Groucho Marx and property bubbles: Why the Bank is right to rein in market exuberance November 11, 2015 The commercial property market in London has been booming for several years and the Bank of England is concerned about yet another property bubble building up. The executive director for financial stability strategy and risk at the Bank, Alex Brazier, argued in a speech last month that positive sentiment in the industry must be tempered [...]
Could the collapse of Portugal’s government reignite the Eurozone debt crisis? November 11, 2015 Chris Bailey, European strategist at Raymond James, says Yes. So far this year, the Eurozone has avoided significant region-wide volatility as spill overs from events in Greece have not sustainably infected other countries or markets. But the still inconclusive outcome from Portugal’s General Election does not auger well. If the only viable government is one [...]
Fast food chains Domino’s and McDonald’s could have lessons for other retailers November 11, 2015 How do you get stuff to people? This seemingly straightforward question poses a dilemma that continues to bamboozle retail executives throughout the world. While many of us are fascinated by products of the future – driverless cars, 3D printers, the internet of things – an equally significant challenge lies in how to bring today’s goods [...]
EU referendum: David Cameron’s reform proposals will deliver an EU worth staying in November 10, 2015 Britain is stronger in Europe. This is not a blind defence of the status quo but a considered judgement that, as long as the benefits of our EU membership outweigh the costs and further reforms are achievable, it is in our national interest to remain a member of the world’s largest trading bloc. If [...]
BT’s broadband network dominance is bad for customers, innovation and the country November 10, 2015 The frustrations with Openreach expressed by Vodafone chief executive Vittorio Colao yesterday are shared by millions of customers and businesses as well as Sky. The current structure where one provider, BT, has complete ownership of the national broadband network has led to unacceptable levels of service, reduced competition, and a poverty of ambition in terms [...]
A yawning gap between schools and business risks leaving the UK behind in the global race November 10, 2015 Good education has the ability to define the success of our country. This may seem like a bold statement but, for long-term sustainable growth, businesses need access to highly skilled talent. For that reason, we’ve been campaigning for schools and businesses to work together to ensure that the skills pupils learn are suitable for [...]
With reform of Sunday trading laws put on hold, is England showing the world it’s closed for business? November 10, 2015 Adrian Pepper, managing director of Pepper Media and the founder of consumer group Open Sundays, says Yes You can now shop on the Champs-Elysees in Paris all day on a Sunday. But you can only spend six hours in the supermarkets and tourist emporiums of Knightsbridge, Oxford Street or Westfield. As things stand in the [...]
A little bit of protest will do the EU referendum debate good November 10, 2015 Protest can take many forms. It can be a determined, individual act of resistance or a million-person march through the streets. Anger can mix with optimism, frustration can combine with a sense of purpose. This year, London has witnessed its fair share of marches, occupations, peaceful rallies and violent encounters. What we hadn’t witnessed, until [...]
EU reforms speech: David Cameron’s European Union renegotiation failed before it even began November 9, 2015 Today, David Cameron will deliver a much-awaited speech setting out in detail the reforms he wishes to see adopted by the European Union. I am sorry to say this, but in regard to achieving significant and lasting change, it is an entirely shallow and pointless exercise. To paraphrase Churchill’s dictum, the Prime Minister’s renegotiation is [...]
Forget horse-trading over cuts: The Spending Review is an opportunity to rethink the state November 9, 2015 How large were cuts to government spending during the last parliament? The answer may surprise you. Overall real expenditure fell by just 2.9 per cent between 2010-11 and 2014-15. Later in the month, when the chancellor delivers his Spending Review to flesh out where the axe will fall to meet this parliament’s spending targets, it’s [...]