The IMF’s strawman critique of “neoliberalism” puts successful liberal reform in jeopardy June 1, 2016 The International Monetary Fund published a paper last week which was widely reported as a repudiation of “neoliberalism”. According to the Fund, the opening up of countries to free capital flows and a desire for fiscal consolidation over the past three decades have not delivered obvious economic benefits. In fact, these policies were said to [...]
As France’s dispute over labour market reform intensifies, has the country become ungovernable? June 1, 2016 Dr Dylan Kissane, who works at DOZ in Lyon, France, says Yes. France is in the midst of a fuel shortage, widespread transport shutdowns, and a wave of increasingly violent anti-reform protests culminating recently in the firebombing of an occupied police vehicle. Clashes between riot police, masked demonstrators, and burning cars are now commonplace on the [...]
One year after Amber Rudd challenged the Big Six energy providers over pricing, there is still more to do to get a better deal for energy consumers May 31, 2016 One year ago, energy secretary Amber Rudd wrote to the Big Six to demand why hard-pressed consumers weren’t seeing bigger reductions in their gas and electricity bills. Fresh to her role in charge of the department for energy and climate change, she challenged suppliers to explain why they had failed to pass on significant wholesale [...]
London’s public toilets shame the capital and they’re disappearing fast: We need a private sector revolution to end this crisis May 31, 2016 A BBC investigation shows that the number of public toilets has continued to fall, with nearly 1,800 closing nationwide in the last 10 years. There is no legal obligation on councils to provide conveniences, and closing them is often an easy way to save money when cash is short. London’s provision is now abysmal, with [...]
EU referendum: A Brexit doesn’t necessarily spell doom and gloom for London’s property market – fortune will favour the brave May 31, 2016 While a vote to leave the EU on 23 June looks less likely by the day, landlords, letting agents and corporate relocation specialists shouldn’t worry too much about a Brexit. Whether we wake up on the 24 June ‘in’ or ‘out’ of Europe, it will be several months before the true consequences of either outcome become clear. [...]
London mustn’t dither its way into stagnation May 31, 2016 Funds that take a long-term view are sitting on an estimated $117bn (£80bn) which they would like to invest into infrastructure projects, including in the UK, according to Andy Rose, the new chief executive of the Global Infrastructure Investor Association (GIIA). Meanwhile, London is hungry for investment into essential services such as housing and transport. So [...]
These three perilous trends spell disaster for Saudi Arabia May 31, 2016 “How the mighty have fallen!”– 2 Samuel 1:27 What a difference a year makes in terms of political risk in the energy markets. Just 12 short months ago, all talk was of a resurgent Russia and corresponding security of supply issues in Eastern Europe, as the Kremlin seemed the world’s greatest destabilising force. Traditionally stable [...]
Why the City of London will be better off if we leave the European Union May 31, 2016 Too much of the debate about what the European Union referendum means for the City has been frustratingly narrow and short-term, confined to the immediate financial implications of leaving. Far too little attention has been paid to the longer-term health of the City, in particular the implications of remaining inside the EU. Inside the EU, [...]
What the quiet rise of Tooting says about the challenges facing Sadiq Khan as mayor May 31, 2016 As with all great cities, London has many faces. We all know the stereotypes: West London is for old money and new oligarchs, North London is for intellectuals and media luvvies, East London is for hipsters and entrepreneurs, and as for South London, well that’s not actually so clear. West and North have historically been [...]
What is more likely: Britain voting to leave the European Union or Donald Trump becoming US President? May 31, 2016 Ed Bowsher, deputy editor and senior analyst at Share Radio, says Brexit. I said in January in City A.M. that Donald Trump would be the Republican candidate but would not reach the White House, and I still think a Trump victory is very unlikely. Granted, some polls currently put him in the lead, but until now [...]