Osborne’s dreams of new affordable housing could crumble if the construction sector cannot recruit at least a million more workers November 26, 2015 The construction industry will need to recruit at least a million more workers over the next five years if George Osborne’s hopes of new homes are to be realised. According to specialist recruiter Randstad CPE, the UK housebuilding sector needs a workforce of nearly 2m to keep up with housing demands. Owen Goodhead, managing director [...]
Sir Alex Ferguson backs Jose Mourinho to solve Chelsea crisis if struggling champions give him more time December 7, 2015 Former Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson has backed his former rival Jose Mourinho to steer Chelsea out of the crisis currently gripping their season. Mourinho is clinging to his job just six months after returning the Premier League title to Stamford Bridge and faces Porto on Wednesday in a match he dare not lose. [...]
Astronaut Chris Hadfield says Moon settlement is 15 years away and Mars colonisation is possible November 11, 2015 Moon settlement will be a reality in 15 years, according to astronaut Chris Hadfield, who also said colonisation of Mars is possible. “We are on the cusp of rewriting space travel all by visualising perfection and deciding what the next thing is we need to do to make it happen,” he said in a speech [...]
Rory McIlroy’s Race To Dubai triumph reminds us why he’s the best of golf’s golden age November 23, 2015 Another title never feels that far away with Rory McIlroy but it felt like he sort of needed his latest win, at the DP World Tour Championship in Dubai on Sunday. Opting out of the BMW Masters in Shanghai the previous week put a little extra pressure on him in the Race To Dubai, and [...]
Marriott International to buy Starwood Hotels and Resorts for $12.2bn November 16, 2015 Marriott International said today it had agreed to buy Starwood Hotels & Resorts in a $12.2bn (£8bn) cash and shares deal, creating the world's largest hotel company. In a statement today, the company said the combined company – which will include the Sheraton, W Hotels and Ritz-Carlton brands, will have more than 5,500 hotels, with more than [...]
We’ve reached peak Christmas jumper: How to predict 2016’s must-have fashion December 15, 2015 What would you buy Jeremy Corbyn for Christmas? Printable answers only, please. But somehow a Christmas jumper seems appropriate. First, it would match the 1980s-style shell suit he wore the other day. Second, he might like one featuring a portrait of Stalin and the slogan “Teacher, Leader, Friend”, a phrase in widespread use in the [...]
The curse of corporate spin: Firms need a radical rethink November 27, 2015 Volkwagen's car emissions scandal sent out shockwaves earlier this year. Thousands of individuals who work for VW, their families and their community were angered and dismayed. Millions of customers felt cheated. How Volkswagen decided to handle this drama – in particular, which information, and how much of it, to share – has been, and will [...]
Prime Minister’s Questions: Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn hammers David Cameron on tax credits again November 4, 2015 In this week's episode of Prime Minister's Questions, Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn grilled Prime Minister David Cameron on tax credit changes again. Read more: David Cameron's first PMQs in full Tory goverment: The bunfight returns Corbyn said he had asked Cameron the same question six times last week and the Prime Minister failed to give him [...]
Next Chelsea manager candidates: Who could replace Jose Mourinho? Antonio Conte, Juande Ramos, Diego Simeone, Pep Guardiola and other candidates December 17, 2015 Roman Abramovich is searching for a new Chelsea manager after sacking Jose Mourinho following a disastrous start to the Premier League season. It is the 11th managerial change of the Abramovich era at Stamford Bridge and brings Mourinho's second spell in charge to an end after less than three seasons. Read more: Defeat to Foxes cranks [...]
Ex-StanChart chief executive Peter Sands in talks to advise the UK government September 10, 2015 The former chief executive of Standard Chartered is reportedly in talks to become an informal, unpaid government adviser. Peter Sands, who left the bank in June, will help the government navigate changes in the UK labour market according to the Financial Times. However Sands won't have a direct role in financial regulation, and a formal [...]