Star Wars Day shows us the droids we’re looking for May 4, 2016 Over the years I think I’ve made it pretty clear that I firmly believe science fiction is one of the most powerful influences on how people think about the future potential of technology. We’ve seen wonderful examples where the creative license of a few enlightened people have led to the creation of incredible technologies that [...]
Work in tech, bored of London? Forget Silicon Valley, try Australia May 4, 2016 Tech entrepreneur Oli Madgett and his wife Tara recently decided to swap London for South Australia. The weather, beaches, and wine played their part but the city’s growing reputation as a tech hub was crucial. As London’s ‘Here East’ starts to establish itself here’s how our Aussie cousins are doing it. Go big or go [...]
London mayoral election 2016: London’s next mayor must put broadband connectivity at the top of the agenda May 4, 2016 This Thursday, Londoners have a pretty important decision to make. One that will shape the way the city operates for years to come. The pressure is definitely on for London’s next mayor to improve the state of the current broadband infrastructure across the capital once elected. If the city is to continue being one of [...]
I would trust Google’s DeepMind with my personal data more than the NHS May 4, 2016 The NHS is not a data company. Google's pretty good with that kind of thing. No wonder, then that the millions of pieces of information the health service has amassed about the nation's wellbeing – from admission times to blood tests – is being shared with the company in pursuit of the shared and very human [...]
Are emerging markets getting their mojo back? May 4, 2016 Emerging markets may be getting some of their mojo back after a tough couple of years. So says Goldman Sachs Asset Management (GSAM), citing a rally in emerging market bonds. Yacov Arnopolin, a portfolio manager for the GSAM emerging markets debt team, is encouraged that the recent interest in emerging markets has been broad-based and [...]
Top Cat advert might be the top dog for Halifax May 4, 2016 In its new campaign aimed at first time buyers, Halifax has incorporated the cartoon character Top Cat into its television, print and online push. The campaign has been ridiculed in some quarters, particularly on social media. Sharp-witted users have been quick to remind Halifax that Top Cat in fact resided in far less salubrious surroundings [...]
Labour’s Sadiq Khan can’t be trusted to deliver for Londoners – but Zac is a man I can do business with May 4, 2016 When I first became chancellor six years ago, I inherited a British economy and a London economy that were on their knees. It’s why on day one we immediately put a plan in place to rescue the public finances while laying the foundations for recovery. London led that recovery, bouncing back first and fastest. With [...]
The government’s restaurant tipping crackdown is a far worse idea than you think May 4, 2016 Not content with setting the wages in future of up to 20 per cent of the private sector workforce through its National Living Wage, the government has now decided to clamp down on tipping practices in restaurants – opening up a new front in pay regulation. The business secretary Sajid Javid wants steps taken to [...]
There’s little logic to 2016’s shareholder revolts against big executive pay-outs May 4, 2016 Reporting of the crisis at BHS has focused as much on the ethics of Sir Philip Green’s behaviour as it has on the plight of the company itself. Sir John Collins, who put Green’s name forward for a knighthood, has said he should be stripped of it if his handling of the beleaguered company is [...]
After a difficult first quarter for UK-based banks, is the outlook finally beginning to brighten? May 4, 2016 Laith Khalaf, senior analyst at Hargreaves Lansdown, says Yes. There is no doubt things are tough in the banking industry. But while performance in the first quarter was poor, it was generally ahead of expectations, which serves to underline the level of pessimism surrounding the sector. Progress has been slow since the financial crisis, and there [...]