Labour’s manifesto marked its final retreat in the fiscal stimulus debate April 27, 2015 Which school of economic thought has been vindicated by the macro-economic performance of the UK over the past five years? Given that economists, historians and politicians are still busy analysing the events of the 1930s and the Keynes-Hayek debate of that period, we are unlikely to get a consensus any time soon. But while Keynesians [...]
Miliband’s disappointing stamp duty pledge won’t make the tax less stupid April 27, 2015 Housing, and its affordability crisis, is a bigger issue at this election than in any other for decades. Sadly, that hasn’t translated into policies that could effectively solve the problem, and yesterday’s announcements by Labour leader Ed Miliband will not change that. Labour plans to introduce a three-year stamp duty exemption for first time buyers, [...]
As talks drag on, would calling early elections pave the way to a final agreement for Greece? April 27, 2015 Christian Schulz, senior economist at Berenberg, says Yes It was always clear that Prime Minister Tsipras could not satisfy his party’s hardline left-wingers and international creditors at the same time. Greece needs a third bailout this summer to stay in the Eurozone in the long term. The Eurozone would offer that help, but with more [...]
General Election 2015: Cameron says he’s “bloody lively” – but does he need to be? April 27, 2015 David Cameron was in the City this morning, trying to convince small business owners he's on their side, and trying to convince the broader electorate he's passionate about what his party has to offer. The PM has been under pressure in recent days for not showing enough fire on the campaign trail, as the [...]
Neverendum revisited: The break-up of the Union is more likely than ever April 26, 2015 Like some George Romero zombie film sequel, the Scottish question simply refuses to die. As I posited in September last year, the supposedly definitive referendum vote was likely to be anything but that. Rather, Scotland’s status in the Union was more likely to morph into a “Neverendum” – a huge, unsolved, existential distraction that would [...]
It’s crunch time for the UK’s skills shortage: Our politicians must wake up April 26, 2015 Following the launch of the election manifestos, voters will be looking to understand exactly where each party is positioned on key issues from immigration and foreign policy to the NHS. Yet there is one area which still needs particular attention: addressing the UK’s skills shortages. This means making sure that British businesses have the right [...]
Employee wellbeing is as important to the City as the health of its businesses April 26, 2015 In the City, we spend a great deal of time discussing the financial health of our companies and industries, focusing on how it could be improved to ensure their long-term success. Rarely, however, do we pay the same attention to the workers on whose performance that success depends. The City has a unique set of [...]
As HSBC says it could move its HQ, is London’s position as a global financial centre at risk? April 26, 2015 Jason Hollands, managing director at Tilney BestInvest, says Yes. The news that HSBC is to consider moving its head office is a warning shot to voters and policy-makers that London’s pre-eminent position as perhaps the leading global financial centre simply cannot be taken for granted. Yes, it has “natural” advantages, being in a time zone [...]
The outsider myth: How misfits can succeed in a world run by insiders April 23, 2015 Here's a quiz for you. What do Steve Jobs, JK Rowling, Franz Kafka, Marie Curie and Tracey Emin have in common? They’ve all considered themselves to be outsiders: misfits, not belonging to their various social groups. Of course, the current zeitgeist suggests that this is a good thing – an enabler – offering compelling (if [...]
The parties’ deficit plans all miss a crucial element: A clear vision for growth April 23, 2015 If you have been following the election campaign so far, you will have heard all the main parties sign up to cutting the deficit. We have been assured over and over that there are plans to tackle and tame the deficit monster. There have been long-term plans, costed plans, credible plans, sensible plans, and fair [...]