Corbyn fails yet again to grasp the magic of competitive markets March 19, 2019 It is not the worst thing that Jeremy Corbyn has ever said. But it’s certainly one of the most revealing. A year ago, the Labour leader was explaining why he wanted to leave Europe’s Single Market while staying in the customs union – a stance memorably described by my fellow think tanker Kristian Niemietz as [...]
Sam Torrance: Mature Rory McIlroy is calm, in control and ready to handle Career Grand Slam talk at the Masters March 18, 2019 Rory McIlroy was sublime at The Players Championship – leading virtually from the start and winning in style – but what impressed me most was the way he took it all in his stride. Having struggled on the front nine at times last week without necessarily playing bad golf, he had another difficult start to [...]
Advertising Week Europe begins today, so let’s remember that the creative industries are the unsung heroes of the UK economy March 18, 2019 When people think about television, they probably think of the BBC and UK programmes with global appeal, like Downton Abbey and Killing Eve. And even in literature and film, British characters are at the top of any list of the most memorable and loved creations – from James Bond to Harry Potter. Past and present, [...]
Want to break the Brexit deadlock? Change the negotiating terms March 18, 2019 Who knows, Theresa May’s deal may yet get through parliament at the third attempt. It seems unlikely given the scale of previous defeats. But making predictions about what will happen next in the Brexit saga is a mug’s game. If the deal fails again, the UK will request a long extension to the Article 50 [...]
The answer to the UK’s renewable energy future is blowing in the wind March 18, 2019 The UK’s offshore wind sector is booming. Auctions for new capacity held in 2017 resulted in deals at half the price of those signed just two years prior, while we are seeing a steady drumbeat of new records relating to clean power production. Just last month, the world’s largest offshore wind farm began generating power. Anchored [...]
DEBATE: Could France overtake Britain for tech investment? March 18, 2019 Could France overtake Britain for tech investment? Kat Borlongan, director of the French Tech Mission, says YES. There are number of misconceptions around doing business in France. A language barrier and extensive bureaucracy have perhaps deterred investors from funding some of the best tech startups, specialising in everything from artificial intelligence to smart cities. But these [...]
Stop overlooking small businesses – they can be a massive force for good March 18, 2019 Small and medium-size enterprises (SMEs) make up 99 per cent of companies, and employ 60 per cent of private sector workers in the UK. And yet, they are often overlooked when we talk about responsible business. When SMEs take action on responsible business, they make a huge difference to London’s communities, to our environment, to [...]
Formula One legend Bruce McLaren is a racing role model, but what can business leaders learn from his life story? March 15, 2019 When Bruce McLaren, the founder of the motor racing team named after himself, was just nine years old, he was diagnosed with a hip issue that left him bedridden, with his legs encased in plaster for three years. This devastating experience left him unable to do what every youngster should be doing: playing with friends, [...]
Opinion: First time buyers purchasing new builds with the help of Mum and Dad are missing out on SDLT relief March 15, 2019 Stamp duty land tax relief for all first-time buyers for purchases up to £500,000: this was the pledge made by the Chancellor, Rt Hon Philip Hammond MP, in the 2017 Autumn Budget. Given the usual stamp duty threshold is far lower than the average house price in London, this was a big win for first-time [...]
Opinion: Post-Brexit Britain should be open to the world and a foreign buyer tax sends exactly the opposite message March 15, 2019 House price growth is at its lowest rate in five years, according to the latest ONS statistics. While Brexit is clearly a contributing factor, stamp duty is the main culprit in the London market. It is therefore highly alarming that the government has decided to press ahead with divvying out yet another stamp duty burden. [...]