My blog is taking a break
- 28 July 2017
- From the section Business
My blog is taking a break.
I will not be writing my blog over the summer as I am taking some extended leave to write a book.
I look forward to returning at the beginning of October.
National Insurance tax hit for gig economy firms
- 11 July 2017
- From the section Business
One department is likely to be cheering the publication of the Mathew Taylor review into the new world of work.
The Treasury will be delighted with the recommendations from Mr Taylor, the head of the Royal Society of Arts, on gig economy companies.
Read full article National Insurance tax hit for gig economy firms
Minimum wage push for gig economy workers
- 10 July 2017
- From the section Business
Image copyright
Getty Images
A government review of the rapidly changing world of work is to demand a radical overhaul of employment law and new guarantees on the minimum wage.
The review is set to call for a new category of worker called a "dependent contractor".
Deliveroo opens door to benefits win for gig economy workers
- 7 July 2017
- From the section Business
The food delivery firm Deliveroo has said it will pay sickness and injury benefits to its 15,000 riders in the UK if the law is changed.
In a submission to the government's review of the "on-demand" economy seen by the BBC, the firm says that at present the law prevents it from offering enhanced rights because it classifies its riders as self-employed.
Read full article Deliveroo opens door to benefits win for gig economy workers
Britain’s wealth problem – we don’t create enough of it
- 5 July 2017
- From the section Business
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Getty Images
Today's productivity figures are bad to the point of shocking.
A fall of 0.5% in the first three months of the year takes the UK economy's ability to create wealth back below the level of 2007.
Read full article Britain’s wealth problem – we don’t create enough of it
'Gig economy' workers 'should get minimum wage'
- 4 July 2017
- From the section Business
The former chairman of the Low Pay Commission has said that the minimum wage should be extended to gig economy workers.
Lord Adair Turner argued that the proliferation of "low-wage jobs" needed to be tackled and that some companies were categorising workers as "self-employed" to avoid low-pay protections.
Read full article 'Gig economy' workers 'should get minimum wage'
Hammond’s public sector pay challenge
- 3 July 2017
- From the section Business
Image copyright
AFP
The Treasury jealously guards its role as keeper of the public purse.
And far from the mood since the general election easing on the matter of "sound money", the word among senior figures in the department is that now is the time "to hold our nerve".
Banks warned on ballooning consumer borrowing
- 27 June 2017
- From the section Business
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Getty Images
Ultra low interest rates were put in place after the financial crisis to stop a recession turning into a depression.
Many believe they worked.
Read full article Banks warned on ballooning consumer borrowing
Fox warns colleagues: 'We didn’t say we would part-leave the EU'
- 26 June 2017
- From the section Business
Out of the single market.
Out of the customs union.
Read full article Fox warns colleagues: 'We didn’t say we would part-leave the EU'
Carney and Hammond join forces on Brexit risk
- 20 June 2017
- From the section Business
Image copyright
Reuters
So, he's said it.
Mark Carney made the direct link between "weaker real income growth" and the process of leaving the European Union.
Read full article Carney and Hammond join forces on Brexit risk
