Human curiosity for technological innovation should lift all our spirits August 30, 2012 NASA’S new Mars rover, Curiosity, has a processor ten times slower than a modern smartphone. Its main imaging camera may be taking some groundbreaking photos but it can only manage a resolution of two megapixels. The current iPhone offers eight. That’s what happens when you have to design a rover eight years before it actually [...]
Businesses need a government that takes a long view August 30, 2012 THE British Chambers of Commerce’s (BCC) new forecast, published today, makes for pretty grim reading. We’re now expecting the UK economy to contract in 2012, and for growth to be anaemic in 2013. Although there are many businesses out there who are proving surprisingly resilient, the economy as a whole continues to bump along the [...]
Should the coalition support Nick Clegg’s plan to set up a state-run bank for lending? August 30, 2012 YES Robert Skidelsky Nick Clegg’s idea for a state-run bank to lend to small enterprises is a step in the right direction, but as usual, the details are missing. At the moment, it sounds like another version of the loan guarantee plans which have already failed to get money flowing. Unlike Germany, Britain does not [...]
Rapid Responses August 30, 2012 Fishing for votes [RE: A wealth tax won’t work – except as political pantomime, Thursday] Nick Clegg’s suggestion is bad politics and a sly way to fish for votes. It lacks moral merit and foresight to tackle the deep-rooted problems facing the UK economy. Wealth creators already suffer crippling taxation in the UK. Clegg’s battle [...]
Live like a king in this fairytale retreat August 30, 2012 The Pavilion, Hampton Court, Surrey Guide Price: £8.95m This is one spectacular property. Located on the historic barge walk, between The River Thames and Hampton Court Palace, the Pavilion sits in a truly regal setting. The house and grounds, adjacent to the Palace park, were built in 1702, by Christopher Wren’s talented pupil William Talman. [...]
Focus on: Wimbledon August 30, 2012 Wimbledon has become one the most popular places to live in London, with Wimbledon Village being near the top of the tree. Easy transport links make it ideal for those who want quick access to the city, whilst reaping the benefits of a quieter suburban life. On the fast train, you can expect to be [...]
London Barometer August 30, 2012 DIRECTOR OF DOUGLAS & GORDON JULY seems to show, rather surprisingly given the Olympics, Jubilee and summer holidays, that it’s pretty much business as usual for the London market. Applicants are up 20 per cent year on year and stock levels remain stubbornly low. While sentiment in the UK generally seems to be negative, London’s [...]
Tamsin Grieg is stellar in Jumpy August 30, 2012 THEATRE JUMPY Duke of York Theatre | By Cathy Adams **** A whitewashed, bare room, a half-drunk glass of Chardonnay and a skylight. Welcome to peripheral Walthamstow, home to put-upon mother Hilary, stolid husband Mark and precocious teen Tilly. Tamsin Grieg, better known for her acerbic roles in Black Books and Green Wing, gives a [...]
Where to drink August 30, 2012 CONTINUING FROM last week’s column on updated, re-invigorated and re-imagined private members’ clubs, one of the most illustrious in recent years is the exclusive Home House in Marylebone. After introducing The Vaults at House 21 earlier this year, it will completely update House 19, a destination for entertaining, drinking and dining. Dovetailing seamlessly with the [...]
Goalless Gunners set to be shut out again at Anfield August 30, 2012 THEY say ‘In Arsene we trust’, but the patience of Arsenal fans must be wearing pretty thin. The dust mites in the Emirates trophy cabinet have had the run of the place for so long now that they have probably been joined by woodworm and it looks like another summer transfer window will slam shut [...]
