working with local councils to get problem bars cleared from shelves. The bars were first invented in 2021 by Sarah Hamouda, a British-Egyptian living in Dubai. The indulgent treat went on to become a huge hit on social media. One video of a food influencer eating the bar, which contains a filling of pistachio cream and tahini with knafeh (a traditional Arab dessert), has clocked up more than 100m views on TikTok. The chocolate has become so popular it is one of the factors blamed for a shortage of pistachios. The scale of the demand from sweet-toothed consumers inspired specialists, such as Lindt, to launch their own versions as well as supermarkets from Lidl to Waitrose. The FSA's chief scientific adviser, Prof Robin May, said: 'The vast majority of food in the UK is safe, but some imported Dubai-style chocolate products don't meet our standards and could be a food safety risk, especially for consumers with allergies'. 'We advise sticking with trusted retailers, like the ones you'd use for your weekly shop, as products are more likely to be made for UK consumers and so are safe to eat.' By law, products made to UK standards should have labels in English that carry a list of ingredients, with the allergens emphasised. The packet should also give the name and address of the UK or EU business responsible for the product information. Sign up to Business Today Get set for the working day – we'll point you to all the business news and analysis you need every morning after newsletter promotion The FSA says it is trying to establish the scale of the problem. While this work takes place, it is advising those with a food allergy or intolerance to only purchase bars that are clearly intended for sale in the UK.
