Our secret services need to learn how to come out into the open to succeed December 12, 2022 We know very little about our intelligence agencies. Secrecy has long been the British way: Harold Macmillan summed the attitude up when, in 1963, he was asked in the House of Commons about Kim Philby’s defection to Moscow. The old actor-manager replied wearily, “It is dangerous and bad for our general national interest to discuss [...]
The special relationship with the US is fertile ground for investment into the UK December 12, 2022 Last week, a new bilateral energy deal between the UK and the US, to reduce global dependence on Russian gas, underlined the continuing strength of the “special relationship”. In a joint statement, Rishi Sunak and Joe Biden stressed the need for “allied countries to deepen their cooperation to ensure resilient international systems which reflect our [...]
Severe flooding could cost insurers more than £1bn this winter December 12, 2022 Severe flooding this winter could cost UK insurers more than £1bn, according to analysis from PwC. Storm Eunice in February led to insurers losing £200-300m, mainly as a result of disruption to travel and damage to properties and vehicles due to falling trees. However, floods on the same scale as those seen in 2015 [...]
UK factories on course to sink into recession next year December 12, 2022 UK factories are on course to sink into recession next year driven by the wider economic slowdown and swelling costs cooling activity, a new survey out today shows. Manufacturing output will shrink 3.2 per cent in 2023, according to Make UK and BDO. The pair have been consistently slashing their forecasts for industrial output throughout [...]
London economy contracts as rampant inflation chills spending December 12, 2022 London’s economy contracted last month as it is squeezed by roaring inflation and swelling business costs, a new survey out today shows. Rampant price rises prompting a spending slowdown from consumers sent a chill through businesses in November, according to NatWest’s purchasing managers’ index (PMI). The high street bank’s PMI dropped to a 22-month low [...]
All quiet on the home front: a resettling is on the cards for new homes and mortgages December 12, 2022 The UK economy has weathered its fair share of turbulent storms over the past few years: from a global pandemic, to war, burgeoning energy prices and now escalating cost of living pressures and interest rates; yet the housing market has remained robust throughout. But rising costs are catching up with potential homebuyers. The next two [...]
Letters: Startup survival of the fittest December 12, 2022 Agile startups can relieve pain points faster than big businesses – so long as they can survive the
Explainer-in-brief: The travel industry ready for more rows December 12, 2022 This year has been marked by travel chaos. Earlier in the year, strikes, cancellations and staff shortages lead to mass queues at the airports over the summer. Heathrow, as a result, instigated a passenger cap to reduce the number of people flying in and out of the airport. It was lifted in November, but with [...]
Nightclubs face higher business rates next year in latest ‘hammer blow’ for the sector December 12, 2022 Press Association Nightclubs across the UK face higher property taxes next year in the latest “hammer blow” for the sector, according to new data. The new business rates rules unveiled in last month’s budget handed many high street firms lower tax bills from April next year. Pubs and high street shops are among those due to [...]
Christmas strikes: Government to hold crisis meetings as army called in December 11, 2022 The government will hold a series of crisis meetings this week to try and minimise disruption during widespread Christmas strikes, with the government now calling in the military. Cabinet Office minister Oliver Dowden will convene two Cobra meetings with ministers from several departments as the UK faces crippling strikes in hospitals, airports and railways. The [...]
