Enterprise Bill promises to cut tribunal costs May 23, 2012 BUSINESS secretary Vince Cable yesterday unveiled the government’s Enterprise and Regulatory Reform bill and claimed that it will “make Britain one of the most enterprise-friendly countries in the world”. Measures in the bill, announced as part of this month’s Queen’s Speech, include changes to the employment tribunal system, introducing a new Competition and Markets Authority and giving [...]
Dutch coalition could fall amid budget fight April 22, 2012 THE DUTCH government could fall today after the ruling coalition failed to come to an agreement on the budget over the weekend. Prime Minister Mark Rutte said that crucial talks on budget cuts had collapsed after his ally Geert Wilders refused to do a deal, and that new elections were inevitable. In the short term, [...]
A workspace is not a workplace: A mobility strategy is crucial June 27, 2012 DIRECTOR UK ENTERPRISE, CISCO Q What are the key drivers behind a mobility strategy? A The workspace is no longer a workplace. Successful businesses are reducing their dependence on expensive office property and enabling a mobile workforce to be productive wherever they are most effective. A business is only as good as its people. Retaining [...]
Central bankers fear lost chance to rescue euro May 21, 2012 CENTRAL bankers from across Europe banded together yesterday to urge Eurozone governments to seize the opportunity given by the ECB to reform their economies, while they still have the chance. European Central Bank (ECB) board member Joerg Asmussen said that growth is vital to ending the sovereign debt crisis, but that economic reforms, rather than [...]
Britain and France back Eurobonds May 20, 2012 THE UK and France have joined forces to demand that Germany underwrites Greece’s crippling debts by issuing so-called eurobonds. Eurobonds would pool sovereign debt issuance among all of the euro’s 17 member states, allowing weaker countries such as Greece to lean on the triple-A ratings of Germany and others. German Chancellor Angela Merkel has long [...]
China loosens credit rules to bolster flagging growth rates May 14, 2012 CHINESE authorities have cut the amount of money the country’s banks have to hold, in the hope of stimulating the economy and bolstering growth. The 50 basis point cut leaves the reserve ratio requirement at 20 per cent, effective from 18 May, allowing banks to boost lending by around 400-500bn yuan (£39.4bn to £49.2bn). Interest [...]
World Bank cuts its China growth figures May 23, 2012 THE WORLD Bank yesterday cut its growth forecasts for China this year as it called on the country to rely on easier fiscal policy to boost consumption rather than state investment. The bank now expects the country’s economy to expand 8.2 per cent in 2012, down from an earlier forecast of 8.4 per cent and [...]
Cookson and 888 braced for investor revolt May 13, 2012 A FRESH WAVE of upheaval against excessive executive pay is set to sweep boardrooms this week as industrial group Cookson and online gambling giant 888 Holdings brace themselves for substantial shareholder revolts. Both firms are likely to be hit with a significant vote against their remuneration reports at their annual general meetings this week, despite [...]
RAPID RESPONSES May 10, 2012 Fair regulation [Re: Is the Queen’s speech likely to reassure business?, yesterday] The Speech is a clear sign to business that the government supports fair and strong regulation. Many employers want to reduce the burden of unnecessary employment tribunal litigation and the Enterprise and Regulatory Reform Bill is a step in that direction. However not [...]
House prices fall again in April as recession crushes consumers May 3, 2012 HOUSE prices fell again in April, Nationwide revealed yesterday, as economists warned the new recession will keep the market very weak. Prices fell 0.2 per cent last month to an average of £164,134, following a one per cent fall in March. That brings prices down 0.9 per cent on the year, in part because the [...]