London’s new crisis: A shortage of offices will do immense damage January 18, 2015 If London is to reach its economic potential in 2015 and beyond, its office space must be protected. Otherwise, the lack of affordable housing in the capital will be matched by a lack of affordable office space. The crisis in the provision of housing for Londoners is an undeniable issue; for London to remain a [...]
2015 World Economic Forum: As the global elite prepare to gather in Davos, is the annual meeting a waste of time? January 18, 2015 Philip Booth, professor at Cass Business School and editorial and programme director at the Institute of Economic Affairs, says Yes. The world’s great and good will meet in Davos this week. The meeting is dangerous and perpetuates a fallacy. It’s dangerous because it provides a forum for rent seekers (big business and regulators) to meet [...]
Don’t count on cheap oil and money to stave off a new Eurozone crisis forever January 15, 2015 The Eurozone is in a vulnerable state once again. Five years ago, the euro crisis – that bête noire of the region’s economy – unfolded. Since then, much has been done to repair and strengthen the Eurozone’s architecture, ranging from the establishment of a bailout fund and the creation of a banking union, to European [...]
Why David Cameron’s crusade against encryption could backfire on business January 15, 2015 One so-called expert in terrorism and one person who claims to be able to tackle it embarrassed themselves this week. The first was a hapless Fox News commentator, who had convinced himself that Birmingham was an outpost of the Islamic State, sparking hilarity in the Twittersphere. The second was none other than David Cameron, who [...]
There is no Franco-German plot to kill the City: The EU is a boon for financial services January 15, 2015 The word “bleak” isn’t one that many in the City would choose when it comes to the future of our financial sector. Yet that’s how Sir Bill Cash described it in City A.M. yesterday, blaming the EU for damaging the City and warning of worse to come. But is it really the case that the [...]
Is Labour’s plan to cap levels of fat, sugar, and salt in food marketed to children a good idea? January 15, 2015 Luciana Berger, shadow minister for public health, says Yes With one third of children now overweight or obese, we’re in the midst of an obesity crisis that is placing a burden on our NHS that we can’t afford. At the same time, children are being bombarded with junk food marketing especially designed to target them [...]
Blame the coalition for rising childcare costs: London’s mayor must get a grip January 14, 2015 I’m A dad to two wonderful teenage daughters, so I know that being a parent in London can be challenging. Like most Londoners, my job is hectic. I often leave home before my girls are up in the morning, and in the evening, votes and constituency meetings mean I don’t get home till late. My [...]
The City is not safe in the EU – and the situation is only set to get worse January 14, 2015 Self-delusion seems to be spreading. First the CityUK’s Chris Cummings, in an article in last Tuesday’s City A.M., appeals for the City of London to lead EU reform. Next, Labour’s Douglas Alexander takes up the call in Monday’s Evening Standard. “It has”, he informs us, “been Britain’s stated policy objective for the past 30 years [...]
Only Heathrow Airport expansion will allow Britain to win the global race for growth January 14, 2015 Vietnam Airlines’ announcement last week that it is moving its operation from Gatwick to Heathrow is good news for Britain, as it secures a direct route to an important growth economy, with more frequent flights and greater cargo capacity. It underlines that airlines can only make flights to many long haul destinations viable from a [...]
Will David Cameron’s refusal to take part in TV debates damage his electoral prospects? January 14, 2015 Mike Smithson, editor of PoliticalBetting.com, says Yes As an incumbent Prime Minister facing an opposition leader with as poor personal ratings as Ed Miliband’s, it has been apparent for a long time that the best outcome for David Cameron would be for no debates to take place. This is the case all the more so [...]