Gimmicks and spin won’t rescue UK January 6, 2011 THERE is much that this government is doing that is good for growth. Its determination to cut public spending is the only reason we haven’t gone the way of Greece. Reducing corporation tax to 24 per cent is an excellent idea. The coalition’s Entrepreneurs Visa is a good thing – but its effect is partly [...]
Murdoch’s Sky bill soars November 7, 2010 NEWS Corp may have to pay up to 870p a share to regain control of BSkyB, with industry sources claiming resolve at board level has toughened over the last week. This would value Sky at a staggering £15.2bn – a full £3bn above the price News Corp bid in June. Shares in Sky jumped more [...]
Fifa upheaval is England’s best hope of a winning bid December 5, 2010 BY 2030, the next time England could possibly host the World Cup, I expect Fifa to have changed. I think the Football Association will lobby massively for that to happen following the ridiculous humiliation they endured over their bid to host it in 2018. That change could mean each member association having one vote, instead [...]
Fifa upheaval is England’s best hope of a winning bid December 5, 2010 BY 2030, the next time England could possibly host the World Cup, I expect Fifa to have changed. I think the Football Association will lobby massively for that to happen following the ridiculous humiliation they endured over their bid to host it in 2018. That change could mean each member association having one vote, instead [...]
Ancelotti show can’t banish all doubts November 22, 2010 IN FRONT of a baying press pack Carlo Ancelotti yesterday gave a first-rate impression of a manager utterly untroubled by his job. Yet for some it will be hard to shake the suspicion that it was just that: an impression. He flashed a broad grin on his entrance to the media room at Chelsea’s Cobham [...]
HMV shares plunge as its losses mount December 9, 2010 HMV shares dropped nearly 17 per cent yesterday as poor trading figures laid bare the company’s failing turnaround plan. The music, DVD, games and books retailer posted a worse-than-expected widening in first-half losses. Its share price dropped 16.57 per cent yesterday, to 36.50p HMV made an underlying pre-tax loss of £41.3m for the six months [...]
Why 2011 won’t be too bad after all January 3, 2011 FORECASTING may be a mug’s game but it is unavoidable at this time of the year. So here are a few of my predictions for 2011, together with some key themes to look out for and some lessons from last year. I was right to be sanguine about 2010’s UK growth prospects; the daily warnings [...]
VEXED IN THE CITY November 17, 2010 Those cursed royals could ruin my wedding DEAR VEXED: My fiancée and I have been engaged for over a year, and four months ago decided on a July wedding. I have a horrible feeling the weekend we’ve plumped for is the favourite for Wills and Kate. The whole thing is going to be overshadowed by [...]
Christmas comes early for Pardew December 9, 2010 ALAN PARDEW completed a sensational return to top flight management yesterday, and the latest incumbent of the Newcastle hotseat revealed his first task is to keep hold of star attraction Andy Carroll. This time last year, Pardew, 49, was preparing League One Southampton for the visit of Tranmere. Twelve months and a sacking later, and [...]
Cameron lends hand to England World Cup bid November 18, 2010 PRIME MINISTER David Cameron has embarked on a charm offensive after England’s ailing bid to host the 2018 World Cup suffered further blows yesterday. England is thought to have lost at least one vote, perhaps two, after governing body Fifa banned two top officials, Amos Adamu and Reynald Temarii over corruption allegations. To make matters [...]