[BMS World Mission asked me to write a defence of capitalism from a Christian perspective for their magazine Mission Catalyst. It appears in Issue 4 2014, alongside a defence of socialism. The article is online here and reproduced below. The entire issue is available to read as published here. I may […]
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Comment on business today: see also www.ambrielconsulting.com
Featured Wycombe business: Origin
Our town’s motto is Industria Ditat – “industry enriches”. Industry in the broadest sense brings prosperity and fulfilment to our lives: it is industry which made High Wycombe great. With that in mind, I was delighted to visit Origin, an innovative and growing family firm which manufactures bi-fold doors, windows […]
Read MoreBudget 2014 passes the business test, says BCC
Via email, Giving his reaction to the Budget 2014, John Longworth Director General of the British Chambers of Commerce (BCC) said: “Business wanted a Budget that was disciplined, focused, and geared towards the creation of wealth and jobs – and that’s what the Chancellor has delivered. “With a huge confidence […]
Read MoreThe Government has exceeded its target to identify 3,000 regulations to be amended or scrapped
Via Number 10, Supporting business: David Cameron announces new plans: In a speech to the Federation of Small Businesses, the Prime Minister will tell the audience that the government has exceeded its target to identify 3,000 regulations to be amended or scrapped. This is the first government in modern history to reduce […]
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PovertyCure — From Aid to Enterprise
A fascinating video from PovertyCure on aid and enterprise: I particularly identified with: Having a heart for the poor isn’t hard. We have a mind for the poor. We will never reconcile all opinion about how to help the poor but there is far more unity than is generally believed over […]
Read MoreFor City AM: It’s time to end the cruel delusion of cheap money and reckless spending
City A.M. asked me to comment in advance of the Autumn statement. I wrote: GEORGE Osborne will present his Autumn Statement to a country in the grip of a cruel economic delusion, perpetrated against the poor and the aspirational. Welfare states everywhere are spending chronically beyond their means while papering […]
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Bucks: The 2nd fastest growing economy in the UK
Bucks’ Local Enterprise Partnership kindly gave me an update on how Buckinghamshire people are advancing the UK’s recovery. Buckinghamshire’s private sector is driving the economy forward. Bucks delivered the 2nd fastest growing economy in the UK, we are on top for skills and we have the lowest public sector employment […]
Read MoreWhat makes us prosperous? The 2013 Prosperity Index supplies a survey
This morning, after spotting Allister Heath’s boldly optimistic article for the Telegraph, I chaired the Parliamentary launch of the 2013 Legatum Prosperity Index. It’s not enough to consider quality of life by material things alone: Gross Domestic Product neglects great swathes of factors which make life worth living. As the […]
Read MoreSpeech on the “Green Investment Bank”
A speech in committee on the so-called Green Investment Bank, which appears to have had a greater impact than I had forseen: 4.45 pm Steve Baker (Wycombe) (Con): I fear that we are, once again, gathered together to make our constituents poorer and to promote special-interest rent seeking. I am […]
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New report: HS2 alternatives from the 51m Alliance
The 51m Alliance of nineteen local authorities opposed to HS2 (including Bucks County Council) have recently launched their ‘Alternative Investment Strategy’. It challenges the current DfT rationale of ‘capacity’ being the main reason for HS2 and proposes a comprehensive package of national investment in infrastructure to rebalance the nation’s economy. In […]
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