Cash, Debt and Business Investment

In recent years, the economic slowdown coupled with lower business confidence has seen business investment become more subdued. This was caused in part by lower consumer spending resulting in more subdued revenue growth and downward pressure on company profits. This has increased the uncertainty surrounding future performance reducing the confidence needed for businesses to invest and boost the UK's economic recovery.

Surveillance: Security vs. Liberty

Over recent months, with the Edward Snowden leaks, we have seen the extent of surveillance by various security and intelligence agencies. This raises vital questions in relation to individual liberty and the need to maintain collective security.

The Rise of UKIP and Labour's Rush to Keep Up

The Rise of UKIP

In recent years, we have seen UKIP polling double digits pushing the likes of the Liberal Democrats into fourth place. But this give rise to the question, is this support genuine or is it simply a protest vote? We can all say that we'll vote this way or that, but none of that means anything until we're actually in that voting booth and we're putting that cross against the candidate's names. Simply speaking, support means nothing unless it's turned in to votes.

Thinking of Writing a Novel

Over the past few years I have often pondered about whether or not to write a novel and if so, what should it be about?

Why We Sometimes Need a Recession

Over recent years, the global economy has faced a major downturn causing unemployment and government debt to surge. However, it can be argued that if managed properly, this short term pain could come with long term benefits.

UKIP's Criticism of the BBC and their Definition of "Neutrality"

One factor that often puts me off voting for political parties such as UKIP and other right wing populist parties, among other things, is their on-going criticism of the BBC and their definition of "neutrality".

European Economy Series Part 2: Supporting Innovation and a Diverse Education Policy

Supporting Innovation

          It is a well known fact within the business community that SME's (Small and Medium Size Enterprises) create the bulk of employment opportunities across Europe. As such, in order to foster economic growth and bring down Europe's unemployment figures, we need a culture that allows for the easy start up and growth of such SME's and new enterprises.

European Economy Series Part 1: The Working Time Directive and Digital Agenda

           In light of resent instability across the Eurozone and a dragging European economy, we need to ask what reforms the EU needs to become more competitive, stimulate economic growth and engage more with its citizens.

Town Centres and the Changing Face of Business

In recent years, and accelerated by the recent downturn, we have seen out town centres change significantly. This includes the decline of the small local shops and libraries and the rise of the coffee and charity shop. This begs the question, what is the purpose of our town centres and what will they look like in the years to come?

Letter to Me

I have a question for you, if you could write a letter to the younger version of you, say at ten years old, what would you write and what advice would you give? For me, it would go something like this. And after you read it, give it a go yourself, but be truly honest with it. You don't have to show it to anyone if you don't want to and it can be quite therapeutic. And then after you've written it, keep it, either saved on a computer or hidden at the back of a draw and every so often, take it out and simply have a read. Trust me, this going back to read your letter will prove equally as valuable and as therapeutic as when you first wrote that letter. So, here it goes!