DEBATE: Is the plan to revitalise John Lewis likely to be a success? July 31, 2020 Is the plan to revitalise John Lewis likely to be a success? Emma Revell, head of communications at the Institute of Economic Affairs, says YES. Bricks and mortar retail was in decline well before coronavirus hit and large department stores were struggling to afford sky-high rents on their enormous buildings. By recognising the changes in [...]
We’ve relaxed the rules for the Coronavirus Business Interruption Loan Scheme to give our smallest firms a chance July 30, 2020 Our government-backed loan schemes have been a demonstration of what can happen when banks, the government and businesses work together. In a time of extreme disruption and uncertainty, we got much-needed support out to businesses when they needed it most. This protected jobs and livelihoods, and meant that when we were able to start safely [...]
Give people seeking asylum the right to work in Britain July 30, 2020 The Prime Minister has said he wants the UK to build back better as the country and economy recover from the Covid-19 pandemic. That’s a worthy goal — and the good news is that there are thousands of people in our communities with a wide variety of skills who are desperate to help. They are [...]
Let’s not squander this unique opportunity to harness the benefits of a new model for work July 30, 2020 It’s no stretch to say that, without remote working, thousands of businesses would have ground to a halt over lockdown. The mass work-from-home experiment over the past four months has not only saved them, but shown that it is possible to fundamentally shift ways of working while continuing to be productive and deliver results. Before [...]
Want a cure for Covid right now? Stop smoking, exercise more, and focus on holistic health July 30, 2020 So much of the conversation around how to beat Covid-19 has focused on the Holy Grail of a vaccine. This is obviously of utmost importance. But to beat coronavirus, as well as prepare for the next pandemic, we need a new definition of health — one that can strengthen our natural immunity and save thousands [...]
Business rates aren’t fit for purpose but Rishi Sunak’s digital tax is a sticking plaster, not a solution July 30, 2020 Long before the coronavirus pandemic, our high streets were struggling. Faced with the rise of online sales, many well-known retailers were either closing stores, entering a form of insolvency known as a company voluntary arrangement (CVA), or falling into administration. The oft-quoted analysis of this demise was that the costs of running a physical store [...]
It took a pandemic to show it, but now we can all see that internet access is a human right July 29, 2020 The coronavirus pandemic has shown us the importance of the internet — but for many around the world, it could be the difference between life and death. It is time to realise that the web is not a luxury, but a necessity and a human right. The internet has become a lifesaving tool during this [...]
Great expectations: The Darwinian wars of economic and epidemiological forecasting July 29, 2020 A key concept in modern economics is, to use the jargon term, rational expectations. The idea has dominated orthodox macroeconomics over the past 30 years. Not all economists have been persuaded of its merits by any means, but nevertheless, its influence has extended far beyond academia, into finance ministries and central banks around the world. [...]
Lose five pounds for the government? It’s thanks to the government I gained it in the first place July 29, 2020 I cannot be the only person who has gained five pounds during lockdown. I am still far from overweight (the NHS BMI calculator helpfully tells me that I am in the optimum range for my age and height), but the government’s sudden fixation on slimming down the nation has not exactly been great for my [...]
Harness young talent to get the UK economy back on track July 29, 2020 As businesses continue to feel the economic disruption created by Covid-19, front of mind will be not only confronting the immediate challenges, but their long-term recovery plan and the actions necessary to ensure that they emerge from the crisis in a strong and competitive position. The UK’s young talent is a core part of this. [...]