Cameron’s risky EU stance yet to convince voters June 30, 2014 VOTERS do not believe that renegotiation of the UK’s relationship with Europe is possible, leading many to doubt David Cameron’s pledge of an in/out referendum in 2017, according to new research. The damning verdict on Cameron’s ability to fight for UK interests in the EU was dealt a further blow when key business group the [...]
Why genuine competition in education will pay a serious growth dividend July 2, 2014 POLITICIANS are obsessive about education, and for good reason. It offers the potential for personal flourishing and faster economic growth, all at the same time. Education secretary Michael Gove has even claimed that “the single most effective way to generate economic growth is [to] invest in human and intellectual capital – to build a better [...]
Michael Gove’s illiteracy crusade will have huge benefits for our economy August 5, 2013 NEARLY half of all businesses are forced to provide literacy classes because many recruits can’t write a coherent memo. Even graduates from our best universities, according to anecdotal evidence from employers, have difficulty expressing themselves in comprehensible written sentences — hence so much dreadful bureaucratese. Meanwhile, a large proportion of universities are offering remedial courses [...]
Teachers unions go head to head with Gove as strike set for 26 March February 7, 2014 Teachers in England and Wales are set to strike on 26 March in a dispute over pay, pensions and conditions. Teachers' unions are indignant at the introduction of performance-related pay and a more restrained pension package. Members of the National Union of Teachers (NUT) have accused the education secretary, Michael Gove, of "persistently refusing" to [...]
Gove proves he’s no old-timer with love for Mr B, Gentleman Rhymer March 24, 2014 MICHAEL Gove proved yesterday that he’s not only elbow deep in education policy, he’s also down with the kids…kind of. The education secretary revealed he is a big fan of rap artist Mr B The Gentleman Rhymer, admitting he’s “strangely addicted” to his work – an intriguing permutation of rap called Chap Hop (it involves [...]
European election: stakes are high as polls tighten May 19, 2014 It’s not just Ukip leader Nigel Farage’s reputation at stake when the nation goes to the ballot box this week WHEN the nation goes to the polls this Thursday to vote in the European elections, it won’t just be Nigel Farage nervously awaiting the result. The Ukip leader is hoping his party can snatch victory [...]
Maria Miller: One down. More to go? April 9, 2014 The resignation of Maria Miller has come at last, and timing is everything. Those in Downing Street must have thought that facing a barrage from the opposition at Prime Minister's Questions today was too much to face. Some will try to frame the former Culture secretary as a victim of public outrages over trifling sums [...]
The nominations roll in as we launch our awards June 29, 2014 It’s that time of year again – City A.M. is today launching its fifth annual awards, one of the most hotly anticipated occasions in the City calendar. The event, which celebrates those who have helped put the City of London at the centre of the world’s financial markets, will take place on 13 November at [...]
Carphone and Dixons dial up £3.8bn merger May 15, 2014 DIXONS Retail and Carphone Warehouse shares slid into the red yesterday after the high street giants’ plans for a £3.8bn merger was given a mixed reception. The new group, which will be named Dixons Carphone, aims to exploit the ever-growing presence of smartphones in people’s lives and the so-called internet of things – where household [...]
How open innovation will transform the humble quid March 20, 2014 FAREWELL to the pound coin’s familiar golden nugget design. Here comes the dough-decagon in its stead. The new 12-sided quid, modelled after the old threepenny bit, got plenty of attention this week. But the most interesting part of the design is what was left out. The flipside of the coin will be opened to a [...]