New York Report: Wall St edges higher after Fed statement July 31, 2013 THE S&P 500 finished a volatile session nearly flat yesterday after the Federal Reserve gave no hint that a reduction in the pace of its bond-buying program is imminent. After paring most of the day’s gains just before the close, the S&P 500 ended July up 5 per cent – its best monthly percentage increase [...]
Help to Buy is worrying but the real problem is inflexible housing policy July 31, 2013 MILTON Friedman once observed that, “with some notable exceptions, businessmen favour free enterprise in general, but are opposed to it when it comes to themselves.” With this in mind, if a market intervention is criticised even within the industries that could benefit from it, it is probably safe to conclude that it is a really [...]
Poorly-designed immigration policies are damaging the London economy July 31, 2013 THE PROPOSAL from part of the coalition to make some overseas visitors pay a £3,000 bond to come to Britain is perhaps the most ill-considered development in immigration policy yet. The government says that Britain is open for business, but with visitor bonds, healthcare levies, and adverts urging self-deportation – to mention but three examples [...]
Shale oil and gas are vital for a recovery in British manufacturing July 31, 2013 ONCE again emotion is threatening to overcome reason in the shale debate. Whether they realise it or not, the professional protestors in Balcombe, who are disrupting exploratory drilling in West Sussex, threaten to destroy jobs and livelihoods across the country. Last year, Britain got over a third of its overall energy from natural gas, another [...]
Letters to the editor – 01/08 – Planning laws, volunteering, Best of Twitter July 31, 2013 Planning laws [Re: How hidden taxes and levies are pushing up UK house prices, Monday] This piece is completely correct. But one problem with recent reforms to planning law is that many Tory MPs support coalition policy in Westminster (which is to make building easier), but then ferociously oppose virtually all plans to build locally [...]
Top gadgets to take on your holidays July 31, 2013 Travelling can be far easier if you have the right technology in your suitcase STOCK up on these essential gadgets to avoid the holiday pitfalls of dead batteries, communications black-spots and gigantic roaming charges. 1. Loewe Speaker 2Go £269; currys.co.uk This brilliant portable speaker will connect wirelessly with your phone, giving you top [...]
Top travel apps July 31, 2013 PocketGuide PocketGuide is a fantastic app that allows you to download audio guides of cities across the world. Each individual guide comes with maps, facts, suggested walking tours and audio commentary. If you prefer to just wander aimlessly, the app will use GPS to let you know when you have stumbled across a site of [...]
The great summer cover up July 31, 2013 Has the weather left you in a sartorial quandary? Naomi Mdudu rounds up the top jackets to keep you cool and stylish this summer WITH bad summers year after year, we’re not a nation used to dressing for the heat. It’s no surprise, then, that the murky weather left behind after temperatures hit a record [...]
Cautious Cook not willing to take Pietersen injury gamble July 31, 2013 INJURY-PLAGUED Kevin Pietersen will not be picked for the third Ashes Test unless he is 100 per cent fit, England captain Alastair Cook has warned. The 33-year-old has been doubtful to start at Old Trafford this morning since injuring his left calf at the end of the second Test at Lord’s 11 days ago and [...]
Cricket Comment: I fancy Panesar to help wrap up a series victory July 31, 2013 ENGLAND have the chance to retain the Ashes at Old Trafford and there is no reason to think they won’t if, as expected, the weather ensures enough play. As the first two Tests have shown, Alastair Cook’s men are superior in all departments and, over five days, that should become obvious. I expect England to [...]
