tagged w/ UK Politics
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If You Are Anti War Please Share This!
If you are Anti War, if you believe that the U.S., Great Britain and France should stay out of Iran, that there should be NO Sanctions NO War! Please Share this! Think of all the children that we WILL save by ENDING WARS!
http://freedividual.com/2012/02/06/if-you-are-anti-war-please-share-this/If You Are Anti War Please Share This!
If you are Anti War, if you believe that the... more
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Methodology – a set or system of methods, principles, and rules for regulating a given discipline; the underlying principles and rules of organization of a philosophical system or inquiry procedure; a branch of pedagogics dealing with analysis and evaluation of subjects to be taught and of the methods of teaching them.
Policy – a definite course of action adopted for the sake of expediency, facility, etc; a course of action adopted and pursued by a government, ruler, political party, etc.; action or procedure conforming to or considered with reference to prudence or expediency.
In the army, training doctrine is drawn and taught with a methodology that is set forth as a policy. On the most basic of levels, it is slimmed down and simple. This is not because it assumes a new recruit is stupid. It is done because in order for a large body of people to act in a coordinated and efficient manner, the more synchronized they have to be. The only way to do this, is to teach all recruits the basics, and grind them so far in that what is learned becomes almost as natural as breathing. You are taught to obey, not to question. This is on the premise that th....
http://peacefreedomprosperity.com/5642/the-failed-policy-called-government/Methodology – a set or system of methods, principles, and rules for regulating a... more
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Labour leader repeats call for national inquiry into causes of violence and accuses prime minister of responding with 'gimmickry'
Ed Miliband has launched a personal attack on David Cameron's handling of last week's riots, accusing the prime minister of being "shallow and simplistic".
Reiterating his call for a national inquiry into the causes of the violence, he said the country had a "deep need" to explain and understand what had happened, but that Cameron had responded with "gimmickry".
The Labour leader said nothing could excuse or justify the actions of the rioters and looters but that, unless the causes were understood properly, the violence could be repeated.
Miliband was speaking at Haverstock school, the secondary school in north London that he attended. Neighbouring shops were looted last week.
He addressed an audience of Labour party activists and local community members moments after Cameron concluded his own speech on the subject in his Witney constituency.
Miliband said writing the riots off as "pure criminality" or simply blaming parents would not get to the root of the problem. In a direct attack on Cameron, he characterised the government's response as "kneejerk gimmicks", citing talk of water cannon, "supercops" and the "harassment" of gangs.
"A prime minister who used to say 'hug a hoodie' now says the answer is to reform our health and safety laws," he said.
"A crisis like this tells us something about our political leaders. Day by day, the prime minister has revealed himself to be reaching for shallow and superficial answers."
Miliband said individuals were responsible for their actions, questioning why some parents were failing to teach their children right from wrong, but added that everyone had a responsibility for the society we live in.
He also questioned whether an economy that dictates that some parents have to work up to 70-hour weeks, meaning they are largely absent from their children's lives, might have a role in family breakdown.
But he added: "Children's ideas of right and wrong don't just come from their parents. And we can't honestly say the greed, selfishness and gross irresponsibility that shocked us all so deeply is confined to the looters, or even to their parents.
"It's not the first time we've seen this kind of me first, take what you can culture. The bankers who took millions while destroying people's savings – greedy, selfish and immoral. The MPs who fiddled their expenses – greedy, selfish and immoral. The people who hacked phones to get stories to make money for themselves – greedy, selfish and immoral.
"People who talk about the sick behaviour of those without power should talk equally about the sick behaviour of those with power.
"Let's not pretend that the crisis of values in our society is confined to a minority only at the bottom when we see the morality of millions of hardworking, decent people under siege from the top as well."
He said the last Labour government, as well as the coalition, had failed to address the issues of inequality in society, arguing that there is a culture of aspiration for success that is out of the reach of people at the bottom, creating frustration.
He called on Cameron to set up a commission of inquiry, with a mandate to listen to the nation's young people in particular, saying: "If he does not, I will."
He said the commission should investigate why people looted and vandalised their own neighbourhoods and why they felt no loyalty to their own communities, and what had led to the "greed, selfishness, immorality" demonstrated last week.
It should also look at the role parents played, the links between the economy and society and working pressures on families, and the role of the elite – politicians, press and bankers – in influencing cultural values.
Miliband said that after other major riots in Brixton and Oldham, commissions had been set up.
"We cannot let these be the seven days in August which shook our nation, which our nation then forgot," he added.
http://www.guardian.co.uk/politics/2011/aug/15/miliban-cameron-riots-shallow-simplistic
VIDEO > http://www.guardian.co.uk/uk/video/2011/aug/15/ed-miliband-cameron-riots-videoLabour leader repeats call for national inquiry into causes of violence and accuses... more
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The Prime minister's is to hold his most outspoken speech on immigration later today in Hampshire. The below text is the full speech he is giving to his fellow Conservative party members on the government's new immigration policy.
If you can't be bothered to read the whole thing the basic gist is that immigration is way too high, and that immigrants unable to speak English or unwilling to integrate have created a "kind of discomfort and disjointedness" which has disrupted communities across Britain.
The full speech
A year ago, we were in the middle of a general election campaign. And there was one message I heard loud and clear on the doorstep: we want things to be different. People said they wanted a government that didn't just do what was good for the headline or good for their party but good for the long term and good for our country. That's what we're engaged in.Clearly, cutting public spending isn't popular, but it's right to bring sense to our public finances. People said they wanted a government that actually trusted them to use their own common sense. That's the kind of government we want to be – giving neighbourhoods and individuals a whole range of new powers … scrapping so much of the bureaucracy that drove us mad.People said they were sick of seeing those who did the right thing get punished and the wrong thing rewarded. Again, that's what we're acting on. In welfare we're ending the system that took money from hard-working taxpayers and gave it to people who refused to work. These are the differences we are trying to make – listening to people, doing the hard and necessary work of changing our country for the better.
Immigration debate
But there was something else we heard on the doorstep – and it was this: "We are concerned about the levels of immigration in our country … but we are fed up of hearing politicians talk tough but do nothing." Here, again, we are determined to be different.Now, immigration is a hugely emotive subject … and it's a debate too often in the past shaped by assertions rather than substantive arguments. We've all heard them. The assertion that mass immigration is an unalloyed good and that controlling it is economic madness … the view that Britain is a soft touch and immigrants are out to take whatever they can get. I believe the role of politicians is to cut through the extremes of this debate and approach the subject sensibly and reasonably.The last government, in contrast, actually helped to inflame the debate. On the one hand, there were Labour ministers who closed down discussion, giving the impression that concerns about immigration were somehow racist. On the other, there were ministers hell-bent on burnishing their hard-line credentials by talking tough … but doing nothing to bring the numbers down.This approach had damaging consequences in terms of controlling immigration … but also in terms of public debate. It created the space for extremist parties to flourish, as they could tell people that mainstream politicians weren't listening to their concerns or doing anything about them. I remember when immigration wasn't a central political issue in our country – and I want that to be the case again. I want us to starve extremist parties of the oxygen of public anxiety they thrive on and extinguish them once and for all.Above all, I want to get the policy right: good immigration, not mass immigration. That's why I believe it's time for a new approach – one which opens up debate, not closes it down; where politicians don't just talk, but actually act.
Benefits of immigration
Let's start with being open. The British people are fair-minded – and I want them to feel they can be honest about what they think about this subject. Here's what I think. Our country has benefitted immeasurably from immigration. Go into any hospital and you'll find people from Uganda, India and Pakistan who are caring for our sick and vulnerable. Go into schools and universities and you'll find teachers from all over the world, inspiring our young people. Go to almost any high street in the country and you'll find entrepreneurs from overseas who are not just adding to the local economy but playing a part in local life. Charities, financial services, fashion, food, music – all these sectors are what they are because of immigration. So yes, immigrants make a huge contribution to Britain. We recognise that – and we welcome it.
Pressures of immigration
But I'm also clear about something else: for too long, immigration has been too high. Between 1997 and 2009, 2.2 million more people came to live in this country than left to live abroad. That's the largest influx of people Britain has ever had … and it has placed real pressures oncommunities up and down the country. Not just pressures on schools, housing and healthcare – though those have been serious … but social pressures too. Because real communities aren't just collections of public service users living in the same space.Real communities are bound by common experiences … forged by friendship and conversation … knitted together by all the rituals of the neighbourhood, from the school run to the chat down the pub. And these bonds can take time. So real integration takes time.That's why, when there have been significant numbers of new people arriving in neighbourhoods … perhaps not able to speak the same language as those living there … on occasions not really wanting or even willing to integrate … that has created a kind of discomfort and disjointedness in some neighbourhoods.This has been the experience for many people in our country – and I believe it is untruthful and unfair not to speak about it and address it.
Our aim
So, taking all this into account, I believe controlling immigration and bringing it down is of vital importance to the future of our country. That's why during the election campaign, Conservatives made a clear commitment to the British people … that we would aim to reduce net migration to the levels we saw in the 1980s and 1990s.Now we are in government, we are on track to meet that aim. We are controlling legal immigration – having introduced a cap on non-EU economic migrants. We are clamping down on illegal immigration. And we are getting to grips with the asylum system too. The UK Border Agency is now close to clearing the back-log of almost half a million asylum cases. Our action is working.But some myths have crept in – about what we're doing and the impact our policies will have. There are those who say that whatever measures we put in place, we can't control immigration significantly. And there are those who accept we can control immigration, but argue that the way we propose to do it will damage our economy and universities. Today I want to take those myths head-on.
Immigration from Europe
Let me begin by addressing those who say we can't control immigration. They have three planks to their argument. First, they say legal immigration is impossible to control because we're a member of the European Union. Second, they argue that illegal immigration can't be controlled either because it's impossible to properly police. And third, they say that immigration will always be high because immigrant workers do jobs that British people won't do.Each part of that argument is wrong. Take this question of Europe. Yes, our borders are open to people from other member states in the European Union. But actually, this counts for a small proportion of overall net migration to the UK. In the year up to June 2010, net migration to our country from EU nationals was just 27,000.That's not to say migration from Europe has been insignificant. Since 2004, when many large eastern European countries joined the EU, more than one million people from those countries have come to live and work in the UK – a huge number. We said back then that transitional controls should have been put in place to restrict the numbers coming over. And now we're in government, if and when new countries join the European Union, transitional controls will be put in place.
Immigration from outside the EU
But this remains the fact: when it comes to immigration to our country, it's the numbers from outside the EU that really matter. In the year up to June 2010, net migration from nationals of countries outside the EU to the UK totalled 198,000. This is the figure we can more easily control and should control.Last week, our new immigration cap for people coming here to work from outside the EU came into force. It means for the next twelve months, we will not allow employers to recruit more than 20,700 skilled workers from outside Europe. And we've already shown a cap can work. Last July, we placed interim limits on the number of visas we would give for skilled workers - and this kept the numbers down to under 20,000.Of course employment is just one of the routes of entry and settlement into this country. Every year tens of thousands of people marry into Britain or join their families here. Now many of these are genuine, loving relationships. But we also know there are abuses of the system.For a start there are forced marriages taking place in our country, and overseas as a means of gaining entry to the UK. This is the practice where some young British girls are bullied and threatened into marrying someone they don't want to. I've got no time for those who say this is a culturally relative issue – it is wrong, full stop, and we've got to stamp it out.Then there are just the straightforward sham marriages. Last summer, we ordered the UK Border Agency to clamp down on these and they've had significant success, making 155 arrests. And there was also the shocking case of a vicar who was jailed for staging over 300 sham marriages.But as well as abuse of the system, there are other problems with the family route. We know, for instance, that some marriages take place when the spouse is very young, and has little or no grasp of English. Again we cannot allow cultural sensitivity to stop us from acting. That's why last November we introduced a requirement for all those applying for a marriage visa to demonstrate a minimum standard of English … and we will defend the age limit of 21 for spouses coming to the UK.So however sensitive or difficult a subject it may be, we are tightening up the family route. But by far the biggest route for non-EU entrants into this country has been the student visa route. Immigration by students has almost trebled in the past decade. Last year, some 303,000 visas were issued overseas for study in the UK.But this isn't the end of the story. Because a lot of those students bring people with them to this country … husbands, wives, children. Indeed, last year, 32,000 visas were issued to the dependents of students. Again, many of these applications are for legitimate students doing legitimate courses with legitimate dependents coming over with them. But we know that some of these student applications are bogus, and in turn their dependents are bogus.Consider this: a sample of 231 visa applications for the dependents of students found that only twenty-five percent of them were genuine dependents. The others? Some were clearly gaming the system and had no genuine or loving relationship with the student. Others we just couldn't be sure about.The whole system was out of control – and we're now getting to grips with it. We're targeting bogus colleges that offer sham courses. We're making sure that anyone studying a degree-level course has a proper grasp of the English language. We're saying that only postgraduate students can bring dependents.And we're making sure that if people come over here to study, they should be studying not working … and that when they've finished their studies, they go home unless they are offered a graduate-level skilled job, with a minimum salary.Taken together, we estimate that these proposals will cut the number of student visas issued by around 80,000 a year. So across all the main routes of entry to Britain – work, family, education – we are taking action, simultaneously. And the key word here is 'simultaneously'.As the Home Secretary has said, controlling immigration by clamping down on one route alone is "like squeezing a balloon … Push down work visas and the number of student visas will shoot up. Clamp down on student visas and family visas will spring up."For years, people have been playing the system, exploiting the easiest routes of entry to the UK. Now, because of what we're doing, this country finally has consistent controls right across the immigration system.
Permanent settlement
But as I said in a speech in opposition, what matters most is not who comes into the country but who stays. Of course there are fair and legitimate reasons for people who arrive here temporarily to stay here permanently. But the figures clearly suggest that many gain temporary entry into the UK with no plans to leave. More than a fifth of students who entered Britain in 2004 were still here five years later – and many were supposed to be coming to study short courses.But the most significant route to permanent settlement is the economic migration route. Last year, 84,000 people who initially came on a work visa got the right to settle here. I want Britain to continue to attract the best workers. But it cannot be right that people coming to fill short-term skills gaps can stay long-term.As the Cross-Party Balanced Migration Group has argued, it is essential we break that link between temporary visas and permanent settlement.They are right – that's what this Government is determined to do … and we will consult on how best to proceed on this in the coming months.
Illegal immigration
So this is the progress we are making on cutting legal immigration and clamping down on the abuse of legitimate entry routes. And we are cracking down on illegal immigration too. This is a question of fairness – yes, to the British people … but also to those who have been shipped over here against their will, kept as slaves and forced to work horrendous hours.So as part of our National Crime Agency, we are establishing a proper border policing command which will crack down on people smuggling. And because of better technology and closer working with the French, we have managed to cut the number of people identified trying to cross the Channel illegally by two thirds last year.At the same time as stopping illegal immigrants coming to Britain, we are doing something about those who are already here. Two nationwide campaigns targeting illegal migrants have resulted in 1400 arrests, 330 prosecutions and 260 removals. And in the six months to the end of February, we collected some £3.6m in fines from employers of illegal workers.What's more, we're closing the loophole that has allowed people who have worked here illegally to get unemployment benefits. Estimates suggest that as many as 155,000 illegal workers might be able to do this … with some eligible to claim over £5,000 in employment seekers allowance – each year.That's wrong - and we're stopping it. We're making sure that only people who have the right to work here can claim benefits. And we also recently announced that anyone who owes money to the NHS will be refused entry to the UK until they have paid back their debts.So across border control, health policy, benefits policy … we are taking decisive action to close the gaps that for too long have allowed people to come here illegally and to stay here illegally.
Who will do these jobs?
So we can control both legal and illegal immigration. What is required is political will and the drive to make sure this agenda runs right across government.But the third argument put forward by those who say we can't control immigration is that immigration is not just a problem of supply but of demand. Put simply, immigration will always be high because British people won't do the jobs migrant workers do.I can see why this argument is made. Since 1997, the number of people in work in our economy has gone up by some 2.5 million. And of this increase, around 75% was accounted for by foreign-born workers … many of whom were employed to clean offices, serve in restaurants or work on building sites. At the same time we have had persistently, eye-wateringly high numbers of British born people stuck on welfare.But let's be clear about what our conclusions should be from this. This is not a case of 'immigrants coming over here and taking our jobs'. The fact is – except perhaps in the very short-term – there are not a fixed number of jobs in our economy. If one hundred migrant workers come into the country, they don't simply displace job opportunities for a hundred British citizens. Of course they take up vacancies that are available, but they also come and create wealth and new jobs.The real issue is this: migrants are filling gaps in the labour market left wide open by a welfare system that for years has paid British people not to work. That's where the blame lies – at the door of our woeful welfare system, and the last government who comprehensively failed to reform it.So immigration and welfare reform are two sides of the same coin. Put simply, we will never control immigration properly unless we tackle welfare dependency. That's another powerful reason why this government is undertaking the biggest shake-up of the welfare system for generations … making sure that work will always pay … and ending the option of living a life on the dole when a life in work is possible.
Economy
Take all these actions together, and I believe we are proving that we can control immigration.But there's another group of people I want to take on. The ones who accept we can control immigration, but have doubts about what our reforms will mean. The first thing they say is: these policies will deny British business of the talent they need to succeed. That's plain wrong. Nothing – nothing – is more important to this government than growing our economy, creating jobs and prosperity across our country.That's why far from simply salami-slicing numbers coming here with no thought to the impact that will have on business, we have thought incredibly carefully about how we can select and attract the world's brightest to our shores.This was something the last government comprehensively failed to do. Yes, they introduced a points-based system for immigration, where people were admitted to our country according to the levels of skills they had … but only after being repeatedly called to do so by the Conservative party.Yet once they put this in place, they failed to properly control it and effectively manage it. For example, tier one visas were supposed to be reserved for only the highest skilled migrants. But the evidence shows almost a third of people who came over on one of these visas were not employed in highly skilled jobs. Some were found stacking shelves in supermarkets or driving taxis – and that's if they were employed at all.Tier two visas were supposed to be reserved for skilled jobs such as engineers. But again, these visas were abused and misused. In one case, an applicant applied as an "elite chef" for a fried chicken shop. The main qualifying criterion was the rate of pay. So in this case, his sister, who owned the shop decided to pay him exactly the amount that allowed him to qualify. There was nothing the authorities could do and he was allowed in.So it has fallen to this government to sort out the system – and we are completely changing the way it works so it is truly geared to the needs of our economy. We are reforming tier one, to make sure that it is genuinely a route only for the best. As part of that package of reform, we are introducing a new route for people of exceptional talent – like scientists, academics and artists. And we are introducing a new entrepreneur visa, to roll out the red carpet for anyone who has a great business idea and serious investment.We are also reforming tier two visas. Business leaders have told us that as a country, we should prioritise skilled tier two, workers with a job offer rather than highly-skilled tier one workers without a job offer. So that's what we're doing.For the coming year, even as we have reduced the number of economic migrants overall by seven thousand, we have actually increased the number of tier two visas available. And we have also raised the skills level so it is only open to graduate-level occupations - and excludes other jobs like careworkers and cooks. What's more, we have exempted what are called 'intra-company transfers' from the limit while raising standards at the same time … so firms can still move their employees around the world, but not to fill permanent jobs that could be done by UK workers.So I completely reject the idea that our new immigration rules will damage our economy.
Universities
The second thing some say is that our policies on student visas will damage our universities. Again, let me make clear: this government will do nothing to harm Britain's status as a magnet for the world's best students. That's why with us, if you're good at your subject, can speak English and have been offered a place on a course at a trusted institution – you will be able to get a visa to study here.Put another way, Britain's universities are free to market themselves globally saying: "You can come and study here at some of the finest institutions anywhere in the world – and you can stay and work in a graduate job after you leave."That makes our country a hugely attractive destination for genuine students who genuinely want to study abroad. What we don't want is for this to be a hugely attractive destination for people who only want a passage to Britain. So we are cracking down on the abuses of the system.In recent years there has also grown up a thriving industry of bogus colleges, providing bogus qualifications as cover for bogus visas. Of the 744 private colleges on the UK Border Agency sponsor register in January, only 131 had attained highly trusted sponsor status.Yet, as of mid-January this year, the 613 private colleges who are not "highly trusted" have been able to sponsor 280,000 students between them. The potential for abuse is clearly enormous.Indeed, we have been looking into the practice of some so-called colleges. In one case, students were sent off to so-called work placements in locations up to 280 miles away from the college where they were supposed to be studying on a regular basis.In another, students were found working in 20 different locations and undertaking no study time whatsoever. In yet another case, there were 2 lecturers for 940 students.Want to know how ridiculous things have got? An Indian organisation which helps people get student visas has put up a massive billboard in that country. It's got a picture of London bus and the words "get a free ride to the UK" emblazoned across it.Clearly, we cannot – and should not – put up with any of this. That's why we're getting to grips with the abuse and that's why I reject the idea that our policy will damage our universities.It really is simple: if you're a genuine academic institution – you have nothing to worry about. But if you're not, you do – and I make no apology for that.
Conclusion
What I have set out today is a sober, comprehensive and effective plan to cut immigration, and cut it substantially. Sober because we come to this debate clear-headed about not only the benefits of immigration … but also its impact on our public services, communities and society. Comprehensive because we are leaving no stone unturned, taking action across all routes of entry to our country. And effective – because we are doing all this in a way that strengthens our economy and enhances the status of our universities.This time last year, we said we would listen to people's concerns and get immigration under control. Today I can confidently say that we are getting there.If we take the steps set out today, and deal with all the different avenues of migration, legal and illegal, then levels of immigration can return to where they were in the 1980s and 90s, a time when immigration was not a front rank political issue. And I believe that will mean net migration to this country will be in the order of tens of thousands each year, not the hundreds of thousands every year that we have seen over the last decade.Yes, Britain will always be open to the best and brightest from around the world and those fleeing persecution. But with us, our borders will be under control and immigration will be at levels our country can manage. No ifs. No buts. That's a promise we made to the British people. And it's a promise we are keeping.
Source for the speech: The Guardian
The Prime minister's is to hold his most outspoken speech on immigration later... more
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What will it take to make 'Great' Britain GREAT again?
When will the british get a back bone?
What will finally cause the Brits to regain a spine?
Then show the government that we do have a voice and do have rights and just because the banks have screwed the whole world why is it down to the people to make reparations to the filthy rich elitist tax evading money grabbing expense scandalling (Taking the effing pi**) government???What will it take to make 'Great' Britain GREAT again?
When will the... more
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UK economy contracted by 0.6% in last three months of 2010 | The Guardian
Office for National Statistics stuck to its view that the harsh winter weather in December – the coldest December on record – contributed 0.5 percentage points to the decline.UK economy contracted by 0.6% in last three months of 2010 | The Guardian
Office... more
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Dunfermline and West Fife Labour MP Thomas Docherty, has called for a dress code in parliament Thursday after he spotted other MP's wearing jeans at the House of Commons.
Docherty raised this after he also spotted some female MP's wearing black denim, knee-length shoes and leather jackets. Deputy speaker Dawn Primarolo knew that all MP's should wear smartly, all the other MPs laughed as the speaker should speak to those directly.
Source: http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-politics-12010365Dunfermline and West Fife Labour MP Thomas Docherty, has called for a dress code in... more
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Kicking off the party conference, Ed Miliband has been named leader of the Labour Party after four rounds of voting run-offs.
He fended off Diane Abbott (last), Andy Burnham (forth), Ed Balls (third) and his brother David Miliband (runner-up, off by 1% in forth round). The leadership voting is casted by Labour MP's, members of the party and trade unionists.
Source: http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-politics-11412031Kicking off the party conference, Ed Miliband has been named leader of the Labour... more
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Vince Cable is reported to be looking into the part-privatisation of the Royal Mail between, after recommendation from Richard Hooper. The ideas for a part-privatisation appeared during the previous government when Peter Mandelson was Business secretary and the debate continued with the coalition government.
"His latest report says the universal postal service can only be maintained by an injection of private sector money and expertise.
He also repeated his call for the Royal Mail's pension scheme, which has an £8bn deficit, to be nationalised.
"We will come forward with new legislation in the autumn."-BBC
It sounds like the legislation is still going for privatising the delivery service, while nationalising the pension deficit.
"The plan was immediately denounced by the main trade union at the Royal Mail, the CWU. Its general secretary, Billy Hayes, said privatisation would lead to higher prices for customers and job losses for staff."-BBCVince Cable is reported to be looking into the part-privatisation of the Royal Mail... more
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It is reported George Osborne is set to cut the benefits budget by £4bn for the spending review. In a BBC interview, the chancellor stated the cuts would be a way to go after those who see benefits as a lifestyle choice.
""People who think it is a lifestyle to sit on out-of-work benefits … that lifestyle choice is going to come to an end. The money will not be there for that lifestyle choice."-Guardian
The article states the Work and Pensions minister Iain Duncan Smith is currently in 'bitter talks' with the treasury over budget plans to fund a incentive for people stuck in a long term benefits cycle.
"During the election campaign David Cameron promised the winter fuel allowance would not be cut, but it is possible that it, and some other universal benefits, could be restricted to those on pension credit, as the Lib Dems advocated."-GuardianIt is reported George Osborne is set to cut the benefits budget by £4bn for the... more
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The front pages today are talking about the Hague story, where the Foreign secretary was reported to have shared a room with his aide Christopher Myers. The rumours online started to speculate if Hague was having a gay affair with his aide, which was denied in a public statement.
Was the story front page news?
Does this highlight a new aspects of the relationship between the internet and the politics news press?
What other stories should have gained more media attention?
Brief background:
It sounds like the rumours started online from Guido Fawkes, which asked why Myers was appointed as an aide, claiming a close personal relationship and saying William Littlejohn should have been Hague's aide.
"Guido believes it to be the case that it would be usual for the bill for the room – which was settled by Hague personally – to be reimbursed via the Conservative Party’s election campaign expenses. One witness told Guido that the room sharing couple’s body language at breakfast was eye opening. [...] If Hague had kept an experienced press handler like William Littlejohn as his SpAd he wouldn’t be in this situation would he? He wouldn’t haven’t released that stupid statement on Monday, which brought him more unwanted press attention.-Guido Fawkes http://order-order.com/tag/hague/
This week saw the statement by Hague about his marriage and denying the rumours made against him, along with the resignation of Myers.
"He also denied his marriage to wife Ffion was in trouble, revealing personal details in an extraordinary personal statement released yesterday.
He revealed that he and Ffion have suffered the trauma of multiple miscarriages as they try to start a family, adding that they are grieving the loss of a pregnancy this summer.
Mr Hague admitted to "occasionally" sharing hotel rooms with Mr Myers during the election, but said: "Neither of us would have done so if we had thought that it in any way meant or implied something else.""-Channel 4 news
Early reports of Myers being appointed by an aid can be found online still, here's one from the Daily Mail.
"After leaving Durham, he trained as a lawyer and worked as a constituency activist for Mr Hague. He shares Mr Hague's broad Northern vowels and his background makes him a natural addition to Mr Hague's 'Tyke Mafia'."
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-1305082/Another-Hague-special-adviser-And-baseball-cap-moments.html#ixzz0yMxXxqwNThe front pages today are talking about the Hague story, where the Foreign secretary... more
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New questions are raised with a number of 'cash for access' aspects in conservative fund-raising. The article states, when in opposition the Conservative party criticised Labour from letting business men pay money to have access to key ministers.
"However, the party today confirmed to the Standard that businessmen can rub shoulders with the Prime Minister, Chancellor George Osborne and other “senior ministers” by paying an annual subscription to donors' clubs."-Evening Standard
The clubs are in different side, with the Leader's Group being at the top since top donors can have the opportunity to meet with David Cameron. Donations to parties are known, but Sir Alistair Graham says it is unwise to include access since:
"“gives the impression you can buy the opportunity to influence government”. “If you're trying to set a high moral tone, this sort of thing is unwise,” he said."-Evening Standard.
I wonder if any charity groups have joined any of the clubs which include meeting with the PM?New questions are raised with a number of 'cash for access' aspects in... more
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From reports it sounds like some MPs are unhappy with the Independent Parliamentary Standards Authority, which was formed after the expenses scandal.
The article talks about how MPs found it time consuming and "too bureaucratic". Though the article highlights the abuse volunteer staff received from some politicians, since a document of complaints were released.
The article also goes into details about an incident between Denis MacShane and a young volunteer, which ended in the volunteer in tears and MacShane apologising with a box of chocolates.
"In another recorded incident, trainers and all IPSA staff were referred to as "monkey" by one female MP.
One MP is said to have grabbed a trainer's name badge, while another reportedly declared: "I am going to murder someone today."-BBCFrom reports it sounds like some MPs are unhappy with the Independent Parliamentary... more
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The news come from the governments new plans for changing drug policy and considering joining one part with the benefits system. Today there's news the government is considering withdrawing benefits from addicts if they don't take action to stop their dependency.
"The benefits scheme would be a revival of a previous Labour initiative aimed at helping drug users get back into work. [...] However drug charities have criticised the plans, saying there was no evidence they would work and could breach medical principles. "-channel 4 newsThe news come from the governments new plans for changing drug policy and considering... more
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It's 100 days into the coalition government and today Nick Clegg said despite the cuts being made the government will improve lives in its social mobility plans. Clegg stated Labour spent huge sums on welfare with no impact on the gap between rich and poor in the UK.
"The pupil premium will target children from disadvantaged backgrounds so they have access more care and extra schooling. The scheme will "help pupils overcome the accident of their birth", Mr Clegg said.
The deputy prime minister gave no firm answer to reports suggesting that cuts to welfare benefits would affect the annual heating allowance for those aged over 60. "-Channel 4
However, with concerns of cuts and welfare reform it is said the details won't be known till later in the year (October probably)It's 100 days into the coalition government and today Nick Clegg said despite the... more
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Guardian tracks down some tales and old friends of Clegg to find out what the deputy PM got up to in his years studying in the US.
The article starts off with his internships in the 90s and road trips with Louis Theroux, but then goes into when Clegg followed Prince around.
""religiously" following Prince from gig to gig in his royal purpleness's home town.
"I wasn't what you'd call a groupie," Clegg recalled, "but I did spend a whole year following him around . . . Once I spent all night drinking in a bar waiting for him, before eventually giving up and going home."-Guardian
Other than stalking Prince, the Guardian talks to an old friend of Clegg who mentions the views on Regan, transcendental meditation and interests in the American environmental activism.
"He said something like, 'Margaret Thatcher couldn't get away with what Reagan has done.'""-GuardianGuardian tracks down some tales and old friends of Clegg to find out what the deputy... more
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The BBC supplies a list of the cuts being made to different departments in government. The page supplies the budget, % to be cut and the department already set for the axe.
What is interesting also, are the rumour mills sections into the reports of possible job loses caused by the cuts. The reports and rumours into job loses has had some newspapers point towards strikes this winter by the public sector.
"ENERGY AND CLIMATE CHANGE:
Annual budget: £3.1bn
Cut required to meet 25% savings target: £775m
The scope of the Offshore Wind Capital Grants Scheme will be reduced, saving £3m. And the Carbon Trust will receive a £12.6m reduction to this year's grant for low-carbon technology and in its business support funding. "-BBCThe BBC supplies a list of the cuts being made to different departments in government.... more
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A plan by the health minister to scrap free milk to the under 5's were scrapped by the UK prime minister after David Cameron didn't like the idea.
Health Minister Anne Milton said the scheme which was dated back to 1940, was too expensive with no health benefits and instead plans to increase the "Healthy Start" voucher scheme instead. the plans were not popular even for the Scottish ministers, most of Downing Street were unaware of the plans.
Source: http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-10904958A plan by the health minister to scrap free milk to the under 5's were scrapped... more
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The Government has stopped advertising for lap dancers and strippers in job centres, in a move to protect the vulnerable and "to prevent jobseekers feeling they had to accept jobs they felt uncomfortable with."-BBC
The article says the ban is in place because of public concern over the amount of jobs for the adult entertainment advertised at job centres.
"Adult industry job adverts have been allowed in job centres since 2003, when lingerie chain Ann Summers won a legal fight to advertise for shop staff."-BBCThe Government has stopped advertising for lap dancers and strippers in job centres,... more
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The article claims the aim of private university would mean the burdens on the public sector like funding and numbers could be lifted slightly. Though the article points out a private university would be able to set its own tuition fee limit.
"Private universities will help to create a "dynamic and flexible" degree system, says Mr Willetts.
But the UCU lecturers' union warned that an expansion of the private sector would be a "disaster" and that the creation of a new private university was the "beginning of a slippery slope"."-BBCThe article claims the aim of private university would mean the burdens on the public... more
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