The cost of living crisis isn’t over – but Ed Miliband still won’t solve it April 21, 2014 PAY GROWTH at 1.7 per cent, inflation at 1.6 per cent on the consumer price index (CPI), real wages increasing. One commentator stated this was the coalition’s “mission accomplished” moment. People are starting to get better off after years of falling real wages, so the argument goes. Surely this is proof that the government’s “long-term [...]
Westminster goes to war on sugary drinks tax as Tory-linked think tanks take opposing views on new levy February 10, 2016 Policy experts with strong ties to the Conservative party are at odds over proposals for a new sugary drinks tax, with one influential think tank saying today that the new levy should be introduced as part of a series of measures to curb rising levels of obesity. In a new report out today, Policy Exchange [...]
Memo from business to politicians: Don’t let the EU referendum paralyse real governing February 24, 2016 So now it’s official. Britain’s politicians and opinion-formers will spend the next four months in hyper-drive, as they seek to convince the public of the case to leave or remain in the European Union. Many Westminster-watchers have already cleared the decks, reasoning that little else will get done while megaphone diplomacy, claims, and counter-claims dominate the [...]
FTSE 100 index closes in a bear market as the price of oil falls further January 20, 2016 The FTSE 100 index officially fell into a bear market on Wednesday as the price of oil continued to slide. The UK's blue-chip index fell 3.46 per cent to 5,673 points, falling over 20 per cent from the high it reached in April 2015. "Few stocks were spared today as European equity markets plunged sharply today with the FTSE 100 [...]
London house prices are costing the capital’s economy £1bn each year – CEBR October 12, 2015 Soaring house prices and rocketing rents are costing London’s economy over £1bn each year, according to a new report out today. The study – published by a new campaign to increase London’s housing supply called “Fifty Thousand Homes” – says employers across multiple sectors are facing more competition and staff retention problems as a result [...]
London property prices: Business bears the cost of the government’s housing failures October 20, 2015 London's housing crisis is a human tragedy. The London Poverty Profile, released today, shows that housing costs are the major driver of a big increase in the number of Londoners who are in work but still living in poverty. But the housing crisis is also an economic tragedy. It is damaging the competitiveness of businesses, [...]
Prime Minister David Cameron says he will not rule out imposing a new tax on sugary drinks January 7, 2016 Prime Minister David Cameron has left the door open to putting a new tax on sugary drinks, telling reporters this afternoon that he would not be "in the business of ruling things out" when it comes to tackling obesity. At a press conference in Hungary, Cameron said that while he would like to avoid imposing any [...]
It’s time for radical solutions to address London’s housing crisis December 17, 2015 As MP since 2001 for the most central London constituency, I cannot recall a time when housing issues have not dominated my postbag. No surprise, perhaps, when UK buyers compete for a limited supply of homes with a global citizenry seeking its own slice of prime London. But I have also witnessed how the polarisation [...]
Crowdfunder Indiegogo launches Generosity a new platform for charities to fundraise October 21, 2015 The world's largest online funding platform Indiegogo will today launch a new crowd-funding platform for charities and non-profit organisations. Generosity will replace Indiegogo Life, allowing non-profit organisations to raise money along with individuals looking for donations for personal causes, and charities. The platform will be free for users, except for transaction fees, so all the [...]
Indiegogo to help charity funding October 20, 2015 THE WORLD’S largest online funding platform Indiegogo will today launch a new crowdfunding platform for charities and non-profit organisations. Generosity will replace Indiegogo Life, allowing non-profit organisations to raise money along with individuals looking for donations for personal causes, and charities. The platform will be free for users, except for transaction fees, so all the [...]