Female founders don’t need to be ‘bolshie’ to match the boys February 26, 2019 Earlier this month, chief secretary to the Treasury Liz Truss wrote in City A.M. concerning the lack of funding for all-female startups. As she pointed out, 90 per cent of venture capital funding goes to firms with all-male teams, compared to just one per cent for all-female teams. In her article, Truss proposed a number [...]
There’s no time to spare, Brexit is causing real-world problems for business today February 26, 2019 Another day, another delay. With just 31 days ahead of the UK’s scheduled departure from the EU, Westminster still seems to be arguing with itself. The timetable may work for politics, but it doesn’t work for the economy. Out in the real world, the consequences of uncertainty and the prospect of a messy and disorderly [...]
Theresa May keeps delaying the Brexit vote, but the clock is ticking for business to prepare for a no-deal outcome February 25, 2019 On her way to an EU-Arab League summit over the weekend, Theresa May announced that she would not provide British parliamentarians with a meaningful vote on an altered Brexit deal until perhaps 12 March. Politicians wanted that opportunity this week, but instead, the embattled leader has once again sought to delay proceedings as she struggles [...]
Sam Torrance: Sublime Dustin Johnson is looking hard to beat as The Players Championship and Masters loom February 25, 2019 When Dustin Johnson hit an iron out of bounds at the 14th hole while trying to deny Darren Clarke his Open Championship at Royal St George’s in 2011, we wondered if he would ever do anything. Now look at him. Johnson claimed his 20th PGA Tour title on Sunday at the WGC-Mexico Championship. In doing [...]
Our people are our City, so step up and commit to the London Living Wage February 25, 2019 One in five people employed in the capital do not earn a wage that they can live on. Together, we can change this. So far, over 100 City financial and professional services companies have signed up to be London Living Wage accredited employers. But we know that more can join them. Our people are our [...]
What will it cost to refurbish our crumbling Houses of Parliament? February 25, 2019 From an engineer’s perspective, renovating historic or listed buildings is one of the trickiest projects you can undertake. Such is the case with the Palace of Westminster, which has long been unfit for purpose and is in dire need of a complete overhaul to bring it up to current working standards. It is a gargantuan [...]
DEBATE: Would scrapping peak and off-peak rail fares lead to a better train ticketing system? February 25, 2019 Would scrapping peak and off-peak rail fares lead to a better train ticketing system? Ben Glover, researcher at Demos, says YES. Rail travel offers lots to moan about, but little is more frustrating than the irrationality of ticket prices. Why can a single ticket cost the same as a return? Why can trains leaving minutes apart [...]
U-Lez Miserable? London’s small businesses need support on new emissions rules February 25, 2019 A week is a long time in politics, or so goes the famous adage by former Prime Minister Harold Wilson. And it is apparent that a week and a half will be a very long time indeed in the world of small businesses, between 29 March and 8 April. With our departure from the European [...]
Email to the Independent Group February 23, 2019 To: Independent Group members From: Paul Blanchard Date: February 23, 2019 Subject: Strictly confidential: PR advice for your new party Dear Members, Well done on having the guts to launch The Independent Group! It led the news agenda for that day and for much of the following days. You've already attracted new recruits and, at [...]
Opinion: Banning letting agent fees is a sweeping measure that wasn’t properly thought out and doesn’t get to the root of the problems February 22, 2019 Property is one of many industries that has fallen behind the times when it comes to accountability and transparency. In my view, one of the best ways to improve any industry is with carefully thought-out investment in regulation, especially in a world that increasingly demands accountability. The lettings industry needs this as much as any [...]