DeepMind founder Demis Hassabis reveals his darkest moment
- 6 November 2018
- From the section Business
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Getty Images
He is the child from North London who built a multi-million technology company, sold it to Google and is now widely regarded as one of the world's leading experts in artificial intelligence.
Demis Hassabis, the founder and chief executive of the London-based technology giant, DeepMind, has revealed that he almost failed in one of his first business ventures and was fortunate to avoid driving the gaming firm he started "into the wall at 100mph".
He said he endured "some really dark hours" - as had the teams working with him.
Mr Hassabis said much of his success was down to luck and also to being able to spot when he was becoming "self-delusional" about whether an idea was going to work.
In an interview for a new BBC podcast, The Disrupters, looking at the role of entrepreneurs in the economy and society, Mr Hassabis said that failure and being able to learn from it was an essential part of ultimately being successful.
Read full article DeepMind founder Demis Hassabis reveals his darkest moment
Budget 2018: 'Squeeze continues' for lower-income families
- 30 October 2018
- From the section Business
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The era of austerity is not over for working families on benefits or government departments like transport, according to one of the first independent analyses of the Budget.
The Resolution Foundation said Philip Hammond had delivered £55bn in tax cuts and increases in public spending.
Read full article Budget 2018: 'Squeeze continues' for lower-income families
Budget 2018: Big spender Hammond
- 29 October 2018
- From the section Business
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AFP
There was one big challenge for the chancellor today - map out a plan for "ending austerity" as demanded by the prime minister.
Ending rather than ended is probably the most accurate analysis - with plans for many billions of pounds of extra spending.
Five things to watch for in the Budget
- 29 October 2018
- From the section Business
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Today is Budget day and certainly a tricky one for the Chancellor.
He has a number of competing challenges.
Labour's John McDonnell pledges more than £49bn to end austerity
- 25 October 2018
- From the section Business
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PA
Labour is planning to go further than its manifesto pledge last year of £49bn of extra spending to end austerity.
Shadow chancellor John McDonnell told the BBC that although the 2017 general election promise would go "quite a significant way" to tackling a long period of cuts, he wanted to do more.
Read full article Labour's John McDonnell pledges more than £49bn to end austerity
UK 'will pay the price' of no-deal Brexit
- 24 October 2018
- From the section Business
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PA
Britain will "pay the price" of a no-deal Brexit because complicated new border controls may not be ready in time, a government watchdog has warned.
Thousands of UK exporters did not have enough time to prepare for new border rules, the National Audit Office said.
Hammond’s £19bn bill to 'end austerity'
- 16 October 2018
- From the section Business
The government will have to find an extra £19bn a year if it is to uphold Theresa May's promise that "austerity is over", a major report has said.
In its pre-Budget report, the Institute for Fiscal Studies says it means higher borrowing and higher taxes.
Jamal Khashoggi disappearance: UN chief demands 'truth'
- 13 October 2018
- From the section Europe
The head of the United Nations has demanded "the truth" over the disappearance of the Saudi journalist Jamal Khashoggi.
Secretary General Antonio Guterres told the BBC he feared such disappearances would happen more regularly and become a "new normal".
Read full article Jamal Khashoggi disappearance: UN chief demands 'truth'
Hammond: Any Budget tax rises 'will be absolute minimum'
- 12 October 2018
- From the section Business
The chancellor has opened the door to tax rises in the Budget, saying the government "may have to raise a little more tax" to pay for the NHS.
Philip Hammond told the BBC he wanted to "minimise" any impact on the economy if taxes had to rise to cover the £20bn spending boost pledged for the NHS.
Read full article Hammond: Any Budget tax rises 'will be absolute minimum'
Hammond says 'Brexit deal dividend' would deliver economic boost
- 12 October 2018
- From the section Business
Britain could see an economic boost if it successfully negotiates a Brexit deal with the European Union, the chancellor has said.
Philip Hammond told the BBC that there has been a "measurable change of pace" in talks, adding to the sense of optimism that a deal could be imminent.
Read full article Hammond says 'Brexit deal dividend' would deliver economic boost
