Happy birthday, Baby Seven Billion – more human beings are good news for the planet October 27, 2011 A CHILD is born. Hurrah – a time for celebration. Babies usually bring out the optimist in people. “What a joy” we coo over a bundle of potential in swaddling – this could be the new Einstein, a modern Joan of Arc, a future Steve Jobs. However, there seems widespread reluctance to pop the champagne [...]
Jazz up your garden so you can get the most out of it for summer April 26, 2012 Agarden should be as important as any room in your house. Gardens are the space between you and the outside world, a private haven and public display, so they should reflect both guises while also providing you with an environment that delights and inspires, every day of the year. To make the most of your [...]
Rebuilding UK infrastructure as an engine for growth is a task for private companies November 30, 2011 IN TUESDAY’S Autumn Statement, the chancellor committed an additional £25bn in public spending on infrastructure over the next three years. The importance of this promise isn’t in the Keynesian speed of the payback in employment (in fact modern road and rail infrastructure has long lead-in times), but in the significant benefits of great infrastructure in [...]
Australian PM sets out her controversial carbon tax bill September 13, 2011 AUSTRALIAN Prime Minister Julia Gillard introduced her government’s controversial carbon tax plans to parliament yesterday, despite heated opposition from the country’s conservatives. The deeply divisive levy, due to be voted on next month, will force around 500 of Australia’s most polluting companies to pay A$23 (£15) for each tonne of carbon they emit from July [...]
Connecting with employees and the public through the Olympics’ power November 22, 2011 COUNTDOWN TO THE LONDON 2012 OLYMPIC GAMES 247 DAYS TO GO EDF’s Gareth Wynn explains the group’s commitment to the London 2012 games from the very start Q.What was your brand’s primary reason for being involved with the Games? A.EDF Energy was actually the first commercial sponsor of the bid, even predating Seb Coe, when [...]
Huhne: energy prices will fall September 20, 2011 A CRACKDOWN on energy companies will boost competition, secretary of state Chris Huhne claimed yesterday, promising that consumers will be “better off in 2020 thanks to our low carbon policies.” Huhne has recently dismissed rising energy prices by calling on Britons to shop around for better deals. “We are determined to get tough with the [...]
Government set to restart Urenco sale August 7, 2011 THE GOVERNMENT is thought to be preparing to sell its stake in Urenco, a uranium enrichment specialist, to help raise money for the Exchequer. Gordon Brown tried unsuccessfully to sell the government’s holding in Urenco in 2009 but the coalition is understood to be lining up advisers for a beauty parade ahead of an auction [...]
RAPID RESPONSES November 16, 2011 Ponzi pottiness The German government criticising the UK for not doing enough for the Eurozone really brings to mind a Ponzi scheme. Assume I don’t join a Ponzi scheme because I think it’s a Ponzi scheme but my colleague does in spite of my warnings. When the scheme goes wrong, if my colleague criticised me [...]
Why Budgets are bad news for the economy March 19, 2012 LIKE many economists I will be busy tomorrow covering George Osborne’s third Budget. For once, it seems like it could be quite radical. However, I won’t be poring over the fine print trying to distinguish between the populist gimmicks and the parts that will really matter. Instead, I will be arguing that Budgets are a [...]
FIT IN THE CITY March 19, 2012 FITNESS & DIET EXPERT The current climate is enough to make anyone ditch the gym for the pub but your body won’t thank you for it – there are better and healthier ways to avoid feeling the squeeze. Spin it out: Exercise isn’t called meditation in movement for nothing. Physical activity increases the production of [...]