With no deal yet, has the IMF compromised its credibility in its handling of Greece’s bailouts? June 25, 2015 Vicky Pryce, chief economic adviser at CEBR, says Yes Greece was the IMF’s biggest rescue ever. The austerity measures it imposed may have worked for developing countries that could devalue, but they were not appropriate for a developed country like Greece, a member of the Eurozone. The IMF admitted in a 2013 study that it [...]
Devolution is coming – the Midlands needs to make the most of it June 25, 2015 Speaking outside Number 10 on 8th May, the Prime Minister declared that his new Government’s mission is “ensuring this recovery reaches all parts of our country.” At Birmingham Airport, we are clear that unlocking new growth in our region means supporting new direct aviation connectivity opportunities around the world. This is why we are focused [...]
Devolution is coming – the Midlands needs to make the most of it June 25, 2015 Speaking outside Number 10 on 8th May, the Prime Minister declared that his new Government’s mission is “ensuring this recovery reaches all parts of our country.” At Birmingham Airport, we are clear that unlocking new growth in our region means supporting new direct aviation connectivity opportunities around the world. This is why we are focused [...]
Better small company reporting is key to unlocking EU Capital Markets Union June 24, 2015 Smaller quoted companies are vital to generating long-term sustainable economic growth and creating jobs. Smaller enterprises have the capacity for dynamic growth, development of new markets and sustainable job creation. But how best to attract the capital they need to achieve their potential? The European Commission’s proposal for a Capital Markets Union has sought [...]
Private investors can plug London’s infrastructure gap – if we allow them to June 24, 2015 London's infrastructure is struggling to cope. Not only are our roads, rail and tube systems in need of a major upgrade (some of which is already underway), but we need new homes, better broadband provision and mobile reception, and more schools and colleges to train the businessmen and women of the future. According to [...]
As Cameron heads to Brussels, will he achieve sufficient reform to Britain’s EU relationship? June 24, 2015 Lucy Thomas is campaign director of Business for New Europe, says Yes The Prime Minister’s task is daunting, but achievable. He has secured a mandate for his approach and he now has the chance to secure real reform. His priorities should be delivering a cut to red tape, ensuring EU institutions are more streamlined, and [...]
How digital will help solve Britain’s productivity puzzle June 24, 2015 Technological change is fuelling improvements in workplace efficiency, and the power of digital technology to boost productivity should not be forgotten. The increase in productivity which businesses will inevitably see through adopting technology is essential in driving economic growth. Yet UK productivity levels are lower than the G7 average. The latest quarterly inflation report showed [...]
London’s cyclists will continue to die until decisive action is taken June 24, 2015 The latest cyclist casualty figures from TfL look like good news. Cyclist deaths and serious injuries appear to have gone down at the same time as the number of people in London cycling – especially commuting into the centre – is increasing. And yet the number of cyclists killed or suffering life-changing injuries in [...]
Twelve reasons why the campaign for Brexit is quickly gaining momentum June 23, 2015 It was not long after the Conservative general election victory that the campaign for the UK to stay in the European Union was launched – no matter how disappointing the results of David Cameron’s renegotiation might be. Even before the Referendum Bill was published and the wording of the question set, the creation of [...]
Against the Grain: What Yanis Varoufakis can learn from a real game theory master – Nicola Sturgeon June 23, 2015 The gracious Palladian architecture of Edinburgh has often led the city to be described as the Athens of the North. If the referendum result had gone the other way, much closer parallels would have rapidly emerged. A high spending left wing government, faced with a collapse in revenues due to the fall in the oil [...]