The real question is: socialism, yes or no? October 30, 2019 Three and a half years after the Brexit referendum and two and a half years since the last General Election, voters will be invited back to the polling booths on 12 December to shake the parliamentary snow globe once again. An election isn’t required by law until May 2022 — imagine that — but the [...]
How Amazon is inspiring the next generation of engineering October 30, 2019 When I was a teenager growing up in the 80s, I can clearly remember the “practical” lessons at school, and the satisfaction of building things – like my first ever circuit to power a lightbulb. These moments undoubtedly shaped my choice to become an engineer. Those “eureka” moments are powerful for any young person. When [...]
London can show the country how to do democracy better October 30, 2019 A General Election is coming, and I am leaving parliament to run as an independent candidate for mayor of London. I am running to be mayor and not for parliament because I find Westminster increasingly depressing as it loses more and more of its meaning and purpose in stale divisive rows. And I believe that [...]
Care leavers deserve a chance to begin adulthood on firm footing October 30, 2019 We all remember the challenge of becoming an adult. Fresh out of school, college, or university, you are out there on your own – hunting for your first job, your first flat, and trying to make ends meet on your first pay cheques. My first taste of real adulthood came at age 22, straight out [...]
DEBATE: As the Big Four firms continue to dominate audit, have government efforts so far to reform the market failed? October 30, 2019 As the Big Four firms continue to dominate audit, have government efforts so far to reform the market failed? David Herbinet, global head of audit at Mazars, says YES. The Financial Reporting Council’s latest figures show that, despite all efforts, the audit market is actually narrowing. A diverse market is vital for audit quality and [...]
The economic impact of Brexit tariffs only tells us half the story October 30, 2019 Brexit is about much more than the economic costs and benefits, but the idea that the former dramatically outweigh the latter has become the received wisdom in much of the media. Report after report emerges which purports to show that, under any of the various trade arrangements envisaged, the UK will be worse off as [...]
After the Woodford saga, here are four signs that your fund is in trouble October 29, 2019 The industry is still reeling from the news of the Woodford fund closure, with investors left in limbo as to when they will get their money back. But the saga has also brought two more general considerations into sharp focus: first, whether star fund managers are the answer at all, and second, what red flags [...]
Budget must acknowledge regional growth and capital’s strength October 29, 2019 During the Tory leadership contest, a raft of regional papers launched a campaign calling on the various candidates to “power up the north”. The now-chancellor Sajid Javid promised to do just that. Now his former adviser Nick King, via the Centre for Policy Studies, has produced a plan for boosting regional growth not just across [...]
How to ace the onboarding process for new recruits October 29, 2019 Did you know that only 44 per cent of new employees report a positive experience after joining an organisation? The first day at a new job can be tough and, if done badly, downright depressing. New starters often report poor sleep or even sleepless nights on the run-up to their first day – it has [...]
DEBATE: Has the People’s Vote campaign blown its chance of a second referendum? October 29, 2019 Has the People’s Vote campaign blown its chance of a second referendum? Olivia Utley, deputy editor at TheArticle, says YES. So, the People’s Vote campaign has imploded. Why? Infighting has a lot to do with it. Political activism only works when the public can’t see what’s going on behind the scenes – and yesterday, the [...]