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 [...]
Rory Stewart: We need less politics and more action to tackle terrorism February 5, 2020 Speaking to a man in Streatham who’d cradled a bleeding victim after Sunday’s terrorist attack reminded me of many places far away. I remembered the attack on my compound in southern Iraq, the screams and wreckage of bombs in Baghdad and Kabul, my friend Haider who was killed by terrorists, because he worked for me [...]
Government flies into trouble with targets February 5, 2020 One can understand why a man whose job it is to promote and run an airport may be of the view that flying is, on balance, quite a good idea. For much of the time that Heathrow has been in business, its bosses have largely had their licence to operate pretty much nailed on — [...]
Coca-Cola prioritises environment and health in a bid to satisfy customers February 5, 2020 The environment, sustainability and personal health are increasingly important topics for Britons. As we become more accustomed to climate strikes, and groups like Extinction Rebellion and activists like Greta Thunberg become news mainstays, the average consumer is now much more aware of the impact of their purchases. The impact that both sustainability and health are [...]
You’re never too old to start a business: Why we need to harness senior enterprise February 5, 2020 With a rapidly-ageing demographic across Europe, it is time to re-evaluate not only our own attitudes towards older people, but also the value of senior enterprise and their contribution to society. By 2020, the over-50s in the UK will make up nearly one third of the working-age population, and almost half of the adult population. [...]
DEBATE: Should the government scrap plans to impose an extra 20-week delay on divorces? February 5, 2020 Should the government scrap plans to impose an extra 20-week delay on divorces? YES, says Emily Brand, a partner at Boodle Hatfield. The government’s reason for introducing the new 20-week delay appears to be to ensure that couples have a period to “reflect on the decision to divorce”, “change course”, or “agree arrangements for the [...]
Trump’s peace plan has shifted the Palestinian direction of travel February 5, 2020 History is usually a cruel mistress to its losers, particularly in the case of peoples attempting to create new nations who failed in their aspirations. Not much is heard today of the Republic of Biafra, for example, an attempt led largely by the Igbo people to create an independent state carved out of Nigeria’s eastern [...]