The Edge

Richard Northedge takes on corporate finance

Archive for the ‘recession’ category

Queen Jubilee holiday: Private sector will pay

God save the Queen, but where will the savings come from?
(more…)


Lord Sugar is right be he needs to think positively

Well, what did small business expect from Lord Sugar? The TV star told small companies that they are moaners. And they proved him right by moaning.
(more…)


The bad news wasn’t as bad as we thought

It’s not only when new economic figures are better than the old that we know we’re past the worst, it’s when the old figures are revised so that they’re not as bad as they were.
(more…)


The recession was short and sharp – and over

It takes two quarters of negative growth to start a recession but only three months’ positive growth to end one. The UK slump is probably already over, making it deep but quick.
(more…)


Companies should be allowed to vote on Crossrail

No taxation without representation” was the cry of colonial entrepreneurs in 18th century America before the revolution. But in 21st century Britain, business still sees its coffers raided without being given chance to vote.
(more…)


Sssh, don’t mention the green shoots

Here is the good news. There is some good news. It is a rash politician who mentions green shoots until they have become sturdy plants, but there are signs of economic improvement.
(more…)


Penalising the fat years could make all years lean

The pensions industry has joined the financial regulator in using hindsight to say we should have stored away more during the boom years. The snag is, that’s the time when there seems least need to do it.
(more…)


Dividend cuts: last resort not a first thought

Once companies did anything to avoid cutting dividends. In 2009 it is the most fashionable thing to do but directors should be careful they do not become fashion victims.
(more…)


Savers need higher rates, not a tax-break

The chancellor’s hints of helping savers by waiving income tax is pointless. Receiving 100 per cent of next to nothing is still next to nothing.
(more…)


Wild-cat strikes today. Riots tomorrow?

The industrial dispute over employing Italian workers at Total’s Lincolnshire oil refinery has already provoked sympathy strikes among other trade unionists. The worry should be that it will be a catalyst for a new bout of violence on the streets.
(more…)