As the IFS finds pensioners are the big winners post-crisis, has policy protected the old at the expense of the young? July 19, 2016 Ben Southwood, head of research at the Adam Smith Institute, says Yes. The government is unfairly protecting the old over the young in two main ways. First, by an excessively generous pensions policy that is steadily diverting more and more to already well-off pensioners. And second, by tight planning policy that drives up rents and house [...]
Zeroing in on the competition: This is what Coca-Cola’s new ad campaign tells us about the drinks market July 19, 2016 Coca-Cola's announcement that it is pouring £10m into its newly-branded Zero Sugar variant is proof of two things. First, that the carbonated soft drinks market is alive and well. Second, that it is recognising changing consumer and industry attitudes towards health and sugar. But does this huge investment reveal the big brands are concerned about [...]
Young people actually prefer physical shops more than any other age group July 18, 2016 The success of online retail is less dependent on iPhone-obsessed millennials than you may think, according to new research by British Land. Young people are actually more likely to visit an physical shop than any other age group. They are also most likely to browse items in a physical store, and order online later if what they want isn't in stock. [...]
The chief executive of Sempertex explains how he came to head up the third-largest latex balloon manufacturer in the world July 18, 2016 Before his “epiphany” in 1978, Oswald Loewy had been studying chemical engineering. “One day, I suddenly realised that it was time to return home and work in the family business. My father was unwell and, although I’m one of seven, I was the eldest – the others were too young to help.” Now middle-aged, the [...]
Millennials will have paid £44,000 more on rent than baby boomers by the time they hit 30, according to leading think tank July 16, 2016 Millennials will have paid £44,000 more rent than the baby boomers by the time they hit 30, according to a leading think tank. The Resolution Foundation has found that a combination of falling home ownership and rising costs in the private rented sector mean that today’s millennial generation will have spent £44,000 more on rent by [...]
A short history of Turkish coups July 16, 2016 Last night a coup attempt unfolded in Turkey, with the picture still largely unclear this morning. However, the scenes of chaos seen last night are the latest in a long line in a relatively short history. 1960 The first coup d'etat in the Republic of Turkey, organised by a group of young Turkish military officers. It took place [...]
The Co-operative Bank has hired a new chief financial officer July 15, 2016 The Co-operative Bank has hired John Worth as its new chief financial offer. Barclays and Ernst & Young veteran Worth, currently interim finance chief at Hiscox, will take the reins at the lender at the beginning of September. It's not an easy time to join the Co-op: not only did chief executive Niall Booker hand in [...]
Lessons from bankrupt footballers: They earn megabucks but are likely to squander it all. What can we learn from their mistakes? July 15, 2016 They earn megabucks but few actually make a decent plan for their post-working lives. While we’re not all multi-millionaires, everyone has something to learn from their mistakes, explains RBC’s Jonathan Gold. Modern football is synonymous with wealth, whether through its astronomical wages or lucrative sponsorship deals. But young players are often making a Faustian bargain [...]
Chris Froome forced to run up Mont Ventoux as Tour de France takes extraordinary turn July 14, 2016 Britain's Chris Froome kept hold of the yellow jersey despite being forced to run up part of the iconic Mont Ventoux climb in one of the most extraordinary incidents in Tour de France history. The defending champion took to jogging after being knocked off his bike towards the end of the stage and finding that [...]
Keanu film review: a clever pastiche of action films and urban culture starring TV duo Key and Peele July 14, 2016 How far would you go to save a cat? That's the question asked by this new action-comedy from TV duo Key and Peele, the cousins forced to become gangsters by a nefarious drug dealer (Method Man) in order to get their beloved kitten Keanu back. The stars have a terrific natural rapport, morphing seamlessly from [...]