The government should learn from big companies on local pay policy October 30, 2012 THE Heseltine Review, written by former deputy Prime Minister Michael Heseltine is published today. It recommends how growth might be spurred across the country by public sector bodies interacting more effectively with the private sector. One essential part of this plan – although unfortunately not included by Heseltine – is reform of how public sector [...]
If corporation tax didn’t already exist it would be madness to introduce it October 30, 2012 CORPORATION tax is back in the news. Starbucks is the latest company to be in the spotlight, having allegedly paid £8m corporation tax in 14 years, despite sales of more than £1bn. This became noteworthy when the Prime Minister waded into the debate, expressing his concern with the levels of tax some companies are paying. [...]
Europe’s new ban on short selling is a failed old policy October 30, 2012 TOMORROW, new regulations on short selling come into force across the European Union. Although designed to stabilise prices, they will have harmful effects on market quality, while producing few of the benefits claimed by their supporters. We’ve been here before. During the early stages of the financial crisis, politicians pulled every plug they could to [...]
Does Hurricane Sandy have the potential to change the outcome of the US election? October 30, 2012 YES Ewan Watt It’s common for political pundits to overanalyse the impact of particular events on the US presidential race and Hurricane Sandy is no exception. But Sandy could potentially result in the closure of polling stations in key swing states, like North Carolina and Virginia, which may have a particular impact on early voting [...]
Rapid responses October 30, 2012 EU budget battles [Re: Cameron should wield the UK veto and block the EU’s bloated budget, yesterday] Priti Patel is emerging as the rising star of the Conservative party, and this spirited encouragement for David Cameron to stand firm on ridiculous EU budget demands just adds to her support for tax reform earlier this week. [...]
Bond opportunities are still emerging October 30, 2012 IF YOU are on the hunt for strong and diversified returns from emerging markets, local currency denominated debt can give you solid exposure to attractive yields. Until the 1990s, due to poor liquidity and low transparency, emerging market debt was issued only in hard currencies, predominantly the US dollar. But many emerging markets now run [...]
Unemployment targeting by the Fed could see equities move upwards October 30, 2012 AS WE approach the release of the final US employment report before the presidential election, we’ll see plenty of analysis about both the recent decline in country’s unemployment rate and the health of its overall economy. Yet, if you look at more frequently-released data, like weekly unemployment insurance claims, the jobless rate has fallen by [...]
A superlative-defying Range Rover October 30, 2012 I’ve only been driving Land Rover’s new Range Rover for five minutes and already I have had to swerve to avoid a man running down the motorway. Not across the motorway you understand but down it, as if he is pretending to be a car. Driving the new Range Rover in Morocco is challenging. Pedestrians [...]
Make sure you have a blast this Bonfire night October 30, 2012 FRIDAY Brockwell Park A fireworks showcase organised by Lambeth Council. Doors open 4pm and the display will begin at 8pm. Free to attend. Streatham Common A second show by Lambeth Council, running parallel to the Brockwell Park display (see above). Bishops Park Hammersmith and Fulham Council’s event opens at 6pm, with fireworks on at 7.15pm. [...]
All fireworked out? October 30, 2012 Seize the Day at the Wellcome Trust Friday 2 November The Wellcome trust is hosting a macabre night looking at our experiences and relationships with death. Activities will include coffin decorating and a near-death experience. There will also be talks on throughout the four hour event. Doors 7pm. The event is free but some talks [...]
