Boris can talk a good pro-market game, but matching policies are yet to follow October 4, 2019 This government, unlike governments before it, is not afraid to announce its pro-market and pro-enterprise philosophy. Boris Johnson’s declaration of support for capitalism on stage at the Conservative party conference is not exactly the stuff of breaking news headlines. But while it may not be newsworthy, it is certainly noteworthy, as it represents a huge [...]
Taxes too high where you live? It’s time to vote with your feet October 4, 2019 Moving is the ultimate form of tax avoidance. It is legal and effective – although rather drastic. Often we think in terms of a person or business relocating from one country to another. Last year Sir Jim Ratcliffe, Britain’s richest businessman, decided to move to Monaco. In 2010, his company Ienos moved its headquarters to [...]
DEBATE: Should we be worried about yesterday’s services sector PMI data? October 4, 2019 Should we be worried about yesterday’s services sector PMI data? Simon Wilson, director at Icon Solutions, says YES. The UK services sector represents around 80 per cent of our overall economic output, so a contraction in this area should set alarm bells ringing for economists and business owners. The City serves as the engine of [...]
DEBATE: Can we really foresee a time when owning status symbols will be a thing of the past? October 4, 2019 Can we really foresee a time when owning status symbols will be a thing of the past? Mark Davis, co-founder and creative director of property branding agency me&dave, says YES. It’s already happening. The way we live is changing, as are the things we care about, and this is affecting our attitudes to the old [...]
Are you too scared to be yourself at work? October 4, 2019 In the run-up to World Mental Health Day on 10 October, one thing is abundantly clear: British workers have never been so stressed out. And while hostilities generated by heated debates over Brexit or global warming may well be contributing factors, the principle cause is more alarming: we’re simply not happy being ourselves at work. [...]
BP drills closer to home than Tesco for new CEO October 4, 2019 If the benchmark for CEO succession planning is to have a slate of credible internal candidates ready to take the helm when a veteran boss retires, this week’s news suggests that BP deserves plaudits and Tesco brickbats. In reality, the situation at the two companies is more nuanced, but both the impending departures of Bob [...]
The privacy trial of the century October 3, 2019 It’s finally happening: a showdown between the Duke and Duchess of Sussex and the British press. I wasn’t quite sure what the flashpoint would be, but it’s been a long time coming. Like them or not, from the pre-wedding family problems to criticism of Meghan for, well, everything, there have been skirmishes, some of them [...]
Politicians live in a social media-driven world. Is this a good thing? October 3, 2019 It’s odd to see a constitutional crisis be upstaged by a disposable cup. Yet that’s exactly what happened at the Conservative party conference this week. Amid the platitudes, lanyards, and infighting, it was a simple receptacle that took centre stage. While TV cameras escorted Boris Johnson through the halls of Manchester Central Convention Complex on [...]
What do people want? Policies conceived by Dominic Cummings October 3, 2019 One of the criticisms frequently levelled at Number 10’s de facto chief of staff Dominic Cummings is that he has no ideology or long-term vision. Once Brexit is done, it is argued, he will disappear in a puff of smoke and leave Britain to stew in whatever mess he leaves behind. Beyond leaving the EU, [...]
Businesses don’t need Labour to adopt a more flexible work week October 3, 2019 Labour’s pledge at its party conference to introduce a four-day working week on five-day’s pay has grabbed headlines and been greeted with concern in some quarters and optimism in others. Questions abound from journalists and employers alike. How could this be achieved? Would it mean shutting offices and factories for a three-day weekend? How much [...]