Warning: The conveyor belt of global growth is grinding ever more slowly October 15, 2019 Where has all the growth gone? It’s the biggest economic question that we face – not just in Britain, but throughout the world. Ignore the stresses and uncertainties caused by Brexit, or Donald Trump’s trade war, or whatever the latest problem of the day is. The bigger picture is that the world just isn’t growing [...]
How useful are passwords for keeping our data secure? August 19, 2019 Every year, new research and new articles appear telling us that the most popular passwords are still things like “password1” and “qwerty123”. This “big” reveal is then followed up by a lecture on the importance of protecting yourself online. But we’ve been using passwords as digital identification tools for as long as we’ve had technology, [...]
Why Boris Johnson could be the man to unlock the potential of the Northern Powerhouse August 9, 2019 If I asked you to think of a politician who could rebalance the economy and reinvigorate the north, Boris Johnson probably isn’t the first who springs to mind. With his Eton schooling and eight-year tenure as mayor of London, Boris is very much the stereotypical southern Englishman. You’re much more likely to conjure up Andy [...]
United Utilities profits rise as it worries over ‘uncertainty’ of Corbyn’s nationalisation May 23, 2019 United Utilities said the prospect of nationalisation was causing uncertainty in the water sector as it pushed its work to help customers this morning. The figures Revenue at the listed water company grew 4.8 per cent to £1.8bn in the year ending March, the firm revealed today. Read more: Severn Trent chairman to step down [...]
The Novelty of the Coronavirus: What it means for Markets March 18, 2020 Does market history offer any parallels to today’s novel coronavirus crisis? Market action in recent weeks has been reminiscent of the global financial crisis (GFC) of 2007–2009, the crash of 1987, and, for those with a long memory, the crash of 1929, which wouldn’t have been so disastrous if it had not been followed by [...]
How e-scooters, self-driving cars, and flying taxis will shape the future of your commute February 10, 2020 An air of tranquility hangs about Stratford’s electric scooter riders. Their bodies are still, poised, as they glide by on this crisp February morning. I try to copy them and end up skidding along, struggling to figure out how to position my feet — but after a couple of wobbles I’m gliding too. As I [...]
The David Brown Mini Remastered is a small car with a big price tag August 6, 2019 My first car was a Mini. If you’re fast-approaching middle age, yours probably was too. I bought my (t)rusty 1983 Mini City for £325, sprayed go-faster stripes on the bonnet and shoehorned a subwoofer into the boot. After passing my test, I enjoyed one day of glorious freedom, then crashed it in Croydon. Result: a [...]
Trump’s 2020 re-election bid: Four key takeaways June 19, 2019 The Donald has formally kicked off his 2020 campaign. Speaking before thousands of supporters in the key battleground state of Florida last night, the businessman-turned-politician launched his bid to be re-elected to the White House, officially kicking off what is set to be another heated presidential race. In a speech lasting almost 80 minutes, Donald [...]
Property of the Week: This Shoreditch penthouse has south-facing City views and is next door to some serious barbecue March 22, 2019 The City of London isn’t known for being a residential hotspot, so you’re most likely to find the penthouse of your dreams on the fringes. Avant-Garde Tower, Shoreditch, £2.4m This three bedroom apartment, however, is so close to the Square Mile – yet with a cooler-than-thou E1 postcode – that you can walk to Liverpool [...]
Trading places: A tour around the new £1bn Goldman Sachs London HQ October 7, 2019 For Goldman Sachs bankers used to living life in the fast lane, the slow lifts at their recently-opened London HQ are a new source of frustration. “Don’t get me wrong, the place is great, but it takes two minutes just to go up a few floors,” grumbles one employee. Read more: Why Transferwise denied a [...]