No, leading economists are not supporting Labour leadership candidate Jeremy Corbyn’s far-left agenda August 25, 2015 "Jeremy Corbyn wins economists’ backing for radical plan” thundered the Observer’s front page on Sunday. As I meandered around the supermarket, I did a double-take. Would distinguished economists really back printing money to fund government investment, rent controls, widespread renationalisation (in some cases without compensation), a “maximum wage”, huge tax hikes and greater powers for [...]
No, leading economists are not supporting Jeremy Corbyn’s far-left agenda August 24, 2015 CORBYN wins economists’ backing for radical plan” thundered the Observer’s front page on Sunday. As I meandered around the supermarket, I did a double-take. Would distinguished economists really back printing money to fund government investment, rent controls, widespread renationalisation (in some cases without compensation), a “maximum wage”, huge tax hikes and greater powers for Trade [...]
New BHS owners Retail Acquisitions seek £70m refinancing to revive troubled chain bought from Sir Philip Green for just £1 August 23, 2015 The new owners of BHS are in talks to secure a refinancing package to help turn around the loss-making chain bought from Sir Philip Green earlier this year. Retail Acquisitions, a consortium comprising an eclectic mix of investors including former racing driver Dominic Chappell, is understood to be seeking a £70m loan by the end [...]
Labour leadership race: Andy Burnham raises concerns of “several thousand” Conservative infiltrators in vote August 21, 2015 Thousands of Conservatives could be intending to vote in the Labour leadership election, according to Andy Burnham’s campaign. An “urgent meeting” of candidates' teams is necessary, the BBC reports Michael Dugher, who is leading Burnham’s campaign, to have said. Read more: Now Labour is blocking genuine party members from leadership vote Burnham's team has written to [...]
Ashes 2015: Blitz Australia again, Ben Stokes tells England August 21, 2015 England all-rounder Ben Stokes has urged his side to summon the brutal form which has repeatedly decimated Australia in a single session this series after a sedate start to the fifth Investec Ashes Test at the Kia Oval yesterday. Opener David Warner and captain-elect Steve Smith drove a resilient Australia’s response to two harrowing Test [...]
Blame complex tax rules and a lack of competition for the airport VAT debacle August 19, 2015 I arrived back from holiday at Heathrow last week. After I picked up my bags, I went through customs and I saw some stewardesses walking through a passageway that avoided the arrivals duty free shopping area. I had everything I needed, so I decided to skip the shops and go through the passageway to head [...]
Fighter planes soar over England to remember Britain’s Hardest Day August 19, 2015 Yesterday marked the 75th anniversary of the Battle for Britain’s “Hardest Day”, when south east military bases came under attack from the German Luftwaffe, with both sides recording their greatest loss of aircrafts in battle. The impressive commemorations involved 18 Spitfires and six Hurricanes flying over south east England. Staged from Biggin Hill yesterday afternoon, [...]
China slowdown: The two reasons British business should remain optimistic August 18, 2015 It’s easy to be down on China. Last week’s negative headlines after the unexpected devaluations of the renminbi (RMB) played into the “China slowdown” narrative which has taken root as this year’s accepted story. But we’re not giving China enough credit. By opening up the RMB to more market forces, it has moved one step [...]
Meet the Gartner Hype Cycle for 2015: It’s all about self-driving cars and smart dust in emerging tech trends August 18, 2015 You've probably heard of the self-driving car, but smart dust probably isn't on your radar just yet. That's because the autonomous vehicle trend has hit what's known as the peak of inflated expectation. Smart dust on the other hand, is at the earliest stage of innovation, as defined by Gartner in its annual research on [...]
Why the government should take outsourcing a radical step further August 17, 2015 Government raids on the methodology of business are commonplace. Some are more successful than others. But as the challenge of George Osborne’s edict to contemplate departmental cuts of as much as 40 per cent sinks in, the search will intensify. As I sat recently in the splendidly refurbished BT Tower – a guest of [...]