Relax, the UK (probably) isn’t heading for recession July 17, 2019 Immediate fears of a recession in the UK economy were eased last week with the latest Office for National Statistics (ONS) estimate of monthly GDP. The economy had shrunk in April, but growth resumed in May. This has not prevented widespread conjecture that a recession is imminent. The Resolution Foundation claimed last weekend that the [...]
Boots puts the boot into plastic bags as shoppers support switch to paper version July 17, 2019 Health and beauty chain Boots has joined other retailers in pledging to swap plastic bags for paper, after facing criticism earlier this year for keeping medical prescription bags in plastic to protect medication during transport. The new paper bags are unbleached and use water-based ink, and will be in all stores by early 2020. Boots [...]
Stop nudging people towards property at the expense of their pension – it’s irresponsible July 16, 2019 Suggestions that young workers should be able to dip into their pension savings to help buy their first home are unhelpful
How CEO Christian Sewing can save Deutsche Bank July 16, 2019 Pity Christian Sewing. The chief executive of German banking giant Deutsche Bank is not having a good time. What started with a tough but brave call to close his equities business has turned into a low point in the company’s history. There is the potential investigation into its entanglement with the scandal concerning the insolvent [...]
We the people need to find a way to dispel the Brexit Blues July 16, 2019 The year is 1989. Ronald Reagan on his last day at the White House makes his farewell address. His message is one of the recovery of morale and national pride during his presidency. He puts it down to three words: “we the people”. In so doing, his message is this: “Freedom of speech, freedom of [...]
Disciplinary matters: The Darroch leak lays bare the erosion of standards at the civil service July 16, 2019 The untimely resignation of Sir Kim Darroch as our man in Washington tells us more about society than it does about his qualities as the US ambassador. Regardless of his assessment of the Trump administration, the fault – the only fault – lies with the leaker, and that individual’s personal standards. Their motivation is almost [...]
DEBATE: Is legal action a legitimate response if the government tries to prorogue parliament to pursue no-deal? July 16, 2019 Is legal action a legitimate response if the government tries to prorogue parliament to pursue a no-deal Brexit? Alison McGovern, Labour MP for Wirral South and former shadow city minister, says YES. A no-deal Brexit has massive negative consequences for our constituents. That is why there is a majority in the House of Commons against [...]
It’s not just cricket – finance and friendship underpin Britain’s bond with India July 16, 2019 The deep love of cricket that the UK and India share was clearly on show last week. But our relationship goes much further than just a passion for sport. It is a family affair, with parents and children, brothers and sisters living, working and moving between our two great nations. It is no surprise then [...]
See it, say it, sorted – it’s annoying, but effective July 15, 2019 Rail commuters across the country have heard it – the security announcement that starts “if you see something that doesn’t look right…” and ends with the earworm “see it, say it, sorted”. It’s one of those advertising lines that – through a mix of alliteration, questionable grammar, and sheer repetition – gets stuck in your [...]
Debate: Will the British Airways GDPR fine have a bigger impact than the Cambridge Analytica scandal? July 15, 2019 In financial terms the British Airways fine is a serious step-change in consequence