We could soon see the death of help to buy June 12, 2019 Pertinent questions about the government’s help to buy scheme are raised by the National Audit Office (NAO) this morning following a thorough review of the programme. Firstly, the report says that “three-fifths of buyers could have bought a property without the support of help to buy”, while nearly a third could have bought the standard [...]
Our high streets are in grave danger June 12, 2019 For decades, the local high street has been the jewel in the crown of UK towns and cities, boasting an array of thriving local businesses and big-name stores. However an outdated business rates system, coupled with the rise of online retail giants, has left them in grave danger. This is a watershed moment for our [...]
Trump’s bluster shows why we need a rethink on world trade June 12, 2019 Helicoptered in to London and driven around in The Beast – an armoured limousine – what will the US President have seen during his state visit to the UK? A man who famously eyes up every opportunity, Donald Trump saw a weakened UK, lost in the Brexit escape rooms and vulnerable to the dark arts [...]
Michael Gove has come back before and he can do it again June 12, 2019 When the front pages of weekend newspapers began to spill online last Friday night, I realised a story I had been working on for a year was about to explode. ‘Gove: My cocaine confession’ was the most stark headline, accompanied by the first instalment of a serialisation of my unauthorised biography of the environment secretary. The book [...]
They call it ‘the idiot box’ for a reason… June 11, 2019 The competition to become leader of the Conservative Party – and, by default, prime minister – is still in its early stages, yet has already been extraordinary. We peaked at 13 hopefuls, which has now been whittled down to ten registered runners, of whom five are members of the current cabinet (four of the others resigned [...]
Brexit dogma is a one-way ticket to extinction for London’s Tories June 11, 2019 As 11 candidates prepare to enter the race to succeed Theresa May as Conservative party leader and Prime Minister, London Tories have their own identity crisis to worry about. They just chalked up a new electoral record: 7.8 per cent of the vote, fifth place citywide, and zero MEPs returned to the European parliament. Ex-Tory [...]
CEOs take note: No one knows what you actually do June 11, 2019 In an age when the leader of the free world promotes himself as the CEO-in-chief and the New Establishment leaders of Silicon Valley appear like celebrities in the public consciousness, it would be reasonable to assume that society understands the role of those who lead business. On the contrary: over half of UK workers admit [...]
Don’t believe the hype, Apple is no better at privacy than any other tech company June 11, 2019 Apple, much loved by its users, is jumping on the privacy bandwagon. Announcing the launch of its service “sign in with Apple” last week, this single sign-on promises to protect your privacy. It all sounds great, until you take a closer look at what privacy actually means to Apple. This single sign-on service protects some [...]
DEBATE: Are candidates’ drug histories relevant in the Conservative leadership contest? June 11, 2019 Are candidates’ drug histories relevant in the Conservative leadership contest? Edward Davies, director of policy at the Centre for Social Justice, says YES. The Centre for Social Justice was founded on the premise that we are not defined by our worst mistakes, that everyone deserves another chance, and nothing should hold you back from reaching [...]
Enough of Brexit, time for a Tory vision of modern Britain June 11, 2019 Theresa May’s premiership is almost over – but there is just time for one last undignified squabble. The Prime Minister reportedly hopes to spend a few billion on her key domestic priorities, in an attempt to add some black ink to the sea of red in her political ledger. But Philip Hammond is insisting on [...]