Brussels is calling the shots over banker payouts January 9, 2011 MUCH of the rhetoric surrounding bankers’ bonuses is just that: rhetoric. David Cameron yesterday said that he didn’t want to micromanage British banks, a sentiment that should be welcomed, but the truth is that politicians in Brussels – not Britain – really call the shots when it comes to variable remuneration. For the Committee of European [...]
Here come the Oscar contenders January 6, 2011 Film THE KING’S SPEECH Cert: 12A RECENTLY missed out on the Best Actor gong? Check. Playing a monarch? You bet. With a disability? Hell yes. Colin Firth’s turn as tongue-tied stammerer George VI ticks so many Oscar boxes that it’s barely worth other contenders turning up at next month’s ceremony, whether he or the film [...]
Solicitors have to become businesslike January 4, 2011 CROWE CLARK WHITEHILL There is a sense of pessimism about the future of the legal profession. The downturn has hit the law hard, with many City firms making redundancies, and it has triggered much debate about the future of such fundamental things as the partnership model and the fees structure. Add the fact that the [...]
Solicitors have to become businesslike January 4, 2011 CROWE CLARK WHITEHILL There is a sense of pessimism about the future of the legal profession. The downturn has hit the law hard, with many City firms making redundancies, and it has triggered much debate about the future of such fundamental things as the partnership model and the fees structure. Add the fact that the [...]
Coalition’s VAT hike slammed by all sides January 3, 2011 CHANCELLOR George Osborne was caught in the political crossfire as the UK braced itself for today’s rise in VAT to 20 per cent. The tax hike will cost families £400 a year and risk up to 250,000 jobs, Labour leader Ed Miliband claimed while on the by-election campaign trail in Oldham yesterday. Osborne accused the [...]
The case of the invincible business secretary December 21, 2010 WHEN Vince Cable told undercover reporters his departure from government would bring down the coalition, most Westminster insiders thought the famously grumpy business secretary was indulging in a little hyperbole. Few, if any, thought the audacious claim would be tested just a few hours later. In the event, the Prime Minister agreed with his business [...]
Boxing Day travel chaos December 13, 2010 LONDON could grind to a halt on one of the busiest shopping days of the year after Tube drivers agreed to yet another strike if they are not paid an extra £50 for working on Boxing Day. Members of Tube drivers’ union Aslef voted 1,025 to 127 in favour of the 24 hour action. London [...]
Boxing Day travel chaos December 13, 2010 LONDON could grind to a halt on one of the busiest shopping days of the year after Tube drivers agreed to yet another strike if they are not paid an extra £50 for working on Boxing Day. Members of Tube drivers’ union Aslef voted 1,025 to 127 in favour of the 24 hour action. London [...]
TRAIN STRIKE LOOMS IN SOUTH-EAST December 7, 2010 A RAIL strike on trains run by Go-Ahead Group’s Southeastern franchise is looming after leaders of the Rail, Maritime & Transport union announced plans to ballot members over alleged proposals to axe jobs and reduce the role of rail team leaders at Charing Cross and Victoria stations. RMT boss Bob Crow said Southeastern was about to [...]
England should draw more positives than an ordinary looking Australia November 29, 2010 OUR cricket columnist, former England batsman and Warwickshire chairman Andy Lloyd, has been poring over all the Ashes action. Here he dissects what he’s learned from the play so far. ENGLAND HAVE PSYCHOLOGICAL EDGE It may only have been a draw but it’s England who take all the positives away from Brisbane. Other than the efforts of Brad [...]