Latest articles by Simon Wilson
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Can the government's proposals fix the residential cladding crisis?
Briefings In the wake of the Grenfell fire disaster, many homeowners have been left stuck with huge bills to make their properties safe. The government is stepping in with a helping hand.
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How long will it be before the world is vaccinated?
Briefings The vaccine rollout is going well in the UK, and in some other countries. But ultimately, this is a global problem, and the situation worldwide is not so rosy.
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The looming global battle over semiconductor supply
Briefings A shortage of semiconductors – essential components in electronic devices – has spooked businesses and governments. It could even spark future geopolitical conflicts. Simon Wilson reports.
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The Arab Spring ten years on: a revolution that failed to blossom
Briefings Ten years ago, the Arab world was rocked by mass protests and popular uprisings that ousted long-reviled dictators. For the most part, the end result and legacy was, sadly, disaster. Simon Wilson reports
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Leasehold reforms promise the end of a nightmare for many homeowners
Briefings Horror stories about unscrupulous landlords profiting from a legal relic of the feudal era are about to get a happy ending, says Simon Wilson.
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Brexit deal: what's changed between Britain and the the EU
Briefings After years of wrangling and political scraps, Britain is now outside the EU and has secured a free-trade agreement with the bloc. So what’s changed?
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How Asia's RCEP deal has brought the return of free trade
Briefings While Britain and the EU struggle to come to terms, 15 Asia-Pacific countries quietly signed the biggest free-trade deal in history. That’s a welcome development, says Simon Wilson
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Britain mulls a wealth tax again – can it ever work?
Briefings A Covid-19-ravaged government needs to raise more revenue and some propose that a wealth tax could fit the bill. It’s unlikely to happen, but one way or another the rich face a squeeze, says Simon Wilson
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Should Britain really be cutting foreign aid now?
Briefings Faced with a black hole in the public finances, chancellor Rishi Sunak has targeted the foreign aid budget. Is he right to do so? And will it save us much money?
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US states declare a ceasefire in the war on drugs
Briefings With US states decriminalising the use even of hard drugs, and legalising the recreational use of cannabis, this could be the beginning of the end for drug prohibition. Is that a good thing?
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Is the BioNTech/Pfizer vaccine the big Covid-19 breakthrough?
Briefings A vaccine that appears so far to be safe and effective is making its way through the final trials before commercialisation. There are reasons to be cheerfully optimistic, says Simon Wilson.
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Britain’s green revolution: can we become carbon neutral by 2050?
Briefings The prime minister is laying out plans that will see carbon emissions reduced to net zero by 2050. Do they make sense?
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Trump’s economic legacy
Briefings If the polls are right, Donald Trump will not be president of the United States for much longer. But right or not, what did he manage to achieve in the White House?
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The US clampdown on firms “spoofing” the markets
Briefings American regulators are slapping record fines on firms that cheat the markets using techniques such as “spoofing”. Even tougher action looks to be on the cards.
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Will fintech change the face of banking?
Briefings Fancy new apps have become popular for everything from making a payment to buying insurance and shares. Should the big banks be worried? Simon Wilson reports.
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The riskiest election in US history
Briefings Donald Trump’s illness has rattled markets as investors try to understand the implications of an incapacitated American president or a bitterly contested election.
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Why it’s not worth recycling plastic
Opinion For decades, consumers have been led to believe that recycling plastic saves on waste. Unfortunately, it’s not true, says Simon Wilson. And that could have big consequences for the oil business.
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What's behind Britain's coronavirus testing disaster?
Briefings Britain’s system of testing for the virus that causes Covid-19 collapsed just when we needed it most. What went wrong?
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Covid: were the lockdowns worth it?
Briefings Governments around the world followed the authoritarian example of China in dealing with the emergence of Covid-19. Was that a wise choice?
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The case for a flat tax
Briefings Simplifying the tax system promises to cut incentives for evasion and avoidance, and boost work and entrepreneurship. Could it give post-Covid-19 Britain the lift it needs?
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Planning reform: rip it up and start again
Briefings Boris Johnson says the time has come to be brave and shake up the rules over what is built and where. Reform would indeed be welcome, but has the PM got the right approach? Simon Wilson reports.
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Should Big Tech be broken up?
Briefings The dominance of the big four technology giants has attracted the attention of politicians determined to humble them. But what real harm are they doing?
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How Russia’s dirty money sullies Britain
Briefings Russia’s kleptocrats have grown used to laundering their money and reputations in London. The government has promised change, but how serious is it?
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How the dearth of babies will affect the global economy
Briefings The world’s population is going to peak before the century is out and then enter into a big decline, putting serious pressure on economic growth, according to a new study.
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