Category Archives: Business

Comment on business today: see also www.ambrielconsulting.com

Our plan for people’s jobs and incomes


We know people are deeply worried about the Coronavirus – the impact it will have on their jobs, their incomes and their ability to provide for their families. We said we would support the British people – and we meant it. We will do whatever it takes and we will get through this. Our Plan for People’s Jobs and Incomes, will protect people’s jobs; offer more generous support to those who are without jobs; strengthen the safety net for the […]

Tags: , ,

Visit to Premier Analytical Services


On Friday 18 November, I had the opportunity to visit Premier Analytical Services in Wycombe, part of the Premier Foods Group, a leading UK food producer. Premier Analytical Services specialise in the chemical analysis of food, focusing on food authenticity, food composition and food safety. The lab researches a range of issues including mycotoxins, trace contaminates, the overall authenticity of food, allergens, nutrition, vitamins, minerals and additives. Premier Analytical Services has close working links with the food standards agency, food manufacturers and […]

Tags: , ,

Community Pharmacies: Letter from Minister


Post Image

I have now received a letter from the Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for the Department of Health, David Mowat MP about the future of community pharmacy. I had attended the Minister’s statement in the Houses of Parliament on 20th October but I had also written to the Minister about this issue. There had been considerable local interest in the issue, especially in Downley, Lane End and Marlow Bottom. The Minister has said that from 1st December, the Government will Simplify the outdated […]

Tags: , , ,

Slides: Leaving the EU – a personal perspective, prepared for Chiltern Chamber of Commerce


Post Image

This morning, I spoke at Chiltern Chamber of Commerce’s Post-Brexit Networking Breakfast, providing a personal perspective on “Leaving the EU, what next?” As promised, the slides are available here: 20160716-EU-WhatNext. Many thanks to Chiltern Chamber of Commerce for the opportunity. A transcript is not available.

Tags: , , ,

National Apprenticeship Week


Post Image

This week is National Apprenticeship Week, a week in which to appreciate the benefits apprenticeships can bring to employers and apprentices alike. The Government is committed to achieving three million high quality apprenticeship starts by 2020, increasing opportunities for young people and helping to abolish long-term youth unemployment. There were 19,800 starts on Higher Apprenticeships in 2014/15, an increase of 115% on the previous year. Apprenticeships enable people to accelerate their careers with higher apprentices earning, on average, £150,000 more […]

Tags: , ,

Tomorrow, an IEA afternoon conference on Christianity, politics, the poor and the planet


Post Image

Tomorrow, I am speaking at an IEA conference on Christianity, politics, the poor and the planet, addressing Christianity and inequality: Christianity and inequality Churches have always been concerned about the problem of poverty even if there are differences in views about how it should be tackled. However, in recent years, despite inequality in the world falling, there have been an increasing number of critics of the “rich” and of the level of inequality. This panel will discuss the approaches Christians should take […]

Tags: , , ,

When planning goes wrong – business change of use


I feel sure I can claim the support of everyone if I write that the planning system should promote prosperity. I am certain those operating the system work diligently within the rules with that noble intent in mind. However, over the past few years, I have seen a number of instances where business owners have had what I considered their legitimate and beneficial commercial interests impeded or completely stymied by planning decisions. Reasons have always been given but in every case, […]

Tags: , , , , ,

Johnson & Johnson named Britain’s Healthiest Company 2015


Post Image

Johnson & Johnson (J&J), which has a major presence in High Wycombe, has been named Britain’s Healthiest Company and recognised as having Britain’s Healthiest Workforce following the UK’s largest wellness survey. Johnson & Johnson picked up the two awards after taking part in the joint initiative between The Sunday Telegraph, Mercer and VitalityHealth. The Healthiest Workforce award considered factors such as such as environment, staff engagement and participation, and company culture. Johnson & Johnson’s entry covered all three of its business sectors […]

Tags: , , ,

New measures to support entrepreneurs and job creation


Post Image

As the Legatum Institute’s Prosperity Index repeatedly shows, entrepreneurship and opportunity are the primary keys to overall prosperity. It is because life in society is a creative dynamic process of discovering how best to serve the needs of other people and to adjust to them. If we are to become the most prosperous nation within a generation, we will need to liberate that spirit of innovation, service and commerce which has always served our country so well. I was therefore delighted […]

Tags: , , , , , , ,

Understanding the Money Creation and Society Debate


Together with colleagues spanning four parties – Michael Meacher (Lab), Caroline Lucas (Green), Douglas Carswell (UKIP) and David Davis (Con) – I have secured a debate on Money Creation and Society for Thursday 20 November. Here’s a quick guide to understanding the debate. First, we have a system of paper or “fiat” money: it exists due to legal mandate as opposed to being a physical commodity like gold. Reserves, notes and coins are created by the state but claims on money […]

Tags: , , , , , , ,