Ukraine’s ‘relatively open’ economy is poorly suited to wartime conditions, finds a new report from the PeaceRep-Ukraine team at LSE IDEAS, the LSE’s foreign policy think tank. The authors warn that government spending on civilian reconstruction efforts remains limited, while Ukraine is losing domestic market share in key sectors to foreign firms. Even though state purchases of goods and services rose overall from 2021-23, this was driven by a massive increase in defence spending, and the purchase of civilian goods and services dropped from $16bn USD to $14.7bn USD during this time, according to the report. In the market for…
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Local community group, SEDSConnective, is today celebrating after being awarded £20,000 in National Lottery funding to support its work with a mental health project for the neurodivergent community. The group, based in in Sussex, will use the money to provide support services designed by those with lived-in experiences. This includes regular meetings, specialised sessions, such as, specialised Pilates, physiotherapy, lymphatic demonstrations, art therapy, community expert and member talks, and advocacy activities, both in-person and online. SEDSConnective has been running since 2018 and is staffed by 30 volunteers. It was founded by Jane Green MBE FCCT after she herself faced lifelong…
Freelancers, contractors and consultants working via their own limited companies have been urged to take it upon themselves to check their IR35 status – in a move which could help ensure their clients set status correctly and in turn, compliantly boost their take home after tax by anything up to 30%. The recommendation comes from IR35 compliance expert, Qdos, which has witnessed first-hand contractors safeguarding their IR35 status in recent months and in some cases, overturning incorrect IR35 status decisions made by their clients. Following changes to the IR35 rules, businesses engaging freelancers and contractors are now responsible for setting…
Trades United to Rally in London Against Tool Theft Epidemic Trades United is organising a van rally in Westminster (Parliament Square) to bring attention to the widespread issue of tool theft and the resale of stolen goods. Starting from Brent Cross, tradespeople from across the UK will descend upon Parliament Square to demand stricter enforcement of existing laws and greater accountability for venues that facilitate the resale of stolen tools at car boot sales and markets. Tradesmen and women will captivate London with a van rally, urging the government to address the inadequate enforcement of laws that jeopardise thousands of…
Altasciences — a pioneering contract research organization (CRO) based in North America— is leading the conversation on change in the drug development industry as part of a new documentary series ahead of the 2024 Global Health Summit in Geneva in May, hosted alongside the World Health Organization’s 77th World Health Assembly. Altasciences has been at the forefront of building an all-in-one early-phase drug development solution that aims to help sponsors bring new, and better, medicine into the hands of patients, faster. The mini documentary titled “Flipping the Drug Development Industry on its Head” explores transformation in a slow-to-change industry. The…
The competition running for the second year to start accepting entries from XX June; top finalists to present their solutions during COP29 in Azerbaijan Saïd Business School, University of Oxford, in collaboration with Burjeel Holdings, is delighted to announce launch of Oxford Saïd-Burjeel Holdings Climate Change Challenge – a global competition aimed at empowering high school students and educators to address the climate crisis, for the second year in a row. Following the resounding success of its inaugural year, which garnered over 600 applications from more than 43 countries, the second edition of the competition is poised to amplify its…
Tackling populism, illiberalism, threats to media freedom, and democratic backsliding is the focus of the Ratiu Dialogues on Democracy 2024. The Ratiu Dialogues on Democracy is an event held annually, organised by the LSE IDEAS Ratiu Forum: a joint initiative of the Ratiu Family Charitable Foundation, the Ratiu Centre for Democracy, and the LSE IDEAS Central and South-East Europe Programme (CSEEP). Now in its fifth year, and hosted by the Ratiu Centre for Democracy in Turda (Romania), the aim of the dialogues is to strengthen discussions and visions of democracy within Central-Eastern Europe and the Balkan region. This year, proceedings…
talkSPORT today announces that Burger King UK will be the headline sponsor of the station’s Euros 2024 coverage, kicking off this evening in Munich. The talent-led partnership will run across the entire tournament on radio, digital audio, and talkSPORT’s social and YouTube channels. Using a whopping lineup of football royalty the partnership will be fronted by the likes of Shaun Wright Phillips, Emile Heskey, and Ledley King, who will feature in a series of on-air activations such as bespoke interview features, as well as social content, including Burger King branded England game watchalongs and King Saver Penalty shoot outs. Walk-In…
Having penned over 45 books on British politics, esteemed educator, Sir Anthony Seldon, knows exactly what makes a compelling leader. In episode six of the Culture de-cooded podcast – staging deep conversation with some of the world’s most ground-breaking leaders – he tells host, Charlie Coode, how recent PMs are holding the UK back. “They come in. They know nothing. And they’re surrounded by know-nothing advisors who think they can make it all up” says Seldon, explaining how their disdain for their predecessors leaves them blind to the historical facts. Describing government as “boiling in arrogance”, Seldon believes that politicians…
COMEDIAN KURT STERLING SET FOR ED FRINGE DEBUT WITH CORPORATE CHRONICLES 1st – 25th August (excludes 12th August) at 8pm The Common Room, Cabaret Voltaire (part of Just The Tonic) TICKETS “A fresh-faced comedian with a knack for hilarious storytelling” – Lithgow Comedy Festival “Great crowd work & great content” – Adelaide Fringe Festival Kurt Sterling is a Sydney-based stand-up comedian and 2024 Raw Comedy NSW state finalist. Fresh from a sold-out show at the Adelaide Fringe Festival, Kurt will be making his debut at the Edinburgh Fringe 2024 with his show ‘Corporate Chronicles’. ‘Corporate Chronicles’ is a sharply observed,…