The Tories can’t rely on directionless Ed Miliband to gift them 2015 victory August 19, 2013 SOME Conservative MPs are in an optimistic, even euphoric, mood. The economy is recovering as is, crucially, public confidence in the government’s stewardship of it. At the same time, Ed Miliband’s leadership of the Labour Party is characterised by drift and looks directionless. Labour grandees are turning on their leader and even seemingly loyal shadow [...]
The economy may be looking up but the public finances are far from fixed August 19, 2013 ECONOMIC indicators seem to be improving. Yes, there are concerns that the growth we are seeing is “the wrong type of growth”, fuelled in part by government attempts to re-inflate the housing market. But if businesses and consumers believe better times are ahead, the hope is that renewed confidence will foster more investment, thus facilitating [...]
Only serious reform can halt the increasing cost of childcare in Britain August 19, 2013 YESTERDAY saw the release of a report by the Child Poverty Action Group (CPAG) showing what many already expected. In recent years, child-related expenses have risen considerably, with the cost of childcare a major driver. Accumulated over 18 years, raising a child in a couple household now costs about £150,000. This study is a valuable [...]
Letters to the editor – HS2’s growing bill, Best of Twitter – 20/08 August 19, 2013 HS2’s growing bill [Re: HS2 rubbishes claim that costs could hit £80bn, Monday] The conclusion that the decision to proceed with High Speed 2 risks imposing significant additional costs on taxpayers is not, as HS2 Ltd claims, based on ideology. Our HS2 report provides hard evidence that the project is being shaped by interest group [...]
There’s no reason to fear local shale development in South East England August 18, 2013 ALTHOUGH the national case for shale has been put strongly, for many people in the South East the arguments in favour of local shale developments have not been made with enough clarity. They are, however, relatively straightforward. First, they will benefit the local economy, and second, they won’t be nearly as disruptive as is often [...]
City Matters: Tough decisions on infrastructure must not be delayed for future generations August 18, 2013 THE DUST has barely settled on the London Anniversary Games and work has already begun to convert the iconic Olympic Stadium for future use. Some may feel a sense of regret that a stadium home to so many glorious memories last summer will never be seen again in its current form. But it is only [...]
Shareholder Spring did not go away but activist investors are evolving August 18, 2013 PROXY season is more or less over, and boards are bulging with new members or otherwise breathing a sigh of relief. Last year’s Shareholder Spring saw activism make a big impression on British investors, but this year many assume the surge has receded. Beyond headline-grabbing revolts over director pay, however, activist investors are still playing [...]
Letters to the Editor – 19/08 – Arts versus science, Best of Twitter August 18, 2013 Arts versus science [Re: Why you can bank on the humanities to launch a City career, Friday] I have mixed feelings about this editorial. I agree that banking employees should have a well-rounded education. And coming as I do from a quantitative background, I admire those who have been trained in the art of “peaceful [...]
Britain’s education revolution is now bearing fruit but still has further to go August 15, 2013 TEENAGERS across the country will today be suffering from a day of celebrations, following the release of A-level results yesterday. This time every year TV screens and newspapers are plastered with the joyful faces of students who have finally found out how they did, and whether they’ve got the place at university they were after. [...]
Corporate Tube sponsorship could take the pressure off overburdened commuters August 15, 2013 THIS week’s inflation figures all but confirm that Londoners will face a rise in Tube and bus fares of over 4 per cent in January. This may look small compared to projected increases of up to 9 per cent on some of the busiest rail routes into London, but it is still regrettable. It doesn’t [...]