Legislators must not be fooled by the latest insolvency figures July 29, 2016 The latest insolvency statistics released yesterday by the Insolvency Service paint a positive picture for UK businesses, renewing hopes that struggling firms can gain access to the help they need. However, business owners and legislators must look beyond the figures and act now to prepare for future market shocks. In the second quarter of 2016, the total [...]
This is why Byron Hamburgers’ immigration scandal backlash isn’t fair July 29, 2016 Following the detainment of 35 illegal immigrants found to be employed by popular restaurant chain Byron Hamburgers, many former customers have mobilised on social media, vowing to boycott the restaurant and shaming them for their recruitment practices. But is the backlash the restaurant has received fair? I would argue not. From a legal perspective, employers [...]
PM’s takeover test may do more Arm than good July 29, 2016 We're less than a month into Theresa May’s administration but there’s already a worrying air of economic policy schizophrenia drifting through Whitehall. The new Prime Minister has the most daunting in-tray of any incoming Premier for decades, but she needs to flesh out her vision for corporate Britain fast; what she has offered so far [...]
Hinkley Point C: Prioritising the politically sexy over the economically rational is a waste of money July 29, 2016 The new nuclear plant at Hinkley Point, which has finally been approved by EDF’s board, will be the most expensive power station anywhere in the world. Beset by delays (first proposed in 2006, it was meant to come online in 2017), it won’t be operational until 2025 and EDF will still receive its enormous £30bn [...]
How Britain can boldly seize the new opportunities created by Brexit in trade and beyond July 28, 2016 After the historic Brexit vote, the UK faces an inflection point, as does the world itself. What Britain does in the next few months and years will have a big impact on the global economy. We may choose to be timid about our future and limit ourselves to a muted conversation with the EU about [...]
Leaving the EU only strengthens the case for expanding both Gatwick and Heathrow July 28, 2016 As MPs prepare to jet off on their summer holidays, there is one big decision that awaits their return: where to build a new runway in London and the South East. This is a decision that has now dragged on beyond all belief. When the Airports Commission published its final report over a year ago, we [...]
Failure to reform refugee laws risks the unravelling of liberal democracy across swathes of Europe July 28, 2016 One of the great paradoxes of this era of globalisation is the narrowing of many Western minds about the world that lies beyond our own culture and values. For sure today’s opinion formers – and indeed the vast majority of our population – are better travelled than ever, but the dominance of US culture and [...]
As it says it’s in a “strong position to withstand uncertainty”, is Lloyds right to be so bullish after Brexit? July 28, 2016 Laith Khalaf, senior analyst at Hargreaves Lansdown, says Yes. It’s not a great time to be a bank, but the sector is in much better shape than it was going into the financial crisis. In particular Lloyds has simplified its structure to focus on key strengths in the UK retail and commercial banking market. There may [...]
City Airport expansion is a boost for London July 28, 2016 Recent political events have thrown any decision on UK airport expansion further into doubt. Even before the referendum and subsequent resignation of David Cameron, it was tough to pin down exactly what the government was minded to do about the pressing need to expand capacity in the south east. Throughout the debate (which looks set [...]
The case for Hinkley Point C has collapsed: It’s time to scrap it July 28, 2016 Assuming its unions have not succeeded in stopping it, the board of EDF is today expected to wave through a decision on Hinkley C, the first new nuclear power station in the UK for 20 years and, at £18bn, the world’s most expensive power station. It’s easy to forget, Hinkley C was the future once. [...]