UK firms face unprecedented risks – politicians shouldn’t be adding more February 5, 2015 Uncertainty has become a new watchword for British businesses. It may not be new for them – to varying degrees they have always operated in an uncertain world – but it is now more prominent in their thinking than at any other time in a generation. Today, they face an underperforming Eurozone, ongoing conflicts in [...]
Syriza’s plan for the Greek economy falls short: Grexit must not be ruled out February 5, 2015 After the failure of the new Greek finance minister’s tour of Europe’s capitals this week to produce a workable debt deal, Greece’s situation now seems terminal. Greece has an unemployment rate above 25 per cent, a debt-to-GDP ratio of almost 200 per cent and deflation of 2.6 per cent. The country’s economy has shrunk by [...]
How London is leading the charge on a radical employee rent scheme February 5, 2015 Two years ago, Vodafone became one of the first big businesses to issue a warning over Britain’s housing costs. It said that the sheer cost of renting was making it harder for firms to attract talent. Within weeks, its concerns were echoed by the Confederation of British Industry (CBI) and KPMG’s London Business Survey. London’s [...]
No pain, no strain: How to avoid RSI February 5, 2015 Get up from your desk, don’t ignore the niggles and make more tea for your colleagues. Blackberry Thumb, iPhone 5-itis and MacBook Back. At the moment, only one of these terms (BlackBerry Thumb) is an existing neologism, but they could all be used to describe an increasingly common issue among today’s office workers: Repetitive Strain [...]
Film review: Jupiter Ascending leaves plenty of space for improvement February 5, 2015 Cert 12a | ★☆☆☆☆ Sean Bean probably resisted at first. I picture bitter arguments, impassioned pleas, point-blank refusals. Contracts will have been brought out, threats made against the future of his career, the safety of his family. Eventually he capitulated, agreeing to read the line. “Bees are genetically programmed to recognise royalty.” Jupiter Ascending’s [...]
Something for the weekend February 5, 2015 WATCH SIX NATIONS AT THE FALTERING FULLBACK The Six Nations Championships gets underway tonight and everyone knows watching rugby is as much about the craic as it is about the game. If you’re after somewhere lively to watch Wales vs England you could do much worse than Finsbury Park’s Faltering Fullback. Visit thefullback.co.uk BOW TO [...]
England: We are ready for big kick-off February 5, 2015 Millennium Stadium atmosphere will not intimidate us, insists assistant coach Mike Catt ENGLAND assistant coach Mike Catt insists his side will not be overawed by the white-hot atmosphere likely to be generated as Wales bid to land an early blow in tonight’s Six Nations opener at the Millennium Stadium. The Red Rose buckled during their last [...]
Sport Comment: Blaming Europeans for Lance ills is sick argument February 5, 2015 IF YOU love sport, you love Sundays. I do. It’s a time to appreciate the Saturday programme and look forward to an increasingly varied diet on the Sabbath. But not last Sunday, dear me, no way. It began bleakly with Andy Murray’s implosion in the Australian Open. And then there was the cricket. Strewth. England [...]
Ireland look to Lee for World Cup seam lift February 5, 2015 FORMER Australia seamer Brett Lee has agreed a short-term contract to coach Ireland’s bowlers during their pre-World Cup training camp in Sydney. The two-time World Cup winner retired from all forms of cricket last month after claiming 310 Test and 380 one-day international (ODI) wickets for his country. “It’s a fantastic opportunity for our bowlers [...]
Woods leaves Torrey Pines with back pain February 5, 2015 FORMER world No1 Tiger Woods was last night forced to withdraw from the Farmers Insurance Open at Torrey Pines in California due to apparent back pain, the PGA Tour announced. The 14-time Major champion was two over par when forced to withdraw after 11 holes of his first round yesterday, which follows the disappointment of [...]