DEBATE: Should the chancellor borrow more to pay for infrastructure and public services? November 20, 2017 Should the chancellor borrow more to pay for infrastructure and public services? Alan Lockey, head of modern economy at Demos, says YES. Basic decency explains why we should be spending more on Britain’s poorest. The rising gap between inflation and frozen benefits is crippling their living standards, and the Universal Credit fiasco looks more and [...]
Germany stuck in limbo and euro (EUR:USD) tumbles after coalition talks with the FDP collapse November 20, 2017 The euro dived in global trading late last night after talks to form a new German government collapsed. Crunch coalition negotiations between Angela Merkel’s Christian Democrats, the Greens, and the pro-business Free Democrats (FDP) broke down around 11pm GMT when the FDP walked away, citing irreconcilable differences. “There was no progress but rather there were [...]
The Royal Family is worth £1.8bn to the UK economy every year says report November 20, 2017 Britain’s royalty contributes nearly £1.8bn to the UK economy every year, according to a new analysis of the value of the monarchy to be published today. The biggest single benefit offered by the monarchy to UK economy comes in a £550m annual boost to tourism, according to Brand Finance research. The total monetary value of [...]
UK shadow chancellor John McDonnell slammed for refusing to cost Labour’s nationalisation plans on Andrew Marr show November 20, 2017 John McDonnell faced sharp criticism last night after he refused to say how much Labour’s sweeping nationalisation plans would cost. Speaking on the BBC’s Andrew Marr show, the firebrand shadow chancellor said “you don’t need a number” for the cost of nationalising firms because the companies’ subsequent profits would pay for the initial borrowing cost [...]
Firms failing to get to grips with unconscious hiring bias, say headhunters Adecco November 20, 2017 Over a third of British businesses are failing to properly tackle unconscious bias when hiring new staff. Some 39 per cent of firms are not training hiring managers in unconscious bias best-practice, headhunter firm Adecco concluded in research released today. Meanwhile, almost two-thirds (65 per cent) of respondents are not using blind CVs. “Despite unconscious [...]
Carrier billing startup to float on Aim to raise £45m November 20, 2017 Boku, a company that enables mobile phone billing for goods bought online, is floating on the London Stock Exchange today. The firm has embarked on an IPO to raise £45m, and will have a market capitalisation of £125m when it floats on Alternative Investment Market (Aim). The company allows mobile phone users to buy goods [...]
Race To Dubai 2017: Tommy Fleetwood targets world No1 ranking and Major titles after pipping Justin Rose and Sergio Garcia to European order of merit November 19, 2017 England’s Tommy Fleetwood has set his sights on becoming world No1 after holding off the challenge of compatriot Justin Rose to win the Race To Dubai on Sunday. Fleetwood finished tied for 21st at the DP World Tour Championship, eight shots adrift of winner Jon Rahm but just enough to end the European Tour season [...]
Tory rural broadband promise under threat: BT Openreach talks close to collapse November 19, 2017 A Tory pledge to deliver better broadband to 1.4m rural homes is under threat of being delayed by years. Talks between Openreach and the government to agree on a £600m investment by the BT infrastructure arm are close to collapse, according to reports by the Sunday Telegraph. If an agreement with Openreach over its voluntary [...]
Autumn Budget 2017: Philip Hammond to accelerate Britain’s tech credentials with investment in AI and driverless car reforms November 19, 2017 The chancellor is expected to unveil a flurry of announcements to progress artificial intelligence, driverless and electric cars, and 5G across Britain in next week’s Autumn Budget, to help bolster the nation’s credentials as a leader in tech. Philip Hammond is poised to announce £75m for AI, £400m for electric car charge points, £160m for [...]
Roadblock for rise of electric taxis in London with slow progress on rapid charging point installation November 18, 2017 London’s mayor has said that targets to improve the city’s infrastructure for electric vehicles are likely to be missed, ahead of upcoming changes that will mean all new taxis in the capital have to be zero emissions capable. New licensing requirements come into force from 1 January 2018 to reduce emissions from the taxi fleet [...]