Bank of Dave Two: How one man took on the FSA and won February 27, 2013 I NEVER wanted to be a banker. But back in 2008, my minibus company in Burnley had a problem. My customers were coming to me for new buses, and needed finance to buy them – as they had done for 20 years. As soon as the credit crunch hit, however, the banks suddenly stopped lending [...]
MPs demand tax avoiders are named and shamed by HMRC February 18, 2013 INDIVIDUALS who take part in tax avoidance schemes should have their names made public by HM Revenue & Customs, according to the chair of an influential parliamentary select committee. Labour’s Margaret Hodge MP says the taxman “should name and shame those who sell or use tax avoidance schemes”, directing public anger at those who attempt [...]
Osborne isn’t the cat’s whiskers but we don’t have to give up on austerity January 31, 2013 AS THE UK economy skids towards a triple-dip recession, many are looking at George Osborne and his plan A and wondering whether someone else could do better. Osborne’s own cat Freya, for instance. If we saved on Osborne’s salary and, in a spirit of austerity, paid his replacement with Whiskas and the occasional catnip chew [...]
It’s snow joke as Merkel faces Davos bookies January 21, 2013 THE MOST important people in the world are currently packing their toothbrushes, making sure the neighbour will feed the cat and getting ready for five days discussing the global financial system in the Swiss Alps. But The Capitalist wonders whether those attending this week’s World Economic Forum – or Davos to you and me – [...]
The XFR is a truly astonishing beast January 8, 2013 WHEN Jaguar Cars came up with the inspired tagline “Grace, space and pace” in the 1960s, they set up their stall as a brand that considered overt displays of power somewhat vulgar. Even this XFR model, despite its capacity to boost you up to speeds that will make your hair stand on end, looks more [...]
Sterling and Suarez combine to cruise past timid Black Cats January 2, 2013 LIVERPOOL 3 vs SUNDERLAND 0 LIVERPOOL striker Luis Suarez scored a brace in a comfortable victory over Sunderland at Anfield last night. Suarez set up teenager Raheem Sterling to open the scoring with a delicate lob over Simon Mignolet from the edge of the area in the 19th minute. The Uruguay star then pounced upon [...]
Black Cats add to Royals pain December 11, 2012 SUNDERLAND 3 vs READING 0 SUNDERLAND manager Martin O’Neill marked a year in charge of the Black Cats with a crucial win over Reading to haul his side out of the Premier League relegation zone. James McClean gave O’Neill the perfect start, firing in on the turn after only three minutes. Sunderland strengthened their dominance [...]
Black Swan author challenges the belief that pressure is bad for the economy December 6, 2012 BANKS should be more like cats than washing machines. So suggests Nassim Taleb, ex-trader and controversial author of The Black Swan, who has a new book out in time for Christmas. What he means is that living things – cats, economists, bankers – display a property that even our best-designed machinery lacks: a quality that [...]
Black cats caught in relegation dog fight December 2, 2012 SUNDERLAND boss Martin O’Neill (inset) admitted his team are scrapping for survival after a 2-1 defeat at Norwich yesterday left them one point above the drop zone. “Our position in the league, with a couple of teams all tight together, would suggest that [we are in a relegation battle],” he said. A Kevin Pilkington strike [...]
BT makes plans to appeal Sky’s controversial sports pricing win November 27, 2012 BT has announced plans to appeal a controversial competition ruling over the price Sky is able to charge other broadcasters for its sports channels. The telecoms company said it had asked permission to challenge August’s decision from the Competition Appeal Tribunal (CAT), which stopped Ofcom from forcing Sky to lower the prices it can charge [...]