Capitalism has reduced inequality and improved the world, yet still it is under attack January 16, 2019 DESPITE the First World War ending the previous November, the year 1919 was a very bad one. For example, the UK entered what was by far its deepest ever economic recession. Output fell some 25 per cent between 1919 and 1921 as the economy attempted to adapt to peacetime conditions. The troops had been promised [...]
DEBATE: Should universities switch to only offering places based on actual rather than predicted grades? January 16, 2019 Should universities switch to only offering places based on actual rather than predicted grades? Dr Graeme Atherton, director of the National Education Opportunities Network and co-author of the report “Post-qualification application: a student-centred model”, says YES. Going to university is the biggest decision that most young people face. They deserve a university admissions system that helps [...]
If any brand has the power to take on toxic masculinity, it’s Gillette January 16, 2019 As I write this, Gillette’s latest advertisement – We Believe: The Best Men Can Be – is kicking up a right old media storm. It’s fair to say that the campaign, which aims to address issues including bullying, violence, and sexual harassment, has provoked an extreme reaction. It’s been branded an “attack on masculinity” by [...]
Ole Gunnar Solskjaer is a perfect fit for the Manchester United job and has given the club a decision to make January 15, 2019 Less than month ago Manchester United were a dysfunctional club, with a team susceptible to being turned over and a manager who had lost the dressing room. Now, under Ole Gunnar Solskjaer, they have been galvanised, their collective spirit is back and, with six wins from six games, they are an opponent to be feared [...]
Hong Kong Horse Racing Tips: Phantom Falcon looks set to soar to victory under Dylan Mo January 15, 2019 LUCK is likely to play a major part in Happy Valley’s trickiest and most competitive race on the card, the six-furlong Craigengower Cricket Club Challenge Cup (1.15pm). Various form lines for half-a-dozen of the contenders suggests there is only a length between them all, so jockeys and trainers are going to need things to go [...]
Hong Kong Horse Racing Tips: Seven Heavens can put punters on cloud nine January 15, 2019 HONG Kong’s Happy Valley hosts eight races today, all of which look fiendishly difficult puzzles to solve. A word of advice, don’t rush in on the short-priced favourites as this racecard will have form students scratching their heads. From a handicapping point of view, you could throw a blanket over at least half-a-dozen horses in [...]
DEBATE: If Theresa May’s deal fails to pass, is another referendum the best way to break the stalemate? January 15, 2019 If Theresa May’s deal fails to pass, is another referendum the best way to break the stalemate? Jo Swinson MP, deputy leader of the Liberal Democrats, says YES. Brexit has become a national embarrassment. In the last few weeks, the Conservative government has lost control in parliament, and the Labour frontbench – supposedly the official [...]
Audit must reclaim its Victorian roots to win back public trust January 15, 2019 Today marks the first anniversary of the collapse of Carillion. It is also the first day that the Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy select committee takes evidence in its inquiry into the audit market. Carillion’s downfall brought the role of audit in business and society into the spotlight, and was a watershed moment for the [...]
Throw the cyber skills rulebook in the bin and teach trainees to think like hackers January 15, 2019 How should businesses train the nation’s next generation of digital defenders? With the national cyber security strategy due to be updated this year, this should be a pressing issue for the UK government. As the cyber threat grows, so too must our capabilities to defend against it. But at the moment, the industry is fighting a [...]
Eager for a house price fall? It’s time for a lesson in economics January 15, 2019 Would it be a good thing if house prices in the UK fell? The British public, a host of commentators on Twitter, and even some economists seem to think so. A recent YouGov poll asked Britons whether a 30 per cent fall in property values after Brexit would be a “bad thing”. Just 32 per [...]