Incentives must be the foundation of a revolution in British education October 14, 2012 WITH aims including far more school choice for pupils from all backgrounds, and raising standards in state schools through competition, the goals of the 2010 Academies Act were bold. Autonomous groups would set up free schools, which in turn would revolutionise the education system. But current policy betrays such a revolution. Only comprehensive reforms, designed [...]
Global reform of financial regulation must not choke off economic growth October 14, 2012 GROWTH forecasts were slashed by the IMF last week in the latest sign that severe headwinds are pushing the global economy closer to a stall. The Eurozone crisis, the so-called US “fiscal cliff” and the slowing pace of development in the Brics all pose considerable threats if mishandled by policymakers. It is positive, therefore, that [...]
The EU should not have received the Nobel Peace Prize October 14, 2012 THE Nobel Peace Prize selection this year really does take some beating. We have seen some pretty strident criticism, and good comedy, emerging from its decision to award the trophy to the European Union (EU). Thorbjorn Jagland, the head of the selection committee, was already on record before the announcement as saying: “I expect that [...]
Does the new “want” button offer a viable way for Facebook to make more money? October 14, 2012 YES Richard Britton Facebook’s “want” button will be well received by consumers for a number of reasons. It’s a clever idea because Facebook users enjoy looking at and knowing what their friends are interested in buying. At the same time, this data is hugely valuable to consueer brands. The “want” button is a significant step [...]
Rapid responses October 14, 2012 Good in theory [Re: Osborne should move fast and make Tucker next governor, Wednesday] Although economics is a well established discipline studied across the globe, it ought to be recognised that its theories are not testable, not even retrospectively, and therefore have no practical value like those of the physical sciences and engineering. Theories which [...]
Put in the firing line by a master business partner October 14, 2012 THE aborigine guide’s eyes widened in disbelief when he saw the bright yellow pyjamas, and he said “you had better take those off mate.” So David Norwood stripped down to his underwear and we set off on our wild pig shoot in the north of Australia. Asked why he had worn them in the first [...]
Britain isn’t working… quite as hard as you might think October 14, 2012 THE glass is almost always half full for entrepreneurs. Reality is best put on the backburner when facing the trials of running a business. Hot off the press, the 2012 Hiscox DNA of an Entrepreneur study confirms that those running small and medium sized businesses in the UK, US, Netherlands and Germany are confidently facing [...]
It might be prime time to refinance October 14, 2012 HISTORICALLY low interest rates and government schemes mean that it may make sense, for some borrowers at least, to remortgage their homes. But data from the Council of Mortgage Lenders serves as a stark reminder as to how tight conditions still are. In 2011, £46.6bn worth of remortgages were taken out by borrowers in 375,000 [...]
Resounding hit for London’s biggest art fair October 14, 2012 The biggest London Frieze Art Fair ever was in full swing this weekend, with 175 galleries packed into Regent’s Park and a separate Frieze Masters event featuring 96 galleries showcasing works from across the last 4,000 years. Organisers say they wanted to bridge the gap between contemporary collectors and those interested in older works, with [...]
Blocky, crazy and rather excellent October 14, 2012 SHRIEKING and shouting and lots of people under two foot running amok is not your typical hotel reception experience. But then neither is a giant smoke-puffing dragon, pits of Lego that you can swim in (if you so desire) and giant square-headed characters rolling around the premises. The Legoland Hotel, which opened slap bang in [...]
