Business and Economics

There are many industries that have faced dramatic digital disruption and yet still, the changes they are enduring remain only in their infancy. While we are all, for instance, stunned at the growth of Uber and the disruption to the black cab and minicab industry, with driverless cars on the horizon, the disruption has not stopped yet. The media, both in terms of the press and its accompanying publicity/communications industry, has also experienced well-documented change, and while newspaper publishers may...

By Professor Mary Mellor  The Labour U-turn to vote against Osborne’s fiscal charter ‘trap’ is welcome, but it cannot stop there – Labour needs to open up a real debate about public access to money in a modern economy. Osborne’s aim to enshrine in law that States must not run deficits is profoundly undemocratic. It reflects the demand of neoliberal ‘handbag economics’ that the public sector cannot and should not ‘create money’ by running a deficit. This denial of the right...

By Nathan Lee, TLE Correspondent  New research has found UK professionals working in the city of London are officially the poorest workers in Britain, despite earning the highest average salary. Based on new roles advertised in Q3 2015, CV Library research revealed that the average annual salary in London is £36,905; just 16.6 per cent greater than the national average of £31,625 per year. However, further research revealed that premium costs in the capital drastically outweigh the slightly higher-than-average salaries meaning...

Online entrepreneur Pascal Culverhouse started www.electrictobacconist.co.uk in July 2013 while working for the family business. Two years later, his business is the leading online retailer of e-cigarettes in the UK.  The London Economic asked the successful internet millionaire for his top three tips for online success... What makes an online business successful? The internet means that theoretically anyone could decide to become an entrepreneur, turn their bedroom into an office and launch the next big multi-million pound company. Yet the...

By Joe Mellor Deputy Editor In April 2005, Fair Finance opened its doors as a solution to tackle loan sharks and money lenders on a council estate in the heart of East London’s Stepney. Fast forward 10 years and they are now a thriving social business offering a range of financial products and services designed to meet the needs of individuals and businesses. On 2 July the Dalston based not-for-profit celebrated its 10 year anniversary with the whole Fair Finance family. During...

By Steve Taggart You know the scene: post-graduation, with an air of optimism and a determination to be successful, young adults flock to London to experience the excitement, sights, and experiences that only the capital can provide. As property and rent prices soar out of control across the city, a full-time career with a competitive salary is not only the dream but an absolute necessity. Unfortunately, these positions appear to be so few and far between that many Londoners can...

By Steve Taggart  Climate change has become one of the major issues facing the world in recent years. To this end, many businesses across the globe are now making a concerted effort to ensure that their main office buildings are as environmentally friendly as possible. To celebrate National Work Life Week this month, online furniture retailer, Clever Clicker have compiled a list of five of the most green offices from around the world. So here we go.. 1. The Bullitt Centre in...

By James Clark The culmination of the much fabled Bretton Woods Conference of 1944 resulted in the brave claim that a system of monetary union, positioned unshakeably upon the benevolent foundation of US hegemony, had established the conditions for everlasting economic stability. What the Conference had however failed to adopt was one of none other than John Maynard Keynes' seemingly more abstract suggestions. Keynes had spotted and presented both weakness and solution within and as part of the proposed Monetary...

By Steve Winder, regional vice president for Epicor Software, UK and Ireland Whilst George Osbourne’s recent productivity plan focuses on boosting growth and productivity in the UK, the skills gap is an issue that needs tackling with urgency. Despite the increasing number of third-level graduates, the specific range of expertise required to fill medium skilled jobs is severely lacking. For example, car giant Bentley recently struggled to fill 160 positions due to a lack of skilled staff. There is a...