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Keir Starmer and his support of socialist policy

By
Oliver Sharpe
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Keir Starmer
Keir Starmer

After the Labour Party’s stunning defeat during the 2019 election, British politician Sir Keir Starmer was elected as their leader. Since 2020 he has served as the head of the Labour party and the Leader of the Opposition. He has also served as a Member of Parliament for Holborn and St Pancras since 2015. He is well known for his identification as a socialist and is an advocate for socialist policies.

Keir Starmer seems to have been born for his role in politics; he was named after the founder of the Labour Party, Keir Hardie. He grew up in Surrey where he attended the private Reigate Grammar School. He studied a bachelor of Laws at the University of Leeds and a bachelor of Civil Laws at Oxford. After being accepted into the bar Starmer began working as a defence lawyer and was eventually appointed as the Head of Crown Prosecutions, a position that he held until 2013.

In 2015 he joined the House of Commons and was later appointed to the Shadow Cabinet. After the Labour Party was defeated during the 2019 election he was chosen to succeed leader Jeremy Corbyn.

He is notable for his socialist beliefs and has been outspoken about his desire to confront inequality and injustice issues. Most notably he support the social ownership of key UK public services and infrastructure and wants to abolish tuition fees for university students. He has also pushed to put and end to illegal wars and has called for the UK’s arms sales to be reviewed. He has spoken out about his views on the Iraq War which he has said was not legal.

In his personal life he is happily married to Victoria Alexander whom he shares two children with and he is an avid supporter of Arsenal.

 

The UK’s economy could take up to 5 years to recover

By
Courtney Rowe
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UK economy

Leading forecasters have suggested that the UK’s economy may not recover until 2024 due to the impact of the coronavirus pandemic. The lockdown has taken a serious toll on the economy in the UK and unemployment is predicted to rise from 3.9% to 9%.

Predictions for the economy have also worsened, earlier in 2020 forecasters expected the economy to shrink to 8% but only a month later those prediction have been adjusted to 11.5%.

Business is expected to slow and many businesses are expected to close, many for good because of the flow on effect of the pandemic. Early predictions for financial recovery saw the economy in the UK bouncing back almost a full eighteen months earlier, but that now seems unlikely.

The government is predicting a ‘V-shaped’ recovery but forecasters have warned that the key to a swifter recovery will be three main factors; consumer confidence, employment and business investment.

It seems the worst is over at least, with it seeming likely that the UK has now turned a corner and will be on its way to recovery although it’s difficult to predict the future in the face of an entirely unprecedented crisis like the coronavirus pandemic.

To aid in the recovery of the economy the government has taken a number of steps, including cutting taxes and offering wage support and incentives to workers to encourage spending a stimulate the economy. Businesses are also taken part, offering to pay bonuses to their staff to help prop up the economy and try to battle the economic downturn.

Despite government interventions to try to protect the economy and the livelihoods of UK workers, the government has admitted that not all jobs can be saved and that many people will find themselves out of work.

What are your rights if you’ve been made redundant?

By
Kyle Faulkner
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What are your rights if you’ve been made redundant

In the midst of the coronavirus pandemic many companies are laying off employees to cope with the loss of revenue. To put it into perspective; British Airways plans to let go of 12,000 employees, Upper Crust and Ritazza 5,000, Swissport 4,500, Boots 4,000, Royal Mail 2,000 and Airbus 1,700.

Economists are fearing that when the furlough scheme ends that there will be another huge wave of redundancies. To ensure that you are kept as financially secure in this time as possible, below we will explore your rights when it comes to redundancy.

Your rights when your colleagues are being made redundant

Firstly when it comes to redundancies there are rules in place around consultations. If a company plans to make 100 redundancies or more they need to conduct a collective consultation. This meeting is to happen at least 45 days prior to the first lay off. During this time your employer has to inform your workspace the details of what is to come and also give everyone the chance to ask questions or raise concerns/objections. You may find that the consultation periods will change depending upon the redundancies for the company.

There are also rules regarding paid notice periods . In the UK, if you have been in your role for less than two years, your employer has to give you at least one week’s worth of notice. You can then get an extra week’s worth of notice for every year up to 12 years that you have been at the company. Which means that you can get a maximum notice period of up to 12 years. During this time your employer has to pay you normally or ask you to leave and be compensated with sum in lieu. Additional to your regular pay you should also be receiving benefits during this period such as contributions to your pension.

Fans remind George R.R Martin of his imprisonment promise

By
Victoria Rhodes
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George R.R Martin

Fans of George R.R Martin’s Song of Ice and Fire series have reminded him that he once promised them they could imprison him until he completed the sixth novel, Winds of Winter, if he hadn’t released the book by July 2020. The date has come and gone and the sequel from the 71 year old author has yet to materialise. Fans who have been waiting for many years for the sequel are frustrated with the delays. This year the author is making an appearance at the 78th Worldcon after being selected to play the role of Toastmaster.

The author has written in his blog recently that his progress on the novel is going well and that he expects it to be finished by 2021. He has made no mention of his previous promise to arrive at New Zealand’s Worldcon with his completed novel. He promised fans on his blog that if he hadn’t completed the novel by the time of the Worldcon event then they could force him into a small cabin on White Island to finish the novel. The author has become almost as famous for his writers block and writing delays as he is for his Song of Ice and Fire series. The first three books of the series were written in quick succession over the span of four years between 1996 and 2000 with the next books coming five and six years to be released. The seventh book in the series, A Dance with Dragons was released all the way back in 2011 meaning that Winds of Winter will be completed a full ten years after the last book was released. Many fans have openly worried that the author will die before the series is completed given his age.

Winston Churchill, the UK’s most significant political figure

By
Oliver Sharpe
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Winston Churchill

Without a doubt one of the best remembered and most significant political figures of the 20th century, Winston Churchill is instantly recognisable and is often spoken about in history classes around the globe. He is best remembered as Prime Minister of the United Kingdom between 1940 and 1945 during which he led the UK to a victory in the war. He was again elected as Prime Minister from 1951 to 1955. He was also an army officer and writer and was a member of the Conservative Party for most of his career in leadership although he was also a member of the Liberal Party between 1904 and 1924.

Churchill was born in Oxfordshire and as an adult joined the British Army where he was involved in action during both the Anglo-Sudan War and the Second Boer War. He gained his post as Prime Minister in 1940, succeeding Neville Chamberlain. During his years in the role he was tasked with managing Britain’s involvement in the Allied War effort against Germany. During the Cold War he made public comments about the influence of the Soviet’s in Europe and made public statements calling for the British Empire to be protected, his political views are often stated to be imperialist.

Whilst he was in government Britain develop nuclear weapons, he eventually resigned from office due to his failing health and died in 1965.

Churchill is often praised as being one of the most important figures of the 20th century and often inspires patriotism from citizens of the UK because he is perceived to have been a successful leader during war time as well as an impressive speaker and social reformist. His imperialist opinions, racist comments and some decisions made during war time efforts are however sometimes criticised.

The UK will lead green manufacturing

By
Michael Nash
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The UK will lead green manufacturing

The Manufacturing Technologies Association says that the UK economy could add between £8-20 billion to the economy if it were to use green manufacturing processes. This could represent up to a  £20 billion addition to the country’s and could create up to a million new jobs for the manufacturing industry.

The recognition of the need to invest in green technology to try to mitigate the effects of climate change is becoming more widespread and the calls for industry-wide changes are becoming more pressing. Climate change is an every present threat which is having a greater impact on the lives of people in the UK each day which is why many are now calling for action.

The UK is in a good position to be the leaders of green manufacturing technology which could have a positive impact on the industry across the globe. Since the 1990s the country has reduced carbon emissions by close to 44% and has lead the way in climate change policy by make the commitment to net-zero emissions.

Green technology investment is an important step on the path to reaching the net-zero carbon emissions goal which was highlighted by the Commission on Climate Change. For the UK to reach its planned goals, investment will need to increase by around 1-2% of the country’s GDP for every year, up until 2050.

Green technology is growing rapidly and is one of the current drivers of economic growth in the country. If the UK invests now in green technology it is likely to outpace other countries and will be in a better position on the climate change journey overall. The investment into green technology could also allow better diversification of products and services, even outside of the manufacturing sector and could mean many more jobs are created, including up to 83,000 jobs in the supply chain sector.

Who does the UK trade with?

By
Courtney Rowe
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UK trade

The UK’s biggest trading partner

Despite Brexit, the EU on the whole remains a key trading partner for the UK. In previous years the EU has been responsible for almost half of the goods exported from the UK. The UK also imported more from the European Union than the rest of their trading partners combined. In 2019 UK exports were more than £300bn.

However, despite the EU representing a huge piece of the pie when it comes to the UK’s export, exports have generally fallen over the years, mostly due to a decline in goods exporting to the UK.

The largest export to the rest of the EU from the UK is motor vehicles and part, which is worth £18bn to the UK, chemicals are also heavily exported to the tune of £15bn.

Countries that the UK exports to the most

The US is also significant trading partner, despite the vast distances between the countries. The UK relationship with the US is one of the country’s most significant in terms of trading as the US represents the biggest market for the UK for exports. In 2016 the UK almost twice as much from exporting to the US than they did with any other country. Exports to the US have been on the rise since 2011 in almost every category of goods.

Germany, Netherlands, France and Ireland are the UK’s next largest export markets, respectively. China is the countries sixth largest trading partner and continues to grow year on year as a trade partner.

The UK also runs a trade deficit with a number of the largest economies in the European Union whilst running a surplus with other major economies such as Ireland, Australia and Brazil. Since Brexit, countries such as Australia are increasingly seen as key trading partners for the country since a new free trade agreement has been struck between the countries.

Fashion brand Burberry closes half its stores

By
Sienna Flynn
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Burberry

Fashion retailer Burberry has been forced to close over half of its stores throughout Europe, India, Africa and the Middle East as a result of the impact of the coronavirus pandemic. The British fashion brand has opted to make the move due to increasingly tight social distancing restrictions.

The store closures will result in a sharp decline in the brands yearly revenue and they have reported that they expect to see a 30 per cent loss on their fourth quarter revenue.

The brand which is headquartered in London has already shut down more than 85 per cent of their stored in the United States and expects to shut more in the coming months.

The luxury design market has been hard hit by this year’s event, many shoppers are out of work or unable to spend and stores are suffering from having to shut their doors. Burberry has chosen to shut down its stores as a mitigation tactic to prevent worse financial damage and to try to keep the company afloat.

Other retail brands are taking similar measures throughout the US and closing stores. Online shopping on the other hand is doing much better with many people taking their shopping to the web. The UK has pledged more than £350 billion to help businesses through the crisis, the funding is in addition to the support package from the government which gives struggling businesses access to loans and a year long break from business rates.

Some have said the measures do little for vulnerable workers and with some many large retailers shutting their doors more needs to be done to save people’s jobs and help stores to stay open. Hopefully British fashion brands like Burberry will be able to access the support they need to stay open.

6 Best Coats Alessandro Rocco Pietrocola Uses for Winter

By
Daniel Storey
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Alessandro Rocco Pietrocola
Alessandro Rocco Pietrocola

As the weather gets colder in the northern hemisphere, it makes sense for people to invest in new winter clothing they can rug up in. A nice coat is a perfect option for winter since it lets you stay warm while out and about but can be easily removed and hung up on a coatrack or even the back of an office chair when you head indoors.

Since you’ll no doubt be getting a lot of use from your coat, it’s worth investing in a high-quality and stylish one. When it comes to high-quality and trendy clothing, successful entrepreneur Alessandro Rocco Pietrocola is undoubtedly someone to be inspired by.

As CEO of globally renowned finance and consultancy firm Astorts Group, Alessandro Rocco Pietrocola does a lot of business travel and needs to be equipped for colder weather. Over the years, he has worn a variety of different style winter coats, and the following will list his top 6 picks.

1. Heavy Parka Coat

Heavy parka coats are shorter than most, finishing at the thighs, and they tend to be fitted more loosely. While popular in khaki and military green shades, heavy parka coats can come in a variety of colours to suit your preference, and the best are made from a waterproof material to keep you dry in the rain.

Alessandro Rocco Pietrocola likes this relaxed style when he’s running errands on the few days that he’s not attending business meetings or consulting clients. What this coat lacks in length it makes up for in warmth due to its heavier weight, and it suits a casual urban style.

2. Peacoat

Best Coats Alessandro Rocco Pietrocola Uses for Winter

A peacoat is a classic coat style that was traditionally worn by sailors in generations past. It’s both highly fashionable and warm and is a popular choice with celebrities and royalty during the colder months.

Alessandro likes this double-breasted variety of coat as it adds a nice sense of old-world polish to his outfits. When wearing a peacoat, Alessandro likes to compliment it with a pullover underneath of a contrasting shade.

3. Overcoat

For those seeking to complement a smart-casual look this winter, a classic overcoat is hard to top. This long-sleeve coat can be single or double-breasted. Versatile and insulating, an overcoat is an easy way to take your winter outfit up a notch.

Alessandro Rocco Pietrocola owns many high-quality overcoats which he loves to pair with his more formal suits on those important days where he wants to look his best. He advises that you spend some time making sure your overcoat fits you perfectly and avoid getting something too long or too boxy.

4. Raincoat

While raincoats started out as something purely utilitarian, contemporary varieties can actually be quite stylish. They obviously do a great job at keeping you dry, and Alessandro likes longer raincoats for formal occasions and shorter raincoats for casual ones.

5. Waxed-Cotton Jacket

Alessandro Rocco Pietrocola -Parka Coat

Waxed-cotton jackets are popular because of the wax film applied to them that means water just bounces off rather than soaking in, and it’s also very resistant to the wind. They’re classically known as hunting jackets, due to the large pockets at the bottom used to store extra ammunition for rifles, and they are also popular with sailors to stop against wind and rain.

You don’t need to be a hunter or sailor to enjoy wearing this jacket though, as it has become a very popular style in men’s high-fashion. Alessandro loves to wear waxed-cotton jackets when he’s going on outdoor adventures where the elements are a little harsher than in urban areas.

6. Trench Coat

Alessandro Rocco Pietrocola - Overcoat

Last but not least, the iconic trench coat is one of the classiest designs with a military heritage. Ostensibly designed to keep mud off uniforms in the trenches of the First World War, this long style of coat is best for keeping rain and grime off your finer clothes underneath and is ideal for stormy days when the wind is fierce.

Trench coats are also just incredibly stylish on their own, and Alessandro Rocco Pietrocola likes wearing them over many of his outfits. They also have a certain ‘getting things done’ quality to them, perhaps due to their popularity with Hollywood detectives.

How close are we to a coronavirus vaccine?

By
Nathan Bailey
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0
coronavirus vaccine

Researchers from all over the globe are racing to develop a vaccine against COVID-19. The World Health Organisation (WHO) is tracking more than 140 candidate vaccines. Normally vaccines take years of testing and development to be produced on a global scale. Due to the current climate of the pandemic, researchers are planning on having one developed within the next 12 to 18 months.

Vaccines must follow higher safety higher standards than other medical products as they are being given to healthy people. Essentially the vaccine mimics the virus or a part of it. Your body then identifies that something is going on and develops antibodies to protect you.

What is the process of testing vaccines?

Researchers give the vaccine to animals in the pre-clinical stage of the testing process to see if it triggered an immune response.

Phase one of clinical testing involves the vaccine being given to a small group of people to determine the safety measures and if it provokes an immune response in humans.

Phase two gives the vaccine to hundreds of people so the researchers can get an idea of the safe level of dosage.

In phase three, the vaccine is now distributed to thousands of individuals to again confirm the safety of it and see if there are any rare side effects some people experience. This stage of the testing process also determines the effectiveness of the vaccine while also having a control group who are given a placebo.

The Murdoch Children’s Research Institute and the University of Melbourne are currently conducting phase three of the clinical trial process. They are testing a tuberculosis vaccine that is almost 100 years old. At the moment it is believed that the old vaccine doesn’t protect specifically against COVID-19 but it evokes an immune response that could make it harder to contract coronavirus.

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