Business comment, opinions on the business news

COLUMN: Andrew Miller - Cash is king as euro wobble continues May 23 2012

IN one of life's ironies, the sustainability of the euro is being undermined most by a group of voters who say they actually want it.Read

COLUMN: John Mowbray - Why it's time to accentuate the positive in the North May 23 2012

POSITIVITY is as infectious in business as it is in life and it’s time for a large dose of it across both in the North East.Read

COLUMN: Kevin Rowan - There is an EU alternative to austerity May 21 2012

THE electoral reaction to austerity in Greece and in France, reflected too in local elections here in the UK, has contributed to much speculation and macro-political economic wrangling, with rumours that the US and the UK are among those putting pressure on Germany to ease the financial burden of Greece’s ‘euro bail-out’.Read

COLUMNl: Anthony Peart - High street is not all doom and gloom May 21 2012

LAST week was a painful reminder for investors that the UK stock market can quickly change its focus. The overriding concerns are political instability in Europe and the impact that may have on future policy.Read

COLUMN: Bill Midgley - Government fails to understand business May 18 2012

IT IS somewhat surprising that many are asking whether this Government, primarily Conservative in electoral terms, is really a friend of business. Recent comments from a number of ministers have been critical from the foreign secretary to the prime minister and the Treasury ...Read

COLUMN: Prof Bernie Callaghan - Graduation joy boosts working life May 17 2012

WHAT struck me during a recent graduation ceremony for our MBA and undergraduate students in Kenya was the total, joyful involvement of every single person there.Read

COLUMN: Sarah Smith - Publicans should be ready for royal bash May 16 2012

IN recent times, those working in the licensed trade have struggled to find a silver lining amongst all the gloom.Read

COLUMN: James Ramsbotham - Help us to create Age of Industry May 16 2012

THE Age of Enlightenment saw intellectuals embrace science over superstition, combating ignorance with intelligence, cultivating morality, and taking a stand against injustices of the church and state.Read

COLUMN: Liz Mayes - Forecast for growth in second half May 15 2012

LAST week the CBI released our latest economic forecast, following the news that the UK had officially entered recession again, our forecast predicted that growth will resume in the second half of the year – a small sun on the horizon.Read

COLUMN: Neil Warwick - Time to give business a spring clean May 15 2012

DESPITE what recent downpours and flooding would indicate, we are actually heading from spring to summer.Read

COLUMN: Andrew Miller - Effects of voting against austerity are being seen May 09 2012

IT may have been the wettest April on record in the UK, but it’s a different set of seasonal effects that are now unsettling many investors.Read

COLUMN: Jonathan Walker - 'No' result a real setback for Cameron May 09 2012

THE monkey swung into Hartlepool, Robocop marched on Middlesbrough and Linda Arkley took the seat in North Tyneside, but there will be no elected mayor in Newcastle.Read

COLUMN: Kevin Rowan - Don’t let politics halt development May 08 2012

IN the run-up to the local elections and specifically the referendum for an elected Mayor for Newcastle, the Conservative-led Coalition Government was strongly linking future economic development in the area to the outcome of last week’s vote.Read

COLUMN: Carmen Baylis - Making the most of growth in cyber security May 08 2012

GIVEN that most of us can remember a time when the internet didn't feature so prolifically in day to day life, the speed with which it has woven its way through the fabric of society is quite staggering.Read

COLUMN: Ian Lowes - Life after working should be good May 05 2012

WHEN saving for your retirement, just stuffing the cash under the mattress is not advised. Financial adviser Ian Lowes looks at more lucrative options.Read

COLUMN: Bill Midgley - Are banks up to £1bn challenge? May 04 2012

I MAY have to concede that I am not the greatest supporter of the banks at present. However, as someone trained and qualified in that industry, and who spent some 40 years employed in it, I might claim some understanding of the business.Read

COLUMN: Andrew Miller - Cautious optimism for months ahead May 02 2012

HAVING softened a little in March after a strong run through the winter months, the global economic data that matters most was more or less in line with expectations in April.Read

COLUMN: Sarah Green - Business must defend its tax record May 01 2012

DO businesses pay their fair share of tax? Activist groups have recently raised the perfectly legitimate question of whether business pays its ‘fair share’ of tax.Read

COLUMN: Kevin Rowan - Cuts will risk safety of workers Apr 30 2012

THROUGHOUT the country, events took place on Saturday to commemorate Workers’ Memorial Day with trade unions, safety campaigners and progressive politicians highlighting workplace health and safety.Read