Special relationship? Poll reveals Brits favour Trump state visit going ahead May 27, 2019 The prospect of Donald Trump visiting the UK next month has elicited shock, disapproval and protest among the general public in recent months. It even looks set to prompt the return of a giant inflatable baby-blimp version of the controversial reality star-cum-leader of the free world. Read more: Trump will not address MPs during June [...]
This epic proroguing gamble shows that Boris is not about to let dithering be his downfall August 29, 2019 Countless criticisms were levelled at Theresa May during her final months in power. She was accused of being stubborn, blinkered, deaf to the mood of the public, and innumerate when it came to considering the parliamentary maths. These are legitimate rebukes, but they were not her biggest failing. The fatal flaw in the tragedy that [...]
Labour pledges to cut working week to 32 hours September 23, 2019 Shadow chancellor John McDonnell has pledged to cut back the working week to 32 hours, with no loss of pay, “within the next decade” under a Labour government. In what would be a radical transformation of the UK’s labour market, increasing the role of the state in the workplace, McDonnell set out how a Labour [...]
Inside Amazon’s Black Friday operations hub: How the e-commerce giant prepares for its busiest day of the year November 29, 2019 Where could be a better place to witness the behind-the-scenes impact of Black Friday than at the heart of Amazon’s UK warehouse operations? Some of the credit – or perhaps, blame – for the annual shopping event’s popularity in Britain surely lies with the US e-commerce giant. The fulfilment centre – which is the size [...]
Rory walks on with a campaign to spice up the race for London mayor October 11, 2019 Watch out London, your favourite selfie-taking, tie-rejecting, accidental-opium-smoking, politician/rambler is coming to a Tube station near you. Yes, it’s Rory Stewart time once again. For those of us who were mesmerised by the former international development secretary’s short-lived sensation of a campaign to be Tory leader, now we get to enjoy the sequel, after Rory [...]
UK house prices fall in December on Brexit uncertainty as annual growth rate hits six-year low January 4, 2019 UK house prices fell by 0.7 per cent in December, as prices’ annual growth rate dropped to its lowest level in almost six years. Prices grew by just 0.5 per cent year on year, compared to 2.6 per cent growth in 2017, but fell compared to November. London recorded a 0.8 per cent decline in house [...]
Leading challenger banks in advanced talks about £1.6bn merger March 9, 2019 OneSavings Bank and Charter Court Financial Services Group are in advanced talks about a merger that would create a lender worth more than £1.6bn Discussions have been ongoing for a number of months between two of Britain's biggest challenger banks and an announcement could confirm a deal within the next fortnight, according to Sky News. Read [...]
Wimbledon 2019: Believe it or not, tennis is a sport in decline July 1, 2019 Wimbledon is once again nearly upon us. And despite the munificence of the championships and inspirational successes of Andy Murray, it is a staggering indictment that the long-term trend is a declining sport, turning over £1.5bn per annum. Read more: Wimbledon men’s tennis is still finding its titanic trio hard to replace In its latest [...]
Investing in property? Make sure you’re doing it properly July 12, 2019 Mark Twain once quipped: “Buy land, they’re not making it anymore.” For many investors, the finite nature of land translates into making property a safe, steady investment that diversifies a portfolio. As ever in life though, if only it were so simple as just buying the asset – whether that is a building, an aircraft [...]
Out of the prison cell, into the workplace June 25, 2019 Crime is a top tier political issue for members of the public, but it has barely featured in the race for Number 10 Downing Street. Beyond the popular but reactive refrain of putting more bobbies on the beat, Boris Johnson and Jeremy Hunt have so far failed to spell out how they would curb rising [...]