Haldane: Covid vaccine programme a model for successful innovation policy July 21, 2021 The former chief economist at the Bank of England has praised the UK’s Covid vaccination programme for being a model of successful innovation policy. In a foreword to a policy paper published by think tank Policy Exchange, Andy Haldane said the vaccine initiative “involved a clear mission, project management by Government… all underpinned by large-scale [...]
UK worker shortages mount as applicants tumble 24 per cent July 21, 2021 Worker shortages in the UK continues to intensify despite firms stepping up efforts to hire talent, according to new figures published today. Research by Broadbean Technology, the world’s largest network of job boards, shows job application in the UK fell 24 per cent between May and June of this year. However, vaccines were up 10 [...]
Universities are failing us: they’re expensive, ill-equipped and entrench ‘left-behind’ towns in the UK July 21, 2021 A record number of students have applied for university, with just over 300,000 submitting applications, according to UCAS. This represents 44 per cent of the entire year group, up 10 per cent on what was then a new record total in 2020. One of the main drivers has been the uncertainty the pandemic has created [...]
Revolut enters travel booking sector with in-app service for UK holidaymakers July 21, 2021 The challenger bank is capitalising on post-lockdown savings and desire to travel with a new in-app product that allows users to book holiday accommodation in the same place that they manage their finances. Revolut users in the UK are now able to check their cashflow before booking holiday accommodation, all without logging out of the [...]
Power of 10: UK more than doubles number of $10bn companies amid tech boom July 21, 2021 The number of UK tech businesses worth at least $10bn (£7.3bn) has more than doubled in the last six months, marking the latest sign of a boom in the British tech sector. Fintech darling Revolut, recently-listed Wise and online grocery giant Ocado are among the businesses to gain the title of decacorn in the first [...]
UK sets out plan for greater free trade for green technologies in lead up to Cop26 July 20, 2021 The UK has today set out its plan for greater free trade in green technologies in the lead up to the Cop26 climate conference in Glasgow later this year. A new Board of Trade report calls for the UK to “encourage” other countries to cut tariffs on green technology and to use its diplomatic standing [...]
Raab tells EU to ‘think again’ over Gibraltar negotiation plans July 20, 2021 The government has tonight rejected the EU’s plan for negotiations with the UK over the future of Gibraltar, saying that it would undermine the British sovereignty over the territory. Earlier today the bloc published its draft mandate for the upcoming negotiations, which it said “aims to have a positive impact for those living and working [...]
Channel 4 chair hits back at ‘very harmful’ privatisation plans July 20, 2021 Channel 4’s chairman has hit back at the government’s plans to privatise the broadcaster, saying such a step would be “very harmful” to viewers and risk thousands of jobs. Last month it emerged that the government is preparing a consultation into the privatisation of the broadcaster. But in a letter to culture secretary Oliver Dowden, [...]
Government proposes to make fake online reviews illegal July 20, 2021 The government has outlined plans to crack down on fake online reviews. Businesses that offer subscriptions would be required to detail exactly what a consumer signs up for. They should also allow them to cancel easily. Consumer champion ”Which?” said the plans should be ”swiftly implemented” ”Which?” director of policy and advocacy Rocio Concha, said [...]
Pegasus spyware data leaks spark political rows from Delhi to Mexico July 20, 2021 Politicians, journalists and human rights activists are believed to be targeted by Israeli spyware company NSO Group in the interest of its government clients, media reports on Monday. A list of more than 50,000 phone numbers was allegedly selected for potential surveillance as those of people of interest by government clients of NSO Group since [...]
