Look behind the headlines for the real story on UK trade diplomacy April 10, 2012 ALMOST two years ago, David Cameron used his first tour of the United States to announce a major change in foreign policy. He outlined plans to refocus British diplomacy on promoting UK businesses abroad – with diplomats told to use “every opportunity” to win orders for domestic firms. Many commentators may view the Prime Minister’s [...]
Maximising tax revenue is good for politicians – but not the rest of us April 10, 2012 HIGH taxes encourage black markets. For example, ever increasing “sin taxes” mean that a large portion of the cigarettes and alcohol consumed in Britain is now bought in the black market, where these taxes need not be paid. The Taxpayers’ Alliance complains that this costs the government £7bn a year in lost tax revenues. Implicit [...]
Bright ideas from the NHS can earn hospitals billions April 10, 2012 MUCH of the debate – and emotion – that surrounded the passage of the Health and Social Care Act focused on the extent to which the private sector should be allowed to compete to provide services to the NHS. It is a good question, and the public will benefit from some elements of additional competition [...]
As Facebook announces its $1bn purchase of Instagram, is it really worth the money? April 10, 2012 YES Steve Dinneen What could be a bigger sign of a bubble than paying $1bn for a company with no revenue model? At all. It’s not even really a company – it’s an app that makes your photos look like Polaroid snaps (Polaroid being a company that has twice filed for bankruptcy). Bonkers, right? But [...]
RAPID RESPONSES April 10, 2012 A taxing dilemma [Re: Why Britain’s income tax is already astonishingly progressive, yesterday] Anthony J Evans is wrong on several counts. Progressive taxation is not where the richest pay a greater percentage of the total tax bill, but where they pay proportionately more compared to their income. The top 1 per cent of taxpayers take [...]
Sterling bulls shouldn’t charge before they look April 10, 2012 DESPITE last week’s stronger than expected UK macroeconomic data suggesting that the economy was in a better state heading into the second half of the year, the outlook remains mixed for the pound against its dollar and euro pairs. While a position against the common currency remains the best way for sterling bulls to profit, [...]
Looking out for a sign of further quantitative easing April 10, 2012 VOLATILITY has returned to the forex market on the back of last week’s US macroeconomic news, adding to uncertainty about the US recovery. The Federal Reserve says it does not see the need for further quantitative easing (QE3) at this time, with the Fed’s shift to a more hawkish bias due to a string of [...]
The global supply chain bringing every part of the Games to the UK April 10, 2012 COUNTDOWN TO THE LONDON 2012 OLYMPIC GAMES 107 DAYS TO GO Q What was your brand’s primary reason for being involved with the Games? A To showcase our complete supply chain capability. The Games is the largest peacetime logistical event that’s ever staged. The supply chain is extremely complex, it covers air, ground, customs brokerage, [...]
Take pride and GROOM April 10, 2012 Shiseido Men Deep Cleansing Scrub, £21.50, houseoffraser.co.uk Made with cleansing granules, this scrub is meant to perk up your skin and helps prevent ingrown hairs. Good for all skin types, Shiseido is a formidable brand, and if you’re going to have one thing: have this. Tom Ford for Men, £45, houseoffraser.co.uk The king of perfect [...]
Get glowing with Dr Duve’s Altitude Fix Facial April 10, 2012 Dr Duve, as in duvet, is a bit of celebrity in his native Germany. All the rich men’s wives flock to him to keep them looking beautiful and preferably young for hubby. London wanted in on his special touch, including his famed laser jet peel (a tube that massages your face with high-pressure water) and [...]
