The Debate: Are Londoners safer drivers? December 10, 2025 A new survey has found that Londoners cause more accidents on country roads than their rural counterparts. But are sophisticated urbanites really more reckless drivers? YES: Rural roads are a deathtrap Picture this: It’s five o’clock on a December afternoon, completely pitch black, and a giant Rangerover comes hurtling round the corner, right wheel just [...]
The government is using Brexit as a scapegoat for its own failures December 10, 2025 Keir Starmer is clearly manoeuvring to get Britain to rejoin the EU – but Brexit is not to blame for Britain’s appalling growth record, says Paul Ormerod David Lammy, the deputy Prime Minister, chose last week to reopen the issue of the UK rejoining the EU. Asked if we will go back into the customs [...]
I watched Gary Stevenson debate a real economist. Here’s why he’s wrong December 9, 2025 All Stevenson’s arguments in favour of a wealth tax are based on personal anecdote. When you look at the actual evidence his case falls apart, says Oliver Dean Last week, I had the opportunity to host a debate between famed YouTuber and activist Gary Stevenson, and Dr Kristian Niemietz of the Institute of Economic Affairs. [...]
Are the rich getting richer because the poor are getting poorer? December 9, 2025 Adherents of the zero-sum belief that the rich are only rich because they have taken something from the poor cannot explain why the number of poor people fell massively while the number of rich people rose massively, says Rainer Zitelmann “The rich are getting richer and the poor are getting poorer” – few statements have [...]
Reeves is betting big on AI, but does the public back her? December 9, 2025 Rachel Reeves is betting the UK’s economic future on an AI-driven productivity surge, but there are serious questions about the plausibility of this bet given the UK’s weaknesses in implementation, scaling capacity, talent retention and public pessimism, says Paul Armstrong Rachel Reeves has placed an enormous bet on AI rescuing the UK’s dwindling economy. Fraser [...]
Why nostalgia is dominating Christmas adverts December 9, 2025 The Notebook, where the City’s movers and shakers have their say. Today it’s Ogilvy’s Amelia Torode For those involved in UK advertising, Christmas is our Super Bowl, when ads become central to popular culture. Mishandle your Christmas advertising and you risk derailing the entire year’s revenue. When it comes to Christmas advertising, I believe nostalgia [...]
Reform UK and the Conservatives: a coalition of the unwilling? December 8, 2025 How credible are rumours of a deal between Reform UK and the Conservatives to “unite the right”? Asks Eliot Wilson Last week, The Financial Times reported that Nigel Farage had told donors some kind of understanding between Reform UK and the Conservative Party before the next general election was “inevitable”. Whether a “merger”, a “pact” [...]
Why innovation matters for the UK’s future December 8, 2025 The UK’s biggest, perhaps only, differentiating asset from other major economies is the quality of our research and innovation system, which by most metrics is, per capita, best in class, says Ian Chapman Two days before the Budget, UK Research and Innovation (UKRI) hosted the Innovation for Growth Summit that gathered leaders from research, industry, [...]
We’re speeding up the queue for clean power December 8, 2025 This government’s grid connections reforms replace the first come, first served queue with a pragmatic first ready, first connected system and aligns that system to what we strategically need as a country, says Michael Shanks We’ve all been there. Standing behind someone in a queue who isn’t actually ready to be called next. Faffing about [...]
City policy chairman: London must seize chance to lead on AI December 8, 2025 Following the Budget, the UK can't afford complacency. From AI to pensions, here's how the City of London can lead, writes Chris Hayward.