Letters: A new word for British culture November 3, 2022 [Re: From ballet and opera to festivals and clubs, our definition of culture has changed, 28 Oct] How refreshing to see recognition of our dynamic cultural and creative industries in a daily business newspaper. These industries contribute significantly to the economy, as the article rightly points out. Perhaps more importantly in the current difficult economic [...]
Explainer-in-brief: The Black Sea grain deal is in jeopardy after Russia’s exit November 2, 2022 Three more vessels carrying grain left Ukraine yesterday – despite Russia’s withdrawal from the deal that was allowing stocks to leave through the Black Sea. Russia has exited the deal claiming Ukraine is using the safe corridor to attack its ships. Ukraine, the UN and Turkey are left with coordinating new shipments, in the hope [...]
From funding to effectiveness: we need to change how we look at innovation November 2, 2022 One consistent low hanging fruit for politicians when it comes to economic growth is innovation policy, which consists of spending public money to fund new research and development of new technologies. While the public and different political parties might see its purpose as slightly different, it is broadly perceived to be unproblematically valuable for both [...]
Not all is doom and gloom: a recession is not the only possible scenario facing Britain November 2, 2022 The prime minister and the Chancellor are struggling to “balance the books”. Around £50bn might be needed from a combination of cuts to spending plans and increases in taxation. This has led to a chorus of voices squealing about austerity creating a major economic recession. The argument goes back to Keynes, writing in the aftermath [...]
Sunak must bet big on our semiconductor industry – or we’ll lose out to competition November 2, 2022 Rishi Sunak’s in-tray is overflowing with crises: from the cost of living to supporting Ukraine, from settling the UK’s long-running dispute with the EU about Northern Ireland to the fate of his controversial home secretary. But the prime minister also needs to address long-running issues which his predecessors have neglected. Among these is how to [...]
Letters: Climate should be a priority November 2, 2022 [Re: Why does Cop27 seem to be the party no one wants to go to?, Oct 31] It’s disappointing that our new prime minister, Rishi Sunak, doesn’t consider attending COP27 a priority. I appreciate his government has to deal with the UK’s cost of living crisis, but now is not the time to retreat from [...]
Opinion-in-brief: Suella Braverman’s justifications ring hollow once again November 1, 2022 The omnishambles at the Home Office culminated in Suella Braverman’s statement in the Commons yesterday, where she defended herself saying she’s on the side of the “law-abiding, patriotic majority of British people” who think Channel crossings are “unnecessary”. She barely mentioned the security breach for which she was forced to resign under Truss. She spoke [...]
Ruling the waves is the only defence strategy that will protect our interests November 1, 2022 One of the consequences of Russia’s intensified aggression towards Ukraine has been growing concern about whether Britain’s investment in the armed forces is sufficient to meet the threats of the future – or even of today. After all, despite a welcome uptick in outlay of some £16.5bn in November 2020, British defence investment remains at [...]
Welcome the rise of retail investors: with more market knowledge, they’re well poised for growth November 1, 2022 As bond prices tumbled in September, retail investors in the UK spotted an opportunity. They made the most of the sharp drop in prices and bought up four times as many bonds as the year before, increasing their exposure to the asset class and diversifying their portfolios. Though it might surprise people who associate do-it-yourself [...]
How London could become a 15-minute city, without leaving its centre behind November 1, 2022 It was 2020, and Anne Hidalgo, the mayor of Paris, was launching her re-election campaign. Paris was “capable of inventing a new history without forgetting its past”, she said back then, while introducing the concept of the “15-minute city”. Fast forward two years, and Hidalgo is still the mayor of an increasingly green, accessible Paris. [...]