tagged w/ Vince Cable
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After an intervention from Vince Cable, Ofcom is now set to investigate the 61% buyout News Corp wants to make on BSkyB. The concern over the take over is about what would happen to media plurality in the UK after the deal.
"Mr Cable's move follows pressure from rival media groups who wrote to him last month urging him to block Mr Murdoch's move, which they said could reduce diversity in the industry."-BBC
According to the article, Ofcom will send it's findings to the Business Secretary by 31st December, which then may or may not then be refereed to the Competition Commission.After an intervention from Vince Cable, Ofcom is now set to investigate the 61% buyout... more
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The Guardian reports on a number of papers, from both sides of the political spectrum, writing to Vince Cable about vetoing a take over of BskyB by News Corp. They say the take over would damage UKs media plurality if the £8bn take over took place.
"The letter, signed by Murdoch MacLennan, chief executive of Telegraph Media Group, Sly Bailey, chief executive of Trinity Mirror, owner of the Daily Mirror, and Andrew Miller, chief executive of Guardian Media Group, was sent to Cable today. The signatories argue against a combined Murdoch multimedia empire that would have a turnover of £7.5bn compared with the BBC's £4.8bn.
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Under a merged company Sky News could be brought more closely into line with the company's UK newspapers."-Guardian
Non print news owners have also signed the petition, including cheif Exec of BT, BBC, Channel 4 and a leading law firm.The Guardian reports on a number of papers, from both sides of the political spectrum,... more
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Mark Thompson was interviewed on a US interview show where at one point he discussed his concern over News Corps proposed take over of BSkyB.
The guardian reports, News Corp is looking to buy the over 61% of BSkyB which Thompson states there "might be a significant loss of plurality in our media market."-Guardian
According to the article, Thompson looked to the Business secretary Vince Cable to look into the takeover, since Cable could veto the take over. The post also points out the current debates between the BBC and Sky over how the media industry should work in the UK, both seem to accuse the other of being too powerful.Mark Thompson was interviewed on a US interview show where at one point he discussed... more
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In a speech Vince Cable mentioned the future for students could mean higher fees, "In his speech, at London's South Bank University, Mr Cable said students would "almost certainly have to pay" more"-BBC.
With additional hints towards budget cuts for university funding "there may even be a "period of contraction" in university budgets in the next few years."-BBC
Cable also proposed the 'Graduate Tax' idea as a new form for graduates to pay tuition fees, which he stated will work on how much is earned by the student becuase the current system doesn't take earnings in consideration.
Reactions:
University and College Union- Argue it would not be fair to poorer students because the tax would go through income tax and warned against cuts to university funding.
"one of the problems with that is that over the period of the repayment, poorer students will probably pay a higher percentage of their earnings through a tax system than they would through a loan system."-BBC
The National Union of Students- Article said NUS welcomed the idea but the new system would have to be fair for students.In a speech Vince Cable mentioned the future for students could mean higher fees,... more
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According to the Guardian, Vince Cable wants to start a national debate on student numbers, relating to if high student numbers reduce the quality of university education.
"Packing more and more students in is not necessarily good value for money."_Guardian quoting a source close to Cable.
The paper also pointed out the government was already criticised for the reduction in places proposed for the next round of university applicants.
This sounds like when starting the national debate, Cables' department is for cutting back placements.
Is value for money and education connected university numbers?
Who will be left out if the placements are reduced? (students, youth employment, low income, universities, businesses, financial recovery)According to the Guardian, Vince Cable wants to start a national debate on student... more
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Previously Labour proposed plans to sell off parts of the Royal Mail and now the headline of the Guardian states Vince Cable is going for similar plans.
"Lord Mandelson, failed last summer following a backbench revolt by more than 120 Labour MPs and a campaign by the CWU."-Guardian, who also points out with Conservative and Lib Dem backing, Labour or other opposition might be voted out.
I remember reading an interesting 'anonymous insider' blog about the postal strikes and privatisation, it's an interesting read and I haven't seen the TNT contract issue raised else where. http://www.lrb.co.uk/v31/n18/roy-mayall/diary
"There’s TNT, UK Mail, Citypost and a number of others. What these companies do is to bid for the profitable bulk mail and city-to-city trade of large corporations, undercutting the Royal Mail, and then have the Royal Mail deliver it for them."-Roy Mayall
From the article, the business secretary supports privatisation because of fears over the Royal Mail's pension deficit and word the public service cannot compete with other markets. However, it does mention Royal Mail management and CWU are looking into the modernisation issues.Previously Labour proposed plans to sell off parts of the Royal Mail and now the... more
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International Monetary Fund wants to place in two taxes on banks to fund for any future bail-outs needed for banks.
With the most riskier banks paying out more, however, I'm hoping this won't be avoided via hiding bad assets in tax havens or marking bad assets as good ones. (not v.confident on that guess, financial news is v.confusing)
The British Bankers Association is speaking against the plans saying it would effect the UKs competitive stance world wide. Both Alistair Darling and Vince Cable welcome the report.
"IMF documents called for a “financial stability contribution” on all financial institutions to pay for the “fiscal cost of any future government support to the sector”, according to a report leaked to the BBC."International Monetary Fund wants to place in two taxes on banks to fund for any... more
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According to the Times, the Ask the Chancellors programme on Monday evening received complaints from some Conservatives who thought "that the Liberal Democrat Treasury spokesman was receiving too much applause."- The Times
When the debates were announced, it was discussed by many that the Lib Dems would benefit more, since the party has problems with getting noticed by voters (or at least the debates would show the Lib Dem stance in a hung parliament situation.)
The complaints and comments made by the Tories also mention their view that Cable was not asked tough questions and was allowed to 'referee' against the other two chancellors.
Even if you disagree with the complaints, the reaction to this first debate could lead to future debates being in-putted with PR fights and complaints over where the party leaders will stand and what noises the audience are allowed to make.
"Andy Coulson, the Tories’ director of communications, warned that this must not be repeated in the leaders’ debates next month. However, this could be more difficult when the moderators — David Dimbleby, Alistair Stewart and Adam Boulton — are banned from intervening to cross-question any party leader."- The Times.According to the Times, the Ask the Chancellors programme on Monday evening received... more
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