Prime Minister Boris Johnson moves to mend relationship with UK business July 24, 2019 Boris Johnson has moved to rebuild his relationship with the business community by hiring Sky executive Andrew Griffiths as part of his Number 10 team. A source close to Griffiths said Johnson’s appointment of the Sky veteran – who most recently served as the broadcasting giant’s chief operating officer – was “a clear sign of [...]
DEBATE: Is there any merit to the ‘de-growth’ agenda championed by climate activists? July 24, 2019 Is there any merit to the ‘de-growth’ agenda championed by climate activists? Maria Smith, founding director at Interrobang and chief curator of the 2019 Oslo Architecture Triennale, says YES. Our current economic system relies on growth to manage private and public debt. This means that we must grow, whether we’re healthier and happier, or damaging [...]
Boris won the keys to Number 10 – now can he win an election? July 24, 2019 If it wasn’t clear before yesterday’s conclusion of the Tory leadership race, it sure is now: Britain is facing a General Election, and sooner rather than later. Every incoming Prime Minister is greeted with trepidation, sometimes edging into scepticism. That is normal in a country which has traditionally frowned on cults of personality. But the [...]
If you stand for nothing, Lib Dems, what will you fall for? July 24, 2019 The Liberal Democrats have a new, young, energetic, female leader and are riding high in the polls. So with the two main parties in disarray, even now one of them has finally changed managers, can the Lib Dems break through the electoral system and overcome the political duopoly we have been cursed with for decades? [...]
Citizens’ assemblies would hand power to establishment experts July 24, 2019 Citizens’ assemblies have become the height of fashion. The London borough of Camden is currently holding one on how to reduce carbon emissions in the area. Last month, Nicola Sturgeon announced plans to set one up to consider constitutional issues in Scotland. The Irish government’s one on abortion featured in the 2018 referendum on the [...]
Spending watchdog slams failure to sell public land for homes July 24, 2019 The UK’s public spending watchdog has slammed the government for failing to sell enough public land for houses to be built on, saying it has prolonged “the nation’s housing crisis”. Read more: UK house sales plummet in June, held back by Brexit ‘ball and chain’ The government set itself the target of selling enough publicly-owned [...]
City Moves for 24 July – Who’s switching jobs at Pladis, J O Hambro Capital Management and Duff & Phelps? July 24, 2019 Today’s City Moves includes Pladis, J O Hambro Capital Management and Duff & Phelps. Pladis Pladis, the snacking company, has appointed Sridhar Ramamurthy as chief financial officer. Sridhar will join next month and report to chief executive Salman Amin, who said: “Sridhar is a seasoned and respected financial executive who brings a deep and wide-ranging [...]
US opens industry-scale tech giant antitrust probe July 23, 2019 The US Department of Justice is to open an investigation into whether the activities of major tech firms are anti-competitive. The review will explore “whether and how market-leading online platforms have achieved market power and are engaging in practices that have reduced competition, stifled innovation, or otherwise harmed consumers,” the department said tonight. The probe [...]
Snap boosts revenue and users with new “augmented reality” features July 23, 2019 Snapchat parent company Snap boosted its user numbers and revenue in the second quarter of the year as customers lapped up its “augmented reality” filters, although it is yet to turn a profit. Read more: Snap smashes expectations with narrowed losses and surprise user additions Revenue at the US social media firm rocketed by 48 [...]
Boris Johnson set to name new Cabinet after meeting with the Queen July 23, 2019 Boris Johnson will officially become Prime Minister on Wednesday afternoon after meeting the Queen at Buckingham Palace. It was revealed on Tuesday that the former London Mayor beat leadership rival Jeremy Hunt in a poll of Conservative party members to land the top job. Johnson used his victory speech to pledge a Brexit breakthrough and [...]