Higher business rates are threatening the survival of small businesses and sparking calls for wholesale reform of property taxes. Simon Wilson reports.
Articles written by Simon Wilson
The crisis in economic forecasting
First they failed to predict the great financial crisis. Then they were wrong about the short-term impact of the Brexit vote. Do economists need to go back to school?
Where have America’s working men gone?
A smaller percentage of American men are working now than at the end of the Great Depression. This is a “quiet catastrophe” for those men and the country.
How likely is a UK-US trade deal?
President Donald Trump has pledged to maintain a trade deal with Britain after Brexit in March 2019. On what terms and is it in Britain’s interests to sign up?
Donald Trump’s energy revolution
The new president has vowed to slash green regulations and promote fossil fuels. But is this anything more than hot air? Simon Wilson reports.
The NHS’s winter crisis
The NHS often runs into trouble in winter, but things have never looked quite this bad. What’s gone wrong? Simon Wilson reports.
Generating power from taming the tide
The rise and fall of the tides is an obvious and reliable source for renewable energy. But is exploiting it economically feasible? Simon Wilson reports.
The rise of fake news
Increased internet use has seen the growth of news items that purport to be true, but aren’t. What motivates the tricksters, and is the trend here to stay?
The pharma price-gouging scandal
Pharmaceutical companies have hit the headlines for hiking prices for life-saving drugs by shocking amounts. What’s going on? Simon Wilson reports.
The chaos behind the UK’s rail crisis
Commuters in the south of England face a third day of no train services today thanks to the biggest strikes since the 1990s. What’s the row about? Simon Wilson reports.