As the new Apprenticeship Levy comes into effect, Centre analyst Andy Norman argues that, if armed with the right information, LEPs can ensure apprenticeships drive inclusive growth up and down the country.
Continue reading “How LEPs can ensure apprenticeships drive inclusive growth”
In 2016 a National Audit Office report identified that the actual rate of public land sales was significantly lower than the £1bn per annum assumed by the government. As a result of this difference, the Centre for Progressive Capitalism has updated its analysis on the potential incremental uplift from land value capture for residential housing.
In 2016 a National Audit Office report identified that the actual rate of public land sales was significantly lower than the £1bn per annum assumed by the government. As a result of this difference, the Centre for Progressive Capitalism has updated its analysis on the potential incremental uplift from land value capture for residential housing. The significantly lower figure of public land sales means that the potential incremental uplift for infrastructure investment is now £185bn over the next 20 years, £13bn more than our initial estimate of £172bn.
Continue reading “Estimating land value capture for England – updated analysis”
The government ought to provide the Competition & Markets Authority with broader powers to prevent the acquisition of UK firms if this reduces competition at national, regional or global level. Such a change will likely spur innovation in search for other sources of earnings growth, which may lead to greater investment and productivity
Earlier in my career as a management consultant, I once questioned a CEO on his firm’s low level of organic growth.
“Much easier to buy market share!” he responded with a grin.
The recent failed acquisition of Unilever by Kraft Heinz reminded me of this quip. Kraft Heinz is a large consumer goods conglomerate with around $27bn in annualised net sales and organic growth of 1.6% year on year. In contrast, the much larger Unilever has €53bn in turnover, which fell by 1% year on year.
Continue reading “Why Britain’s lax competition framework needs to change”
A recent blog post by Lichfields suggested that the government’s housing White Paper has been excessively criticised by housing commentators. They go further stating that the white paper “leaves enough flexibility in the process to reflect spatial variation and it stops short of gimmicks.” Lichfields raises an important issue as the housing white paper does indeed contain wide ranging options to address a number of issues that have plagued the UK’s inability to raise its long-term trend of housebuilding. Continue reading “Sustaining profitable growth in volatile markets”
Sajid Javid has made it clear that building more homes is his top priority. So what can we expect in his white paper later this month? Recent comments by Gavin Barwell suggest the government is focussed on finding a system that can fund the necessary infrastructure to pave the way for larger scale housebuilding while avoiding conflicts that can make schemes unviable. A housing white paper that finally addressed Britain’s feeble levels of infrastructure investment by tweaking the Land Compensation Act would be transformational
Sajid Javid has made it clear that building more homes is his top priority. So what can we expect in his white paper later this month? Recent comments by Gavin Barwell suggest the government is focussed on finding a system that can fund the necessary infrastructure to pave the way for larger scale housebuilding while avoiding conflicts that can make schemes unviable. A housing white paper that finally addressed Britain’s feeble levels of infrastructure investment by tweaking the Land Compensation Act would be transformational.
When Theresa May spoke to the CBI last month she urged businesses to invest in Britain for the long term. The challenge for business is that in an uncertain environment firms often prefer not to invest, as they could make poor investments and therefore hurt performance. The Prime Minister might have a point though as businesses in the UK have tended to underinvest during more positive conditions too
When Theresa May spoke to the CBI last month she urged businesses to invest in Britain for the long term. The challenge for business is that in an uncertain environment firms often prefer not to invest, as they could make poor investments and therefore hurt performance. The Prime Minister might have a point though as businesses in the UK have tended to underinvest during more positive conditions too.
Continue reading “Why share buybacks imply executive managers have run out of ideas”
Performance-related bonuses should be scrapped and replaced with a substantial proportion of salary to be paid in shares. This would lead to better cumulative returns over the long-term, faster productivity growth and a fairer society
Performance-related bonuses should be scrapped and replaced with a substantial proportion of salary to be paid in shares. This would lead to better cumulative returns over the long-term, faster productivity growth and a fairer society
The Chancellor mentioned the word productivity 14 times during the Autumn Statement and for good reason. The UK lags the US and Germany by 30 %, and France by 20% resulting in lower average incomes. Three of the key drivers of productivity include the ability of workers to access education to improve human capital, the ability to access finance allowing firms to expand, and for there to be sufficient infrastructure for firms and workers including housing
The Chancellor mentioned the word productivity 14 times during the Autumn Statement and for good reason. The UK lags the US and Germany by 30 %, and France by 20% resulting in lower average incomes. Three of the key drivers of productivity include the ability of workers to access education to improve human capital, the ability to access finance allowing firms to expand, and for there to be sufficient infrastructure for firms and workers including housing
So how did the chancellor do on these three key measures?
Continue reading “Why the Chancellor’s Autumn Statement won’t budge productivity growth”
The chancellor should change the way the uplift in land values from infrastructure investment is captured to help boost investment by £180bn over the next 20 years and to make the economy work for everyone
The chancellor should change the way the uplift in land values from infrastructure investment is captured to help boost investment by £180bn over the next 20 years and to make the economy work for everyone
Continue reading “How the chancellor can boost infrastructure investment by £180bn”
