The government should keep calm, focus on facts, and commit to a Covid-19 strategy March 12, 2020 If ever there were a case of Man proposes but God disposes, the Covid-19 outbreak would fit the bill. A subject that was not even in the popular lexicon at the turn of the year has become our only topic du jour. If this continues for much longer, we may soon be dividing time into [...]
The EU’s attempt to regulate artificial intelligence could backfire March 12, 2020 The “Wild West” of artificial intelligence (AI) needs to be reined in, according to EU industry commissioner Thierry Breton. However, regulating AI generally, rather than regulating the technology’s uses specifically, may very well be putting the cart before the horse. Late last month, the European Commission revealed its intention to draft regulation around the use [...]
Level up: Boosting the regions might mean levelling down London March 12, 2020 Except for updates on the coronavirus, no ministerial appearance these days is complete without mention of the government’s professed intention to “level up”. This seems to mean a desire to do something — usually something to do with infrastructure spending — for the so-called “left-behind” places that voted Leave in 2016, and especially those “red [...]
By restricting free speech, we risk sleepwalking towards a tyranny worthy of Orwell March 12, 2020 In an unpublished preface to Animal Farm, discovered amongst the author’s papers in 1972, George Orwell argued that: “If liberty means anything at all it means the right to tell people what they do not want to hear.” In the last two weeks, we have twice been given reason to question what our liberty is [...]
DEBATE: Will the business rates reform package be effective enough to react to the coronavirus crisis? March 12, 2020 Will the chancellor’s business rates reform package be effective enough to react to the coronavirus crisis? Lauren McEvatt, managing director of Morpeth Consulting and former government adviser, says YES. This business rates package as a whole, when coupled with the decisive action taken by Bank of England on Wednesday morning and considered alongside other support [...]
The Budget has recognised the potential of UK fintech March 12, 2020 All eyes were on the chancellor yesterday, as he delivered his first Budget against a challenging backdrop for the UK’s economy and health system alike. The focus was very much on backing the NHS, supporting small business, and boosting infrastructure spending across the country — and rightfully so, given the circumstances. We’ve also seen vital [...]
Achieving budgetary balance in a virus crisis March 12, 2020 A proportionate response needs to be adopted in the face of the spread of Covid-19. That was certainly the sense from yesterday’s Budget. A calm and measured chancellor presented this government’s first Budget during very unusual times. This outbreak has been devastating, initially in China, but now in Italy and Iran too, with many countries [...]
More than $600bn could be wasted in coal power generation at expense of renewables, says report March 12, 2020 An estimated $638bn (£489bn) could be wasted world wide on using coal to generate electricity. That’s according to a report released today which advises international governments to stop using coal as soon as possible. The report by think tank Carbon Tracker Initiative says in all major electricity markets, renewables are either cheaper than new coal [...]
London house prices: Rising demand pushes up property prices March 12, 2020 London house prices increased in February due to rising demand for homes in the capital, according to new research. In total 39 per cent of London contributors to a survey by the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors reported a rise in house prices last month, the highest amount since May 2014. Additionally, 27 per cent [...]
Liverpool 2-3 Atletico Madrid: Llorente the unlikely assassin as Oblak stands tall and Adrian flops to send Reds out of the Champions League March 11, 2020 When Marcos Llorente came off the bench in the 56th minute of Liverpool’s Champions League last-16 tie against Atletico Madrid last night those watching on barely noticed. Despite play stopping and the fourth official’s board going up to facilitate his arrival, the Atletico midfielder practically snuck onto the Anfield pitch. Diego Costa’s grumpy exit drew [...]
