No one has actually used the phrase “abundance of caution” to describe the Heathrow Airport shutdown on Friday, but the chaos that it caused in international airline scheduling now seems to be down to a decision of extreme risk aversion. This episode is likely to become exhibit A in the debate about why the UK has economically lost its way.
The country has had something of a lost decade of low-to-nil productivity growth and higher taxes. This is a whole-of-society problem that, at the top of the funnel, resulted in the high-profile failure at the airport, a global transport node transiting hundreds of thousands of passengers every day.
Reporters honed in on Friday on the critical infrastructure risks of leaving the UK’s only hub airport reliant on a single substation for its electrical supply. Subsequent accounts revealed that it did have other sources of electricity but would have needed an out-of-hours reboot to bring these into its systems. Instead, authorities decided to close the airport for the day, causing major airline disruptions. It also emerged that the crucial decisions were taken while Heathrow’s chief executive slept, having turned the response over to his deputies after midnight.
There is a gamut of risks holding back the UK that exists in plain sight but few seem to be able to unwind or roll back. Take, for instance, the country’s energy conundrum.
The project to build a nuclear power station at Hinkley Point, in England’s south-west, is behind schedule and over budget. One reason for this is that the designers are having to comply with more than 9,000 technical assessments by the government, which commissioned the project. Hundreds of changes to the project have been ordered that engineers see as costly and unimportant.
The same design has already been built in Finland, a country that operates the highest safety standards and with a respected regulator regime, but none of that work can be used to credit the UK construction. It was originally due to cost £17 billion ($22 billion) and supply electricity by 2017. Then 2025. Now the best guess for generation is 2031 for what has become a £40 billion-plus-project.
At a smaller scale, the pettifogging rules seem to exist for the sake of rulemaking.
At a London Underground station that I use, there has been a small wooden bookcase on the back wall for years. In a tiny gesture to the community, people can leave books there for others to pick up and read. For commuters, it is a personal touch in an otherwise purely functional place. Not anymore. The bookshelf has been declared a fire hazard. There is now a laminated sign on the wall saying that the book exchange has been closed by the fire brigade.
Such are the hurdles placed in the way of businesses that many are grinding to a halt. A survey of family businesses on Monday found that more than half had put all new investment decisions on hold this year. The Confederation of British Industry issued a report on Monday that said “conserving funds” was the dominant theme for its members, with output slumping for all but three of its 17 sectors so far this year.
Foreign policy specialists often comment on the UK’s soft power advantages, including its cultural assets and institutions such as the royal family. Often what is really at work is that the visibility of the UK around the world is much higher than of other countries. Unfortunately, that also means that its flaws are magnified as well.
The current US administration, which likes to talk about European economic and social torpor, points to the UK as a poster child of this problem. US Vice President JD Vance was back on this hobby horse last week when, in a speech to the tech industry, he said that the UK had allowed its productivity to stagnate.
The former senator was speaking at a summit organised by the investment firm Andreessen Horowitz. After five years of rebasing talks with UK officials, the same firm set up a cryptocurrency and blockchain investment hub in London in 2023. In January, it pulled out to join the trend of American firms concentrating on the home market.
UK Chancellor of the Exchequer Rachel Reeves has made important statements to Parliament at a time when the economic bad news is mounting. The government has promised reforms, cutting back red tape and slashing bureaucracy. Attendees in a series of meetings with Ms Reeves have heard how the government will cherish foreign investment and work to set up a better regime to back new capital investments.
The trouble with the attempts by the governing Labour party, which has not yet been in power for a year, to set up a narrative of growth is that the drip, drip of bad news and poor performance is growing. All sides agree that the country does need to operate better at every level. It simply needs to get a grip on its critical national infrastructure, because restoring confidence in the country’s economic security is crucial.
Unfortunately, empty skies above west London are the latest indictment for the UK’s drifting ship.
Aggro%20Dr1ft
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How to watch Ireland v Pakistan in UAE
When: The one-off Test starts on Friday, May 11
What time: Each day’s play is scheduled to start at 2pm UAE time.
TV: The match will be broadcast on OSN Sports Cricket HD. Subscribers to the channel can also stream the action live on OSN Play.
COMPANY%20PROFILE
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Tips%20for%20holiday%20homeowners
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Final round
25 under - Antoine Rozner (FRA)
23 - Francesco Laporta (ITA), Mike Lorenzo-Vera (FRA), Andy Sullivan (ENG), Matt Wallace (ENG)
21 - Grant Forrest (SCO)
20 - Ross Fisher (ENG)
19 - Steven Brown (ENG), Joakim Lagergren (SWE), Niklas Lemke (SWE), Marc Warren (SCO), Bernd Wiesberger (AUT)
Results
5pm: Wadi Nagab – Maiden (PA) Dh80,000 (Turf) 1,200m; Winner: Al Falaq, Antonio Fresu (jockey), Ahmed Al Shemaili (trainer)
5.30pm: Wadi Sidr – Handicap (PA) Dh80,000 (T) 1,200m; Winner: AF Majalis, Tadhg O’Shea, Ernst Oertel
6pm: Wathba Stallions Cup – Handicap (PA) Dh70,000 (T) 2,200m; Winner: AF Fakhama, Fernando Jara, Mohamed Daggash
6.30pm: Wadi Shees – Handicap (PA) Dh80,000 (T) 2,200m; Winner: Mutaqadim, Antonio Fresu, Ibrahim Al Hadhrami
7pm: Arabian Triple Crown Round-1 – Listed (PA) Dh230,000 (T) 1,600m; Winner: Bahar Muscat, Antonio Fresu, Ibrahim Al Hadhrami
7.30pm: Wadi Tayyibah – Maiden (TB) Dh80,000 (T) 1,600m; Winner: Poster Paint, Patrick Cosgrave, Bhupat Seemar
Business Insights
- Canada and Mexico are significant energy suppliers to the US, providing the majority of oil and natural gas imports
- The introduction of tariffs could hinder the US's clean energy initiatives by raising input costs for materials like nickel
- US domestic suppliers might benefit from higher prices, but overall oil consumption is expected to decrease due to elevated costs
BUNDESLIGA FIXTURES
(All games 4-3pm kick UAE time) Bayern Munich v Augsburg, Borussia Dortmund v Bayer Leverkusen, Hoffenheim v Hertha Berlin, Wolfsburg v Mainz , Eintracht Frankfurt v Freiburg, Union Berlin v RB Leipzig, Cologne v Schalke , Werder Bremen v Borussia Monchengladbach, Stuttgart v Arminia Bielefeld
Dust and sand storms compared
Sand storm
- Particle size: Larger, heavier sand grains
- Visibility: Often dramatic with thick "walls" of sand
- Duration: Short-lived, typically localised
- Travel distance: Limited
- Source: Open desert areas with strong winds
Dust storm
- Particle size: Much finer, lightweight particles
- Visibility: Hazy skies but less intense
- Duration: Can linger for days
- Travel distance: Long-range, up to thousands of kilometres
- Source: Can be carried from distant regions
The candidates
Dr Ayham Ammora, scientist and business executive
Ali Azeem, business leader
Tony Booth, professor of education
Lord Browne, former BP chief executive
Dr Mohamed El-Erian, economist
Professor Wyn Evans, astrophysicist
Dr Mark Mann, scientist
Gina MIller, anti-Brexit campaigner
Lord Smith, former Cabinet minister
Sandi Toksvig, broadcaster
ARGYLLE
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MOUNTAINHEAD REVIEW
Starring: Ramy Youssef, Steve Carell, Jason Schwartzman
Director: Jesse Armstrong
Rating: 3.5/5
SPECS
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Tips to stay safe during hot weather
- Stay hydrated: Drink plenty of fluids, especially water. Avoid alcohol and caffeine, which can increase dehydration.
- Seek cool environments: Use air conditioning, fans, or visit community spaces with climate control.
- Limit outdoor activities: Avoid strenuous activity during peak heat. If outside, seek shade and wear a wide-brimmed hat.
- Dress appropriately: Wear lightweight, loose and light-coloured clothing to facilitate heat loss.
- Check on vulnerable people: Regularly check in on elderly neighbours, young children and those with health conditions.
- Home adaptations: Use blinds or curtains to block sunlight, avoid using ovens or stoves, and ventilate living spaces during cooler hours.
- Recognise heat illness: Learn the signs of heat exhaustion and heat stroke (dizziness, confusion, rapid pulse, nausea), and seek medical attention if symptoms occur.
Labour dispute
The insured employee may still file an ILOE claim even if a labour dispute is ongoing post termination, but the insurer may suspend or reject payment, until the courts resolve the dispute, especially if the reason for termination is contested. The outcome of the labour court proceedings can directly affect eligibility.
- Abdullah Ishnaneh, Partner, BSA Law
3%20Body%20Problem
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Company%20profile
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In The Heights
Directed by: Jon M. Chu
Stars: Anthony Ramos, Lin-Manual Miranda
Rating: ****
FIGHT%20CARD
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Auron Mein Kahan Dum Tha
Starring: Ajay Devgn, Tabu, Shantanu Maheshwari, Jimmy Shergill, Saiee Manjrekar
Director: Neeraj Pandey
Rating: 2.5/5
What is graphene?
Graphene is extracted from graphite and is made up of pure carbon.
It is 200 times more resistant than steel and five times lighter than aluminum.
It conducts electricity better than any other material at room temperature.
It is thought that graphene could boost the useful life of batteries by 10 per cent.
Graphene can also detect cancer cells in the early stages of the disease.
The material was first discovered when Andre Geim and Konstantin Novoselov were 'playing' with graphite at the University of Manchester in 2004.
The Way It Was: My Life with Frank Sinatra by Eliot Weisman and Jennifer Valoppi
Hachette Books
From Zero
Artist: Linkin Park
Label: Warner Records
Number of tracks: 11
Rating: 4/5
If you go
The flights
Emirates flies from Dubai to Funchal via Lisbon, with a connecting flight with Air Portugal. Economy class returns cost from Dh3,845 return including taxes.
The trip
The WalkMe app can be downloaded from the usual sources. If you don’t fancy doing the trip yourself, then Explore offers an eight-day levada trails tour from Dh3,050, not including flights.
The hotel
There isn’t another hotel anywhere in Madeira that matches the history and luxury of the Belmond Reid's Palace in Funchal. Doubles from Dh1,400 per night including taxes.
Sole survivors
- Cecelia Crocker was on board Northwest Airlines Flight 255 in 1987 when it crashed in Detroit, killing 154 people, including her parents and brother. The plane had hit a light pole on take off
- George Lamson Jr, from Minnesota, was on a Galaxy Airlines flight that crashed in Reno in 1985, killing 68 people. His entire seat was launched out of the plane
- Bahia Bakari, then 12, survived when a Yemenia Airways flight crashed near the Comoros in 2009, killing 152. She was found clinging to wreckage after floating in the ocean for 13 hours.
- Jim Polehinke was the co-pilot and sole survivor of a 2006 Comair flight that crashed in Lexington, Kentucky, killing 49.
F1 The Movie
Starring: Brad Pitt, Damson Idris, Kerry Condon, Javier Bardem
Director: Joseph Kosinski
Rating: 4/5
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
More from Aya Iskandarani
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
Killing of Qassem Suleimani
10 tips for entry-level job seekers
- Have an up-to-date, professional LinkedIn profile. If you don’t have a LinkedIn account, set one up today. Avoid poor-quality profile pictures with distracting backgrounds. Include a professional summary and begin to grow your network.
- Keep track of the job trends in your sector through the news. Apply for job alerts at your dream organisations and the types of jobs you want – LinkedIn uses AI to share similar relevant jobs based on your selections.
- Double check that you’ve highlighted relevant skills on your resume and LinkedIn profile.
- For most entry-level jobs, your resume will first be filtered by an applicant tracking system for keywords. Look closely at the description of the job you are applying for and mirror the language as much as possible (while being honest and accurate about your skills and experience).
- Keep your CV professional and in a simple format – make sure you tailor your cover letter and application to the company and role.
- Go online and look for details on job specifications for your target position. Make a list of skills required and set yourself some learning goals to tick off all the necessary skills one by one.
- Don’t be afraid to reach outside your immediate friends and family to other acquaintances and let them know you are looking for new opportunities.
- Make sure you’ve set your LinkedIn profile to signal that you are “open to opportunities”. Also be sure to use LinkedIn to search for people who are still actively hiring by searching for those that have the headline “I’m hiring” or “We’re hiring” in their profile.
- Prepare for online interviews using mock interview tools. Even before landing interviews, it can be useful to start practising.
- Be professional and patient. Always be professional with whoever you are interacting with throughout your search process, this will be remembered. You need to be patient, dedicated and not give up on your search. Candidates need to make sure they are following up appropriately for roles they have applied.
Arda Atalay, head of Mena private sector at LinkedIn Talent Solutions, Rudy Bier, managing partner of Kinetic Business Solutions and Ben Kinerman Daltrey, co-founder of KinFitz
