CBI director general: government needs to spend more on research and development October 19, 2015 A leading business group wants the government to prioritise innovation and science funding in next month’s comprehensive spending review (CSR). The Confederation of British Industry (CBI) is today calling on the government to spend more than six times what it currently allocates to research and development (R&D), increasing provisions from 0.49 per cent of GDP [...]
Volkswagen may face a record-breaking £30bn lawsuit from shareholders over emissions scandal October 18, 2015 GERMAN car-maker Volkswagen could be set for more trouble, after it has emerged that one of the world’s biggest law-firms is planning to make a record-breaking multi-billion pound legal attack on the company. Law firm Quinn Emanuel, which has won almost €50bn (£32bn) for clients and represented major companies including Google and Fifa, has been [...]
Why public sector pensions need a radical overhaul October 14, 2015 A fortnight ago, I delivered a call to arms to the Government, detailing the need for immediate action to address the parlous state of UK public pensions. The estimated total shortfall is a staggering £1.7 trillion, across funded and unfunded public sector schemes. This exceeds UK GDP. On the basis of a 2012 ONS study, [...]
Why public sector pensions need a radical overhaul October 14, 2015 A fortnight ago, I delivered a call to arms to the Government, detailing the need for immediate action to address the parlous state of UK public pensions. The estimated total shortfall is a staggering £1.7 trillion, across funded and unfunded public sector schemes. This exceeds UK GDP. On the basis of a 2012 ONS study, [...]
Perfect storm for non-executive directors: Why the era of “jobs for the boys” is long gone October 12, 2015 The role of non-executive directors (NEDs) was long considered something of an easy ride. Before the crisis, it was commonplace for City professionals, often in the twilight of their careers, to sit on a number of Plc boards simultaneously, fulfilling their duties simply by attending a small number of board meetings and providing appropriately-timed nuggets [...]
Consumer Rights Act 2015 comes into force today, giving UK customers right to 30-day refund and new rights for digital purchases October 6, 2015 The 2015 Consumer Rights Act comes into force today bringing a raft of changes, from making it easier for shoppers to get a refund for a faulty app download, to paving the way for big US style class-actions. If a company is found to have breached competition law, by fixing prices, or abusing its dominant [...]
Conservative party conference 2015: Business secretary Sajid Javid says Trade Union Bill strike laws are for “working people” October 6, 2015 Business secretary Sajid Javid has defended the government’s Trade Union Bill in his speech to the Conservative party conference today, saying that the new law would protect “working people”. “For too long, trade unions have been able to bully working people by striking, even though only a small number of their members have voted for [...]
The best a dog can get: Your quick guide to pet insurance October 5, 2015 The average pet insurance claim is £679, and for dog owners it’s even higher at £683. But with only 20 per cent of pets insured, it’s clear insurance is not at the top of the priority list for most animal lovers. Even if an owner has savings which could cover a pet’s illness, insurance [...]
Professor to continue his fine Ascot record in valuable Challenge Cup October 1, 2015 The most high profile racing action this weekend is undoubtedly in Paris, but there are still some intriguing contests on these shores. Ascot’s Challenge Cup (3.45pm) is a hugely valuable affair with £112,000 going to the winner. The field size is limited to 18 to protect the ground for QIPCO British Champions Day [...]
Volkswagen emissions scandal: Is it worth buying VW crisis stocks following share price drop? – CNBC Comment September 29, 2015 Should you or should you not buy VW shares? As the news continued to come on the emissions scandal last week, many investors were selling their stakes, and the company’s stocks lost some 30 per cent on Monday and Tuesday. Shareholders were spooked by fears of a hefty fine of up to $18bn from the [...]