Don’t ignore the powerful moral arguments against high taxation May 22, 2012 WE ALL know the moral arguments for taxation: it pays for police, roads, hospitals and other vital services. But there is a moral case against taxation too – and a surprisingly strong one. First, while most of us would happily make some voluntary contribution to essential services, it is only the threat of prison that [...]
Europe’s shared currency shouldn’t entail Germany bankrolling a debt union May 22, 2012 GEORGE Osborne and François Hollande want Angela Merkel to support Eurobonds. These would pool debt issuance among Eurozone governments, allowing them all to fund their spending at the same borrowing rate. The more creditworthy Eurozone governments would thereby subsidise the spending of the less creditworthy. Merkel thinks that subsidising the spending of profligate governments is [...]
The shareholder spring must now pounce on fraud May 22, 2012 THE “shareholder spring” has shown investors ferociously protesting about corporate governance, accountability and payouts. But a far deeper financial and reputational time bomb is ticking in many corporations. Today’s Ernst & Young global fraud survey shows the staggering exposure to fraud, bribery and corruption in UK companies. The numbers have risen during the economic downturn [...]
Should fostering renewable energy sources be a major priority for the UK government? May 22, 2012 YES Juliet Davenport The government is right with its overarching principle that we’ll need more low-carbon generation to keep the lights on in the future. However, its draft energy bill gets the details wrong on how to achieve it. By focusing on contracts for difference, the proposals risk skewing the market towards nuclear and the [...]
RAPID RESPONSES May 22, 2012 A hiring revolution [Re: Britain must embrace 30 per cent tax revolution to boost growth, Monday] I agree with your tax simplification ideas, and the report convinces me that reform would increase incentives to hire. But I’m not sure tax reform will be enough. It would help some firms save money. But just because money is [...]
Eurostar brings culture and sport together to support London 2012 May 22, 2012 COUNTDOWN TO THE LONDON 2012 OLYMPIC GAMES 65 DAYS TO GO Eurostar’s chief exec says why it is 2012’s international rail services provider Q What was your brand’s primary reason for being involved with the Games? A For us the partnership felt natural, partly because of the geography: we come into St Pancras, which will [...]
Calling all traders: One day to go May 22, 2012 David Jones is the chief market strategist of IG Index and he will be delivering a masterclass at Active Trader on financial spread betting and contracts for difference. TRADING COMMENT DAVID JONES FOR many years, trading financial markets in general, and spread betting in particular, was felt to be the reserve of City professionals. But [...]
Built for comfort as well as speed May 22, 2012 SO I’m supposed to entice you to keep reading this column until the end. But I’m just going to come right out and say it. The new BMW 6 Series Gran Coupe is very, very good. Surprisingly so. I couldn’t have predicted it. It may even be my ideal car. You see? Finished. You can [...]
CAR TALK May 22, 2012 Zipcar tries out Vauxhall Amperas Car sharing club Zipcar is trialling Vauxhall Amperas in London over the next six months as part of a pilot scheme. The extended range electric car – which emits just 27g/km of CO2 and returns 235.4mpg – can run on electricity only for up to 50 miles. Five London boroughs – [...]
Stamford Bridge scores with Marco May 22, 2012 RESTAURANT MARCO Stamford Bridge, SW6 1HS FOOD ***** SERVICE **** ATMOSPHERE *** Cost per person without wine: £50 Here’s an odd one: a banker I know is a Gunner: an Arsenal supporter, that is. But, he confesses, he’s also a regular at Stamford Bridge. That’s enemy territory: home of my team, the Blues, Chelsea FC. [...]
