Letters: The cost of caring November 26, 2021 [Re: Boris Johnson brushes looming MP rebellion over social care, Nov 23] As the debate around social care reform continues, I read with interest the article outlining the new plans which have now been voted in. Amongst all of the debate, there is a risk that the needs of the sector will be overlooked but [...]
Letters: Keeping an eye on the prize November 25, 2021 [Re: FCA watchdog calls in Bitcoin experts to combat crime, Nov 22] The relative anonymity of cryptocurrencies is naturally an attractive destination for organised criminals trying to hide their illicit wealth. With the use of crypto increasing, it is no surprise to see the FCA ramping up efforts to protect the wider industry from illicit [...]
British Airways digital demons November 24, 2021 [Re: Systems down at BA, 22 November] Over the last five years, many companies have misunderstood the transformational element of “digital transformation”, thinking it’s simply the “patching up” of customer experience rather than reforming IT platforms for a new generation. British Airways is the latest example. On 30th October, the airline’s customers were informed that [...]
Coal keeps our steel cities alive November 23, 2021 [Re: Battle for Cumbria coal mine, Nov 17] The focus on the word “coal” as something bad sidelines the fact that the coal from this mine is metallurgical coal: not for making power but to make steel. I wonder if we understand how much we rely on steel. Look around you now: the train or [...]
Letters: Warning, risk of electric shock November 22, 2021 [Re: It’s about time for Rishi Sunak to make his mind up on on a road tax, Nov 19] In the same way that government’s previously promoted diesel power as the solution to saving energy and the planet, electric vehicles are a similar red-herring. Batteries are not going to save us, as the practicalities of [...]
TfL’s future in Khan’s hands November 19, 2021 [Re: “Managed decline”, yesterday] Great front page headline City A.M. “Managed Decline” (18th November). The reality on Transport for London is London’s future is in the Mayor of London’s hands. He can reform the pre 1980’s era style union working practices and pay and conditions which are so generous other public sector workers are envious. [...]
Cut off from the world November 18, 2021 [Re: US-China rhetoric won’t save our climate woes if Beijing stays hooked on coal, November 12] It is depressing that countries such as China, India and Russia appear unwilling to stop burning coal within timescales necessary to prevent catastrophic climate change. At the same time, other countries are continuing to allow large scale deforestation of [...]
Just keep moving November 16, 2021 [Re: Uber’s model was rife with flaws but the gig economy deserves saving, yesterday] The piece in support of Uber is fair enough, but it ignores the fact that a lot of Uber traffic came from tempting people off of public transport. In doing so, it added to the problem of climate change and congestion, [...]
Travelling in the wrong direction November 12, 2021 [Re: Tory sleaze row, ongoing] Boris Johnson’s behaviour resembles a candle in the wind, shift and changing as the breeze and tornadoes of public opinion blow. His statement that breaches in conduct should be punished cut right across his defence of Owen Paterson. I agree that this country isn’t corrupt; thankfully we have the press [...]
Letters: Thinking outside the (meta) box November 11, 2021 [Re: Interacting in the metaverse, November 10] Nicola Mendelsohn’s plans to have us all living our lives inside the “metaverse” border on delusional. Sure, Facebook (or Meta), has proved the case for addictive social media. But there’s a growing backlash to this with people paying to go on phone-free retreats. How does making social media [...]