Boffins blast HS2 arguing Britain’s high speed rail offering could be five times more expensive than its French equivalent May 26, 2016 High Speed 2 (HS2) could be up to five times more expensive than its French equivalent according to a new academic study, reigniting rows over whether the £56bn railway plan is a “vanity project”. The academics, led by Professor Tony May from Leeds University and transport consultant Jonathan Tyler, said that France's TGV line from [...]
Turn that frown upside down: Seven reasons Brexit is a good news story July 20, 2016 Brexit is not going to be a bed of roses but I’m not entirely convinced by the doom-mongers. In my view, and that of many others, Brexit came just in time. Europe is going down – fast Since the result, I’ve spoken to a number of economists and City figures. A growing number believe a [...]
UK house prices: The government could tackle the country’s housing deficit – but it has a vested interest in choking supply April 19, 2016 We need more housing to be built in the UK. That’s a quite indisputable statement that everyone I speak to in the property industry, in the public sector, amongst charities and at the dinner table, agrees with. The population of Britain increases by around 500,000 people each year largely due to positive net immigration but because people are [...]
Roger Bootle of Capital Economics talks Brexit, macroeconomics and making a market for research September 12, 2016 Is there ever a tension between being one of Britain’s most influential economists, writer of multiple best-sellers and an opinionated column in the Telegraph, and a businessman, head of Europe’s largest independent macroeconomic consultancy? “There is sometimes,” says Roger Bootle, founder and executive chairman of Capital Economics. “We saw it with the Brexit debate. I was [...]
Here’s how Philip Hammond can reassure small businesses and investors alike August 4, 2016 Philip Hammond was quick to rule out a post-Brexit Budget after being installed as the new chancellor. Number 11’s latest resident, who will wait instead until the Autumn Statement, has also stated that he will support the City, and wider business, as the UK exits the EU. The challenge, Hammond has observed, is to send “signals [...]
The madness of chancellor George? The UK’s current account deficit is leading us into a debt trap April 6, 2016 In economics there are few unrelated events, so Britain’s whopping current account deficit (seven per cent of GDP) for the final months of 2015 is the latest wake-up call for bigger future problems. Deficits of this size warn of trade uncompetitiveness, but more worryingly the latest jump underscores the sharper on-going deterioration in overall UK private [...]
City Moves for 5 May 2016 | Who’s switching jobs May 5, 2016 ISS Global provider of facility services for public agencies and private sector companies ISS has named Richard Sykes to the ISS executive group management as regional chief executive western Europe. Effective no later than 1 October, Richard will continue to be based out of the UK in his new role. Currently CEO ISS UK & [...]
He’s won the popularity contest – now London’s new mayor Sadiq Khan must make some unpopular decisions May 9, 2016 Let's be honest, the world of politics has witnessed better campaigns than the scrap between Zac Goldsmith and Sadiq Khan that culminated in the latter storming into City Hall with over 300,000 more votes than his nearest rival. Goldsmith has been roundly condemned for his team’s negative focus, while the broader contest was strangely subdued, [...]
Work in tech, bored of London? Forget Silicon Valley, try Australia May 4, 2016 Tech entrepreneur Oli Madgett and his wife Tara recently decided to swap London for South Australia. The weather, beaches, and wine played their part but the city’s growing reputation as a tech hub was crucial. As London’s ‘Here East’ starts to establish itself here’s how our Aussie cousins are doing it. Go big or go [...]
13 events that will change the world in 2017: Article 50, Snapchat’s IPO, more Libor trials and a vote on Heathrow January 3, 2017 2017 looks like it's going to be a busy one: we're looking ahead to some of the key business and political events already pencilled in for this year's calendar. 1. Supreme court to rule on Article 50 The Supreme Court is due to deliver its ruling on Gina Miller's case this month (Source: Getty) The Supreme [...]