The Open University

No Royal Wedding bank holiday: Why that’s probably a good thing

28 November 2017

With the feel-good factor of Prince Harry and Meghan Markle’s engagement, many of us were crossing our fingers that we’d get an extra bank holiday in the Spring of 2018 to help them celebrate. But on average, a bank holiday costs the UK economy £2.3billion in lost economic output – so maybe we’ll all be […]

Why a blockchain startup called Govcoin wants to ‘disrupt’ the UK’s welfare state

27 November 2017

The UK chancellor’s recent Budget reminded us that systemic problems continue to plague the government’s delayed roll-out of universal credit – a single monthly welfare payment that will replace six separate benefits. Philip Hammond also spoke of the UK government’s commitment to innovation, with the chancellor calling for a new tech startup to be founded […]

Budget 2017: The expert’s view – investment in technology

23 November 2017

The UK chancellor of the exchequer, Philip Hammond, has delivered his budget stating that the government will “invest over £500m in a range of initiatives from Artificial Intelligence, to 5G and full fibre broadband”. OU business expert Peter Bloom delivers his verdict on what, if any, impact this will have on innovation for UK business. […]

11 top tips to become a financially savvy teen

3 November 2017

According to research from by the OU’s True Potential Centre for the Public Understanding of Finance (PUFin) a staggering one in seven 18 year olds is already in debt. Almost two-thirds (60%) of them admit they owe money to payday loan companies – £168 each on average. Excluding more traditional student borrowing, the research found that these […]

Seven simple ways to support colleagues with mental health issues

10 October 2017

This article was authored by Matt Georges – one of our inspirational graduates who recently achieved his degree in Economics and Mathematical Sciences, aged 38. Some years ago, while discussing my depression with a senior manager, I was described by them as being “broken”. I knew they meant to be sympathetic, but it showed me […]

It’s time to modernise the UK’s road rules – but adding offences for cyclists is no place to start

4 October 2017

The UK is set to review the criminal laws and safety issues relating to cycling. This announcement came shortly after 20-year-old Londoner Charlie Alliston was found guilty on the little known charge of “wanton and furious driving”, having collided with 44-year-old pedestrian Amanda Briggs causing serious head injuries, which led to her death in 2016. […]

If a brain can be caught lying, should we admit that evidence to court? Here’s what legal experts think

2 August 2017

A man is charged with stealing a very distinctive blue diamond. The man claims never to have seen the diamond before. An expert is called to testify whether the brain responses exhibited by this man indicate he has seen the diamond before. The question is – should this information be used in court? Courts are […]

Still too many holes in Theresa May’s promise to EU citizens

24 June 2017

A full year after the EU referendum, the British prime minister has finally issued a statement on the status of the 3m European citizens living in the UK. These people have spent the year lobbying governments, parliaments and relevant organisations all over Europe for clarity about their post-Brexit rights – as well as those of […]

Open University Business School Student and Alumni Awards 2017

OU Business School Awards 2017 – student and alumni winners

21 June 2017

The OU Business School’s top students and alumni were celebrated at a special ceremony for the School’s annual award ceremony, held in Milton Keynes on Wednesday 21 June 2016. The awards celebrate the Business School’s highest achieving students, and the alumni who have made an outstanding contribution to an organisation or to society. Among this […]

Why Emmanuel Macron is bad news for Britain’s finance industry

10 May 2017

The election of the globalist and EU-champion, Emmanuel Macron, to the French presidency poses a threat to the UK’s financial sector and its economy more broadly. A potted history of the sector shows how important its outward-looking nature has been to its success. This could just as easily be undone, if the British government embarks […]

OU News

Category: Business and law