The Debate: This house has confidence in the president-elect of the Oxford Union Opinion Following the horrifying death of Charlie Kirk, the president-elect of the Oxford Union, George Abaraonye, posted comments online appearing to celebrate his murder. Since then, many have called for him to be removed from the post. The whole affair has raised questions about the necessity and limits of free speech in a democracy – and [...]
US VC pulls out of Oxford Union event over incoming president’s comments Politics A top US venture capitalist has pulled out of an event at the debating society Oxford Union after its president-elect appeared to have cheered the death of Charlie Kirk, a rightwing US free speech activist. Josh Wolfe, co-founder of VC firm Lux Capital, said he had withdrawn from the event after the Oxford Union’s next [...]
Sir Robert Chote to leave UK Statistics Authority Economics Sir Robert Chote has resigned as chairman of the UK Statistics Authority, which oversees official data published by a range of bodies including the Office for National Statistics. The UK Statistics Authority, an arms-length government body, has been involved in scrutinising the ONS’s troubles. Chote, who joined the UK Statistics Authority in 2022, will become [...]
Choosing a chancellor of Cambridge is no joke June 30, 2025 Cambridge must choose a chancellor who enhances its reputation without politicising or making a mockery of the role, and Lord Browne is emerging as the most credible candidate to do so, says Eliot Wilson Our leaders like to speak of the United Kingdom “punching above its weight”. For at least 80 years, it has been [...]
UK innovation hinges on talent and clusters, says Lord Vallance June 20, 2025 The UK’s science and innovation lanscape is on the cusp of a major transformation, according to science minister Lord Patrick Vallance, who argued the UK must now “connect with its brightest clusters” and supercharge international partnerships to stay competitive. Speaking the recent India Global Forum on Thursday, the government’s national tech adviser and Oxford-Cambridge innovation [...]
Chanel Boat Race: Who are favourites and where do Oxford and Cambridge race? April 13, 2025 It’s that time of year again, when we flock to the banks of the Thames to watch Oxford and Cambridge in the Boat Race. Crews have been warned not to throw their cox in the London river due to unsafe water, and fans will undoubtedly want to avoid the smell of the capital’s sewage. But [...]
Could bats put East West Rail off track? March 18, 2025 East West Rail could provide a direct connection between Oxford and Cambridge for the first time, but opposition to the project is growing.
Rachel Reeves vows to fight for economic growth January 28, 2025 The Chancellor will declare that “growth won’t come without a fight” as she unveils her plan to turnaround Britain’s ailing economy with billions of pounds of investment and new infrastructure projects. Reeves will pledge an £80bn boom to the economy from a new Oxford-Cambridge Growth Corridor in a move that comes after the pensions industry [...]
Long-time IFS director Paul Johnson to step down October 17, 2024 Johnson, who became Director of the IFS in January 2011, will take up the role of Provost of Queen's College, Oxford.
University spinouts could be the answer to the UK’s growth problem August 20, 2024 University spinouts are vital to retain the UK’s innovation crown, writes Simon Bumfrey, tech chief at HSBC Innovation Banking UK.