It’s not just about avoiding another Carillion scandal, reforming public procurement can build a better Britain October 21, 2019 From the collapse of Carillion to the Brexit ferries fiasco, public procurement has had a rocky few years. But while the focus has rightly been on ensuring that such disasters don’t happen again, we must not forget that public procurement can actually be an enormous force for good. Public procurement is the act of the [...]
DEBATE: Could the BBC survive becoming a subscription service? October 21, 2019 Could the BBC survive becoming a subscription service? Nicholas Mazzei, a corporate social responsibility adviser, says YES. The BBC is a well-loved and historic British institution, but it needs to move with the times. Ending its guaranteed income and making it compete for its customers through a subscription model would drive it to become more [...]
The City’s success depends on our ability not only to compete, but to collaborate October 21, 2019 Just last week, German Chancellor Angela Merkel remarked that the UK will join the likes of China and the US in becoming an “economic competitor” of the European Union after Brexit. There is, of course, no doubt about the competitiveness of the UK’s financial services sector, nor about the fundamental strengths of London. But looking [...]
Watchstone shares jump 40 per cent after it settles Slater & Gordon fraud claim October 21, 2019 Insurance firm Watchstone and law firm Slater & Gordon have settled a long running fraud claim just hours before a nine-week High Court trial was due to begin. Watchstone’s shares jumped 45 per cent today to 156p after the settlement was announced. The claim dates from listed Australian law firm Slater & Gordon’s acquisition of [...]
Hey, big spender: Institute for Fiscal Studies boss Paul Johnson on the end of economic orthodoxy October 21, 2019 In the eight years Paul Johnson has been director of the Institute for Fiscal Studies (IFS), he has seen three prime ministers, two general elections and – so far – one Brexit referendum. Read more: Government almost matching Labour’s spending pledges, says IFS If that wasn’t enough, Britain’s political leaders have recently torn up their [...]
IFS boss: Labour’s spending pledges likely to push up taxes for average earners October 21, 2019 The director of the Institute for Fiscal Studies (IFS) has said Labour’s spending plans are likely to lead to higher taxes for those on average incomes. Read more: Hey, big spender: Institute for Fiscal Studies boss Paul Johnson on the end of economic orthodoxy In an interview with City A.M., Paul Johnson also said the [...]
Small firms call for major business rates overhaul Sajid Javid’s November budget October 21, 2019 Small businesses have called on chancellor Sajid Javid to make “radical business rates reform” a key part of the upcoming autumn budget to address the unprecedented slump in confidence among smaller firms. Read more: Remember, remember, 6 November: Sajid Javid sets date for 2019 budget Javid is planning to hold a budget on 6 November, [...]
Leisure spending jumps despite dip in consumer confidence October 21, 2019 Spending in the leisure sector jumped in the third quarter of the year despite a slump in overall consumer confidence driven by ongoing Brexit uncertainty. A boost in disposable income confidence, which was up one point year on year, helped to drive leisure expenditure as consumers favoured experiences over buying material goods. Read more: Consumer [...]
RBS retail chief to exit after ten years with bank October 20, 2019 Royal Bank of Scotland’s retail banking chief executive is preparing to leave the lender as new boss Alison Rose completes her senior leadership team. Les Matheson, who joined RBS in 2010 and became personal banking chief executive in 2014, is planning to leave the bank in the coming months, Sky News reported. Read more: Alison [...]
UK firms urged to review reward schemes October 20, 2019 British companies should reconsider their use of long-term incentive plans in favour of restricted share awards, according to recommendations by a management think-tank. Long term incentive plans are designed to boost performance, however the system has faced criticism as the rewards are often not tied to a company’s share price. Read more: Berkeley Group faces [...]