The Debate: Has the plastic bag levy been a success? April 9, 2025 Ten years on, the plastic bag levy has largely been hailed a success - but has it actually helped the planet? Two experts go head to head in this week's Debate.
What’s gone wrong with the police? April 9, 2025 Britain’s police forces are facing three interlinked crises – of people, purpose and poor technology, says Simon Clarke Policing is in peril. The performance of our police is at an all-time low, with fewer than seven in a hundred crimes leading to a charge or summons, down from 17 out of 100 in 2015. Sexual [...]
A policy to boost growth now? Thatcher had the answer April 9, 2025 If Labour is serious about generating growth, it needs to find creative ways to attract investment. By drawing inspiration from the history of Enterprise and Investment Zones, Labour could signal it means business without a full revamp in economic policy, says Brandon Lewis Over the past few weeks, the future of European security was reoriented [...]
Adolescence and the problem with government by Gogglebox April 9, 2025 Calls for Netflix’s Adolescence to be shown in schools reveal the dire state of our national conversation, says Emma Revell For years I have joked that reality TV may be the only way to get some people to understand the severity of the housing crisis. Find an over-confident Boomer who is still harping on about [...]
Businesses are struggling to model the impact of tariffs April 8, 2025 History and economic models provide little precedent for the impact of Trump’s tariffs, so the implications are worryingly unclear, says Annette Spencer It’s safe to say that tariff talk is no longer a mere backdrop to financial news, it’s shaking currency and financial markets. While governments are beginning to think about next steps and potential [...]
If we want more entrepreneurs we should tax them less April 8, 2025 Altogether, from the very first penny received from an employer to the very last penny passed down to one’s children, the tax on entrepreneurship can get up to 93.1 per cent, says John O’Connell In a speech she gave in January, the Chancellor declared that it is “businesses, investors and entrepreneurs who drive economic growth”, [...]
Deliveroo exec: London restaurants can’t take more tax hikes April 8, 2025 London's restaurants can't take more punishing tax hikes, writes Deliveroo's chief business officer Carlo Mocci in today's Notebook.
Trump’s trade war is a test for Starmer – I fear he’ll fail it April 8, 2025 Keir Starmer declared yesterday that we’re now living “in a completely new world.” He’s not wrong; Donald Trump has cut to shreds the established economic order and flung the pieces into the air. At this stage, where those pieces will land is anyone’s guess. So, Starmer is right to sense a moment. But what will [...]
Brits are bracing for the worst as Trump’s tariffs bite April 8, 2025 Trump’s tariffs are having a seismic impact on British politics, the economy and even the national mood, the latest City AM/Freshwater Strategy poll shows, writes Matthew Lesh Last month’s City Am / Freshwater Strategy poll revealed some green shoots for the economy. While far from a glowing overall picture, the trend was towards a more optimistic outlook [...]
Why using ChatGPT images could cost you down the line April 8, 2025 ChatGPT's new image generator is no doubt tempting for forward-looking marketeers, but don't shrug off the legal risks, writes Paul Armstrong.