Don’t make Southern Rail a scapegoat for the ideological war between Whitehall and the trade unions September 8, 2016 Southern Rail is raking in tens of millions of pounds in profit from its disastrous management of a crucial commuter line while careering head first into a row with unions and nabbing a £20m taxpayer bailout due to the ensuing problems – at least if you believe the company’s critics. The reality of the situation [...]
Forget trade deals: Unilaterally tearing down our tariffs would be Britain’s Berlin Wall moment September 7, 2016 The Aussies are itching for a free trade deal and the Prime Minister is said to want to lead the world against protectionism. For most people such issues are economic, pure and simple. Unfortunately, what is missing is the moral dimension, which needs to be far better understood. Adam Smith argued that “all commerce that [...]
As Fabric closes its doors for the last time, is arbitrary state intervention killing London’s night life? September 7, 2016 Alex Proud, founder of Proud Galleries and Proud Camden, says Yes. Possibly the world’s greatest club has been closed. A club held by most in the industry (and until recently by the Met and Islington Council) as an example of good practice, run to the highest standards of professionalism, crime prevention and drug prevention. Six tragic [...]
Britain must be boldly pro-enterprise to master the Fourth Industrial Revolution September 7, 2016 Business leaders and politicians gathered in Davos at this year’s World Economic Forum annual meeting were told a revolution had started. Not a bloody revolution, but an economic and strategic one, with its impact felt across every industry and every country. This unprecedented, disruptive fusion of digital, physical and biological technological developments has been dubbed [...]
Don’t let Remainers frustrate Brexit through delays and timidity: The government needs a bold plan of action now September 7, 2016 Now ministers have had their holidays to brush up on what actually might be possible to ensure Brexit means Brexit, what will be the best negotiating strategy to take? There are still many, especially in Parliament, who cannot accept the people's vote and will sow confusion by diluting what leaving the EU means. One grumpy sacked minister [...]
Whistleblowers in banks to get more protection from today September 7, 2016 It goes without saying that in recent months Brexit has been at the forefront of the minds of those working in financial services in the City. No doubt, Brexit will continue to dominate the headlines for years to come. However, we should not let Brexit overshadow or mask the sweeping reforms already taking place across [...]
Customers don’t want to bank on Santander anymore after it chopped interest rates on its popular 123 account September 7, 2016 The news that Santander has notified customers that they face a cut to interest rates has caused something of a stir. The Spanish bank is cutting the rate of interest on its popular 123 current account by half. Customers will receive 1.5 per cent interest as opposed to the previous three per cent. This follows on [...]
Black Lives Matter protest at London City Airport was absurd, the expansion of the travel hub will create jobs for the capital’s poorest September 7, 2016 Your holiday may be over but there are still plenty of people keen to jet off from London City Airport. Sixty-three per cent of passengers travel on business – a higher proportion than any other UK airport. Indeed, according to the airport's own figures nearly two thirds of those passing through their doors work in [...]
Wake up, Britain: Your post-Brexit future is brighter than you realise September 6, 2016 This is an extract from a speech to be given at the Institute for Turnaround Conference in London on 8 September 2016. Britain's future is brighter than the British realise. This is perfectly obvious to outsiders but the British can’t believe it. Britain has been for some time the second most compelling investment destination after [...]
London is still number one for fintech – and now we’re going global September 6, 2016 Ten weeks on from Brexit, the City is back to business following the summer, and the fintech community is as busy as ever working through its plans for an ever-changing world. While the uncertainty of Brexit may loom for some time, London is still the number one fintech hub on the planet. We have created [...]