Startup in London? Here’s how the capital’s funding scene is changing March 27, 2015 The funding landscape for startups in London is changing. It has expanded and diversified, making it easier for early stage companies to raise capital. Yet the benefits vary greatly, depending on the size and type of company. London is fertile ground for startups looking to raise between £50,000 to £150,000. The Seed Enterprise [...]
We can live with zero inflation: The two per cent target must not be set in stone March 26, 2015 For the first time since the 1960s, the main measure of UK inflation has fallen to zero. While this seemed to be a shocking fact for many economic commentators, it should not be a great surprise. For over 30 years, defeating inflation and achieving price stability have underpinned UK economic policy. Low inflation became a [...]
Why embracing equity finance is key to the success of Britain’s Mittelstand March 26, 2015 The column inches dedicated to the FTSE 100 recently reaching all-time highs are a disappointing reminder of the imbalance between the perception and reality of the UK economy. Indeed, a recent report confirmed what we at ECI have known for some time: the real engine of growth in the UK is the middle market. According [...]
Don’t blame NHS reform for our health service woes: It hasn’t gone far enough March 26, 2015 NHS performance is at its worst since the 1990s, according to the respected think tank The King’s Fund. Treatment targets are routinely being missed. A&E waiting times are their worst for a decade. Two thirds of hospitals are now in the red, as the service heads towards a £2bn deficit. While services show signs of [...]
As the election approaches, is a Conservative minority government the most likely outcome? March 26, 2015 Charles Lewington, managing director of Hanover Communications, says Yes This is a numbers game. The polls are currently pointing to a dead heat between David Cameron and Ed Miliband, with roughly 270 seats for each of their parties. So the TV appearances are crucial. But Labour’s vote is soft – as is that of Ukip, [...]
It’s high time Britain faced up to the risks of radical devolution of power March 25, 2015 In all the sound and fury of the coming election, it’s important not to forget the areas where the parties agree. This includes support for much greater “localism” and devolution of power from central government – and not just to Scotland. One example is George Osborne’s support for an elected Manchester “super mayor”, a move [...]
Why crime is falling – and it’s nothing to do with the slow death of capitalism March 25, 2015 Economic statistics are the bane of forecasters’ lives. Cynics might say that this is because the data reveal how bad their predictions are. But a big practical problem is that initial estimates of the state of the economy can be revised substantially. These issues are as nothing compared to statistics on crime. The Crime Survey [...]
Why women on boards are good for business March 25, 2015 Yesterday’s release of the latest government report into gender diversity on the boards of the UK’s biggest companies brought some excellent news for those businesses, the broader economy and society. Four years on from the original survey, Lord Davies finds that female representation has almost doubled to 23.5 per cent, and only 17 more women [...]
As HS2 is lambasted by a Lords report, is there “no convincing case” for the project? March 25, 2015 John O’Connell, director of the TaxPayers’ Alliance, says Yes HS2 should be scrapped. It is based on a bad business case that unravelled as soon as it was presented, and the Lords report should be the final nail in its coffin. The initial business case assumed average passenger income of around £70,000. Were that to [...]
Asset bubbles may be forming but rapid rate hikes would only jeopardise growth March 24, 2015 Everybody seems to agree on the need for full employment and price stability. But these objectives leave central bankers with a perennial dilemma when managing an economy: act too soon in normalising monetary policy and they’ll prevent the attainment of full employment; act too late and they’ll damage price stability. It is less a matter [...]