Some degrees are useless, but it’s the 2:1 obsession we really need to leave behind emma revell Creeping credentialism reinforces the narrative that a degree is the most reliable route into an ever-increasing number of jobs.
DEBATE: Should we have ID verification for social media? England football stars Marcus Rashford, Bukayo Saka and Jadon Sancha were targeted with horrific racist abuse on social media after the team lost to Italy in the Euros 2020 final. The abuse was loudly condemned by all sides of politics, with Boris Johnson slamming the “disgusting” comments. It has prompted another disgusting: should there be [...]
DEBATE: Is there any point trying to find love in lockdown? DEBATE: Is there any point trying to find love in lockdown? Is there any point trying to find love in lockdown? JOIN THE DEBATE. Emma Sayle, founder and chief executive of social network Killing Kittens, says YES. When lockdown started, traffic to the Killing Kittens website went up 300 per cent. We had 150 per cent more photo uploads and 425 per cent more messages — [...]
DEBATE: Should the social distancing restrictions on weddings be dropped? October 9, 2020 Should the social distancing restrictions on weddings be dropped? Mark Henriques, managing director of Cripps & Co and petitioner seeking an injunction against the government measures, says YES. In March, lockdown shattered the plans of the thousands of people set to marry this year. I have watched with dismay as a temporary upset, caused by [...]
DEBATE: Are the life chances of the Covid-19 generation damaged beyond repair? August 24, 2020 Are the life chances of the Covid-19 generation damaged beyond repair? Emma Revell, head of communications at the Institute of Economic Affairs, says YES. Young people have had a rough pandemic. Months of education gone, exam grades tainted by confusion and uncertainty even after the U-turn, the future burden of spiralling public debt against a [...]
DEBATE: Is the plan to revitalise John Lewis likely to be a success? July 31, 2020 Is the plan to revitalise John Lewis likely to be a success? Emma Revell, head of communications at the Institute of Economic Affairs, says YES. Bricks and mortar retail was in decline well before coronavirus hit and large department stores were struggling to afford sky-high rents on their enormous buildings. By recognising the changes in [...]
A home working revolution? Not so fast, people love the office April 1, 2020 Chances are you are reading this from home. You are definitely reading it on an electronic device. A mere four weeks ago, you could have been leafing through the print edition or scrolling on the Tube, the bus, or your walk to work. No more. Measures to restrict the spread of coronavirus have meant hundreds [...]
Don’t frame it as a front in the culture war, BBC reform can be in everyone’s interests February 14, 2020 With the announcement last week of a consultation on decriminalising non-payment of the licence fee, ministers boycotting core programmes following accusations of bias, and veiled threats from the government about its potential demise, fans of the BBC would be forgiven for thinking that their treasured broadcaster is under attack. But by framing this as a [...]
DEBATE: Should some conversation topics or ‘banter’ be off-limits to keep workplaces inclusive? January 31, 2020 Should certain conversation topics or ‘banter’ be off-limits to keep workplaces inclusive? Melanie Stancliffe, employment partner at Cripps Pemberton Greenish, says YES. There’s a fine line between catching up with your colleagues and inappropriate discussions. You have to remember that the office is a place of work, where nobody should think it acceptable to discriminate [...]
Sweden’s disastrous experiment with rent controls should be a cautionary tale for London January 24, 2020 How to make excellent meatballs, win Eurovision with style, and start a domestic argument over flatpack furniture — Sweden has taught the world so much. But setting aside our love of ABBA and Ikea, there’s another lesson to take from the experiences of our Scandinavian cousins. Sadiq Khan will spend the first half of 2020 [...]