With apprenticeships, firms can teach old dogs new tricks February 7, 2020 We are living through extraordinary times. Disruptive tech innovations, dizzying political upheavals, and growing public demand for action on issues from inequality to the environment are all contributing to a landscape of unprecedented change. But we are still clinging to outdated ideas of how — and when — we should gain new skills. The use [...]
Does Philip Hammond deserve a peerage? February 7, 2020 Does Philip Hammond deserve a peerage? Ben Kelly, a commentator for Reaction, says YES. Philip Hammond became a mighty irritant to Tory Brexiteers during his time as chancellor, so it is unsurprising that many of them are irked by Boris Johnson nominating him for a peerage. It’s true that he passionately opposed Brexit and was [...]
Alastair Stewart should take comfort in the reaction of his friends and fans February 6, 2020 Last week this column made way for my interview with Sadiq Khan, so I didn’t have the chance to write about the outrageous treatment of broadcaster Alastair Stewart. In the week since, the veteran journalist has maintained a dignified silence, but the chorus of support from friends, colleagues and strangers has grown ever louder. To recap, [...]
Democrats are risking a Corbynesque mistake February 6, 2020 Tuesday morning’s New York Post headline — “Duh Moines,” after the capital of Iowa, Des Moines — neatly summed up the reaction of most of the watching world to the much-hyped start of the US presidential election. A new voting app turned the first Democrat primary (where potential presidential candidates are ranked) into an utter [...]
Fusion energy can power us to a greener world February 6, 2020 There is an old joke among scientists: fusion power is 30 years away, and always will be. Yet as we enter the decade in which the big questions on the future of energy must be answered, is it time to revisit fusion and its unrivalled potential to change the way the world generates power? The [...]
It’s time for marketers to give the emoji a thumbs up and a smiley face February 6, 2020 There is a clear rule of thumb in the world of marketing: emojis equal engagement. Emails with an emoji in the subject line have better click-throughs, and social media posts with images get more responses. Given this, why do some marketers still feel that these modern-day hieroglyphics are a formality fail, especially in a business setting? [...]
Free the e-scooters and unleash a British transport revolution February 6, 2020 The e-scooter revolution is happening at breathtaking speeds — but because of archaic laws, the United Kingdom is missing out. E-scooters can be legally purchased in Britain, and have become an increasingly common sight on the streets. They are, however, unlawful for use on public roads, cycle paths and pavements under the Highways Act 1835 [...]
FTSE boards must turn intent into action when it comes to ethnic diversity February 6, 2020 “One by 21” was a target that seemed realistic in 2017. However, three years on and it is less clear whether the ambition of having one ethnic minority director on each FTSE 100 board by next year is achievable. It is impossible to deny that there has been movement in the last few years. Since [...]
DEBATE: Is 2035 too soon to ban petrol and diesel new car sales? February 6, 2020 Is 2035 too soon to ban petrol and diesel new car sales? Alex Buttle, director of car selling comparison website Motorway.co.uk, says YES. The government already had its work cut out to meet its previous 2040 deadline, and endless confusion over Brexit and the car industry’s future haven’t helped consumer confidence to make the switch [...]
A PM with no tribe leaves himself vulnerable when things go south February 5, 2020 Even after the huge success of December’s general election, the Conservative tribes remain fully intact. The big question is which of the tribes, with competing and in many cases conflicting ideologies, Boris Johnson belongs to – and which of them he’s prepared to upset over the course of his term. The Tory party is not [...]