Britain’s “making” revolution could solve our productivity puzzle August 19, 2015 It is now indisputable that the UK’s, and in particular London’s, economic recovery are well underway. But as Mark Carney, governor of the Bank of England, has rightly pointed out, challenges remain, and the most important of these is productivity. Contrary to popular assertions, productivity in the UK economy remains quite high in comparison [...]
Ecigarettes in the workplace: After Public Health England finds vaping 95 per cent less harmful than tobacco, is it time to review policy? August 19, 2015 After years of uncertainty surrounding the health implications of ‘vaping’, a report from Public Health England has revealed ecigarettes to be 95 per cent less harmful than tobacco. This evidence should prompt employers to conduct an immediate review of company policy surrounding ecigarette use in the workplace. In the absence of any definitive legislation, [...]
Addison Lee, Uber, Hailo, Kabbee and Gett taxi app wars: Why the future of transport apps isn’t transport August 19, 2015 On-demand transport – taxi apps – is a £5bn market in London. It's worth double that in the UK as a whole. Worldwide the figures are astronomical. From New York to Tel Aviv, Moscow to London, the way we move around our cities is transforming beyond all recognition. We have technology to thank. The ability [...]
London is leading the UK’s tech boom – but it needs immigration to stay ahead August 18, 2015 UK employment figures published by the ONS last week showed there's no shortage of workers across London and the rest of the country, but that doesn't mean they have the right skills to keep Britain ahead in some key sectors. Read more: London Technology Week: It's official – London's the capital of European tech [...]
We need the facts on fracking to make responsible decisions about UK energy August 18, 2015 Today the Government announced that it will award 27 new exploration licences, opening up 1,000 square miles of the UK as potential sites for shale gas extraction. With thousands more people faced with the possibility of having it on their doorstep, the debate on hydraulic fracturing, or fracking, has been well and truly renewed. Proponents [...]
Why BuzzFeed’s Yahoo joint venture should make it big in Japan August 18, 2015 BuzzFeed is on a march. Having already expanded into nine countries, including the UK, from its US base, it now has its eye on Japan. The digital media firm has announced a joint venture with Yahoo Japan to bring its popular brand of gif-fuelled stories, native advertising content and, increasingly, more serious news coverage [...]
Executive pay: Capping bosses’ salaries will not raise the salaries of people at the bottom August 17, 2015 Today’s briefing paper from the High Pay Centre (HPC) has zoned in on the gap between FTSE 100 chief executive pay and the average salary of UK workers in 2014: 183/1. Perhaps it is the HPC’s emphasis – or perhaps it is the world’s recent focus on inequality – that has most people, in the media and [...]
Londoners pay £3,000 more in tax than they receive back: However you slice it, everybody’s getting a raw deal from Britain’s tax code August 14, 2015 “Those with the broadest shoulders must bear the biggest burden”… “We’re doing our utmost to lift the poorest out of tax altogether.” The phrases slip off politicians’ tongues with the regularity of clockwork, as much a part of our political environment as Prime Minister’s Questions. Yet it’s clear from even the most cursory look [...]
Our unelected House of Lords is in dire need of a clear-out August 14, 2015 Another month, another political controversy. In the Lords however – unlike our elected Commons – there’s no way for the public to hold Peers to account at the ballot box. Instead, you have to hope that those who have brought our legislature into disrepute will forfeit their £300 a day expenses, accept their mistakes and [...]
Universities must work more closely with employers if today’s school leavers are going to flourish August 14, 2015 As another generation of young people receive their A level results, record numbers are expected to head to university next month. This is undoubtedly good news as it’s estimated that people with degrees earn around £200,000 more over their lifetime than those who did not attend university. However, it’s important that people embarking upon [...]