Britain’s creative industries are essential to the economy, but imagination must shape all our businesses December 22, 2021 Let’s start with the good news. The UK economy is set to grow by 6 per cent in 2022. Admittedly this forecast, set by the OBR, was before we knew about the Omicron variant. But we must remain optimistic that the economy can continue to bounce back from the shockwave of the virus. When we [...]
Tackling homelessness is the key to become a fairer society December 22, 2021 We are only as strong as our weakest link. In our society, this is homelessness – an issue that leaves a moral stain on our country. If we are serious about levelling up society, guaranteeing a safe home for everyone is the only place to start. The Big Birmingham Sleep Out is a fantastic event [...]
Sadiq Khan’s new congestion charge rules will undermine Transport for London December 21, 2021 Not long ago we were told that Londoners were going to have to pay £20 more in council tax a year for the next three years to bail out Transport for London. London’s transport system simply couldn’t function with the current budget it had, forcing the Mayor to take a seemingly painful decision to increase [...]
In the journey of learning to live with Covid-19, our businesses need support December 20, 2021 For many City shops, restaurants and pubs, the new work from home advice has cancelled Christmas. These are dark winter days for businesses who were expecting this period to be their busiest time. But the faster we all get jabbed, the quicker we can get back to the office. All eligible City workers need to [...]
Broken games: China is sport-washing its abuse with the Olympics December 20, 2021 Who doesn’t love the Olympics and Paralympics – the races, the stars, the sweat and tears, the achievements and disappointments. It’s human drama at its best. When Usain Bolt races, it feels like time stands still. When Hannah Cockroft – the wheelchair racing star known as “Hurricane Hannah” – zips around the track, it makes [...]
California dreamin’ of post-Brexit trade deal, with a local twist December 20, 2021 The political agenda over the last week or two has been rather full, so you could be forgiven for not having noticed that the minister for trade policy, Penny Mordaunt, has been on an epic tour of the United States, one of the longest ministerial visits in recent history. The Portsmouth North MP, who was [...]
Commons Snapshot: a story of Tory division in two tweets December 17, 2021 Divisions within the Conservative Party are a gaping hole at the moment. Yesterday, Tory MP and Parliamentary private secretary to Michael Gove Joy Morrissey, shared a tweet just a tad too aggressive. “This is not a public health socialist state” she wrote, trying to silence Chris Whitty, who had been urging people to limit social [...]
Staying safe during the Christmas period December 17, 2021 | Sponsored Despite the fact that this year will feel more normal than last, it’s important that we remember that Covid-19 hasn’t gone away; the emergence of a new variant of the virus, Omicron, has reminded us all of the risks. But with every passing day we know more about the virus – and the best way [...]
Elizabeth Holmes and the perils of the Silicon Valley culture of hubris December 17, 2021 First hubris, then nemesis. There are few stories more compelling. Icarus flies too close to the sun and falls to earth. Richard III, “determined to prove a villain” in Shakespeare’s telling, overthrows his brother, kills his nephews and dies on Bosworth Field. When Milton’s Satan rebels against God, even in failure he is unrepentant. No [...]
It’s time to put away the toy trains and thrash out a deal for Transport for London December 17, 2021 The pandemic has brought the country to a standstill more times than once this year. But the UK’s railways have continued to move people and goods across the country during these critical moments. The impact of Covid-19 has been felt acutely in London, where passenger numbers fall every time more restrictions are brought in. The [...]