The lessons of politicians aren’t worth mulling over your breakfast Frosties January 10, 2013 TWO weeks into my New Year’s resolution and it’s already time to admit that it’s not going well. At least I can take some comfort in the knowledge that the coalition hasn’t lived up to its promises either, missing 70 election pledges according to its mid-term audit. When I fail to hit my weekly target [...]
The UK’s credit rating will fall victim to the failure to tweak RPI January 10, 2013 WHEN asked who your favourite chancellor is, it’s fashionable to reply William Gladstone. He is the man who helped construct the Victorian liberal state, based on free trade and small government. But while Gladstone was certainly brilliant, my own choice is Neville Chamberlain, who successfully steered Britain out of the 1930s Depression. It was a [...]
After clothing sales slumped at M&S, can the traditional high street retailer survive? January 10, 2013 YES Neil Saunders Retail can be seen as a game of two halves. Last year, spending through physical outlets grew by 0.2 per cent, whereas online retail spending grew by 13 per cent. But while the growth of online has put pressure on physical retailing, the situation is not all doom and gloom. Firstly, the [...]
Letters to the editor January 10, 2013 The cyber threat [Re: Technology alone can’t save businesses from the threat of cyber criminals, yesterday] I want to thank Tom Burton for his excellent article. I wonder if the secrecy culture with which the anti-cyber crime industry surrounds itself, for fear of educating the criminal, is not actually hurting its cause. Having worked in [...]
Technology alone can’t save businesses from the threat of cyber criminals January 9, 2013 BRITAIN’s national security is in peril. According to a report released yesterday by the House of Commons Defence Select Committee, the threat to British IT systems from cyber attack is both rapidly evolving and increasingly significant. And it’s hard not to be convinced of the potential for disaster. In 2010, a highly-sophisticated computer worm known [...]
Bank regulators finally realise their decisions can help or hinder the economy January 9, 2013 WHAT was that bang? A lot of people are hearing the sound of stable doors being slammed shut after the horses have bolted. Professor John Kay – a trenchant critic of banks – wrote about it yesterday, saying that, after the financial crisis, it was natural for politicians to rush to solve yesterday’s problems. One [...]
The business case for a referendum on EU membership January 9, 2013 IN ALL likelihood, David Cameron will soon commit to holding an in-out referendum on Britain’s EU membership. Unsurprisingly, this has provoked a campaign against giving people a say on who ultimately governs us. There are two arguments. First, that “now is not the right time”, because speculation about the possibility of a referendum would create [...]
As the Tube reaches its 150th birthday, should London love or hate its underground railway? January 9, 2013 LOVE Wendy Neville We should be proud of London’s Underground for three reasons: longevity, design heritage and innovation. It’s amazing to think that a transport service largely dependent on infrastructure over 100 years old runs so smoothly and efficiently to carry over 3m passengers a day. There are occasional delays, but the service is good [...]
Rapid responses January 9, 2013 Commuting reality [Re: Further efficiencies are critical to making London’s railways thrive, yesterday] The current proposals for rail improvements are distinctly short sighted. Britain’s railways were built in Victorian times to take travellers from one city centre to another. But this no longer reflects the travel pattern of today’s rail users. The figures reveal a [...]
Further efficiencies are critical to making London’s railways thrive January 8, 2013 COMMUTERS finally have some welcome news. Just a week after inflation-busting fare increases came into effect, rail industry leaders have announced Britain’s biggest investment in infrastructure since the Victorian era. Look around any train or station serving London in the morning peak and the case for improvements is overwhelming. Many are packed or overcrowded. Londoners [...]