Business has evolved, now it’s audit’s chance to do the same July 25, 2019 The audit of today has not kept pace with society’s expectations. Over the past 12 months, we’ve seen headlines, challenges and scrutiny over the role and value of audit. Valid concerns have been raised in the wake of events such as the collapse of Carillion, and multiple reports have been commissioned from various independent, parliamentary, [...]
Three ways to survive the summer heatwave in the workplace July 24, 2019 The heatwave is the worst time of year for the office worker. It’s that awful, sweaty season when resolve – and deodorants – fail en masse. Lethargy permeates the building, work and life slows, and you curse your paycheck for not being able to afford a balcony on your box flat’s window. Not that you’re [...]
DEBATE: Is there any merit to the ‘de-growth’ agenda championed by climate activists? July 24, 2019 Is there any merit to the ‘de-growth’ agenda championed by climate activists? Maria Smith, founding director at Interrobang and chief curator of the 2019 Oslo Architecture Triennale, says YES. Our current economic system relies on growth to manage private and public debt. This means that we must grow, whether we’re healthier and happier, or damaging [...]
Boris won the keys to Number 10 – now can he win an election? July 24, 2019 If it wasn’t clear before yesterday’s conclusion of the Tory leadership race, it sure is now: Britain is facing a General Election, and sooner rather than later. Every incoming Prime Minister is greeted with trepidation, sometimes edging into scepticism. That is normal in a country which has traditionally frowned on cults of personality. But the [...]
If you stand for nothing, Lib Dems, what will you fall for? July 24, 2019 The Liberal Democrats have a new, young, energetic, female leader and are riding high in the polls. So with the two main parties in disarray, even now one of them has finally changed managers, can the Lib Dems break through the electoral system and overcome the political duopoly we have been cursed with for decades? [...]
Citizens’ assemblies would hand power to establishment experts July 24, 2019 Citizens’ assemblies have become the height of fashion. The London borough of Camden is currently holding one on how to reduce carbon emissions in the area. Last month, Nicola Sturgeon announced plans to set one up to consider constitutional issues in Scotland. The Irish government’s one on abortion featured in the 2018 referendum on the [...]
Boris Johnson must be brave enough to disappoint some of his backers July 23, 2019 Boris Johnson’s victory in the Conservative leadership race was never in doubt, and in truth neither was the scale of his win. Two of out three Conservative members backed the former foreign secretary, giving him a sizeable mandate from the party faithful. Together with securing the support of more than half of his parliamentary colleagues, [...]
Trump’s tweets do bitcoin and Facebook a favour July 23, 2019 Donald Trump’s recent tweet about bitcoin and that Facebook’s new quasi-crypto the “libra” would get the full force of the US regulators if they “want to become a bank” has put the crypto kitty amongst the pigeons. Why now? Surely Trump doesn’t care about bitcoin? Well, it was timed just before Facebook had to testify [...]
DEBATE: Who should be the next Prime Minister, Boris Johnson or Jeremy Hunt? July 23, 2019 Who should be the next Prime Minister? Mark Wallace, executive editor of ConservativeHome, says BORIS JOHNSON. Theresa May is reported to be searching for a legacy, but she has already got one. It’s just one she doesn’t like very much: a dire political situation born of muddle, indecision, and broken promises. She demolished the Conservative [...]
Politicians need to wake up to the risks of artificial superintelligence July 23, 2019 Politicians aren’t very good at thinking about more than one thing at a time. Take Brexit as an example, if you needed one. Everything other than our proposed exit from the European Union – and who will be the Prime Minister to lead us through it – has been downgraded to an inconvenient side-show. This [...]