Talking to a business contact of mine earlier today, the subject of the Levenson enquiry concerning the alleged hacking of persons' phones by journalists/others came up. One thing that was mentioned was that the corruption of certain police officers, and possibly other officials with access to important data, highlights the dangers of aggregating large amounts of important data into a few pla...

The European Commission has moved to further integrate the 27-nation market for card, internet and mobile payments and stave off a lack of competition in that business. More »

The European Commission has moved to further integrate the 27-nation market for card, internet and mobile payments and stave off a lack of competition in that business. More »

The European Commission has refocused its attention on fees charged to process card transactions, saying new legislation may be needed

At the weekend, Tories were anticipating giving Ed Miliband an almighty kicking at PMQs. Lord Glasman’s description of Labour’s economic record as ‘all crap’ had given them a killer line. As one member of the Cameron circle joked to me, ‘we’ve never had more material to work with.’    But Ed Miliband now has a get out of jail free card. If he ask...

The government wishes to get the UK out of extreme debt. So far on its watch the private sector has done its bit. It has reined in credit card excesses, and gone soft on mortgage borrowing. The banks won’t lend 100% of a property any more, and many people are circumspect about taking on high

President Obama needs a new credit card limit, and this one is going to be about $1.2 billion higher than the last one. He will be asking Congress by the end of the week to increase the debt ceiling from $15.194 trillion to $16.394 trillion. Presumably, he'll phone it in from the golf course in Hawaii. Since they're in recess until later in January, the White House expects to get the app...

Taylor Dinerman has written a piece for the Hudson Institute on what may be coming in North Korea. I am of two minds. So long as the existing leadership keep up the facade for the rest of the world, the level of palace intrigue can become Roman in its proportions with little effect on the countryside. The key for the North Korean Aristocracy is to do one of the things it does best: keep the...

I let Guy Herbert buy me a drink. Nobody should ever let Guy Herbert buy them a drink. I should always buy him a drink. - Rob Fisher, to me, a year or so back, shortly after the plans for the ID card were abandoned. The fight continues, but battles have at times been won. Also: Merry Christmas, everyone....

Treasury Minister announces ban on airlines, travel companies and retailers charging fees when people pay by card.