Latest news with #IPPR
Telegraph
17-07-2025
- Business
- Telegraph
The risk it takes to grow
Whether it's digital banking, luxury flooring, online cosmetics or management consulting, a new wave of UK businesses are expanding internationally, launching their innovative ventures into Europe, the US, Canada and beyond. But with rapid technological innovation, changing workforce dynamics and evolving consumer habits, the economy faces unprecedented change. Scaling for global growth requires a laser focus on long-term strategy. It is all too easy to be blown off course by global volatility – the 'permacrisis' of political and economic turbulence, as well as wars and energy shocks, can exert a powerful impact. On top of that are the operational challenges such as regulation and compliance complexities, cultural and language barriers, the product-market fit and protecting company culture. So how can UK organisations pursue global growth without compromising on existing performance? Going long Today, many UK businesses struggle to plan long-term, and fail to invest for the future. The UK lags behind other major economies in areas such as capital investment, innovation and infrastructure. A 2024 study by think tank IPPR has found that the UK has been bottom of the G7 in business investment for 24 of the past 30 years. In 2022, the UK was 28th out of 31 OECD countries. Fear of economic uncertainty and the pace of change can hold leaders back from making the bold plans required for expansion. Accenture's Pulse of Change Index found that the rate of change affecting businesses globally grew 183 per cent between 2019 and the end of 2023, fuelled by the pandemic and the rise of AI. Some 88 per cent of business leaders predicted even faster rates of change in 2024 than the year before. To succeed in this period of transformation, businesses must focus on the fundamentals. Of course, this doesn't mean sticking rigidly to a three- or five-year plan and refusing to adapt to market dynamics. But it does mean planning for the future. Long-term thinking helps businesses remain resilient and weather temporary difficulties – as long as they keep their eyes firmly fixed on the ultimate destination. A clear 'north star' purpose, which guides all aspects of the business through volatile times, is essential. So while the tenures of chief executives and senior leaders may decrease, a long-term lens is essential to creating a stable, high-performance business that thrives in international markets. Standing out from the crowd In uncertain times businesses are tempted to cut back on costs that don't deliver immediate returns. Investment, training, internal communications and – crucially – culture are all on the chopping block when short-term cost savings are demanded in response to market disruption. Making such cuts would be short-sighted. These areas are essential because they preserve the core of the business and are critical when confronting the challenges of global expansion – including complying with a diverse range of laws and regulations, understanding cultural differences, coping with financial risks, renewing supply chains and adapting products to new markets. Whether built on stand-out customer service, sector-beating innovation, an engaging brand story or a clever twist on existing technology, companies must safeguard the fundamentals that underpin their business models when entering new markets. People first A key component of any business culture is talent. With global skill shortages and a growing need for specialist staff, managing your workforce is a major differentiator and a key to success. MHR provides cutting-edge human resources, payroll and finance services, and is gearing up for global growth. Its US expansion focuses on customer experience, agility and sustainable growth. Key to winning new business in the US is its People First HCM product, a cloud-based human capital management platform that handles HR, payroll and talent management, which helps businesses boost collaboration between employees, minimise skills shortages, extend training and improve the employee experience. For instance, luxury flooring company Karndean has used People First as a key lever in its own expansion strategy. The family business founded in the UK 50 years ago employs some 500 people and has operations across the globe, and People First has helped to promote company-wide learning on compliance topics such as GDPR and anti-bribery policy. By bringing core business functions together, platforms like People First help customers improve their communication, knowledge sharing and decision-making – critical for any high-performance growth strategy. And it's a powerful, interactive tool for a company that's scaling up. Being cloud-based and a mobile app means it can be accessed from anywhere, and its newsfeed is able to connect workers across multiple territories so that everyone everywhere is up to date and in the know when it comes to a company's business. With the right foundations, technologies and mindsets, UK companies can go beyond merely competing on the world stage – they can thrive.
Yahoo
17-07-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Sixteen and 17-year-olds will be able to vote in next general election
Sixteen and 17 year olds will be able to vote in all UK elections in the biggest reform to the electoral system since 1969. The government said it will give young people the right to vote in the next general election, something Labour promised in its manifesto last summer. They can already vote in Senedd elections in Wales and Holyrood elections in Scotland, but this will mean all 16 and 17 year olds across all four UK nations can vote in local, regional and general elections. Politics latest: Up to 9.5 million more people will now be able to vote, the IPPR thinktank said. The latest figures show 48,208,507 people are registered to vote. The last time the voting age was changed was in 1969 when it was reduced from 21 to 18. The government has said the change will "boost democratic engagement in a changing world, and help to restore trust in UK democracy". Deputy Prime Minister Angela Rayner said: "For too long public trust in our democracy has been damaged and faith in our institutions has been allowed to decline. "We are taking action to break down barriers to participation that will ensure more people have the opportunity to engage in UK democracy, supporting our Plan for Change, and delivering on our manifesto commitment to give 16 year olds the right to vote. "We cannot take our democracy for granted, and by protecting our elections from abuse and boosting participation we will strengthen the foundations of our society for the future." Read more: Bank cards allowed as voter ID As part of the strategy, voter ID will also be extended to include UK-issued bank cards. Conservative shadow local government minister Paul Holmes raised concerns using bank cards for ID will "undermine the security of the ballot box". When other IDs that are already accepted, such as the veteran card and UK driving licences, become digitised, they will also be accepted in that form. A digital Voter Authority Certificate will also be created to ensure electoral registration officers, who maintain registers of electors and absent voters, will be able to accept digital forms of ID. Close loopholes for foreign donors In an effort to boost transparency and accountability in politics, the government said it will close loopholes allowing foreign donors via "shell companies" to influence UK political parties. New requirements will be introduced so unincorporated associations will have to carry out checks on donations over £500 to tackle foreign interference. The Electoral Commission will also be given new powers to enforce heavier fines of up to £500,000 on those who breach political finance rules, and enable tougher sentences for those who abuse election campaigners.
Sky News
17-07-2025
- Politics
- Sky News
Sixteen and 17-year-olds will be able to vote in next general election
Sixteen and 17 year olds will be able to vote in all UK elections in the biggest reform to the electoral system since 1969. The government said it will give young people the right to vote in the next general election, something Labour promised in its manifesto last summer. They can already vote in Senedd elections in Wales and Holyrood elections in Scotland, but this will mean all 16 and 17 year olds across the UK can vote in local, regional and general elections. Up to 9.5 million more people will now be able to vote, the IPPR thinktank said. The latest figures show 48,208,507 people are registered to vote. The last time the voting age was changed was in 1969 when it was reduced from 21 to 18. The government has said the change will "boost democratic engagement in a changing world, and help to restore trust in UK democracy". Deputy Prime Minister Angela Rayner said: "For too long public trust in our democracy has been damaged and faith in our institutions has been allowed to decline. "We are taking action to break down barriers to participation that will ensure more people have the opportunity to engage in UK democracy, supporting our Plan for Change, and delivering on our manifesto commitment to give 16 year olds the right to vote. "We cannot take our democracy for granted, and by protecting our elections from abuse and boosting participation we will strengthen the foundations of our society for the future." Bank cards allowed as voter ID As part of the strategy, voter ID will also be extended to include UK-issued bank cards. When other IDs that are already accepted, such as the veteran card and UK driving licences, become digitised, they will also be accepted in that form. A digital Voter Authority Certificate will also be created to ensure electoral registration officers, who maintain registers of electors and absent voters, will be able to accept digital forms of ID. Close loopholes for foreign donors In an effort to boost transparency and accountability in politics, the government said it will close loopholes allowing foreign donors via "shell companies" to influence UK political parties. New requirements will be introduced so unincorporated associations will have to carry out checks on donations over £500 to tackle foreign interference. The Electoral Commission will also be given new powers to enforce heavier fines of up to £500,000 on those who breach political finance rules, and enable tougher sentences for those who abuse election campaigners.
Rhyl Journal
15-07-2025
- Politics
- Rhyl Journal
Cleverly hits out at populist ‘fantasy' amid London mayor bid speculation
The former home secretary said calls to 'smash the system' and 'start again from scratch' were 'complete nonsense' in a speech making the case for greater accountability through realistic Whitehall reforms. Sir James also declined to explicitly rule out a bid for City Hall or another run for the party leadership as he was questioned about his political future following his defeat in the contest to replace Rishi Sunak last year. But he said he had 'reconciled' himself with the result of the 2024 Tory leadership race and said the party should stop 'cycling through leaders'. Appearing at the Institute For Public Policy Research (IPPR) think tank on Tuesday, the senior backbencher called for greater accountability in politics by reducing the 'cloud of quangos' in the system. Sir James said the 'go-to excuse for populist politicians' is to pretend 'difficult choices and trade-offs don't exist' and attack the Civil Service. 'I have lost count of the number of political gurus who said we should smash the system and start again from scratch,' he told the audience. 'Tempting though that may be, it is totally unrealistic, because all we need to do to deliver that is mobilise the alternative, anti-woke, right-wing civil service that's waiting in the wings to take things over when the Civil Service that we currently have is got rid of. 'Simple. It's also a fantasy. It's a complete nonsense. It's excuse-making, and it's weak.' Instead, he said further action was needed to tackle the 'tangle of quangos, commissioners, panels advisory bodies, all making decisions, almost none of whom have been voted for, and none of whom can be voted out.' Delighted to welcome @JamesCleverly to @IPPR – he is arguing for more honesty and more accountability in politics. — Harry Quilter-Pinner (@harry_qp) July 15, 2025 He warned a 'disconnect between decision-making and accountability' introduces 'moral hazard' and 'erodes the very institutions upon which we rely'. In a Q&A following the speech, the former Cabinet minister insisted he had 'reconciled' himself to his defeat at the leadership election and would not 'jump' into his next career move as he faced questions about his future. Asked whether he was eyeing a bid for London mayor, another run for the Tory leadership or planning to remain on the back benches, he said: 'I like being in government. 'I don't like being in opposition, which is why I'm clear that I will play my part in helping to get Conservatives back into government, at every level of government. 'Exactly what I do next? I've forced a discipline on myself which is not to jump at something. 'I ran for leader. I didn't get it. I reconciled myself to that and I promised myself that I would spend some time thinking about exactly what I would do next. 'I know everyone will write into that 'Cleverly refuses to discount dot dot dot' – nothing I can do about that, you're going to write what you're going to write. 'But the simple fact of the matter is, I am focused on what I've always focused on, which is getting a Conservative government at every level to serve the British people, and that's my mission.' He sought to strike an optimistic note about the future of the Conservative Party as it flounders in the polls, arguing it is 'the oldest and most successful political movement in human history' because 'we adapt, we evolve, we fight back'. Sir James acknowledged opinion poll momentum for Reform posed a challenge for the Tories, but insisted Nigel Farage's party faced its own dilemma in seeking to be both 'new' and 'a repository for disgruntled former Conservatives'. The rise of Reform is not unique to the UK, @JamesCleverly tells @harry_qp. "'Smash the system' is an excuse, it's an easy way of ducking the problem" he says. — IPPR (@IPPR) July 15, 2025 The senior Tory said: 'If their sales pitch is 'we're not like the old political parties', but they are mainly populated with people from my party, it's going to be really hard for them to reconcile that sales pitch.' He hit out at former party members defecting to Reform, adding: 'I don't think it's smart. I don't think it's right. 'I think people lose credibility, particularly with people who have… very, very recently (stood as Conservatives) who then basically say 'the thing that made me realise I wasn't really a Tory was being booted out of office by the electorate'.' Reflecting on his Tory leadership bid and whether he still harboured ambitions for the top job, he said: 'We have got to get out of this habit of cycling through leaders in the hope that ditching this one and picking a new one will make life easy for us.'
Leader Live
15-07-2025
- Politics
- Leader Live
Cleverly hits out at populist ‘fantasy' amid London mayor bid speculation
The former home secretary said calls to 'smash the system' and 'start again from scratch' were 'complete nonsense' in a speech making the case for greater accountability through realistic Whitehall reforms. Sir James also declined to explicitly rule out a bid for City Hall or another run for the party leadership as he was questioned about his political future following his defeat in the contest to replace Rishi Sunak last year. But he said he had 'reconciled' himself with the result of the 2024 Tory leadership race and said the party should stop 'cycling through leaders'. Appearing at the Institute For Public Policy Research (IPPR) think tank on Tuesday, the senior backbencher called for greater accountability in politics by reducing the 'cloud of quangos' in the system. Sir James said the 'go-to excuse for populist politicians' is to pretend 'difficult choices and trade-offs don't exist' and attack the Civil Service. 'I have lost count of the number of political gurus who said we should smash the system and start again from scratch,' he told the audience. 'Tempting though that may be, it is totally unrealistic, because all we need to do to deliver that is mobilise the alternative, anti-woke, right-wing civil service that's waiting in the wings to take things over when the Civil Service that we currently have is got rid of. 'Simple. It's also a fantasy. It's a complete nonsense. It's excuse-making, and it's weak.' Instead, he said further action was needed to tackle the 'tangle of quangos, commissioners, panels advisory bodies, all making decisions, almost none of whom have been voted for, and none of whom can be voted out.' Delighted to welcome @JamesCleverly to @IPPR – he is arguing for more honesty and more accountability in politics. — Harry Quilter-Pinner (@harry_qp) July 15, 2025 He warned a 'disconnect between decision-making and accountability' introduces 'moral hazard' and 'erodes the very institutions upon which we rely'. In a Q&A following the speech, the former Cabinet minister insisted he had 'reconciled' himself to his defeat at the leadership election and would not 'jump' into his next career move as he faced questions about his future. Asked whether he was eyeing a bid for London mayor, another run for the Tory leadership or planning to remain on the back benches, he said: 'I like being in government. 'I don't like being in opposition, which is why I'm clear that I will play my part in helping to get Conservatives back into government, at every level of government. 'Exactly what I do next? I've forced a discipline on myself which is not to jump at something. 'I ran for leader. I didn't get it. I reconciled myself to that and I promised myself that I would spend some time thinking about exactly what I would do next. 'I know everyone will write into that 'Cleverly refuses to discount dot dot dot' – nothing I can do about that, you're going to write what you're going to write. 'But the simple fact of the matter is, I am focused on what I've always focused on, which is getting a Conservative government at every level to serve the British people, and that's my mission.' He sought to strike an optimistic note about the future of the Conservative Party as it flounders in the polls, arguing it is 'the oldest and most successful political movement in human history' because 'we adapt, we evolve, we fight back'. Sir James acknowledged opinion poll momentum for Reform posed a challenge for the Tories, but insisted Nigel Farage's party faced its own dilemma in seeking to be both 'new' and 'a repository for disgruntled former Conservatives'. The rise of Reform is not unique to the UK, @JamesCleverly tells @harry_qp. "'Smash the system' is an excuse, it's an easy way of ducking the problem" he says. — IPPR (@IPPR) July 15, 2025 The senior Tory said: 'If their sales pitch is 'we're not like the old political parties', but they are mainly populated with people from my party, it's going to be really hard for them to reconcile that sales pitch.' He hit out at former party members defecting to Reform, adding: 'I don't think it's smart. I don't think it's right. 'I think people lose credibility, particularly with people who have… very, very recently (stood as Conservatives) who then basically say 'the thing that made me realise I wasn't really a Tory was being booted out of office by the electorate'.' Reflecting on his Tory leadership bid and whether he still harboured ambitions for the top job, he said: 'We have got to get out of this habit of cycling through leaders in the hope that ditching this one and picking a new one will make life easy for us.'
