Good piece in @standardnews today by @nicholascecil on my letter to the Sec of State at @DWPgovuk . The more Government departments can share data, the better chance @CityWestminster has of cracking down on short term let fraud & the candy store racket https://www.standard.co.uk/news/london/airbnb-illegal-lets-london-crackdown-tax-hmrc-b1298279.html

Our amazing nightlife is one of the reasons visitors flock to Covent Garden & Soho - so @CityWestminster was pleased to give the final licensing approval to the Blue Note jazz club today. As @standardnews reports, we are all about supporting small venues https://www.standard.co.uk/news/london/blue-note-jazz-club-opening-covent-garden-westminster-city-council-licence-b1298138.html

The world famous Blue Note jazz club opens its first venue in Covent Garden tonight - & @CityWestminster gave it the final licensing go ahead today. Join us on an exclusive video preview tour with @VoteTimBarnes !

Covent Garden's newest venue opens tonight - the Blue Note jazz club in St Martin's Lane. Earlier today @CityWestminster gave it the final licensing go-ahead & deputy leader @VoteTimBarnes had a sneak preview ahead of the curtain going up. We're proud to support small venues.

Government departments like the @DWPgovuk have vast amounts of data that can help us crack down on problems like the abuse of short term lets. I've written to DWP Sec of State Pat McFadden to ensure his team are talking to the Treasury & others. Let's fight fraud together.

One of my first acts as leader of @CityWestminster was to write to the Chancellor urging him to reinstate tax free shopping. As I told @standardnews , it's madness to signpost shoppers to Paris or Barcelona when they could be spending in the West End: https://www.standard.co.uk/business/vat-refund-scheme-london-shopping-b1297744.html

Abuse of the short term lets system is a big issue when noisy guests cause nuisance for neighbours. Some people are also illegally subletting @CityWestminster council properties. https://Booking.com are backing our campaign to regulate the rental market - here's the latest: