Be thankful the UK’s political system would deny Donald Trump access December 9, 2015 Back in 2012 a right-wing social conservative named Rick Santorum was seeking the Republican nomination for US President. He didn’t get it. His legacy, however, is that his name has (in some circles, at least) come to mean something quite specific. As a backlash to his views on homosexuality, an internet campaign was launched to [...]
Property tech sector is battling inertia to shake up Britain’s housing industry December 8, 2015 The UK property technology sector has undeniably seen substantial growth over the past 18 months. In June last year, the property portal Zoopla listed for approximately £1bn. Since then we have seen the launch of a startup accelerator dedicated to early stage property businesses and a large amount of capital invested into young companies which [...]
Why politicians will always struggle to sell action against climate change to the public December 8, 2015 The two week long Paris conference on climate change seems to be dragging on interminably. There are obviously many reasons why such summits find it difficult to reach meaningful agreements. But a fundamental one is that the electorates of the West are being asked to bear substantial costs right here and now, in return for [...]
How business can play its part in defeating poverty – and rebuild the public’s trust too December 8, 2015 A huge amount of study has been undertaken into the causes of poverty, and the routes out of it. Time and again, education comes out as the number one factor that can make the most difference to people’s futures over the longer term. It’s no secret that more children from poorer backgrounds struggle in school, [...]
As paltry returns are criticised, do savers have unrealistic expectations about the rates banks can offer? December 8, 2015 Frances Coppola, a former banker blogging at coppolacomment.blogspot.co.uk, says Yes Since the financial crisis, banks have been under pressure to increase stable funding and reduce reliance on money that can run. This not only means using less wholesale funding, it also means persuading retail customers to tie up money in notice accounts, minimum balances or [...]
Bank warns looming credit boom risks housing bubble December 8, 2015 The noughties were not humanity’s greatest decade. It brought us boot cut jeans, velour tracksuits and 50 Cent – and now a report has warned that we could be heading back there, thanks in part to the Bank of England’s monetary policy committee (MPC). According to BNP Paribas Real Estate, if the MPC shies away [...]
David Cameron’s EU renegotiation has been exposed as the fudge it is December 7, 2015 The Prime Minister’s strategy of convincing the British public to stay in the European Union because he will deliver fundamental reform to our relationship can now be seen for what it is, a worthless EU fudge. In November, David Cameron wrote a letter to European Council president Donald Tusk, setting out the four objectives that [...]
Facebook’s Mark Zuckerberg should use his fortune to promote freedom – not do-gooder causes December 7, 2015 Mark Zuckerberg and Priscilla Chan’s decision to give away 99 per cent of their $45bn Facebook wealth has received a mixed reaction. One would have thought that, among right-on opinion, the decision to dispense with a fortune through lifetime philanthropy would be cause for celebration. After all, the Zuckerbergs’ daughter, Max, will now no longer [...]
A decision in favour of Heathrow expansion will guarantee more years of uncertainty and inertia December 7, 2015 A government decision on airport expansion may be just days away and it’s a decision that is going right to the wire. While Heathrow has argued that it is full, Gatwick will soon reach its capacity limit so there is little doubt that London and the South East urgently need another runway. It will take [...]
As Marine Le Pen secures victory in France’s regional elections, does she have a chance of winning the presidency? December 7, 2015 Dr Paul Smith, associate professor in French and francophone studies at Nottingham University, says Yes We cannot dismiss the possibility of Marine Le Pen winning the 2017 presidential election. The Front National’s national vote on Sunday was a shade under 30 per cent, and this would get her through to the second round of the [...]