Archive for March, 2011
The EU’s roadmap for transport
Posted by Natalie Hamill in European Union, Uncategorized on 30/03/2011
The EU’s single market is epitomised by its adherence to the four freedoms, as set down in the Single European Act: the free movement of goods, persons, services and capital. Vital for the successful realisation of these four principles is the EU’s transport policy. Yet this area is under increasing pressure to modernise and evolve to meet consumer needs and the challenges of the future. This week, the European Commission published its white paper on transport. The paper sets out the Commission’s plans to meet climate change goals, reform an industry with a cumbersome overreliance on fossil fuels, and to improve and standardise transport links between the 27 member states. Unveiling the paper, Siim Kallas, EU Commissioner for Transport, emphasised its vital importance: ‘The choices we make today will determine the shape of transport in 2050.’
Will MPs vote with their Tweet?
Posted by Nick Cowen in Politics on 29/03/2011
By Tom Shakhli
Poor old social media. You would think that having put us back in touch with our old school friends, broadened our work networks, and facilitated a revolution or two, we would cut it some slack and be content to take a step back and marvel as it continues to sweep through the world. To oppose it as a concept, goes the argument, is to be elitist, out-of-touch, or an opponent of modernisation. Hopefully this accusation does not inhibit us from questioning it on a case-by-case basis, which is the premise of this post. Most people have benefited from having a Facebook account, looking for jobs on LinkedIn, and despite its futility, spending too much time on YouTube. However, hidden in the news this week was something that perhaps should make us pause and think about whether the juggernaut of social media should be given a free, access-all-areas pass: the recommendation that MPs be allowed to use Twitter in the chamber of the House of Commons.
Why the Laffer curve should not be laffed at
Posted by Stephen Clarke in Economics, Politics, Tax and Spend on 28/03/2011
Last week saw George Osborne announce his second budget. Some applauded it as being pro-growth and supportive of the private sector. This assessment is debateable, and in the important area of tax there were few significant decisions taken, other than the reduction of corporation tax by 2% with a proposal to reduce it eventually to 23%. Tax is a contentious issue, however some figures published by the Harvard Economist Greg Mankiw indicate that the chancellor could go a good deal further in simplifying the British tax system and reducing tax rates.
The 2011 Budget – a response
Posted by David Merlin-Jones in Economics, Politics, Social Security, Tax and Spend on 23/03/2011
‘The Budget for Growth’ was how Chancellor George Osborne described it. Really? Of timid growth perhaps, but not the real growth Britain needs to see. Moreover, it has prioritised unrealistic green targets over economic development – a highly unwise manoeuvre. Below, the good, the ok and the really bad points of The Budget are unravelled. Read the rest of this entry »
AV: It’s that button on the TV remote, right?
Posted by Nick Cowen in Politics on 23/03/2011
By Tom Shakhli
Here’s a question: what event of national significance is coming up in the next six weeks?
Now, be honest – what came to your mind first, Prince William marrying Kate Middleton, or the referendum to change the Westminster voting system to the Alternative Vote (AV)? Now another question: which one do you know more about? I ask this because while the media informs us about every detail of the Royal Wedding, unless I’ve missed something, the public don’t have a say in the matter (though it would be quite fun). On the other hand, the issue that we do have the opportunity to influence through our vote is the one that we appear to know less about.
Read the rest of this entry »
A Brave New World
Posted by Stephen Clarke in Economics, Politics, Social Cohesion, Tax and Spend on 21/03/2011
Today I attended a Thames Gateway London Partnership seminar; ‘Financing the Future of the Thames Gateway’. The Seminar provided an interesting insight into how local governments are beginning to grapple with the new economic climate, and more importantly, the new expectations placed upon them by the Coalition’s devolution and localism policies.