Archive for May, 2011
Taking the ‘I’ and ‘me’ out of investment
Posted by Stephen Clarke in Economics, Politics, Tax and Spend on 31/05/2011
Last Wednesday saw the Government release provisional business investment results for the first quarter of 2011. They indicate that, in general, investment is falling across the British economy with only manufacturing bucking this trend by increasing investment by 14.8% compared to a year ago. According to one commentator the results mark a record low. Yet while they paint a bleak picture of the British economy, the current remuneration of Britain’s top executives belies this impression.
Lending Support
Posted by Carolina Bracken in Civil Liberty, Crime, European Union, Human Rights on 25/05/2011
Although 30 million Europeans fall victim to crime each year, at an annual cost of some €250 billion, support for victims in the EU has long been woefully inadequate. However, extensive reform proposals published by the European Commission last week take important strides towards towards establishing a basic minimum level of care for victims of crime, and are undoubtedly deserving of praise.
Homeward bound?
Posted by Stephen Clarke in America, Economics, European Union on 23/05/2011
Earlier this month the Boston Consulting Group reported that the United States could witness a ‘manufacturing renaissance’ with businesses returning to the country, as the wage gap between America and China shrinks. Can other developed economies expect a similar renaissance?
Court on Camera
Posted by Carolina Bracken in Civil Liberty, Crime, Human Rights on 20/05/2011
A true victory for justice was achieved this week, as the UK Supreme Court partnered with Sky to begin broadcasting its hearings online. A live stream is now available via the court’s website, giving all members of the public and press unprecedented access to the workings of our highest court.
Portugal’s pick me up
Posted by Natalie Hamill in European Union on 18/05/2011
After a tumultuous few weeks the Portuguese bailout has come one step closer to fruition, with Eurozone ministers having finally agreed the finer details of the three-year €78 billion loan intended to ‘safeguard financial stability in the euro area and the EU as a whole’.
Localism: don’t forget the democracy
Posted by Stephen Clarke in Economics, Politics, Tax and Spend on 16/05/2011
An important, and relatively uncontentious, area of coalition policy is its localism agenda. Seemingly supported across the political spectrum, is the idea that more decision making should be devolved to those who have a greater understanding of the challenges and issues facing localities – local governments not Whitehall. In a recent paper entitled: ‘The American Recovery and Reinvestment Act: Public Sector Jobs Saved, Private Sector Jobs Forestalled’, two American economists Timothy Conley and Bill Dupor, indirectly demonstrate the importance of democratic accountability when devolving power.
