How economic pressures are damaging Britain’s ‘zombie firms’
Maka S/ShutterstockThe UK’s borrowing costs are higher than the government would like them to be. Economic growth remains weak, and public finances are under constant pressure.
UK
Schools should teach children more about how money works
vectorfusionart/ShutterstockI recently volunteered to teach some lessons in finance to pupils at a primary school. Over six sessions, I spoke to a group of ten and eleven-year-olds about things like value, savings, cost and risk.
The joy of pests: study reveals why rat catchers are so happy in their work
torook/ShutterstockPest control means dealing with the kinds of animals many of us try our best to avoid. But catching rats and battling cockroaches turns out to be very satisfying work.
How Andy Burnham may try to give the UK economy a boost in his ‘10-year plan’
Andy Burnham’s long held ambition to be the UK’s prime minister will come with some daunting economic challenges.
Productivity growth is at a virtual standstill, real incomes have stagnated and the cost-of-living crisis has become a permanent fixture for many households. Meanwhile, the government spends around £110 billion a year paying the interest on nearly £3 trillion of debt.
Burnham says he is on a “10-year mission” to transform the country. So what might he do to try to fix the British economy?
Germany’s proposal to ease trade tensions with China has not gone down well in Beijing
Trade tensions between the EU and China are deepening. On June 16, the EU’s trade chief, Maroš Šefčovič, said the bloc’s unbalanced trade relationship with China “had reached a point that requires a reset”. The German chancellor, Friedrich Merz, then criticised Beijing days later for what he claimed were its unfair trade practices.
Holiday travel planning: reasons to try public transport or cycling when you get to your destination
As tourists prepare to pack their suitcases for a summer trip, decisions about how to be a green holidaymaker increasingly involve how to move around the resort or city, as well as how to get there.
Walking and cycling are still regarded as the most sustainable ways to explore holiday destinations. They reduce emissions, improve health and wellbeing and allow visitors to engage more closely with local places.
Businesses often row back on ethics when times get tough. Here’s how technology can keep them on track
Five carmakers are involved in a case at the High Court in London over claims that they cheated on emissions tests. A decade ago, the “dieselgate” scandal broke, eventually forcing Volkswagen to pay billions of euros in fines and settlements. These carmakers (Mercedes, Ford, Peugeot/Citroën, Renault and Nissan) have all faced accusations that selling cars was more important to them than their environmental responsibilities. They all deny the allegations.
Ten years after the referendum, how Brexit could have been done differently
Matt Gibson/ShutterstockA ten-year anniversary is a good opportunity to look back on an important decision. Whether that was a marriage, a career move or a decision to leave the EU, a decade feels like an important moment for reflection.
Four reasons electric vehicle targets shouldn’t be weakened
Serge Cornu/ShutterstockThe UK government is preparing to water down its electric vehicle sales targets. Under the existing zero emission vehicles (ZEV) mandate, 80% of all new cars sold in Britain needed to be electric vehicles (EVs) by 2030.
A ‘super’ El Niño has the power to devastate fishing – and leave seals and sea lions starving
Many sea lions died in previous super El Niño. wildestanimal/ShutterstockThere is a more than 60% chance that a “super” El Niño will develop by the end of this year.
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