Kate Robertson: In a digital era, politicians must start a dialogue, not waste time on negative ads that come back to bite them March 30, 2015 Negative "attack advertising" has a great pedigree in British politics. Think of the snaking dole queue of 1979, proclaiming "Labour isn’t working", or the image in 2001 of William Hague adorned with the hair of Margaret Thatcher. "Be afraid, be very afraid", the caption read – aggressive, but with wonderfully British "edge" you never [...]
Ed Miliband: David Cameron’s divided party is now a clear and present danger to UK business March 29, 2015 ELECTION COUNTDOWN 38 DAYS TO GO Today the Prime Minister is going to Buckingham Palace. Parliament is dissolved and the General Election is finally underway. This election is not simply a choice between parties and leaders but between different visions of our country, of how we succeed, of the kind of country we [...]
The US’s attempt to halt China’s rise is a monumental blunder March 29, 2015 “You’re thinking of me, The same old way. You were above me, But not today.” – The Beatles, Rubber Soul, 1965 China might well be singing this Beatles tune all the way to the bank. For America has managed to fall into a momentous trap in its response to China’s rise as a global power. [...]
Are standing desks an answer for sedentary British workers? March 29, 2015 Gavin Bradley, founder of Active Working CIC and the Get Britain Standing campaign, says Yes. The average person sits for almost nine hours a day. Standing desks help you sit less and move more. And we are increasingly seeing innovative companies making the move. However, education is essential, otherwise people will not change their behaviour. [...]
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 [...]