Britain must get creative to shake off pandemic blues June 2, 2020 On Sunday 10th May, Boris Johnson announced the first tentative steps to reopen the British economy after weeks of being in the deep freeze. The heavily caveated plan has led the Prime Minister to “…believe we can be stronger and better than ever before. More resilient, more innovative, more economically dynamic…” Read more: London needs its hospitality [...]
Why I’m seeking a Judicial Review of the government’s draconian lockdown measures June 2, 2020 Last month, Boris Johnson addressed the nation and told us to “stay alert”. But with the passing of each day of this totalitarian lockdown, it is clear that it is the government that is leading us like lemmings into disaster, taking us towards the cliff edge with them. My application to the High Court for [...]
Funding the Covid-19 recovery: Seize the opportunity to build a better tax system June 2, 2020 The suspension of huge parts of the economy coupled with an unprecedented package of government support measures mean that tax revenues are falling while public spending is surging. A leaked Treasury assessment estimated a £337bn budget deficit this year, nearly seven times the forecast in March’s budget. Analysts expect the debt-to-GDP ratio to be near [...]
Survive and thrive: Pilgrims get a pizza the delivery action June 2, 2020 London’s businesses have been forced to weather a storm they never saw coming, but many have pivoted to new ways of doing business. Today, Thom Elliot – co-founder of Pizza Pilgrims – writes for City A.M. on how one of the capital’s favourite small chains responded to the crisis and the challenges to come Covid-19 presented a [...]
DEBATE: Should parliament continue to allow remote voting until the threat of Covid-19 has passed? June 2, 2020 Should parliament continue to allow remote voting until the threat of Covid-19 has passed? Robert Halfon, MP for Harlow and chair of the Education Select Committee, says YES. What has Brazil got to do with the controversy about whether or not there should be a hybrid parliament? Some of those who want to deny MPs who are [...]
The EU must dump the idea of EU dumping June 1, 2020 Michel Barnier is refusing to negotiate with the UK on the future trading relationship until the UK agrees to the EU’s idea of a ‘level playing field’. One of the key issues concerning the EU is ‘dumping’. It is worried that the UK will become a super-competitive, de-regulated ‘Singapore-on-Thames’ that undercuts the prices of products [...]
Lord Mayor: A global London is vital to a speedy recovery June 1, 2020 International cooperation has never been more important than now as we face up to the challenges posed by the current pandemic. Countries across the globe are tackling huge public health, economic and social issues so it is vital that we work together and continue to learn from one another. After all, global problems require global [...]
Hulsman: Britain is forging a new path in foreign policy June 1, 2020 It is my favourite Churchill quote, even though the great man may not actually have said it (though he certainly felt it): “Americans will always do the right thing—after exhausting all the alternatives.” As someone who has lived the Special Relationship, the quip perfectly captures Washington’s habitual initial analytical short-sightedness, as well as the dogged [...]
Survive and thrive: Back to the grind stone at a cult coffee favourite June 1, 2020 London’s businesses have been forced to weather a storm they never saw coming, but many have pivoted to new ways of doing business. Today, David Abrahamovitch – founder of coffee brand GRIND – writes for City A.M. on the way he’s changed his business during the pandemic, and the challenges of the ‘new normal’ The week [...]
Unlocking the office could have legal implications for employers June 1, 2020 After ten weeks or so of lockdown, restrictions are beginning to ease and employers and employees alike are beginning to contemplate what this so-called “new normal” will look like. Employees are going to have mixed reactions and each sector and business will have their own needs so there will be no standard approach that suits all. There [...]