Reeves will have to get real and raise taxes Opinion Despite frantic denials, the debt burden means Rachel Reeves will soon have to revisit promises she made on tax in the care-free days of opposition, says Vince Cable The Chancellor has many competing priorities on Wednesday: a big rise in defence spending; keeping the NHS afloat; honouring promises not to raise taxes on income and [...]
If we reform the City too fast, it will sow political angst against the financial recovery we need VINCE CABLE This long-term approach, with business and government cooperating to promote investment and productivity growth, has been dropped. Instead, we have “deregulation” with little strategic thought.
DEBATE: Given the lack of progress during the Covid-19 crisis, should the transition period be extended? Given the lack of progress during the Covid-19 crisis, should the Brexit transition period be extended? Sir Vince Cable, former leader of the Liberal Democrats and former secretary of state for business, innovation and skills, says YES. Extending the transition period will become critical as this government limps towards the end of June with no [...]
DEBATE: Will this be a better year for the economy than 2019? January 6, 2020 Will this be a better year for the economy than 2019? Dr Victoria Bateman, lecturer and fellow in Economics at Gonville and Caius College, Cambridge, says YES. It’s the start of a new year, a time of hope and new beginnings, so I’m going to kick things off on an optimistic note While there was [...]
Oil and gas companies have no reason to fear divestment July 11, 2019 Petrol heads pay good money at the pumps
School’s not out – Britain must become a nation of lifelong learners March 25, 2019 For the United Kingdom as for the wider OECD, the most important resources we have are the talents and endeavours of our citizens. However, this is an asset that we are currently failing to nurture as well as we should. The typical refrain from policymakers in response to this challenge is to consider how each [...]
Theresa May’s crude policy is the wrong way to manage immigration October 11, 2018 The government's announcement of a new immigration policy post-Brexit has at least the merit of providing a clearer sense of direction – assuming Brexit happens and does so in a reasonably orderly way (which are some big “ifs”). The news also provides an opportunity to think, from first principles, what a sensible immigration policy should [...]
A land levy would be far fairer than our punitive business rates September 6, 2018 We have by now all heard about the crisis facing our high streets, and the burden of business rates in particular. But while high-profile retail struggles like that of House of Fraser and Maplin have brought this issue into the headlines, the problems with this badly designed tax run far deeper. Contrary to what any economist [...]
As BG reduces Helge Lund’s pay deal, should shareholders press firms to cut executive pay? December 1, 2014 Vince Cable, secretary of state for business, innovation, and skills, says Yes. The decision by BG Group to revise the package offered to Helge Lund is correct. The previous offer made a mockery of the Directors’ Remuneration Policy approved by the firm’s shareholders earlier this year. I called for shareholders to intervene and they did. [...]
