Knowledge and Insight - Public interest

Since pulling out of the global financial crisis, markets have been on one of the longest bull runs in history. Yet as wages stagnate, productivity slumps and living standards drop, large swathes of people in Western democracies feel left behind. Many of them are losing trust in capitalism itself.

The British High Street has always been susceptible to the vagaries of the economic cycle. It has survived wars, recessions and the rise of out-of-town retail parks. But the internet may pose one threat too many. Can our High Streets survive — and what will they have to become to do so?

It is over 100 years since women were first officially employed in the armed services. During the First World War tens of thousands of women joined the uniformed services doing vital auxiliary work – over 400 of them were to die in the line of duty. Yet it was only recently that the decision was finally taken to lift the ban on women serving in close combat roles. How important a part do women play in the modern armed services?

With many young people struggling to buy their first home and the older generation living longer and worrying about the cost of care, could the answer be multi-generational households? A growing number of people seem to think so.

Some experts believe sugar now poses as big a threat to public health as cigarettes. With obesity costing the NHS billions of pounds every year, can investors force food manufacturers to start being more responsible in their use of this bitter sweet ingredient? Rathbone Greenbank is playing its part in lobbying for change.

Britain was once the global giant of the textiles industry, but found itself unable to compete with the relentless growth of cheaper overseas producers. Now though, shifting global economics and the desirability of the Made in Britain brand mean the UK’s textile industry is enjoying a renaissance.

Rathbones has partnered with Jazz FM to bring you close to the music and artist with exclusive performances by the best new acts in jazz. 

You pace your cell. In just a few hours you'll be released. You want to make a fresh start. Being locked up isn't fun and the look on your sister's face when you were convicted still fills you with shame. But it will take guts. Where will you stay? What will you live on? You've stopped smoking weed, but can you stay stopped on the outside?

The team of scientists responsible for the birth of Dolly the sheep believed their achievement would help transform the fight against disease. Opponents warned human cloning would inevitably follow, giving rise to an array of ethical and moral dilemmas. Have any of the prophecies come close to realisation?