FTSE flat as poor corporate results overshadow positive news on GDP October 25, 2012 BRITAIN’S top share index was fractionally higher yesterday as gains by banks on strong UK GDP figures were countered by some mixed corporate earnings. Banks added 0.8 per cent on news that Britain pulled out of recession in the third quarter, with its strongest quarterly economic growth in five years, boosting expectations that lending conditions [...]
The Eurozone is doomed to unwind without radical liberalising reforms October 25, 2012 WHEN the euro was formed, the economic debate was marked by a paradox. Liberal economists on the continent were enthusiastic – they believed the euro’s adoption would force reforms on the EU. Free market economists in the UK were more pessimistic. They feared that economic shocks would result in complete social dislocation, due to inflexible [...]
The sky’s the limit: Why the humble checklist beats masterful intuition October 25, 2012 THOSE of us glued to the live feed of Felix Baumgartner’s jump from the edge of space last week were also incidentally witness to one of the most powerful – and underappreciated – performance enhancement techniques known. If you were watching, the chances are you didn’t even give it a second thought. But there’s as [...]
Challenging times lie ahead despite solid GDP growth October 25, 2012 SOME good GDP news at last! The UK economy is growing again. It’s official. In fact, the initial estimate of growth in the third quarter exceeded market expectations of 0.6-0.7 per cent growth by a long way. And – at 1 per cent of GDP – it now appears to be the strongest quarter of [...]
As more criticism emerges, has the BBC done enough to deal with the Jimmy Savile crisis? October 25, 2012 YES David Bowden The tenor of current accusations, built on a febrile atmosphere of rumour and suspicion, seems to preclude any reasoned debate over what we want from a public broadcaster. We’ve seen similar panics around the BBC before, most recently after Jonathan Ross’s prank call to Andrew Sachs in 2008. This has invariably led [...]
Rapid response October 25, 2012 Better than Labour [Re: Coalition must not become complacent on economic growth, yesterday] Although the coalition should avoid complacency over economic growth, it’s also important that it trumpets the advantages of its economic policy against Labour’s alternative. Yes, austerity has not been pushed as far as it should have been. But a continued reliance on [...]
Skyfall takes Bond to new heights October 25, 2012 FILM SKYFALL Cert 12A | **** AFter deftly eluding MGM’s creditors and safely delivering the Queen to the Olympic opening ceremony, James Bond is out of bankruptcy, off diplomatic protection detail, and back on the big screen for a superbly crafted and confident action thriller. With a dangerously unpredictable enemy bent on vengeance, Sam Mendes’ [...]
Hotel interiors need not be dull and predictable – just ask Kit Kemp October 25, 2012 I want to pique the imagination of even the most jaded businessman,” says Kit Kemp, design director and co-founder of Firmdale Hotels, the group that includes the buzzy Soho, Covent Garden and Charlotte Street Hotels. “If I can do that for a second, then we’ve achieved something.” Pique, she definitely does, with her love of [...]
Marvel at the views from this picturesque country manor October 25, 2012 Morley Old Hall, Norfolk Strutt & Parker Guide price: £2.5m Secluded in 32 acres of Norfolk countryside, this renovated Grade I listed Elizabethan hall greets visitors at the end of a long, tree-lined drive. Stretching over three floors, the hall has an impressive seven bedrooms, six bathrooms, fireplace-accented dining room, and a generous kitchen and [...]
Have all of your needs catered for in this striking dream home October 25, 2012 North Luffenham Hall, Rutland Strutt & Parker Guide price: £3.45m This charming property sits to the south of North Luffenham village and is adjacent to the 13th-century St. John the Baptist Church. Built in 1555 by James Harrington, the house was originally named “The Digby House” after Simon Digby, who acquired it in 1559. Digby [...]
