The trouble with statistics: The same flaws afflict economic data as political opinion polls September 13, 2016 Who will win the US presidency? Opinion polls have got a bad name in Britain, at least. During the 2010 general election campaign, many suggested that Gordon Brown could still continue in power in a minority government or coalition. The polling record in the 2015 campaign was even worse. Most polls showed the two main [...]
UK ports form alliance in bid to create “gateway to a global North” September 13, 2016 The North of England's four main ports agreed a new partnership in parliament today, as they said £1bn of government funding could help create a "gateway to a global North". The Northern Ports Association — which will include Liverpool, Hull & Humber, Tees Valley and Tyne — will aim to create jobs, make importing and exporting easier and create prosperity [...]
A shortage of land could kill off London’s e-commerce revolution September 13, 2016 Recent reports that Amazon is set to test drone deliveries in partnership with the UK government is just the latest salvo in the fiercely contested battle between the e-commerce giants that are transforming the way we shop. The move also demonstrates the challenges of a constantly evolving logistics sector. City A.M. readers are at the [...]
As Luxembourg’s foreign minister calls for Hungary to be kicked out, is the EU starting to unravel? September 13, 2016 Tom Slater, deputy editor of Spiked, says Yes. Is the EU unravelling? We can only hope. The Luxembourg foreign minister’s outburst this week, lambasting Hungary for its migration policies, reminds us that the EU is not a glorious union of European peoples — it’s an oligarchy, whose anti-democratic edicts pit rich countries against poor, northern Europe [...]
David Davis puts the government on collision course with the House of Lords over Brexit approval September 13, 2016 Brexit secretary David Davis has put the government on collision course with the House of Lords after slapping down demands from a committee of peers for a parliamentary vote on Brexit. The House of Lords constitutional committee today warned that the government should not trigger Britain's departure from the EU without “explicit parliamentary approval”. The Lords [...]
The Shard honoured among UK landmarks in mass biscuit sculpture by Macmillan Cancer Support September 13, 2016 It might be hard, but you need to stop yourself from nibbling on the skyline. Not the UK's actual skyline of course. Ahead of its World’s Biggest Coffee Morning event on 30 September, Macmillan Cancer Support has gone all Bake-Off on us and recreated the UK’s skyline using 25,000 biscuits in an 80-foot sculpture. What a kooky [...]
Bake-xit: Two Great British Bake Off hosts to leave programme after move from BBC September 13, 2016 Great British Bake Off hosts Sue Perkins and Mel Giedroyc are to step down when the programme leaves the BBC for Channel 4. The Bake Off move, which emerged last night, has caused a stir and sparked front page news today. Read more: Government set to make BBC reveal pay packets of stars on more [...]
United House Group chairman Jeffrey Adams named as new London Chamber of Commerce and Industry chair September 13, 2016 Business group the London Chamber of Commerce and Industry (LCCI) has a new chairman after the retirement of former chair Mark Adams. Jeffrey Adams, chairman of London housing developer United House Group, was elected at last night’s annual general meeting. The board recommended that Jeffrey Adams – who was previously headed up LCCI’s property and construction committee – should succeed Mark Adams, who retired [...]
Former EU president Jose Manuel Barroso turns on Brussels over Goldman Sachs job September 13, 2016 Former European President Jose Manuel Barroso has issued a blistering attack on EU leaders and institutions over their attempts to frustrate his plans to take up a new role with Goldman Sachs. In a strongly worded letter sent to his successor, Jean-Claude Juncker, today, Barroso stated: "It has been claimed that the mere fact of working [...]
The housing minister just suggested the government’s 200,000 starter homes pledge might include rental properties September 13, 2016 The remit of the government's promise to deliver 200,000 so-called starter homes by 2020 could be expanded so it includes purpose-built rental homes in the figure, the housing minister suggested today. During a question and answer session at the Resi 2016 conference in Wales, Gavin Barwell said there was "a little bit of tension between the overall [...]