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Thursday 28 August 2008

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The latest culture as recommended by our staff

Clemency Burton-Hill

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Trains really can take the strain – if we invest in them

1st July, 2008

Whether Britain merely has the worst railways in Europe, or now offers consistently the most unpleasant train-travel experience in the entire developed world, is a subject much discussed by passengers – especially those who find themselves stranded somewhere in this dysfunctional system without reliable information, adequate air-conditioning or hope of improvement.

Trains really can take the strain – if we invest in them

The sheikhs still call the shots

1st July, 2008

Opec has already done what Opec can do, and prices will not come down,’ declared Chakib Khelil, president of the oil producers’ cartel, shortly after the recent emergency summit in Jeddah – attended, to no very useful effect, by Gordon Brown – to discuss the current extreme spike in oil prices.

Time to sacrifice hapless Darling

1st July, 2008

The Westminster rumour-mill, as reported by BBC political editor Nick Robinson, says that Gordon Brown is contemplating sacrificing his Chancellor, Alistair Darling, as part of an autumn ‘fightback’.

Spectator Business Diary

1st July, 2008

Key events that could move the markets this month

Big Pharma looks East – and starts to leave the over-regulated West behind

Fraser Nelson

1st July, 2008

New drugs have a one-in-a-thousand chance of regulatory approval in US and European markets. No wonder the leading pharmaceutical companies see better prospects in India and China

What is it about global warming that turns sane men into ranting alarmists?

Neil Collins

1st July, 2008

The science of climate change is far from settled, but one thing’s for sure: energy bills are set to rise. So why don’t Labour’s gurus offer practical policy ideas instead of doom-laden prophecies?

Brown’s scorched-earth policy will cost his successors dear

Fraser Nelson

3rd June, 2008

Unencumbered by any expectations that he will win the next election, the Prime Minister can focus on his legacy – health, education and international aid – and leave David Cameron with the bill

Spectator Business Diary

3rd June, 2008

Key events that could move markets this month

As inflation rips, beware of bullies

3rd June, 2008

Bonuses paid out to City bankers and investment managers in the first quarter of this year are reported to have hit a new record of £12.6 billion, contributing to a total of almost £35 billion over the past three years.

‘Innovation Nation’ needs private funds

3rd June, 2008

Oxford University is to be congratulated on its announcement of a £1.25 billion fundraising drive to enable it to compete, in quality of facilities and generosity of scholarships, against the likes of Yale and Harvard.

Bonus billions have fuelled this boom-bust cycle

3rd June, 2008

My solution to the pensions crisis: buy one, get one free

Neil Collins

29th May, 2008

Neil Collins says we should not mourn excessively for the passing of defined-benefit pensions – and that his own radical alternative is simpler, fairer and more flexible than the scheme proposed by Lord Turner

Gordon Brown should beware the shade of Greenspan

Fraser Nelson

2nd May, 2008

The Prime Minister has successfully massaged the public’s perception of his role in
the current crisis. But he may not get away with it forever.

The chocolate that gives you a righteous glow

Neil Collins

2nd May, 2008

The Fairtrade brand has got under the skin of angst-ridden, super-affluent consumers, but is adesperately inefficient way of trying to help the poor farmers of the Third World

Hunger is more painful than shortage of credit

5th May, 2008

After a long era of abundance in the West and fast-growing prosperity in the East, the sudden emergence of a global food crisis is so startling as to be almost beyond belief.

Let’s stand up for venture capitalists

5th May, 2008

During the recent industrial dispute at the Grangemouth oil refinery, its general manager Gordon Grant was interviewed by Eddie Mair on Radio 4’s PM programme.

Spectator Business Diary

5th May, 2008

Key events that could move markets this month

Further Fed funds rate cut on cards as crisis deepens

13th February, 2008

Two and a quarter percentage points off American interest rates in barely four months and a $150bn (£76.6bn, E102.9bn) fiscal package being rushed through Congress – and still confidence in financial markets continues to slide.

Competition intensifies for the online river of gold

13th February, 2008

When online advertising began to affect the bottom line of newspaper companies, it was always assumed one particular stream of revenue would be safe.

Focus on Russia-Ukraine gas dispute misses bigger picture

13th February, 2008

To a detached observer of the torrid disputes between Russia and Ukraine about natural gas, this week’s latest flare-up may seem like another round in a long-running game of chicken – with both sides playing with strong hands for high stakes.

Business case for digital radio is no longer sound

13th February, 2008

THERE are two stories unfolding in the world of British digital radio. One, as told by the commercial radio industry trade group, RadioCentre, and the peak radio-audience research body, paints a picture of reasonable health.