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Amid the policy proposal whirlwind of its first 100 days, the Coalition’s plan to scrap the default retirement age (DRA) promises real and lasting impact on the UK’s employment landscape. The scope for retirement dismissal at age 65 to remain...
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It’s said that good manners cost nothing. But what about the bad variety – particularly when they step over the line and become downright rude? In the context of huge public angst about the breakdown of respect in society, an academic study into...
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One of Peter Mandelson’s last acts as Business Secretary was to force the passage of the Digital Economy Bill. Rushed into law during the ‘wash-up’ period of the last parliament and backed by the Conservative opposition, it received only...
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Mental health has always been a social taboo. While we’re comfortable sharing with the world our struggles against heart disease, sciatica and even cancer, we tend to draw the line when it comes to depression and stress. That’s because...
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After simmering its way through parliament over the last three years, the Legal Services Act is about to explode into public consciousness. This is no exaggeration. Dubbed ‘Tesco’s Law’ by friend and foe alike, it will significantly change...
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Those who lived through the 1970s may recall this snippet from the comedy archives: Arthur Scargill is on a bus with a friend. Friend says: “I see the daffs are out.” Scargill replies: “Is it official or unofficial?” OK so it...
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Poor Gordon Brown. He endures 60 minutes of torture with the self-inflated Piers Morgan and emerges almost likeable. But no sooner is the paint dry on his cuddly new image than tales of a fire-snorting, chair stabbing bully are splashed all over the...
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Love or loathe Harriet Harman, you have to feel a little sympathy as she finally concedes defeat over her amendments to the Equality Bill. In truth, she never stood a chance. When your average bill goes through the House of Lords, it’s rarely...
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“Politics have no relation to morals.” So wrote Italian philosopher and leadership guru Niccolò Machievelli. How chuffed he’d be no doubt, 500 years on, to see his fellow countryman Silvio Berlusconi...
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So. January then. Traditionally a time for fresh beginnings: resolve, resolution and brave new gym membership. Time to wage war on expanded waistlines and scary credit card bills. But it’s also become known as the sickie season; when employers...
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It’s official. Rage Against the Machine’s ‘Killing in the Name’ is this year’s Christmas No 1. Yes, the poster boys for the nation’s online backlash against the X-Factor join a distinguished roll call of festive...
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It’s that time of year again. Crosby’s crooning, Santa’s on Amazon 24/7 and Beryl from Accounts is stuffing her Wonderbra. Yes, it’s Office Party Season. When in the spirit of peace and goodwill to all, corporate politics are...
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Despite a cost of millions and huge media scrutiny, the conduct of the Chilcot inquiry into the Iraq war seems highly suspect. An obvious concern is the questioning of witnesses. None of those called give evidence under oath. They merely sign a piece of...
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Depending on how you take your politics, last week’s Queen’s Speech was either the final ramblings of a dying government or a canny piece of showboating, aimed squarely at the opinion polls. What’s generally agreed though, is that it was...
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What makes a good leader? Now there’s a question. One that’s vexed philosophers and poets since Moses stepped off the mountainside. And more specifically, how do their often mystical qualities set the tone for the people or organisation that...
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Helen Thomas, Partner Over the years, there were very mixed messages about the role of the Welsh Development Agency in the Welsh Property Sector. Some may say that they became a competitor to private investment, and indeed there were...
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Robert Twigg, Partner The Department for Communities and Local Government has just published its consultation on the proposed Community Infrastructure Levy (CIL) – a new tax on developments intended to fund regional and local infrastructure. ...
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Marlies Hoecherl, Associate The commercial world just keeps on getting smaller. And, thanks to internet trading, doing business worldwide is now potentially easier than ever before. But just because we have the world at our fingertips, this...
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Viv Du-Feu, Partner Compulsory retirement at 65 could soon be a thing of the past. With a Government review expected next year (12 months earlier than originally planned), lobbying groups are hoping for changes to the law which will extend the...
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Helen Thomas, Partner There’s a debate going on in the property sector. In a welcome break from talk about the economy, people are discussing the Disability Discrimination Act (DDA). Specifically, whose responsibility it is to make sure...
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