Starmer risks resurrecting Cameron’s failed China script November 19, 2024 The Prime Minister has been mingling with world leaders in Brazil, and while his government continues to face an array of domestic challenges (from tractor protests to debates on assisted dying) he has managed to pick up a hefty endorsement from one of the world’s most powerful people. “The new UK government is working to [...]
Five things Rachel Reeves should do if she’s serious about growth November 19, 2024 Rachel Reeves’ pensions reforms are welcome, but they are treating the symptoms, not the causes of low growth. Here’s what she should do next…. In her Mansion House speech last week, Rachel Reeves announced the consolidation of the 86 Local Government Pensions Schemes (LGPS) into eight ‘megafunds’, unlocking deep reserves of investment finance. This is [...]
Will Labour’s planning bill actually get Britain building again? November 19, 2024 The UK's planning system is in need of a radical overhaul. Will Labour's Planning and Infrastructure bill deliver? Sam Richards takes a look.
Should investors sell stocks at 52-week high? November 18, 2024 Natwest Group shares reached their 52-week (and 13-year) high earlier this month, closing near 390p per share on 4 November. The new peak was reached after leading broker Peel Hunt upgraded the bank’s price target from 410p to 450p. The share price has surged by more than 50 per cent since the UK government gave [...]
Beware of the big promises of AI – we’ve been here before November 18, 2024 AI hype is everywhere, but we've been here before. Ian Whittaker prescribes a healthy dose of scepticism in today's Notebook.
Will an algorithm generate the next big Christmas ad? November 18, 2024 Christmas is coming and algorithms are at work, pushing the boundaries of creativity to ensure the tills keep ringing. But can AI tools ever really craft an ad that resonates on a deep, human level? Asks Paul Armstrong The Christmas ads have arrived, including a fake – and viral – John Lewis one, flooding our [...]
Labour’s assault on the private sector will come back to haunt them November 18, 2024 The weekend’s papers groaned under the weight of business leaders’ concerns and complaints about the Labour’s government’s recent Budget and wider policy agenda. “They don’t understand business” ran an FT article, drawing on a host of quotes from alarmed chief executives. “Honeymoon’s over for business chiefs…” was the warning in a similar Sunday Times article. [...]
Let’s celebrate great British start-ups November 18, 2024 Global Entrepreneurship Week is a chance to sing the praises of our start-ups and strengthen the foundations for them to succeed, says Timothy Barnes Today is the start of Global Entrepreneurship Week, the world’s largest festival for entrepreneurs and startup supporters. In nearly 200 countries around the world, some 40,000 events are expected to welcome [...]
Reparations won’t fix climate change November 18, 2024 Wrong-headed demands that every single person in the rich world should pay $1000 a year in climate reparations will squeeze aid funding and do nothing to advance the green transition. The money would be better spent on R&D to drive down the cost of renewables, says Bjorn Lomborg The UN climate summit in Azerbaijan is [...]
COP29: A missed opportunity to take the heat out of global warming November 18, 2024 Those who shout the loudest about climate change tend to have a disproportionate influence, but we’ll never solve this challenge without being realistic and practical, says Eliot Wilson There was a time when climate change – ”global warming” was the argot when I was young – was accepted by politicians as a major challenge. Margaret [...]