The Green Deal cost taxpayers £17,000 per household April 14, 2016 The government's abandoned flagship energy-saving programme cost the taxpayer £17,000 per each home that was improved, a watchdog has said. The National Audit Office (NAO) said that "the Green Deal has not achieved value for money". The scheme cost the taxpayer £240m, including grants to stimulate demand, but has generated additional energy savings. "This is because [...]
In and Out backers must unite after this depressing campaign to build a fraternity for liberty June 24, 2016 When you read this column, the result of the referendum on Britain’s EU membership will be known. Whatever the outcome, we must leave behind the depressing campaigns and move on to a politics of optimism and hope. Whether we vote to stay or vote to leave, those who believe in free trade, openness and a [...]
Now London must “take back control”, says London mayor Sadiq Khan June 28, 2016 Following the UK's vote to leave the EU, Sadiq Khan has said that the capital needs to "take back control" to protect "jobs, wealth and prosperity". Speaking among business leaders to demand more autonomy for London, Khan said that further devolution would be to the benefit of the whole country. "As much as I might like the [...]
Businesses want the government to pay them to become more energy efficient April 29, 2016 Businesses want the government to pay them to make their premises energy efficient, according to the British Chambers of Commerce (BCC). In a new report, launched today, 36 per cent of businesses told the BCC the best thing that could be done to encourage them to spend on energy efficient technology and equipment would be to [...]
YouGov Poll: Twice as many people support buy-to-let tax hike than oppose it April 22, 2016 The recent hike in the stamp duty levy for buy-to-let landlords was met with fierce opposition from landlord groups when it came into force on 1 April. However, according to YouGov survey released today, more than twice the number of UK adults were in favour of the three per cent surcharge than those who opposed [...]
How government spending cuts can be a catalyst for radically better public services May 23, 2016 In the fallout over the recent Budget, government spending was once again in the spotlight. But while the row centred on benefits at a national level, it’s social care managed by local authorities that is currently entering a period of intense crisis. Faced with unprecedented cuts, local government chiefs now have to find a way to conjure [...]
Banning diesel cars is the wrong way to tackle pollution in London August 12, 2016 Everyone reading today’s copy of City A.M. wants clean air. But reducing pollution in our great city is a complex problem deserving of careful consideration and the adoption of a range of solutions. There is no magic bullet. Reducing emissions from all sources – whether planes, trains, cars or buses, or the polluting systems that [...]
Britain’s bright Brexit future: A trader’s perspective June 22, 2016 I have been working in the City since I left school at the age of 15 in 1968, so I think it’s fair to say I know a bit about finance. As the founder and chief executive of CMC Markets, an online trading company with a market cap of approximately £800m which entered the FTSE [...]
Steel’s last stand: Government plans to attract bidders for Tata Steel’s UK operations with financial aid April 21, 2016 The government has announced a last-ditch package of rescue measures in a bid to attract potential buyers for Tata Steel's UK operations, including the Port Talbot steelworks. The plans, which amount to a “part-nationalisation” of the troubled steel industry, would see taxpayers take a 25 per cent stake in any rescue of Tata Steel’s [...]
European Investment Bank to back Thames Tideway Tunnel with £700m loan, sparking EU row May 17, 2016 The European Investment Bank (EIB) has agreed to provide a £700m loan for London's "super sewer", the largest ever loan for water investment worldwide, sparking a new row in the EU debate. The 35-year-loan is directed toward the biggest infrastructure project ever undertaken by the UK water industry, and is aimed at tackling overflows of untreated sewage [...]