Why practice doesn’t make perfect: Rote learning has limited uses in the world of business September 9, 2015 From times tables to French verbs, we are told by our teachers that practice is the key to success. This old bromide was given scientific endorsement in 1993, when psychologist Anders Ericsson produced a study claiming that success owes more to toil than talent. But research by Princeton last year put paid to the [...]
Will ending onshore wind farm subsidies make a real difference to customers’ bills? June 18, 2015 Amber Rudd, energy and climate change secretary, says Yes If we’d allowed the existing subsidy arrangement to continue, we could have ended up with more projects than we can afford – which would have led to either higher bills, or other renewable technologies losing out on support. Our cap on renewable energy spending gives as [...]
The cost of dying: Four charts showing why we’re facing a “funeral time-bomb” April 21, 2015 We're living through a remarkable time in which "noflation" is making it increasingly cheap to live in the UK – and yet the cost of dying is soaring. The cost of a simple funeral has risen by 80 per cent in the six years to 2014, from £1,920 to £3,590, according to a new report, echoing [...]
Summer budget 2015: What to watch out for July 7, 2015 WHO: GEORGE OSBORNE WHEN: 12.30PM TODAY WHERE: HOUSE OF COMMONS WHAT WE ALREADY KNOW Extended Sunday shop hours The chancellor will unveil plans to devolve powers to mayors or councils to decide for themselves what the rule over trading hours should be in their areas, paving the way for shops and supermarkets to stay open later on [...]
The firmer your handshake the healthier your heart, new study finds May 14, 2015 There's nothing worse than being on the end of a damp squib of a handshake – whether it's sweaty palms, a limp wrist or an overly long hand holding – but now, a weak handshake could even be a sign of early death. The firmness of your handshake has been linked to how healthy your [...]
Autumn Statement 2015: George Osborne’s speech transcript in full including stamp duty, business rates and corporation tax announcements November 25, 2015 Mr Speaker, this Spending Review delivers on the commitment we made to the British people that we would put security first. To protect our economic security, by taking the difficult decisions to live within our means and bring down our debt. To protect our national security, by defending our country’s interests abroad and keeping our [...]
WWDC 2015: Apple’s Worldwide Developers Conference showcases the tech we’ll all be using in the months ahead June 10, 2015 APPLE PAY The rollout of Apple Pay marks a new era for contactless payment and it’s going to be here as soon as July. After a successful trial in the US, Apple has teamed up with most major British banks so all you need to do is register your credit or debit card on [...]
Why Russia’s new data law targeting Google, Facebook and Twitter will cost its economy billions June 18, 2015 A new law being introduced in Russia which will force many of the world’s largest tech companies to hold the personal data of Russian citizens within the country's borders, will cost the Russian economy billions of dollars and damage its standing on the world stage. The data privacy law, which will come into force in [...]
London mayoral hopeful Andrew Boff’s radical plan for housing and transport August 16, 2015 London Assembly member Andrew Boff may be trailing in the polls behind his fellow Tory mayoral hopefuls. However, sitting down with City A.M. last week in his office in City Hall, the leader of the Greater London Authority Conservatives said he is confident he can win the open primary to be Tory candidate. “Of course [...]
Most consumers aren’t feeling the benefits of Osborne’s recovery March 19, 2015 George Osborne used yesterday's Budget to trumpet the government's economic record. With a dramatic fall in unemployment, respectable economic growth and low inflation, the Conservatives believe they have strong record to run on. Osborne labelled Britain the "comeback country" and said the government had brought the UK back from the brink. But how many consumers [...]