DEBATE: Should business rates be scrapped and replaced with a land tax, as the Lib Dems suggest? December 10, 2019 Should business rates be scrapped and replaced with a land tax, as the Lib Dems suggest? Liz Jarvis, writer, editor, and Liberal Democrat parliamentary candidate for Southampton Itchen, says YES. Nearly a million businesses in the UK have closed in the past three years. Businesses, especially small firms unable to bear the brunt of Brexit [...]
It’s not just that Corbyn hates capitalism — he doesn’t even understand it December 10, 2019 It’S not exactly news that those at the top of the Labour party dislike capitalism. But what’s less often pointed out is how little they actually understand about it. Last week, on my Twitter account, I published something of a demolition of Labour’s claim to save every household £6,700 a year. After only a cursory [...]
How the Tories could become the party of the working class December 10, 2019 Polls are inherently unreliable. We know this from the 2017 election, the 2015 election, the 2016 EU referendum — the list goes on. The latest polls show a roughly 10-point lead for the Tories. That should be enough to form a government, but is some way off the 68 seat majority that YouGov’s famous MRP [...]
When did making money in tech become so unfashionable? December 10, 2019 It is commonly accepted that technology companies have irrevocably changed the world we live in. This is especially true in the finance industry where fintech companies are successfully disrupting the status quo, forcing incumbent firms to evolve alongside these new challengers. While competition and technological innovation in any market is to be welcomed with open [...]
It would be a colossal error for the UK to opt out of the creative thinking study December 10, 2019 Each of the major parties’ manifestos for the upcoming election recognises the importance of creativity in our schools and workforces. It seems that policymakers are finally responding to a growing body of international evidence that employers, as they navigate an increasingly digital and complex world, will value human skills like original thinking and complex problem [...]
Too much regulation on bitcoin and cryptocurrency could scare away future tech innovators December 9, 2019 Back in October, the FCA closed its consultation on banning the sale of cryptocurrency derivatives to retail investors. A consultation that I hope will start a collaborative discussion, bringing crypto and its regulatory framework up to speed with the rapid growth of the industry. Thankfully, the FCA’s approach so far has been inclusive and forward-thinking. [...]
All we want for Christmas is… for politicians to commit to helping disabled workers December 9, 2019 As we hurtle towards the polls this week, my thoughts are turning to how disabled people can make their voices heard during an unusually festive election period (the last December General Election was in 1923). I love Christmas and the time I get to spend with my family and friends, but for many of us, [...]
You’re virtually there: How MelodyVR is helping music fans see their favourite artists December 9, 2019 Most music lovers will probably be familiar with the scramble for gig tickets, the eye-watering cost to see your favourite artist, figuring out the logistics of travelling to and from the venue. A large proportion of events are oversubscribed, so many fans end up missing out anyway. But one upbeat company is giving fans the [...]
Debate: Are young people today prepared for the future impact of automation on the workplace? December 9, 2019 Debate: Are young people today prepared for the future impact of automation on the workplace? Yes — Nigel Vaz is global chief executive of digital consultancy Publicis Sapient. As automation becomes increasingly effective and accessible for businesses to perform administrative and data-driven tasks at scale, human input and creativity will remain essential. Graduates who have [...]
The Lib Dems deserve a bad night at the polls December 9, 2019 Conducting a post-mortem on an election campaign before the results come in is risky business. But if the polls have got it all wrong (again) and if Jeremy Corbyn concocts a way into Downing Street over the coming weekend, then analysing the state of the Liberal Democrats will be the last thing on anyone’s mind. [...]