It’s not just the euro: Southern Europe is facing a major structural economic crisis November 24, 2015 Major shocks to social and economic systems ruthlessly expose weaknesses which can be contained in more normal times. When the price of oil quadrupled in 1973-74, the different levels of resilience in the labour markets of Western Europe were quickly revealed. Inflation initially rose sharply everywhere. By 1976, it had fallen to 4 per cent [...]
Autumn Statement 2015: HMRC corporate tax overreach risks Britain’s business-friendly reputation unless George Osborne acts November 24, 2015 Five years may not be very long in many contexts, but in that time the tax world has changed significantly. The coalition’s Corporate Tax Roadmap, published in November 2010, declared that it wanted to create “the most competitive corporate tax regime in the G20”. In doing so, it highlighted four key ways in which the [...]
Autumn Statement 2015: Chancellor George Osborne should beware – the UK is not out of the woods yet November 24, 2015 At the Autumn Statement today, George Osborne will have good reason to cheer his economic record. In a number of areas, the UK economy appears to be rebalancing towards a more sustainable course. GDP growth has remained robust, with output rising at the highest rate in the G7 last year. Unemployment continues to plummet [...]
As Russia and Turkey square up, is Britain underestimating the risks of getting more involved in Syria? November 24, 2015 Dr John C Hulsman, a life member of the Council on Foreign Relations, and president of John C. Hulsman Enterprises, says Yes Easily the two most dangerous words leading to foreign policy catastrophes are “do something”. This amounts to the vague – but powerful – feeling that immediate action is required to right wrongs, however [...]
Uber vs London Taxi Drivers’ Association: Sajid Javid knows the benefits of enterprise November 24, 2015 One should never assume that a Secretary of State for Business will be, by nature, pro-business. Fortunately, the current occupier of the role, Sajid Javid, most definitely is. He possesses an instinctive understanding of the benefits of enterprise, competition and innovation. This perspective is doubtless the product of having witnessed his immigrant father save enough money [...]
Why good governance is now a key investment differentiator November 23, 2015 In a recent Aberdeen Asset Management study conducted among 300 global financial decision-makers, governance was found to be an integral factor when selecting and analysing investments. Almost 90 per cent of respondents considered effective governance to be a critical driver of investment performance. That governance should lie at the heart of investment decision-making is [...]
Argentina can finally realise its potential following the election of its new “BoreCon” President Mauricio Macri November 23, 2015 Buenos Aires was stopped in its tracks at 11.59pm on Saturday night. Restaurants, bars and clubs emptied abruptly and would-be revellers poured onto the streets and made their way home. In a city which can lay claim to being a true 24-hour hub along with New York, Tokyo and, maybe someday, London, this is quite [...]
Spending Review 2015: With chancellor George Osborne likely to make sharp cuts to the police budget, does this risk damaging public safety? November 23, 2015 Peter Neyroud, affiliated lecturer and resident scholar at the Jerry Lee Centre for Experimental Criminology at Cambridge University’s Institute of Criminology, says Yes Increasing the counter-terrorism resources within the defence budget is clearly necessary. Anyone who has watched events in Paris, Brussels and Mali would see the sense in a strong capability to respond to [...]
Open letter to the chancellor: Don’t cut London transport November 23, 2015 This week’s Spending Review will require the chancellor to make difficult decisions. Cutting investment in transport in London would be a very false economy. With a population growing by 100,000 a year, continued investment is needed to keep not just Londoners but the Treasury’s tax take from the capital moving. Parts of the Underground need [...]
Morning Wire Awards 2015: Why this week’s event will get the City talking November 23, 2015 The wait is almost over. After all the build up, meetings, solicited and unsolicited input, the calculations, debate and analysis, one of the most important events of the political, financial and business calendar will be upon us. The City will be watching this traditional event on Wednesday, poring over the details in an effort to [...]