The pensions industry must act to avert the looming UK capital crisis July 1, 2012 OVER the next few decades, the UK’s public finances face being crushed by the costs of preserving our pensioner population. In parallel, our domestic supplies of capital will likely be depleted, exacerbated by a shrinking savings pool. Japan’s once legendarily high savings rate is expected to turn negative this year, as pensioners spend their savings. [...]
Yet another Euro summit provides no real solution July 1, 2012 WILL last week’s summit of EU leaders, the nineteenth since the start of the Eurozone crisis, be seen by future historians as the point at which the tide finally turned? This was certainly the tone of some of the initial media reactions, which judged that Angela Merkel’s resistance had finally been breached, and that progress [...]
The City has much to gain from China’s development as a financial centre July 1, 2012 THE relationship between the UK and China came into sharp focus over the past week, as Hong Kong celebrated the fifteenth anniversary of its return to Chinese sovereignty. In this time, China’s economic transformation – underlined by its ascent to become the world’s second largest economy – has been nothing short of miraculous. That much [...]
Are the government’s proposals for House of Lords reform a sensible move forward? July 1, 2012 YES Peter Facey The government’s House of Lords Reform Bill is very welcome. To have published a bill at all is a historic landmark. Despite Parliament committing itself to replacing the House of Lords with a democratic second chamber 101 years ago, this coalition is the first to have got even this far. We’re not [...]
RAPID responses July 1, 2012 No light touch [Re: From boom to bezzle: this banking scandal will run and run, Friday] The chief big lie in this whole saga is the idea that banks faced light touch regulation. The Financial Services and Markets Act, 2000, was never ever light touch. Wrong touch, yes. Mis-touch, certainly. And definitely overweening and prescriptive, [...]
The delights of Gstaad in summer July 1, 2012 GSTAAD, in the German-speaking canton of Berne, is about as ritzy a resort as you can get. It’s got the prices and celebrity factor of Verbier, but it’s smaller. Much smaller. And therefore, much classier – like a rare tiny diamond instead of a bling-tastic shop window. Not that there aren’t bling-tastic shop windows in [...]
Ramsgate: a characterful, atmospheric seaside gem July 1, 2012 RAMSGATE has an unglamorous reputation – people are quick to associate it with drunken Kentish folk hanging about its harbourside and, of course, it is distinctly not its cooler neighbours Margate (Tracey Emin’s hometown and home to a Turner Gallery), or ritzy Broadstairs, where Charles Dickens summered and where the well-heeled denizens of Kent go [...]
History making Spain reign once again in the Ukraine July 1, 2012 SPAIN (4) vs ITALY (0) SPAIN manager Vicente del Bosque last night lauded his players’ historical feat after La Roja became the first team to win three successive major international tournaments with a masterful European Championship final victory over Italy. First-half goals from David Silva and Jordi Alba were the product of Spain’s near-complete control [...]
Bopara hails England as Aussies lose again July 1, 2012 ENGLAND batsman Ravi Bopara said last night that the country has never had a better one-day side, after he helped his team-mates to a comfortable win against Australia at the Oval yesterday. The home team won by six wickets, waltzing to 252-4 with more than four overs left to go. Earlier in the day Australia [...]
Murray: Nadal absence won’t gift final place July 1, 2012 BRITISH No1 Andy Murray insists the absence from Wimbledon of rival Rafael Nadal does not guarantee him a place in Sunday’s final. Having beaten Marcos Baghdatis in four sets on Saturday, Murray today faces Marin Cilic, who also overcame Sam Querrey in five and a half demanding hours, and concedes he will need to improve [...]
