gender and scholarship July 1, 2015
Posted by Bradley in : gender , add a commentFormatting a recent paper according to Palgrave’s criteria – which ask for author citations by initials and surname (although unlike the Blue Book they require the identification of the publisher of books) – I was struck by how disturbing I found it to be eliminating hints of the gender of the authors I cite, even while recognizing that gender neutral citations might be beneficial.
little england rather than great britain May 11, 2015
Posted by Bradley in : inequality , add a commentWhat we have to look forward to after the election: more austerity, more deregulation, fewer rights for the disadvantaged, the poor, the helpless (more cuts to public services, more stress for those who can least bear it, no human rights, just money rights), a reduction in Britain’s stature in the world (talk about leaving the EU, reductions in financial regulation to prevent business moving offshore): in a few years it really will no longer be possible to use the terminology of “Great Britain.”
rethinking insider trading regulation May 11, 2015
Posted by Bradley in : jotwell , add a commentuk deregulation act allows for possibility of severe limits on regulators’ powers March 27, 2015
Posted by Bradley in : Uncategorized , add a commentSection 108 of the UK’s Deregulation Act 2015 provides that regulators may be required to “have regard to the desirability of promoting economic growth.” What this means is that they must
in particular, consider the importance for the promotion of economic growth of exercising the regulatory function in a way which ensures that-
(a) regulatory action is taken only when it is needed, and (b) any action taken is proportionate.
On the face of it this looks potentially reasonable – it is about encouraging regulators to make sure that regulation is necessary and proportionate (of course regulation should be proportionate and why would you ever want unnecessary regulation). But it isn’t clear how these terms are going to be interpreted, or whether the number of potential targets for this approach is small or large (for some concerns, see here). The provision has the potential to cause significant harm to all of the interests regulation is supposed to protect – and this is even before the TTIP regulatory cooperation measures are used to limit regulation. The UK can do it all on its own.
new paper March 6, 2015
Posted by Bradley in : financial regulation , add a commentI have been working on this paper on Changing Perceptions of Systemic Risk in Financial Regulation.
online reviews and endorsements – consultation February 27, 2015
Posted by Bradley in : consultation , add a commentThe UK Competition and Markets Authority is “inviting views from consumers, businesses and other interested parties on the use of online reviews and endorsements.” The Call for Information states that the concern which motivates the review relates to the trustworthiness and impartiality of some information in reviews and endorsements and says:
This is a fact-finding exercise to increase our knowledge and understanding. It will look at a range of online reviews and endorsements that are accessed by UK consumers, including those on web blogs, video blogs, social media, specialist review sites, trusted trader sites, retail platforms, and retailers’ own websites. It will also look at the roles that media companies, online reputation managers and search engine optimisers play in helping businesses to promote their products/services and manage their reputations in relation to these sites.
There are a number of different forms for submission of views. Bloggers are asked to use the blogger form and members of the public are asked to respond via a Respond online link or using the consumer form. I guess bloggers aren’t members of the public.
more eu transparency January 8, 2015
Posted by Bradley in : transparency , add a commentEuropean Commission publishes TTIP legal texts as part of transparency initiative.
eu commission transparency November 19, 2014
Posted by Bradley in : transparency , add a commentA step in the right direction:
As of 1 December 2014, all Members of the Commission are expected to make public on the Commission’s website all contacts and meetings held with stakeholders and lobbyists.
world toilet day November 19, 2014
Posted by Bradley in : inequality , add a commentAccording to a WHO/UNICEF Report:
The good news is that since 1990 well over 2 billion people have gained access to improved sources of drinking water, and 116 countries have met the MDG target for water. Almost 2 billion people gained access to improved sanitation and 77 countries have met the MDG target. More than half the world’s population, almost 4 billion people, now enjoy the highest level of water access: a piped water connection at their homes.
But much remains to be done. More than 700 million people still lack ready access to improved sources of drinking water; nearly half are in sub-Saharan Africa. More than one third of the global population — some 2.5 billion people – do not use an improved sanitation facility, and of these 1 billion people still practice open defecation.
on not sounding too good to be true… November 13, 2014
Posted by Bradley in : consumers , add a commentInvestors who used the search term “secure investment” seemingly found their way to a website at secureinvestment.com which “acknowledged that currency trading was risky” – and it was.