The Conservatives’ U-turn on corporate tax rates is a mistake November 20, 2019 The big announcement to come out of Boris Johnson’s appearance before the CBI on Monday was that the Tories are abandoning planned a reduction in the corporation tax rate from 19 per cent to 17 per cent. The reasoning behind this is that the tax cut was expected to cost the government £6bn, which Boris [...]
You say it best when you say nothing at all November 19, 2019 It’s very rare to see a full-dress, one-on-one interview with a senior member of the Royal Family. Part of the deal of Bagehot’s not letting daylight in on magic is that the royals are seen rather than heard, totemic mannequins to be deployed for ceremonial events which require that little bit of uniquely British stardust. [...]
Can you trust custom-made funds? November 19, 2019 Segregated mandates — possibly the most unsexy phrase you will come across all year. And yet, these boringly named contracts are becoming increasingly popular. When wealth management firms hire a fund manager to run a bespoke investment portfolio for their clients, this is known as a segregated mandate. Take, for example, St James’s Place (SJP), [...]
Politicians need to take the brakes off e-scooters for a greener commute to work November 19, 2019 If you are stuck in traffic, watching another diesel taxi go past, you won’t be alone in wishing for cleaner ways to travel around London. New research shows that nearly 70 per cent of people don’t think politicians are doing enough to encourage alternative, environmentally friendly transport options. So, what are these alternatives? Right now, [...]
The four types of business philosopher November 19, 2019 It takes all sorts to make a world. And nowhere is this more true than in the office, where we sit side by side with and report to people who we would cross the road to avoid at lunchtime. Unfortunately, modern management techniques, as well as the focus on economics and psychology, have created a [...]
Party leaders bid to charm top bosses at CBI bash November 19, 2019 The election campaign intruded on the CBI’s annual conference yesterday, making the event even more political and even less about business than it otherwise would have been. That said, the topics slotted into the agenda around the political speeches focused mostly on climate change, inequality, profit with purpose (Justin Welby was on stage for that) [...]
DEBATE: Who has the most to gain from tonight’s TV debate? November 19, 2019 Who has the most to gain from tonight’s TV debate: Boris Johnson or Jeremy Corbyn? Lauren McEvatt, managing director at Morpeth Consulting, says BORIS JOHNSON. The spectre of Theresa May’s decision to dodge the debate in 2017 looms in the minds of Conservative strategists. It was a move that proved her poor leadership. Just taking [...]
The secret to how people really become MPs November 19, 2019 The election is 23 days away, and the close of nominations last week has confirmed the runners and riders: 3,322 people seeking a place on the green benches. Yet despite the enthusiasm of the thousands, from Advance Together (five candidates) to the Young People’s Party UK (three candidates), most seats remain a foregone conclusion. Unless [...]
No amount of spending will save the NHS if we don’t reform it first November 19, 2019 If there is one thing you can count on during a General Election, it’s that the NHS will be ground-zero of the political battle. Labour will scream that the health service is not safe in Tory hands, while the Conservatives will trumpet their undying love — and investment in — our NHS. The backdrop for [...]
John Lewis, Ikea, or Aldi — which 2019 Christmas advert is the winner? November 18, 2019 From clumsy dragons to evil sprouts, here’s our review of the festive adverts from some of the UK’s biggest retailers. M&S Food: This Is Not Just Food… This Is M&S Christmas Food The premise of this entire advert hinges on presenters Paddy McGuinness and Emma Willis, who swan around a Christmas market for 1.30 minutes as [...]