Cut the pessimism, free trade is a huge opportunity for the UK December 6, 2019 The irony of the Brexit debate has always been that, while the value of continued trade with the EU is (quite rightly) regarded as of great importance, the potential of Britain being able to make our own trade deals around the world has been virtually ignored — or worse, demonised. Let’s start with the US. [...]
Brexit has become a project of protectionist nationalism December 6, 2019 As the Conservative party’s vision for post-Brexit Britain becomes clearer, are there any liberal Brexiteers left who can’t see just how far this project has run away from them? I too once believed that Brexit could be a liberal project, but that vision now looks like nothing more than a useful idiot’s delusion. Do you [...]
Labour and the Tories are sweeping immigration under the rug this election December 6, 2019 This election season is slogan heavy. “Get Brexit done.” “For the many, not the few.” While necessarily vague, this year’s party mottos have done a decent job of getting to the heart of their offers. The Conservatives aren’t dallying on the UK’s exit from the European Union. The Labour Party is offering more taxes and [...]
Tory border policy will need some revisiting December 6, 2019 There has been much discussion of the Tories’ planned Aussie-style points-based immigration system in this election. The Conservatives present the issue as a welcome chance to reboot the UK’s border policy once we leave the European Union, and there is much credit to that objective. Theresa May’s ludicrous “tens of thousands” pledge came with her [...]
What can the financial sector learn from dairy farmers? December 5, 2019 Nobody would travel with an out-of -date passport, so why should the world of finance be any different? And yet, many major institutions are at great risk of acting on outdated information as they navigate through the increasing complexity of modern-day markets. With so much out-of -date information out there, it is imperative to know [...]
How can banks factor in climate change without damaging the economy? December 5, 2019 In a few weeks, we will get the results of the UK bank stress tests, which is a measure of our biggest banks’ ability to withstand the toughest of economic shocks. In 2021, these tests will include a scenario on climate change. The regulator wants to know that our biggest financial institutions really can weather [...]
The right way for your business to deliver bad news December 5, 2019 Every business has to deliver bad news from time to time — whether it is a delay, a data breach, or a price hike. Of course, these can be tricky situations to navigate. It’s easy to sound good when you’re telling people about the wonderful products and services that you offer. It’s much harder when [...]
Why another property fund freeze was inevitable December 5, 2019 Why does it feel like we have been here before? Well, it’s because we have. It wasn’t that long ago when thousands of investors in property funds flocked to the exit door after the referendum, forcing several major asset managers to temporarily block withdrawals. So cue the deja vu when M&G yesterday suspended trading in [...]
Society doesn’t need any more unicorns December 5, 2019 In 2016, an American healthtech startup named Theranos completed what would be its final funding round, raising a jaw dropping $700m in investment. Just two years later, the company collapsed after a sensational scandal. The story of Theranos is bizarre. At one point, its paper valuation exceeded $9bn, and when the scandal broke, its founder [...]
Does Labour’s pledge to cut rail fares make sense from a social mobility perspective? December 5, 2019 Does Labour’s pledge to cut rail fares make sense from a social mobility perspective? Grace Blakeley, economics columnist at the New Statesman, says YES. Many have pointed out that middle-earners are most likely to use trains, but few analyse why. First, trains around London are too expensive for many commuters, meaning that they are forced [...]