Angela Merkel is a symbol of everything wrong with a declining Europe November 22, 2015 I have never understood the very odd personality cult that has come to surround Angela Merkel. Uniquely among modern German Chancellors, I cannot think of a single major policy success to associate with her name. Konrad Adenauer decisively set Germany on a pro-Western path, reconciling with the French. Willy Brandt developed Ostpolitik, seeking to revive [...]
It’s time business started to play its vital role in Britain’s EU membership debate November 22, 2015 Britain’s EU membership referendum is a once in a generation choice for the UK. The result is going to define our relationship with our closest geographical neighbours for decades to come. It is a key issue for businesses, but they are avoiding the debate. This is dangerous. When the people of Britain make their choice [...]
Autumn Statement 2015: George Osborne must end the distortion caused by stamp duty hikes for high value residential property November 22, 2015 In recent years, there has been a perfect storm of changes to residential property taxation: from the introduction of the Annual Tax on Enveloped Dwellings to offshore Capital Gains Tax, from clampdowns on corporate vehicles buying property to the removal of buy-to-let relief. But one change in particular threatens to tip the market over [...]
With public borrowing in October at a six-year high, will deficit reduction be a three-parliament issue? November 22, 2015 Samuel Tombs, chief UK economist at Pantheon Macroeconomics, says Yes. The Office for Budget Responsibility (OBR) will revise up its borrowing forecasts in this week’s Autumn Statement, and the surplus predicted for 2019-20 probably will be reduced to just £5bn from £10bn. But even after these revisions, it is doubtful that borrowing will fall as [...]
Boards must be the voice of reason for young entrepreneurs like Tinder’s Sean Rad November 20, 2015 An interview given this week by Sean Rad, the founder and chief executive of dating site Tinder, was eyebrow-raising for several reasons. First was the description of a woman “begging” him for sex and an admission that he conducted rather ominous-sounding “background research” on a female journalist who was critical of Tinder. But more importantly, Rad [...]
Failure to properly measure public sector productivity is hindering real reform November 19, 2015 On Wednesday, the chancellor will announce how he will get better value for money from the £4 trillion the government will spend over the course of this Parliament. He will explain which budgets are to be protected and which to be cut. More importantly, it is hoped he will set out a clear message for [...]
Government risks jeopardising UK competitiveness if it is over-zealous in corporate tax reform November 19, 2015 At the Autumn Statement next week, we should get some indication of how the government intends to put into practice the biggest change to international taxation for almost a century. For the UK, this presents both a huge challenge and an opportunity. The stakes could hardly be higher because the proposed changes go to the [...]
With the HBOS report published, is banning directors the best way to deal with excessive risk-taking in banking? November 19, 2015 Oliver Parry, corporate governance adviser at the Institute of Directors, says Yes The HBOS report is a timely reminder that, when directors fail, companies fail. Banking regulation is tougher than it was, but leaner balance sheets and ring-fences won’t save us from the next crisis. Fish still rot from the head and banks will always [...]
The City needs to talk about mental health November 19, 2015 Mental health is one of the last great taboos in our society. While huge strides forward have been made when it comes to physical disability, sexuality, equality and diversity, it remains the case that too few people feel able to talk openly about their mental health. A lack of understanding, a perceived social stigma or [...]
It’s time investors got behind our world-beating creative industries November 18, 2015 Chinese President Xi Jinping’s state visit to the UK last month was largely overshadowed by concerns regarding his country’s impact on Britain’s steel industry. Even so, almost £40bn worth of trade and investment deals were announced during the visit, yet one significant part of the UK economy was overlooked in the commentary: the creative industries [...]