Shale gas downsides must be explored properly, says Green MP July 18, 2013 Shale gas has been attacked as a publicity stunt by the coalition, whose environmental impact, risks, level of public support, and actual economic benefits have not been properly explored. Heading up a debate in Westminster Hall, Green party MP for Brighton Pavilion Caroline Lucas said her opposition was not just environmental – quoting a statistic [...]
Carney tears up King’s rulebook August 28, 2013 BANK lending is in line for a £90bn boost after Mark Carney yesterday agreed to let the safest institutions divert resources away from regulatory liquidity buffers and into business and household credit. It comes after business secretary Vince Cable called the Bank of England the “capital Taliban,” claiming regulators’ tough capital requirements were hitting [...]
Top tips to save on energy this winter October 1, 2013 Annabel Palmer on the simple ways households can cut costs LABOUR leader Ed Miliband thrust energy into the spotlight last week when he announced that, should he win the 2015 election, he will freeze prices for 20 months. Despite energy firms noting that this would prevent crucial investment, he claims that it would save a [...]
Against the Grain: It’s time we were more optimistic about our brewing economic recovery July 30, 2013 THE POSITIVE GDP growth figures for the second quarter of this year have sent most people away on their holidays in a cheerier mood than last year. The recent weather has certainly helped. But gloomy clouds may hover over the exclusive Tuscan villas and beach houses in Martha’s Vineyard, where bien pensant commentators and so-called [...]
UK politicians prepare for showdown on Syria strikes August 28, 2013 TODAY’S House of Commons vote on Syria was expected to be a test of David Cameron’s leadership but the last minute decision to allow a second vote before committing Britain to military intervention has delayed the final decision. All sides are still expected to enforce the party whip for today’s vote, meaning parliamentarians who wish [...]
London Report: Carney’s first inflation report in the spotlight August 4, 2013 NEW Bank of England governor Mark Carney will take centre stage this week as he announces the latest Quarterly Inflation Report, plus plans to adopt forward guidance on interest rates for the first time. Forward guidance would give the bank’s Monetary Policy Committee (MPC) a third method of influencing the economy, alongside interest rates and [...]
The economy may be looking up but the public finances are far from fixed August 19, 2013 ECONOMIC indicators seem to be improving. Yes, there are concerns that the growth we are seeing is “the wrong type of growth”, fuelled in part by government attempts to re-inflate the housing market. But if businesses and consumers believe better times are ahead, the hope is that renewed confidence will foster more investment, thus facilitating [...]
Centrica labels Labour plan as a recipe for ruin September 24, 2013 BRITAIN’S big six energy companies yesterday lambasted Labour leader Ed Miliband’s pledge to freeze energy bills until 2017, saying his planned reforms could financially ruin firms and discourage infrastructure investment. Sir Roger Carr, chairman of British Gas owner Centrica, said Labour’s plan to implement price controls could leave companies in a vulnerable position. “When costs [...]
What the other papers say this morning – 23 August 2013 August 22, 2013 FINANCIAL TIMES Kia Motors braces for work stoppages Kia Motors is facing production losses of hundreds of millions of dollars from a suspension of Saturday shifts at its South Korean car plants, as it fights to avoid a wider strike following failed pay negotiations with its union. Saturday production was halted in March at two [...]
Tech whizz who knew online video was more than a fad October 27, 2013 Blinkx founder Suranga Chandratillake talks to Annabel Palmer about his success in Silicon Valley THE MAN behind video media company Blinkx, Suranga Chandratillake has strong views about why Britain lacks its own Facebook. Negative perceptions of tech engineers and software developers are holding people back. Whether this would mean all eight-year old schoolboys, when given [...]