Opinion-in-brief: Talking down to London won’t level up the country October 8, 2021 Boris Johnson’s conference speech may have been in his signature comedic style but many in London’s business community are concerned for their future today. A cumulative crisis in business conditions is threatening our recovery. The capital has seen a distressing number of corporate casualties and is now facing supply chains issues, labour shortages and inflation. [...]
Ollie Phillips: Quins are tough to beat when they’re on a roll October 8, 2021 Harlequins and Bristol love playing expansive, broken-field rugby but I think the Bears will continue their rocky start when the teams meet tonight. Last year’s Premiership semi-final between the two sides was the best game of the season, and definitely the best comeback I’ve seen in my life. Quins and Bristol specialised in chucking the [...]
Sturgeon’s dismal domestic record has derailed the SNP’s train of separatism October 8, 2021 Nicola Sturgeon believes in destiny. In an interview with the Financial Times published yesterday, the First Minister claimed that another referendum on Scottish independence is inevitable because of the demographics of independence. “I’ve got democracy on my side”, she argued, “if they think it’s about playing a waiting game, I’ve probably got time on my [...]
Drink up, America. Whisky tariffs should be ditched for good in a cross-Atlantic pact October 8, 2021 Scotch whisky distillers were the belle of the ball earlier this year, when the UK and US announced they would suspend tariffs on distilled spirits imported to each respective country by the other. Then Trade Secretary Liz Truss said the announcement was “fantastic news for major employers like Scotch whisky.” The suspension is temporary. And [...]
Editorial: If tax cuts worked in a crisis, why not after it, too? October 8, 2021 AS A RULE, when one tries something, and it works, one continues it. Having finally mastered penicillin, Alexander Fleming did not go back to the drawing board. Nor, having invented the telephone, did Alexander Graham Bell eschew his new contraption in favour of the carrier pigeon. Past success is worth repeating is a maxim worth [...]
Visas for shortage woes are a sticking plaster sowing division between industries October 8, 2021 As thousands of temporary visas to plug shortages across the UK are released in the run up to and beyond Christmas, the uncertainty from affected industries has not abated: Are there enough visas? Do they help sectors in need? And will they address region-specific challenges? In the backdrop, there are yet more shortages. The latest [...]
Letters: UK Hospitality says VATsEnough October 8, 2021 [Re: Boris Johnson expected to reveal ‘national living wage’ hike, Wednesday]Hospitality businesses are being battered by a perfect storm of labour shortages, disruption to supply and escalating food and utility costs. Margins are being squeezed as they try to rebuild. Contrary to some perceptions, wages in hospitality have increased steadily, by approximately 20 per cent [...]
Opinion-in-brief: London investors need to broaden their horizons October 7, 2021 Britain has a world reputation for innovation and industry, founded on capabilities and expertise across its regions. London is the political and financial centre of the country, but whether it’s media in Manchester, or motorsport in the Midlands, the regions host many world-leading businesses. Venture capital has a key role to play in realising opportunities [...]
Boris Johnson is gambling on the war-on-woke to keep rioting Tories at bay over taxes October 7, 2021 Boris Johnson is a man not used to picking up the tab. During his tenure at the Spectator, he infamously never repaid the interns who bought him coffees and in Downing Street he has tried to palm off the bill for everything from his curtains to Daylesford Organic ready meals. Before the pandemic, while crucial [...]
Universities have sown their own demise with blended learning and short courses October 7, 2021 The start of autumn has seen the start of the university term for students since time immemorial. This time round of course, the ritual of hauling luggage round the country to the halls of residence has not quite been on the same scale as usual. Some universities, including members of the prestigious Russell Group, are [...]