In Brexit Britain, will charity begin (and end) at home? September 9, 2016 Government is gearing back into action after a surprisingly business-as-usual summer. MPs have returned, announcements have started and there is one issue lodged at the top of the in-tray. Despite Theresa May’s pledge not to provide a “running commentary” on Brexit, it seems unstoppable. The Prime Minister has already ruled out a point-based immigration system, [...]
UK named as best G20 country for starting a digital business September 9, 2016 The UK has been named as the best G20 country for ease of starting a digital business. Britain scored the highest marks for digital business environment – which includes regulation such as recruitment practices, tax frameworks, time taken to start a business and legal efficiency – in accountancy firm EY’s G20 Digital Entrepreneurship Barometer, which [...]
MasterCard hit with record £14bn bill as 46m customers could win compensation September 8, 2016 MasterCard is being sued for £14bn in the largest legal claim in British history over allegations it used its market dominance to overcharge millions of UK customers. The credit card providers have been accused of charging shops excessive fees to process card transactions, which resulted in retailers being forced to pass on these costs in [...]
“What is Aleppo?” Gary Johnson’s Syria gaffe was bad but also emphasised his integrity September 8, 2016 The presidential campaign of Gary Johnson, candidate for the US Libertarian party, received one of its biggest boosts in this election cycle on Wednesday evening – a tweet from the 2012 Republican nominee Mitt Romney, expressing hope that the Johnson ticket would be allowed to take part in the upcoming presidential debates. The following morning, [...]
World Bank lays bare the $5 trillion cost of dirty air September 8, 2016 A landmark study from the World Bank has found deaths as a result of air pollution cost the world more than $5 trillion (£3.8 trillion) a year. The new report, published yesterday, highlighted the staggering economic impact of one of the world’s top killers and prompted calls for government action from economists and conservationists. The [...]
Micro Focus’s HP deal hailed as post-Brexit statement of confidence from British business September 8, 2016 British company Micro Focus revealed an $8.8bn (£6.6bn) takeover of the software division of US giant Hewlett Packard yesterday, with the audacious swoop hailed as an assertion of post-Brexit confidence and a landmark deal for the UK tech sector. City analysts said the deal also signalled a “change from the post-Brexit dialogue of UK businesses [...]
After suffering military defeats and the loss of several leaders, is this the beginning of the end for Islamic State? September 8, 2016 Fawaz A Gerges, author of Isis: A History and professor at the LSE, says Yes. There is increasing evidence that Isis is on the defensive – bleeding, losing territories in Iraq and Syria, leaders, field commanders and thousands of combatants. Its mini-financial empire is also being systemically dismantled by the US-led coalition, exacting a heavy toll [...]
Start up Ideal Flatmate will find you a perfect match using an algorithm based on research by some Cambridge boffins September 8, 2016 Start up Ideal Flatmate is to take on Gumtree and SpareRoom with a new flatsharing website that uses an algorithm to match flatmates on the grounds of personal compatibility. Launched this week, it gives equal priority to the lifestyle and living habits of the people concerned as to the location or look of the property. [...]
It’s pure hubris for politicians to think they can “rebalance” the economy September 8, 2016 Theresa May is reviving the idea of interventionist industrial strategy, and wants to “rebalance” the economy. Many people are jumping on the bandwagon. They should jump right off again. Even the more mature of today’s politicians were still in the school playground when these ideas last made waves. In the 1950s and 1960s, UK governments [...]
Philip Hammond has warned against attempts to lure key financial services sectors to mainland Europe after Brexit September 8, 2016 Chancellor Philip Hammond has hit back at Francois Hollande after the French president suggested that euro clearing could move to Continental financial centres in the aftermath of Brexit. Just days after Britain voted to leave the EU, Hollande said that “other financial centres in the bloc'” should prepare to carry out euro clearing if Britain [...]