Whitehall needs to get its Brexit act together August 15, 2016 The official website of Chevening House, the country residence of the foreign secretary, still lists Philip Hammond as the present occupier. That they have yet to update the site since Boris Johnson took over as the UK’s most senior diplomat is perhaps a reflection of the confusion caused by Theresa May (somewhat mischievously) asking Boris to [...]
Who owns America? Why Donald Trump will lose – but not by much August 15, 2016 To put it mildly, by any terrestrial standards Donald Trump has not had a good week. Be it seeming to threaten Hillary Clinton with assassination or stubbornly refusing to back down on his Oliver Stone-like claim that President Obama is the founder of Isis, Trump has stretched the already fraying bonds of American credulity to breaking point. [...]
Fintech is thriving in Edinburgh too – and it’s great news for the whole of the UK August 15, 2016 One of the good things about the Rio Olympics, quite aside from the sport, is the fact that it reminds us of four years ago when we hosted the Games. It was a month of celebration and positivity for the whole UK, not just London, and it showcased the best that Britain has to offer. [...]
Nuclear and renewables might keep the lights on – but nothing beats Britain’s home grown gas August 15, 2016 In the wake of the delay to signing the Hinkley C contract, there has been heated debate about nuclear and the gap left when coal-fired power stations are decommissioned. I’m a great supporter of both renewable and nuclear electricity as part of the energy mix. However, for the UK to meet its climate targets by [...]
Following a raft of unimpressive data, can the Chinese economy avoid a hard landing? August 15, 2016 Craig Botham, emerging markets economist at Schroders, says Yes. Though marking a deceleration and disappointing expectations, the data does not suggest a hard landing is imminent. Rather, it remains commensurate with a soft landing; a gradual deceleration in the growth rate, to be expected after years of enviable growth. The most likely trigger for a hard [...]
Sadiq Khan is making the right noises on pollution problems, but London is lagging behind European counterparts August 15, 2016 Sadiq Khan has already had a considerable impact since coming into office, first with the T Charge and more recently with the introduction of ‘Air Quality Alerts’ across London. And today is the first day of new air quality alerts at bus stops, Tube stations and road sides across London during days of high and very [...]
After the whistle: Premier League clubs have been busy monetising content this summer which Sky, BT Sport and the BBC would eagerly compete for August 12, 2016 In recent weeks, Sky Sports has had David Beckham running through the streets taking in 10 months of Premier League footballing drama. But the UK’s top flight tournament is no longer seasonal. Over the summer, fans have been assiduously following transfer news and international friendlies with a new level of fervour. And Premier League clubs [...]
We must save Britain’s failing savings culture before it’s too late August 12, 2016 The chancellor may be cheering the collapse in government bond yields since Mark Carney announced a fresh round of monetary easing last week, but companies with final salary pension schemes certainly are not. If gilt yields fall, pension fund deficits widen – and the increasing price of government bonds barely counteracts this. According to former [...]
Banning diesel cars is the wrong way to tackle pollution in London August 12, 2016 Everyone reading today’s copy of City A.M. wants clean air. But reducing pollution in our great city is a complex problem deserving of careful consideration and the adoption of a range of solutions. There is no magic bullet. Reducing emissions from all sources – whether planes, trains, cars or buses, or the polluting systems that [...]
Immigration supporters must face facts: The public has no confidence in the system August 12, 2016 How would I sum up the job of the new home secretary Amber Rudd when she thinks about immigration in a post-Brexit world? “Immigration might be good for your GDP, but it doesn’t help mine.” A friend made the point when he visited London a few weeks ago. He isn’t racist, he has nothing against [...]