DEBATE: Could France overtake Britain for tech investment? March 18, 2019 Could France overtake Britain for tech investment? Kat Borlongan, director of the French Tech Mission, says YES. There are number of misconceptions around doing business in France. A language barrier and extensive bureaucracy have perhaps deterred investors from funding some of the best tech startups, specialising in everything from artificial intelligence to smart cities. But these [...]
Stop overlooking small businesses – they can be a massive force for good March 18, 2019 Small and medium-size enterprises (SMEs) make up 99 per cent of companies, and employ 60 per cent of private sector workers in the UK. And yet, they are often overlooked when we talk about responsible business. When SMEs take action on responsible business, they make a huge difference to London’s communities, to our environment, to [...]
Formula One legend Bruce McLaren is a racing role model, but what can business leaders learn from his life story? March 15, 2019 When Bruce McLaren, the founder of the motor racing team named after himself, was just nine years old, he was diagnosed with a hip issue that left him bedridden, with his legs encased in plaster for three years. This devastating experience left him unable to do what every youngster should be doing: playing with friends, [...]
Opinion: First time buyers purchasing new builds with the help of Mum and Dad are missing out on SDLT relief March 15, 2019 Stamp duty land tax relief for all first-time buyers for purchases up to £500,000: this was the pledge made by the Chancellor, Rt Hon Philip Hammond MP, in the 2017 Autumn Budget. Given the usual stamp duty threshold is far lower than the average house price in London, this was a big win for first-time [...]
Opinion: Post-Brexit Britain should be open to the world and a foreign buyer tax sends exactly the opposite message March 15, 2019 House price growth is at its lowest rate in five years, according to the latest ONS statistics. While Brexit is clearly a contributing factor, stamp duty is the main culprit in the London market. It is therefore highly alarming that the government has decided to press ahead with divvying out yet another stamp duty burden. [...]
Debate: Should the Financial Conduct Authority ban exit fees on investment platforms? March 15, 2019 Should the Financial Conduct Authority ban exit fees on investment platforms? Alex Kovach, chief commercial officer at Interactive Investor, says YES. Consumers should be able to vote with their feet and switch investment platforms without the burden of crippling exit fees. As an industry, we should not be putting up barriers to switching – and the [...]
Trading on WTO terms would be no panacea for global Britain March 15, 2019 Despite the series of votes this week, a no-deal Brexit remains a real possibility. In fact, it is still the legal default unless a deal is struck or the EU agrees to extend Article 50. Many Brexiteers – 308 MPs, in fact – appear to think that this is the best Brexit option. Their assumption [...]
State-centric and uninspiring: The Spring Statement wasn’t much to get excited about March 15, 2019 Who has time to care about a Spring Statement when the unfolding Brexit process feels like watching a cross between Saw 3 and a monster truck rally? This has been a problem for two and a half years – the Brexit black hole has sucked time and resources away from almost every other area of [...]
Premier League betting tips: Liverpool strikers can profit fromCottagers’ leaky defence March 14, 2019 IT’S BEEN a near perfect week for Jurgen Klopp and Liverpool. A potentially tricky fixture with Burnley in the Premier League last Sunday was taken care of without too much bother and then a brilliant away performance in Munich saw the Reds through to the Champions League quarter-finals. While they are by no means firing [...]
FA Cup betting tips: United to bounce back from defeat by Arsenal with win over Wolves March 14, 2019 WITH London sides winning four of the previous five FA Cup finals, it really is about time the rest of the country started pulling its weight and giving fans outside of the M25 a reason to cheer. Only Manchester United have disrupted the tide in that time, lifting the trophy in 2016 thanks to Jesse [...]