Apple eyes MLS sell-off as even Messi can’t save £2bn deal Sport Business Apple TV is considering selling off some of its international rights to Major League Soccer (MLS) just two years into a 10-year deal. The streaming company is paying $250m (£200m) a year for global MLS rights in a bet that interest in the American domestic league would grow significantly on the back of Lionel Messi’s [...]
Why the football regulator shouldn’t ignore clubs below National League Sport Business The case of Ebbsfleet United shows why the incoming football regulator’s powers are needed throughout the English game, says Damian Collins. The deeply entwined relationship between English football clubs and the communities they serve is never more evident than at the midpoint of the season and the turn of the year. Whilst most Europeans enjoy [...]
How to control the cost of our over promoted civil service Opinion Civil service pay has been frozen yet the wage bill remains the same as it was 10 years ago. Time to clear out the dead wood and boost the pay of top talent, says Henry Hill It’s all so predictable. The previous government froze civil service pay to try and control costs as headcount ballooned. [...]
Cabinet minister pledges to make government more ‘start up’ December 8, 2024 A cabinet minister is set to pledge that the government will become “more like a start up” ahead of the launch of a £100m fund targeting public service reform. Pat McFadden will call for Whitehall to adopt a ‘test and learn culture’, stating: “If we keep governing as usual, we are not going to achieve [...]
The UK has the tools, talent and expertise to unlock growth November 18, 2024 In a competitive global environment, Britain has everything it needs to succeed, but there are a few ways the government could help, says Chris Hayward The Chancellor’s Mansion House speech laid out a bold and detailed vision for the UK’s economy and financial services sector. The message is clear: Britain is not only primed for [...]
Get rid of ‘mongrels and wasters’ by paying government advisors more November 15, 2024 Sue Gray’s salary as chief of staff attracted controversy for all the wrong reasons: it was too low, not too high. Across government, we should be prepared to pay serious money for serious talent, says Patrick King Staffing appointments by the new government have led to cries of cronyism, with hand-wringing about civil service politicisation. [...]
Sports teams can make better use of Apprenticeship Levy, ex-Quins CEO says October 9, 2024 A former Premiership Rugby chief executive has called on the government to cut red tape and back sports clubs to use the existing Apprenticeship Levy to fuel upskilling opportunities for athletes and local communities. David Ellis, who served as CEO of Harlequins for eight years until 2019, insists the compulsory tax could be better used [...]
Finance rocks in Rio: The rise of Open Banking in Latin America September 12, 2024 | Sponsored One of the UK’s hallmarks in global exports is its expertise and pioneering role in the Open Finance sector. Across the Atlantic, Latin America — a long-standing trade partner — has recently become a fertile ground for Open Finance, with new regulations advancing across at least five key countries: Brazil, Mexico, Colombia, Chile, and Argentina. [...]
Government approval paves way for new Thames Water ‘mega-reservoir’ in South Oxford September 4, 2024 The government has endorsed Thames Water’s plans to manage water supply for the next 50 years, paving the way for a controversial new £1.5bn ‘mega-reservoir’ in South Oxford. Steve Reed, the environment minister, has approved the embattled water firm’s proposal—called its Water Resource Management Plans—in which the firm maps out its strategy to secure the [...]
‘Strike the right balance’: Rachel Reeves doesn’t rule out capital gains tax hike August 6, 2024 Rachel Reeves has refused to rule out a hike to capital gains tax, insisting it was vital to “strike the right balance” when it came to fiscal policy.